Production of goods in large quantities after processing from raw materials to more valuable products is called manufacturing. People employed in the secondary activities manufacture the primary materials into finished goods. The economic strength of a country is measured by the development of its manufacturing industries.
The manufacturing sector is considered the backbone of general and economic development due to the following reasons:
Industries are classified based on various criteria to facilitate better understanding:
The textile industry occupies a unique position in the Indian economy because it contributes significantly to industrial production, employment generation, and foreign exchange earnings. It is the only industry in the country which is self-reliant and complete in the value chain (from raw material to the highest value-added products).
In ancient India, cotton textiles were produced with hand spinning and handloom weaving techniques. After the 18th century, power-looms came into use. The first successful textile mill was established in Mumbai in 1854.
India is the largest producer of raw jute and jute goods, and stands at second place as an exporter after Bangladesh. Most of the mills are located in West Bengal, mainly along the banks of the Hugli river in a narrow belt. The first jute mill was set up near Kolkata in 1855 at Rishra.
India stands second as a world producer of sugar but occupies the first place in the production of gur and khandsari. The raw material is bulky, and its sucrose content reduces during long haulage.
The iron and steel industry is the basic industry since all other industries depend on it for their machinery. It is a heavy industry because all raw materials and finished goods are heavy and bulky, entailing high transport costs. Iron ore, coking coal, and limestone are required in the ratio of approximately $4:2:1$. Some quantities of manganese are also required to harden the steel. The Chhotanagpur plateau region has the maximum concentration of iron and steel industries due to low-cost iron ore and high-grade raw materials in proximity.
Aluminium smelting is the second most important metallurgical industry in India. It is light, resistant to corrosion, a good conductor of heat, malleable, and becomes strong when mixed with other metals. It is used to manufacture aircraft, utensils, and wires. Bauxite is the raw material used in smelters. Regular supply of electricity and an assured source of raw material at minimum cost are the two prime factors for its location.
The chemical industry in India is fast-growing and diversifying. It comprises both large and small-scale manufacturing units. It has two main sectors:
Centred around the production of nitrogenous fertilizers (mainly urea), phosphatic fertilizers, ammonium phosphate (DAP), and complex fertilizers which have a combination of nitrogen (N), phosphate (P), and potash (K). Potash is entirely imported as India does not have any reserves of commercially usable potash.
Cement is essential for construction activities. This industry requires bulky and heavy raw materials like limestone, silica, and gypsum. Coal and electric power are also needed. The first cement plant was set up in Chennai in 1904.
Provides vehicles for quick transport of goods and passengers. After liberalisation, the coming of new and contemporary models stimulated demand, leading to healthy growth in passenger cars, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.
Covers a wide range of products from transistor sets to television, telephones, cellular telecom, computers, and radars. Bengaluru has emerged as the electronic capital of India. A major impact of this industry has been on employment generation.
Industries are responsible for four major types of pollution:
Some suggestions to reduce industrial pollution include:
NTPC is a major power-providing corporation in India with ISO 14001 certification. It has a proactive approach to preserving the natural environment through: