Morbi Ceramic Industry Faces Shutdown Amid West Asia Conflict, Gas Supply Cut

• Gujarat's Morbi ceramic industry faces imminent shutdown due to disrupted gas supplies from the Gulf region.
• The ongoing conflict involving Israel, US, and Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz, blocking crucial propane and natural gas shipments.
• Industry leaders warn that propane stocks will last only 2-4 days, and natural gas for about a week, forcing operations to halt.
• Over 2-4 lakh laborers in Morbi's 600 ceramic units face job losses if the gas supply crisis persists.
• A prolonged conflict could lead to a 30-45 day shutdown, with fears of sharp fuel price hikes post-resumption.