The largest glass product hub in India, Firozabad in Uttar Pradesh, is counting on the upcoming Union Budget to solve the industry's long-standing problems.

Manufacturers claim that since many glass units operate in crowded areas, safety concerns are growing. It is now practically impossible to relocate or expand factories without clear government support and approvals because they are frequently located in narrow lanes and housed in buildings that are several decades old.

The insufficient supply and high price of petrol, a necessary component for the production of glass, is another major issue. Industry players say this has directly impacted production levels and competitiveness.

According to Devicharan Agarwal, Glass Industrialist: "In the upcoming budget, our expectation and our request are that measures be introduced to help control the prices of raw materials used in making bangles. The bangle industry supports many families, and a lot of people are associated with it. In one factory, for instance, almost 600 people are employed, so one factory supports up to 600 families. Then there are godowns, factories, warehouses, etc. – so to ensure that all these businesses do well, our request is that the Budget should take steps to reduce inflation."

As per the reports from exporters, the situation has barely improved over the decades, even after the introduction of gas in the mid-1990s. They argue that uneven gas pricing and regulatory issues, particularly after the notification of the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), have stifled growth.

Meanwhile, a Glass exporter, Singhraj Yadav, said, "After gas was introduced in 1995, no major transformation has taken place. The glass trade is on the verge of extinction. There are two main reasons for this. One, those who wanted to set up glass manufacturing were not able to procure sufficient gas. That happened because after the TTZ (Taj Trapezium Zone) was notified, it created a lot of problems. Gas prices should have been uniform across the district, regardless of where a factory was established. If gas were to be supplied in adequate quantity in the district, Firozabad will emerge as the top exporter of glass products in the country. within five years.."

The survival of factories that employ hundreds of people is being threatened by rising input costs, according to bangle manufacturers, a major part of Firozabad's glass industry. They are urging the government to introduce measures in the budget to curb inflation and reduce raw material prices.

"In the upcoming budget, our expectation and our request are that measures be introduced to help control the prices of raw materials used in making bangles. The bangle industry supports many families, and a lot of people are associated with it," said Ashish Gupta, a bangle trader.

Manufacturers also point to severe cash flow constraints, with payments for supplied goods often delayed for six months to over a year. Industry stakeholders say the absence of strong legal mechanisms to ensure timely payments has added to their financial stress.

According to glass trader, Sahil Gupta,: "What I seek from the Central Government is that since Firozabad's glass industry runs entirely on credit, and we receive payments for the products and materials we supply after 6 months, 8 months or even years in some cases – they should introduce steps to ensure that payments are cleared as soon as possible. There are no strict laws in India which govern this aspect. We expect the income tax slabs to be revised further upwards, and GST rates to be reduced. Currently 18% GST is imposed on glass products, that should be brought down to 5% or 8%.."

The glass industry in Firozabad is hoping that the upcoming Union Budget will provide major relief and revitalise one of India's most iconic traditional industries, as thousands of craftsmen, traders, and their families depend on the sector for their livelihoods.