As Maharashtra gears up for the state assembly elections, textile traders at Mumbai’s iconic Swadeshi Market in Kalbadevi, one of the city’s oldest commercial hubs, are hoping for meaningful support from the next government. This market, established in the early 1900s and known for its historical role in India’s Swadeshi movement, faces significant challenges as traders call for tax relief and a transparent redevelopment plan for the heritage structure.
Swadeshi Market gained its name during the freedom struggle when local traders actively participated in the Swadeshi movement, rejecting foreign goods in favor of Indian-made products. Today, it houses around 700 shops, with nearly 400 on the ground floor, providing employment to over 200,000 people. However, the structural health of the century-old market has deteriorated, and traders are increasingly concerned about the viability of their businesses in the face of rising competition from e-commerce platforms.
With the rise of online shopping, traders find themselves at a disadvantage, competing against large e-commerce entities with deep pockets and vast resources. Sumit Mehra, a textile trader in the market, said, “It is very difficult for us to compete with online businesses because they come with deep pockets. We have only limited resources, which means we are gradually losing our business.” Many traders, like Mehra, are urging the incoming government to implement fair trade practices and provide tax relief to help level the playing field for traditional businesses.
Samir Gandhi, another longtime trader, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for tax relief and fair competition. “People in this market have had their shops for years together. We are hopeful that some tax relief will be given to us, and fair trade practices will allow us to compete with the online markets,” Gandhi said, adding that liberalizing taxes could provide much-needed support for smaller, local businesses.
Apart from economic support, redevelopment of the market is a major concern for the community. The traders are in favor of modernization, provided it is handled by trustworthy developers. Shreyas Shah, a third-generation trader, noted, “We are certainly in favor of redevelopment because our market is very old, and that is the need of the hour. But this project must go into the right hands.” Shah voiced concerns over potential vested interests among builders and the current market management, urging the government to oversee the process to ensure transparency.
The textile trade, especially in cotton fabrics, has long been central to Mumbai’s economy, with Swadeshi Market standing alongside the commercial giants of Surat and Ahmedabad. As Maharashtra heads to the polls on November 20, with results expected on November 23, the trader community remains hopeful that the new government will address their needs, offering relief, security, and a sustainable path forward for one of Mumbai’s oldest trading centers.
