BIS to Modernise 21 Laboratories Across Key Cotton-Producing States in India

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has announced a Rs 38.72-crore project to modernise and upgrade 21 laboratories across key cotton-producing states, aimed at strengthening India's textile and agriculture sectors. The initiative will establish high-precision testing facilities in critical regional nodes through direct financial support from BIS.

These laboratories are strategically distributed across the northern, central, southern, and eastern zones of the country. This geographic spread ensures comprehensive coverage for major cotton-producing regions spanning Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha.

Significant progress has already been achieved by BIS this year, resulting in the successful installation and commissioning of 14 HVI (High Volume Instrument) Testers and 28 Trash Analysers across 13 laboratories. This initial phase comprises 11 laboratories of the Textiles Committee and 2 laboratories belonging to the Cotton Corporation of India.

By establishing this technologically advanced testing network, BIS aims to ensure standardised quality parameters across the entire cotton-to-textile supply chain. The network addresses strict quality demands and international benchmarks, fostering better transparency from raw fibre processing to final textile manufacturing.

The comprehensive upgrade initiative directly bridges critical infrastructural gaps in the agricultural ecosystem. Ultimately, it empowers local producers, streamlines quality checks, and positions Indian cotton for sustained leadership in the international marketplace.