Thu Jan 30 20:42:29 UTC 2025: ## Vijayawada’s Auto Nagar Faces Mass Unemployment Amidst BS-VI Transition

**Vijayawada, January 31, 2025** – Vijayawada’s Auto Nagar, a major automotive hub, is grappling with widespread unemployment following the implementation of Bharat Stage (BS) VI emission norms. Thousands of workers, predominantly unskilled but highly skilled in traditional lorry body building, have lost their jobs due to the technological advancements in BS-VI compliant vehicles.

The transition to BS-VI, while aimed at environmental improvement, has had a devastating impact on the unorganized sector. Modern BS-VI vehicles require sophisticated cabins and technology beyond the capabilities of Auto Nagar’s workforce. Lorry manufacturers now supply pre-fabricated cabins, eliminating the need for the numerous independent workshops that once formed the backbone of Auto Nagar.

This shift has resulted in a drastic reduction in the number of workshops, from approximately 10,000 to less than 5,000, leading to widespread job losses. Workers, many of whom have spent decades honing their skills, are now struggling to find alternative employment. Their expertise in traditional methods is rendered obsolete by the advanced technology of BS-VI vehicles.

The situation is further exacerbated by a rise in green taxes imposed on older vehicles, discouraging lorry owners from seeking repairs and modifications in Auto Nagar. The reduced demand for custom-built lorry bodies has severely impacted the livelihoods of thousands of workers, including painters, welders, electricians, and blacksmiths, as well as those in associated industries.

Many workers have migrated to other cities in search of work, while those remaining face bleak prospects. They lack the literacy and technical skills needed for the modern automotive sector, leaving them vulnerable and desperate. While some hope for a revival of construction activity in Amaravati, the immediate future remains uncertain for Auto Nagar’s workforce. The article highlights the need for government support and retraining programs to help these displaced workers adapt to the changing landscape of the automotive industry.

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