Problems and Challenges faced by the Copper & Brass Manufacturing Cluster at Jagadhri-Yamuna Nagar

The copper and brass manufacturing cluster at Jagadhri-Yamuna Nagar, Haryana, established in 1783, represents a legacy industrial center currently facing severe economic, regulatory, and technological transitions. This study investigates the interconnected challenges affecting the sustainability and competitiveness of these traditional, family-run Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Utilizing a mixed-methods empirical approach, primary data were collected through structured questionnaires and on-site field interactions across 13 active manufacturing units. The empirical findings reveal that 100 percent of surveyed enterprises face unprecedented raw material price volatility, with copper price surges severely depleting essential working capital. This financial strain is compounded by Goods and Services Tax (GST) compliance bottlenecks, specifically the systemic blocking of Input Tax Credits and prolonged tax refund delays. Additionally, stringent environmental regulations are forcing a capital-draining relocation of manufacturing units away from ancestral municipal areas to planned industrial zones, which 76.9 percent of legacy units cannot easily finance due to high technology modernization costs and credit constraints. The study integrates these local observations with historical cluster trajectories and strategic decision-making frameworks. The results demonstrate that the cluster's survival depends on coordinated institutional interventions, including subsidized industrial land allocation, simplified tax procedures, and targeted technological support. This research offers valuable policy insights for preserving traditional manufacturing clusters facing modernization pressures globally.