Howrah races against the clock

The third report in the series looks at how the foundry and casting units are rushing last shipments before the 50% US tariff takes effect

- ISHITA AYAN DUTT

Tarak Saha, a veteran in Howrah's foundry and casting industry, has never heard of Donald Trump, let alone the steep tariff the US president has slapped on the goods made at the manufacturing unit where he works. Yet he is one of its quiet beneficiaries, clocking overtime ahead of Durga Puja next month. But with a total of 50 per cent tariff set to come into force in days, those extra hours — and extra pay — may soon vanish.

Saha is oblivious to the tug-of-war over tariffs. He is simply racing to meet a tight deadline for orders bound for the United States — a story repeated across the export-focused units of Howrah.

Once hailed as the "Sheffield of the East", Howrah is West Bengal's foundry and forging hub, its landscape studded with hundreds of workshops. They are clustered along National Highway 6 and its feeder, Benaras Road-a narrow, congested stretch choked with cycle vans and workshops spilling onto the street.

Some of these units export directly, others supply exporters - and right now, all are waiting with bated breath.

Surge before the slump On the surface, units tied to US orders are working at full tilt - the clang of metal ringing out against the lull they fear is coming.