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Silent Looms To Weave A New Future For Bhagalpur Artisans

• By  Textile Excellence
• November 04, 2025

The constant roar of power looms in Bhagalpur, India’s famed Silk City, may soon be replaced by a productive quiet. The Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Bhagalpur has engineered a prototype for a soundless loom, a technological leap that promises to transform the lives of the region's weavers.

Bhagalpur is a major textile hub where over 20,000 artisans produce coveted Bhagalpuri silk. These weavers traditionally work in environments where noise levels can exceed 100 decibels, far above safe occupational limits, leading to hearing loss and other health complications over time. The new loom directly addresses this crisis.

A team led by Dr. Gaurav Kumar from the Mechatronics and Automation Engineering department has re-engineered the loom's core mechanics. The innovation focuses on a new actuator design that eliminates the harsh sound generated during the 'picking' process, the loudest part of the weaving cycle. This technological fix will create a safer and healthier workspace, potentially boosting productivity and concentration.

This development is a significant step in modernizing India's textile sector, an industry that contributes significantly to the nation's economy. The successful implementation of this soundless technology in Bhagalpur could create a scalable model for other weaving clusters across the country.

Bhagalpur is a major textile hub where over 20,000 artisans produce coveted Bhagalpuri silk. These weavers traditionally work in environments where noise levels can exceed 100 decibels, far above safe occupational limits, leading to hearing loss and other health complications over time. The new loom directly addresses this crisis.