CLRI to launch pan-India feet scanning survey

The Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI) in Chennai plans to launch a pan-India feet scanning survey data to define Indian footwear size standards. Those will be included by shoe manufacturers in their size charts. By next year, India could have its own footwear sizing system, which is expected to reduce confusion while buying shoes of European Union, UK or US sizes.

The CLRI-led anthropometric survey will include 3D foot scans and measurement of feet. The project, scheduled to begin later this year and continue for 14 months, is supported by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the ministry of commerce, according to Indian media reports.

The survey will collect data that will be used to design a footwear sizing scheme based on Indian requirements, trace ethnic differences if any, determine characteristic age and size groups with special requirements, establish a size range for the Indian population, and produce a numerical database with specific length and width groupings.

The survey, estimated to cost ₹11 crore, will cover 94 districts around Agra, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chennai, Jodhpur, Jorhat, Jalandhar, Kanpur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna and Shillong.

The sizing scheme is expected to be ready by early 2022.