India is taking a significant step towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse with the approval of 12 new industrial smart cities. The Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, gave the green light to this ambitious project under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NIDCP) on August 28th. The government has allocated ₹ 28,602 crore for this initiative, which aims to establish these smart cities across 10 states.
These strategically chosen locations will form part of six major corridors, covering areas like Khurpia in Uttarakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerala, Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh, and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
The potential economic impact of these industrial smart cities is substantial. They are projected to attract a total investment of ₹ 1.5 lakh crore and create an estimated 10 lakh direct jobs and 30 lakh indirect jobs. The government’s vision is to establish these industrial hubs as ‘ready-to-allot’ locations for investors, attracting global value chains to India.
The development of these smart cities aligns with India’s broader vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’, signifying a commitment to sustainable infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and integrated development. This project is poised to be a major driver of economic growth in India for years to come.
