In line with the government’s vision to create a robust manufacturing ecosystem, land has been acquired from state governments across 10 states, including Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, for the development of 12 industrial smart cities. Construction of necessary infrastructure is scheduled to commence in March next year, with the projects targeted for completion within three years. The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) has started the process of selecting construction agencies for these transformative projects.

Entrepreneur-friendly facilities in Smart Cities
The industrial smart cities are being developed under a “plug-and-play” system, offering entrepreneurs ready-to-use facilities for manufacturing. This setup eliminates the hassle of setting up infrastructure from scratch, allowing businesses to focus on operations.
Entrepreneurs will have access to a streamlined single-window system for approvals, removing the need to visit multiple offices. Once approvals are secured, they can begin construction and customize plots according to their requirements. The integrated approach ensures all manufacturing-related facilities are available in one place, enabling smooth and efficient operations.

Simplified land and construction processes
The single-window system will also simplify the process of land acquisition and preparation. Entrepreneurs will receive pre-prepared land, eliminating complexities such as changing land use or dealing with other administrative hurdles. This initiative ensures a hassle-free start for investors looking to set up industrial units.
State governments have already fulfilled their responsibility of providing land equipped with essential facilities for these industrial developments.

28,000 crore allocated by the Central Government
According to Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO and MD of NICDC, the central government has allocated ₹28,000 crore for the development of these industrial smart cities. Following the acquisition of land, the next phase involves selecting construction agencies to implement the plans. Construction is set to begin in March next year.

Completion timeline and economic impact
The government aims to complete the projects within three years. Rajat Kumar Saini highlighted that these industrial smart cities are designed to provide a world-class environment, attracting both domestic and international companies. This initiative is expected to significantly boost manufacturing activities and generate substantial employment opportunities.
For instance, projects in Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, are estimated to create over 87,000 jobs, while the Gaya project in Bihar is projected to generate employment for more than one lakh people.

Locations of Industrial Smart Cities
The 12 industrial smart cities will be developed under three major industrial corridor projects:

Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (6 Projects):
Hisar, Haryana
Rajpura, Patiala, Punjab
Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Khurpia, Uttarakhand
Gaya, Bihar

Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (2 Projects):
Dighi, Maharashtra
Jodhpur-Pali Marwar, Rajasthan

Other Corridors (4 Projects):
Kopparthi and Orvakal, Andhra Pradesh (Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor)
Zaheerabad, Telangana (Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor)
Palakkad, Kerala (Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor)

Unique features of each Smart City
Each industrial smart city will cater to specific manufacturing sectors to maximize its utility and impact:

Khurpia, Uttarakhand: Focus on automobiles, auto components, engineering, and fabrication industries.

Rajpura, Patiala (Punjab): Hub for electronics system design and manufacturing, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, rubber and plastics, textiles, and apparel.

Hisar, Haryana: Key center for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) activities, along with food processing, ready-made garments, and engineering industries

Agra, Uttar Pradesh: Dedicated to leather products, food processing, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, engineering, and electronics manufacturing.

Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Centered on e-mobility, leather products, ready-made garments, bicycle manufacturing, and packaging.

Gaya, Bihar: Focus on agriculture and food processing, leather products, furniture, handlooms, handicrafts, and engineering industries.

Transforming manufacturing in India

This initiative by NICDC, supported by significant government funding, aims to transform India into a global manufacturing hub while driving economic growth and job creation. The industrial smart cities are expected to set new benchmarks for ease of doing business and provide a competitive edge to Indian manufacturing in global markets.