Cabinet Approves Setting Up of 12 Industrial Smart Cities In 10 States [Current Affairs]

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to 12 new project proposals under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). This ambitious initiative, with an estimated investment of Rs. 28,602 crore, is set to transform India’s economic geography, creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities that promise to significantly boost economic growth and enhance global competitiveness.

The Strategic Vision

Geographical Spread and Scale

The NICDP’s latest phase encompasses 10 states and is strategically planned along 6 major corridors. These industrial areas will be located in:

1. Khurpia, Uttarakhand
2. Rajpura-Patiala, Punjab
3. Dighi, Maharashtra
4. Palakkad, Kerala
5. Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
6. Gaya, Bihar
7. Zaheerabad, Telangana
8. Orvakal and Kopparthy, Andhra Pradesh
9. Jodhpur-Pali, Rajasthan

This widespread distribution ensures that the benefits of industrialization are not concentrated in a few regions but spread across the country, promoting balanced regional development.

Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure

At the heart of this initiative is the concept of “greenfield smart cities”. These are not just industrial parks but fully-fledged urban centers designed to global standards. Two key principles guide their development:

1. “Plug-n-play”: This concept ensures that the infrastructure and facilities are ready for immediate use, allowing businesses to set up operations quickly and efficiently.
2. “Walk-to-work”: This urban planning approach aims to create compact, mixed-use developments where residential areas are in close proximity to workplaces, reducing commute times and enhancing quality of life.

These cities are being built “ahead of demand”, a forward-thinking approach that ensures the infrastructure is in place to support future growth and expansion.

Alignment with National Objectives

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan

The NICDP is closely aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, a transformative approach to infrastructure development. This alignment ensures:

• Multi-modal connectivity: The industrial cities will be seamlessly connected through various modes of transportation, facilitating the efficient movement of people, goods, and services.
• Regional transformation: These industrial nodes are envisioned as growth centers that will catalyze the development of surrounding regions, creating a ripple effect of economic progress.

Vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’

The NICDP is a crucial component in realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ – a developed India. By positioning India as a strong player in Global Value Chains (GVC), the program aims to:

• Provide developed land parcels ready for immediate allotment
• Attract both domestic and international investors
• Facilitate the easy setup of manufacturing units in India

This aligns with the broader objective of creating an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or a self-reliant India, fostering economic growth through enhanced industrial output and employment.

Economic Impact and Employment Generation

The NICDP is expected to be a significant driver of job creation:

• Direct jobs: An estimated 1 million new positions
• Indirect jobs: Up to 3 million additional opportunities

This massive employment generation is not just about numbers; it represents a transformative force for socio-economic upliftment in the regions where these projects are being implemented.

Commitment to Sustainable Development

Sustainability is not an afterthought but a core principle of the NICDP. The industrial cities are designed with:

• ICT-enabled utilities: Leveraging technology for efficient resource management
• Green technologies: Minimizing environmental impact and promoting eco-friendly industrial practices

The goal is to create industrial hubs that are not only centers of economic activity but also models of environmental stewardship, setting new standards for sustainable urban-industrial development.

Progress and Future Outlook

The approval of these 12 new industrial nodes is part of an ongoing process of industrial transformation:

• Completed projects: 4
• Projects under implementation: 4
• Newly approved projects: 12

This continuous progress underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to revolutionizing India’s industrial sector. The NICDP is not just about building infrastructure; it’s about creating a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive economic environment that will drive India’s growth for decades to come.