‘Grand Necklace Of Industrial Smart Cities’ Across 10 States; Cabinet Committee Approves Proposals – Details Here

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved 12 new project proposals to develop a “grand necklace of Industrial Smart Cities” across 10 states at an estimated cost of Rs. 28,602 crore, officials said Wednesday.
As per an official statement, the landmark decision was taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a bid to transform the country’s industrial landscape by creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities that will significantly boost economic growth and global competitiveness.
The projects are being undertaken under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).
“Spanning across 10 states and strategically planned along six major corridors, these projects represent a significant leap forward in India’s quest to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and economic growth,” the statement said.
According to details, the industrial cities/corridors will come up in these areas:

Khurpia in Uttrakhand
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
Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan

It further said that, “NICDP is designed to foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These industrial nodes will act as catalysts for achieving USD 2 trillion in exports by 2030, reflecting the government’s vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive India.”
The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built “ahead of demand” on the ‘plug-n-play’ and ‘walk-to-work’ concepts, ensuring that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.
3 million employment opportunities
Providing details about the ambitious plan, officials said it aligns with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, and the projects will feature multi-modal connectivity infrastructure, ensuring seamless movement of people, goods, and services.
The approval of these projects is a step forward in realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ – a developed India. By positioning India as a strong player in the Global Value Chains (GVC), the NICDP will provide developed land parcels ready for immediate allotment, making it easier for domestic and international investors to set up 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,” the statement by NICDP added.
The NICDP said the projects are expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobs and upto 3 million indirect jobs being created through planned industrialization.
(With inputs from agencies)