India to Build 12 New Industrial Smart Cities with Rs 28,602 Crore Investment, Says Piyush Goyal
India is set to undergo a transformative industrial revolution with the development of 12 new Industrial Smart Cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). This initiative involves an investment of Rs 28,602 crore and aligns with the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’.
Job Creation and Investment Potential
Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted that the projects aim to create up to 1 million direct jobs and an additional 3 million indirect jobs, with an investment potential of Rs 1.5 lakh crore. These 12 Industrial Smart Cities will form a ‘necklace’ of industrial hubs across the country, strategically placed along the Golden Quadrilateral.
Strategic Locations and Advanced Infrastructure
The initiative covers 10 states and 6 corridors, promoting balanced regional development and advanced infrastructure in line with PM Gati Shakti principles. Key locations for these smart cities include:
| Location | State | Area (acres) |
|---|---|---|
| IMC Khurpia | Uttarakhand | 1,002 |
| IMC Rajpura Patiala | Punjab | 1,099 |
| IMC Agra | Uttar Pradesh | 1,058 |
| Dighi | Maharashtra | 6,056 |
| Zaheerabad | Telangana | 3,245 |
| Palakkad | Kerala | 1,710 |
Modern Amenities and Sustainable Growth
These cities will incorporate ‘plug-n-play’ and ‘walk-to-work’ concepts, offering investors ready-to-allot land with state-of-the-art amenities. The development plan follows an ‘area approach,’ integrating industrial ecosystems with nearby urban centres and essential social infrastructure, such as education and healthcare facilities.
The Industrial Smart Cities will feature robust and sustainable infrastructure, including water, power, gas, and telecom connectivity, along with rail, dedicated freight corridors, national highways, airports, and ports. The projects emphasize last-mile connectivity, expedited land acquisition, and minimal ecological impact, ensuring a sustainable and efficient growth trajectory.
Boosting India’s Industrial Strategy
The establishment of these cities is expected to drive substantial investments and contribute to balanced regional development across India. With amenities such as reliable 24-hour power supply, effluent treatment plants, multi-modal connectivity, and single-window clearances, these cities are set to attract global investors and bolster India’s position in the global value chain.
As four projects are already under construction and an additional four are ready for allotment, the NICDP is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of India’s industrial strategy.
Doubts Revealed
Industrial Smart Cities -: These are cities designed with advanced technology and infrastructure to support industries and businesses. They have modern facilities like good roads, electricity, and internet.
Rs 28,602 crore -: This is a large amount of money, specifically 28,602 crore rupees. One crore is equal to 10 million rupees.
Piyush Goyal -: He is a Union Minister in the Indian government. He is responsible for important departments like commerce and industry.
National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) -: This is a government initiative to develop industrial areas with good infrastructure to boost economic growth.
Direct jobs -: These are jobs created directly by the new industries and businesses in the smart cities.
Indirect jobs -: These are jobs created as a result of the new industries, like suppliers, service providers, and other related businesses.
10 states -: These are different regions in India where the new smart cities will be built.
6 corridors -: These are specific routes or areas where the industrial development will be focused.
Balanced regional development -: This means developing different parts of the country equally so that all regions grow together.
Sustainable infrastructure -: This refers to building things like roads and buildings in a way that is good for the environment and can last a long time.
Global investors -: These are people or companies from other countries who put money into businesses in India.