PrashantNews
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved 12 new industrial smart cities including one in Khurpia Farm in Uttarakhand under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with an estimated investment of Rs. 28,602 crore.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister for the approval of the industrial city in Khurpia Farm in Udhamsingh Nagar district claiming the move would attract investments of Rs 15,000 crore and generate 50,000 jobs in Uttarakhand.
“This move is set to transform the industrial landscape of the country creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities that will significantly boost economic growth and global competitiveness,” an official statement said.
The move is being seen as the first big initiative by the Modi government in the third term which has the potential to boost economy and employment opportunities in the country. “The industrial smart city in Khurpia Farm is likely to be developed as automobile and engineering hub. We believe that such a move would boost MSMEs in the region,” said Pankaj Gupta, President of the Industries Association of Uttarakhand (IAU).
Spanning across 10 states and strategically planned along 6 major corridors, these projects represent a significant leap forward in India’s quest to enhance its manufacturing capabilities and economic growth. These industrial areas will be located in Khurpia Farm in Uttrakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in, Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in UP, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in AP and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
Key Highlights:
Strategic Investments: 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 $2 trillion in exports by 2030, reflecting the government’s vision of a self-reliant and globally competitive India.
Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure: 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. This approach ensures that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.
Area Approach on PM GatiShakti: Aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the projects will feature multi-modal connectivity infrastructure, ensuring seamless movement of people, goods, and services. The industrial cities are envisioned to be growth centers for transformation of whole region.
Vision for a ‘Viksit Bharat’:
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.
Economic Impact and Employment Generation:
NICDP is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobs and upto 3 million indirect jobs being created through planned industrialization. This will not only provide livelihood opportunities but also contribute to the socio-economic upliftment of the regions where these projects are being implemented.