On Wednesday, the Indian Cabinet approved the establishment of 12 new industrial cities across 10 states, with an estimated investment of ₹28,602 crore to boost domestic manufacturing. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav shared this significant decision from the Cabinet meeting. The approval comes under the National Industrial Corridor Development Program (NICDP).
Where the New Smart Cities Will Be
The new industrial cities will be located in:
- Khurpia, Uttarakhand
- Rajpura-Patiala, Punjab
- Dighi, Maharashtra
- Palakkad, Kerala
- Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
- Gaya, Bihar
- Zaheerabad, Telangana
- Orvakal and Koppurthi, Andhra Pradesh
- Jodhpur-Pali, Rajasthan
These cities will be strategically placed near six major corridors. The goal is to boost India’s manufacturing capabilities and economic growth.
Building a Strong Industrial Network
This move is expected to transform the country’s industrial landscape by creating a robust network of industrial cities. These cities will be developed as smart cities with advanced infrastructure to support efficient and sustainable industrial operations.
Job Creation and Investment
The NICDP is expected to create significant employment opportunities. Approximately 1 million direct jobs and 3 million indirect jobs are projected. The projects are expected to attract an investment of around ₹1.52 lakh crore. The budget for fiscal year 2024-25 had already proposed the development of “plug and play” industrial parks in collaboration with states and the private sector.
Existing Industrial Cities
There are already eight industrial cities in various stages of implementation. Four cities—Dholera (Gujarat), Auric (Maharashtra), Vikram Udyogpuri (Madhya Pradesh), and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)—are in the land allocation stage. The remaining four cities are working on infrastructure like road connectivity, water, and electricity supply. With the addition of 12 new cities, the total number of such industrial cities will rise to 20. This expansion is expected to increase the manufacturing share in the GDP and aid in job creation.
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