New Delhi: India’s industrial corridor programme is increasingly moving from infrastructure development to on-ground manufacturing activity, with hundreds of industrial plots allotted and more units entering production across projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).
So far, 469 plots covering around 5,348 acres have been allotted under the programme, carrying an estimated investment potential of around ₹2.21 lakh crore, according to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. The allotted projects have an employment potential of approximately 1.29 lakh people.
The progress was reviewed at the third meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), chaired by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on August 17.
Of the units associated with the industrial corridor programme, 134 have already started production, while another 95 are under construction.
The NICDP currently covers 20 approved projects across 13 states and seven industrial corridors. Four industrial smart cities – Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Greater Noida and Vikram Udyogpuri – have entered the production stage.
The 12 industrial corridor projects approved in August 2024 are also progressing, with infrastructure development, land allotment and investor engagement being undertaken simultaneously.
During the review, Sitharaman called for faster completion of infrastructure, land allotment, investment and commencement of production. She also asked states to address bottlenecks related to land, connectivity, utilities, statutory clearances and the powers of project Special Purpose Vehicles.
The Finance Minister stressed integrated planning through PM GatiShakti and called for industrial developments to include supporting facilities such as worker housing, healthcare, skilling and public transport.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called for the creation of investor-ready industrial ecosystems equipped with plug-and-play infrastructure, flatted factories, worker housing and supporting economic and social infrastructure. He also emphasised aligning future industrial developments with PM GatiShakti and adopting an integrated area-development approach.
The meeting also reviewed the rollout of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), which envisages the development of 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks across the country.
In the first round, states have submitted 87 applications against up to 20 projects proposed for approval. The proposals will be assessed on factors including availability of ready land, industrial demand, connectivity, assured utilities, realistic project phasing and the ability to attract investors at an early stage.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has been designated as the Project Management Agency for implementation and monitoring of BHAVYA.
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