Context:

Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved setting up of 12 Industrial cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).

More on the news

• These industrial areas will be located in Khurpia in Uttrakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in, Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
• Strategic Investments: NICDP will attract major industries and MSMEs to achieve $2 trillion in exports by 2030, driving India’s self-reliance and global competitiveness.
• Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure: New greenfield smart cities will be developed with advanced infrastructure and 'plug-and-play' and 'walk-to-work' concepts, ready "ahead of demand."
• Area Approach on PM GatiShakti: Aligned with the PM GatiShakti Plan, these cities will feature multi-modal connectivity to boost regional growth and seamless movement of people and goods.

Significance of Setting Up 12 Industrial Cities

Vision for a 'Viksit Bharat':

• These projects support India’s vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India) by enhancing the country’s role in Global Value Chains (GVC).
• They will provide developed land parcels for immediate use, encouraging both domestic and international investments, and supporting the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative.

Economic Impact and Employment Generation:

• The NICDP is expected to create approximately 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs, contributing to economic growth and regional development.

Commitment to Sustainable Development:

• Projects will focus on sustainability with ICT-enabled utilities and green technologies to reduce environmental impact.
• The aim is to develop industrial cities that are economic hubs and models of environmental stewardship.

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP)

• Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (DMICDC) Limited was incorporated in 2008 as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) under the Administrative Control of the DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
• After the expansion of the DMIC Trust’s mandate and reconstitution of the same as the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) in December 2016, DMICDC Ltd. was renamed to NICDC Limited in 2020, for developing various Industrial Corridor Projects as part of India’s flagship ‘National Industrial Corridor Programme’.
• It aims to develop new industrial cities as "Smart Cities" and converging next generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• It is designed to foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• 11 Industrial Corridors with 32 Projects to be developed in 4 phases in the country as part of National Industrial Corridor Programme (NICP).