India's Bold Industrial Revolution: 12 New Smart Cities to Boost Economy

India is set to develop 12 new Industrial Smart Cities with a Rs 28,602 crore investment under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. These projects aim to create 1 million direct and 3 million indirect jobs while promoting balanced regional development and advanced infrastructure.

India is poised for a transformative industrial revolution with the development of 12 new Industrial Smart Cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). Union Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the Rs 28,602 crore investment aligning with the vision of 'Viksit Bharat,' aimed at generating 1 million direct jobs and 3 million indirect jobs.

Earmarked to form a 'necklace' of industrial hubs along the Golden Quadrilateral, these cities cover 10 states and 6 corridors, promoting balanced regional development aligned with PM Gati Shakti principles. 'We are now establishing industrial cities and multi-modal hubs within each corridor,' Goyal said, noting that four projects are underway, with more approved for rapid initiation.

Expanding the NICDP to a total of 20 smart cities, these projects incorporate 'plug-n-play' and 'walk-to-work' concepts. Strategic locations include IMC Khurpia, Uttarakhand, IMC Rajpura Patiala, Punjab, and Dighi, Maharashtra. The integrated approach ensures robust, sustainable infrastructure, covering water, power, telecom connectivity, and multi-modal transport hubs, driving significant investments and balanced regional growth.

(With inputs from agencies.)