The Government of India has accelerated the development of industrial townships under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), with 20 industrial nodes approved across multiple states, including 12 projects sanctioned during the last five years. Of these, four projects have already been completed, while the remaining are at different stages of implementation, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Shri Jitin Prasada, said the Centre has released substantial financial support for the programme to promote industrialisation, improve logistics infrastructure and attract investments across the country.
₹16,173 Crore Sanctioned for Industrial Corridor Projects
According to the Ministry, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has sanctioned and released ₹16,172.95 crore to the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) for implementing industrial corridor projects.
NICDIT has subsequently released ₹14,569.97 crore to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) responsible for executing various industrial nodes under the programme.
The industrial townships are being developed through SPVs jointly formed by the Centre and respective state governments. While the states contribute land for the projects, the Centre provides financial assistance in the form of equity and, where required, debt.
Four Industrial Nodes Fully Developed
The government said four industrial township projects have been completed under the NICDP. These include:
- Dholera Special Investment Region (Gujarat)
- Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (Maharashtra)
- Integrated Industrial Township, Greater Noida (Uttar Pradesh)
- Integrated Industrial Township, Vikram Udyogpuri (Madhya Pradesh)
These projects have developed comprehensive internal infrastructure, including roads, administrative buildings, water treatment systems, sewage treatment plants, common effluent treatment facilities, power distribution networks and information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure.
The completed industrial nodes are expected to serve as integrated manufacturing hubs capable of attracting domestic and global investments.
Twelve New Projects Approved Since 2024
Among the latest industrial nodes approved under the programme are projects located in Uttarakhand, Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
These include Integrated Manufacturing Clusters (IMCs) at Khurpia, Rajpura, Hisar, Agra, Prayagraj and Gaya, besides industrial areas at Dighi Port, Palakkad, Jodhpur-Pali-Marwar, Orvakal, Kopparthy and Zaheerabad.
The projects received approval in August 2024 as part of the government’s strategy to expand industrial infrastructure across emerging manufacturing regions.
Several Projects Progressing Rapidly
The Ministry highlighted that most ongoing projects are moving forward through engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.
Key developments include:
- EPC contractors have already been appointed for Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh and Tumakuru in Karnataka.
- Six industrial plots covering about 250 acres have already been allotted in the Tumakuru Industrial Area.
- External connectivity works for the Integrated Multi-Modal Logistics Hub at Nangal Chaudhary in Haryana have been completed, while the project is being implemented through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
- A locomotive trial run has also been completed at Nangal Chaudhary.
- The Multi Modal Logistics Hub at Dadri in Uttar Pradesh has re-issued tenders for concessionaire selection, while the Boraki Multi Modal Transport Hub continues planning after being declared a Special Railway Project.
- SPVs have been incorporated for major projects such as Dighi Port Industrial Area in Maharashtra and the Hisar Industrial Manufacturing Cluster in Haryana.
However, the proposed IMC at Agra is awaiting clearance from the Supreme Court because it falls within the environmentally sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone.
Project Development Follows Structured Process
The government explained that industrial node development follows a structured planning framework. State governments first identify priority locations before preparing concept master plans, development plans, environmental clearances and detailed engineering designs.
Only after these approvals are completed does the Centre consider the project for financial assistance.
The Ministry noted that the construction period for each industrial township generally ranges between 36 and 48 months from the appointment of the EPC contractor.
Monitoring Mechanism to Ensure Timely Completion
To keep projects on schedule, the government has established multiple monitoring mechanisms.
An Apex Monitoring Authority regularly reviews the functioning of NICDIT and the progress of industrial corridor projects. DPIIT also conducts periodic reviews with state governments and implementing agencies.
The government said timely statutory and regulatory clearances are coordinated with relevant departments to minimise delays. In addition, project implementation is monitored through the PRAGATI platform and the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, helping resolve bottlenecks and improve coordination for external infrastructure such as roads, railways, power supply, water and telecommunications.
The Centre expects these industrial corridors to strengthen India’s manufacturing ecosystem, improve logistics efficiency, generate employment and support balanced regional industrial development across the country.
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Author: Shivam
Shivam Dwivedi is a senior journalist with extensive experience in research-driven journalism, policy communication, and multi-platform storytelling. His areas of interest include international relations, defence, science & technology, education, urban development, agriculture, spirituality, and environmental sustainability. His work focuses on in-depth analysis, public discourse, and impactful narratives across governance and development sectors, with a strong commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Contact: [email protected]
