New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s manufacturing ecosystem, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the development of 12 new industrial smart cities across the country. The announcement was made on Wednesday, marking a strategic move under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). These cities are designed to enhance India’s position as a global manufacturing hub, with a focus on integrated development, sustainable infrastructure, and seamless connectivity.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that the government will allocate ₹28,602 crore for these projects. “The Cabinet today approved 12 Industrial Smart Cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. This will be a major step in realizing the vision of a developed India,” Vaishnaw stated during a press briefing.
The newly approved industrial smart cities will span 10 states, strategically positioned along six major industrial corridors. Among these, Palakkad in Kerala is highlighted as one of the key locations. Other cities include:
Khurpia, Uttarakhand
Rajpura-Patiala, Punjab
Dighi, Maharashtra
Agra and Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Gaya, Bihar
Zaheerabad, Telangana
Orvakal and Kopparthy, Andhra Pradesh
Jodhpur-Pali, Rajasthan
These industrial hubs are expected to attract investments worth ₹1.5 lakh crore, generating substantial employment opportunities, with potential for 10 lakh direct and 30 lakh indirect jobs.
A post by the Director General of the Press Information Bureau on X (formerly Twitter) highlighted the project as a “grand necklace of Industrial Smart Cities on the backbone of the Golden Quadrilateral,” emphasizing their alignment with the vision of a developed India (“Viksit Bharat”). These industrial nodes will play a crucial role in integrating India into global value chains by offering ready-to-allot land for investors.
The approval of these 12 industrial smart cities marks a milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse, with a long-term impact on the nation’s economic growth.
