The Union Cabinet has approved an ambitious project to establish 12 industrial smart cities across 10 states, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced today. These cities will be strategically located along six major industrial corridors, with a government allocation of ₹28,602 crore to drive manufacturing growth.
The industrial areas will be developed in Khurpia (Uttarakhand), Rajpura-Patiala (Punjab), Dighi (Maharashtra), Palakkad (Kerala), Agra and Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), Gaya (Bihar), Zaheerabad (Telangana), Orvakal and Kopparthy (Andhra Pradesh), and Jodhpur-Pali (Rajasthan).
“This initiative will transform India’s industrial landscape by creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities, significantly boosting economic growth and global competitiveness,” the government stated. The project is expected to create nearly 10 lakh direct jobs and 30 lakh indirect jobs.
The world-class greenfield industrial smart cities will feature “plug-n-play” and “walk-to-work” concepts, enhancing the ease of doing business. The project has an investment potential of around ₹1.52 lakh crore and aims to foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem, attracting investments from large anchor industries and MSMEs.
These industrial nodes are envisioned to play a pivotal role in achieving $2 trillion in exports by 2030. The Cabinet’s approval of the Smart Industrial Cities project is seen as a significant step toward realising the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’—a developed India.
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“This project will position India as a strong player in global value chains by providing developed land parcels ready for immediate allotment, making it easier for domestic and international investors to establish manufacturing units,” the government added. “It aligns with the broader objective of creating an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ or a self-reliant India, fostering economic growth through enhanced industrial output and employment.”
