The Union Cabinet has approved an ambitious plan to construct 12 industrial smart cities across 10 states, as announced today by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. These cities will be strategically located along six major industrial corridors. The government has allocated ₹28,602 crore for this initiative aimed at boosting the manufacturing sector, as stated following a cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The new industrial hubs will be established in the following locations: Khurpia in Uttarakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerala, Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh, and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.

The project is expected to revolutionize the country’s industrial sector by creating a robust network of industrial nodes and cities, significantly enhancing economic growth and global competitiveness. It will generate direct employment for approximately 10 lakh people and an additional 30 lakh indirect jobs.

The smart cities will feature “plug-n-play” and “walk-to-work” designs, and the total investment for this project is estimated at around ₹1.52 lakh crore. It aims to cultivate a dynamic industrial ecosystem by attracting investments from major industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). These nodes are anticipated to play a key role in achieving the target of $2 trillion in exports by 2030.

The Cabinet’s approval of this Smart Industrial Cities project represents a significant step toward realizing the vision of a “Viksit Bharat” or a developed India. By positioning India as a strong player in global value chains, the project will offer ready-to-use land parcels for both domestic and international investors, facilitating the establishment of manufacturing units.

This initiative aligns with the broader goal of creating an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” or a self-reliant India, promoting economic growth through increased industrial output and job creation.