In the recent approval by the Union Cabinet, 12 new industrial smart cities have found prospects in different states outlaying ₹28,602 crore for the purpose. This action plan is clearly aimed at increasing the manufacturing sector in India, as envisaged by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
Out of the total bids, two will be located in Andhra Pradesh and one in Bihar. The steps fall in line with the government’s plans for developing ‘raise and operate’ industrial parks in or extendible from 100 cities, boosting manufacturing with collaboration from states and the private sector.
These smart cities shall be a part of industrial corridors such as the Golden Quadrilateral, where planning shall be done based on PM Gati Shakti. The project is likely to create direct employment for 1000000 and indirect employment for 3000000 persons.
The project will attract an investment of about ₹ 1. He said this while addressing a press conference, stating his government’s commitment to investing about 5 lakh crore in the sector.
At present, eight industrial cities are in the conceptual and construction phases, and necessary infrastructure facilities have been created in Dholera in Gujarat and Auric in Maharashtra. India will have 20 multi-fold industrial smart cities, and with this addition, it will have 20 in total.
Further, to boost post-harvest agricultural infrastructure, the Cabinet has decided to increase the Agri Infrastructure Fund, and for equity support to hydroelectric projects in the North East, ₹4,136 crore has been approved.
