New Delhi: Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 3rd Meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) in New Delhi, reviewing the progress of projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) and discussing priorities for the next phase of industrial corridor development.
The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, and NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri. Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal and several Chief Ministers and State ministers also participated virtually.
Sitharaman Calls for Faster Industrial Development
Sitharaman appreciated the progress under NICDP and said encouraging results on the ground reflected growing investor demand. She stressed that the next pipeline of industrial land and infrastructure should be prepared before the existing inventory is exhausted.
She said Industrial Corridors are an important pillar of the government’s strategy to expand manufacturing, strengthen logistics competitiveness and create globally competitive industrial ecosystems.
The Finance Minister called for industrial corridor development to be pursued in the spirit of ‘Team India’, emphasising convergence among Freight, Industrial Development, Railways and Expressways — the FIRE Corridors.
She said the focus should now move beyond project approvals towards timely completion of infrastructure, land allotment, investment and commencement of production. States were urged to resolve bottlenecks related to land, connectivity, utilities, statutory clearances and the powers of project Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs).
Sitharaman also stressed integrated planning through PM GatiShakti, investor-friendly land allotment mechanisms and the inclusion of worker housing, healthcare, skilling, public transport and other social amenities as part of industrial development.
She highlighted government support for infrastructure and manufacturing through enhanced public capital expenditure, Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), improved credit support for manufacturing MSMEs, and tax and customs measures aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing and supply chains.
Piyush Goyal Stresses Outcome-Oriented Implementation
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal called for faster and outcome-oriented implementation of Industrial Corridor projects, with greater emphasis on timely investment and operationalisation.
Goyal said BHAVYA and future industrial developments should be aligned with PM GatiShakti and planned through an integrated area-development approach.
He called for focused investor outreach and stronger marketing of industrial nodes, including leveraging opportunities created by India’s Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and exploring country- and sector-specific industrial enclaves.
The Minister emphasised the need to match investor requirements with suitable locations and develop ready-to-use industrial ecosystems featuring plug-and-play infrastructure, flatted factories, worker housing and supporting economic and social infrastructure.
20 Projects Across 13 States Under NICDP
The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme currently covers 20 approved projects across 13 States and seven Industrial Corridors.
Four industrial smart cities — Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Greater Noida and Vikram Udyogpuri — have entered the production stage.
The 12 projects approved in August 2024 are also progressing, with infrastructure development, land allotment and investor engagement increasingly being undertaken simultaneously.
So far, 469 plots covering approximately 5,348 acres have been allotted, representing an estimated investment potential of around ₹2.21 lakh crore and employment potential of approximately 1.29 lakh persons. As many as 134 units are already in production, while another 95 units are under construction.
Focus on Waterways and North-East
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised integrating national waterways with Industrial Corridors and suggested examining waterways as a potential backbone for corridor development.
He also stressed the need to develop industrial infrastructure in the North-Eastern States, particularly in locations offering strong connectivity, land availability, local resource advantages and market potential.
NITI Aayog Vice-Chairman Ashok Kumar Lahiri called on State Governments to give greater priority to empowering project SPVs with adequate planning, development and municipal powers.
He said effective delegation of powers would enable SPVs to take timely decisions, reduce dependence on multiple State agencies and facilitate more coordinated and investor-friendly development.
BHAVYA Receives Strong Interest from States
The Apex Authority also reviewed the rollout of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), which envisages developing 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks across the country.
Against up to 20 projects proposed for approval in the first round, 87 applications have been received from States, indicating strong interest in the scheme.
The meeting emphasised that BHAVYA projects should be fully aligned with PM GatiShakti, with infrastructure inside and around industrial areas planned as an integral part of industrial development.
The appraisal of proposals will consider factors including ready land availability, credible industrial demand, connectivity, assured utilities, realistic project phasing and the ability to attract investors at an early stage.
From Infrastructure Creation to Investment and Jobs
The Apex Authority underlined that the next measure of progress should not merely be the infrastructure created, but how quickly industrial projects attract investment, commence production and generate economic activity and employment.
The meeting began with a welcome address by DPIIT Secretary and NICDIT Chairman Amardeep Singh Bhatia, followed by a presentation by NICDIT CEO Rajat Kumar Saini on the status of Industrial Corridor projects, including implementation, land allotment, investor mobilisation and project-specific issues requiring Centre-State coordination.
Representatives of participating States shared project-wise progress and implementation challenges, providing a platform for focused Centre-State engagement to accelerate projects.
The meeting also brought together senior officials of the Central and State Governments, ministers from participating States and other stakeholders, reinforcing the government’s focus on faster execution, stronger Centre-State coordination and investment-led industrial development.