NICD PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: India is set to develop a network of industrial smart cities as the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved 12 new projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme

• About: It is India's most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as "Smart Cities" and converging next generation technologies across infrastructure sectors.
• Objective: To foster a vibrant industrial ecosystem by facilitating investments from both large anchor industries and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
• Implementation: Each Industrial Corridor is envisaged to be implemented by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in the form of a company set up under the Companies Act, 2013 as a joint venture between the central and the state governments.
• Implementing Agency: National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited.
• Vision and Goals:

oSmart Cities Development: Transforming industrial cities into smart, technology-driven hubs.

oGlobal Competitiveness: Positioning Indian cities as leading global manufacturing and investment destinations.

• These industrial areas will be located in: Khurpia in Uttrakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in, Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in UP, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in AP and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
• Smart Cities and Modern Infrastructure: The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities of global standards, built "ahead of demand" on the 'plug-n-play' and 'walk-to-work' concepts. This approach ensures that the cities are equipped with advanced infrastructure that supports sustainable and efficient industrial operations.