AURIC (Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, proudly marks its sixth anniversary, celebrating six years of industrial progress, global investments, and sustainable development. Developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), AURIC is among India’s first Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities.Growth and ImpactOver six years, 323 plots have been allotted across industrial and mixed-use categories, covering 3,029 acres of industrial land and 117 acres of mixed-use land. Total investment potential exceeds Rs 713 billion, with an employment potential of 62,405 jobs (direct and indirect). Currently, 78 units are operational, 62 factories are under construction, and 184 units are preparing to begin construction.Key AchievementsIn the Shendra Industrial Area, 135 MSMEs, 17 large-scale projects, and 16 non-MSMEs have received plots, including South Korea’s Hyosung, which launched its first spandex plant in India here. Bidkin Industrial Area has allotted plots to 49 MSMEs, 27 large-scale projects, and 4 non-MSMEs, attracting world-class companies across automobiles, electric vehicles, polymers, and engineering sectors. Industrial land in AURIC is almost fully allotted, reflecting strong investor confidence.Special focus has been placed on MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, with leaders like Vaishali Ajeet Deshpande (Anukul Power Engineers Pvt. Ltd.), Dr. Hershali Sandeep Deshmukh (Turbonova Polymer Pvt. Ltd.), and Ms. Payal Naikwad (Rayon Illuminations and Energy Solutions Pvt. Ltd.) exemplifying inclusive growth. A proposed 20,000 sq. ft. Skill Development Centre, in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), will link talent with industry. Additionally, office rents for MSMEs have been halved from Rs 50 to Rs 25 per sq. ft. from April 2025.Shendra and Bidkin Industrial AreasShendra has attracted Rs 61 billion in investments, generating 14,455 jobs, with significant investors including Hyosung (South Korea), Perkins (UK), Fuji Silvertech (Japan), Oerlikon Bakiers (Liechtenstein), Siemens (Germany), NLMK (Russia), Kohler (USA), and others. Bidkin has emerged as a growth engine for Marathwada, attracting investments worth Rs 762 billion, including Ather Energy, Lubrizol, Toyota Kirloskar, and JSW Green Mobility, supporting 35,000+ jobs.Smart Infrastructure and ConnectivityAURIC offers plug-and-play infrastructure, wide roads, reliable power and water supply, and advanced sewage and effluent treatment. Technology-driven solutions include e-governance, single-window clearances, online approvals, and a central command system. Sectoral clusters cover automobiles, EVs, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, IT/ITeS, and chemicals.Multi-modal connectivity initiatives, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the proposed Sambhajinagar–Pune Greenfield Expressway, Jalna Dry Port, Aurangabad Airport, and rail links, align with PM GatiShakti to enhance logistics efficiency. Being part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) strengthens national and international market access.Leadership and VisionRegular high-level engagement ensures investor facilitation, with visits from Union Minister of Commerce & Industry Shri Piyush Goyal and Secretary, DPIIT Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated AURIC City on 7 September 2019, along with the six-storey AURIC Hall, the administrative hub of the smart city.Looking AheadAURIC continues to play a pivotal role in Maharashtra’s ambition to become a $1 trillion economy by 2030, contributing to the national vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. With robust infrastructure, marquee investors, and strong employment generation, AURIC has set the benchmark for industrial smart cities in India.