NICDC honoured with Udyog Vikas Award for Palakkad Industrial Smart City initiative

31 May 2025 CW Team

During his address, Shri Varma lauded the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad, stating, “The project is poised to reshape the infrastructure and industrial landscape of Kerala and the broader southern region of the country.”

The event included a technical session on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, which provided insights into the strategic vision, planning, and progress of the Palakkad Industrial Smart City. NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) also highlighted the innovative digital solutions through the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

Spanning 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, Palakkad Industrial Smart City marks a key milestone in Kerala’s industrial development. Located 21 km from Palakkad city and well-connected by road, rail, and air, it offers seamless interstate connectivity and logistical advantages, making it a major industrial gateway for South India.

Key milestones achieved include 81% land possession, environmental clearances granted as of January 1, 2025, issuance of Letter of Award to Project Management and Construction Consultant, and ongoing finalisation of EPC tender documents.

NLDSL showcased its contributions to transforming India’s logistics ecosystem since its inception in September 2022. ULIP has integrated 43 systems from 11 ministries, connecting 129 APIs and over 1,800 data fields, benefiting more than 1,300 registered companies and enabling over 100 crore API transactions. The platform aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for a unified and efficient logistics network.

NICDC’s award recognises its pivotal role in driving India’s industrial transformation and boosting the nation’s global manufacturing and logistics competitiveness.

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) received the Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organised by Kerala’s Janmabhumi Daily. The ceremony was graced by Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel, Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, who reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing state-of-the-art Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities nationwide. During his address, Shri Varma lauded the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad, stating, “The project is poised to reshape the infrastructure and industrial landscape of Kerala and the broader southern region of the country.” The event included a technical session on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, which provided insights into the strategic vision, planning, and progress of the Palakkad Industrial Smart City. NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) also highlighted the innovative digital solutions through the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP). Spanning 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, Palakkad Industrial Smart City marks a key milestone in Kerala’s industrial development. Located 21 km from Palakkad city and well-connected by road, rail, and air, it offers seamless interstate connectivity and logistical advantages, making it a major industrial gateway for South India. Key milestones achieved include 81% land possession, environmental clearances granted as of January 1, 2025, issuance of Letter of Award to Project Management and Construction Consultant, and ongoing finalisation of EPC tender documents. NLDSL showcased its contributions to transforming India’s logistics ecosystem since its inception in September 2022. ULIP has integrated 43 systems from 11 ministries, connecting 129 APIs and over 1,800 data fields, benefiting more than 1,300 registered companies and enabling over 100 crore API transactions. The platform aligns with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision for a unified and efficient logistics network. NICDC’s award recognises its pivotal role in driving India’s industrial transformation and boosting the nation’s global manufacturing and logistics competitiveness.

Technology

29 Jul 2026

AI-Enabled Workflows Lift Profitability and Productivity

Organisations modernising frontline workflows with artificial intelligence, automation and real-time data are reporting stronger financial performance, higher productivity and improved employee engagement, according to a global study by Zebra Technologies and Oxford Economics.The research covered 1,000 senior leaders across retail, manufacturing, transportation and logistics in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, India, Japan, Australia and New Zealand.In transportation and logistics, 54 per cent of companies that improved picking and packing operations reported faster operational performance, wh..

Real Estate

29 Jul 2026

India Leads Global AI Readiness but Implementation Lags

Indian companies lead global averages across all eight artificial intelligence readiness indicators tracked by JLL, but only 19 per cent have started making changes to their workplaces, according to the JLL 2026 Future of Work Survey.The study found that 77 per cent of Indian business leaders expect AI to change their office requirements, creating a 58-percentage-point gap between awareness and implementation. The survey covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries during the first quarter of 2026.Despite concerns over automation, 58 per cent of Indian leaders..

Equipment

29 Jul 2026

Three WOLFF Cranes Build Riyadh Cable-Stayed Bridges

Three WOLFF 180 B luffing jib cranes are supporting the construction of two cable-stayed bridges alongside the existing Wadi Laban Bridge in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The project is being developed for the Royal Commission for Riyadh City and executed by the ICRC joint venture comprising IC Ictas and Al Rashid Trading & Contracting Company.The cranes are handling lifting operations including formwork, reinforcement, concrete placement, work platforms, surveying equipment and other construction materials. Each crane is fitted with a 40 m jib, reaches a hook height of 157 m and offers a maximum ..