NICDC Wins Udyog Vikas Award for Driving Industrial Growth

29 Apr 2025 CW Team

During his address, Varma praised the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad, calling it a gamechanger for Kerala’s industrial and infrastructure landscape. He said the project would not only transform the region but also boost southern India’s industrial growth.

The event included a technical session on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, offering insights into the strategic planning and progress of the Palakkad Industrial Smart City. Another session by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd (NLDSL) showcased digital innovations like the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).

Spread over 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, the Palakkad project is set to become a major hub for South India. Located just 21 km from Palakkad city, 120 km from Cochin, and 50 km from Coimbatore, the site offers strong road, rail, and air connectivity, positioning it as a strategic gateway for interstate commerce and investment.

Key updates shared at the event included:

81 per cent of the required land is already in possession.
Environmental clearances for all land parcels were granted on January 1, 2025.
A Letter of Award has been issued to the Project Management and Construction Consultant.
EPC tender documents are in the final stages of preparation.

NLDSL also highlighted its role in modernising India’s logistics sector. Since launching ULIP in September 2022, the platform has integrated 43 systems across 11 ministries, connected via 129 APIs and more than 1,800 data fields. Over 1,300 companies are registered on ULIP, which has enabled more than 1 billion API transactions so far — reflecting the scale of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for a unified and efficient logistics ecosystem.

The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) received the Udyog Vikas Award at an event organised by Janmabhumi Daily, a leading Kerala-based news outlet. Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel, Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, attended the event and reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to building next-generation Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities nationwide.During his address, Varma praised the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad, calling it a gamechanger for Kerala’s industrial and infrastructure landscape. He said the project would not only transform the region but also boost southern India’s industrial growth.The event included a technical session on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme, offering insights into the strategic planning and progress of the Palakkad Industrial Smart City. Another session by NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd (NLDSL) showcased digital innovations like the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).Spread over 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, the Palakkad project is set to become a major hub for South India. Located just 21 km from Palakkad city, 120 km from Cochin, and 50 km from Coimbatore, the site offers strong road, rail, and air connectivity, positioning it as a strategic gateway for interstate commerce and investment.Key updates shared at the event included:81 per cent of the required land is already in possession.Environmental clearances for all land parcels were granted on January 1, 2025.A Letter of Award has been issued to the Project Management and Construction Consultant.EPC tender documents are in the final stages of preparation.NLDSL also highlighted its role in modernising India’s logistics sector. Since launching ULIP in September 2022, the platform has integrated 43 systems across 11 ministries, connected via 129 APIs and more than 1,800 data fields. Over 1,300 companies are registered on ULIP, which has enabled more than 1 billion API transactions so far — reflecting the scale of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s push for a unified and efficient logistics ecosystem.

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

Daikin Boosts Haryana’s Innovation Push with Rs 10 billion R&D Plan

Japanese multinational Daikin Industries has committed an investment of Rs 10 billion to set up a new research and development centre in Haryana. The proposed facility will focus on advanced technologies and sustainable industrial solutions, marking a significant boost to the state’s innovation and industrial ecosystem. The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Osaka, Japan, during a visit by a Haryana government delegation held from October 6 to 8. The MoU was signed by Amit Kumar Agrawal, Commissioner and Secretary, Industries and Commerce Department, ..

Building Material

13 Oct 2025

Lloyds Metals to Build Rs 250 billion Steel Plant in Gadchiroli

Lloyds Metals & Energy Limited (LMEL) has announced an investment of Rs 250 billion aimed at transforming Gadchiroli in Maharashtra from a region once associated with the red corridor into a key industrial and growth hub. The company’s plans are centred on establishing an integrated steel production ecosystem, which will contribute significantly to regional development and employment. As part of its expansion strategy, LMEL is setting up a 4.5-million-tonne blast furnace in Gadchiroli, scheduled for completion by 2027–28, along with another 1.2-million-tonne facility in Chandrapur by 2029..

Infrastructure Urban

13 Oct 2025

UPI Crosses 500 Million Users, Fuels MSME and Digital Growth

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has achieved a new milestone, surpassing 500 million consumers and 65 million merchants across India. The platform, developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), has expanded its reach to nearly 99 percent of the country’s pin codes, underlining its deep penetration into both urban and rural markets. According to a report by NPCI and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) launched during the Global Fintech Fest 2025, UPI has evolved from being a digital payments mechanism into a key enabler of financial inclusion and small business growth. I..