Each of 12 smart cities to be a dedicated industrial hub

03 Oct 2024 CW Team

The upcoming 12 smart cities will be developed as dedicated industrial hubs, each specific to a certain sector, officials said. While the one in Agra is proposed as a hub for electric vehicles and electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), Palakkad could focus on medicines and botanicals. The industrial smart city in Gaya is being developed to generate maximum employment by setting up food processing, light engineering and metal-related industries. Last month, the Union Cabinet approved setting up of 12 industrial smart cities with an overall investment of Rs 286 billion. "All cities will have specific and focused industrial hubs. The construction of these cities will take around three years," said an official, adding that contractors would be onboarded by March. These cities will span across 10 states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Telangana and six major industrial corridors. They will function more like industrial cities, where residential and commercial setups would co-exist, have plug and play infrastructure with potable drinking water, 24 hours electricity and would be based on the 'walk-to-work' concept. In Maharashtra, while Bidkin is coming up as an auto hub, Dighi is being developed as a project that would lead to port-led industrialisation and industry-led urbanisation while promoting ecotourism. "Dighi and Krishnapatnam will be important for port-led industrialisation and industry-led urbanisation," said Rajat Kumar Saini, managing director, National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, adding that all projects have been mapped with PM Gatishakti to aid ease of business. Hospitality is also identified as another sector in Gaya while hospitals are showing interest in Agra. These 12 cities have an investment potential of Rs 1.5 trillion and employment potential of 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs. Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan have shown interest in having dedicated industrial space in these cities. Officials said Switzerland has shown interest promoted by India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA), under which New Delhi has received an investment commitment of $100 billion over next 15 years. "Because of EFTA, these countries are interested in investing. They want local partners," the official said.

The upcoming 12 smart cities will be developed as dedicated industrial hubs, each specific to a certain sector, officials said. While the one in Agra is proposed as a hub for electric vehicles and electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), Palakkad could focus on medicines and botanicals. The industrial smart city in Gaya is being developed to generate maximum employment by setting up food processing, light engineering and metal-related industries. Last month, the Union Cabinet approved setting up of 12 industrial smart cities with an overall investment of Rs 286 billion. All cities will have specific and focused industrial hubs. The construction of these cities will take around three years, said an official, adding that contractors would be onboarded by March. These cities will span across 10 states such as Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Kerala and Telangana and six major industrial corridors. They will function more like industrial cities, where residential and commercial setups would co-exist, have plug and play infrastructure with potable drinking water, 24 hours electricity and would be based on the 'walk-to-work' concept. In Maharashtra, while Bidkin is coming up as an auto hub, Dighi is being developed as a project that would lead to port-led industrialisation and industry-led urbanisation while promoting ecotourism. Dighi and Krishnapatnam will be important for port-led industrialisation and industry-led urbanisation, said Rajat Kumar Saini, managing director, National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, adding that all projects have been mapped with PM Gatishakti to aid ease of business. Hospitality is also identified as another sector in Gaya while hospitals are showing interest in Agra. These 12 cities have an investment potential of Rs 1.5 trillion and employment potential of 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs. Japan, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan have shown interest in having dedicated industrial space in these cities. Officials said Switzerland has shown interest promoted by India-European Free Trade Association (EFTA), under which New Delhi has received an investment commitment of $100 billion over next 15 years. Because of EFTA, these countries are interested in investing. They want local partners, the official said.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Infrastructure Urban

06 Feb 2026

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..