Minister Highlights Centre's Industrial Corridor Initiatives Boosting Manufacturing

New Delhi, Dec 10 (NationPress) India’s industrial advancement is witnessing significant momentum with projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) progressing rapidly. This initiative is designed to establish greenfield industrial zones throughout the nation, enabling them to compete with the top manufacturing and investment hubs worldwide, informed Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada during a Lok Sabha session.

The Centre has successfully completed key trunk infrastructure projects in the new Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (SBIA), for which Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated as equity. A total of 294 companies, including Hyosung Corporation from South Korea, have been granted developed plots across 2,620 acres to establish factories in the underdeveloped district of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the Minister stated in a written reply.

The Dighi Port Industrial Area (DPIA) in Raigad district of Maharashtra is also slated for development under the NICDP, with a total investment of Rs. 5,468 crores initiated in August. This project is expected to create one lakh jobs and attract an investment potential of Rs 12,000 crore, according to the Minister.

Additionally, the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) has been proposed under NICDP, built on the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Two projects, namely IMC Agra and IMC Prayagraj, suggested by the state government, have received approval from the Government of India in August. As part of the AKIC, Shahjahanpur is included within the influence zone, the Minister further elaborated.

The government has also sanctioned the Central Sector Scheme “Indian Footwear and Leather Development Programme (IFLDP)” with a funding allocation of Rs 1700.00 crore until March 31, 2026, to foster industrial growth, the Minister detailed.

Under IFLDP, Maharashtra has been allocated funds for the Integrated Development of Leather Sector (IDLS) sub-scheme, with Rs 5.75 lakh provided for technology upgrades for one unit in the state from 2021-22 to 2024-25.

A Mega Leather Footwear and Accessories Cluster Development (MLFACD) initiative has also been authorized at Ratwad Village in Maharashtra, with an overall project cost of Rs 256.42 crore, including Rs.125.00 crore from the Government of India.

Furthermore, the Government of India has endorsed Central Sector Schemes aimed at fostering industrial growth in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) and Ladakh.

For the Industrial Development Scheme (IDS) in J&K and Ladakh, an investment of Rs 93.09 crore has been allocated as incentives under this initiative.

In the context of IDS for Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Uttarakhand (UK), an amount of Rs 642.63 crore has been disbursed as incentives so far.

As for the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS) aimed at Jammu and Kashmir, Rs 299.10 crore has been allocated as incentives thus far, the Minister concluded.