Is Maharashtra’s AURIC Industrial Smart City Really Set to Create Over 62,400 Jobs?

New Delhi, Sep 7 (NationPress) The AURIC Smart City (Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area) located in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district has unlocked an investment potential of Rs 71,343 crore by allotting 323 plots for industrial establishments in both the large-scale and MSME sectors, which are anticipated to generate 62,405 jobs, as per a statement released by the Commerce and Industry Ministry on Sunday.

Since the inception of this initiative by PM Narendra Modi six years ago on September 7, 2019, 135 MSMEs, 17 large-scale projects, and 16 non-MSMEs have been allotted plots in the Shendra Industrial Area, featuring prominent investors like South Korea’s Hyosung, which inaugurated its first spandex plant in India there. In the Bidkin Industrial Area, plots have also been allocated to another 49 MSMEs, 27 large-scale projects, and 4 non-MSMEs, attracting world-class firms across various sectors such as automobiles, electric vehicles, polymers, and engineering.

The industrial land at AURIC is nearly fully allocated, highlighting the confidence investors have in its infrastructure and policy framework.

There is a special emphasis on supporting MSMEs and women entrepreneurs, with figures like Vaishali Ajeet Deshpande (Anukul Power Engineers Pvt. Ltd.), Dr. Hershali Sandeep Deshmukh (Turbonova Polymer Pvt. Ltd.), and Payal Naikwad (Rayon Illuminations and Energy Solutions Private Limited) exemplifying inclusive growth.

A 20,000 sq. ft. Skill Development Centre is also planned at AURIC in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to enhance workforce skills and connect talent to industry.

Office space rents at AURIC have been slashed from Rs 50 to Rs 25 per sq. ft. for MSMEs, representing a 50% reduction effective from April 1, 2025.

In the Shendra industrial area, investments totaling Rs 6,096 crore have been made, generating 14,455 jobs. Noteworthy investors include Hyosung (South Korea), which established its first spandex plant in India here, alongside others like Perkins (UK), Fuji Silvertech (Japan), Oerlikon Bakiers (Liechtenstein), Siemens (Germany), NLMK (Russia), Kohler (USA), Coatall Films (India), Endurance Complete Solutions (India), and Detpak (India).

The Bidkin industrial area is also rapidly emerging as a growth engine in the Marathwada region, attracting investments worth Rs 76,219 crore, including Ather Energy (EVs), Lubrizol (chemicals), Toyota Kirloskar (automobiles), and JSW Green Mobility, with the potential to create over 35,000 jobs.

AURIC is a vital component of the DMIC (Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor), further enhancing its connectivity to national and international markets and promoting Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar as a central hub for manufacturing and investment.

The region benefits from multi-modal connectivity, including the Samruddhi Mahamarg, the proposed Sambhajinagar–Pune Greenfield Expressway, the Jalna Dry Port, and its proximity to Aurangabad Airport and major rail links. These connectivity enhancements, aligned with PM GatiShakti, significantly improve logistics efficiency, positioning AURIC as a competitive investment hub.

The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) CEO & MD, Rajat Kumar Saini, remarked: "The evolution of AURIC exemplifies the broader vision of NICDC Smart Cities - to establish future-ready manufacturing hubs that prioritize sustainability and inclusive growth. Within just six years, AURIC has become a magnet for both global and domestic investors, setting new standards for how industrial townships can empower MSMEs, create jobs, and transform regions. Looking forward, we remain focused on ensuring that smart cities like AURIC continue to drive India's growth narrative for decades ahead."

AURIC offers investors world-class, plug-and-play infrastructure, featuring wide roads, guaranteed water and power supply, along with advanced sewage and effluent treatment facilities. The industrial city is being developed on a sector-based cluster model encompassing automobiles, electric vehicles, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, food processing, IT/ITeS, and chemicals, thereby creating an optimal environment for business growth.