Synopsis:
India's National Industrial Corridor Development Programme aims to establish 12 industrial smart cities along the Golden Quadrilateral. This initiative is expected to generate significant employment and attract global investors, enhancing India's role in global value chains. The focus on sustainable development and strategic location underscores its commitment to balanced regional growth.
India is on the cusp of a transformative leap in its industrial development, with the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) playing a critical role. Aligned with the vision of a "Viksit Bharat," this ambitious initiative aims to establish a grand necklace of industrial smart cities along the backbone of the Golden Quadrilateral. This strategic move is not just a game-changer for India's industrial landscape but also a significant step towards positioning the country as a global hub for manufacturing.
The NICDP is set to create 12 industrial smart cities, covering an area approach for world-class greenfield industrial developments. These cities are designed to incorporate the latest urban planning concepts such as 'plug-n-play' and 'walk-to-work' frameworks, ensuring seamless integration of industrial and residential zones. This initiative is expected to generate direct employment for nearly 1 million individuals and indirect employment for up to 3 million more. The total investment potential of these projects is estimated at ?1.5 lakh crore, with a project cost of ?28,602 crore.
India's Smart City initiative can draw parallels with similar successful projects across the globe. For instance, Songdo International Business District in South Korea, a purpose-built smart city, is often cited as the benchmark for modern urban planning. Songdo, like India’s industrial smart cities, integrates advanced technology, green spaces, and efficient public transport, aiming to provide a high quality of life while promoting economic growth. Similarly, Singapore's Smart Nation initiative focuses on harnessing technology to improve the lives of its citizens and create new business opportunities. The emphasis on sustainability, connectivity, and innovation in Singapore aligns closely with the goals of India's NICDP, which aims to create an industrial ecosystem supported by robust, sustainable infrastructure.
Historically, India’s industrial landscape has evolved through various phases, with each period marked by significant policy initiatives aimed at fostering growth. The journey began with the establishment of industrial hubs like Jamshedpur and Durgapur during the early years of independence. However, the real momentum was achieved with the launch of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), which laid the foundation for large-scale industrialization in modern India. The DMIC, with its emphasis on creating world-class infrastructure, set the stage for the NICDP, making the latter a natural progression in India's quest for industrial supremacy. The NICDP builds on the lessons learned from DMIC, enhancing the focus on smart urban planning and leveraging technology to create a more integrated and efficient industrial ecosystem.
One of the key strengths of the NICDP is its focus on strategic location and multimodal connectivity. The cities are situated in proximity to major highways, railways, airports, and ports, ensuring easy access to both domestic and international markets. This will not only enhance logistics and transportation but also attract global investors, thereby cementing India's role in global value chains.
The integration of last-mile connectivity and reduced ecological impact further underscores the initiative's commitment to sustainable development. By synchronizing with other major infrastructure projects, these industrial smart cities will minimize clearance bottlenecks and expedite land acquisition, making it easier for businesses to set up and operate efficiently.
The NICDP is not just about industrial growth; it is also about balanced regional development. By distributing these industrial hubs across 10 states and six corridors, the initiative aims to spur economic growth in underdeveloped regions, thereby reducing regional disparities. This decentralized approach ensures that the benefits of industrialization reach all corners of the country, fostering inclusive growth.
Looking ahead, the NICDP is poised to be at the forefront of integrating emerging technologies into the industrial landscape. With the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and renewable energy solutions, these smart cities could serve as innovation hubs that drive the next wave of industrial revolution in India. AI can optimize manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and improve supply chain efficiency, while IoT can enable real-time monitoring and management of industrial operations. Furthermore, the emphasis on renewable energy within these cities aligns with India’s commitment to sustainability, potentially making these corridors global leaders in green industrial practices.
The establishment of these smart cities is not just an investment in infrastructure but an investment in the future of India—a future where the country stands tall as a global manufacturing powerhouse. As these cities begin to take shape, they will serve as beacons of progress, showcasing the potential of smart urban planning and sustainable development. With the right execution and continued commitment, India's dream of becoming a global industrial leader is well within reach.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Nirmal Jain
Quelle/Source: The Economic Times, 05.09.2024
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