NICDIT Apex Authority Reviews Industrial Corridor Progress and Sets Implementation Priorities
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 3rd Meeting of the Apex Monitoring Authority of the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT) in New Delhi, reviewing progress under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) and deliberating priorities for the next phase of industrial corridor development. The meeting was attended by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh Dr. Mohan Yadav, Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri, and virtually by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, along with Chief Ministers of Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.
The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme now covers 20 approved projects across 13 States and 7 Industrial Corridors, with four industrial smart cities—Dholera, Shendra-Bidkin, Greater Noida and Vikram Udyogpuri—having entered the production stage. The 12 projects approved in August 2024 are progressing with parallel infrastructure development, land allotment, and investor engagement. To date, 469 plots covering approximately 5,348 acres have been allotted, representing an estimated investment potential of ₹2.21 lakh crore and employment potential of approximately 1.29 lakh persons. Currently, 134 units are already in production while another 95 units are under construction.
Smt. Sitharaman emphasized that Industrial Corridors are a key pillar of the Government of India's strategy to expand manufacturing, strengthen logistics competitiveness, and create globally competitive industrial ecosystems. She stressed the need to move beyond project approvals toward timely completion of infrastructure, land allotment, investment, and commencement of production, urging States to resolve bottlenecks relating to land, connectivity, utilities, statutory clearances, and Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) powers. She highlighted convergence of Freight, Industrial Development, Railways and Expressways (FIRE Corridors) and integrated planning through PM GatiShakti as critical success factors.
Shri Piyush Goyal called for faster, outcome-oriented implementation with greater focus on timely investment and operationalization. He stated that BHAVYA (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana) and future industrial developments should be PM GatiShakti-aligned and planned through an integrated area-development approach. He emphasized developing ready-to-use industrial ecosystems with plug-and-play infrastructure, flatted factories, worker housing, and supporting economic and social infrastructure to facilitate faster investment and operations commencement.
The Apex Authority reviewed the rollout of BHAVYA, which envisages development of 100 investment-ready, plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. Against up to 20 projects proposed for approval in the first round, 87 applications have been received from States, reflecting strong nationwide interest. BHAVYA appraisal will focus on ready land availability, credible industrial demand, strong connectivity, assured utilities, realistic phasing, and early investor attraction capability, with full alignment to PM GatiShakti principles.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized integration of national waterways with Industrial Corridors and suggested examining waterways as a potential spine for corridor development. He also stressed developing industrial infrastructure in North-Eastern States at locations offering strong connectivity, land availability, local resource advantages, and market potential. Shri Ashok Kumar Lahiri urged State Governments to empower project SPVs with adequate planning, development, and municipal powers as per the approved institutional and legal framework to enable timely decisions and reduce dependence on multiple State agencies.
The meeting established that the next measure of progress will be the speed at which completed and ongoing projects translate into active manufacturing centers, investment, and employment, moving beyond infrastructure creation to actual economic activity generation.