NICDC Organizes Cross-Learning Visit to AURIC Smart City
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), in collaboration with Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited (MITL), commenced a two-day cross-learning site visit to the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (AURIC Smart City) in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra on 23 July 2026. The program brought together senior officials from State Governments, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), Programme Managers for New Cities (PMNCs), EPC contractors, and other stakeholders associated with Industrial Corridor projects across India to facilitate knowledge exchange and strengthen institutional capacities.
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of NICDC, Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, highlighted that AURIC has emerged as a model for integrated industrial city development under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). He emphasized the project's demonstration of world-class infrastructure, investor-centric planning, technology-enabled governance, and multimodal connectivity in creating globally competitive manufacturing ecosystems. Shri Saini also underlined the importance of empowering Special Purpose Vehicles with greater planning flexibility for efficient land utilisation and infrastructure optimisation.
The first day included presentations on the development of the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area, demonstrations of digital planning and monitoring systems, and visits to operational industrial units and key infrastructure facilities including utility systems and connectivity infrastructure. Participants discussed integrated master planning, project implementation, land utilisation, investor facilitation, digital governance, and project monitoring, with exchanges on strengthening coordination among implementing agencies.
A significant focus was on the implementation framework of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), a flagship initiative being implemented by NICDC to develop world-class plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. Participants deliberated on how AURIC's integrated planning, utility infrastructure, digital governance, and investor facilitation mechanisms could support BHAVYA Scheme implementation. States and implementing agencies were encouraged to actively participate in the first round of applications under the scheme, with submissions open until 31 July 2026.
The discussions highlighted the role of plug-and-play infrastructure, integrated utility networks, technology-enabled urban management, and multimodal connectivity in attracting investments and improving ease of doing business. Participants exchanged views on sustainable infrastructure, digital land management systems, investor-friendly approval mechanisms, and future-ready industrial ecosystems adaptable across other Industrial Corridor projects.
The program continues on 24 July 2026 with technical presentations on project implementation, infrastructure development, challenges, and best practices, followed by an interactive cross-learning session among participating States and project stakeholders. The deliberations are expected to strengthen institutional collaboration and facilitate adoption of best practices across Industrial Corridor projects under the NICDP.