The Union Budget for 2024-25 has introduced an ambitious plan to develop 12 new industrial parks under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. This initiative marks a significant advancement in establishing world-class industrial infrastructure across India.
An industrial park is a designated area equipped with essential infrastructure like roads, electricity, waste management systems, warehousing, housing, and shared business facilities. These parks utilize a Single Window System to expedite approvals and clearances, enhancing the ease of doing business for enterprises.
According to the India Industrial Land Bank managed by DPIIT, India hosts over 4,420 industrial parks or zones, encompassing approximately 5.6 lakh hectares. These parks comprise various types, including Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs), and National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs), developed through public, private, or joint sector initiatives.
Currently, mixed-use parks account for 64% of all parks; however, there is a noticeable shift towards sector-specific parks. This change recognizes the unique infrastructure needs of various industries such as textiles, electronics, food processing, biotechnology, and petrochemicals. Notably, ten sectors contribute to over one-third of these parks, with engineering, textiles, and food processing at the forefront.
The majority of industrial parks are concentrated in western and southern states of India. Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka collectively represent over 73% of the total industrial park area in the country.
The 12 new parks proposed in the budget aim to create futuristic industrial cities with integrated infrastructure. These parks will operate on a “plug and play” model, where all necessary clearances and utilities are pre-arranged at the plot level, thus significantly minimizing the time and risk for investors.
These new cities will be administrated by a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), which will oversee approvals, land allocation, and service management within a unified framework. Importantly, two parks are slated for development in Andhra Pradesh and one in Bihar, showcasing a commitment to regional diversification.
The parks will be strategically positioned along key industrial corridors, particularly the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), where substantial progress has already been made. Major projects like Dholera in Gujarat, Shendra-Bidkin in Maharashtra, Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, and Vikram Udyogpuri in Madhya Pradesh are attracting both domestic and global investors.
In addition to the DMIC, other significant corridors include Chennai-Bengaluru, Amritsar-Kolkata, Vizag-Chennai, and Hyderabad-based corridors, all designed to boost regional industrial growth and improve connectivity.
Q1. What are industrial parks?
Answer: Industrial parks are designated areas that provide essential infrastructure and facilities for industries, aiming to facilitate business operations and growth.
Q2. How many industrial parks are there in India?
Answer: India currently has over 4,420 industrial parks or zones, covering approximately 5.6 lakh hectares, according to the India Industrial Land Bank.
Q3. What is the purpose of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme?
Answer: The programme aims to develop world-class industrial infrastructure by establishing new industrial parks and corridors, enhancing economic growth.
Q4. What is a “plug and play” model?
Answer: The “plug and play” model allows investors to utilize pre-arranged utilities and clearances at the plot level, significantly reducing setup time and risk.
Q5. Which states have the highest concentration of industrial parks?
Answer: Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Karnataka account for over 73% of the total industrial park area in India, highlighting their industrial significance.
Question 1: What is the primary objective of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme?
A) To reduce environmental impact
B) To develop world-class industrial infrastructure
C) To increase agricultural production
D) To promote tourism
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: Which state has the highest number of industrial parks in India?
A) Maharashtra
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Gujarat
D) Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: What does the term “plug and play” refer to in the context of industrial parks?
A) Temporary setups
B) Pre-arranged utilities and clearances
C) Seasonal operations
D) Manual approvals
Correct Answer: B
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