Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) on August 28 approved 12 new smart cities under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) with an estimated investment of Rs 28,602 crore.
Among the 12 industrial cities, Andhra Pradesh, where NDA partner Telegu Desam is in power, will help develop two and Bihar, where the BJP is part of a coalition with the Janata Dal (United), one.
The cities will be located in Khurpia in Uttrakhand, Rajpura-Patiala in Punjab, Dighi in Maharashtra, Palakkad in Kerela, Agra and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh, Gaya in Bihar, Zaheerabad in Telangana, Orvakal and Kopparthy in Andhra Pradesh and Jodhpur-Pali in Rajasthan.
The government expects the industrial nodes to help in achieving $2 trillion in exports by 2030 and also generate 10 lakh direct jobs and up to 30 lakh indirect jobs through the initiatives under NICDP.
This initiative is part of the government’s broader plan of establishing “plug and play” industrial parks in or close to 100 cities, as outlined in the Union Budget to enhance manufacturing in collaboration with states and the private sector.
(From: Money Control)