Transforming India's industrial landscape through smart cities

economictimes.indiatimes.com:

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