Introduction

In recent times, Industrial corridors have surfaced as a central strategy for strengthening India’s industrial ecosystem, as they enable lower production costs, wider market access, and stronger integration with global production networks. To advance this model of industrial corridor-led development, the Government of India, together with State Governments, is establishing these corridors as planned economic zones supported by strong transport connectivity. This effort complements the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), through which the country is creating a network of modern industrial corridors equipped with future-ready manufacturing hubs, multimodal connectivity, and plug-and-play infrastructure.

Complementing this vision, the Union Budget 2026-27 announced the development of an integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor with a well-connected node at Durgapur. These initiatives are establishing new greenfield industrial areas, regions, and nodes structured to compete with premier manufacturing and investment destinations globally.

What are Industrial Corridors and why do they matter?

Exploring the Concept of Industrial Corridors

Industrial corridors are linear development zones that connect major economic centres through an integrated network of roads, railways, ports, and airports. The defining features of these corridors are:

• Promotion of accelerated industrial growth by strengthening the link between industry and core infrastructure.
• Creation of globally comparable infrastructure along a defined pathway, offering a competitive and business-friendly environment.
• Facilitation of economic agglomeration and industrial clustering, helping regions maximise their growth potential.
• Optimal utilisation of regional strengths through focused investments and planned industrial development.
• Development along major transport arteries, particularly rail trunk routes, ensuring strong connectivity for efficient movement of freight and the public.

 

What Makes Industrial Corridors Essential

Industrial corridors play a fundamental role in metamorphosing regional economies by creating environments where industries can operate efficiently, sustainably, and competitively. Their importance is displayed in the following ways:

• Integrated infrastructure strengthens industrial efficiency: Multimodal transport networks, reliable utilities, and ICT-enabled services create a unified ecosystem that supports efficient industrial operations and the movement of goods.
• Plug-and-play ecosystems accelerate business readiness: Ready-to-use facilities, assured utilities, and streamlined approvals reduce setup time, helping industries begin operations quickly and competitively.
• Sustainability initiatives ensure responsible growth: Renewable energy adoption, waste recycling systems, and green building norms help industries expand while limiting environmental impact.
• Skill development initiatives encourage regional employment: Training programmes and partnerships with educational institutions build a skilled workforce, generating jobs and strengthening local economies.
• Special Economic Zones attract investment and promote exports: SEZs offer tax incentives and regulatory advantages that draw foreign investment and enhance India’s position in global value chains.
• Public-Private Partnerships improve development outcomes: Cooperative models between government and industry ensure better planning, efficient resource use, and effective management.
• Walk-to-work planning elevates quality of life and productivity: Reduced commuting, lower pollution, pedestrian-friendly layouts, and green spaces support healthier lifestyles and more productive urban environments, making industrial cities attractive to investors and workers alike.

 

 

Strategic Government Interventions for Industrial Corridor Development

As India accelerates the creation of modern, well-connected industrial corridors, a series of government-led initiatives are laying the foundation for sustainable, competitive, and future-ready industrial growth.

 

National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP):

The Government of India is developing multiple Industrial Corridor Projects under the National Industrial Corridor Programme (NICDP), guided by the PM GatiShakti framework to ensure coordinated, multimodal connectivity for major economic zones.

Under this programme, various projects across 11 corridors are being implemented. These projects are being developed through a sustainability-focused framework that supports the transition towards Low-Carbon Cities (LCCs). Key elements of this approach include:

• Creation of extensive green spaces
• Provision of public transit systems
• Adoption of transit-oriented development (TOD)
• Integration of renewable energy sources
• Reduced dependence on conventional power
• Conservation and recycling of water resources
• Systematic recovery and recycling of solid waste materials

 

S. No.	Name of the Corridor	Projects
1.	Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)	Dholera Special Investment Region, Gujarat Shendra Bidkin Industrial Area, Maharashtra Integrated Industrial Township - Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh Integrated Industrial Township - Vikram Udyogpuri, Madhya Pradesh Multi Modal Logistics Hub & Multi Modal Transport Hub (MMLH & MMTH), Uttar Pradesh Integrated Multi-Modal Logistics Hub, Nangal Chaudhary, Haryana Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra Multi-Modal Logistics Park, Sanand, Gujarat Jodhpur Pali Marwar Industrial Area, Rajasthan Khushkhera Bhiwadi Neemrana Industrial Area, Rajasthan
2.	Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)	Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh Tumakuru Industrial Area, Karnataka Ponneri Industrial Area, Tamil Nadu
3.	Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)	Raghunathpur Industrial Park, West Bengal Hisar Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), Haryana Prag Khurpia Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC), Uttarakhand Rajpura Patiala IMC, Punjab Node near Kanpur for IMC, Uttar Pradesh Bokaro Node, Jharkhand IMC at Gaya, Bihar
4.	Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC)	Koparthy Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh Chittoor Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh
5.	Bengaluru-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (BMIC)	Dharwad Node, Karnataka Satara Node, Maharashtra
6.	Extension of CBIC to Kochi via Coimbatore (ECKC)	Palakkad Industrial Area, Kerala Dharmapuri-Salem Industrial Area, Tamil Nadu
7.	Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (HNIC)	Zaheerabad Phase 1, Telangana
8.	Hyderabad-Warangal Industrial Corridor (HWIC)	Hyderabad Phase 1, Telangana
9.	Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC)	Orvakal Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh
10.	Odisha Economic Corridor (OEC)	Gopalpur- Bhubaneswar- Kalinganagar Node and Paradip- Kendrapada- Dhamra- Subernarekha Node, Odisha
11.	Delhi-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (DNIC)	--

 

Current Status of some projects across Industrial Corridors:

 

Name of the Corridor	Completed Projects	Description	Investments
Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)	Dholera Special Investment Region (DSIR)	India’s first semiconductor city and the largest node under the DMIC, spanning 920 sq. km. Managed by Dholera Industrial City Development Limited (DICDL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) of the Central Government and the Government of Gujarat. Strong connectivity through NH-8 and the Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs), enabling efficient logistics and transport. Offers large and scalable land parcels, making it suitable for major industrial and technological investments. 22.54 sq. km Activation Area is almost complete, with all trunk infrastructure already established.	As per the Economic Survey 2025-26, the Phase-I cities, such as DSIR, SBIA, IIT-GN and IIT-VUL, have collectively allotted 350 industrial plots, attracting ₹2.02 lakh crore in investments across sectors such as electronics, renewables, pharmaceuticals, and electric vehicles (EVs).
	Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (SBIA)	A Greenfield smart industrial city developed with world-class infrastructure and plug-and-play industrial facilities. Located in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, it is strategically positioned near Aurangabad Airport and is well-connected to the Golden Quadrilateral. SBIA targets high-growth sectors such as EVs, automotive, aerospace, electronics SBIA has the potential to attract ₹67,815 crore in investments and generate over 55,000 jobs.
	Integrated Industrial Township-Greater Noida (IIT-GN)	Spans across 747 acres and is a flagship project under the DMIC. Located southeast of Greater Noida, directly abutting both the Eastern Peripheral Expressway and the Delhi-Howrah Railway Line. Connectivity is strengthened through: Delhi-Howrah Railway Line Eastern Peripheral Expressway Proximity to the Boraki transit hub Proximity to the Dadri logistics hub Township also enjoys strategic access through a network of expressways and national highways, along with proximity to key airports, including: Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) Noida International Airport (Jewar Airport) Hindon Airport
	Integrated Industrial Township Vikram Udyogpuri (IIT-VUL)	Spans across 1,100 acres in Ujjain and is a major node of the DMIC. Drives the Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow Investment Region. Strategically located near State Highway 18 (SH-18) and the Ujjain-Dewas railway line. Equipped with strong trunk infrastructure, including: Roads and internal circulation network Reliable power supply Water distribution systems Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs)

 

Name of the Corridor	Projects Nearing Completion
Chennai Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (CBIC)	Tumakuru Industrial Area, Karnataka
	Krishnapatnam Industrial Area, Andhra Pradesh
Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)	Integrated Multi-Modal Logistics Hub (IMLH) Nangal Chaudhary, Haryana
	Multi-Modal Logistics Hub & Multi-Modal Transport Hub, Dadri, Greater Noida, U.P.

 

Introduction of 12 additional Projects:

As per the Budget 2024-25 announcement, 12 projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme were approved by the Government of India in August 2024 with a total project cost of ₹28,602 crore. These industrial smart cities are envisioned to develop globally benchmarked manufacturing and investment hubs, featuring plug-and-play facilities, smart city planning, and a walk-to-work ecosystem. They aim to create best-in-class, future-ready infrastructure designed ahead of demand.

S. No.	Name of the Corridor	Name of the Project	Project Area	Project Cost	Investment Potential	Employment Potential
1.	Amritsar Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC)	IMC Khurpia, Uttarakhand	1,002 acres	₹ 1,265 crores	₹ 6,180 crores	75,057 jobs
2.		IMC Rajpura Patiala, Punjab	1,099 acres	₹ 1,367 crores	₹ 7,500 crores	64,204 jobs
3.		IMC Hisar, Haryana	2,988 acres	₹ 4,680 crores	₹ 32,417 crores	1,25,000 jobs
4.		IMC Agra, Uttar Pradesh	1,058 acres	₹ 1,812 crores	₹ 3,447 crores	69,516 jobs
5.		IMC Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh	352 acres	₹ 658 crores	₹ 1,600 crores	17,700 jobs
6.		IMC Gaya, Bihar	1,670 acres	₹ 1,339 crores	₹ 16,524 crores	1,09,185 jobs
7.	Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)	IMC Dighi Port Industrial Area, Maharashtra	6,056 acres	₹ 5,469 crores	₹ 38,000 crores	1,14,183 jobs
8.		Jodhpur Pali Marwar, Rajasthan	1,578 acres	₹ 922 crores	₹ 7,500 crores	40,000 jobs
9.	Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor (VCIC)	Kopparthy, Andhra Pradesh	2,596 acres	₹ 2,137 crores	₹ 8,860 crores	54,500 jobs
10.	Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor (HBIC)	Orvakal, Andhra Pradesh	2,621 acres	₹ 2,786 crores	₹ 12,000 crores	45,071 jobs
11.	Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor (HNIC)	Zaheerabad, Telangana	3,245 acres	₹ 2,361 crores	₹ 10,000 crores	1,74,000 jobs
12.	Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor	Palakkad, Kerala	1,710 acres	₹ 3,806 crores	₹ 8,729 crores	51,000 jobs
Total			25,975 acres	₹ 28,602 crores	₹ 152,757 crores	939,416 jobs

 

National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC):

The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC), previously known as Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (DMICDC), was incorporated in January 2008 for the development, coordination, and implementation of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) by the Government of India. The NICDC:

• aims to promote economic growth by developing smart cities, industrial clusters, and multi-modal logistics hubs that integrate manufacturing, transport, and technology.
• is committed to creating business-friendly and sustainable ecosystems with plug-and-play infrastructure, seamless connectivity, and modern urban living standards.
• focuses on strengthening the manufacturing sector and significantly heightens India’s exports.

National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT):

On 7 December 2016, the Government of India approved the expansion of the scope of the DMIC Project Implementation Trust Fund (PITF) and re-designated it as the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT). The trust has been allocated ₹3,000 crore under the Budget Estimates 2026-27.

Conclusion

The Union Budget 2026-27 gives strong momentum to India’s industrial expansion by announcing the creation of an Integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor anchored by a major node at Durgapur. This initiative aligns with the broader vision of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), which is steadily shaping a nationwide network of advanced production centres supported by transport linkages and ready-to-operate industrial facilities. With development progressing across 11 Industrial Corridors, where 4 locations are already operational, and 4 are approaching completion, the government is steadily enhancing domestic manufacturing capacity, attracting substantial private investment, and generating large-scale employment. The introduction of 12 additional projects highlights India’s intent to cultivate globally competitive manufacturing destinations rooted in sustainable design, technology-enabled administration, and compact urban planning that encourages a walk-to-work lifestyle. The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited (NICDC) continues to play a central role by planning and guiding modern industrial townships, logistics hubs, and integrated production clusters. Complementing this effort, the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), supports the large-scale infrastructure creation, climate-conscious urban systems, and coordinated corridor-level development. These commitments place India on a firmer path to strengthening its industrial foundation, broadening its export potential, enhancing connectivity across regions, and shaping a forward-looking industrial ecosystem aligned with the country’s long-term economic goals.

References

Ministry of Finance

• https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/budget_speech.pdf
• https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/doc/eschapter/echap08.pdf

 

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

• https://www.investindia.gov.in/blogs/concept-industrial-corridors-and-international-best-practices
• https://sansad.in/getFile/annex/269/AU693_5WT5P2.pdf?source=pqars
• https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU1421_xw039v.pdf?source=pqals
• https://www.dpiit.gov.in/offerings/schemes-and-services/details/industrial-corridors-YjM2UDNtQWa
• https://www.nicdc.in/about/overview
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-developed/dholera-special-investment-region-gujarat
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-developed/shendra-bidkin-industrial-area-maharashtra
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-developed/integrated-industrial-township-greater-noida
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-developed/integrated-industrial-township-vikram-udyogpuri
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/national-industrial-corridor-development-programme#
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-nearing-completion/tumakuru-industrial-area-karnataka
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-nearing-completion/krishnapatnam-industrial-area-andhra-pradesh
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-nearing-completion/integrated-multi-modal-logistics-hub-nangal-chaudhary
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/4-projects-nearing-completion/multi-modal-logistics-and-transport-hub-dadri-greater-noida-up
• https://www.pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1557425&reg=3&lang=2
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/imc-rajpura-patiala-punjab
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/imc-hisar-haryana
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/imc-agra-uttar-pradesh
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2071860&reg=3&lang=2
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/imc-prayagraj-uttar-pradesh
• https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2072787&reg=3&lang=2
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/dighi-port-ind-area-maharashtra
• https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU2614_KgDOB4.pdf?source=pqals
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/jodhpur-pali-marwar-rajasthan
• https://www.pib.gov.in/newsite/printrelease.aspx?relid=124032&reg=3&lang=2
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/kopparthy-andhra-pradesh
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/orvakal-andhra-pradesh
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/zaheerabad-telangana
• https://www.nicdc.in/projects/12-new-projects/palakkad-kerala
• https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/184/AU2958_F5PrLx.pdf?source=pqals
• https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/doc/eb/vol1.pdf
• https://www.nicdc.in/resources/annual-reports/reports-of-nicdc
• https://www.commerce.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/MOC_635963414360381849_Opportunities_India_CLMV_Region_EXIM_Bank.pdf
• https://www.dpiit.gov.in/ministry/about-us/details/Title=Industrial-Corridors-ITMwETMtQWa

 

Ministry of Education

• https://iitpkd.ac.in/news/iit-palakkad-play-key-role-kochi-bengaluru-industrial-corridor

 

Consulate General of India, Hamburg, Germany

• https://www.cgihamburg.gov.in/pdf/Investment%20Opportunities%20in%20Corridors.pdf

 

Embassy of India, Germany

• https://indianembassyberlin.gov.in/pages?id=NA,,&subid=MTk0&nextid=Mjc5

 

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• https://www.undp.org/malaysia/news/low-carbon-cities-malaysias-response-global-climate-emergency

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