National Industrial Corridors - Bridging Urban and Rural India for a Developed Future

India’s Vision for 2047: A Global Standard of Living

Viksit Bharat's ambitious goal is to elevate the average income of 1.5 billion Indians to levels comparable with the world’s developed nations by 2047. To achieve this, India’s urban population is set to increase significantly—from 34% of the total population in 2018 to 40% by 2030, while the rural population is projected to decrease slightly. A key element of this transformation is fostering synergy between urban and rural areas to boost the nation’s economic growth.

The NICDP: A Catalyst for India’s Growth

The National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) is at the heart of this transformation, aiming to position India as a global manufacturing powerhouse. However, its impact will go far beyond industrial growth. The NICDP will improve the quality of life for citizens, increase rural productivity, and establish a seamless connection between rural and urban areas through advanced agro-industrial complexes, improved logistics, and robust social infrastructure.

Smart Industrial Cities and Last-Mile Connectivity

NICDP’s approach includes the development of smart industrial cities that feature multimodal infrastructure, expedited land acquisition, and minimized clearances. These cities will solve common challenges such as land acquisition while offering plug-and-play utility access, logistics support, and abundant labor. The strategic industrial corridor approach will foster not just manufacturing growth but also the creation of satellite towns with advanced social infrastructure in education, health, and leisure.

A Symbiotic Future for India’s Towns

Imagine a future where tier-1 and tier-2 cities are just a 1-2 hour ride from clusters of tier-3 and tier-4 towns, dubbed 'Xurbia.' These towns will develop symbiotic economic, social, and cultural relationships with urban areas, boosting productivity and improving quality of life. By 2030, it is projected that urban India will account for 70% of the nation’s GDP. However, for India to achieve its vision of becoming a $32 trillion economy by 2047, rural productivity must rise from 50% of urban levels to at least 75%.

Catalyzing Investment and Sustainable Growth

The NICDP will drive significant investment, both directly through government and private spending on infrastructure and industries, and indirectly through secondary investments in tier-3 and tier-4 towns. This will spur growth in housing, commercial real estate, education, healthcare, and leisure, while simultaneously advancing ancillary activities like services and agri-processing. Importantly, the development of smart industrial cities will also support India’s sustainability goals by promoting better farming practices, bio-waste recycling, and the use of biofuels.

NICDP: The Key to India’s Developed Future

The NICDP is poised to be a cornerstone of India’s journey to becoming a developed nation. Not only will it enhance India’s global manufacturing position, but it will also drive an urban and rural revolution that elevates the quality of life, increases productivity, and helps India meet its sustainability goals.