BackStates must provide land for NICDC projects on fast track: Goyal
The NICDC was approved by the Centre in December 2020 to create 11 industrial corridors, with 32 projects to be developed in four phases by 2026-27
PremiumNEW DELHI : States will have to take ownership and responsibility to fast-track land allotments for projects under the National Industrial Corridor Development Corp. (NICDC), and if they fail to do so in a time-bound manner, the Centre will foreclose the project and offer it to other states, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday during an investor round table on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
Under the programme, the government seeks to develop 11 industrial corridors across 18 states with multimodal connectivity to promote domestic manufacturing. “I have also instructed my colleagues for a quick assessment of what the clusters are doing and are willing to do in a time-bound manner. Otherwise, foreclose the projects and offer them to other areas where they can get land on a fast-track basis," he said.
“Please convey to states in absolutely no uncertain terms that this is a defined time period. Tell us what land you can acquire and give, and freeze the projects. We cannot wait for years and years for the remaining projects," Goyal added.
“Geopolitical situations are changing and global supply chains are getting realigned. In the next two-three years, the realignment will be completed, so the biggest opportunity for new investment is in India and the time is now," said Anurag Jain, secretary, department for promotion of industry and internal trade.
The ministry is also working with states to adopt the new labour laws, he added. “I’m sure all of you know the four labour laws have already been passed by the parliament…We are awaiting the notification. We want every state to come on board. Because if we notify new labour laws, existing laws will be repealed, and there will be a vacuum in states that are not ready for the new laws."
Jain also urged captains of the industry to play an active role in pushing state governments on passing labour reforms quickly.
The industrial corridor development programme was approved in December 2020 to set up 32 projects in the 11 industrial corridors in four phases by 2026-27. So far, ₹16,760 crore has been invested for the 173 allotted plots in the four ‘smart’ industrial cities including Dholera in Gujarat, Shendra-Bidkin area in Maharashtra, Vikram-Udyogpuri near Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh and integrated industrial township at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh.
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