12 industrial cities worth Rs 28,602 cr part of CCEA infra boost
Power scheme for NE has an outlay of Rs 4,136 crore, to be implemented from FY 2024-25
New Delhi, Aug 28 (UNI): In a big push for infrastructure development in the country, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the development of 12 smart industrial cities with an estimated investment of Rs 28,602 crore while also giving the nod to three rail projects worth Rs 6,456 crore.
Under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP), smart industrial cities are proposed across 10 states and strategically planned along six major corridors.
An official statement said the industrial city projects would transform the country’s industrial landscape and create a robust network of industrial nodes and cities that will significantly boost economic growth and global competitiveness.
The new industrial cities will be developed as greenfield smart cities. The NICDP is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, with an estimated 1 million direct jobs and up to 3 million indirect jobs being created through planned industrialization.
“The approval of 12 new industrial nodes under the NICDP marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse,” the statement said.
To provide connectivity, facilitate ease of travelling, minimize logistics costs, reduce oil imports and lower carbon emissions, the CCEA also approved two new lines and one multi-tracking project across Indian Railways.
The total estimated cost of the projects is Rs 6,456 crore and will be completed by 2028-29. The rail projects will generate direct employment for about 114 lakh man-days during construction.
The three railway projects covering seven districts in four states namely Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 300 km.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved rolling out private FM radio to 234 uncovered new cities/towns. The Cabinet gave its nod to the proposal for the conduct of the 3rd batch of ascending e-auctions for 730 channels in 234 new cities with an estimated reserve price of Rs 784.87 crore under the Private FM Radio Phase Ill Policy.
The decision is set to boost local content in the mother tongue and create new employment opportunities. New areas which would be covered include many Aspirational and border areas.
Power boost in NE
The Cabinet also approved the proposal of the Ministry of Power for providing central financial assistance (CFA) to the state governments of the northeastern region towards their equity participation in the development of hydroelectric projects in the NER through joint venture (JV) collaboration between state entities and central public sector undertakings.
The scheme has an outlay of Rs 4136 crore to be implemented from FY 2024-25 to FY 2031-32. A cumulative hydro capacity of about 15000 MW would be supported under the scheme. The scheme would be funded through 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) for North Eastern Region from the total outlay of the Ministry of Power.
