India's 12 Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities: A New Era of Manufacturing Hubs

India is entering a decisive phase of industrial transformation with the development of 12 green industrial smart cities under the National Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). Conceived as future-ready manufacturing and logistics hubs, these cities aim to decentralize industrial growth, generate large-scale employment, strengthen exports, and build sustainable urban-industrial ecosystems.

India’s industrial growth has historically been concentrated in a few metropolitan regions, leading to regional imbalances, infrastructure stress, and uneven employment opportunities. To address these issues, the Government of India launched the NICDP, envisioning a network of greenfield industrial smart cities built ahead of demand. The program involves a massive investment of ₹28,602 crore to boost India’s global manufacturing edge, integrating next-generation technologies across various infrastructure sectors.

12 Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities

The cabinet committee on Economic Affairs recently approved 12 new project proposals under the NICDP. These 12 industrial areas, located across 10 states and planned along 6 major corridors, will be pivotal in advancing India’s manufacturing capabilities and economic expansion.

- Khurpia, Uttarakhand : Located in the Udham Singh Nagar district near Kiccha, Khurpia is rapidly emerging as a major industrial hub. Designed as an Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) under India’s Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor project, it spans 1,002 acres and aims to create a manufacturing powerhouse with state-of-the-art infrastructure. The project investment is ₹1,265 crore, with a target to attract investments of ₹6,180 crore. The industrial plot within IMC is priced at ₹1.7 crore per acre.

- Rajpura-Patiala, Punjab : Known as the Gateway of Punjab, Rajpura-Patiala is a key industrial and manufacturing hub. The 1,100-acre project focuses on electronics, metal products, chemicals, food & beverages, pharmaceuticals, and textiles. Built on a “plug-and-play” and “walk-to-work” concept, it offers world-class amenities and aims to attract investments of ₹7,500 crore. The average property price ranges from ₹6,834 to ₹8,350 per sq. ft.

- Dighi, Maharashtra : Dighi, located in the Raigad district, is a planned major industrial hub spanning approximately 6,056 acres. It is designed with plug-and-play infrastructure and walk-to-work concepts, aiming to attract industries in engineering, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles. The project investment is ₹38,000 crore, and it is strategically connected to NH-66. The average property price per sq. ft. is approximately ₹5,600 to ₹7,000.

- Palakkad, Kerala : Known as the Gateway to Kerala, Palakkad is a major industrial development project and a key component of the Kochi-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. The 1,710-acre project is implemented by the Kerala Industrial Corridor Development Corporation and aims to attract diverse industries like medical, chemical, hi-tech manufacturing, and logistics. The estimated investment is ₹3,806 crore, with private investments of around ₹8,700 crore. The average property price is around ₹3,448 per sq. ft.

- Agra, Uttar Pradesh : Agra is part of the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor project, focusing on urban retrofitting and redevelopment of heritage areas. Located near an existing expressway, approximately 20 km from the Agra Fort and Taj Mahal, the 1,050-acre cluster aims to promote non-polluting industries, including traditional segments like leather and footwear and agro-based products. The average property prices range from ₹1,450 to ₹4,200 per sq. ft.

- Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh : Prayagraj is part of the National Smart Cities Mission and is developing an associated integrated manufacturing cluster (IMC) at Saraswati Hi-Tech City, approximately 20 km south of Prayagraj. The 352-acre project under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor initiative focuses on e-mobility, food processing, leather articles, readymade garments, and packaging. The city boasts excellent multimodal connectivity to NH35 and NH40. The project investment is around ₹1,600 crore, with average property prices ranging from ₹4,000 to ₹8,000 per sq. ft.

- Gaya, Bihar : Gaya’s Greenfield Industrial Smart City is a major project under the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor, planned on 1,670 acres near Dhobi. It has good connectivity to major transport hubs like the airport, railway, and national highways NH22 and NH19. This project transforms Gaya into a key industrial and innovation hub, with industrial plots priced around ₹3,000 per sq. ft.

- Zaheerabad, Telangana : This project is a major greenfield project under the Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor, a joint venture between Telangana and Central governments. Spanning approximately 12,635 acres across 17 villages in Sangareddy district, it is located 80 km away from Hyderabad and 9 km north of Zaheerabad town, with excellent connectivity to NH65. The project is planned and being executed in phases, with phase 1 nearly complete. The average property price is around ₹7,117 per sq. ft.

- Orvakal, Andhra Pradesh : Orvakal is a smart city developed in Andhra Pradesh under the Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor. Designed as a smart, sustainable, and innovation-led industrial hub, it spans a total area of 9,719 acres, with phase 1 covering 2,621 acres. Located near NH40 and NH44 and the Kurnool Bypass, it is India’s first drone city, proposed to house a diverse range of industries. The project is expected to attract an investment of around ₹12,000 crore. The average property price is approximately ₹2,450 per sq. ft.

- Kopparthy, Andhra Pradesh : Kopparthy is a major developing industrial hub in the Kadapa district, part of the Visakhapatnam-Chennai Industrial Corridor. The project is a collaboration between central and state governments, spanning 6,740 acres, with the first phase development covering 2,596 acres. It connects SH51 and NH40, located 13 km from Kadapa Airport. The total investment potential is ₹8,860 crore. The average property prices are around ₹305 to ₹929 per sq. ft.

- Jodhpur-Pali, Rajasthan : This greenfield industrial smart city project is part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, a major industrial hub in western Rajasthan. Planned to be the state’s largest industrial area, it is a self-sustained integrated industrial township spread over nearly 3,600 hectares, located 30 km from Jodhpur Airport. The project is being developed in three phases, attracting investments of ₹7,500 crore. The average property price in Jodhpur is around ₹6,800 to ₹7,000 per sq. ft.

- The 12th project is yet to be disclosed.

Conclusion

India’s 12 greenfield industrial smart cities represent far more than new industrial zones; they symbolize a paradigm shift in economic development. By combining manufacturing strength, smart infrastructure, employment creation, and sustainability, these cities are poised to become the backbone of India’s next growth cycle.