New Delhi, May 24: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Government of India has released detailed operational guidelines for a grand initiative aimed at developing world-class industrial parks across the country. This historic central sector scheme is designed to create investment-ready industrial parks that will bolster India’s manufacturing ecosystem.
The grand project aligns with the government’s broader vision to establish India as a globally competitive manufacturing destination through initiatives like Make in India and PM Gati Shakti.
Over the next six years, from 2026-27 to 2031-32, the plan includes the development of 100 industrial parks with a total financial outlay of approximately ₹33,660 crore. In the first phase, a maximum of 50 parks will be selected through a competitive selection process.
The guidelines outline eligibility criteria for the parks, project selection methods, financing structures, governance frameworks, monitoring systems, and implementation procedures.
The primary goal of this scheme is to create an ‘investment-ready’ industrial ecosystem equipped with plug-and-play infrastructure, multi-modal logistics connectivity, reliable utility systems, labor-friendly facilities, digital governance systems, and sustainable development features.
The guidelines also provide for the development of greenfield and eligible brownfield industrial parks. For non-hilly states, a minimum land requirement of 100 acres is set, while 25 acres is designated for hilly states, northeastern states, union territories, and smaller states. The plan also allows consideration for larger parks of up to 1,000 acres.
Under the challenge-based selection framework, proposals will be evaluated based on objective criteria such as multi-modal connectivity, site suitability, infrastructure quality, industrial ecosystem robustness, policy facilitation, digital governance readiness, and long-term sustainability.
The guidelines include provisions for assessing the quality of infrastructure related to underground utility systems, water and waste management infrastructure, common waste treatment systems, renewable energy infrastructure, labor housing, testing laboratories, digital single-window systems, skill development facilities, and integrated common infrastructure.
Projects under this scheme will be implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs) incorporated under the Companies Act, 2013. These SPVs will be responsible for project planning, development, operation, management, investor facilitation, and the long-term maintenance of assets created under the scheme.
Financial assistance will be provided to SPVs in the form of equity contributions linked to the value of land transferred and achievement of specified project goals. The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has been designated as the Project Management Agency (PMA) for the implementation and monitoring of the scheme.
The guidelines also include structured provisions for the participation of private developers in industrial park development through project-specific SPVs, which will encompass clearly defined governance frameworks, transparency safeguards, and accountability mechanisms.
To ensure effective implementation and transparency, the guidelines incorporate a GIS-based monitoring system, periodic progress reporting, audit mechanisms, and inspections by a national-level steering committee chaired by the Secretary of DPIIT.
Additionally, the guidelines provide for coordination with relevant central and state government initiatives in logistics, skill development, sustainability, renewable energy, utility infrastructure, and industrial development.
The publication of these guidelines marks a significant step towards the operationalization of the grand scheme and the establishment of globally standardized industrial infrastructure. This initiative is expected to attract large-scale manufacturing investments, strengthen domestic supply chains, create jobs, and enhance India’s integration into global value chains.
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