Aurangabad: From Neglect to the Epicenter of Maharashtra’s Industrial Boom Under Devendra Fadnavis’ Leadership

Marathwada is a drought-prone area in Maharashtra that has historically been neglected. Due to its limited infrastructure and scarcity of natural resources, it faced lengthy and significant development obstacles.

Nearly a third of the 64,818-square-kilometer region is in the rain shadow, receiving only 750 millimeters of precipitation annually, making drought a persistent problem.

In addition, Marathwada’s economic and industrial development has lagged significantly, and the state’s infrastructure is significantly behind that of other regions.

There are eight districts in the region: Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Parbhani are the other cities.

Marathwada’s infrastructure and economic growth were limited by the INC-NCP government’s neglect of the region, which invested significantly less in it than in Western Maharashtra.

The Mahayuti government, on the other hand, has made significant efforts to change this. It has made significant efforts to address previous shortcomings and revive the region’s industrial potential.

Devendra Fadnavis, who was instrumental in establishing Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) under the National Industrial Corridor Development Program, is a key participant in this initiative.

The goal of this project is to make Marathwada a center for industrial development with numerous opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

However, during the previous MVA administration, AURIC’s progress experienced significant delays. This project’s inability to advance industrial development in Marathwada, a region with enormous untapped potential, has hampered its progress.

The Mahayuti government’s renewed focus on AURIC demonstrates its commitment to maximizing the industrial potential of the region and creating business-friendly conditions.

Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor

The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is India’s most ambitious infrastructure project and aims to make India a manufacturing powerhouse on a global scale.

India’s industrial landscape will be reshaped, manufacturing capabilities will be enhanced, and India will be established as a prominent hub for international trade and manufacturing with the estimated budget of USD 100 billion for this project.

In the first phase of the DMIC, eight new cities will be built across six states. Each city will be built to meet the needs of a high-tech industrial ecosystem.

Nearly 1,500 kilometers separate the six states of Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a high-speed rail freight line connecting Delhi-NCR to Mumbai’s major ports, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Mumbai Port Trust (MBPT), provides this vast industrial network with substantial logistical support.

DMIC’s industrial zones have easy access to domestic and international markets thanks to this connectivity, making it a great corridor for manufacturing, trade, and export-oriented businesses.

The Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC), a high-speed, high-capacity freight network that will connect key industrial zones, will be at the center of DMIC’s vision. It will streamline the movement of goods, reduce costs associated with logistics, and make manufacturing in India more competitive globally.

Industrial City of Aurangabad (AURIC): India’s First Planned Industrial Smart City

The Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), a 10,000-acre (about 40-kilometer) greenfield industrial smart city on the outskirts of Aurangabad, is one of DMIC’s flagship projects.

developed by the Aurangabad Industrial Township Limited (AITL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by the DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) and Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) in collaboration with one another.

The Government of India has provided AURIC with a Rs 7.9 billion infrastructure investment package.

It is anticipated that AURIC will produce nearly $11.6 billion in exports, making it a major manufacturing hub. The project aims to significantly boost employment in the region by creating over 300,000 new jobs in various industries.

AURIC has world-class social amenities and is designed to accommodate a 500,000-person resident population. This creates a fully integrated urban ecosystem that is designed for quality living and work.

Industrial Area of Shendra-Bidkin (SBIA)

As part of AURIC, the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (SBIA), a manufacturing hub for high-growth industries, has been conceived of as a significant industrial cluster that provides extensive land provisions and comprehensive infrastructure services tailored to high-growth industries.

There are two stages of development for the AURIC project:

Phase 1: Shendra This 8.39-square-kilometer area is just 17 kilometers from the city of Aurangabad.

Phase 2: Bidkin With a surface area of 31.79 square kilometers, Bidkin is the primary phase of the AURIC project.

This 40-square-kilometer planned area provides ample space for heavy industries and flexibility for expansion.

Roads, power supply, utilities, and water treatment plants at the plot level are all ready-built trunk infrastructure in the first development phase to make setting up new businesses easier.

Availability and Openness: Strategic Advantage of AURIC

One of its most distinctive characteristics is its connectivity, which positions it as an ideal location for industry and business. AURIC is just a 10-minute drive from Aurangabad International Airport and is connected to India’s main highway and rail networks.

Since these connections make it easier to move people and goods quickly, AURIC is a good choice for businesses that have operations all over the world.

Industries seeking access to global markets have a distinct advantage thanks to AURIC’s advantageous location close to Mumbai, India’s leading logistics hub.

Exports to South Asia, ASEAN, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are made simple thanks to the area’s close proximity to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). Companies in AURIC are able to significantly cut costs and transit times thanks to this connectivity.

AURIC’s use of cutting-edge Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which supports its identity as a smart city, is central to the organization’s growth.

For effective city management, ICT integration will facilitate real-time monitoring, optimize resource utilization, and streamline operations. Digitizing city services through an online e-Governance system will make them easy for businesses and residents to use.

The e-Governance model is intended to make it simpler for businesses to start, operate, and grow in the city by reducing bureaucratic obstacles. In addition to improving productivity, this digital-first strategy is in line with AURIC’s larger objective of creating a knowledge-driven ecosystem.

AURIC hopes to set a new standard for urban planning and industrial development by employing intelligent infrastructure that maximizes resource efficiency and minimizes impacts on the environment.

As a Governing Principle, Sustainability AURIC’s commitment to environmentally friendly operations and infrastructure practices exemplifies its sustainable design philosophy. Clean, reusable, and recycling methods will be used in the city’s development, particularly in energy use, waste management, and water conservation.

AURIC’s long-term growth will be aided by this focus on sustainability, which also aims to conserve natural resources and reduce environmental impacts.

The eco-friendly framework of AURIC is built on green infrastructure like rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient buildings, and waste recycling facilities.

Growth in the economy and the creation of new jobs

AURIC’s advantageous location, advanced infrastructure, and solid governance model make it a potent driver of economic expansion in the Marathwada region.

It is anticipated that the industrial and commercial activities of AURIC will result in the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, thereby supporting local employment and enhancing the economic landscape. It is anticipated that AURIC will attract investments from e-vehicles, heavy engineering, food processing, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, all of which will contribute to the expansion of the region’s manufacturing sector.

Additionally, AURIC’s development is in line with the “Make in India” initiative, which promotes domestic manufacturing and reduces import dependence. AURIC will play a crucial role in making India a global manufacturing and trade hub by attracting FDI and encouraging local industry growth.

At AURIC, we focus on key industrial sectors that are essential to India’s industrialization and economic expansion. AURIC’s infrastructure supports industries like automobiles, electronic system design, IT services, food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and textiles with an emphasis on sustainability.

Hub for Automotive and EV Parts: Automobile manufacturing and the production of electric vehicle (EV) component production take place in AURIC. Because the city is so close to the well-established automotive ecosystem in Maharashtra, it is easy to work with suppliers and manufacturers in the industry.

It is easy and quick to set up automotive units because permissions are already in place for specific industries, like those in the orange category.

Industries have easy access to suppliers and markets thanks to a dedicated logistics zone and multimodal connectivity.

Ecosystem of Electronics Manufacturing

Supported by Maharashtra’s flourishing electronics manufacturing ecosystem, AURIC also serves the design and manufacturing of electronic systems.

The city offers OEMs, contract manufacturers, and component suppliers ample space thanks to its large land parcels that run parallel to one another.

The setup process is made easier by the permissions that the city already has, and AURIC’s 24/7 power supply and multimodal connectivity make logistics easier and more efficient.

Sector of Food Processing: AURIC is a location with a lot of resources and infrastructure that food processing businesses need.

The city has established water treatment plants, sewage treatment facilities, and common effluent treatment plants to meet the strict water quality and recycling requirements of the food processing industry and makes it simple to access raw materials.

Food processing businesses gain a logistical advantage due to AURIC’s close proximity to major rail and road networks and round-the-clock power availability.

Biotechnology and medicines: The extensive, industry-specific infrastructure that AURIC provides is advantageous to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.

AURIC offers ready approvals in addition to facilities for recycling wastewater and potable water, making it simpler for pharmaceutical and biotech companies to start up.

The city’s access to international ports and robust logistics framework make it possible to streamline export and import procedures, which are crucial for these highly regulated industries.

The textile sector: With easy access to Maharashtra’s well-established textile ecosystem, AURIC provides a favorable setting for textile businesses.

Textile manufacturers benefit from essential infrastructure like power supply and water treatment plants, both of which are necessary to maintain production efficiency.

The city is a promising location for the expansion of the textile industry due to its focus on making the process of setting up a business easier by providing easy access to resources and pre-existing permissions.

Major Investments Make AURIC India’s Next Manufacturing Hub AURIC is quickly becoming India’s first investment destination, attracting a number of well-known businesses to set up shop there. The landscape of the industrial sector will be altered, and new facilities will be built, which will boost the local economy.

With a planned greenfield manufacturing facility in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar and an investment of Rs 20,000 crore, Toyota Kirloskar Motor is making a significant commitment. The production of electric and hybrid vehicles will be the primary focus of this cutting-edge manufacturing facility, with an ambitious annual production goal of 400,000 vehicles.

Approximately 16,000 direct and indirect positions, consisting of 8,000 positions, are anticipated to be created by the project. This transformative endeavor has been allocated approximately 850 acres of land in AURIC by the state government.

Within AURIC, Ather Energy, a leading manufacturer of electric two-wheelers, is building a new facility for the production of electric vehicles and battery packs. Ather Energy is expected to be a major player in the green transportation industry thanks to this plant’s impressive production capacity of up to one million units annually and the 4,000 jobs it is expected to create.

With a planned investment of 1,680 crore, Lubrizol Corporation, a global leader in specialty chemicals, is also making its mark in AURIC. A memorandum of understanding has been signed by the company to acquire 120 acres for a new plant that will serve the expanding transportation and industrial fluid markets in the region. It is anticipated that this facility, once it is operational, will be Lubrizol’s largest manufacturing site in India and its second largest worldwide.

For its first ultra-mega project along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the South Korean spandex manufacturer The Hyosung Group has acquired 100 acres of land. This facility, which will require an investment of Rs. 3,000 crore, is anticipated to boost the industrial capabilities of the area and lead to the creation of over 1,000 new jobs.

Kohler, a well-known manufacturer of diesel engines, will invest Rs 370 crore in AURIC to open a unit that is expected to employ around 400 people. The reputation of AURIC as a hub for various industrial operations is further bolstered by this investment.

Companies like Bajaj and Skoda India have also expressed a keen interest in AURIC’s opportunities in addition to these significant investments.

Under the banner of “Nivesh se Naukari” (employment generation through investment), this renewed focus on Marathwada’s industrialization is poised to bring an end to the region’s neglect and put Marathwada on the path to long-awaited prosperity.

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