From neglect to industrial powerhouse: How Devendra Fadnavis’ vision transformed Maharashtra’s Aurangabad
PTC News Desk: Marathwad, a drought-prone and historically neglected region of Maharashtra experienced major development challenges as a result of insufficient natural resources and infrastructure.
Covering around 64,818 square km, roughly a third of the region is in a rain shadow, receiving only 750mm of rainfall each year, making drought a constant issue.
Marathwada's economic and industrial development has also lagged greatly, with infrastructure falling far behind that of the rest of the state.
The region is made up of eight districts: Aurangabad, Beed, Hingoli, Jalna, Latur, Nanded, Osmanabad, and Parbhani.
The former INC-NCP government received criticism for neglecting Marathwada, investing far less in the region than in Western Maharashtra, leaving Marathwada with inadequate infrastructure and economic growth.
However, the Mahayuti government has made great efforts to change this. It has made significant steps to revitalise the region's industrial potential, resolving previously identified problems.
Devendra Fadnavis, a significant figure in this effort, was instrumental in constructing Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC) as part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) through the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme.
This project intends to make Marathwada a hub for industrial development, providing several opportunities for economic growth and job creation.
However, AURIC's progress was slowed significantly during the term of the previous MVA government. The project's delayed status has hampered its ability to catalyse industrial growth in Marathwada, a region with enormous untapped potential.
The Mahayuti government's new focus on AURIC shows its commitment to leveraging the region's industrial resources and creating an enabling environment for business.
Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is India's most ambitious infrastructure program, with the goal of transforming India into a global manufacturing powerhouse.
This project, with an estimated cost of USD 100 billion, is a bold step towards altering India's economic landscape, improving manufacturing capacities, and placing India as a major hub for international trade and manufacturing.
The DMIC's first phase includes the development of eight new cities across six states, each intended to meet the demands of a high-tech industrial environment.
The six states—Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh—cover around 1,500 kilometres.
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 strong logistical support for this large industrial network.
AURIC - India's First Planned Industrial Smart City
One of DMIC's flagship projects is the Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC), a greenfield industrial smart city on the outskirts of Aurangabad that spans 10,000 acres (approximately 40 square km).
Aurangabad Industrial Township Limited (AITL) is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established through a collaboration between the DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) and the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC).
AURIC has obtained an infrastructure investment package worth Rs 7.9 billion from the Indian government.
AURIC is expected to become a major manufacturing hub, with an export output of over $11.6 billion. The initiative seeks to create approximately 300,000 jobs in a variety of sectors, considerably increasing employment in the region.
AURIC's strategic advantage.
AURIC's interconnectedness is one of its most significant aspects, establishing it as a prime destination for industry and business. In addition to being connected to India's main highway and rail networks, AURIC is a 10-minute drive from Aurangabad International Airport.
These links enable the rapid movement of goods and workers, making AURIC an appealing option for businesses with global operations.
Sustainability approach
The commitment to an environmentally friendly approach across infrastructure and operations shows AURIC's sustainable design approach. The city's development will use clean, reuse, and recycling methods, particularly in energy consumption, waste management, and water conservation.
Green infrastructure, such as rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient buildings, and waste recycling facilities, serve as the basis for AURIC's sustainable framework.
- PTC NEWS
