National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC), in collaboration with Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited (MITL), commenced a two-day cross-learning site visit to the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area (AURIC Smart City), Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, on 23 July 2026.

The programme has brought together senior officials from State Governments, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), Programme Managers for New Cities (PMNCs), EPC contractors and other stakeholders associated with Industrial Corridor projects across the country to facilitate knowledge exchange, strengthen institutional capacities and showcase best practices in the planning, implementation and operation of Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities.

Addressing the participants, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director, NICDC, Shri Rajat Kumar Saini, highlighted that AURIC has emerged as a model for integrated industrial city development under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP). He emphasised that the project demonstrates the importance of world-class infrastructure, investor-centric planning, technology-enabled governance and multimodal connectivity in creating globally competitive manufacturing ecosystems. He also underlined the importance of empowering Special Purpose Vehicles with greater planning flexibility to enable efficient land utilisation, infrastructure optimisation and future expansion. Shri Saini noted that cross-learning initiatives play an important role in replicating successful implementation practices across industrial corridor projects.

The first day of the programme provided participants with first-hand exposure to AURIC’s planning approach and integrated infrastructure. The visit included presentations on the development of the Shendra-Bidkin Industrial Area, demonstrations of digital planning and monitoring systems, and visits to operational industrial units and key infrastructure facilities, including utility systems, connectivity infrastructure and industrial development sites.

The programme also provided a platform for discussions on integrated master planning, project implementation, land utilisation, investor facilitation, digital governance and project monitoring. Participants exchanged experiences on strengthening coordination among implementing agencies and adopting best practices to accelerate infrastructure development across Industrial Corridor projects.

The visit also included discussions on the implementation framework of the Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), a flagship initiative being implemented by NICDC to develop world-class plug-and-play industrial parks across the country. Participants deliberated on how the experience gained from AURIC's integrated planning, utility infrastructure, digital governance and investor facilitation mechanisms could support implementation of industrial parks under the BHAVYA Scheme. States and implementing agencies were encouraged to actively participate in the first round of applications under the scheme, with submissions open until 31 July 2026.

The discussions highlighted the role of plug-and-play infrastructure, integrated utility networks, technology-enabled urban management and multimodal connectivity in attracting investments, improving ease of doing business and strengthening India's manufacturing ecosystem. Participants also exchanged views on sustainable infrastructure, digital land management systems, investor-friendly approval mechanisms and future-ready industrial ecosystems that could be adapted across other Industrial Corridor projects.

The programme will continue on 24 July 2026 with technical presentations on project implementation, infrastructure development, challenges and best practices, followed by an interactive cross-learning session among participating States and project stakeholders. The deliberations are expected to further strengthen institutional collaboration and facilitate adoption of best practices across Industrial Corridor projects being developed under the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).