With the electoral battle over, the Uttar Pradesh government has focused its attention on important infrastructure projects. Besides Ganga Expressway, the state government has expedited the process of land acquisition for the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) project passing through UP.
National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation is developing AKIC along the alignment of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC), traversing a route length of 1,839 km in six states. EDFC has been developed by the Dedicated Freight Corporation of India, under the Ministry of Railways.
AKIC, which comprises two nodes at Agra and Paragana districts, will span across 20 cities in seven states like Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
The projects to be implemented under AKIC in Uttar Pradesh include Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) in Agra, (1,059 acres) and Saraswati Hi-Tech City, Prayagraj, (1,141 acres).
AKIC is proposed to be developed in a band of 150-200 kms on either side of EDFC in a phased manner.
AKIC is aimed at ushering in expansion of infrastructure and industry in the seven states falling along its route for catalysing industrial growth and job creation. It is set to play a significant role in making UP a key investment destination.
The objective of AKIC is to optimise the present economic and employment potential of the region, stimulate investments particularly in manufacturing, agro-processing, services and export-oriented units and promote overall economic development of the area through creation of high standard infrastructure and an enabling business environment.
The corridor encompasses one of the most densely populated regions in the world and supports nearly 40 per cent of India’s population inhabiting comparatively economically weaker districts.
AKIC is proposed to be developed in swathes of land flanking the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, while presiding over a review meeting recently, said the state would directly benefit from the AKIC project and asked officials to ensure that there was no delay in acquisition of land.
The CM also tasked officials with time-bound resolution of matters pertaining to industry to boost the confidence of investors in the state’s ‘doing business’ ecosystem.
The state is promoting various infra projects, such as freight corridors, dry ports, expressways, airports, highways, waterways, and logistics hubs.
Recently, a Bank of America (BoA) delegation met UP Additional Chief Secretary and Infrastructure and Industrial Development Commissioner Manoj Kumar Singh in Lucknow to explore investment opportunities.
Singh said the state had emerged as a preferred investment destination for both domestic and global companies across sectors.
“UP is India’s most favoured business destination owing to its rich cultural heritage and favourable business environment. The improved law and order situation has significantly contributed to creating a conducive environment for business and investment,” he said.
