 was recently honoured with the prestigious Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organized by Janmabhumi Daily){kind=link}
APRIL 26: The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) was recently honoured with the prestigious Udyog Vikas Award at the Udyog Vikas event organized by Janmabhumi Daily, a prominent news outlet in Kerala. The ceremony was graced by Shri Bhupathi Raju Srinivasa Varma, Minister of State for Heavy Industries, Public Enterprises, and Steel, who reaffirmed the Union Government’s commitment to building advanced Greenfield Industrial Smart Cities across the country.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Varma praised the immense potential of the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster (IMC) at Palakkad. He emphasized that the project would significantly reshape Kerala’s industrial infrastructure and drive growth across the southern region of India. The Minister highlighted the strategic importance of such initiatives in boosting the nation’s manufacturing capabilities and creating new economic opportunities.
The event also featured a technical session focused on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme. Experts provided valuable insights into the strategic planning, progress, and vision behind the Palakkad Industrial Smart City. Additionally, NICDC Logistics Data Services Ltd. (NLDSL) presented a session detailing the innovative digital logistics solutions being implemented through platforms such as the Logistics Data Bank (LDB) and the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP).
The Palakkad Industrial Smart City, covering 1,710 acres across Pudussery Central, Pudussery West, and Kannambra, is a cornerstone project for Kerala’s industrial sector. Ideally located just 21 km from Palakkad city, 120 km from Cochin, and 50 km from Coimbatore, it offers seamless interstate connectivity and excellent logistical advantages. The project is designed with multi-modal connectivity via road, rail, and air, positioning it as a major industrial gateway for South India. It aims to attract high-quality investments, stimulate innovation, and generate significant employment opportunities.
Key achievements of the project so far include possession of 81% of the required land, granting of environmental clearances for all land parcels as of January 1, 2025, issuance of the Letter of Award to the Project Management and Construction Consultant, and ongoing finalization of EPC tender documents.
The event also spotlighted NLDSL’s achievements in revolutionizing India’s logistics landscape. Since its launch in September 2022, ULIP has successfully integrated 43 systems from 11 ministries, enabling over 1,800 data fields across 1,300 registered companies and facilitating more than 100 crore API transactions — a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a seamless and transparent logistics ecosystem.