Summary
The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation has stepped up engagement with West Bengal to advance the proposed Durgapur Industrial Node under the East Coast Industrial Corridor. NICDC’s chief executive held talks with the state’s Finance Minister and Chief Secretary and met manufacturers at Panagarh Industrial Park, while also promoting the Centre’s BHAVYA industrial parks scheme.
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The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) has intensified discussions with the West Bengal government and industry on the proposed Durgapur Industrial Node, a key project under the planned East Coast Industrial Corridor (ECIC), according to a statement released on October 8.
Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO and Managing Director of NICDC, led the outreach, which included meetings with senior state leadership and an interaction with manufacturers on the ground.
Who did NICDC meet?
Saini met West Bengal’s Finance Minister and briefed him on the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP) and NICDC’s work in developing investment-ready industrial regions across the country. He also outlined the BHAVYA scheme and its partnership framework for states.
He subsequently met the state’s Chief Secretary to discuss the BHAVYA scheme and the proposed Durgapur node, emphasising the need for close coordination between NICDC and the state government to accelerate industrial development.
At Panagarh Industrial Park, Saini interacted with industry representatives to understand their infrastructure, utility and logistics requirements, local support systems and measures to improve the ease of doing business.
What is the Durgapur Industrial Node?
The node was first announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, which proposed an integrated East Coast Industrial Corridor with a well-connected node at Durgapur. The Budget also allocated ₹3,000 crore to the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), the financing arm for corridor projects.
According to NICDC, the proposed node could build on West Bengal’s existing industrial base, strategic location and logistics connectivity to attract investment, strengthen manufacturing value chains and generate employment. The ECIC is planned to span West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
Durgapur, an established steel and coal hub, already has five industrial estates managed by the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation.
What is the BHAVYA scheme?
The Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojana (BHAVYA), approved by the Union Cabinet earlier this year, aims to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks with an outlay of ₹33,660 crore between 2026-27 and 2031-32. NICDC is the implementing agency.
Industrial parks covering 100 to 1,000 acres can receive up to ₹1 crore per acre for core, value-added and social infrastructure, along with support of up to 25% of project cost for external infrastructure. Projects will be selected through a challenge-based process.
Under the scheme’s partnership framework, states provide land while the Centre supports infrastructure development through NICDC, with a 51:49 partnership structure.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal launched the BHAVYA portal on June 9, 2026. Applications received by July 31 were to be considered for the first phase of 20 parks, with another 30 to be sanctioned based on proposals received by September 30.
Where does West Bengal fit in the corridor programme?
West Bengal is already part of the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC), which is aligned with the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor. Raghunathpur Industrial Park in the state is listed among AKIC projects.
Nationally, the Centre approved 12 NICDP projects in August 2024 at a total cost of ₹28,602 crore. Four completed industrial cities, including Dholera in Gujarat and Shendra-Bidkin in Maharashtra, have attracted investments exceeding ₹2.02 lakh crore.
Why does it matter for industry and logistics?
A dedicated node at Durgapur could provide eastern India with another industrial corridor anchor alongside AKIC, potentially linking manufacturing in the Asansol-Durgapur belt with rail, highway and port networks.
The Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor is operational between Ludhiana and Sonnagar. The approximately 538-km Sonnagar-Dankuni stretch towards Kolkata was under construction, according to earlier reports.
NICDC said its approach brings together the Central and state governments, industry and other stakeholders to develop globally competitive industrial ecosystems. However, details concerning land allocation, investment size and implementation timelines for the proposed Durgapur node have not yet been announced.
FAQs
What is the Durgapur Industrial Node?
It is a proposed industrial node in West Bengal under the East Coast Industrial Corridor, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27 to attract manufacturing investment.
Who is leading NICDC’s engagement with West Bengal?
Rajat Kumar Saini, CEO and Managing Director of NICDC, met the state’s Finance Minister, Chief Secretary and industry representatives at Panagarh Industrial Park.
What is the BHAVYA scheme?
BHAVYA is a ₹33,660 crore central scheme to develop 100 plug-and-play industrial parks covering 100 to 1,000 acres between 2026-27 and 2031-32. NICDC is responsible for implementation.
How much support do BHAVYA parks receive?
Eligible parks can receive up to ₹1 crore per acre for infrastructure, along with support of up to 25% of project cost for external infrastructure.
Which states does the East Coast Industrial Corridor cover?
The ECIC is planned to cover West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
