In a major boost to industrial skill enhancement and infrastructure development in Maharashtra, a 20,000 sq. ft. Skill Development Centre will soon be established at Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC). The initiative is a joint effort between the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed next week, according to Shri Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT.
The announcement was made during Shri Bhatia’s visit to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on 12 July 2025, where he reviewed the progress of industrial infrastructure and startup ecosystem development across the region.
AURIC: Emerging as a Modern Industrial Hub
During his visit, the DPIIT Secretary stressed the importance of attracting Global Capability Centre (GCC) investments and the development of Research & Development (R&D) facilities to strengthen AURIC’s position as a future-ready innovation hub. The Skill Development Centre will play a pivotal role in creating a pipeline of industry-ready talent and supporting next-generation industries.
Holistic Industrial Township Vision
Stakeholders also proposed aligning PMAY 2.0 subsidies with state housing policies to promote inclusive and affordable housing. This would support the vision of developing AURIC into a well-rounded industrial township that caters not only to large manufacturers and MSMEs but also to their workforce.
Key Industry Interaction at AURIC Hall
An industry interaction session was held at AURIC Hall, chaired by Shri Bhatia and attended by representatives from MASSIA, CMIA, CII, FICCI, and ASSOCHAM. Key recommendations included:
-
Improved connectivity between Aurangabad–Hyderabad–Chennai
-
Development of MRO facilities and a Vande Bharat terminal
-
Enhanced logistics access at Bidkin
-
Introduction of local train services between Jalna and Waluj
-
Affordable housing through MHADA
-
Establishment of a dedicated chemical zone
Stakeholders also emphasized:
-
Increasing MSME land reservation from 10% to 40%
-
Reserving 10% land for startups
-
Strengthening soft infrastructure and skill training programs
Showcasing Maharashtra’s Industrial Growth Blueprint
Dr. P. Anbalagan, Secretary of the Industries Department, Government of Maharashtra, presented the state’s strategic roadmap for industrial growth, highlighting initiatives like MITL (Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited) and MMLP (Multi-Modal Logistics Parks) that aim to transform Maharashtra into a global manufacturing hub.
Encouraging Startups and Innovation
The Secretary began his visit with a session at the Marathwada Accelerator for Growth and Incubation Council (MAGIC), interacting with startup founders, incubators, and entrepreneurs. He acknowledged the innovation emerging from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and reaffirmed the Government’s support through programs like Startup India, Fund of Funds, and sector-specific incentives.
Industrial Site Visits: Bidkin & Shendra
Shri Bhatia toured key infrastructure and industrial units in Bidkin and Shendra areas:
-
Bidkin Industrial Area: Reviewed operations of JSW Green-tech Ltd, Toyota Kirloskar, and the Water Treatment Plant
-
Shendra Industrial Area: Visited NLMK India, Hyosung T&D Pvt. Ltd., and Coatall Films Pvt. Ltd.
He appreciated these companies for their role in high-value manufacturing, employment generation, and contributing to Viksit Bharat@2047, India’s long-term development vision.
Infrastructure Excellence at AURIC
The DPIIT Secretary also reviewed critical infrastructure at AURIC, including:
-
Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC)
-
AURIC Hall
-
3D city model of Shendra
-
Water Treatment Facilities
Public-Private Partnership for Industrial Transformation
Reaffirming the Government’s focus on collaborative growth, Shri Bhatia emphasized that synergy between government and industry is key to positioning Maharashtra as a global centre for manufacturing, innovation, and logistics excellence.
The visit concluded with strong commitments from both the Government of Maharashtra and key industry associations to accelerate infrastructure upgrades, promote innovation, and develop skilled talent to fuel the next wave of industrial transformation in the region.
