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Time of India
14-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Auric expansion: Industries seek mass rapid transport system, eway
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The proposed expansion of the Aurangabad Industrial City (Auric) by an additional 10,000 acres has spurred industry leaders to demand critical infrastructure upgrades, including a mass rapid transport system (MRTS) and a greenfield expressway connecting Pune. These demands were presented during a discussion with Amardeep Singh Bhatia, secretary of the department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), who visited AURIC on Saturday. Office-bearers from the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA) and other industry bodies also advocated for a dedicated logistics hub and the establishment of a national-level educational institution within Auric. U by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cách giao dịch ETH/USD mà không cần nắm giữ Ether IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo tsav Machhar, President of CMIA, emphasised the need for robust infrastructure to support AURIC's growth as a manufacturing hub. "Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar currently lacks an efficient public transport system. With AURIC poised to generate significant employment, a MRTS is essential to facilitate commuting between the city and the industrial hub. Such a system needs to be planned well in advance," he said. Machhar also emphasized on the urgency of constructing a Greenfield expressway linking the Shendra-Bidkin nodes of Auric with Pune. "The expressway would connect two major industrial hubs of Maharashtra. This will facilitate swift movement of both people and cargo," he added. The CMIA leaders said a logistics hub also needs to be set up on the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi highway. "The Auric, Samruddhi highway, and upcoming dry port at Jalna are three main projects of a larger development plan envisaged by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis. This collective infrastructure needs to be augmented with the logistics hub," the CMIA said. Setting up an IIT, business school, or school of planning and architecture at AURIC, road connectivity covering Shendra-Bidkin-Waluj-Samruddhi expressway, and improved air connectivity for Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar are some of the demands the industry bodies put forth before the DPIIT secretary. While the Aurangabad Industrial City Auric) is a greenfield industrial smart city taking shape over 10,000 acres of area as a part of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the DPIIT secretary on Saturday announced an additional 10,000 acres of land for the expansion of the project.
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First Post
29-04-2025
- Business
- First Post
Becoming a defence powerhouse: India's 2030 goal goes beyond national security
India's defence transformation is as much about national security as it is about economic and technological self-sufficiency read more At a recent dialogue session in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh voiced strong optimism about India's rising stature in global defence exports. Addressing the 'Marathwada – Atmanirbhar Bharat Ki Raksha Bhoomi' event, organised by the Chamber of Marathwada Industries and Agriculture (CMIA), he announced that India aims to achieve defence exports worth ₹50,000 crore by 2030. Highlighting the scale of ambition, Rajnath Singh noted that India's defence production is set to surpass ₹1.60 lakh crore this year, with a goal of touching ₹3 lakh crore by 2029. This policy shift aligns with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India), seeking to reduce dependence on foreign imports, bolster domestic industrial capabilities, and project India as a responsible and capable defence exporter. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Speaking separately at The Week's 'Defence Conclave 2025 – Force of the Future', he emphasised that India's emergence as a developed power will 'go hand in hand with becoming a global military leader'. He reiterated the production target and underscored that India's defence manufacturing is not only about strategic autonomy and national security but also a shield against external supply disruptions. It reflects a strategic pivot towards self-sufficiency and a robust industrial defence ecosystem that serves not just domestic needs but also tremendously boosts export potential. This is especially important given the current geopolitical situation and its implications on the global supply chain. In the recent decades, India has recalibrated its defence policy to bolster domestic manufacturing ecosystems. This transformation is seen in the exponential growth of defence exports, from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to over ₹21,000 crore in 2023-24, and from the aim of doubling this figure by 2030. There is also an immense emphasis on self-reliance. This is highlighted in the procurement decisions taken by the government. Approximately 75 per cent of India's defence modernisation budget is now allocated for domestic acquisition. This is not only a fiscal strategy but also a deliberate policy signal to foster industrial innovation, specifically through collaborations between the public sector, private defence manufacturers, and emerging defence-tech start-ups. This has enabled the production of a broad spectrum of indigenous systems in India, including fighter aircraft, naval vessels, advanced missiles, and unmanned platforms. The most notable example is of the various defence start-ups supported by the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) framework, which are excelling in areas like artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, robotics, and next-generation communication systems. Progress So Far India is undergoing a dramatic transformation in its defence landscape, evolving from a major importer to an emerging manufacturing powerhouse. 2024 was a crucial year for India's defence sector, as exports hit a record ₹21,083 crore, reflecting a 32.5 per cent rise from the previous year and a 31-fold surge since 2013-14. However, this milestone is being facilitated by a mix of institutional reforms and strategic diplomacy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This month, India and Slovakia signed a landmark MoU aimed at advancing domestic defence manufacturing. The deal, signed during President Draupadi Murmu's visit, enables JCBL Group's Airbornics Defence and Space Private Limited to co-develop next-gen combat vehicle technologies with Slovakia. Additionally, India is also poised to ink its largest-ever defence deal with France, worth over ₹63,000 crore, for 26 Rafale Marine aircraft for the Indian Navy. This deal includes single- and twin-seater jets, fleet support, training modules, and indigenous components, enhancing air operations aboard INS Vikrant and supplementing the MiG-29K fleet. Moreover, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's recent visits to the UK and Italy also led to significant dialogues and agreements. The 24th India-UK Defence Consultative Group meeting reaffirmed joint efforts in maritime cooperation, innovation, and industrial collaboration between the UK and India. India also invited UK firms to invest in the former's defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. In Italy, the 11th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting explored maritime cooperation and information-sharing, with special focus on the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean. An MoU between the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Italy's AIAD was signed, opening new doors for industrial collaboration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Furthermore, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Saudi Arabia further reflects India's intent to expand its defence footprint. As per the news, talks with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are expected to include defence cooperation, military exercises, and procurement frameworks, highlighting India's proactive engagement with the Middle East. Road Ahead India's defence strategy is constantly being shaped not only by domestic imperatives but also by changing power dynamics. Tensions in the Indo-Pacific and beyond have led to India positioning itself as a credible net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. Furthermore, India's long-standing defence cooperation with countries such as the US, Russia and France has created a robust framework for military interoperability, defence trade and industrial co-production. These partnerships, if utilised correctly, have the potential to reposition India as a preferred alternative to China in global defence supply chains. India's defence transformation is as much about national security as it is about economic and technological self-sufficiency. Furthermore, India's defence ascent didn't happen overnight, and huge scopes for improvement still remain. At The Week Defence Conclave, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat stressed the urgent need for India to increase research and development spending. He pointed out that while China invests 2.6 per cent of its overall GDP in R&D, India lags behind, allocating only 5 per cent of its defence budget. Encouragingly, the government's decision to raise this share to 10 per cent of the defence budget over the next five years is seen as a necessary and forward-looking step. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this context and on a positive note, India has announced plans to raise R&D spending to 10 per cent of the defence budget over the next five years, a significant decision as India aims to become not just a manufacturer but a vital innovator in defence technology. 2025 can be another pivotal year for India's defence sector. With initiatives such as the formation of Integrated Battle Groups (IBGs), India's defence journey can be seen as much more than just weapon modernisation, it's about self-reliance, strategic partnerships, indigenous innovation, and a long-term commitment to secure and empower the nation in an increasingly unstable world. As India strides towards its 2030 export target, the success of this vision hinges upon factors such as political will, sustained R&D investments, integration of the private sector and start-ups, and a robust defence export strategy anchored on successful diplomatic outreach. If executed properly, India is well-positioned to become one of the top global players in the defence sector, redefining its role from consumer to exporter and one day, to creator of strategic security solutions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The author is a researcher at the East Asia Centre, MP-IDSA, New Delhi, India. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
