UP plans 50 industrial townships under Bhavya scheme

Lucknow: The UP govt is planning a major expansion of industrial townships across the state, with as many as 50 townships for workers and entrepreneurs proposed in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). Work on 10 such townships is already underway.Under the Bhavya scheme, the Centre has offered funding of up to Rs 1 crore per acre for every industrial township. “After studying the policy framework, we will expedite work on preparing detailed project reports for industrial clusters along with townships in UP,” said a senior officer.Announcing key programmes that could accelerate economic growth and industrial activity in Uttar Pradesh, DPIIT Joint Secretary Jai Prakash Shivhare on Tuesday shared details of national schemes and funding programmes designed to promote entrepreneurship. Calling upon leading stakeholders and office-bearers representing industrial bodies and associations, Shivhare urged entrepreneurs to focus on developing value-for-money, export-oriented products.The senior central govt officer highlighted that nine Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) covering 39 countries have been signed over the past five years, creating new opportunities for exporters and businesses. Chief Executive Officer of Invest UP and Secretary, Industrial Development Department, Vijay Kiran Anand, also interacted with representatives of ASSOCHAM, PHDCCI, DICCI, Laghu Udyog Bharti, IIA and CII, among others.Underscoring the importance of exports in driving economic growth, Shivhare emphasised the govt’s growing focus on reciprocal certification mechanisms within FTAs to facilitate smoother market access. Industry representatives suggested simplifying application procedures, expanding awareness campaigns and enhancing support for participation in trade fairs and exhibitions. They also proposed increased support for startups and the creation of a unified platform for accessing policy information. In terms of attracting foreign direct investment, UP has improved its national ranking to the ninth spot from the 11th position.Speaking on the occasion, Invest UP CEO Dr Vijay Kiran Anand said Uttar Pradesh is actively complementing national reform efforts through regulatory simplification and digital governance initiatives. “UP has established dedicated foreign investor facilitation mechanisms and is actively participating in international trade and investment forums,” Anand said.