The proposed Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone will host 24 to 25 telecom manufacturing units.
Additionally, companies are expected to produce telecom equipment and components.
Gwalior is set to emerge as a major telecom manufacturing hub with plans for Asia’s first dedicated telecom manufacturing zone, bringing together 24 to 25 companies producing telecom equipment and components.
The proposed zone took a significant step forward as Union Minister for Communications Jyotiraditya Scindia visited the project site at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Counter Magnet City, accompanied by the Secretary of the Department of Telecommunications and other senior officials.
According to an official release, the site, originally developed as a Counter Magnet City to reduce pressure on Delhi, is now being repurposed to create a dedicated telecom manufacturing cluster.
Scindia described the Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone as a complete industrial ecosystem rather than a single manufacturing facility. Additionally, the project is expected to include 24 to 25 units across six key telecom manufacturing verticals. It is also expected to attract around ₹5,500 crore in investment and create more than 18,000 jobs.
Land Demand Already Exceeds Initial Allocation
The first phase of the Telecom Manufacturing Zone has been planned across around 170 acres.
More than 90 acres have been identified in the Special Area Development Authority (SADA), while over 70 acres are available in the adjoining IT Park.
However, investor interest has already exceeded the land available in the initial phase.
Scindia said authorities are now examining the possibility of securing additional land to expand the project and accommodate more companies.
Project Moves From MoU to Formal Applications
The project gained momentum after the Department of Telecommunications signed a memorandum of understanding with the Madhya Pradesh government in July under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
This was followed by investor roadshows led jointly by Scindia and Yadav.
The first roadshow in Delhi attracted investment commitments of around ₹3,500 crore, with the potential to generate nearly 14,000 jobs.
A second roadshow in Mumbai on August 4 brought in commitments of approximately ₹2,000 crore and could create another 4,000 jobs.
Scindia said the interest went beyond initial investor commitments, with companies required to submit formal applications during the land allocation process.
That process has now resulted in applications from 24 companies seeking space in the proposed zone.
Government Incentives and Common Testing Lab
The Madhya Pradesh government is supporting the project with an incentive package covering areas such as land lease, electricity, employment and production.
The package also includes incentives linked to sustainability.
At the central level, the government has proposed a Common Testing Lab for the zone at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore.
The facility is expected to provide shared testing infrastructure for telecom manufacturers operating within the cluster.
Gwalior’s Connectivity Adds to Its Manufacturing Pitch
Scindia also highlighted Gwalior’s improving connectivity as a factor in attracting telecom manufacturers.
The city is connected to Delhi and northern markets through the approximately 120-km Agra-Gwalior High-Speed Corridor.
Gwalior also sits on major railway routes and has an airport that was built at a cost of around ₹650 crore in 16 months. The airport currently connects the city with major destinations including Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
The city also produces around 25,000 engineering graduates annually, benefiting firms in the Gwalior Telecom Manufacturing Zone seeking talent.
Bengaluru Roadshow Planned for September 22
The proposed telecom manufacturing zone is being positioned as part of Gwalior’s broader industrial transformation.
Scindia said the project builds on the original vision behind the Counter Magnet City, while bringing together support from both the central and Madhya Pradesh governments.
The next investor outreach effort is scheduled to take place in Bengaluru on September 22, as the government continues its push to attract telecom manufacturing companies to Gwalior.
With 24 companies already submitting applications and demand for land exceeding the initial allocation, the project is moving from an investment proposal toward the development of a larger telecom manufacturing ecosystem in the city.
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Gwalior’s bid to become a telecom manufacturing hub took a concrete step forward.
Source: NDTV Profit
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