India is gearing up for a massive industrial transformation with the identification of 30 high-potential hotspots for industrial and warehousing development. A comprehensive report released on Thursday highlights these cities as prime locations poised for rapid growth, fueled by infrastructure expansions, manufacturing surges, and supportive government policies.
Out of these 30 hotspots, eight are already established markets demonstrating strong demand, while 22 others represent emerging and nascent hubs ripe for investment. The selection criteria blend government-declared industrial zones with rigorous internal analysis based on five key benchmarks and ongoing infrastructure projects.
Connectivity stands out as a cornerstone, with strategic links to industrial and freight corridors, upcoming industrial smart cities, proposed multi-modal logistics parks (MMLPs), expanded maritime and air links, and large-scale integrated textile hubs. These elements are set to supercharge development across the board.
India’s manufacturing sector currently contributes around 17% to the national GDP, with projections indicating a rise to nearly 25% by 2035. This growth trajectory is propelling the industrial and warehousing sectors into overdrive, driven by surging demand for modern, efficient warehouses and a influx of institutional investments.
Vijay Ganesh, Managing Director of Industrial and Logistics Services at Colliers India, emphasized that the next wave of expansion will be powered by extensions in industrial and freight corridors, MMLPs, smart industrial cities, and major port and airport upgrades. Recent budget allocations underscore this momentum, prioritizing domestic manufacturing capacity and balanced economic growth nationwide.
Key initiatives target city economic regions (CERs) with Rs 5,000 crore per sector, focusing on life sciences, electronics, semiconductors, chemicals, rare earth minerals, and textiles. These measures promise sustained warehousing growth in established markets while opening doors for investments in emerging ones.
Geographically, these 30 hotspots span North, South, West, East, and Central India, ensuring balanced national development. The eight ‘prime hubs’ are mature demand centers expected to absorb new capacity swiftly, with demand potentially exceeding 50 million square feet by 2030.
Twelve ’emerging hubs’ are on a fast track, benefiting from industrial corridors, logistics parks, and multi-modal facilities. The ten ‘nascent hubs’ will see gradual acceleration, hinging on infrastructure readiness, policy support, and investor confidence. This strategic mapping positions India as a global manufacturing powerhouse.