The Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UP DIC) is an ambitious project aimed at reducing foreign dependency in the Indian Aerospace and Defence sector. It aligns with the vision of “Make in India” by promoting indigenous manufacturing for making India Self-Reliance. It aims to establish Uttar Pradesh as one of the largest and most advanced Defence manufacturing hubs globally. Here are the key features of this corridor:

• Six Nodes: The UP DIC spans across six nodes: Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Agra, Aligarh, and Chitrakoot. These nodes are strategically located across the central, east, and west regions of Uttar Pradesh, along the Golden Quadrilateral connecting Delhi to Kolkata. The corridor leverages the existing network of expressways to facilitate industrial growth.
• Investments: The project received an encouraging start with investments worth over Rs. 3700 crores announced during a meet organized in Aligarh on August 11, 2018. Major players such as Ordnance Factories, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and BrahMos Aerospace have planned investments in the state to strengthen Defence manufacturing.
• MoUs: During the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, 22 MoUs were signed between the UPEIDA (Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority) and private players, startups, industry giants, and institutional organizations. The total number of MoUs reached 68 after subsequent signings. Additionally, 16 MoUs were signed during Aero India 2021 and 6 more after the event, further boosting the corridor’s prospects.
• Infrastructure Support:
  • Plug and Play: The corridor provides plug-and-play support to industries, making it easier for manufacturing units to set up operations.
  • Connectivity: It is connected to a 4-lane heavy-duty highway, which is linked to the Bundelkhand Expressway and the Delhi-Jhansi route.
  • Utilities: The site offers assured water supply and uninterrupted electricity (132 KVA).
  • Security: The boundary is secured with a pelican wire fencing.

In summary, the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor is a strategic initiative to boost Defence production, generate employment, and enhance self-reliance in the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Q. What are the specific areas of Defence manufacturing covered under Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC)?