Defence Corridors in UP, TN Attract Proposed Investments of Rs 70,000 Crore: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced on [date] that proposed investments for two defence industrial corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have reached Rs 70,000 crore, with Rs 10,000 crore already invested. The corridors, aimed at boosting indigenous defence manufacturing, have attracted interest from both domestic and foreign companies.

Speaking at an event in [location], Singh highlighted that the Uttar Pradesh Defence Corridor spans six nodes: Aligarh, Agra, Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, and Chitrakoot. The Tamil Nadu Defence Corridor includes nodes in Chennai, Salem, Coimbatore, Hosur, and Tiruchirappalli. These corridors are part of the government's efforts to reduce dependence on imports and promote self-reliance in defence production.

The Minister emphasised that the corridors have already generated significant employment and are expected to create thousands of jobs in the coming years. He also urged industry leaders to leverage the opportunities provided by the corridors and contribute to the nation's security.

The announcement comes amid the government's 'Make in India' initiative, which focuses on boosting domestic manufacturing across sectors. The defence corridors are designed to foster innovation, attract investment, and develop a robust ecosystem for defence production.

Industry experts have welcomed the move, stating that the corridors will enhance the country's defence capabilities and reduce import bills. The government has also implemented policy reforms, including liberalised foreign direct investment (FDI) norms and offset policies, to attract global defence manufacturers.

The progress of the corridors is being monitored by the Defence Ministry, with regular reviews to ensure timely implementation. The minister expressed confidence that the investment targets would be met, further strengthening India's position as a defence manufacturing hub.