**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 491 in the Lok Sabha, addressing the industrial potential of the Dhule district in Maharashtra, with a response date of February 3rd, 2026. The response details the Maharashtra state government's initiatives and findings regarding Dhule's logistics and industrial capabilities. The response highlights the development of a regional logistics hub and ongoing investment promotion activities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Dhule's Industrial and Logistics Strength:**
* Dhule's strategic location at the junction of major national highways (NH-47, NH-52, NH-53, NH-46, NH-60) and state highways positions it as a natural transit and distribution hub.
* Connectivity is enhanced by the Dondaicha railway junction and the proximity to Nashik and Shirdi airports for regional air-cargo support, as well as Mumbai International Airport for global connectivity.
* Maritime access is facilitated through Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Mumbai Port, strengthening Dhule's role in export-import movement.
* **Maharashtra State Logistics Policy 2024:**
* The policy assigns Dhule (with Nandurbar) to Zone 2.
* Identifies the Dhule-Shirpur corridor for development as a Regional Logistics Hub.
* Mandates each district's District Logistics Coordination Committee (DLCC) to identify and evaluate suitable land parcels for logistics infrastructure.
* **MIDC's Role:**
* MIDC conducts investment-promotion activities and coordinates with prospective investors to support industrial growth through outreach, facilitation, and promotional engagements.
* Existing industries are hosted in Nardana Industrial Area Phase-I (M/s Wonder Cement Ltd., M/s UltraTech Cement Pvt. Ltd., M/s Rama Phosphate Ltd., and M/s Shirpur Power (Jindal) Pvt. Ltd.) and Phase-II (M/s Bedmutha Wire Ltd., M/s R.M. Phosphate Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Mayureshwar Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd.).
* **Sectors and Investment Attraction:**
* Dhule's industrial landscape is shaped by agro-processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, and small-scale manufacturing.
* MIDC has initiated measures to attract industrial investment and employment generation, including industry engagement activities under Udyog Bharari.
* MIDC coordinates with the Development Commissioner's office for the planning and development of the proposed logistics park in Dhule district.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** The state government is actively involved in promoting industrial growth and logistics infrastructure in Dhule.
* **Action Required:** Continued implementation of the Maharashtra State Logistics Policy 2024, ongoing coordination through MIDC and DLCC, and continued investment promotion activities.
**Prospective Investors**
* **Impact:** The district offers multimodal connectivity and strategic location
* **Action Required:** Evaluate Dhule as a potential investment destination, particularly in agro-processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, and logistics.
**Dhule District and its Inhabitants**
* **Impact:** Potential for increased industrial investment, employment generation, and economic growth.
* **Action Required:** Support local initiatives and leverage opportunities arising from the development of industrial and logistics infrastructure.
Key Entities Referenced
Dhule: A district in Maharashtra, India, focused on for its industrial and logistics potential.
Maharashtra State Logistics Policy 2024: A state policy which identifies Dhule for logistics development.
Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC): State corporation promoting industrial development in Dhule.
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY: The central ministry answering questions related to industrial potential of Dhule.
District Logistics Coordination Committee (DLCC): Committee mandated to identify suitable land parcels for logistics infrastructure in each district.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 491.
TO BE ANSWERED ON TUESDAY, THE 03RD FEBRUARY, 2026.
INDUSTRIAL POTENTIAL OF DHULE
491. DR. BACHHAV SHOBHA DINESH:
Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री
(a) whether the Government has conducted or commissioned any feasibility study,
sectoral assessment or planning report on the industrial and logistics potential
of Dhule district in Maharashtra, considering its strategic location on major
national highway corridors and the availability of MIDC industrial land;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the current status of such assessment and
if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether any consultations or discussions have been initiated with the
Government of Maharashtra, MIDC, or prospective investors for promoting
heavy industries or manufacturing clusters in Dhule and surrounding areas, if
so, the details thereof;
(d) the sectors identified, if any, as suitable for investment in the region under
central schemes relating to industrial corridors, logistics parks or manufacturing
promotion; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to undertake a time-bound planning or
project-development exercise to attract industrial investment and employment
generation in Dhule district and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री णिणिन प्रसाद)
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY
(SHRI JITIN PRASADA)
(a) & (b): Industries is a State subject. The State Government of Maharashtra has
informed that Dhule’s logistics and industrial strength comes from its excellent
multimodal connectivity, with the district located at the junction of NH-47, NH-
52, NH-53, NH-46 and NH-60, supported by several state highways that make
it a natural transit and distribution hub. Its freight movement is further enabled
by Dondaicha railway junction, while nearby Nashik and Shirdi airports provide
regional air-cargo support and Mumbai International Airport offers global
connectivity. Maritime access through Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and
Mumbai Port strengthens Dhule’s role in export–import movement for northern
Maharashtra.The State Government of Maharashtra has further informed that building on
this inherent connectivity strength, the Maharashtra State Logistics Policy
2024 assigns Dhule (with Nandurbar) to Zone 2 and identifies the Dhule–
Shirpur corridor for the development of a Regional Logistics Hub. The policy
mandates each district’s District Logistics Coordination Committee (DLCC) to
identify and evaluate suitable land parcels for logistics infrastructure, with
focused intent to harness Dhule’s corridor-based advantages.
(c): The State Government of Maharashtra has informed that Maharashtra
Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) carries out various
investment‑promotion activities and continuous coordination with prospective
investors to support industrial growth in Dhule and surrounding areas that
include ongoing outreach, facilitation, and promotional engagements.
Currently, Nardana Industrial Area Phase-I hosts several major industries
such as M/s Wonder Cement Ltd., M/s UltraTech Cement Pvt. Ltd., M/s Rama
Phosphate Ltd., and M/s Shirpur Power (Jindal) Pvt. Ltd. etc. In addition,
Nardana Industrial Area Phase-II, accommodates key industrial units including
M/s Bedmutha Wire Ltd., M/s R.M. Phosphate Pvt. Ltd., and M/s Mayureshwar
Solar Energy Pvt. Ltd., etc.
(d) & (e): As reported by the state, Dhule’s current industrial landscape is shaped by
sectors such as agro-processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, and small-
scale manufacturing, which have traditionally found the region suitable for their
operations. Also, MIDC has initiated several measures to attract industrial
investment and employment generation in Dhule district, including sustained
industry engagement activities under Udyog Bharari, with focus on facilitating
investor interactions, identifying sectoral opportunities and accelerating project
grounding. In alignment with the Maharashtra State Logistics Policy 2024,
MIDC coordinates with the Development Commissioner’s office for the
planning and development of the proposed logistics park in Dhule district.
******