Jhansi — Several entrepreneurs from Jhansi are exploring industrial units and expansion in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, attracted by lower land rates, faster clearances, subsidised plots and what business leaders describe as more reliable power and infrastructure, officials and trade representatives said.
Outreach by MPIDC draws strong interest
Last week the Madhya Pradesh Industrial Development Corporation (MPIDC) sent a delegation led by its executive director, Pratul Chandra Sinha, to hold meetings with local entrepreneurs in Jhansi. According to MPIDC figures cited at the meetings, more than 80 entrepreneurs have expressed interest in potential investments totalling roughly ₹500 crore and have sought in excess of 100 hectares of land in MP.
MPIDC officials outlined offers including subsidised industrial land, single‑window clearances, uninterrupted power supply and assurances of cooperation from state authorities. The agency also highlighted subsidy support of over 50 percent for eligible units and a promise of expedited approvals.
- Interest: more than 80 entrepreneurs
- Proposed investment: around ₹500 crore
- Land sought: over 100 hectares
- MPIDC project: 425 hectares industrial hub at Jatara, Tikamgarh
Local chamber cites comparative advantages
Dheeraj Khullar, president of the Bundelkhand Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BCCI), said factors pushing Jhansi‑based firms to look across the border include cheaper industrial plots, better infrastructure, subsidy packages, quicker approvals and comparatively less bureaucratic interference. Khullar noted that more than two dozen local entrepreneurs have already established units in Madhya Pradesh over the past decade.
“The cost of industrial land, infrastructure, subsidies, speedy approvals, reliable electricity and relatively less bureaucratic interferences were among the key factors attracting Jhansi‑based entrepreneurs to MP,” Khullar said.
Amitabh Nagariya, director of Jhansi‑based Apra Milk Company, said his firm already runs a milk‑processing unit in Niwari, MP, and that state authorities there treat industry as customers, creating a supportive environment.
MPIDC projects and local implications
MPIDC officials drew attention to a proposed 425‑hectare industrial hub at Jatara in Tikamgarh district, a project described as a priority for the state government. The outreach suggested that eligible investors could receive significant subsidy support and facilitation through single‑window mechanisms.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Interested entrepreneurs | 80+ |
| Estimated investment | ₹500 crore |
| Land sought | 100+ hectares |
| MPIDC hub at Jatara | 425 hectares |
For Jhansi, a historically important commercial centre in Bundelkhand, any shift of manufacturing or processing units across the state border would have consequences for local employment, suppliers and the broader investment climate. Chamber leaders pointed to a longer standing trend of businesses choosing locations that offer lower upfront land costs combined with predictable operating conditions.
Officials at MPIDC who conducted the meetings assured entrepreneurs of procedural support and quicker clearances, while local industry representatives stressed the need for Jhansi and Uttar Pradesh authorities to address gaps in infrastructure, power reliability and approval timelines to retain and attract investment.
Neither MPIDC nor local UP administrative offices provided a detailed timeline for land allocations or firm commitments on relocation in the discussions reported. The state‑to‑state competition for investment in Bundelkhand underscores the policy choices facing district administrations seeking to boost industrial employment and retention.
