Women's Day: How Women-Specific Industrial Parks Boost Growth

By: WE Staff

India’s ambitions of becoming a competitive export hub via competitive manufacturing require broad-based participation from every aspect of its demographics. By leveraging new opportunities that can provide routes to diverse industries, India is witnessing more women entrepreneurs who insist on leading critical positions against institutional odds. However, the absence of dedicated industrial clusters limits scalability, collaboration, and integration into supply chains.

Building on this momentum, the creation of women-centric industrial parks serves as a structured policy measure to bridge this gap. With the advancement of planned industrial estates with pre-developed infrastructure, utilities, and business support services, the government aims to foster an inclusive and conducive environment for women-led enterprises. Additionally, integration of childcare facilities, training centres, and common service platforms enhances participation and productivity for women at different stages of their lives.

Landmark Women-Led Industrial Park Opens in Gowribidanur Karnataka

Karnataka recently unveiled its maiden industrial park managed and driven exclusively by women at Gowribidanur in Karnataka. The eventful ceremony was attended by senior representatives of FLO, Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB), and Karnataka Udyog Mitra (KUM).

This project, designed as a 50-acre industrial park, seeks to break the entry barriers that have, over the years, prevented women, among other entrepreneurs, from emerging as successful entrepreneurs in the field of manufacturing and large-scale industries.

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner for Industrial Development and Director, Department of Industries and Commerce, highlighted the broader significance of the project, “The FLO Bangalore Industrial Park reflects a progressive way of thinking about industrial growth, one that is inclusive, decentralised and future-focused. KIADB and KUM have worked closely on this allocation, keeping long-term planning in mind, and it is encouraging to see women being trusted as key drivers of industrial development. This is the kind of model that deserves to be replicated across Karnataka and beyond,” she said.

Gowribidanur was strategically chosen owing to its strong connectivity, developed infrastructure, and long-term growth prospects. The place is lively active with the potential of future expansion, without overcrowding and operational challenges that affect Bengaluru’s already overcrowded industrial belts. It will also strengthen the local population by creating employment avenues that in turn strengthens the regional ecosystem of the city. 

India’s Pioneering Women-Owned Industrial Park

“For many women, owning an industry once felt like an impossible dream. What this park does is change that inner conversation. It tells women homemakers, professionals, first-time entrepreneurs that this space is meant for them too” said, Revathi Raju, Head of the industrial park and former chairperson of FLO Bengaluru.

The development creates a level playing field, enabling women to transition from small-scale ventures to larger, growth-oriented enterprises with confidence and institutional support. The setup emphasizes government’s desire to further the cause of women-led entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth. 

Former Rajya Sabha MP M.V. Rajeev Gowda noted that the initiative represents a meaningful step toward integrating more women into the workforce which will advance India’s strategic focus on industrial growth and job creation.

The industrial park has officially begun operations, with 25 women-owned and managed green projects already underway. It is replete with essential amenities like crèches/play schools, providing a safe environment for the woman entrepreneur. With greater ease and balance in view, the Phase II idea is to replicate the same model with women from various industries in the country, as well as centre of Excellence for Skill Development.

Dodda Basavaraju, managing director, Karnataka Udyog Mitra, said, “This initiative shows what is possible when government and industry bodies work with trust and intent. By backing a women-led industrial park, we are not only supporting entrepreneurship but also creating livelihoods and sustainable economic activity in emerging regions through employment generation”.

Modelled after the same framework, shared below are a few other initiatives.

FLO Industrial Park (Telangana): Developed under the banner of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO), the FLO industrial park is an inclusive initiative and strategic partnership with the Government of Telangana. Telangana has introduced this landmark by creating India’s first fully women-owned industrial park. Spread over 50 acres, this infrastructure is a symbol of dismantling traditional barriers faced by women in manufacturing industry. Inaugurated on March 8, 2022, in Sultanpur, Hyderabad, Telangana, the industrial park supports women entrepreneurs with a ₹250 crore investment, focusing on green, sustainable projects.

Mahila Co-operative Industrial Estate (Maharashtra): The setup emphasizes government’s desire to further the cause of women-led entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth. The industrial park has officially begun operations, with 25 women-owned and managed green projects already underway.

It is replete with essential amenities like crèches/play schools, providing a safe environment for the woman entrepreneurs. With greater ease and balance in view, the Phase II idea is to replicate the same model with women from various industries in the country.

Gujarat (GIDC): Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is a dedicated Women’s Industrial Park at the GIDC Sanand-II Industrial Estate in Ahmedabad. The park is envisioned as a specialised hub to support and promote micro and small enterprises led by women entrepreneurs. Through the creation of 239 industrial estates, the Corporation has played a pivotal role in shaping Gujarat’s industrial landscape.

GIDC is a platform with excellent infrastructure offering state-of-the-art facilities in its estates. To offer advanced and enhanced facilities, regular maintenance and up-gradation of infrastructure are undertaken to ensure operational efficiency, safety, and long-term sustainability within the industrial estates.