Gwalior to Develop MP's First PCB Cluster with ₹1200 Crore Investment
Gwalior will soon have the first Printed Circuit Board (PCB) cluster in Madhya Pradesh. On March 1, during the Global Investors Summit (GIS), the Electronics Industries Association of India (ELCINA) signed an MoU with the government for the development of the PCB cluster. Currently, electronics manufacturing clusters are established in Bhopal and Jabalpur, with another proposed cluster at Bandikhedi on Bairasia Road.
Importance of PCB Cluster
The PCB cluster is important because these devices are used in every electronics product. Additionally, some assembly lines for small components on boards have already been established in the Bhopal IT Park. ELCINA, in collaboration with MPSIDC, has been preparing for this and has already identified 220 acres of land in Gwalior.
MoU and Investment
At GIS, ELCINA signed an MoU with the government, which will bring investments ranging from ₹1000 crore to ₹1200 crore. Around 8-10 PCB manufacturers are expected to join. Currently, most manufacturers are based in Delhi-NCR, which is why Gwalior became ELCINA's first choice.
75 Acres of Land Allocated
ELCINA's Secretary General, Raju Goyal, told Bhaskar that the MP government has allocated 75 acres of land in Gwalior for the PCB cluster. Proposed facilities include testing centers, effluent treatment plants, tool rooms, etc. During GIS, a proposal for ₹1000-1200 crore investment was submitted. He added that only 15% of the country's PCB demand is manufactured locally, with the rest being imported. Over 350 electronics manufacturers from across the country are associated with the organization.
New Component Cluster to be Developed
A new electronics manufacturing cluster is proposed at Bandikhedi on Bairasia Road in 200 acres. ELCINA's Executive Council member, Mitesh Lokwani, mentioned that currently, electronics component manufacturing is nonexistent in MP. To develop an ecosystem in this sector, the Bandikhedi cluster will focus on producing components like registers, transistors, diodes, wire harnesses, capacitors, etc. The process for obtaining consent is already underway.
ELCINA Team to Visit Soon
Before GIS, ELCINA had its board meeting in Bhopal. They are in constant touch to promote the electronics sector. Soon, an ELCINA delegation will visit the state for further discussions. Land can be allocated in both Bhopal and Gwalior. Once the first cluster starts, semiconductor producers will follow. Consent for the Bandikhedi cluster is expected from the center soon.