CHANDIGARH, Oct 27 — Once known primarily for its fertile fields, Punjab is now steadily transforming into one of India’s fastest-growing industrial destinations under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
Official data show that since March 2022, the state has received investment proposals worth more than ₹1.23 lakh crore — a record that reflects Punjab’s changing economic identity. “This is not merely about building factories; it’s about building futures,” an Industries Department official said, noting that the new projects are expected to create employment opportunities for over 4.7 lakh youth.
Major domestic and global companies are among the new investors. IOL Chemicals’ ₹1,133 crore investment in Barnala, along with new ventures by global giants such as Nestlé, Cargill, and Danone, are reshaping Punjab’s industrial landscape. “When such investments take root in Punjab’s soil, they also strengthen India’s journey toward self-reliance,” Chief Minister Mann said.
Officials said the state’s renewed focus on ease of doing business has played a crucial role in building investor trust. Red-tapism that once deterred businesses is being replaced by a simplified and transparent Single Window System. Amendments to the Right to Business Act have allowed entrepreneurs to start operations within days — often between 3 to 18 days — depending on project size.
Under its flagship Punjab Udyog Kranti (Industrial Revolution) initiative, the Mann government has rolled out 12 new policies aimed at improving coordination between industries and the administration.
“Industrialists now see Punjab as an enabler, not a hurdle,” said a senior official of the state’s investment promotion bureau. “The process is faster, approvals are predictable, and transparency is the new norm.”
Beyond large-scale manufacturing, Punjab is also diversifying into technology, textiles, hand tools, and auto component production. The government’s upcoming Film City and a new cricket stadium in Amritsar are part of efforts to promote tourism and entertainment as emerging economic pillars.
MSMEs — described by Mann as “the backbone of Punjab’s economy” — are being modernized through infrastructure upgrades and policy support. Officials said the Fast Track Punjab Portal is further accelerating industrial clearances and project execution.
“This is the rebirth of Punjab’s self-confidence,” Mann remarked at a recent event. “A young man can now find work close to home. A mother no longer has to send her son abroad. This is the Punjab we are rebuilding — self-reliant and full of hope.”
From the “granary of India” to a green industrial hub, Punjab’s growth story, officials say, marks a balanced shift between agriculture and industry — and a resurgence of “Punjabiyat,” the resilience that defines its people.
