1. On the Outskirts of Major Urban Centers
Low-impact industrial zones are often situated in peripheral areas of Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities to maintain buffer distance from residential populations while ensuring connectivity and labor access. Examples include:
- Chakan and Ranjangaon (Pune, Maharashtra)
- Sriperumbudur and Oragadam (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
- Bommasandra and Harohalli (Bengaluru, Karnataka)
- Greater Noida Phase II and Ecotech Zones (Delhi NCR)
These locations support non-polluting industries such as electronics, packaging, light engineering, and assembly units.
2. Within Designated Green Industrial Parks
States have developed eco-friendly industrial parks or clusters specifically designed for low-impact operations, often offering:
- Zero-discharge policies
- Centralized Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)
- Emphasis on clean energy, waste recycling, and environmental compliance
Prominent green industrial zones include:
- NIMZs (National Investment and Manufacturing Zones) in Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
- Electronic Manufacturing Clusters (EMCs) in Telangana and Uttar Pradesh
- Greenfield Textile Parks under the PM MITRA scheme
These areas are reserved for low-emission, low-waste industries.
3. In Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with Clean Activity Focus
Some SEZs are categorized for non-polluting exports and clean manufacturing. These include:
- Manikonda IT SEZ (Hyderabad) – for electronics and hardware
- Gandhinagar SEZ (Gujarat) – focused on precision engineering and software
- Mahindra World City SEZs (Jaipur and Chennai) – promoting green infrastructure and sustainability
Such zones are regulated under SEZ policy and offer fiscal incentives and controlled environments.
4. State-Notified Light Industrial Zones
Many states notify light or flatted factory zones that permit only:
- Low-noise, low-waste operations
- Units without hazardous raw materials or emissions
- Activities suitable for proximity to mixed land-use zones
Examples include:
- Flatted Factory Complexes in Delhi (Lawrence Road, Jhilmil)
- Light Industrial Use Zones (LIU) in Haryana and Punjab
- Cluster-based MSME parks in Kerala, Odisha, and Goa
These zones are strategically located to balance industrial activity with urban planning norms.
5. Industrial Corridors with Zoning for Low-Impact Use
National industrial corridors such as DMIC, CBIC, and AKIC are divided into:
- Heavy industrial clusters for high-intensity manufacturing
- Low-impact zones reserved for auto components, electronics, food processing, and logistics
Planned low-impact zones within these corridors include:
- Dholera SIR (Gujarat)
- Shendra–Bidkin (Maharashtra)
- Krishnapatnam Node (Andhra Pradesh)
These areas are supported by master planning, digital monitoring, and green infrastructure.
6. Eco-Sensitive and Heritage Buffer Areas
In some states, buffer zones near forests, rivers, or heritage sites allow only low-impact industrial activity. These zones typically permit:
- Agro-processing units
- Handicrafts, textiles, and small assembly units
- Non-polluting research and development facilities
Such restrictions are found in parts of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and North East states, where environmental sensitivity is high.
