Explainer: PM Mitra Parks

— by vishal Sambyal

India’s PM MITRA Parks aim to transform the textile industry with world-class infrastructure, job creation, and global competitiveness.

Introduction: A New Thread in India’s Textile Story

India’s textile sector, one of the oldest and most influential industries in the world, is now weaving a fresh chapter in its growth story. On September 17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the country’s first Pradhan Mantri Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) Park in Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh. Touted as a game-changer, the initiative promises not just industrial infrastructure but an ecosystem that integrates the entire textile value chain — from cotton farms to finished garments — under one roof.

Context & Background: The Textile Industry at a Crossroads

India’s textile industry contributes about 2.3% to the national GDP, employs over 45 million people, and accounts for nearly 12% of the country’s export earnings. Despite this strong base, the sector faces challenges like fragmented value chains, outdated infrastructure, and rising global competition.

The government introduced the PM MITRA scheme as a strategic response, rooted in the “5F” formula — Farm to Fibre to Factory to Fashion to Foreign — aiming to streamline operations and make India a global leader in textiles. With an investment outlay of ₹4,445 crore, the scheme marks the biggest-ever push for infrastructure development in this sector.

Main Developments: Dhar Park Leads the Way

The Dhar park, spread across 2,158 acres in Bhainsola village, will be the first operational PM MITRA Park. Equipped with modern facilities, it aims to benefit cotton producers, small businesses, and global textile brands alike.

Key features include:
  • 20 MLD Common Effluent Treatment Plant ensuring sustainable operations.
  • 10 MVA Solar Power Plant for renewable energy support.
  • Continuous water and electricity supply along with modern roads.
  • 81 plug-and-play units to enable quick industrial setup.
  • Worker housing and social infrastructure, including facilities for women employees, to create a holistic industrial township.

According to government estimates, the Dhar park alone could generate nearly 300,000 jobs and significantly enhance textile exports from India.

National Rollout: Seven Parks, One Vision

The Dhar facility is part of a larger plan to establish seven PM MITRA Parks across the country. Selected from 18 proposals submitted by 13 states, the chosen sites include:

  1. Virudhnagar, Tamil Nadu
  2. Warangal, Telangana
  3. Navsari, Gujarat
  4. Kalaburagi, Karnataka
  5. Dhar, Madhya Pradesh
  6. Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
  7. Amravati, Maharashtra

Each site was chosen for its inherent strengths — such as cotton production, skilled labor availability, or proximity to ports — to ensure the success of these mega textile hubs.

Expert Insight: Industry Welcomes the Move

Industry stakeholders have hailed the initiative as a “long-overdue” push for modernization. Rajesh Agrawal, a textile industry analyst, noted, “By co-locating the entire value chain, PM MITRA Parks will not only cut logistics costs but also provide a strong incentive for foreign investors looking at India as a manufacturing hub.”

Textile exporters also see the parks as a chance to close the gap with global competitors like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh. With integrated facilities, India can improve speed-to-market, quality assurance, and scale — all crucial for attracting global apparel brands.

Impact & Implications: What Lies Ahead

The government projects that the PM MITRA initiative will attract investments worth ₹70,000 crore and create 20 lakh direct and indirect jobs across the seven parks. By providing world-class infrastructure and sustainable operations, the scheme aims to:

  • Boost Exports: Enhance India’s share in the $1 trillion global textile and apparel market.
  • Empower Farmers: Provide better prices and demand stability for cotton producers.
  • Support Women Workforce: With housing and workplace safety features, the scheme encourages greater participation of women in formal employment.
  • Encourage Innovation: By hosting the entire value chain, the parks could become hotbeds for R&D in sustainable textiles and new-age fabrics.

At a macro level, PM MITRA Parks are positioned to make India a global hub for textile manufacturing, reduce import dependency on machinery, and strengthen the country’s standing in global supply chains.

Conclusion: Stitching a Global Future

The launch of PM MITRA Parks signals a bold step toward reshaping India’s textile sector into a globally competitive, sustainable, and innovation-driven industry. As Dhar leads the way, the success of these parks could redefine how India spins, weaves, and exports its story to the world. For millions of farmers, workers, and entrepreneurs, this initiative represents not just industrial growth but an opportunity to be part of a larger global fabric.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Figures and projections are based on government announcements and industry insights at the time of writing.