Madhya Pradesh Unveils UIMR to Boost Malwa Region Development

Indore/ Bhopal June 20, 2026

The Madhya Pradesh government has unveiled an ambitious plan to transform the Malwa region through the Ujjain-Indore Metropolitan Region (UIMR). Envisioned by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav, the project aims to spread development beyond Indore and connect smaller towns and villages with new industrial, transport and tourism networks. Covering more than 16,000 sq km, the region will bring together six districts, 38 tehsils and 2,781 villages, benefiting over 1.25 crore people.

The project marks a major shift in the state's development strategy. Instead of concentrating growth in one city, the government plans to create multiple growth centres across the region. Officials say the model is aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. The UIMR area has been expanded six times from its original size. It now includes Indore, Ujjain, Dewas, Dhar, Ratlam and Shajapur districts. The goal is to ensure that the benefits of urban development reach smaller towns and rural areas.

Industry is expected to drive much of this growth. The region has a land bank of more than 13,500 hectares. Fourteen new industrial parks have been proposed. The government estimates that nearly five lakh jobs could be created in the coming years. Pithampur is being prepared as a hub for electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. Vikram Udyogpuri in Ujjain will be developed as a major industrial anchor city. Ratlam is being positioned as a logistics and export hub connected to national trade routes.

Connectivity is at the heart of the project. The government wants people to reach major economic centres within one hour. A Greenfield Corridor between Indore and Ujjain and the Indore-Bhopal Expressway are expected to play a key role. Metro connectivity between Indore and Ujjain is also part of the long-term vision. The region will connect directly with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor. This will help industries move goods to major markets and ports more quickly.

Another key feature is the land pooling model. The first phase of the Indore-Pithampur Economic Corridor has already been launched. Farmers from 17 villages are participating in the project. Under the model, they will receive 60 per cent of their developed land back after infrastructure work is completed. The plan also focuses on balanced urban growth. Cities such as Dewas, Dhar, Maksi and Shajapur will be developed as growth nodes. This is expected to reduce pressure on larger cities such as Indore.

Environmental safeguards have also been built into the blueprint. The government has proposed a Blue-Green Development Policy to protect rivers, water bodies and forest areas. Industries will be encouraged to adopt zero-liquid-discharge systems. Future industrial clusters are expected to rely more on solar and wind energy.

Tourism is another important pillar of the project. The government wants tourism to contribute 10 per cent of the state's GDP by 2047. Ujjain, Omkareshwar, Mandu and Maheshwar are being linked through a spiritual and heritage tourism circuit. Rural tourism, riverfront projects and heritage hotels are also part of the plan.

To support the transformation, the state has introduced the Madhya Pradesh Metropolitan Region Planning and Development Act, 2025. A dedicated metropolitan authority will oversee planning and implementation. Using data and geospatial tools, it will assess future population and infrastructure needs and prepare the region for the next several decades.

As infrastructure projects begin to take shape, UIMR is being projected as a long-term model for regional development that combines industry, connectivity, sustainability and tourism under a single planning framework.