SWOT Analysis

STRENGTH

  • Indore represents largest economy in Central India with GDP standing at $14 billion. It is a Commercial and Trading capital of the state with it’s history spanning over five centuries and significant footprints in commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education and entertainment.
  • Has a diversified economy bases on well-established and successful network of mixed businesses around cotton textiles, Iron and steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, solvent plants and machinery.
  • It accounts for 1/3rd of the total namkeen production of India (turnover of cluster is approx INR 420 Crores).
  • Indore is home to large infrastructure projects including those promoted by GoMP such as Crystal IT Park, Super corridor – a high density corridor being developed on TOD principles, Pithampur SEZ, Pithampur-Dhar-Mhow Investment Region of DMIC, NATRIP – a state of art automotive testing track and R&D facility etc
  • Excellent overall quality of life and moderate cost of living in Indore (which is about 15-20% lower as compared to metros) has ensured availability of senior professionals and skilled workforce at competitive rates
  • Having excellent connectivity by Air, Rail and Road to all major cities in state/country.
  • One of the few cities in country having operational Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network (12 kms operational).
  • The only city in India to have both the premiere Institutes IIT & IIM
  • Indore is an important stronghold of Malwa culture and history with its famous attractions such as the Rajwada, Chhatris, Kanch Mandir, Lalbagh Palace etc.

WEAKNESS

  • Poor urban spatial planning is evident in the city with residential and industrial areas developed without adequate supporting infrastructure such as public open spaces, education, healthcare and adequate road network etc
  • Proliferation of informal sector- both residential/commercial, large number of slums with every third resident in city is a slum dweller.
  • more than 10% growth in Pvt-owned vehicles has resulted in 60% increase in traffic congestion and deteriorating air quality
  • barring AICTSL services, public transport is poor with only 0.045 buses/1000 population against the benchmark of 0.4-0.6 buses/1000 population.
  • High cost of water (INR 18/kl against average cost of INR 8-10/kl in other cities) due to city getting water from Narmada River (about 70 km away and total lift of 550m)
  • Weak environmental resilience and waste management, only 50% of population have access to sewerage network and 20% of roads have storm water drainage.

OPPORTUNITY

  • Tremendous potential for enhanced opportunities in youth-oriented education, skill development and commercial avenues.
  • Entrepreneurial city with a culture focused on work and business; has heterogeneous & cosmopolitan population (52% of the population are migrants).
  • with the largest number of internet users in the state (approximately 18 lakh), an IIT and an IIM, Indore is suitably poised to enter a new era of economic and digital vibrancy by specializing in quinary and quaternary sectors
  • Development/Investments under Super Corridor, IT Park, Medcity, nearby Industrial areas are expected to provide employment to 1,00,000 people in next five years.

THREAT

  • Unchecked growth of slums along with unplanned/haphazard development shall continue to pose greatest threat to city’s rational growth and quality of life, which is receding.
  • Slums are spread across the city (grew by 8% between 2010-2015 and hold approx. 38% of the total population) in varying degrees of squatter, have made delivery of services to urban poor difficult, negatively affecting the general visage of the city.
  • Environmental degradation in the city in general and contamination of natural drainage paths including Kanh river (by sewage and waste discharge) in particular coupled with inadequate public green/open spaces pose threat for the city
  • Traffic congestion, rapid increase in private vehicles and lack of adequate multi-modal public transport options, unless mitigated shall continue to degrade air quality adversely impacting public health and increased commute times.