How can the counter-magnet strategy help reduce regional imbalance and metropolitan congestion? Illustrate with recent examples.

A counter-magnet is a city outside a metropolitan region that is developed to take in migrants who would otherwise move to the metro, and to drive growth in its own surrounding region. The NCR Planning Board identified Counter Magnet Areas (CMAs) such as Gwalior, Hisar, Bareilly, Kota and Patiala for this dual role [1]. If these cities get both jobs and good living conditions, they can ease pressure on the metro and spread growth to other regions.

Easing metropolitan congestion

• Intercepting migration: jobs in CMAs absorb workers from less-developed belts who would otherwise move into the NCR [1].
• Reducing pressure on the core city: when industry moves to cheaper land in CMAs, demand for housing, transport and services in Delhi falls.

Reducing regional imbalance

• Growth pole for lagging regions: Gwalior's Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ) is planned as a growth driver for Gwalior-Chambal, a historically less-industrialised region [2].
• Local skilled jobs: the MoU estimates about 14,000 direct jobs, which reduces distress migration [3].
• Cooperative federalism: the Centre funds 100% of Phase-I (₹493 crore), Madhya Pradesh gives about 170 acres free of cost, and a joint SPV (51:49) builds the zone [2][3].

Recent examples

• Gwalior TMZ (2026): a plug-and-play telecom cluster at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Counter Magnet City. Investment proposals exceed ₹5,500 crore, with 18,000+ potential jobs [2]. Investors were brought in through roadshows, including the one in Mumbai [4].
• EMC 2.0: MeitY's electronics clusters are spread across 10 States, which takes manufacturing beyond the big metros [5].

Limitations

• Promised vs actual investment: EMC 2.0 has actually invested only ₹12,569.69 crore and created 13,680 jobs, against about 1.80 lakh jobs estimated [5].
• Idle land: the CAG found operations on only 62.42% of notified SEZ land [6]. Free land invites firms to hold it without building.
• Weak urban services: without housing, transport and social infrastructure, CMAs cannot keep their talent.

Counter-magnets work only when they offer both jobs and a good place to live. To get there:

• Link anchor industries like the TMZ with skilling, housing and transport connectivity.
• Add build-or-return clauses to land leases.
• Publish how much of the promised investment has actually been spent.

Done this way, the strategy can turn Gwalior-type cities into self-sustaining growth centres. It would also advance Article 38(2), which asks the State to reduce inequalities between regions, and SDG 11 on sustainable cities.