Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh is set to become a major telecom manufacturing hub with the proposed establishment of Asia’s first Telecom Manufacturing Zone (TMZ), attracting investment proposals worth ₹5,500 crore. The project is expected to create more than 18,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, according to the Ministry of Communications. Spread across a planned industrial ecosystem, the zone will bring together companies manufacturing telecom equipment and components, along with facilities for research, product testing and technological innovation. It is expected to support the production of optical fibre, telecom devices and equipment linked to advanced technologies such as 5G and 6G. Around 170 acres have been identified for the first phase, and 24 companies have initiated the application process to set up manufacturing units. The project is being developed jointly by the Department of Telecommunications and the Madhya Pradesh government, with the aim of strengthening domestic manufacturing, reducing dependence on imported telecom equipment and creating new opportunities for skilled workers. The initiative is expected to boost Gwalior’s industrial growth and strengthen India’s position in the global telecom manufacturing sector.