Lenskart to Invest ₹1,500 Crore in Telangana’s Fab City, Creating 2,100 Jobs.

Telangana Gains Big with Lenskart’s Expansion Plans.

Eyewear giant Lenskart has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Telangana government to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Fab City, near Hyderabad. With an investment of approximately ₹1,500 crore, this facility will be the world’s largest eyewear manufacturing plant, creating employment for around 2,100 people.

Telangana Minister for IT, E&C, Industries & Commerce, D. Sridhar Babu, made the announcement on December 8, calling it a significant milestone for the state. The facility will produce eyewear, lenses, sunglasses, and accessories, serving both the domestic market and export destinations like Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

“This MoU showcases Telangana’s business-friendly policies and our focus on ensuring ease of doing business. We are proud to host Lenskart’s largest manufacturing hub,” said Sridhar Babu.


The Details of the Telangana Project

  • Location: Fab City, Hyderabad, with land allocation scheduled for completion this week.
  • Investment: ₹1,500 crore to develop a cutting-edge manufacturing unit.
  • Job Creation: Approximately 2,100 direct employment opportunities.
  • Product Portfolio: Eyewear, lenses, sunglasses, and accessories for both the Indian market and export destinations.
  • Future Prospects: Discussions are underway to establish an R&D center alongside the manufacturing plant.

The Telangana government has taken swift action to facilitate the project, reinforcing the state’s reputation as a premier destination for investment in India.


Karnataka’s Missed Opportunity

Before finalizing Telangana, Lenskart co-founder and CEO Peyush Bansal publicly sought land near Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport to set up a “mega factory.” On April 9, 2024, Bansal posted on LinkedIn:
“Lenskart is seeking 25 acres of land within 60 km of Kempegowda Bengaluru International Airport for the construction of its next mega factory.”

Karnataka’s then-Industries Minister, M.B. Patil, promptly responded via X (formerly Twitter), expressing interest in hosting the project and committing to meet the company’s requirements. Despite this engagement, no significant progress was reported on Karnataka’s end.

The missed opportunity underscores the competitive dynamics between Indian states to attract large-scale investments, with Telangana emerging as the clear winner in this instance.


Why Telangana Was Chosen

Lenskart’s decision to invest in Telangana highlights the state’s proactive governance and business-friendly environment. Key factors influencing the move include:

  1. Ease of Doing Business: Swift land allocation and seamless facilitation of permits.
  2. Infrastructure: Proximity to export markets and access to robust logistics networks.
  3. Government Support: Focused policies encouraging investments in manufacturing and R&D.

Minister Sridhar Babu emphasized that the Telangana government’s efficiency and vision were pivotal in sealing the deal.


About Lenskart

Founded in 2010, Lenskart is one of India’s leading eyewear brands, with over 1,500 retail outlets nationwide. Its largest existing manufacturing facility is in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan. The upcoming Fab City plant will further bolster its manufacturing capacity to meet rising demand in India and abroad.

In addition to its manufacturing prowess, Lenskart is eyeing innovation with plans for a research and development (R&D) center in Telangana. This aligns with its long-term vision to revolutionize the eyewear industry.


Telangana vs. Karnataka: A Tale of Two Approaches

While Karnataka remains a significant player in India’s industrial landscape, this development showcases Telangana’s growing prominence in attracting marquee investments. Telangana’s swift execution and business-centric policies have given it a competitive edge, leaving Karnataka to reflect on its missed opportunity.

Meanwhile, Karnataka’s Industries Minister M.B. Patil has shifted focus to global outreach, leading a delegation to Europe to secure investments for the Invest Karnataka 2025 event scheduled for February.


Conclusion

Lenskart’s ₹1,500 crore investment in Telangana is a testament to the state’s proactive governance and ability to attract high-value projects. The Fab City plant is not just a win for Telangana but also a significant boost for India’s manufacturing ecosystem, reinforcing the country’s position as a global hub for innovation and production.

As the facility gears up to begin operations, Telangana continues to set benchmarks in industrial growth, offering valuable lessons for other states striving to secure transformative investments.

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