Punjab is targeting industrial investment of Rs 75,000 crore in the coming financial year as part of a major push to accelerate economic growth in the state.Industry, Investment Promotion, Power and Local Government Minister Sanjeev Arora said the state had already secured investment commitments worth Rs 25,000 crore from industrialists who attended the three-day Progressive Punjab Investors’ Summit.In an interview with The Tribune, he said the government deliberately avoided signing formal memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with investors during the summit.“The idea was to showcase our industrial policy and business environment. Punjab offers strong ease of doing business and investors have themselves come forward to set up new projects or expand existing ones,” he said.Arora claimed that Punjab achieved a record investment of Rs 55,000 crore during 2025-26, surpassing the previous highest annual investment of Rs 35,000 crore.He said the state’s new industrial policy had increased freight subsidy by 50 per cent to promote exports and attract manufacturing investment. Availability of skilled human resources was also a key factor drawing industries to the state, he added.The minister said improving urban infrastructure was another priority. “The mountains of solid waste you see in the cities will all be gone between October 2027 and March 2028. It is my guarantee to bring about urban rejuvenation and state of art machinery has been put to use for attaining the goal,” he added.On the financial condition of state power utilities, Arora said reducing electricity tariffs was intended to benefit consumers while easing the subsidy burden on the government.He said a Rs 5,000-crore power infrastructure augmentation plan was underway to strengthen transmission lines, reduce losses and ensure reliable electricity supply across the state.