Why Bikaner Is India’s Next Big Thing

Atmanirbharta Begins In The Desert

Bikaner holds 95 per cent of India’s potash reserves and clay matching Ukrainian imports, yet remains underdeveloped due to policy delays and missing infrastructure like a dry port and cargo-ready airport.

India’s ambitious dream of Atmanirbhar Bharat, self-reliant and globally competitive, cannot be fulfilled without tapping into its untapped heartlands. One such land of opportunity is Bikaner in Rajasthan, a district often associated with history, heritage, and snacks, but rarely with industrial potential. Yet, lying quietly under its desert soil is a treasure trove of minerals, clay, and enterprise waiting to be harnessed.

The region holds the lion’s share of India’s potash reserves, nearly 95 per cent with major deposits concentrated in Bikaner and nearby Hanumangarh. With India importing over Rs 8,000 crore worth of potash in 2024-25 alone, tapping into these reserves can be a game-changer.

But that’s not all.