The just-released World Bank report, Doing Business in India 2009, has an answer: Ludhiana. Hyderabad and Bhubaneshwar were ranked second and third respectively by the report.

Delhi has been ranked sixth among the 17 cities that have been included in the report, while Kolkata is at the bottom of the table.

Dealing with construction permits, registering property, paying taxes, enforcing contracts, trading across borders and the ease of closing a business were the parametres on the basis of which the report was prepared.

The report added that the cities most conducive to business, where a unit can be started in the shortest possible time (in 30 days), are Mumbai and Noida. In terms of cost, it is least expensive to begin in Patna.

Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chennai, Indore, Ranchi, Guwahati, Kolkata and Kochi are some other places where setting up shop is easy.

Speaking at the release of the report, Industry Secretary Ajay Shankar said: "The timing of the report is just right because India is ready to take on any super power."

The report also states that compared to economies worldwide, cities in India lag when it comes to closing a business and paying taxes.