Returning from a high-stakes two-day visit to New Delhi, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a major technological and economic breakthrough for the state.
Anchored by Rs 23,600 crore in investment proposals received during the Semicon India 2026 conference, Odisha is formally positioning itself as the semiconductor and advanced electronics anchor for Eastern India.
Addressing the media at Bhubaneswar Airport, Chief Minister Majhi highlighted the state’s strategic pivot toward high-value, tech-driven growth. “Odisha is rapidly transitioning from a traditional ‘Mine Economy’ to an innovation-driven ‘Mind Economy,'” CM Majhi stated, reinforcing the state’s alignment with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
870-Acre ‘Odisha Silicon Valley’ Announced in Naraj
To support incoming investments, the state government has approved the Semicon 3rd Amendment policy and sanctioned the establishment of a world-class “Odisha Silicon Valley”. Spanning 870 acres in Naraj, Cuttack, the specialized manufacturing ecosystem will host semiconductor fabrication units, design facilities, and component ecosystems.
Key outcomes and engagements from Semicon India 2026 include:
- Job Creation: The incoming proposals are projected to generate over 6,000 direct high-skilled jobs.
- IIT Bhubaneswar Collaboration: Approval of the ₹452 crore National Industry Co-Development Hub on Integrated Power Electronics in partnership with IIT Bhubaneswar, supported by a ₹125 crore state contribution. The hub aims to commercialize research and retain top technical talent within the state.
- Key Commercial Deals: Signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with QuadQuantum for manufacturing Silicon Carbide substrate wafers.
- Global Engagement: B2B meetings with 18 global companies, 5 roundtable interactions, and 3 total Letters of Intent (LoIs) signed.
- International Alliances: Bilateral talks with delegations from Japan, Sweden, and Taiwan, alongside tech giants including Intel, Lam Research, Applied Materials, SiXSEM, and 3D Glass Solutions.
Strategic Proposals at the State Finance Ministers’ Conference
Prior to the semiconductor announcements, Chief Minister Majhi participated in the State Finance Ministers’ Conference chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. The conference centered on financing mechanisms required to achieve a developed India (Financing India’s Journey towards Viksit Bharat).
The Chief Minister raised two vital structural proposals during the summit:
1. Joint Agri-Logistics Financing
Recognizing the capital intensity of post-harvest infrastructure, Chief Minister Majhi called for a joint financing framework between the Centre and States. The initiative focuses on scaling agricultural logistics, cold-chain networks, and modern warehousing to secure supply chains and boost farmer incomes.
2. Viability Gap Funding for Clean Energy
Highlighting Odisha’s transition from conventional power generation to green energy, the Chief Minister urged the Union Government to provide Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and facilitate multilateral financing partnerships. This financial backing aims to de-risk and accelerate large-scale clean energy infrastructure across the state.
With land allocated, research hubs greenlit, and substantial investment pipelines open, Odisha enters a new development phase aimed at driving Eastern India’s industrial and technological modernization.
