Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi touched down in Mumbai on Wednesday, ready to put the eastern state firmly on the map as a rising force in India’s chemical and petrochemical industry.
His two-day visit centres on India Chem 2026, the country’s flagship biennial exhibition and conference running from October 22 to 24 at NESCO in Goregaon. Organised by the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and FICCI under the theme “Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub,” the event draws global CEOs, policymakers and investors from more than 100 countries.
Majhi will take part in the inaugural session and a high-profile CEO Roundtable chaired by Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers J.P. Nadda. More importantly for Odisha’s industrial future, he is scheduled to hold one-on-one meetings with representatives of more than 20 major companies. Discussions will focus on fresh investments, expansion of existing units, downstream manufacturing and new ventures.
The state plans to highlight its industrial infrastructure, progressive policy framework and resource advantages. A key presentation will cover coal gasification projects, seen as a strategic opportunity. Officials have also indicated that the government may announce plans for a dedicated large-scale chemical industrial park aimed at chemicals, petrochemicals, plastics and packaging.
“Our participation at India Chem 2026 will provide an opportunity to engage directly with leading companies, present the State’s investment opportunities and explore partnerships for future growth,” said Hemant Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary for Industries.
The numbers already tell a strong story. Over the past two years, Odisha has attracted 56 companies in the chemical and petrochemical sector with proposed investments of ₹1,93,087.94 crore and an employment potential of 1,12,324 people. Of these, 27 projects have been grounded or inaugurated, accounting for ₹60,825.34 crore in investments and potential jobs for 35,351 people. Recent activity in Jajpur alone saw nine projects (five inaugurations and four ground-breakings) involving ₹4,136 crore and 1,508 jobs.
In his own message after arriving, Chief Minister Majhi underscored the state’s strengths: “With our rich resource base, progressive policies and growing industrial infrastructure, Odisha is poised to expand its chemical and petrochemical ecosystem, strengthen downstream manufacturing and unlock new avenues for value addition and employment generation. Looking forward to meaningful partnerships that translate investment potential into projects on the ground and accelerate our journey towards a Samruddha Odisha.”
Odisha will share the stage with states including Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu, reflecting the growing competition and collaboration among Indian states to capture a larger share of the expanding national chemicals market.
For a state long known for its mineral wealth and steel industry, the push into chemicals and petrochemicals signals a deliberate diversification. With ports, available land, policy incentives and an improving manufacturing ecosystem, Odisha is positioning itself as more than just a resource supplier — it wants to become a value-adding manufacturing hub.
As India Chem 2026 opens on Thursday, all eyes will be on whether Majhi’s outreach converts interest into concrete commitments that can further accelerate Odisha’s industrial transformation.
