In a significant boost to Odisha's industrial and technological landscape, the Union government has approved a major greenfield electronics manufacturing cluster (EMC) in Bhubaneswar alongside two advanced semiconductor units. The announcements, made by Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada in the Rajya Sabha, represent a multi-thousand crore investment aimed at positioning the state as a key player in India's electronics and chip-making ecosystem.
Major Investments in Electronics and Semiconductors
The cornerstone of this development is the approval of a greenfield Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) at Infovalley, Bhubaneswar. This project, sanctioned under the modified EMC 2.0 scheme, comes with a total project cost of Rs 200.76 crore. The cluster will sprawl across 203.37 acres and receive central financial assistance of Rs 93.09 crore. It is projected to attract investments worth Rs 1,530 crore and is expected to generate approximately 3,000 jobs, providing a substantial impetus to local employment.
In an even larger move for high-tech manufacturing, the Centre has also approved the establishment of two semiconductor units in Odisha under the Semicon India Program. These units entail a massive combined investment of Rs 4,003 crore. As stated by Minister Prasada in response to a question from MP Subhasish Khuntia, these facilities will specialize in cutting-edge domains including advanced packaging, embedded glass substrate manufacturing, and Silicon Carbide Fab.
The chips produced here will be critical components for a wide range of industries, including automobiles, aerospace, defence, wireless devices, electric vehicles, data centres, and consumer electronics. This approval aligns with the national Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, focusing on creating a complete, globally competitive electronics manufacturing ecosystem.
Building a Robust Support Ecosystem
The government's strategy extends beyond just manufacturing hubs. A strong support infrastructure for skill development and innovation is already being put in place. The National Institute of Electronics and IT (NIELIT) has established two centres in Bhubaneswar and Balasore, along with 35 accredited centres across Odisha. These institutions have already trained roughly 25,000 candidates, creating a skilled workforce ready for the new industrial opportunities.
Furthermore, the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) has been actively fostering a startup and innovation culture in the state through several specialised Centres of Excellence (CoE):
- Electropreneur Park: Developed with the Odisha government, IIIT Bhubaneswar, and the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association to promote electronics system design and manufacturing. 37 startups have been onboarded here.
- Center of Excellence for Virtual and Augmented Reality: A collaboration with the Odisha government to nurture the startup ecosystem in creative technologies. It has onboarded 25 startups so far.
- EmTek Center of Excellence: A joint initiative with the Odisha government, Biju Patnaik University, Rourkela Steel Plant, NALCO, and IIIT Bhubaneswar. This CoE has supported 29 startups.
Additionally, under STPI’s Next Generation Incubation Scheme, a total of 112 startups from Odisha have been onboarded, showcasing a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit.
Focus on Cybersecurity and Digital Hygiene
Recognizing the importance of cybersecurity in a digitally advancing economy, the government has also taken steps to strengthen cyber resilience in Odisha. Authorities have conducted 134 Information Security Education & Awareness (ISEA) workshops to promote cyber hygiene among citizens. Moreover, over 4,200 candidates have been trained or are currently undergoing training courses on information security in the state.
These comprehensive measures—spanning large-scale manufacturing, skill development, startup incubation, and cybersecurity—paint a picture of Odisha's strategic transformation into a technology and electronics hub. The approved EMC and semiconductor units are not just isolated projects but part of a concerted push to integrate the state into the global electronics supply chain, driving economic growth and technological self-reliance for India.
