Odisha lays foundation for Rs 2,067 Cr semiconductor plant, eyes spot as next tech manufacturing powerhouse of Bharat

In a milestone moment for India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on November 1 laid the foundation stone for the state’s first compound semiconductor manufacturing facility at Info Valley-II, Bhubaneswar. The project, spearheaded by SiCSem Private Limited and approved by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), involves a capital investment of Rs 2,067 crore. Once operational, the facility will produce 60,000 wafers and 96 million packaged units annually, serving key sectors such as electric vehicles (EVs), defence, railways, and renewable energy. Addressing the gathering at the groundbreaking ceremony, Chief Minister Majhi hailed the development as a “historic milestone” in Odisha’s industrial growth and India’s larger self-reliance vision. “What used to take years earlier is now being completed in months. That is the speed and power of New India,” Majhi declared. “After Bengaluru, Odisha is emerging as the new electronics and IT capital of India. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India is moving ahead in all missions, from chip to ship.” Majhi emphasised that Odisha’s entry into the semiconductor sector symbolises a “new chapter of technological empowerment” for eastern India, driven by policy innovation, skilled manpower, and world-class infrastructure. The SiCSem unit is expected to create 5,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, generating high-value technical and manufacturing roles. The project also promises to enhance the local supply chain ecosystem, attracting ancillary industries and start-ups working on semiconductor packaging, testing, and design. Majhi reiterated that the state’s Semiconductor, Electronics, and AI policies are being tailored to make Odisha a preferred investment destination for global tech firms. “Odisha is scripting a new story of self-reliance in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing,” he said. “Our focus is on creating a synergy between industry, academia, and governance.” As part of its strategy to build a robust research ecosystem, SiCSem has already set up a Research and Innovation Centre at IIT-Bhubaneswar with an investment of Rs 64 crore. Additionally, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sanctioned Rs 5 crore from his MP Local Area Development (MPLAD) fund to establish the NAMO Semiconductor Laboratory at IIT-Bhubaneswar. The lab aims to train students and researchers in chip design, nanofabrication, and next-generation materials. Attending the event virtually, Vaishnaw, who also oversees India’s semiconductor mission, commended Odisha’s growing role in the country’s digital and manufacturing roadmap. “Odisha is fast emerging as the gateway to the East,” he said. “The integration of industry, education, and modern technology that we are witnessing here today reflects the future of India’s semiconductor revolution.” The Info Valley-II Tech Park in Bhubaneswar, where the plant is being developed, is a part of the state’s IT and Electronics Manufacturing Cluster. With ready infrastructure, high-speed connectivity, and policy support, the location offers a strategic advantage for semiconductor operations catering to both domestic and export markets. Officials noted that the upcoming fabrication and ATMP (assembly, testing, marking, and packaging) unit will play a crucial role in supporting India’s electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors, where the demand for compound semiconductors is rapidly growing. The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has been working to reduce India’s dependency on imports and establish end-to-end semiconductor manufacturing capacity. Odisha’s project marks one of the first major private investments outside the traditional semiconductor hubs of Gujarat and Karnataka, expanding India’s chip ecosystem across new geographies. With a strong focus on electronics, AI, and emerging technologies, Odisha’s government is also pushing for a comprehensive digital industrial corridor that integrates semiconductor fabs, electronics units, and start-up incubators. The state’s proactive approach, coupled with central support through ISM, is expected to attract both domestic and global investors in the coming years. In Majhi’s words, “The chip revolution will not just power devices, it will power dreams. Odisha is ready to lead India’s next technology leap.”

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