Odisha has given the green light to technology initiatives totaling around ₹1.45 lakh crore, prominently featuring a planned integrated data center investment of ₹1.05 lakh crore. This decision was made during the 46th assembly of the High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) overseen by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
The HLCA approved 27 projects with a collective proposed investment of ₹2,47,115.70 crore across 15 districts, which are expected to create 50,162 job opportunities, as indicated by the state government.
Projects related to IT, IT-enabled services, and data centers represent the bulk of this investment, amounting to approximately ₹1,42,941 crore. Additionally, the inclusion of a ₹2,078 crore semiconductor project raises the total technology-focused investment to about ₹1.45 lakh crore.
High Density Datacentre Ltd is set to build an integrated data center in Khurda, proposing an investment of ₹1,04,550 crore and creating around 1,000 jobs.
HCLTech will invest ₹14,257 crore to develop an AI-optimized data center in Khurda, which is expected to provide 385 jobs. This facility will mark HCLTech’s inaugural AI data center, developed in collaboration with Sarvam and the Odisha government as a part of the state’s envisioned sovereign AI ecosystem.
In Puri, Sentraforge AI Ltd has been authorized to create an AI data center and global capability center with a proposed investment of ₹22,634 crore, which could employ 2,320 individuals.
RKD Construction Private Ltd is also set to build a data center in Cuttack with a planned investment of ₹1,500 crore, creating about 220 job opportunities.
The semiconductor sector approvals include SiCSem’s proposal for a ₹2,078 crore facility in Khurda, designed to manufacture silicon carbide wafers and gallium nitride products. This approval aligns with Odisha’s ambition to become a hub for semiconductor manufacturing, as the state recently reported attracting ₹23,600 crore in semiconductor-related investments and is working on developing an Odisha Silicon Valley over 870 acres near Cuttack.
Furthermore, the recent HLCA approvals encompass more than just digital infrastructure. Power and renewable energy initiatives are valued at ₹54,287.70 crore, including a proposed 3,200 MW thermal power plant by NLC India in Deogarh and a 1,080 MW facility in Angul. Other sectors represented in the approvals include steel, lab-grown diamonds, green energy, healthcare, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding, and advanced manufacturing.
