CUTTACK, Sept 18 — Odisha on Friday unveiled plans for an integrated semiconductor and electronics cluster near Cuttack, with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announcing the proposed Odisha Silicon Valley to be located at Naraj between Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Cluster location and advantages
The state government has identified 870 acres at Naraj for the hub, which Majhi described as having strategic advantages for semiconductor and allied industries. The site lies on the Cuttack–Bhubaneswar urban corridor and offers connectivity to major ports, including Paradip and Dhamra. Proximity to the Mahanadi was highlighted as an asset for industries that require substantial water.
Investment pipeline, projects and employment
Majhi reported progress on multiple fronts as Odisha seeks to build a broader semiconductor ecosystem rather than focusing solely on individual fabs. He said the state is engaging with about 10–12 companies from countries including Japan and Sweden and that five semiconductor projects are currently under construction in Odisha.
“Five semiconductor projects are currently under construction in Odisha, while discussions are underway with three more projects,”
The state government has separately approved five semiconductor projects involving investments of around ₹11,000 crore, which it expects will generate about 4,500 direct and more than 16,000 indirect jobs, the chief minister said. According to the state, Odisha’s overall semiconductor investment pipeline stands at about $4.7 billion, with $1.2 billion already committed and roughly $3.5 billion in prospective investments.
Projects approved under national mission
Majhi noted that two of the 12 projects approved nationally under the India Semiconductor Mission are in Odisha. The announcements named:
- SiCSem — proposed silicon carbide semiconductor fab and integrated packaging facility
- 3D Glass Solutions — planned advanced glass substrate packaging facility
State incentives and supply-chain focus
The state said it will offer additional fiscal support for projects across the chip supply chain as part of efforts to attract manufacturing and allied units. Officials framed the Naraj hub as a location where semiconductor, electronics and IT projects could cluster, enabling supply-chain businesses to co-locate and benefit from shared infrastructure.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Land identified at Naraj | 870 acres |
| Approved state projects (investment) | ₹11,000 crore |
| Expected direct jobs | 4,500 |
| Expected indirect jobs | 16,000+ |
| State investment pipeline | $4.7 billion ($1.2b committed, $3.5b upcoming) |
Local implications and next steps
For residents of Cuttack, the Naraj site lies close to city outskirts and the announcement raises immediate questions about land use, employment opportunities and infrastructure upgrades, including power, water and road links. The state’s emphasis on proximity to ports and the Mahanadi indicates planning that factors in heavy industrial water needs and logistics.
Majhi’s disclosures at SEMICON India 2026 signalled Odisha’s intent to expand its semiconductor ambitions from individual manufacturing units to a clustered ecosystem with supporting policy incentives. The government said it is in discussions with international firms and pursuing additional fiscal support for supply-chain and packaging projects that would co-locate at the proposed hub.
Local authorities and planning departments will need to spell out timelines, land-acquisition frameworks and environmental safeguards before large-scale construction and industrial activity begins. For immediate preparedness, Cuttack residents and small businesses should watch for official notices on land, tenders, and local employment drives that often follow such announcements.
Further details on specific fiscal incentives, final project approvals and the phased development plan for Naraj were not provided in the announcement. The state’s next steps are expected to include outreach to the companies under discussion and detailed project-level agreements.
Reported from New Delhi, with state-level figures and project names disclosed by the Chief Minister’s office.
