The Odisha government has approved 12 key industrial projects during the 36th High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The state govenment has sanctioned a total investment of Rs 39,271.50 crore, which is expected to generate employment opportunities for 17,098 individuals across various sectors, and pave the way for the state to become an industrial hub.

The approved projects span a range of industries including electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM), steel, metal downstream, chemical, cement, green ammonia, and rubber/plastics. In a major development, three proposals from the ESDM sector have been approved with focus on new-age industries. Silectric Semiconductor Manufacturing received approval for a silicon carbide device manufacturing unit, while Heterogeneous Integration Packaging Solutions will establish a manufacturing plant for glass substrates in the form of wafers for semiconductor packaging. Additionally, Kaynes Circuits India received approval for a manufacturing unit for the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs). Located in Khurdha, these projects involve a combined investment of Rs 6355.50 crore, with the potential to employ 2320 individuals.

In the chemical sector, Laxmi Organic Industries will set up a synthetic organic chemical manufacturing unit in Jagatsinghpur, while Epigral will establish a chemical manufacturing unit in the district. Together, these projects represent an investment of Rs 5,355.00 crore and will provide employment to 1,900 individuals. 

In the metal downstream sector, Electrosteel Castings will establish a 500,000 MT ductile iron pipe manufacturing plant in Dhenkanal, while Jindal (India) will set up a steel pipe processing facility in Dhenkanal to produce ERW pipes. Additionally, Bhushan Power and Steel will create a metal downstream complex in Sambalpur. These three approved projects represent a combined investment of Rs 12,191.00 crore and are expected to generate 5,570 jobs. The Steel sector will see investment from 0.5 MTPA integrated steel plant in Keonjhar by Shyam Steel Manufacturing with an investment of Rs 2,510.00 crore and is expected to create 3,640 work opportunities. 

Furthermore, Ambuja Concrete North (ACNPL)'s cement grinding unit in Cuttack, entailing an investment of Rs 1,400.00 crore is projected to employ 410 persons. The Green Ammonia sector projects includes Torrent Green Hydrogen's green ammonia project in Ganjam, with a significant investment of Rs 10,260.00 crore, aiding in job creation for 1,558 individuals. Also, in the rubber/plastics sector, Dalmia Bharat Refractories will set up a manufacturing unit for tyres, tubes, and flaps in Balasore, with an investment of Rs 1,200.00 crore and potential employment for 1,700 individuals.