Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On the occasion of completing one year of transformative governance, the Government of Odisha today hosted a high-level Interactive Session with Industry Representatives at the State Convention Centre, Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar. The session, chaired by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, was a celebration of Odisha’s rapid industrial advancement and an open dialogue with the industry on deepening collaboration for the future.
In attendance were senior members of the State Cabinet, including Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister for Industries and Skill Development & Technical Education, and Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Hon’ble Minister for MSME & FARD, as well as senior bureaucrats, industry veterans, entrepreneurs, and representatives from business chambers, startups, and women-led enterprises.
Key Industrial Milestones Achieved in Year One
In his address, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi outlined the remarkable industrial momentum achieved in the last 12 months:
- 206 industrial projects approved, nearly double the average of the past five years.
- Total investment approved: ₹4.5 lakh crore, with employment potential of 2.9 lakh jobs.
- 56 projects grounded or inaugurated with a total investment of ₹1.78 lakh crore and employment potential of 1.1 lakh jobs.
- Over 150 MoUs signed across sectors, with an investment intent of ₹16.7 lakh crore and job creation potential for over 12.9 lakh youth.
- Roadshows in Delhi, Mumbai, and Singapore showcasing Odisha as a destination for chemicals and petrochemicals, metal downstream and ancillary, engineering and capital goods, advanced manufacturing, textiles, and electronics.
- Two major flagship events viz. Pravasi Bharatiya Odisha and Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 brought together global Odia investors, industrialists, and policymakers to explore sector-specific opportunities.
“We are not merely sanctioning projects; we are grounding them. We are not making promises, we are delivering results — at scale, with speed, and with purpose,” said Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi.
“In just one year, we have approved over 200 large and mega projects. Odisha today stands for credibility, competitiveness, and commitment to progress.”
The Chief Minister reiterated that the Government’s approach is guided by outcome-based governance and a whole-of-government model that emphasizes seamless coordination between departments and agencies.
Diverse Sectors, Inclusive Growth
The investments span 20+ sectors, ranging from Odisha’s core strengths—mining, metallurgy, and metal downstream—to emerging sectors like:
- Green energy and electrolyser manufacturing
- Food processing and agro industries
- Chemicals and petrochemicals
- Apparel, technical textiles, and electronics
- Shipbuilding and marine services
- Tourism
- Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices
- Engineering and Capital goods
“Odisha is no longer just a minerals and metals hub,” the Hon’ble Chief Minister added.
“We are becoming a diversified industrial powerhouse, where opportunity flows from port to plant, and from cities to every aspirational district.”
To ensure balanced regional development, projects have been grounded across districts including Ganjam, Jajpur, Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Keonjhar, and Angul, with focused attention now being extended to less industrialised districts like Nuapada, Nayagarh, Gajapati, and Deogarh.
To promote regionally balanced growth, the government is developing 13 workers’ hostels across industrial zones, ensuring better living standards for industrial labour. The modernisation of 7 Industrial Estates has begun, aimed at enhancing plug-and-play infrastructure for new-age industries. Further, the development of 30 MSME Parks and 8 new Industrial Areas has created new opportunities for micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises to scale and thrive.
The Hon’ble Chief Minister outlined four key priorities for the upcoming year:
- Launch of new policies targeting emerging and sunrise sectors.
- Expansion of land banks, logistics corridors, and critical infrastructure.
- Modernisation of the Single Window System with digital-first project tracking.
- Simplification of regulatory compliances to accelerate entrepreneurship.
The Government also unveiled plans to expedite grounding of mega investments in identified clusters such as:
- Paradeep–Kendrapara
- Rayagada–Koraput
- Angul–Dhenkanal
- Keonjhar–Rourkela
- Sambalpur–Jharsuguda
During the session, industry leaders across domains shared their views on Odisha’s industrial climate and growth direction. Notable speakers from large industries included Mr. Anurag Choudhary (CEO, Himadri Speciality Chemicals), Ms. Radha Kejriwal (Director, Electrosteel Castings Ltd.), Mr. Anil Kumar Singh (President, JSW BPSL), Mr. R. K. Goyal (MD, Kalyani Steels Ltd.), Mr. Ganesh Sabat (CEO, Sahajanand Medical Technologies), and Mr. Nitesh Garg (Director, Geofast Group).
From the MSME sector, insights were shared by Mr. Satwik Swain (Odisha Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises – OASME), Mr. C P Bhartia (North Odisha Chamber of Commerce & Industry – NOCCI), and Mr. Prabhat Kumar Tibrewal (Rourkela Chamber of Commerce & Industry – RCCI).
Voices of women-led businesses and startups were also prominent. Ms. Swati Kejriwal (Co-Convenor, ICC – INWEC) and Dr. Pragyan P. Mishra (President, FICCI FLO) spoke about the role of gender-inclusive industrial policy. Mr. Abinash Sahoo, Co-founder & CTO of BonV Aero, represented the state’s fast-growing startup ecosystem.
Shri Sampad Chandra Swain, Hon’ble Minister for Industries & SDTE, added:
“The results over the last one year prove that Odisha is now synonymous with speed, transparency, and ease of doing business. From mega industries to grassroots MSMEs, our approach has been to empower all contributors to the economy.”
Shri Gokulananda Mallick, Hon’ble Minister for MSME & FARD, remarked:
“The MSME sector is at the heart of our development strategy. With 30 new MSME parks and ongoing infrastructure push, we are creating an environment where small businesses can innovate, scale, and generate livelihood across.”
