Akankshya Mahapatra 
The Odisha government has roped in Bhubaneswar-based Skyy Rider Electric Pvt Ltd to set up an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing unit at the government polytechnic here. The polytechnic has inked a pact with Skyy Rider and the collaboration will help enable the EV eco-system and provide the necessary facilities to produce more than 16 categories of vehicles.
CEO of Skyy Rider Electric Nihar Ranjan Panda said the company intends to produce electric vehicles for commercial, medical and public utility use. Every year, the plant will generate employment for hundreds of people, he said.
The government has also collaborated with another State-based startup Aero Rovers, which aims at revolutionising the drone industry by manufacturing low-cost, robust industrial drones in association with the government polytechnic, Bhubaneswar. The partnership will cater to the various needs of drones in industrial, agriculture, surveillance and commercial applications. Aero Rovers will set up a drone manufacturing and pilot training unit and also provide hands-on technical knowledge to students of the polytechnic.
