Bhubaneswar: The High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, on Wednesday approved 27 major industrial projects involving a cumulative investment of Rs 2,47,115.70 crore in Odisha.  

The projects carry an employment potential of 50,162 jobs and mark a significant diversification of the state’s industrial landscape, with investments spanning Data Centres and AI, power and energy, steel, semiconductors, green energy, lab-grown diamonds, green hydrogen, healthcare, chemicals, textiles, shipbuilding and advanced manufacturing.

The 27 projects approved under the 46th HLCA are spread across 15 districts Anugola, Bhadrak, Kataka, Debagada, Dhenkanal, Ganjam, Jajpur, Kalahandi, Kendrapada, Khordha, Koraput, Nuapada, Puri, Rayagada, Sundaragada.

A defining feature of the 46th HLCA approvals is the unprecedented scale of investment proposed in IT, ITES & Data Centres. Four projects in this sector account for a combined investment of approximately Rs 1,42,941 crore, making it the largest investment segment among the approved projects.

High Density Datacentre Limited will establish an Integrated Datacentre in Khordha, involving an investment of Rs 1,04,550 crore and potential employment generation of 1,000. HCL Technologies Limited will establish an AI-Optimized Data Centre in Khordha with an investment of Rs 14,257 crore, creating potential employment for 385 people.

Sentraforge AI Ltd will establish an AI Data Centre along with a Global Capability Centre in Puri, with an investment of Rs 22,634 crore and potential employment generation of 2,320. RKD Construction Private Limited will establish a Data Centre in Kataka with an investment of Rs 1,500 crore, with potential employment generation of 220.

These proposals represent a significant expansion of Odisha’s emerging digital infrastructure ecosystem, strengthening the state’s position as an attractive destination for data centres, artificial intelligence, global capability centres and technology-enabled services.

Rs 54,288 crore push for energy infra

The 46th HLCA also approved four major projects in the Power & Renewable Energy sector, involving a combined investment of Rs 54,287.70 crore and potential employment generation of 5,300.

NLC India Limited will establish a thermal power plant of 3200 MW in Debagada, involving an investment of Rs 34,763.51 crore and potential employment generation of 4,100. The company will also establish a 1,080 MW thermal power plant in Anugola, with an investment of Rs 11,604.19 crore and potential employment generation of 1,000.

The approvals also include two pumped-storage hydro power projects. BEKEM Infra Projects Private Limited will establish a 600 MW Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant in Rayagada with an investment of Rs 4,020 crore, while Sri Avantika Contractor (I) Limited will establish a 750 MW Pumped Storage Hydro Power Plant in Koraput with an investment of Rs 3,900 crore.

Together, these projects will strengthen Odisha’s power and renewable energy infrastructure and contribute to the State’s long-term energy security and industrial growth.

Expansion of steel sector

The Steel & Steel Downstream sector will see two major projects in Sundaragada, involving a combined investment of Rs 14,000 crore and potential employment generation of 17,000. Rungta Mines Ltd will expand its existing steel plant. The project involves an investment of Rs 9,000 crore and has potential to generate 12,000 employment opportunities. Shakambhari Ispat & Power Limited will establish an integrated steel plant with cement plant and captive power plant. The project involves an investment of Rs 5,000 crore and has potential to generate 5,000 employment opportunities.

Together, these projects will strengthen Odisha’s steel ecosystem, expand downstream manufacturing capabilities and support greater value addition within the state.

The approvals further strengthen Odisha’s growing presence in lab-grown diamond manufacturing, with five projects involving a combined investment of ₹10,680 crore and potential employment generation of 8,850.

Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond Private Limited will establish a manufacturing unit in Khordha with an investment of Rs 4,500 crore and potential employment generation of 3,750. Greenlab Diamonds LLP will invest Rs 2,500 crore in Khordha, with potential employment generation of 3,000. Neorganic Diamonds Private Limited will establish a unit in Ganjam with an investment of Rs 1,600 crore and potential employment generation of 1,000. Two additional projects by Nouveau Diamonds LLP and Supreme Green Diamonds Private Limited in Khordha involve investments of Rs 1,080 crore and Rs 1,000 crore, respectively.

Boost to semiconductor manufacturing

SICSEM Pvt Ltd will establish a manufacturing facility for Silicon Carbide wafers and Gallium Nitride in Khordha, involving an investment of Rs 2,078 crore and potential employment generation of 1,200. The project will add a new advanced-technology manufacturing capability to Odisha’s industrial investment pipeline and further strengthen the state’s emerging semiconductor and electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Aare Solar Pvt Ltd will establish a 10 GWh Advanced LFP Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Assembly Plant in two phases in Nuapada, with an investment of Rs 1,050 crore and potential employment generation of 1,400. Larsen and Toubro Limited will establish a green energy equipment manufacturing unit in Ganjam, with an investment of Rs 5,000 crore and potential employment generation of 700.

Together, these projects will strengthen Odisha’s capabilities in semiconductor materials, energy storage, electrolyser systems and other green energy technologies, supporting the State’s transition towards advanced and sustainable manufacturing.

Jiribam Solar Power Private Limited will establish a facility in Kendrapada for manufacturing Green Hydrogen, Green Ammonia, Green Methanol and Electro Sustainable Aviation Fuel (e-SAF). The project involves an investment of Rs 3,000 crore and has potential to generate 1,000 employment opportunities. The project will further strengthen Odisha’s clean-energy value chain and support the development of emerging green fuel and sustainable energy manufacturing capabilities in the State.

Larsen and Toubro Limited will establish an Integrated Advanced Fabrication & Manufacturing Complex in Ganjam, involving an investment of Rs 2,100 crore and potential employment generation of 1,000. L&T will also establish a Shipbuilding, Ship Repair Complex in Ganjam, with an investment of Rs 1,000 crore and potential employment generation of 700. The approval will expand Odisha’s footprint in advanced engineering and maritime manufacturing.

Major healthcare investment in Khordha

Adani Foundation will establish a 1,000-bedded multi-super-speciality hospital in Khordha. The project involves an investment of Rs 2,150 crore. The project has potential to generate 1,700 employment opportunities.

In Jajpur, Tata Steel Limited will establish a 7 MTPA Iron Ore Grinding Unit with slurry pipeline. The project involves an investment of Rs 3,329 crore and has potential to generate 287 employment opportunities. The project will strengthen the mineral-to-metal value chain and logistics infrastructure, supporting efficient movement and processing of iron ore for the Kalinga Nagar industrial region.

Grasim Industries Limited will establish a Basic Chemical Products Manufacturing Plant in Ganjam with an investment of Rs 1,425 crore and potential employment generation of 1,600. Talcher Gasifier and Chemicals LLP will establish a facility in Dhenkanal for the Chemical Manufacturing Unit, involving an investment of Rs 1,750 crore and potential employment generation of 1,300.

In Kalahandi, Leaomax Textile Private Limited will establish a composite textile mill, with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore and potential employment generation of 2,700. Chiripal Poly Films Limited will establish an OHT tyre manufacturing unit in Bhadrak, involving an investment of Rs 1,125 crore and potential employment generation of 1,500.

These projects will further diversify Odisha’s industrial base and strengthen its capabilities across chemicals, textiles, manufacturing and automobile-related industries.