Odisha to develop Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur & Berhampur as digital hubs

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has announced plans to transform four more cities — Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, and Berhampur — into digital hubs, alongside Bhubaneswar, as part of the state’s push to prepare its youth for careers in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies.

Speaking at the concluding session of TiEcon Bhubaneswar 2025 on Sunday, Majhi said the initiative aims to spread the benefits of IT and electronics sector growth beyond the state capital. “We endeavour to extend this progress to other cities, building the next wave of digital hubs. The vision goes beyond GDP growth — it’s about job creation, youth empowerment, and advancing social justice,” he said.

During the two-day event, the state government inked four Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to strengthen research, innovation, and the startup ecosystem. One agreement between the Department of Electronics & IT and IIT Bhubaneswar focuses on research, pilot projects, policy inputs, and building an innovation ecosystem. Another MoU, between the Odisha Computer Application Centre and the Semiconductor Fabless Accelerator Lab (SFAL), will implement the O-Chip programme, aimed at creating a semiconductor design and manufacturing ecosystem and generating high-end employment opportunities.

A third agreement was signed between the Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council in Odisha and Hitachi MGRM for technical collaboration, while the fourth MoU, between TiE Bhubaneswar and various incubation centres, seeks to strengthen the state’s startup network.

Majhi assured entrepreneurs and investors of full support from the state government. “Once you are here, you will feel Odisha is your second home. You will find a sense of belonging, and together we can make Odisha the entrepreneurial capital of eastern India, fulfilling the vision of Purvodaya — the rise of the East,” he said.

The event saw participation from entrepreneurs, investors, policymakers, and innovators from across India and abroad, who discussed opportunities and collaborations in rapidly evolving sectors.