Odisha attracts Rs 1.67 lakh crore investment, set to generate nearly 1.46 lakh jobs: CM Majhi

Odisha is steadily transforming into a major industrial destination as it moves beyond its traditional reliance on natural resources and embraces technology-driven growth sectors, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Wednesday. The state has attracted investment proposals worth Rs 1.67 lakh crore through recent investors’ meets, with the potential to generate employment for nearly 1.46 lakh people.

The chief minister said the strong investor response at roadshows held in Hyderabad and Kolkata reflects growing confidence in Odisha’s evolving industrial strategy. He noted that the state is positioning itself as an emerging industrial powerhouse by prioritising future-ready industries alongside its established strengths.

“While Odisha has long been associated with steel, mining and heavy industries, we are now expanding into fast-growing sectors such as IT and IT-enabled services, aerospace and defence, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, biotechnology, technical textiles, engineering goods, plastics, chemicals, packaging and recycling,” Majhi said. These focus areas were highlighted during the Odisha Investors’ Meets organised in Hyderabad in December 2025 and in Kolkata earlier this month.

As part of the outreach, six sector-specific roundtable meetings were held across the two cities. Discussions in Hyderabad centred on pharmaceuticals as well as aerospace and defence, while Kolkata hosted deliberations on hosiery, apparel accessories and technical textiles, metal ancillaries, downstream and engineering industries, plastics, chemicals, packaging and recycling, along with medical devices and biotechnology.

According to Majhi, 123 representatives from leading industries and corporate houses took part in the interactions, resulting in investment intents amounting to Rs 1.67 lakh crore with substantial employment potential.

Highlighting the state’s infrastructure advantages, Majhi pointed to Odisha’s extensive port network at Paradip, Dhamra, Gopalpur, Bahuda and Inchudi-Subarnarekha, improved air connectivity and a strong road network. He added that dedicated industrial parks, MSME clusters and special economic zones offer ready-to-use facilities for investors.

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To meet future workforce requirements, the state plans to set up three additional advanced skill development centres in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Berhampur.

Inviting investors to partner in Odisha’s growth journey, Majhi said the state is open to collaborations in new-age sectors to build a future-ready economy.