Odisha on the way to the IT hub: Minister announces ambitious plans!

On January 10, 2025, the Indian Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that Odisha should be developed into a prominent IT hub within the next two to three years. This happened during a meeting with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, in which the creation of a modern IT institute in Odisha was also proposed.

The planned IT institute will focus on advanced training courses in the areas of information technology (IT), artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor technology, electronics, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT) and technologies in Industry 4.0. In order to promote the development of IT startups in the region, the 'chip to startup' initiative at four technical institutions is implemented: IIT BHUBANESWAR, NIT ROURKELA, IIIT BHUBANESWAR and Parala Maharaja Engineering College in Berhampur

infrastructure and investments

Vaishnaw emphasized the commitment of the central government to improve the railway infrastructure in Odisha. Projects worth over ₹ 73,000 crore in the region are currently in progress. Further railway projects are also planned in the next five years, including the introduction of six Vande Bharat-Zeits and the modernization of 59 train stations as part of the Amrit Bharat Station Schemes.

Chief Minister Majhi was supportive to the initiative and assured that the required country and support for the establishment of the IT Institute to be made available. Majhi also asked for support in building a semiconductor industry in Odisha.