THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, JULY 24, 2026
In a significant push to strengthen Odisha’s position as a
fast-emerging technology and innovation hub, the state government on Friday
signed two landmark Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with global IT major
HCLTech and indigenous artificial intelligence company Sarvam AI. The
agreements, which promise investments of up to Rs 15,000 crore over the next
five years, are expected to transform Odisha’s digital ecosystem while
generating thousands of high-skilled employment opportunities.
The MoUs were signed at the Convention Centre of Lok Seva
Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, senior government
officials and industry leaders. Under the agreements, HCLTech will establish a
Global Delivery Centre in Odisha, while Sarvam AI will set up a Sovereign AI
Park along with an AI-optimised Data Centre, marking a major milestone in the
state’s technology-driven industrial expansion.
Describing the occasion as the beginning of a new era for
Odisha’s industrial and technological landscape, Chief Minister Majhi said the
projects would usher in a new wave of innovation and economic growth. He
informed that the initial phase would involve an investment of Rs 730 crore,
creating direct employment opportunities for more than 6,000 skilled youth. The
cumulative investment from both projects is projected to scale up to Rs 15,000
crore over the next five years.
Highlighting Odisha’s growing investment appeal, the Chief
Minister said the state is aggressively positioning itself among the country’s
leading destinations for high-technology industries. He reiterated the
government’s commitment to securing a place among the top three states in NITI
Aayog’s Investment Friendliness Index, pointing to rapid progress across strategic
sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals,
textiles and information technology.
Majhi also underlined the significance of Sarvam AI’s
indigenous AI platform, noting that its capability to support Odia and several
other Indian languages would make advanced AI services more inclusive and
accessible. He said the initiative would enable the development and deployment
of AI solutions directly from Odisha, strengthening the state’s digital
infrastructure while promoting linguistic diversity in technology.
HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra thanked the Odisha
government for its support and reaffirmed the company’s long-term commitment to
the state. She announced plans to establish a dedicated AI Park in Odisha,
describing the initiative as a landmark step in India’s artificial intelligence
journey and a testament to the state’s growing prominence in the country’s
technology ecosystem.
State Electronics and Information Technology Minister Mukesh Mahaling termed the signing of the MoUs a historic milestone, saying the partnerships reinforce Odisha’s emergence as a preferred destination for investments in electronics, information technology and advanced digital infrastructure.
The twin agreements are expected to significantly strengthen Odisha’s innovation ecosystem, attract further investments in cutting-edge technologies and accelerate the state’s transformation into one of India’s leading destinations for AI, digital services and next-generation technology industries.
