THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 26, 2026

Odisha has unveiled the ambitious 'Go East' platform and announced sweeping amendments to its Industrial Policy Resolution (IPR)-2022, signalling a major push to transform the state into eastern India's premier industrial hub while promoting balanced regional development.

Launching the Government of Odisha – Eastern Investment Accelerator and Special Task Force (Go East) at the CII Eastern Regional Council Meeting 2026 in Bhubaneswar on Friday, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the state is determined to emerge as the leading industrial destination in eastern India within the next five years through faster approvals, investor-friendly policies and efficient project execution.

The Go East initiative has been designed to attract investments from eastern and northeastern states by offering dedicated facilitation, policy support and time-bound implementation of projects. The Chief Minister said the platform would enable industries to retain their manufacturing base and existing markets in their home states while expanding operations in Odisha with full government support.

To ensure speedy execution, the state will constitute a Special Task Force to fast-track investment proposals, establish a dedicated Go East Cell within the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL), and introduce a new Go Swift digital module for real-time monitoring and tracking of investment approvals.

Majhi said the initiative would place special emphasis on Odisha's border districts, where new industrial growth centres are expected to emerge, fostering inclusive industrialisation and generating employment in underserved regions.

In a significant policy announcement, the Chief Minister said 15 economically backward districts, including Balangir, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Boudh and Gajapati, have been accorded 'Thrust Sector' status for promoting non-mineral-based industries under the amended IPR-2022. The move is expected to diversify Odisha's industrial landscape beyond mining while encouraging manufacturing investments across backward regions.

Highlighting governance reforms, Majhi said industrial approval timelines have been slashed from nearly 400 days to less than 160 days through the state's Deregulation 1.0 and 2.0 initiatives, with the government now targeting approvals in under 100 days.

Showcasing Odisha's strong investment momentum, the Chief Minister said the state has approved 477 industrial projects worth nearly ₹9.5 lakh crore since June 2024, with the potential to create around six lakh jobs. Of these, 12 mega projects involving investments exceeding ₹3.11 lakh crore have already entered the implementation stage and are nearing inauguration, reflecting the state's ability not only to attract investments but also to execute them at record speed.

Majhi said Odisha is steadily expanding beyond its mineral-based economy by promoting sunrise sectors such as steel, aluminium, chemicals, petrochemicals, semiconductors and electronics. He added that the state's 'Samruddha Odisha 2036' vision is aligned with the national goal of 'Viksit Bharat 2047', positioning Odisha as one of India's most investor-friendly manufacturing destinations.

Further strengthening investor confidence, seven strategic Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were signed across six sectors — steel, metal downstream, textiles, power, green energy equipment and chemicals. The agreements represent a cumulative investment potential of approximately ₹24,823 crore and are expected to generate nearly 29,500 employment opportunities.

Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain also addressed the gathering, highlighting Odisha's skilled youth workforce and the government's efforts to align skill development programmes with industry requirements. Inviting CII members to partner in the state's growth journey, he called for collaboration in identifying sector-specific investment opportunities, integrating MSMEs into national and global supply chains through partnerships with large industries, and equipping young people with future-ready skills to meet evolving industrial demands.