THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JANUARY 28, 2026

 “Western Odisha is no longer the next frontier of growth; it is a core engine of Odisha’s development,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said while inaugurating the Silver Jubilee edition of Enterprise Odisha 2026 in Rourkela, setting the tone for what emerged as one of the most consequential industrial gatherings in the state’s recent history.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the 25th edition of Enterprise Odisha and dedicated multiple industrial projects in Western Odisha to the nation, reinforcing the region’s central role in Odisha’s economic transformation. The event marked a decisive acceleration in industrial momentum, with projects worth ₹8,884 crore inaugurated and grounded, generating 6,832 employment opportunities. In parallel, MoUs and investment intents worth a staggering ₹52,026 crore were achieved, carrying an employment potential of over 20,427 jobs.

Addressing an audience of policymakers, industrial leaders and entrepreneurs, CM Majhi said the Silver Jubilee edition symbolised a new mindset for Odisha—one that aims to compete with the best across sectors. He underlined that the theme, “Odisha: Best Place to Live, Work and Do Business,” reflects the government’s integrated vision where economic growth advances alongside quality of life, employment generation and ease of living.

Outlining the state’s industrial strategy, the Chief Minister emphasised the development of anchor industries in every region, supported by a robust ecosystem of MSMEs. This approach, he noted, would create local supply chains and ensure that employment opportunities reach the doorsteps of Odisha’s youth, reducing migration and strengthening regional economies.

The event saw the inauguration of 11 industrial projects involving an investment of ₹5,708 crore and employment for 4,183 people, followed by the grounding of nine projects worth ₹3,176 crore, expected to create 2,649 jobs. Leading industry players including Tata Steel, MCL, JSW, Vedanta, Dalmia Cement, SAIL, AMNS and the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce participated in the conclave, which drew more than 500 stakeholders from across the industrial ecosystem.

During his Rourkela visit, CM Majhi also held three high-level roundtable discussions with the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce, the Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturing Association and delegations from Ranchi and Raipur. These interactions highlighted the growing strategic importance of the RRR Corridor — Raipur–Ranchi–Rourkela — as a hub of inter-state industrial collaboration. As a result, 22 MoUs worth ₹43,349 crore were signed with an employment potential of 18,985, while five additional investment intents worth ₹8,677 crore were received.

A major highlight of the event was the handover of the land allotment letter for 1,447.927 acres at Kamakhyanagar, Dhenkanal, to Vedanta Aluminium Ltd for its proposed 3 MTPA aluminium smelter and 4,900 MW captive power plant. Approved by the 41st High Level Clearance Authority, the allotment signals a significant step towards fast-tracking one of Odisha’s largest upcoming industrial projects.

Minister for Industries, Skill Development and Technical Education Sampad Chandra Swain said Enterprise Odisha 2026 is firmly focused on delivery, with investor interest rapidly translating into projects on the ground. He stressed that targeted skilling and up-skilling initiatives are being aligned with industry needs to ensure that Western Odisha’s manufacturing growth remains employment-led and future-ready.

Enterprise Odisha marked a defining moment in the state’s industrial journey. With renewed focus on Western Odisha, balanced regional development and a clear execution-driven approach, Odisha is steadily positioning itself as one of India’s most promising destinations for investment, jobs and inclusive growth—making this, as the state’s leadership asserts, the right time to accelerate towards a Samruddha Odisha by 2036.