Bhubaneswar, Oct 14: Odisha has taken a major step towards accelerating industrial growth with the inauguration and foundation-laying of 46 medium and large industrial projects worth ₹39,383 crore across 14 districts.

The projects are expected to generate 42,512 employment opportunities.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi attended the industrial event at Kalinganagar in Jajpur district and launched the projects.

Majhi described the initiative as a “golden chapter” in Odisha's second industrial revolution.

He emphasised that his government was translating investment commitments into operational industries and employment for Odia youth.

The projects span Angul, Bargarh, Balasore, Boudh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Khordha, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Sambalpur and Sundargarh. Major industrial developments include carbon steel and stainless steel projects by Jindal Stainless Limited, as well as Tata Steel's downstream facilities, slurry pipeline, grinding and filtration units. Projects by Indian Metals and Ferro Alloys Limited, Jatia Steel Limited, BK Utkal Steel and Shri M.K. Steel are also expected to strengthen Odisha's industrial base.

The Chief Minister highlighted the government's ambition to build a prosperous Odisha with a $500 billion economy within the next decade, in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Purvodaya vision.

He also stressed balanced regional development, with steel industries in mineral-rich districts, renewable energy projects in Angul and Dhenkanal, food processing in Khordha, and tourism and hospitality investments in several other districts.

According to the government, 151 projects have been inaugurated or grounded in less than two years, involving investments exceeding ₹3.11 lakh crore and creating employment opportunities for more than 240,000 people. Including the latest initiatives, the total value of grounded projects has crossed ₹3.5 lakh crore.

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The government is also prioritising labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, food processing and pharmaceuticals to reduce migration for employment. Textile parks, modern skill-training facilities and the World Skill Center are expected to prepare young people for emerging industrial sectors.

Majhi reaffirmed the government's commitment to investor support through a transparent single-window clearance system and a supportive industrial policy. With 560 industrial proposals approved, involving investments exceeding ₹12.07 lakh crore, Odisha aims to strengthen its position as a major manufacturing and investment destination.