In the next two to three years, Odisha will become a major IT hub, according to a statement made on Thursday by Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology.

Speaking to reporters here, Vaishnaw stated that he had in-depth talks with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi over the matter at the direction of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“In the next two to three years, we will turn Odisha into a major IT powerhouse. By providing training in information technology, electronics, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, the newest machine learning, the Internet of Things, and Industry 4.0, the youth will be ready, and Odisha will become a significant IT hub,” the Union Minister continued.

The Union Minister also informed the reporters that he and CM Majhi had a thorough talk about the matter and that the first step would be made in the coming months.

Vaishnaw claimed that at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s request, he had a thorough conversation about the matter with Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The ‘Chip to Startup’ program is being organized at four technical institutions—IIT Bhubaneswar, NIT Rourkela, IIIT Bhubaneswar, and Parala Maharaja Engineering College, Berhampur—to support the growth of IT startups in Odisha, Vaishnaw added.

Additionally, the central government intends to build a top-notch IT training facility in the state. CM Majhi promised to supply appropriate land and everything that could be done.

During the 2024 general elections, Union Minister Vaishnaw also claimed that the BJP administration had pledged to invest Rs 1 lakh crore in the construction of Odisha’s railways whenever it came to power.

Additionally, he disclosed that the state has already begun development on projects totaling over Rs 73,000 crore. According to sources, Vaishnaw stated that the Railways would undertake numerous new railway projects in Odisha over the course of the next five years during the talks with Chief Minister Majhi. Additionally, according to government sources, Odisha built 1,827 km of railway lines between 2014 and 2024—more than Sri Lanka’s entire railway network.

Additionally, 427 rail under-bridges have been built during this time. Up to six Vande Bharat trains are already operating in Odisha, while the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme will renovate 59 stations.

In addition to expressing his support for the proposal, Chief Minister Majhi promised to provide the IT institute with the appropriate land and other support it would need. In order to establish a semiconductor sector in Odisha, he also asked the Union Minister for assistance.