Odisha has approved 27 major industrial projects worth ₹2.47 lakh crore, with investments spanning data centres, artificial intelligence, energy, lab-grown diamonds and steel.

The projects were cleared by the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. According to the state government, the projects could create 50,162 jobs once they are implemented.

The IT, IT-enabled services (ITeS) and data-centre sector accounted for nearly ₹1.43 lakh crore of the approved investments. High Density Datacentre Ltd has proposed the largest investment of ₹1.05 lakh crore for an integrated data centre in Khurda.

HCL Technologies plans to establish an AI-optimised data centre with an investment of ₹14,257 crore. Sentraforge AI has proposed ₹22,634 crore for an AI data centre and global capability centre in Puri. RKD Construction will invest ₹1,500 crore in a data centre in Cuttack.

The approvals also include five lab-grown diamond projects with a combined investment of ₹10,680 crore. These projects are planned in Khurda and Ganjam.

The power and energy sector accounts for ₹54,288 crore. NLC India has proposed a 3,200 MW thermal power plant in Deogarh at an investment of ₹34,764 crore and a 1,080 MW plant in Angul with an investment of ₹11,604 crore.

Two pumped-storage projects in Rayagada and Koraput will involve ₹7,920 crore. Steel investments include Rungta Mines’ ₹9,000 crore expansion in Sundargarh and Shakambhari Ispat and Power’s proposed ₹5,000 crore integrated steel plant.

The approvals highlight Odisha’s growing focus on digital infrastructure, energy, advanced manufacturing and industrial development.