Odisha’s focus on anchor industries, MSMEs to curb workforce migration: CM Majhi

Bhubaneswar, Jan 28 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday said the State has adopted a clear-cut strategy to establish anchor industries in every region and develop hundreds of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) around them to create local employment and curb migration of the workforce.

Addressing the inaugural session of the 25th edition of Enterprise Odisha 2026 at Rourkela, the Chief Minister said MSMEs would be developed as suppliers, vendors, logistics partners, fabricators, maintenance providers, packaging units and technology partners to large industries.

“Such a step will ensure that youths no longer need to migrate for jobs, as opportunities will come to their doorstep,” Majhi said, adding that with a renewed focus on Western Odisha and balanced industrial growth across all regions, the State is emerging as one of India’s most promising destinations for investment, employment and inclusive growth.

The event witnessed the inauguration of 11 industrial projects involving an investment of Rs 5,708 crore, which are expected to generate employment for 4,183 people. This was followed by the grounding of nine projects worth Rs 3,176 crore, creating employment opportunities for 2,649 persons.

During his visit to Rourkela, the Chief Minister also participated in three key roundtable discussions with the Rourkela Chamber of Commerce, the Orissa Sponge Iron Manufacturing Association (OSIMA), and held a special interaction with industry delegations from Ranchi and Raipur.

These engagements underscored the growing importance of the RRR Corridor—Raipur–Ranchi–Rourkela, reflecting enhanced regional collaboration and shared growth prospects. As a result of these interactions, 22 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 43,349 crore were signed, with an employment potential of 18,985 persons, while five investment intents amounting to Rs 8,677 crore, with potential employment for 1,442 people, were received.

The Chief Minister also handed over the letter offering 1,447.927 acres of land at Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district to Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. for its proposed 3 million tonnes per annum aluminium smelter and 4,900 MW Captive Power Plant (CPP) project.

The land allotment, approved by the 41st High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA), marks a significant milestone in fast-tracking the project towards implementation. The State Government expressed optimism that the next steps would be completed expeditiously to ensure timely grounding of the project.