Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday, 25 May 2025, toured major manufacturing facilities at the Industrial Parks in Khordha district, underscoring the state government's commitment to generating quality employment for local youth within Odisha. The visits spanned two strategically significant units — an apparel manufacturer supplying a global fashion brand and a defence systems firm — reflecting the breadth of industrial investment taking root in the state.

Trimetro Garments: Odisha's Uniqlo Connection

The Chief Minister's first stop was Trimetro Garments (EPIC Group), a facility of the Hong Kong-headquartered apparel conglomerate, located at the Kalibeti Industrial Area of Khordha. Marking the group's first manufacturing footprint in India, the plant was built with an investment of approximately ₹376 crore and progressed from groundbreaking on 3 April 2025 to inauguration in under a year — a timeline officials described as indicative of Odisha's improved industrial clearance ecosystem.

The facility manufactures garments for globally recognised fashion label Uniqlo, placing Odisha on the international apparel supply chain. The project has generated an employment potential of over 7,000 jobs, with the majority of positions held by women — a notable demographic outcome in a sector that has historically driven female workforce participation across South and Southeast Asia.

Anadrone Systems: Defence Manufacturing Takes Root

Majhi subsequently visited the Mundamba Industrial Park facility of Anadrone Systems Private Limited, a company engaged in critical strategic defence manufacturing. The unit, backed by an investment of ₹96.86 crore, carries an employment potential of 165 people.

During the visit, the Chief Minister reviewed live demonstrations of advanced defence equipment being fabricated at the Khordha facility, including Aerial Targets, Target Launchers and Trailers, Ground Support Equipment, and Ground Stations. The facility represents Odisha's emerging role in India's defence indigenisation push under the broader Make in India framework.

What the Chief Minister Told Workers and Management

At both units, Majhi held detailed interactions with promoters, senior officials, and employees. He emphasised the need for robust worker amenities and directed management to prioritise skill development for Odisha's youth and maximise local hiring. The Chief Minister also assured that the government would ensure the safety, security, and welfare of women employees across industrial units.

Majhi announced two specific infrastructure commitments: the development of modern hostel facilities for workers, and the introduction of EV bus services to make daily commutes easier, safer, and more environmentally sustainable.

The Larger Employment Vision

'The talented youths of Odisha will no longer have to leave their families and native places to work as ordinary labourers in other states in search of livelihood opportunities. Providing them with dignified and quality employment opportunities within Odisha itself remains a top priority and a key commitment of the government,' Majhi said.

This comes amid a broader state-level effort to retain skilled workers who have historically migrated to Gujarat, Maharashtra, and other industrial states. Odisha has been actively courting large-scale industrial investments since the Utkarsh Odisha investor summit, and the Khordha corridor is emerging as a focal point of that strategy. Majhi added that the government is closely monitoring the progress of every industrial project to ensure timely implementation and maximum benefit for the people of the state.

With the Trimetro plant already operational and Anadrone scaling up defence fabrication, Khordha's industrial parks are set to become a benchmark for employment-linked industrial growth in eastern India.