The High-Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) of Odisha on Wednesday, 17 June approved 20 major industrial projects with a combined investment of ₹76,611.86 crore, projected to generate over 50,517 employment opportunities across nine districts of the state. The clearances were granted at the authority's 45th meeting, held in Bhubaneswar under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.

Key Sectors and Approvals

The approved projects span a wide range of industries, including gemstone manufacturing, green energy equipment, aerospace and defence, rare earth minerals-based value-added products, pharmaceuticals, mechanical and electrical capital goods, chemicals, steel, iron and ferro alloys, and power and renewable energy. According to the official statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office, the approvals reflect the state government's focus on industrial growth, advanced manufacturing, and balanced regional development.

Lab-Grown Diamonds and Solar Push

A standout development from the 45th HLCA meeting is Odisha's emergence as a destination for lab-grown diamond manufacturing. A firm will set up manufacturing units in Khordha with a combined investment of ₹9,817.50 crore, expected to create 8,100 jobs. The green energy sector also saw significant commitments: one company will invest ₹10,000 crore in an ingot, wafer, and solar photovoltaic (PV) cell manufacturing facility in Ganjam, generating 5,000 jobs, while another solar firm will invest ₹1,709.81 crore in a solar PV cell unit in Ganjam, adding 519 more positions.

Critical Minerals and EV-Grade Materials

Odisha's push into critical minerals value-addition received a major boost. A firm will invest ₹1,250 crore to manufacture high-performance EV-grade neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets in Khordha/Cuttack, creating 2,000 jobs. A separate company will put in ₹2,400 crore for a sintered NdFeB permanent magnet facility in Ganjam, also targeting 2,000 positions. Additionally, a ₹2,800 crore investment will establish a titanium dioxide slag and pigment manufacturing unit in Ganjam, generating 1,500 employment opportunities.

What the Government Said

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the approvals demonstrate investor confidence as his government marks two years in office. 'As our government completes two years, Odisha has emerged as one of the leading investment destinations in the country. Through progressive policies, improved ease of doing business, strong infrastructure and proactive investor facilitation, we have been able to attract investments across both traditional and emerging sectors,' he stated. 'Today's approvals reflect growing investor confidence in Odisha and our commitment to creating employment opportunities, promoting industrial growth and ensuring balanced development across the state,' Majhi added.

What Comes Next

With investments now cleared across nine districts, the projects are expected to drive employment in both coastal and interior regions of Odisha, addressing longstanding concerns about uneven industrial development. The state's back-to-back HLCA clearances — this being the 45th such meeting — signal a sustained effort to position Odisha as a competitive investment hub in eastern India, particularly in emerging sectors such as EVs, renewables, and critical minerals.