BHUBANESWAR : In a major push to attract semiconductor and electronics investments, the Odisha government has decided to establish a world-class electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM) and semiconductor park in the city soon.
Official sources said the proposed park will come up in an area of more than 200 acres close to IIT-Bhubaneswar. The park will serve as a comprehensive hub for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing, R&D, chip design, testing, training and skill development, along with allied infrastructure.
To set up the park with all facilities, the Electronics and IT department will soon sign a tripartite agreement with IIT-Bhubaneswar and the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco). The E&IT department has been asked to initiate necessary steps with the help of Idco for swapping the land in possession of the IIT. As part of the arrangement, the IIT will undertake detailed technical due diligence studies on infrastructure readiness and ecosystem assessment.
Last month, at a high-level meeting chaired by the chief secretary, it was decided that two land parcels - 223 acres and 187 acres would be swapped between IIT-Bhubaneswar and the state government for establishment of the ESDM and semiconductor park.
“The institute will play a key role in providing academic, research and innovation support in semiconductor and allied fields. The initiative will help create a robust and enabling ecosystem to attract leading global and domestic players across the semiconductor value chain,” said an official of the E&IT department.
The proposed park assumes significance with Odisha’s growing footprint in the semiconductor and electronics sector. Several semiconductor and electronics companies, including SiCSem Private Limited, RIR Power Electronics Ltd and US-headquartered 3D Glass Solutions Inc have already signed MoUs to set up manufacturing facilities in the state.
“The ESDM and semiconductor park will act as a catalyst. Idco will prepare a comprehensive master plan for the park, covering industrial facilities, R&D zones, training centres and other social infrastructure. Startups emerging from the park ecosystem will be incubated through IIT’s research and entrepreneurship wing and Startup Odisha,” the official added.