- The Odisha government signed MoUs with HCL Technologies and Sarvam AI for setting up an AI data centre and a global delivery centre in Khurda district, with a proposed investment of more than ₹15,000 crore over the next five years.
- The AI data centre project alone entails a planned capital outlay of ₹14,257 crore, including financial assistance from the state government.
- An investment of ₹730 crore will be made for the global delivery centre, which will significantly strengthen the state’s digital ecosystem.
- The initiative is expected to provide direct employment opportunities to more than 6,000 highly-educated and skilled youth of Odisha.
- HCL Technologies chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra stated that HCL is fully prepared to invest in Odisha.
- The Odisha Sovereign AI Park will combine high-performance computing infrastructure with Indian AI models and real-world applications.
- The MoU signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra aims to provide secure, scalable, and inclusive digital infrastructure for government, research institutions, startups, and enterprises.
- The project is intended to place Odisha as the leading sovereign AI hub while strengthening India’s position in the AI ecosystem.
- HCLTech will also establish an AI and digital engineering global delivery centre in Bhubaneswar in two phases, expected to generate more than 5,000 direct jobs.
HCLTech has partnered with the Odisha government to establish a world-class AI data centre and a global delivery hub in Khurda district, with a total investment of ₹14,257 crore. This initiative is expected to create over 6,000 direct jobs and significantly enhance the state's digital ecosystem.1
The agreements, signed in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and HCLTech Chairperson Roshni Nadar Malhotra, aim to position Odisha as a leading sovereign AI hub in India. The AI data centre will be part of the Sovereign AI Park and will provide secure, scalable, and inclusive digital infrastructure for various sectors including government and startups.578
“This initiative will further strengthen technology-driven economic growth in Odisha and create direct employment opportunities for thousands of highly-educated and skilled youth of the state,” said Majhi. HCLTech's investment is also aligned with the Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The global delivery centre, with an investment of ₹730 crore, is expected to generate thousands of indirect jobs across the broader technology and innovation ecosystem. “We strive to be an enabler of India’s sovereign AI ecosystem with differentiated offerings across the value chain through focused investments and partnerships,” said Malhotra.3
Sarvam AI co-founder Pratyush Kumar emphasized that the project will integrate high-performance computing with Indian AI models, enhancing applications in agriculture, health, education, and defense sectors.
Overall, this landmark investment marks HCLTech's first foray into Odisha, aiming to bolster the state's position in the global AI landscape.
“The MoU entails a total investment of ₹15,000 crore, with the AI data centre costing ₹14,257 crore and the global delivery centre ₹730 crore. The projects are expected to generate over 6,000 direct jobs for skilled youth, with CM Mohan Charan Majhi stating the initiative will strengthen Odisha's position as a technology hub.”
