Odisha govt urges Tata Group to set up defence manufacturing cluster

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Wednesday urged Tata Group to set up several industrial projects including a defence electronics manufacturing cluster in the state.

The proposal was mooted by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik when he met the group’s Chairman Cyrus Mistry at the secretariat.

During the discussion, Patnaik proposed several industrial projects, which could be developed by Tata Group.

Proposing the development of an IT and Electronics Manufacturing Cluster at Naraj near Cuttack, Patnaik said an area of 800 acre was set aside for industrial development there, an official said, adding that the discussion was held before the inauguration of Tata Steel’s greenfield project at Kalinga Nagar.

Tata group could also consider setting up a defence electronics manufacturing cluster at Naraj as they had done in Bengaluru, Patnaik said.

The minister also proposed a PV cells manufacturing unit at Infovalley by Tata BP Solar, a hotel at Bhubaneswar by Taj Group, and expansion of TCS by making it a major training centre.

Stating that the progress of industrial park and SEZ at Gopalpur is not up to mark, the chief minister asked Mistry to consider defence manufacturing there.

“Tata Group chairman and other heads of the group assured to consider these project proposals at the earliest. It was decided there will be further discussion on these suggestions” a release issued by Patnaik’s office said.

PTI