Bhubaneswar: : Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was felicitated by industrialists, industry representatives and members of industry associations at Lok Seva Bhawan today after Odisha was ranked among the top 5 states in the country in the Investment Friendliness Index-2026 published by NITI Aayog.
According to the index, Gujarat topped the list with 56.6 points. Odisha secured the fifth position overall with 52.4 points. Maharashtra is in second place, Tamil Nadu in third and Goa in fourth. Among large states, Odisha stands at fourth. While Gujarat, Goa and Maharashtra from western India made it to the top 5, Tamil Nadu was the only state from southern India. Among northern and eastern states, only Odisha has been ranked as a top performer.
Praising the industrialists on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the NITI Aayog ranking is very encouraging. “This has boosted the morale of Team Odisha and the entrepreneurs. Our goal is to place Odisha among the top 5 states not only in the industrial sector but also in the field of economic growth,” he said.
The Chief Minister added that the pace of industrial development in the last two years with the support of industry has never been seen before. “We have worked hard for investment in Odisha. Our government believes in work, not words. We had promised to invest Rs 5 lakh crore in 5 years. But in 2 years, it has crossed Rs 3 lakh crore,” he said.
He noted that while states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu have long been recognized as industrialized states, Odisha started late but is now moving forward at a fast pace. “We have to maintain this speed. We will work to increase the investment fivefold in 5 years,” CM Majhi said.
He further stated the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended full support for industrialization in Odisha. “In 2 years, we have been able to attract capital worth Rs 20 lakh crore. Till now, 453 projects have been sanctioned for setting up industries in the state. This will bring in an investment of Rs 9.50 lakh crore. In the last two years, we have inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 152 projects worth Rs 3.11 lakh crore. This has created employment opportunities for 2.5 lakh youth. We are working keeping in mind the increase in employment with industrialization in all districts,” he added.
Industries Minister Sampada Swain said under the leadership of the Chief Minister, the government is working with commitment. “This honor is not just a rank for us, it shows the love of investors for Odisha. Under the strong leadership of the Chief Minister, Odisha has now become not a state of possibilities, but a state of success,” she said.
Electronics and Information Technology Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling said that in the last two years, under the guidance of the Prime Minister and the leadership of the Chief Minister, Odisha has now been placed on the IT map of the country.
CII, Odisha President Anil Singh thanked the Chief Minister and Team Odisha, and said industrialists, industry representatives, government and officials are working with a team spirit for industrialization. “Under the leadership of the Chief Minister, Odisha will definitely occupy the second position in this index in the coming year,” he said.
ICC, Odisha Chairman Rajiv Sahu said that under the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, there has been continuous progress in the Odisha industrial sector in the last two years.
CII Representative Subrata Tripathi said such development in Odisha had not been seen before. “The dawn of the Honorable Prime Minister begins from Odisha itself,” he said. Other industry representatives also thanked the Chief Minister for giving priority and support to all sectors for industrialization.
Chief Secretary Anu Garg said that with close cooperation from Forest, Water Resources, Revenue and other departments, the state is moving ahead in the industrial sector. Additional Chief Secretary (Industry) Hemant Sharma thanked the Chief Minister for his hard work and commitment for the development of industry in the state.
