In a landmark development that reinforces Odisha’s emergence as India’s next-generation technology and innovation hub, HCLTech has announced a massive INR 14,257 crore investment to establish its first Sovereign AI Data Centre at the upcoming Odisha Sovereign AI Park. The project, being developed in partnership with AI startup Sarvam and the Government of Odisha, represents one of the country’s largest investments in sovereign artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The announcement marks another significant milestone in Odisha’s rapidly transforming industrial and digital landscape under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. The state has increasingly positioned itself as a preferred destination for high-value investments spanning semiconductors, electronics, IT, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, textiles, and now, sovereign AI infrastructure.
The proposed AI Data Centre will become the technological backbone of the Odisha Sovereign AI Park, providing high-performance computing infrastructure for AI model training, deployment, and inference. By combining HCLTech’s global AI infrastructure expertise with Sarvam’s indigenous foundation models, the facility aims to accelerate the development of secure, India-centric AI applications for enterprises, government departments, and public sector organizations while addressing the country’s growing demand for data sovereignty.
The announcement follows HCLTech’s recent US$150 million strategic investment in Sarvam, part of a US$234 million funding round, valuing the Indian AI startup at US$1.5 billion. This strategic partnership highlights growing confidence in India’s indigenous AI ecosystem and Odisha’s potential to become one of its principal growth centres.
Adding further momentum, HCLTech has also announced the establishment of a Global Technology Centre in Bhubaneswar, expected to generate approximately 5,000 high-skilled employment opportunities. Scheduled to commence operations by 2028, the centre will deliver AI-led digital transformation solutions to global enterprises, further strengthening Odisha’s position in the global technology ecosystem.
Speaking on the announcement, Roshni Nadar Malhotra, Chairperson of HCLTech, stated that the initiative aligns with the vision of Digital India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, while contributing significantly to India’s sovereign AI ecosystem through focused investments and strategic partnerships.
The investment also reflects the Odisha Government’s proactive policy framework, investor-friendly ecosystem, and commitment to building world-class digital infrastructure capable of attracting marquee global technology companies.
With investments of this scale, Odisha continues to redefine its economic identity—from being recognised primarily for its natural resources to emerging as a leading destination for knowledge-driven industries, digital infrastructure, and advanced technology.
As India accelerates towards becoming a global AI leader, Odisha is increasingly positioning itself at the forefront of this transformation.