Union Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announces electronics manufacturing cluster for Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: Electronics and IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday announced an electronics manufacturing cluster will be built in Odisha. Vaishnaw, also the railway minister, declared that new projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore would be implemented in the state in the next five years, while addressing a programme organised by the BJP to felicitate newly elected party MPs and MLAs of Odisha.
"There is a bright future in the electronics and IT sector. Youths will have opportunities in this industry and contribute to the country's economic growth story. The electronics manufacturing cluster will be a part of this growth story," Vaishnaw said.
He said funds have been sanctioned for the manufacturing cluster. "Although funds were allotted for the project in 2016, there was no progress due to the neglect of the previous govt. I request the chief minister to take the project forward," he added.
Vaishnaw said they would also establish a training facility for youths to secure jobs in the semiconductor industry. "I urge the chief minister to give us time to discuss the matter within one month and review the works of my ministries - railways, electronics and IT," he added.
Vaishnaw, who is also the railway minister, said new projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore would be implemented in the state in the next five years. "Congress and BJD govts had neglected the state, but we will give justice to the people of Odisha and create new records," he added.
He told the gathering that Centre has constructed 1,826 km of new railway lines in Odisha during the last 10 years, which was more than the railway network of Sri Lanka (1,700 km).
"The railways will run 315 special trains to and from Puri for Rath Yatra. Last year, 222 special trains were operated for Rath Yatra. The number was 89 a decade ago," he added. The railway minister said the BJP govt will serve the people of Odisha for the next 50 years.