Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi will on Wednesday lay foundation stones and inaugurate 46 projects worth ₹39,383 crore, expected to generate employment for around 42,500 people across Odisha.The projects will be unveiled at a mega groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony in Kalinganagar in Jajpur district. Spanning sectors such as steel and metals, chemicals, renewable energy, food processing, biofuels, textiles and apparel, electronics and IT services, logistics and warehousing, tourism and hospitality, industrial gases, infrastructure, rubber and plastics, shipbuilding and repair, energy storage, refractories, circular economy and healthcare, the investments are expected to strengthen the state’s industrial ecosystem and diversify its economic base.The projects are spread across 14 districts: Angul, Bargarh, Balasore, Boudh, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Keonjhar, Khurda, Mayurbhanj, Puri, Sambalpur and Sundargarh.According to officials, the investments will bolster Odisha’s manufacturing base, promote value addition and create opportunities for local suppliers, MSMEs and entrepreneurs. Besides direct industrial jobs, the projects are expected to generate employment in construction, transportation, logistics and allied sectors.The expansion of industries across multiple sectors is also likely to create opportunities for skilled and semi-skilled workers, particularly youth, while supporting local livelihoods and broader economic growth.Officials said the mega groundbreaking and inauguration ceremony in Kalinganagar will mark another milestone in the state’s efforts to translate investment commitments into on-ground projects and accelerate its industrial growth agenda.The programme will also feature roundtable discussions and one-on-one interactions with industry representatives to review project implementation, address investor concerns and explore opportunities for further industrial expansion in the state.The event comes against the backdrop of Odisha’s investment promotion drive launched after Utkarsh Odisha-Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 and a series of investor outreach programmes conducted across India and overseas. The initiatives aimed to position Odisha as a preferred destination for manufacturing and industrial investment, with the focus now shifting to ensuring timely execution of committed projects.Under Majhi’s leadership, Odisha has so far grounded 116 projects and inaugurated 35 others, taking the total number of projects launched to 151. Together, these represent investments of ₹3.11 lakh crore and have the potential to generate employment for more than 2.4 lakh people, officials said.Officials said the simultaneous focus on groundbreaking and inauguration reflects two key stages of industrial development. While groundbreaking marks the commencement of project execution and creation of fresh industrial capacity, inaugurations signify the commissioning of facilities ready to begin production and economic activity.Industries minister Sampad Chandra Swain said the state govt’s priority is not only to attract investments but also to ensure they translate into jobs, livelihoods and tangible economic benefits. “Through sustained investor engagement and effective project facilitation, we are working to strengthen Odisha’s industrial ecosystem and ensure that the benefits of growth reach our people,” he said.Additional chief secretary, industries, Hemant Sharma, said the success of investment promotion lies in implementation. “We are focused on facilitating projects, addressing investor requirements and strengthening coordination so that investments can contribute to industrial capacity, employment and local economic development. The upcoming ceremony reflects Odisha’s continued progress in turning investment commitments into tangible outcomes,” he said.Officials said the ceremony represents another step towards Odisha’s goal of building a diversified and competitive industrial economy. With continued emphasis on project execution and investor facilitation, the state hopes to generate employment, strengthen local enterprises and contribute to its vision of a ‘Samruddha Odisha’ by 2036.