Centre okays semiconductor plant in Punjab's Mohali; 4 projects worth Rs 4,594 cr to boost India’s tech manufacturing
PTC Web Desk: The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing plant in Punjab, along with three others in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Tuesday. The projects, with a total investment of Rs 4,594 crore, are expected to create large-scale employment opportunities and strengthen India’s position in the global electronics industry.
Construction for all four plants will begin within six months. Ashwini Vaishnaw described semiconductors as a “strategic industry” without which no nation can aspire to join the ranks of developed countries. He noted that two of the approved projects involve highly advanced technology.
The initiative began in 2022 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership to meet India’s rapidly growing semiconductor demand. The combined capacity of the first six semiconductor projects is projected to be 24 billion units annually.
Project details
Odisha: A silicon carbide semiconductor plant in Bhubaneswar will produce components used in missiles, space equipment, and railway engines, and serve as a research hub. Another plant in Odisha will manufacture 3D glass semiconductors with investment from Intel and other global technology leaders.
Punjab: The CDIL plant in Mohali will be developed in collaboration with a South Korean company and cater to multiple industries.
Andhra Pradesh: An ACIP plant will be set up to expand India’s semiconductor production base.
Why semiconductors matter
Semiconductor chips, made primarily from silicon, are critical components in products ranging from helicopters to electronic gadgets. They are essential for manufacturing cars, computers, televisions, mobile phones, telecommunication devices, scanners, railways, smart bulbs, microphones, and cameras.
Leading global semiconductor manufacturers include Intel, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Broadcom, and Nvidia. The United States, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and China are currently the largest producers, with the US leading in research and development.
- With inputs from agencies
