Odisha’s Digital Leap
Odisha has steadily transformed itself into one of India’s most promising destinations for technology and digital innovation. With strong policy support and a growing skilled workforce, the state has made notable progress in its journey toward becoming a knowledge-driven economy. Now, its ambitions have received a significant boost: software major Zoho Corporation has announced plans to set up a state-of-the-art data centre in Khordha, with an investment of ₹306 crore.
Green Light Under Data Centre Policy 2022
The project was cleared in the 135th meeting of the State-Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA), held earlier this year. This move aligns seamlessly with Odisha’s Data Centre Policy 2022, designed to attract global and domestic tech investments into cloud infrastructure, digital parks, and data innovation hubs. By hosting Zoho’s facility, the state hopes to strengthen its role as an eastern hub for IT and allied services while reinforcing India’s digital sovereignty.
Zoho’s Data Localisation Push
Unlike many global competitors, Zoho has long championed the principle of data localisation. Currently, it operates centres in Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai. The Khordha facility will further decentralise its storage network and ensure secure, efficient data handling for millions of users. Founder Sridhar Vembu emphasised that the new centre will keep Indian user data within the country, an increasingly important issue in the era of rising cyber threats and data privacy concerns.
A Boost for Jobs and Local Economy
Khordha has emerged as a preferred choice for IT projects, thanks to its connectivity, supportive policies, and availability of talent. The upcoming Zoho centre is expected to generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities for the region’s youth. Beyond jobs, it will also encourage the growth of supporting industries such as digital infrastructure, IT services, and cybersecurity solutions.
Arattai’s Meteoric Rise
Zoho’s investment comes at a time when its homegrown messaging app, Arattai, has seen a dramatic surge in popularity. Launched in 2021 as an Indian alternative to WhatsApp, Arattai—which means “chat” in Tamil—offers encrypted calls, voice and video messaging, and group chat features. Plans are underway to extend encryption to text messaging as well.
The app’s growth accelerated after senior government leaders, including Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, began promoting the use of Zoho’s products in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for swadeshi technology adoption. Between September 21 and 27 alone, Arattai’s downloads soared by 185 percent in India, while daily active users increased nearly fortyfold. Registrations jumped from 3,000 per day to over 3.5 lakh—a scale that has made expanding infrastructure urgent.
Meeting Rising Digital Demand
The Odisha data centre is expected to play a pivotal role in supporting this explosive demand. By providing reliable and scalable infrastructure, the facility will not only serve Arattai but also strengthen Zoho’s wider product ecosystem, which includes office productivity tools and enterprise software.
Odisha’s Bold Step into the Future
For Odisha, Zoho’s ₹306-crore investment is more than just a corporate project—it signals the state’s growing role in India’s digital growth story. As Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has highlighted, Odisha is determined to attract world-class investments that align with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Digital India.
A Win-Win for Odisha and India
The new centre represents a convergence of state policy, corporate ambition, and national goals. It will enhance cyber resilience, foster employment, and accelerate Odisha’s journey toward becoming a digital hub. For India, it is another step in reducing reliance on foreign platforms and building indigenous digital capacity. With Zoho’s entry, Odisha has set the stage for more global and domestic technology giants to follow, marking a defining moment in its development narrative.
(With agency inputs)
