Tata Electronics has started building its Rs 27,000-crore semiconductor chip assembly plant in Assam. This new facility, located in Jagiroad, Morigaon district, is expected to be operational by 2025 and will initially create 27,000 jobs.
Bhumi Pujan Ceremony
The foundation stone laying ceremony, known as Bhumi Pujan, was held at the project site with Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran in attendance. Chandrasekaran announced that Tata Electronics has already employed 1,000 people from Assam and aims to bring in the entire semiconductor ecosystem as the facility expands.
Job Creation and Expansion
Chandrasekaran stated, “At its capacity, it will employ 27,000 people, including 15,000 direct jobs and an additional 12,000 indirect jobs. We want to move fast and hope to complete the facility by 2025 to start operations quickly.”
Government Support
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the project on February 29, 2024. Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the quick start of construction within five months of approval, emphasizing that the plant will produce 4.83 crore chips per day using technologies developed in India.
Usage and Impact
The chips produced at this plant will be used in various applications, including vehicles and 5G network infrastructure. Vaishnaw explained, “Semiconductor is a foundational industry. The establishment of this plant will create numerous downstream and upstream employment opportunities due to the complex ecosystem.”
Talent Development
A significant part of the India Semiconductor Mission involves developing talent. Nine institutes in the northeast, including NITs in Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura, Agartala, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, and institutes in Meghalaya, are working to train 85,000 individuals for the semiconductor industry.
Chief Minister’s Remarks
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the day a “golden day” for Assam and assured Tata Sons that they would face no difficulties in setting up the plant. Sarma highlighted the support from Prime Minister Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Union Minister Vaishnaw in making this facility a reality.
Future Developments
In addition to the semiconductor chip assembly and testing plant in Assam, Tata Electronics is also setting up India’s first wafer fabrication unit in Dholera, Gujarat. This plant will produce 50,000 wafers per month and involves an investment of Rs 91,000 crore, with the first chip expected by December 2026.
