Nestle India To Set Up Food Processing Unit On Bhubaneswar Outskirts

Bhubaneswar, July 11: Close on the heels of ITC setting up a food processing plant in the Khurda district, Nestle India has also decided to set up an Rs 894 crore food processing unit on the outskirts of the Capital City.

The proposal was cleared by the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority (SLSWCA).  The unit will employ 827 people.

Nestle is one of the world’s largest food and beverages company and, according to the company’s website, it has eight manufacturing facilities in India. It produces some of the well-known brands available on shelves.

Nestle’s decision to set up its unit in Odisha reflects a greater inclination among corporate India to set up a base in Odisha, traditionally neglected for multiple factors.

In May this year, ITC’s state-of-the-art Integrated Consumer Goods Manufacturing and Logistics (ICML) facility was also inaugurated at Khurda by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

The investments followed the Odisha Government announcing its food processing policy in 2022 to increase the flow of private sector investments across the value chain from farm gate to market. The Policy provides fiscal & non-fiscal incentives, infrastructure development, skill development and cluster approach for the development of the sector.

At its meeting on Monday, the SLSWCA also cleared several other big-ticket investment proposals. They include a Rs 980 crore chemical manufacturing unit by Himadri Speciality Chemicals at Jajpur and a Rs 200 crore integrated apparel manufacturing facility by Colortone Garments at Khurda. This facility will employ 4820 workers.