In a significant development to bolster India’s capability to manufacture semiconductors, the US-based Micron Technology is investing ₹22,500 crore in the project. According to Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, on Saturday (23 September 2023) said the “Bhoomi Pujan” (groundbreaking ceremony) for the country’s first semiconductor plant has taken place in Gujarat.
This is a pivotal moment for India as the country’s first semiconductor plant is being built that will serve the need for global requirements without any hindrance in the supply chain. Also, it is an important step towards a self-reliant India as semiconductors are the driving force in technology. The Union Minister said that the construction of the semiconductor plant would be completed soon, and the first indigenous microchips are expected to be rolled out by December 2024.
“Today ‘Bhoomi Pujan’ of the first semiconductor plant was conducted. This is an important step in carrying forward the PM’s vision (of Atmanirbhar Bharat). The construction of the plant will be completed soon and the first indigenous microchips will roll out from here by December 2024,” Mr Vaishnaw said.
The minister of Electronics and Information Technology further added, “In 2014, the manufacturing cost of mobile phones in India was ₹ 17,000 crores. This has now soared to ₹ 3,65,000 crores. The electronics industry, once valued at ₹ 1,90,000 crores, has expanded to be worth ₹ 8,30,000 crores. “Exports have increased fivefold, rising from ₹ 40,000 crores to ₹ 2,00,000 crores,”.
The construction of this semiconductor plant is only the first step for India to become a major player in the manufacture and export of semiconductor chips as the nation is working to become a major semiconductor hub.
India started the semiconductor mission in 2021 as the world was emerging from Covid which had created problems in the supply chain. For a country like India which is now the leader in cell phone manufacturing, semiconductors is the driving force and it must not find itself standing in the queue to get the semiconductor technology.
On June 22, the Taiwan based global semiconductor giant Micron announced it has plans to invest USD 825 million in building a new assembly and test facility in Gujarat that will meet both domestic and international demand. But more importantly, it reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance in semiconductor technology.
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