New Delhi, September 28 – Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, expressed confidence that Mohali in Punjab is poised to become another significant semiconductor hub in India as the nation embarks on its journey into chip manufacturing.
Acknowledging Continental Device India Private Limited (CDIL) for taking the lead as the first Indian company to commence the production of Silicon Carbide devices for electric vehicles (EVs), Minister Chandrasekhar commended this achievement while inaugurating the new surface mount semiconductor packaging line. He underscored that this accomplishment aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of expanding India’s footprint in the global electronics manufacturing landscape.
Chandrasekhar shared his enthusiasm on social media, stating, “Inaugurated and witnessed the growth plan of CDIL at their new cutting-edge surface mount semiconductor packaging line and high-reliability testing lab setup through support of the IT Ministry’s SPECS scheme.” He also extended his congratulations to CDIL for adding a new production capacity of 50 million units, elevating their total annual production capacity to over 550 million units.
The minister conducted the virtual inauguration ceremony for CDIL’s state-of-the-art Surface Mount Semiconductor Packaging Line, situated in Mohali.
CDIL, as highlighted by the minister, is already a prolific manufacturer of a wide range of electronic components, including transistors, diodes, rectifiers, MOSFETs, voltage regulators, and various discrete semiconductor devices.
In addition to its achievements, CDIL has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL), a prominent research institute in Mohali under the aegis of the IT Ministry. This strategic collaboration aims to position Mohali as a comprehensive and end-to-end semiconductor hub within India.
Remarkably, India has witnessed significant developments in the semiconductor industry within a relatively short span of 15 months. The nation has witnessed the establishment of its first semiconductor plant in Sanand, Gujarat, marking a momentous milestone. Alongside this, multiple manufacturing proposals have surfaced, and eight chip designing startups have commenced operations in India.
Anticipated for December 2024, the arrival of the first India-made chip from the Rs 22,500 crore Micron plant in Sanand stands as a testament to the progress being made in the semiconductor sector. The Assembly, Test, Marking, and Packaging (ATMP) unit of the company is currently under construction on a sprawling 93-acre site in Sanand GIDC-II industrial estate. It is expected to be commissioned within the next 18 months.
These developments underscore the rapid advancement and growing prominence of India in the global semiconductor landscape. The journey towards establishing semiconductor hubs like Mohali signifies India’s commitment to boosting its electronics manufacturing capabilities and positioning itself as a key player in the semiconductor industry.
