Kolkata Emerges as India’s Semiconductor R&D Hub

 


Location: Salt Lake (STPI IT Park), Kolkata

1. A Major Tech Win for Bengal

GlobalFoundries, the US-headquartered semiconductor powerhouse, has confirmed plans to establish a fab‑less design and testing centre in Kolkata’s STPI IT complex, located in Salt Lake’s Power Centre—spanning roughly 19,000 sq ft, granted by the state government. This marks a major stride in elevating Kolkata’s status within India's high-technology ecosystem.

2. From Design to Potential Fabrication

Although initially a design-and-test facility, there are active discussions about eventual chip fabrication in Bengal, positioning Kolkata on the semiconductor map . Meanwhile, the tech setup includes a joinery of expertise from GlobalFoundries and Tagore Technology’s GaN (gallium nitride) circuit specialists—forming what GF dubs its “Kolkata Power Centre”.

3. GaN Tech—A Strategic Frontier

The Kolkata Power Centre isn't just any R&D hub—it’s specialized in GaN chips, vital for advanced power electronics, EVs, 5G, IoT, and high‑performance data centres. With this dedicated lab and engineering team, GlobalFoundries aims to expedite GaN chip deployment in global and defense markets.

4. Government Support & Policy Momentum

The West Bengal government is not merely leasing space—they’ve offered prime STPI real estate and are crafting a broader semiconductor policy framework, expected by February 2025, to attract more semiconductor investments. Meanwhile, discussions are underway with another US semiconductor firm, Santech Global, signalling a growing semiconductor ecosystem in the state .

5. What It Means for Kolkata

  • Economic Impact: Potential creation of high‑skilled jobs in engineering, design, and testing, helping retain local tech graduates.

  • Industry Spillover: Increased interest from allied firms—equipment suppliers, R&D vendors, and educational partners.

  • Educating Tomorrow's Workforce: Kolkata’s tech institutions can partner with GlobalFoundries for labs, internships, and talent pipelines .

6. The Road Ahead—Fab Sighting on the Horizon

While fab-less is where it starts, this could lead to on-shore chip fabrication in the medium term, contingent on government incentives, global supply strategies, and policy rollout . If successfully operationalized, Kolkata might host the nation's first semiconductor manufacturing centre—a leap in tech infrastructure.

✍️ Blog Post Angle Suggestions


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Kolkata Metro: Modern Rakes & Expansive Growth Transforming City Transit

Image
  Location: Kolkata 1. Riding the Rail Renaissance Kolkata Metro is ushering in a major shift: two advanced Zhuzhou-made Chinese rakes recently arrived, assembled at Chennai’s Perambur ICF, set to bolster struggling Purple and Orange corridors . These join the fleet of indigenous Medha and older Dalian rakes to support the city’s 61 km rapid transit network. 2. Why the New Rakes Matter Energy‐efficient & eco‑smart: Equipped with VVVF propulsion, regenerative braking, and modern safety systems . Commuter-friendly features: Upcoming Dalian rakes include wider evacuation doors, CCTV, wheelchair zones, and enhanced AC comfort . Alleviating shortages: Purple and Orange lines are strained—running with just 2–3 rakes, causing frequent disruptions. The new fleet brings much-needed backup and reliability . 3. Fleet Strengthening Plans Metro Railway plans to induct over 130 new rakes by 2026 —comprising Chinese (Dalian & Zhuzhou) and Indian-made (Medha, BHEL,...
Read more

Blackstone Acquires South City Mall: A Defining Moment for Kolkata’s Retail Landscape

Image
  Location: South Kolkata, Kolkata 1. A ₹3,250 Crore Deal in the Heart of South Kolkata Global private equity powerhouse Blackstone has officially acquired South City Mall for a staggering ₹3,250 crore —equivalent to approximately $400 million . This transaction—handled by transaction advisor ANAROCK —marks one of the most significant retail property deals in Eastern India . 2. Why South City Mall? Key Stats Size & Scale : Spanning over 1 million sq ft of gross leasable area, it features 150+ stores , a large food court , multiplex cinemas including INOX and IMAX , and parking for around 1,250 cars . Footfall & Turnover : Averaging 55,000–60,000 daily visitors—with 75,000–200,000 on weekends or during festivities—it records an annual turnover of ₹1,800+ crore . 3. What This Means for Blackstone Deepening India Retail Portfolio : Already one of India’s largest commercial property investors, Blackstone bolsters its retail footprint in Kolkata through this crow...
Read more