Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India’s Rs 169-crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. The newly established facilities aim to enhance the security, reliability, and accessibility of digital financial services in India. Additionally, they are designed to support training, research, and skills development in the field of cybersecurity across the financial sector.

The inauguration was attended by several dignitaries, including Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram, and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Also present were Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Deputy Chief Ministers Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo and Pravati Parida. Their presence underscored the significance of this initiative for the region and the nation.

The RBI facility occupies 18.55 acres at Info Valley-II in Jatni, with its foundation stone laid by former RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das. The data centre is expected to host critical payment and settlement systems, along with other key initiatives by the RBI, as stated by government officials.

Objectives of the New Facilities

According to a government statement, the data centre is intended to enhance the reach, efficiency, and reliability of digital financial services in India. It aims to provide a secure foundation for the country’s increasingly technology-driven financial economy. The Cybersecurity Training Institute will serve as a dedicated platform for training and research in cybersecurity and enterprise technology, thereby building capabilities across the sector.

Officials indicated that the site was selected for its geographical stability, being distanced from earthquake-prone zones and high-risk international border areas. This strategic location is expected to reduce the facility’s exposure to natural disasters and geopolitical risks, thereby ensuring a more secure operational environment.

PM Modi arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport at 4.15 pm on a special Indian Air Force aircraft. He then travelled by helicopter to Khurda before proceeding by road to the RBI facility. It is reported that the Prime Minister was scheduled to spend approximately one hour at the data centre before returning to the airport by road for his departure around 6.30 pm.

Security and Traffic Management

For the Prime Minister’s visit, around 2,100 police personnel were deployed to ensure security, as reported by officials. In addition, traffic restrictions were imposed from 5.40 pm to 6.40 pm on the route between the RBI data centre and the airport to facilitate smooth transit during the event.

Chief Minister Majhi commented on social media that the data centre would significantly contribute to the development of Odisha. He noted that this marks PM Modi’s ninth visit to the state since the BJP government took office in 2024. Furthermore, he mentioned that the Jatni data centre is the second such facility established in India, following the one in Navi Mumbai.

Officials stated that the new facilities are designed to meet the RBI’s computing needs while providing a secure, resilient, scalable, and future-ready technology system for the central bank and the broader financial sector. The establishment of the data centre and training institute is expected to bolster digital financial services and enhance cybersecurity capabilities across the nation.

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