The Industrial resources of Orissa are considerable. Because most mineral deposits are in the former feudatory states, their exploitation began only after 1947. In the late 20th century Orissa was ahead of all other Indian states in the production and export of iron Ore and Chromites and took a prominent place in the production of Manganese. It also produced Coal, Limestone, Dolomite, and Graphite. Mica and Bauxite.

Large scale Industry, mostly based on Minerals, include a Steel plant and Fertilizer Plant at Rourkela, Ferromanganese plant at Joda and Rayagada, Refractor-producing factories at Rajagangapur and at Belpahara, a refrigerator manufacturing plant at Chowduar; other Industries include Textiles, Glass, Aluminium ingots and Cables and Heavy Machine tools.

The Hirakud Dam project on the Mahanadi River is one of the biggest multipurpose river valley projects of India; the Machhakund hydroelectric project and the Talacher thermal project are other important power projects of Orissa.

Communication facilities were under developed before 1947, but the merger of the Feudatory States with Orissa and the discovery of Mineral resources necessitated the construction of a network of good roads. During the Five Year plans, bold construction programmes are undertaken and bridges were built over most of the major rivers, but the state still lacks adequate railway communications.

An all weather, sheltered, deep-draft port has been constructed at Paradeep at the mouth of Mahanadi river. The port has an extensive hinterland with mineral deposits and a developing Industrial belt.