Haryana's Bold Vision: Panchkula as North India's Silicon Valley
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has unveiled an ambitious blueprint to transform Panchkula into what he describes as "the Silicon Valley of North India". This visionary announcement came during his address at the TiE AI Summit-2026, held in Chandigarh on Saturday evening, where he detailed comprehensive plans to position the state as a premier technology and innovation hub.
World Bank-Backed AI Mission with Rs 470 Crore Support
The cornerstone of this initiative is the proposed "Haryana AI Mission", designed to accelerate artificial intelligence adoption across the state. In a significant development, the World Bank has committed approximately Rs 470 crore in financial assistance to support this groundbreaking project. This substantial investment underscores the international confidence in Haryana's technological potential and governance framework.
Dual AI Hubs to Train 50,000 Youth in Cutting-Edge Technologies
Under this transformative mission, the state government plans to establish two dedicated AI hubs – one in Gurgaon and another in Panchkula. These centers will serve as epicenters for technological education and skill development, with a target to train 50,000 young individuals in emerging technologies. The Panchkula hub, in particular, is envisioned as a state-of-the-art facility spread across 73 acres of land, featuring:
- A pristine, environmentally conscious campus
- Access to highly skilled human resources
- Ultra-high-speed internet connectivity
- Round-the-clock green energy supply
Chief Minister Saini emphasized that this infrastructure would foster a "vibrant centre of deep tech innovation", creating an ecosystem conducive to breakthrough technological advancements.
Comprehensive Support Ecosystem for Startups and Innovation
The Haryana government is implementing a multi-faceted support system to nurture innovation and entrepreneurship:
- Haryana State Research Fund: A newly established fund with an initial corpus of Rs 20 crore to encourage research and development activities.
- Financial Assistance for Startups: The Haryana State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) will provide up to Rs 10 lakh per startup to fuel early-stage ventures.
- Skill Development Initiatives: The Chief Minister's Skill Honour Scheme will offer internships, skill training, employment opportunities, and unemployment allowances to empower the youth.
- Regulatory Sandbox: Creation of a regulatory sandbox environment where innovations can progress without bureaucratic obstacles, with the CM assuring that "the government is not in your way, but standing with you."
Building Collaborative Partnerships for Sustainable Growth
The Haryana infrastructure development body has committed to maintaining regular dialogue with startups, entrepreneurs, and venture capital firms to build robust, mutually beneficial partnerships. This collaborative approach aims to create a self-sustaining innovation ecosystem where ideas can flourish into commercially viable enterprises.
Chief Minister Saini highlighted that Haryana's emergence as "the launchpad of future India" stems from its strong infrastructure foundation, clear policy frameworks, and immense human potential. He described the TiE AI Summit-2026 not merely as an event, but as "a source of inspiration for future generations" that aligns technological progress with human values, ethics, and social responsibility.
The CM concluded with a powerful vision statement: "AI must become a medium of human service — this is our commitment." This human-centric approach to technological advancement distinguishes Haryana's strategy, positioning it as a model for responsible innovation that serves societal needs while driving economic growth.
