Promotion of Visakhapatnam as an IT destination may get a shot in the arm with the State government deciding to roll out a red carpet to big players.
The strategy is two-pronged. “We want to invite big players to invest in infrastructure and woo investments in IT as well as to provide incubation centres for plug in and plug out operators for start-up ventures and build a signature tower, an iconic super-structure to promote Brand Vizag,” a senior official of Industries Department told The Hindu.
Apparently as the first step, in-principle decision has been taken to allot 13 acres at Gambheeram to Society for Applied Microwave Electronics Engineers and Research (SAMEER) for setting up R&D campus with an investment of Rs.100 crore. Wipro Limited, which started its campus on the old TB Hospital premises, is being granted Special Economic Zone status.
Tech Mahindra, which already has a centre opposite Wipro building, is also being promised allotment of 10 acres at Hill No. 3, Rushikonda to start software development-cum-training centres. All these facilities are expected to create jobs for 10,000 to 15,000 in next few years.
Sources said after finalising New IT Policy with single window clearance shortly, the government would consult experts in IT to woo major players like Infosys and TCS and prepare a roadmap for promoting exports.
“We want business-friendly environment to promote IT in Visakhapatnam, a city with tremendous potential to become the most important hub in Andhra Pradesh,” said Vizag IT Association president Deepak S. Madala.
InfrastructureSeveral existing IT investors feel creation of support infrastructure like integrated townships with low-cost housing, reliable power supply, star hotels, health centres and entertainment zones and starting centres to upgrade the skills of fresh graduates for taking up jobs in IT and IT enabled services will help promote IT big way.