Mangalagiri near Vijayawada is most likely to house the Information Technology hub abutting the capital city, if sources in government and industry are to be believed. The 21-acre Auto Nagar at Mangalagiri has almost been allocated for the purpose and the same will be announced after Dasara, according to sources.
“It is matter of time before the decision is announced. The government has already started allocating land to IT firms. The land has been given at an affordable price to encourage the industry,” said Chairman and MD of an IT firm based out of Hyderabad. The cost of an acre is pegged at over Rs. 20 lakh but the firms are expected to ensure employment to about 500 people, said the source.
The 21-acre facility, which is 16 kilometres away from Vijayawada, will have an integrated IT infrastructure similar to Hitech City or Cyber Towers of Hyderabad and the rest of the space will be allocated to independent firms interested in installing their own facilities.
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Vijayawada, Guntur, Tenali and Mangalagiri (VGTM) Urban Development Authority Vice-Chairperson P. Usha Kumari, however, said the authority had not received any official information about the setting up of IT hub so far. “By all means it is an ideal location with good connectivity. Bringing in the first lot of firms is crucial for the government as it will be the rallying point for further investment.
There were not many takers for Auto Nagar facility which was developed by Andhra Pradesh Industrial and Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) some years ago. The government’s concession is good for the industry as well as the State,” said CII Vijayawada Zone Chairman V.V.M. Krishna. A few industries, which bought land at about Rs. 40 lakh, could not take off for multiple reasons according to him.