Maharashtra IT policy envisages integrated, 'walk to work' IT towns

MUMBAI: Maharashtra government's new Information Technology (IT) and Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) policy proposes integrated IT townships with 'walk to work' concept which envisages people living and working in the same area.

The government hopes to attract investment of Rs 50,000 crore and generate employment for ten lakh people in the IT sector with the new policy.

Addressing a press conference after the weekly cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today announced the new policy.

The proposed integrated townships would be spread over 10-25 acres.

"For integrated IT townships in Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan-Dombivali, Mira-Bhayander, Ulhasnagar Municipal Corporations and Ambernath Municipal Council limits, the permissible FSI would be 2.5. Elsewhere the FSI will be 2 with a premium. The premium will be used for developing critical infrastructure related to IT parks," he added.

The government is also proposing to develop 'rural BPOs' to ensure penetration of information technology in rural and semi-urban areas and providing jobs locally, he said.

"Rs 2.5 lakh would be given for setting up rural BPOs. About 50 youths from rural and semi-urban areas would be trained through modules developed by well-known institutions," Fadnavis said.