'We want to host the leading KPO companies'
Minister-in-charge, IT, government of West Bengal, Dr Debesh Das speaks on the future of the IT industry in the state.
By Arshad Ali, TNN |
Dr Debesh Das, minister-in-charge, IT, government of West Bengal, speaks on the future of the IT industry in the state.
What is the share of Salt Lake Sector V in the total IT business that is generated from the state?
At present Sector V has the major share - more than 90%.
Most of the investors are looking for a place near the airport. How do you plan to handle this problem?
Almost 300 acres of land has been allotted for IT companies at Rajarhat, where you can reach by 10 minutes from Airport. Besides that, we have planned an IT hub at Jagadishpur, which is adjacent to Rajarhat.
Four IT parks were supposed to be coming up? What is the status?
Four IT parks have been envisaged in Durgapur, Kharagpur, Siliguri and Haldia. Among these four, work at two parks, one at Siliguri and the other at Durgapur is progressing satisfactorily. The other two have taken off and the preliminaries are likely to be completed soon.
Which major companies are going to invest in Salt Lake Sector V in the near future?
Already many major companies (about 200) have their presence in Sector V. In addition, two major companies, viz. Satyam and GENPact is all set to invest in Sector V. Besides, nearly 80 lakh sq ft are being developed in projects like Infinity Benchmark, Infinity waterside, Globsyn Crystal etc to house many IT companies in Sector V.
At present Sector V has the major share - more than 90%.
Most of the investors are looking for a place near the airport. How do you plan to handle this problem?
Almost 300 acres of land has been allotted for IT companies at Rajarhat, where you can reach by 10 minutes from Airport. Besides that, we have planned an IT hub at Jagadishpur, which is adjacent to Rajarhat.
Four IT parks were supposed to be coming up? What is the status?
Four IT parks have been envisaged in Durgapur, Kharagpur, Siliguri and Haldia. Among these four, work at two parks, one at Siliguri and the other at Durgapur is progressing satisfactorily. The other two have taken off and the preliminaries are likely to be completed soon.
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Which major companies are going to invest in Salt Lake Sector V in the near future?
Already many major companies (about 200) have their presence in Sector V. In addition, two major companies, viz. Satyam and GENPact is all set to invest in Sector V. Besides, nearly 80 lakh sq ft are being developed in projects like Infinity Benchmark, Infinity waterside, Globsyn Crystal etc to house many IT companies in Sector V.
You had stressed on the expansion of hardware chip design activities and manufacturing base. What has been the progress?
West Bengal is steadily emerging as a destination for players in the hardware segment. The West Bengal IT Department has conceptualized an India Design Centre for Chip Designs, with facility for Prototype Fabrications, incubation, Research and Development, training and business.
What other new businesses are you planning to bring into Sector V?
We like to attract the companies working in the high end or KPO sector. Due to this, we have planned to construct India Design centre in Sector V.
What kind of expansion do you think the IT sector in Rajarhat will we see in the next five years?
Rajarhat is going to be the most attractive IT hub in India. Within 10 minutes from airport, there will be about 300 acres of land, completely to be used by IT companies. Renowned developers such as DLF, Unitech, Keppler, Shapoorji Palonji,etc. are building space for IT companies.
You had said that by 2010 there would be a shortfall of about half-a-million skilled professionals...
Indian Institute of Science, Education & Research has already started operations in Kolkata and some new institutes such as Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Communication & Information Technology are coming up.
The State government has strongly demanded to the government of India to establish one Indian Institute of Information & Technology on Security in West Bengal, to give impetus to the expanding base of academic infrastructure in this state. Initially, two such schools - one at Taratala and the other at Durgapur, have started. But more such schools are in the offing.
West Bengal is steadily emerging as a destination for players in the hardware segment. The West Bengal IT Department has conceptualized an India Design Centre for Chip Designs, with facility for Prototype Fabrications, incubation, Research and Development, training and business.
What other new businesses are you planning to bring into Sector V?
We like to attract the companies working in the high end or KPO sector. Due to this, we have planned to construct India Design centre in Sector V.
What kind of expansion do you think the IT sector in Rajarhat will we see in the next five years?
Rajarhat is going to be the most attractive IT hub in India. Within 10 minutes from airport, there will be about 300 acres of land, completely to be used by IT companies. Renowned developers such as DLF, Unitech, Keppler, Shapoorji Palonji,etc. are building space for IT companies.
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You had said that by 2010 there would be a shortfall of about half-a-million skilled professionals...
Indian Institute of Science, Education & Research has already started operations in Kolkata and some new institutes such as Dhirubhai Ambani Institute of Communication & Information Technology are coming up.
The State government has strongly demanded to the government of India to establish one Indian Institute of Information & Technology on Security in West Bengal, to give impetus to the expanding base of academic infrastructure in this state. Initially, two such schools - one at Taratala and the other at Durgapur, have started. But more such schools are in the offing.
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