The Hindu Business Line : `Spread of IT to tier II cities on fast track'

Taking the IT revolution to tier II cities in the State would not be a problem because of the availability of optical fibre connectivity and the assurance from Airtel to provide the necessary bandwidth for IT parks promoted by the Electronic Corporation of Tamilnadu (ELCOT) in these cities, according to Mr C. Umashankar, Managing Director.

He was speaking on `Why Madurai' at the plenary session I of the SPEED 2006 exhibition-cum-conference.

Unfolding the initiatives, he said that while already one company has acquired land in Tiruchi, the work in Coimbatore would commence from January 15.

Applications for Salem and Tirunelveli would be processed in four weeks and at Madurai, land has been identified opposite the Madurai-Kamaraj University, apart from identification of land for the Tidel Park in the private sector.

To raise the skill levels of students in IT, a `Training the Trainers' manual is being prepared in consultation with leading IT companies.

It would be distributed as open source material for use in colleges.

ELCOT would be setting up IT Labs in 1,800 higher secondary schools in the State.

Mr T. Udhayachandran, District Collector, said that infrastructure development has been picking up with four-laning of roads around Madurai and modernisation of airport topping the list with Airport Authorities of India.

Under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission, Madurai has been selected for urban infrastructure development in the State with a funding of Rs 1,400 crore over the next five years.

The potential for tourism provide both an attraction and an opportunity for further growth, he added.

Mr S. Rethinavelu, President of the Tamilnadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, assured the setting up of a Chamber Arbitrator Tribunal to resolve issues that might arise for investors.

Mr C.V.D. Ramprasad, Additional Director, Software Technology Parks of India, elaborated on the contribution of SMEs to exports and stressed on the need to explore opportunities in Europe, Japan and South America.