The Hindu Business Line : IT majors evince interest in technology park near Pune

THE Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) said here on Wednesday that IT majors Infosys and Wipro were among those who have shown interest in acquiring more land for their expansion plans in the third phase of the technology park at Hingewadi, off Pune.

The corporation, which has now commenced the initial survey work for the fourth phase of the technology park, is now working on a Rs 12-crore road project, which will connect the arterial Katraj-Dehu road by-pass to the info-tech park, which will make it more accessible and attractive to potential investors in the region. The info tech park will occupy a total of 1,000 hectares when the fourth phase is complete.

Talking to the press on the sidelines of a function to mark the formal inauguration of LG's new plant at the Ranjangaon Industrial Estate, Mr Vidyadhar Kanade, CEO, MIDC, said the corporation has also simultaneously handed over 93 acres of land to the T.C. Group which is developing a biotechnology park in Hingewadi, which will offer common R&D facilities and a central talent pool to smaller players in the market. The project is being taken up in joint venture with the MIDC, which will have two directors on the board and hold 12 per cent stake in the venture according to Mr Kanade who said the TC group will invest a total of Rs 280 crore in the bio-tech park in the next eight years.

Meanwhile, the State is the fastest growing IT State in the country according to Mr Vishwas Dhumal, Principal Secretary, Government of Maharashtra.

According to information provided by the Development Commissioner for Industries, Mr Bhagwan Sahai, the State's revised IT policy which was launched last year has provided the impetus for rapid growth in the sector with at least 86 private industrial parks now being given licence for new projects. Of this number, at least 24 have already gone operational, providing direct employment to 60,000 skilled manpower.

"When all the 86 go on stream, 4 lakh skilled man power will get direct employment in this sector," Mr Sahai said.

The State already has 27 public IT parks and its development in this sector has been marked by multi-city growth into smaller cities such as Pune.

Meanwhile, the Ranjangaon industrial estate where majors such as LG, Whirlpool and L&T John Deere has set up shop is witnessing frenzied action with the former on Wednesday announcing a major expansion plan.

While plant one and two of LG's plans take up 55 acres of land at Ranjangaon, Mr Kanade said discussions have been wrapped up for over 150 acres of land which will be taken up soon by LG's business associates.

Rajangaon's other globally recognised occupant, crystals major Swarovski is also considering shifting some of its Austrian operations into India and has discussed the possibility of taking another 25 acres of land for the project, Mr Kanade said.

"The issue will be finalised by December and the company is planning major investments in Ranjangaon," he said.

More Stories on : Software | Maharashtra

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page