Wednesday, July 09, 2008

ITC INFOTECH PLANS IT CAMPUS IN KOLKATA

The Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government is tipped to shortly allot a prime 50-acre plot to ITC Infotech for its IT campus near Rajarhat. Official were, however, tight-lipped over the issue details. But ITC Infotech, a wholly owned subsidiary of ITC Ltd, is slated to invest in a mix of development centres, training facilities and BPO units. The company is also slated to apply for special economic zone (SEZ) status at the Rajarhat facility, which will be designed along the lines of ITC Infotech’s Bangalore campus.

The West Bengal IT department is expected to offer land to ITC Infotech in the mega integrated IT complex being developed in the city’s eastern fringes by Akash Nirman—a Webel-Vedic Realty JV. Land pricing details remain shrouded in secrecy but top sources in the West Bengal IT department confirmed that several rounds of talks had transpired with ITC officials. Though it could not be independently confirmed, ITC Infotech may be asked by the state government to fork out around Rs 1 crore per acre.

When contacted, a senior state bureaucrat present in the discussions told ET: “We are hopeful of concluding an early land allotment to ITC Infotech for its IT campus near Rajarhat. The company’s immediate requirement is 50 acres and we are awaiting a detailed proposal from the company. Several rounds of talks have taken place with ITC, which is keen to develop an ITC SEZ near Kolkata. We understand the complex will include software development centres, training units and callcentres. There’s no decision yet on the land pricing.”

ITC Infotech is unwilling to share any details at this stage.

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