Chandigarh IT hopes get boost

E-REVOLUTION 2008

Chandigarh has become an attractive destination for international voice-based BPO services, though it needs to do more on commercial space, says a Nasscom-A T Kearney study.

This is because people’s good English skills are good and there are low-accent neutralisation requirements, together with a large student base for part-time work. It will remain a BPO services destination for some more years.

The two-day IT conference titled “E-revolution -- The Changing Landscape: Creating New Trends and Opportunities" started here today.

This is the fourth edition of the conference and is being organised by the Punjab and Haryana governments and the Union Territory of Chandigarh and the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) in association with Nasscom, TiE, etc.

Speaking to Business Standard, on the sidelines of the seminar, Mohit Rana, principal consultant, AT Kearney, said: "Chandigarh has talented people with 1,000 engineers and 8,000 others graduating each year. Also, the domestic airport to support international flight operations has been approved. Further, it has 28 per cent cost advantage over leading cities."

"Now it is good for voice-based BPO services and after some years it can emerge as an IT destination. Also, there are challenges ahead," he added.

"The government needs to find more quality space for the expansion of the IT/BPO industry. Space is limited in the tri-city (Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali). Also, limited mid-management talent is resulting in high attrition. Lots of talented people prefer to migrate to leading locations," he said.

Rana said commercial space of 1.3 million square feet would be needed. Annually 10,000-12,000 new housing units and 1,500-2,500 seats in primary & secondary school will be needed.

The STPI has estimated a growth rate of 32 per cent in software and services exports in 2008-09 from the Chandigarh region. In 2008-09 software exports have been projected to reach Rs 1,100 crore with Rs 900 crore from STPI units and Rs 200 crore from SEZs.