For IT, it's Chandigarh now

After Bangalore, Hyderabad, Gurgaon, Chandigarh is the latest destination

Chandigarh is fast emerging as a favoured destination for top-ranked information technology (IT) companies besides Bangalore, Hyderabad and Gurgaon, as the Union Territory tries to make up, for its late entry into the race for attracting investments in the sector.

"Most knowledge-based companies have begun to set up their base here, taking advantage of the high-quality environment and the availability of requisite human resource. Some projects are also in the pipeline," Vivek Atray, IT director, Chandigarh administration, said.

The city boasts of a 250-km optical fibre cable network, international bandwidth, single window facility for companies and quality manpower, which has prompted IT giant Infosys to set up its software development centre, whose first phase is scheduled to be completed very soon.

"The park integrates an open and green area with modern infrastructure. It comprises of ready-built space, a 30 acre Infosys campus, sub-anchor and built-to-suit sites, entrepreneur development centre, dedicated power station, a huge retail space and earth station," Atray added.

The Chandigarh administration is also planning to set up "Technology habitat", a 250-acre mini township, adjacent to the park.

"The habitat will project the modern face of planned development, assisted by latest technology, to serve the modern needs of the industry and those employed by the technology companies. It will also comprise residential complexes, institutional areas, commercial areas, sporting areas and ample green belts," Atray said.

In another important development, leading workplace development company, DLF Group has joined hands with the Chandigarh administration to develop ready-built office at the CTP, offering 8 lakh square feet of workspace for IT companies, Atray said.

To upgrade human resources for information technology-enabled services (ITES) and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors, the Chandigarh administration has started soft skills training programme to ensure sustained availability of skilled workers.

"With a population of over 1 milllion and a literacy rate of 82 per cent, Chandigarh has a huge talent pool. Hence, there is a huge opportunity for the BPO and IT companies to attract and retain the best talent," Atray said.

"We are developing Chandigarh as a wired city. The administration is creating connectivity backbone network within the city. Internet access and establishment of a wide area network are being given priority for the entire city, including all government and corporate offices and private institutions and individuals," Atray added.

Quoting a recent survey carried out by NEO-IT, a US-based agency, Atray said Chandigarh deserves to be ranked among the top six destinations in the country for investment in the IT sector.

The neighbouring town of Mohali has also reaped the benefits of the IT revolution taking place in Chandigarh. Last year, Mohali-based Quark Inc., in a bid to generate jobs in the knowledge industry, launched its $500 million "Quark City" project in the town.

North's Silicon Valley

• Companies have begun to set up their base, taking advantage of the high-quality environment and the availability of requisite human resource
• The city boasts of a 250-km optical fibre cable network, international bandwidth, single window facility for companies and quality manpower
• The Chandigarh administration is also planning to set up 'Technology habitat", a 250-acre mini township, adjacent to the park
• The habitat will project the modern face of planned development, assisted by latest technology, to serve the modern needs of the IT industry