GIFT City to build one of the largest data centres

Firm claims two large IT consortia have bid for project, doesn't name them

In a bid to provide technology of global standards, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City Co. Ltd. (GIFT City) is planning to set up one of the largest data centres for a single user in India at Gandhinagar. For this, the financial technological company has invited bids from several major consortia of IT companies from across the country.

"We have invited bids for setting up one of the largest data centres for a single user from several IT consortia. Of these, at least two major consortia have shown interest and have applied. We would be taking a final call by the end of the month," said RK Jha, director of GIFT City, refusing to divulge names of the interested players.

According to Jha, while there have been large data centres for multiple users, the upcoming data centre at GIFT City will be built on a single user model for the company and will be running close to 1,000 racks. "Since we are providing the entire IT infrastructure for companies setting up their businesses in GIFT City, we have taken up the data centre on a single user model. The data centre will not only cater to IT infrastructure needs of GIFT City but also of other companies here," said Jha.

However, confirming the move, sources from one of the major IT companies in Ahmedabad stated that the data centre would be set up at a project cost of over Rs 1,500 crore.

"We have bid for the data centre project as part of a larger consortium. Usually data centres for a single user run into 500-odds racks. However, this would be close to 1,000 racks, making it arguably the largest data centre for a single user," the source added.

Meanwhile, among companies looking to set up shop, State Bank of India (SBI) is soon likely to sign up 200,000 sq ft of space at GIFT City. According to Jha, the nationalised bank has sought for a separate tower of 200,000 sq ft for setting up its regional headquarters there.

"SBI has sought for an entire tower for itself. However, the talks are in advanced stages and SBI may soon sign up for 200,000 sq ft sized tower at GIFT City. Once signed, we would also be offering around 100 residential units to SBI for its personnel," said Jha, adding that another seven nationalised banks including Dena Bank, Bank of Baroda and Syndicate Bank are also likely to sign up for space.