Mahindra-BT to invest Rs 300 cr in Hinjewadi

Mahindra-British Telecom (MBT) today announced that it will invest Rs 300 crore in a state-of-the-art integrated software development and residential complex at Hinjewadi in Pune, with the possibility of a similar investment in future on a housing complex for its employees.

The company today signed an MoU with the state government to this effect in Mumbai. Rakesh Soni, chief operating officer, MBT, said, "We are expanding our presence in Pune as it will remain the hub for our operations in the IT and BPO space."

The company has recently launched its business process outsourcing (BPO) business catering to British Telecom and few domestic clients. The Pune campus is eventually expected to absorb the expanded capacity.

The company plans to raise its headcount in the city to 18,000 to cater to its expanding IT and BPO businesses. This will be MBT's second campus in the city. It already has a 4,500-seater facility at Karve Road.

Spread over 25 acre and a million sq ft, the new campus will house more than 18,000 software professionals and will include an end-to-end testing centre for applications management and applications help desk for its upcoming BPO business. It will also include training centres, food court, mini auditorium, guest house and a sports complex.

Soni told Business Standard that a further request for an additional 25 acre with one million sq ft space has been made to the state government for a self-contained residential complex on an adjoining plot.

"The government is yet to allot the land for the residential complex," Soni said. However, while declining to disclose the price of the additional plot, he said that the company did not expect to shell out much for the residential plot.

The complex, when it comes up, will accommodate 300 apartments and 100 row houses in the first phase for the company's senior management. Soni said that the complex is meant for employees only, who will be encouraged to buy houses in the complex. "We want them to enjoy a quality life here."

He clarified that employees will not be allowed to sell these apartments to outsiders. "We are looking at creating some checks and balances to ensure that the houses remain within the company."

MBT also has plans of expanding to cities such as Kolkata, Delhi and Chennai and is setting up exclusive campuses in these cities too. Soni, however, said that BPO will continue to be focussed in Pune, while in other cities it will be focussing on its core IT business.