Wipro plans to set up R&D base in Goa

Information Technology (IT) giant Wipro would start its research and development (R&D) project in Goa. The state government has already earmarked a land for the project, official sources told Business Standard.

According to the information available, a land measuring one lakh sq mt has been earmarked in the Goa University campus at Dona Paula, adjacent to the IT Habitat planned by the Goa government. It may be recalled that Azim Premji, chairman of Wipro Limited met Goa chief minister Pratapsingh Rane and had expressed his interest to start the project in the tourist centric, Goa.

Dayanand Narvekar, Goa IT minister, said, "We have decided to allot land to Wipro, since it's a big name in the IT sector. Whereas, other smaller companies would rotate around Wipro to make Goa as one of the best IT destination in the world."

The allocation of land for companies at the IT Habitat at Dona Paula, which is about 8 km from the capital city, would commence from next month.

"The IT Habitat will comprise companies with IT-enabled services, which is expected to generate employment for 10,000 youths in the state," Narvekar added.

Narvekar further said that the IT companies intending to start their project at the IT Habitat, would be charged Rs 2,500 per sq mt of land in addition to Rs 1,200 to 1,500 per sq mt as infrastructure development charges.

He said that the Goa government would only provide basic infrastructure like roads, land, power, broadband connectivity and sewerage. The plot size, which the IT entrepreneurs could build on, begins from one acre and goes up to 2-3 acres.

"We are targeting second rung leaders, those who are good in the BPO industry. For, they can generate the kind of jobs Goa wants," the IT minister said.

He further says, "We can't bring in many industries because it creates an influx of people from outside Goa and the resultant congestion. Goa has English speaking human resource - 1,200 Goan youth work in call centres outside the state and 400 are software engineers. Wipro has given me a list of 200 people working for them outside Goa. I want to bring them home."

Socorro-Narvekar's constituency will also have an IT Knowledge Park. Talking about the park, Narvekar said,"It will be a knowledge city. For example, it will have an animation industry that will be encouraged alongside the IT. The project is expected to complete in a span of five years. We have already begun the groundwork to acquire land for the park."

The IT minister optimistically concluded that once Wipro starts their operations in Goa, major IT firms will follow the footsteps and thereby make Goa into world's best IT hub.