Tenders soon for developing IT parks

Agreement signed with TIDEL park, says ELCOT official

parks planned at Ilandaikulam, and Vadapalanji in Madurai
At Vadapalanji, 36 acres earmarked for housing for workers
Coimbatore park likely to be ready in 12-14 months

The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited will shortly float tenders for the development of information technology parks in Tier-II cities such as Madurai, Tiruchi, Tirunelveli, Hosur and Salem, according to ELCOT Managing Director C. Umashankar.

"We have signed an MOU [memorandum of understanding] with TIDEL Park, Chennai, for Coimbatore," Mr. Umashankar told an interactive session organised here by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as a prelude to a three-day conference to be held in Madurai, from December 1 to 3, on the economic development of southern districts.

In Madurai, IT parks had been proposed in two areas — Ilandaikulam and Vadapalanji. While 50 acres had been earmarked for the first site, 257 acres had been allocated for the second. At Vadapalanji, 36 acres had been earmarked for housing for the workforce. Each of the parks in these cities would have one million square feet, he said.

IT Secretary C. Chandramouli said the Coimbatore park, to be developed through a public-private partnership, was expected to be ready in 12-14 months.

Dr. Chandramouli said efforts were being made to developing soft skills. The curriculum and the training of the faculty of schools and colleges were being improved.

He called for more software exports from the State to countries other than the United States and the United Kingdom.


Source: The Hindu