Twitter
Advertisement

As TCS Lucknow closes, hinterland IT hubs in focus

TCS has its own challenges at Bhubaneshwar operating out of that campus, connectivity being a key one

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

As IT industry grapples with game-changing transformations, the dream of greater geographical spread within the country by turning smaller cities into future growth engines is yet to get fulfilled.

When Infosys founder N R Narayana Murthy set up the company’s Bhubaneswar development centre during the initial years in 1998, he wanted the industry to move beyond South, to cities like Bhubaneswar to tap IT talent in smaller cities.

But close to two decades later, Infosys finds itself isolated at its second campus in Odisha built over 51 acre at Info Valley in 2015.

“It’s time we get a neighbour next to our sprawling new development centre. Otherwise, we won’t get a better quality of social life,” says an Infosys official.

The issue assumes importance in the light of the news of TCS deciding to close down its Lucknow centre, after more than three decades of existence in the capital city of Uttar Pradesh due to unsustainable high rent.

“When we go out to recruit for our Bhubaneswar Infovalley facility or want existing staff to shift there, we would invariably be asked: Where is the night life there?” asked an Infosys official, who refused to be identified.

Operating out of Info City IT Park for over two decades, which also houses TCS, Infosys got its second campus at the 260 acre SEZ Info Valley. TCS has its own challenges operating out of that campus, connectivity being a key one. “We cater to several overseas clients from Saudi Arabia and also from Canada. It’s a tough job bringing in their top officials to this site,” a senior TCS official told DNA Money on condition of anonymity.

Things could change sooner than later.

“In a year’s time there would be a decent night life for youngsters with the opening of three malls to be built by players like Forum Group from Kolkata and also DLF,” says Sanjeev Chopra, principal secretary,  industries department of Odisha.

In Bhubaneswar, Infosys, it now appears, would get some neighbours, though not IT companies. “The state Cabinet has recently approved four projects like Topaz Solar for making solar modules having a capacity of 500 mw and another similar project, Sakura Premier Solar, having a capacity of 250 mw that would come up at the Info Valley,” he said.

Improving air connectivity is also being looked into. A beginning was made in April with Air Asia starting four weekly Kuala Lumpur-Bhubaneswar flights.

BIG CHALLENGES

  • TCS has its own challenges at Bhubaneshwar operating out of that campus, connectivity being a key one
     
  • The unit of India’s top IT company caters to several overseas clients from Saudi Arabia and Canada
Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement