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Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP)Chandigarh’s economy is changing in character as the knowledge revolution sweeps the country. There has been a decline in traditional industrial activity in Chandigarh and a rapid increase in activity relating to the services sector. This is a especially evident in the fields of financial services, IT Services, Insurance Services, Hospitality, Health and Education services. The emphasis of the Administration is to promote Chandigarh in the knowledge sector. A proposal for developing Chandigarh as a financial services hub is also actively under consideration of the Administration. Projects like Chandigarh Technology Park, the education city and the film city are further likely to boost employment potential in Chandigarh and also give impetus to the economic activity here.
Rajiv Gandhi Chandigarh Technology Park (RGCTP) is an extremely important project for the Union Territory of Chandigarh as it provides world class integrated infrastructure necessary for the setting up of facilities/campuses by leading Technology Companies and other IT/ITES/BPO companies for the first time in this region. Chandigarh has traditionally been a city where not many multi-national companies had earlier set up their facilities and therefore a large number of professionals had left Chandigarh in the past for other cities, in search of high level employment. The level of educational facilities here had been much higher than the level of employment opportunities available, especially in the knowledge sector. North India, as a whole had lagged behind the southern States, and RGCTP is a major step in the direction of redressing that imbalance. Chandigarh is fast becoming one of the most preferred destinations for technology companies, in the country, especially since it boasts of an excellent quality of life, and huge base of Human Resources and proactive policies of the Administration which are conducive to such investment.
By setting up the Chandigarh Technology Park, Chandigarh Administration has taken
a step towards providing world class facilities in Chandigarh so that not only employment
at the highest level but also the economy of Chandigarh and the region would get
a boost. Chandigarh Administration looks at Chandigarh as a regional hub for IT
alongwith Mohali and Panchkula. RGCTP is dedicated to the application of IT for
the benefit of society by involving the Technology companies in the e-Governance
programmes also. Chandigarh Administration has developed sufficient infrastructure
for the Technology Companies to set up their facilities at RGCTP. RGCTP comprises
of flexible options for Technology Companies with plots of various sizes including
Ready Built Space plots, Build to Suit Sites and large and small campus sites.
The Ready Built Space developed by the leading developer DLF Limited is spread over an area of 12.5 acres and comprises 6 blocks measuring of total of 650,000 Sq. ft. DLF is leasing out this Ready Built Space to IT Companies. They have set up an attractive ultra modern building with hi-tech facilities. IBM Daksh, Outer Bay and Net Solutions, Taurus Technologies and Virsa Systems (now SAP Labs Ltd.) are among the companies which have begun fitting out their premises at the DLF building. The other big IT companies who have booked space in DLF Building are Tech Mahindra and eSys Technologies Ltd.. A Hotel cum Convention Centre has also been planned in Phase I on a 4 acre plot, which was allotted in February 2006 to DLF Ltd through a limited auction process. The site is under development with plans for 150 rooms and a Convention Centre having a capacity of 1200 persons In view of a huge demand from IT Companies for more working space and residential needs of the IT community working in the RGCTP, 250 acres of land has been developed under Phase II out of which 123 acres has been dedicated for the construction of a Tech Habitat under Public Private Participation (PPP) model in order to provide integrated facilities to professionals working at the RGCTP. The Administration is providing residential, commercial, community and sports infrastructure for the IT companies to flourish in a manner that is conducive to their growth with a futuristic outlook. The remaining land has been developed for the use of IT companies and allotted to world renowned IT companies such as Wipro, Tech Mahindra, eSys Technologies Ltd., Bharti Airtel Ltd.
The basic infrastructure for RGCTP has been set up by Chandigarh Administration
through the Engineering Department which has constructed the access roads, internal
roads, street lighting, sewerage, drainage, water supply and power supply for the
RGCTP. The buildings in the RGCTP are energy efficient and comply with the latest
environment norms. A special environment policy for RGCTP has also been notified.
The Ministry of Environment and Forest has accorded the environment clearance for
the Chandigarh Technology Park. Chandigarh Administration is committed to providing holistic facilities for companies investing in Chandigarh. It is expected that about 10000 Engineers/Professionals shall start working at RGCTP by December 2006. A total of 25000 professionals are expected to work at the RGCTP once it is fully established.
RGCTP has so far attracted investment of about Rs. 500 crore of Infosys Technologies
Ltd. and DLF Ltd. Annual Software Export of about Rs.1000 crores are likely to take
place from RGCTP in the next 3 years. Keeping in view the huge demand pouring in from various quarters across the globe, another 270 acres of land has been planned for development under Phase III of the RGCTP, which is contiguous to Phase II. The land for this Phase is under acquisition, which is likely to be completed by January 2007, after which further allotments will be undertaken as per the Policy. |
Keeping in view the increase in the number of visitors on account of economic resurgence
in and around the Chandigarh. Airports Authority of India (AAI) in association with
Chandigarh Administration has undertaken the upgradation of Chandigarh Airport.
RGCTP was conceived in 2001 by Chandigarh Administration over an area measuring
123 acres under Phase I , which is anchored by Infosys Technologies Ltd, which was
allotted 30 acres and has completed the construction of their state of the art campus.
Infosys plans to employ 5000 professionals at this campus. They are also constructing
state of the art food courts, gymnasia, serviced apartments and related facilities
for their employees on campus. Apart from 15 Built to Suit sites of 1.5 acres each,
an Entrepreneurs Development Centre is also planned in Phase I which will provide
ready made space for young entrepreneurs with bright ideas. This Centre will have
state of the art facilities and would provide plug n play facilities to the entrepreneurs.
The Phase I of RGCTP has already been accorded Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status
by Ministry of Commerce, Government of India.