With IT park in Lucknow,UP steps into software fast-track

Built over three acres,Awadh Park looks forward to hire 1,500 employees and deliver software solutions to countries like the US,UK,Canada,Singapore and South Africa. It will also assist in e-governance in Uttarakhand and UP.

Ramadorai expressed hope that such establishments will encourage more investments in the city and the state.

“We are committed to the development of this part of the country,” he said.

Jayant Krishna,principal consultant and regional manager of TCS here,called Lucknow “the epicentre of a talent belt” which needs to be tapped for the growth of this region.

Lucknow has been ranked as a “challenger” city by Nasscom among 50 potential cities across India for IT-BPO operations,he added.

According to Ramadorai,with premier institutes like IIT-Kanpur and IIM-Lucknow in the region,along with a number of other engineering and management institutes — thousands of professionals were graduating every year.

With “attractive commercial rentals”,Lucknow is also cost-effective.

If ease of operation and infrastructure could be maintained by the government,Lucknow is a potential IT hub,he added. Ramadorai claimed TCS will start recruiting soon and expects to fill up the 1,500 vacancies soon.

At present,TCS is celebrating its silver jubilee in the state.

Krishna said with 550 associates already working with TCS,the idea of this IT Park is to expand its services.

Ramadorai said TCS will be much interested in becoming the IT partner of the state government,adding that automation and e-governance is important for better administration and transparency in the system.

“This relatively low degree of IT penetration in Uttar Pradesh should be looked at as an opportunity for business,” UPTU Vice-Chancellor Prem Vrat said.

State Chief Secretary Atul Kumar Gupta said the government will be able to generate good amount of business for the IT sector.

“With the elections over,we can now start setting IT industries here,” he added.