From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Apr 15: Karnataka’s proposal for establishing an ambitious high-tech, Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) near the Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) at Devanahalli at an estimated investment of Rs 90,000 crore has been referred to a high committee by the Centre.
The committee headed by Union Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth is expected to examine the details of the project and take a decision on granting in principle approval next week.
The detailed project report for setting up the ITIR project in an area of 42.51 sq.kms. with an estimated total investment of Rs 90,000 crore in two phases has already been approved by the Union Government’s Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DEITY).
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had earlier approved a policy resolution to set up ITIRs in different states in the country to promote investment in Information Technology/ Information Technology Enabled Services (IT/ITeS) and electronic manufacturing.
As per the norms, the state government plays the lead role in setting up ITIRs. The infrastructure would be created through public private partnerships, while the gap funding is done by the Centre.
The DEITY is the nodal department to process the proposals relating to setting up of ITIRs.
Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu Governments have submitted proposals for setting up ITIR so far.
As many as 44 top companies have already evinced interest for taking up the project which is expectred to generate over a million direct jobs and around thrice the number of indirect jobs.
Karnataka’s Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) has already issued preliminary notification for acquisition of 2,072 acres of land for phase I of the project.
The ITIR project envisages establishment of IT parks, R&D centres, integrated townships and other infrastructure linkages along with essential road connectivity during phase I and rail connectivity (metro) during phase II of the project.
The proposal envisages upgradation of the existing roads, national and state highways, water supply projects, power supply and bus rapid transport system among others.
The Karnataka government has sought Centre’s support for the upgradation of infrastructure.