Hassle-free stay for IT units comes for `Rs 10' rent

Hassle-free stay for IT units comes for `Rs 10' rent
The Newindpress.com
Saturday May 20 2006 00:00 IST

HUBLI: When CEOs of IT, ITES and BPO companies land in Hubli on Saturday to participate in a government-sponsored investors' meet, they might just find the region an ideal destination for expansion.

The government is only tempting the air further by offering facilities far superior than in Bangalore at invitation prices.

For instance, if an office space in upmarket Koramangala area in Bangalore costs anywhere between Rs 30-45 per Sq.Ft in monthly rents, the same is offered for Rs 10 at Hubli's newly developed IT park.

There is, however, a caveat. The offer is available only for first comers and restricted to 50,000 sq.ft of space. The next 15,000 sq.ft in the total built up area of 2.70 lakh sq.ft. Will come at Rs 15 per sq.ft in monthly rental. The rest will cost Rs 20 per sq.ft per month.

The State Government which is developing Hubli at a frenetic pace as part of its operation to decongest Bangalore is confident that the bristling commercial centre with its salubrious climate and availability of all critical needs - power, water and access - will emerge as a key tier-II IT destination in Karnataka.

Mckinsey report, after all, reckons Hubli as the next IT hub. Dharwad Deputy Commissioner M S Srikar said the IT park is suitable for small and medium companies.

Big companies may look for large areas of land, which, in any case, is available at affordable prices around the twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad.

According to IT director Rakesh Singh, the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) would also offer developed land in Rayapur, Mammigatti and Kelgeri areas in Dharwad district.

The Government is also open to the idea of a high-tech IT city on a 300-acre plot.

The region already hosts all major telecom service providers and is equipped with fibered network with high-speed internet, points out Rakesh Singh.

There are no infrastructure problems, and companies can tap skilled manpower that is locally available in abundance. There are about 180 colleges in Hubli-Dharwad region producing more than 17,000 graduates, he said.

Interestingly, about 80 colleges are already offering BPO-centric training to students.

The civic body of the twin cities too is geared up for meeting the infrastructure needs of investors.

Municipal Commissioner P Manivannan said all encroachments have been razed and wider roads are being relaid.

Being close to Mumbai, Pune, Belgaum and Goa, and connected by air, rail and road are big plusses Hubli has in its favour. And any possible congestion or traffic snarls are still decades away.