Wipro clears dues, eyes I-T hub in Rajarhat: HIDCO chief

The payment of Rs 75 crore by I-T giant Wipro to set up its centre in Rajarhat demolishes the canard spread against the state government that the company wants to pull out of West Bengal.

This is a clear indication that big I-T companies are keeping faith in the state government and believe that minor hiccups would be overcome soon.

Debashis Sen, chairman of West Bengal Housing and Infrastructure Development Corporation said that Wipro officials had met him recently and paid Rs 75 crore for 50 acres of land where the firm wants to set up its I-T Park.

Infosys has also paid Rs 75 crores for 50 acres of land. This shows that both the firms are keen on setting up their centres in Rajarhat. Infosys had demanded SEZ status which the state government has declined but efforts are on to resolve this impasse.

“It has often been said that both the companies are trying to pull out of West Bengal. But this is not true at all and both have shown keen interest to start their centres. But there are problems which need to be sorted out and steps have been taken in this regard,” said a senior official of state I-T department.

Several I-T companies, both big and small have purchased plots in Rajarhat and the area together with adjacent Sector V in Salt Lake.

Besides I-T, Rajarhat is soon going to become a health and educational hub. Around 18 hospital groups have procured land to set up their healthcare establishments and their construction would start soon.

OHIO Hospital, situated close to the Hidco Bhavan is a multi- specialty hospital with special thrust on cardiac care. 

Disha Eye Hospital is also among the healthcare establishments that are going to start construction soon. Tata Memorial Cancer Centre, set up a few years ago, is catering to a large number of patients both from West Bengal and neighbouring states and also from neighbouring countries.

With the setting up of Aliah University and so many institutions getting land, Rajarhat will be an educational hub soon.  Presidency University and St. Xavier’s College will have their second campus here. “With improved infrastructure, Rajarhat is going to become a hub for I-T, health, education and finance,” Sen hoped.