Bantala SEZ is open for Infosys, says govt

The Bengal government on Tuesday said if Infosys is keen it could come to Bantala here which has IT Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status.

"If they are keen, Infosys can come to Bantala. It has a lot of space of over 100 acres and buildings also," Bengal government's Principal Advisor Industry and Chairman, Industrial Development and Promotion Board, Siddharth said.

The government may propose Infosys, the Indian multinational corporation, to set up a unit at Bantala Special Economic Zone. The work of building infrastructure at Bantala is already underway by the state government. The longstanding issues of toxic wastes, water treatment and stench from the tanneries would be solved after completion of the work.

"Infosys is keen to get SEZ and SEZ is available in Bantala. Today if somebody wants to come at Bantala, they can get space there," said Siddharth.

"There is amost 100 acre in Bantala. We are certainly working on it (to bring Infosys there)," Siddharth added while talking with Millennium Post on Tuesday at Rising Bengal: Roadmap 2020 organised by CII.

The veteran bureaucrat said: "Bengal has such a talented pool in information technology sector. Infosys is one of the leading companies and I am sure, these two will meet sometime down the line. In Bantala, there are some problems in water treatment plant – which will be looked into."

"This new plan (in Bantala) is known to everyone. (IT companies) who are planning to set up a unit, knows about this. Many companies have already invested here. Very soon, we would able to offer the other companies a lot of space," Siddharth said.

It may be mentioned that Information Technology major Cognizant has already commenced operations on a 20- acre plot after having raised the issue of toxic wastes with the authority. However, Cognizant decided to expand its operation in Bantala.

The company targeted to house around 16,000 professionals there.

Tech Mahindra earlier agreed to resume the construction of its proposed campus there, following measures taken by the developer to restrict pollution from the adjoining leather tanneries. Tech Mahindra had stalled construction five years back on 12 acre there over pollution issues.

However, the IT companies have requested the state government to segregate the areas being used by the tanneries and the IT firms. The state government conducted a series of meetings to expedite the canal segregation work and sewerage treatment plants.

Infosys has its strong presence in Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Gurgaon, Hyderabad and even in Bhubaneshwar, recently completed the payment for 50 acre of land that they took in Bengal, at North 24 Parganas Rajarhat. But sticking to their longstanding demand for Special Economic Zone (SEZ) status, the company restricted the project.

However, the Bengal government is looking for quick decisions by Infosys authority. Earlier, Infosys was offered 'tax exemption' for bringing a solution to this long standing issue.