In a move that paves way for the expansion of the IT sector in the state, the central government has accorded in principle permission for setting up of the AP Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR).
According to IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah, the investment region would see the sector grow in around 50,000 acres on the periphery of Hyderabad. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, he said that ITIR envisaged development of self-contained Integrated Knowledge Clusters dedicated to the establishment and growth of IT, ITES, EHM units. ITIR is a combination of production units, public utilities, logistic, environmental protection mechanism, residential areas and administrative services, he said. The ITIR would be developed in two phases over a period of 25 years. It would occupy 202 sq km (50,000 acres), comprising certain areas such as Cyberabad Development Authority (CDA), including Gachibowli and Madhapur and Hyderabad Airport Development Authority (HADA) including Mamidipalli, Raviryal, Adibatla and Maheswaram, Uppal and Pocharam.
With the coming of the ITIR, lakshmaiah said the IT exports are expected to grow five times, from `50,000 crore to `2,35,000 crore. The Electronic Hardware Manufacturing (EHM) is expected to grow from `6,000 crore to `80,000 crore while the direct employment to the tune of 9 lakh is expected the be generated. Indirect employment will be around 50 lakhs, he claimed.
He added that the built-up space in the city will expand from the current 40 million sq ft to 130 million sq ft. Besides, infrastructure like roads, water supply, electricity transmission and generation would also be developed as part of ITIR, he said.