Chandigarhs IT BPO sector grew fastest in 2011 to 12

With around 22% growth in turnover in 2011-12 IT and ITeS industry in Chandigarh region has outpaced main hubs like Bangalore, Pune, Gurgaon. The companies operating in Chandigarh performed much better with over 40% growth in turnover despite over 40% adverse global economic scenario. 

The turnover of the industry has grown to Rs 1910 crore in Chandigarh and Mohali in the last year notching a growth of 22% aginast the 16-17% growth of domestic IT and BPO indsutry. The growth is much better in case of companies operating in Chandigarh that posted growth of 40% in 2011-12 raising their turnover to Rs 1300 crore from Rs 926 crore in previous corresponding year. A host of companies including majors like Infosys,Tech Mahindra, Dell and several other small IT companies operate from IT park in Chandigarh and STPI located at Mohali. 
"Infosys' development center at Chandigarh is fastest growing in the country," executive co-chairman, Infosys Limited S Gopalakrishnan said at IT conclave at Chandigarh. "The city has potential to take the industry to new growth trajectory," he said. The headcount at Infosys has grown to 6,000 in the city, he said. 

To further promote IT industry in the region, the Chandigarh administration is shortly launching an entrepreneur development centre at IT park. " To draw roadmap to promote IT industry in the region a committee of chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana and advisor UT Administration is being set up ," says adviser UT administrator KK Sharma. 

Despite the economic gloom around 35 new entrepreneurs launched their started their businesses last Year in the city. "The sector provides direct employment to 30,000 people and indirect employment to 4 times the number. Even the downturn has not impacted the region much", joint director STPI, Mohali Ajay P Srivastava said. 

Punjab government is acquiring around 600 acres to provide space for IT industry in the neighboring districts of Ropar. "We have in final stage of acquiring 83 acres at Mohali," says managing director Punjab Infotech, Anurag Verma. He said that the region scores high in social economic and infrastructure when compared to other major IT destinations in the country. There is no dearth of talent pool as a large number of IT professionals are willing to be transferred to the region, says verma. 

Lately Tech major WiproBSE -1.07 % has sought land from Chandigarh administration to set up operations. " Business and job prospects will widen if major IT companies expands in the region," says chairman CII Chandigarh, Sameer Goel.