‘We will take the IT sector in the State to greater heights…’

‘We will take the IT sector in the State to greater heights…’
The setting up of a Vision Group promises to streamline infrastructure development to support the growing IT sector in the State. M N Vidyashankar, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Karnataka, shares some thoughts on the role this body will play in bringing in more IT companies, in a chat with R Jayaprakash
The Times of India

What is 'Vision Group on IT' all about?
The State Government has decided to set up a Vision Group on IT to take IT in the State to greater heights and for greater penetration of IT tools in the rural areas. The Vision Group will make specific recommendations to the government on a course of action to be taken towards planning and implementation of the IT policy, particularly with a view to moving up the value chain, maintaining the leadership position of Karnataka, extending IT usage, for better governance and delivery mechanisms, and improving education standards to meet the challenging needs of the knowledge sector.
We have heard that IT chiefs are involved in this initiative. What is their role in this campaign?
Big names in the IT sector are in the Vision Group. While N R Narayana Murthy is the Chairman of the Vision Group, other IT leaders such as chiefs of IBM, Cisco, Microsoft, Philips, and Wipro are members. Similarly, we have also roped in Director of IIIT-B, Associate Director of Indian Institute of Science, President - NASSCOM, Chairman - ISA, President - MAIT, and Director of STPI. The IT Secretary and the Director - IT are also members. All recommended members
consented to be part of this group. The Vision Group will have a holistic approach while laying the road map for IT not only in Bangalore but also in the tier-II and tier-III cities, including of course penetration of IT in rural areas.
Do you have any road map or concrete plans to take this forward?
While in the Government we do have certain ideas, we would be better off involving the industry, trade bodies and the academia. The Vision Group is likely to meet in December and thereafter once a quarter at least, depending on the convenience and availability of the members.
It was reported that you are in the process of identifying IT hubs and corridors. What plans do you have to put things in place?
Bangalore is the largest IT hub and now we would like to concentrate on a hub and spoke model for further IT growth. The BMRDA has plans to come up with five integrated townships around Bangalore. The first such integrated township will be in Bidadi. It is proposed to dedicate this township to the knowledge sector. There are also plans to set up IT Parks in Ramanagaram. Similarly, we would like to see IT growth happening in Hubli-Dharwar and Belgaum regions. Mysore and Mangalore are already on the road to attracting IT investments. In fact, it is noticed that many of the IT projects that are approved in the State Level Clearance Committee are for Mysore.
Many companies are knocking doors of other cities such as Pune and Chennai. Are we losing the IT race to these cities? What plans do you have to retain the IT companies here?
Karnataka, and Bangalore in particular, are certainly not losing any IT race. No other city or State has the necessary human resources both in quantity and quality to cater to the needs of the knowledge sector. We have a strong base of knowledge both in terms of institutions and skill sets. We are constantly upgrading the knowledge base as we would like to continue to be the number one destination for the knowledge sector. Karnataka State continues to attract four new IT companies every week, three of which are foreign companies. We are, however, not competing with other States or cities of India. We welcome IT growth in other cities of our country.
What are your infrastructure strategies?
For Bangalore we are already upgrading and improving the 19 identified arterial roads and most of the works have been completed. The flyover projects are also on the verge of completion. The work on elevated expressway between Silk Board junction and Electronics City has already started and would be completed as per schedule. The roadunder-bridge work on the Marathahalli road has also started. The Bangalore International Airport coming up near Devanahalli would be operational in 2008 as planned. The preliminary work on Bangalore Metro has started. Once all these major infrastructure projects are completed, life would be much better and easier for all.
Are more areas of the city being identified for IT concentrations?
With a view to reducing the growing pressure on the city infrastructure, we are now focusing on areas around Bangalore for IT parks. As already stated, the Knowledge City at Bidadi over about 9,000 acres would be a major IT concentration area. Similarly, Ramanagaram, and Devanahalli are the likely future IT growth areas.