For IT professionals working in the metros like Bangalore and Mumbai, a daily work commute starts and ends with one to two hours of traffic. The time between is spent in high rises behind desks in cubicles, cafeteria lunches, and heavy pollution instead of fresh air when stepping out for a break. Given these tired circumstances, a number of startups have chosen to move their operations out of the metros, and closer to the coast – with Goa being a popular choice. Digital Marketing Agencies, Design Companies, and IT startups have set up operations in the sunshine state owing to a more relaxed work environment, improving internet and electricity infrastructures, and lower real estate rates. Noticing this, the Government of Goa has decided to set up a permanent home and invite more IT companies to do the same.
A plan for progress
Back in August of 2015, the former Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar revealed that the Government of Goa was looking to set up two IT parks within the next five years. Three years later, sites in Chimbel and Tuem were identified for the proposed Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) hub and IT park. In fact, the Info-Tech Corporation of Goa had moved to prepare the IT park at Chimbel and the Electronics Manufacturing Cluster (EMC) in Tuem at an estimated cost of 42 lakh. The plan was to earmark land and begin demarcation of internal roads and the plot layout. As per reports, the 2.69 lakh sqm land allocated for the Chimbel IT park and the 5.97 lakh sqm EMC at Tuem were budgeted 50 crore Rupees for the 41 and 60 plots respectively. The contract for the developments was handed over to Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL).
Just Do IT
As the elections draw closer, the State Cabinet has renewed its interest in the setting up of these state-of-the-art projects by approving via circulation the construction of an Integrated IT Township in Chimbel, and a Hybrid IT Park in Penha-de-Franca. The Integrated IT Township has been allocated a space measuring 4,49,625 sqm, while the Hybrid IT Park will measure a modest 12,455 sqm. Both these projects are being set up under the Goa Information Technology Development Act of 2007. The Government of Goa is looking to provide a steady supply of employment to the Goan community while opening up more opportunities in the IT and ITeS sector.
What do you think of these developments? Do you think Goa needs a dedicated infrastructure for IT companies? Let us know in the comments below.
