IT projects under UT admn’s new industrial policy find few takers

In less than a month after the UT administration announced its first comprehensive industrial policy, only two people have come forward to opt for setting up of information technology-related services at Industrial Area to date.

The policy aimed at promoting non-polluting, technology-driven and knowledge-based industry. The policy also opened the path for Industrial Area in setting up IT-enabled services like call centres, medical and legal transcription services.

The sources in the administration said only two new applications have been received for setting I-T enabled services.

UT home secretary Anurag Agarwal said, “There are a large number of people interested in setting up the I-T services as well as introducing warehousing at the Industrial Area. But, we have not received much applications to date. The industrialists are expected to approach gradually as they have to first modify their plot for offering warehousing or other businesses related to I-T.”

The sources in the administration added that a large number of plot holders in the Industrial Area are also planning to rent out their area for the new industrial activities announced by the administration.

To take stock of the situation, the UT home secretary had held a meeting last week with officers of different UT departments and industrialists. The meeting was aimed to review the preparedness for implementing the policy.

Under the industrial policy, it was announced that the administration would provide 24x7 power supply. The Industrial Area would get water supply from 9am to 6pm and streetlights/road sidelights would be repaired within six months.

Making fountains functional, developing greenbelts and parking areas would also be undertaken. It was also pointed out that the roads, which are in bad shape in the Industrial Area, would also be repaired. The policy had also announced automobile service stations in Phases 1 and 2 of the Industrial Area.