In a bid to give impetus to the Information Technology sector, the Jammu and Kashmir government has set ball rolling for setting up an IT Tower at Sempora at an estimated cost of Rs 50 crore.
According to officials , the proposed amenities in IT Towers in Srinagar will include Raw Incubation space; Raw Office space; Plug and Play; Data room; Conference hall; Finishing school; Work-station; Cafeteria; Gymnasium/yoga room; Electrical room; HVAC, BMS,CCTV, Fire-fighting; Parking, STP, Sub-station; Landscaping & Horticulture.
The directorate of Industries and Commerce Kashmir has accorded sanction to transfer 30 kanals of land at Sempora, Pampore to Jammu and Kashmir IT Infrastructure Development Company (JKITIDC).
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the transfer of 30 kanals of land at Sempora, Pampore from Directorate of Industries and Commerce Kashmir to JK IT Infrastructure Development Company for construction of IT tower at Srinagar. Director Industries and Commerce Kashmir shall hand over the land free from all encumbrances to the Managing Director, JK IT Infrastructure Development Company for construction of IT Tower at Srinagar,” reads an order issued by the Commissioner Secretary to Industries and Commerce Department.
In January, the UT administration in order to bring reforms in the Information Technology sector in J&K; signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NBCC and JK IT Infrastructure Development Company for establishing IT Towers in both the Capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, in presence of Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of J&K.
The Lt Governor set deadlines of 15 months and 17 months for completion of the IT Towers at Jammu and Srinagar, respectively, against the time period of 24 months which was earlier set for completion of the projects.
In Jammu, the IT Tower will come up at Exhibition road. The J&K government has already accorded sanction to transfer 24 Kanals of land from Directorate of Industries and Commerce Department, Jammu to JK IT Infrastructure Development Company for its construction.
According to Industry department officials, the IT Tower in Srinagar will help in bringing back many youngsters, who are working in cities like Bangalore and Gurugram as it will provide them with promoting innovation entrepreneurship culture in their home town. The UT Government is working with a vision to promote latest scientific and technology driven innovations to make J&K self-reliant, he added.
Lt Governor has also pointed out that the development of IT infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir would go a long way in creating a conducive environment for startups, economic growth and creation of employment opportunities.
“Growth of the Information Technology sector is absolutely imperative for economic growth and for creation of gainful employment opportunities” the Lt Governor remarked.