VISAKHAPATNAM: Basic amenities, connectivity, power and transportation still elude the much-touted IT
SEZ in Rushikonda which houses barely 15 firms out of the nearly 100-odd IT/ITeS players that call Vizag home.
Representatives of various IT firms and industry bodies are slated to meet IT minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy on Tuesday to put forth their list of demands to put Rushikonda IT SEZ on the radar of various IT companies trooping into the city.
"Two factors are key to the SEZ __ human resources and bandwidth. So far we have not been provided bandwidth by the government. We have approached BSNL, but due to some reason it has not been sorted out, " said the country head of an IT firm.
"Usually in places like Bangalore or Hyderabad, offices of telecom companies are located nearby and we can air our grievances, but it is yet to be sorted out here," he further added.
"We have also approached the AP Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) several times to extend bus services from Gitam University to Rushikonda, but they say as the occupancy is limited, it is not viable to run the services to the IT park. When you want to promote IT, such facilities must be provided," he said.
The marketing director of another IT firm said: "It's quite eerie during the night to go down from Rushikonda to the Beach Road because there are no streetlights. In fact there is not even a single electricity pole on the road to Madhurawada. For those finishing work late, it is unsafe to travel on such stretches. Most of the people working here stay around Madhurawada because it is affordable and closer to their workplace."
"We have been making representations to the government seeking 24x7 uninterrupted power supply. And though this year the situation was better than last year, we still have some power-related issues," he added. "The existing rules are also proving to be a major hindrance. As of now companies with infrastructure can't lease or rent their properties to others. So if a company wants to set up an office with around 50 people, then they invariably have to do so in the city," the managing director of another IT company said. There are also no medical facilities in the vicinity.
"Not only from a business point of view, but also from a social perspective, the IT park is isolated. There are no eateries or other facility. Such issues have to be dealt with on a priority basis to attract IT companies to the SEZ."
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com