Scrapping of ITIR project will widen the gap between Telangana and Centre

The Centre’s decision to scrap the much-anticipated Information Technology Investment Region which was proposed to be established in Hyderabad, has further widened differences between the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Union government.

Union minister of state for electronics and IT Rajeev Chandrasekhar, confirmed the ITIR project to be cancelled, triggering strong protests from the state. Telangana information technology and industries minister K T Rama Rao said, “This is nothing but betraying the people of the state. The Centre has not come out with any projects that are on par to compensate for the ITIR project.”

The objectives of the ITIR policy could be better served and achieved by direct promotion of industrial units in industrial clusters and industrial townships that are taking shape through various programmes such as Smart Cities and other Industrial and Electronics Park schemes.

The ITIR project was proposed to be established in 202 square kilometres of area in and around Hyderabad for Rs 4,863 crore to be borne entirely by the Centre in different phases. It was proposed to bring in vast areas of Hyderabad, including the existing IT campuses under the Cyberabad Development Authority, Gachibowli, Madhapur and extended to areas in Hyderabad airport and most of the western parts of the city including Mamidipalli, Raviryala, Adibatla, Maheshwaram, Uppal and Pocharam.

The project report said the ITIR would expect to result in direct revenues of Rs 3.11 lakh crore, growth of IT exports to the tune of Rs 2.35 lakh crore, direct employment for 1.5 million people and an increase in tax revenue to the state to the extent of over Rs 30,000 crores over 25 years.