PUNE: The infrastructure in the city and its surrounding areas is likely to get a boost with the state government declaring that it wants IT companies to develop amenities like roads, water supply etc surrounding their offices against concessions in taxes.
www.sevagiri.com
The state's new IT policy, announced on Tuesday, has been welcomed by city-based developers and the business class. The state aims to attract an investment worth Rs 50,000 crore and generate employment for 10 lakh people.
The apex bodies of business and developers - the MCCIA and CREDAI Pune — have welcomed the move saying that IT Parks will take care of roads and other amenities surrounding their offices without depending on the municipal corporations. The cash-strapped Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is happy because it already requires an estimated Rs 25,000 crore to develop and improve basic infrastructure in the old city areas.
The new policy proposes that companies can develop 'critical infrastructure' like approach roads connecting to highways besides providing basic amenities like water, sewage etc. In lieu, they will be given rebates in property tax and premiums paid to the government for higher FSI.
The 'critical infrastructure' includes physical facilities like supply chains, information technologies and communication networks, besides water supply, health facilities, communication, transport, banking etc.
"We had repeatedly asked the state government to come out with a new IT policy if it wants to compete with Bangalore and Hyderabad (to attract IT companies). We welcome the change. It will bring IT companies to Pune and help generate employment. Because of high land prices, a majority of IT firms prefer taking buildings on lease. Now with the new policy and higher FSI, developers in Pune will make maximum effort to give a boost to the IT sector and develop civic amenities for the city," said Shantilal Kataria, president of CREDAI Pune metro.
The city-based developers, however, sought more clarity on the policy. The government must ensure that the developer, who is building the infrastructure exclusively for the companies, gets all benefits the IT firms are proposed to get.
Satish Magar, president of MCCIA, said the clause will help IT companies develop civic facilities like roads for their employees. "The policy is already in place. With the state government coming out with more sops, the IT businesses will benefit," said Magar.
Apurva Chandra, state industry secretary, said the state's IT policy is now in line with the policies of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
"The state government's move is a step towards involving private players in the development process. The PPP and BOT models are already in place. The IT companies' involvement will benefit themselves and employees as well. Besides, more talent will be attracted to the city," said urban planner Ramchandra Gohad.
It's good news for the civic bodies as well. The IT companies have been repeatedly asking for a long-term solution to traffic problem in and around the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, besides demanding good roads, hospitals, police stations etc for the safety and health of their employees. However, the Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune municipal corporations have so far failed to find a solution to a basic problem like congestion on roads.
Civic officials admit that the PMC has very little funds to augment and improve the city's infrastructure. A draft development plan (DP) for Pune city comes with a challenge of raising Rs 25,000 crore — a sum required to improve basic amenities and meet its social obligations.
The PMC had earlier admitted that the implementation of consecutive DPs drawn up in 1966 and 1987 was "pathetic" as a majority of the plans have remained on paper because of lack of funds. In fact, only 40% of the 1987 DP has been implemented so far. The reservations for basic amenities like public urinals, play grounds, hospitals have not been developed. The 1987 DP reservations covered an area of around 1,000 hectare, of which only 134 hectare has been developed.
Sanjay Dutt, executive managing director, South Asia - Cushman & Wakefield, said the higher FSI decision would lead to increased supply in peripheral locations, thereby easing the pressure on congested areas in the city. The tech companies, on the other hand, would benefit if the proposed tax benefits are seriously given. However, he added that the government will have to continue to play an important role in the process. "Apart from extending rebates and subsidies, the government must ensure creation of strong physical infrastructure to enable smooth functioning of IT townships," Dutt said.
Pune municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar said the PMC will continue to play a major role in developing the city. "The PMC will put all efforts to develop quality infrastructure not only for IT but also for entire the city with an objective to improve quality of life. The corporation has already taken steps to encourage the IT sector and will continue to do so," he said.
www.sevagiri.com
The state's new IT policy, announced on Tuesday, has been welcomed by city-based developers and the business class. The state aims to attract an investment worth Rs 50,000 crore and generate employment for 10 lakh people.
The apex bodies of business and developers - the MCCIA and CREDAI Pune — have welcomed the move saying that IT Parks will take care of roads and other amenities surrounding their offices without depending on the municipal corporations. The cash-strapped Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is happy because it already requires an estimated Rs 25,000 crore to develop and improve basic infrastructure in the old city areas.
The new policy proposes that companies can develop 'critical infrastructure' like approach roads connecting to highways besides providing basic amenities like water, sewage etc. In lieu, they will be given rebates in property tax and premiums paid to the government for higher FSI.
The 'critical infrastructure' includes physical facilities like supply chains, information technologies and communication networks, besides water supply, health facilities, communication, transport, banking etc.
"We had repeatedly asked the state government to come out with a new IT policy if it wants to compete with Bangalore and Hyderabad (to attract IT companies). We welcome the change. It will bring IT companies to Pune and help generate employment. Because of high land prices, a majority of IT firms prefer taking buildings on lease. Now with the new policy and higher FSI, developers in Pune will make maximum effort to give a boost to the IT sector and develop civic amenities for the city," said Shantilal Kataria, president of CREDAI Pune metro.
The city-based developers, however, sought more clarity on the policy. The government must ensure that the developer, who is building the infrastructure exclusively for the companies, gets all benefits the IT firms are proposed to get.
Satish Magar, president of MCCIA, said the clause will help IT companies develop civic facilities like roads for their employees. "The policy is already in place. With the state government coming out with more sops, the IT businesses will benefit," said Magar.
Apurva Chandra, state industry secretary, said the state's IT policy is now in line with the policies of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
"The state government's move is a step towards involving private players in the development process. The PPP and BOT models are already in place. The IT companies' involvement will benefit themselves and employees as well. Besides, more talent will be attracted to the city," said urban planner Ramchandra Gohad.
It's good news for the civic bodies as well. The IT companies have been repeatedly asking for a long-term solution to traffic problem in and around the Rajiv Gandhi Infotech Park in Hinjewadi, besides demanding good roads, hospitals, police stations etc for the safety and health of their employees. However, the Pimpri Chinchwad and Pune municipal corporations have so far failed to find a solution to a basic problem like congestion on roads.
Civic officials admit that the PMC has very little funds to augment and improve the city's infrastructure. A draft development plan (DP) for Pune city comes with a challenge of raising Rs 25,000 crore — a sum required to improve basic amenities and meet its social obligations.
The PMC had earlier admitted that the implementation of consecutive DPs drawn up in 1966 and 1987 was "pathetic" as a majority of the plans have remained on paper because of lack of funds. In fact, only 40% of the 1987 DP has been implemented so far. The reservations for basic amenities like public urinals, play grounds, hospitals have not been developed. The 1987 DP reservations covered an area of around 1,000 hectare, of which only 134 hectare has been developed.
Sanjay Dutt, executive managing director, South Asia - Cushman & Wakefield, said the higher FSI decision would lead to increased supply in peripheral locations, thereby easing the pressure on congested areas in the city. The tech companies, on the other hand, would benefit if the proposed tax benefits are seriously given. However, he added that the government will have to continue to play an important role in the process. "Apart from extending rebates and subsidies, the government must ensure creation of strong physical infrastructure to enable smooth functioning of IT townships," Dutt said.
Pune municipal commissioner Kunal Kumar said the PMC will continue to play a major role in developing the city. "The PMC will put all efforts to develop quality infrastructure not only for IT but also for entire the city with an objective to improve quality of life. The corporation has already taken steps to encourage the IT sector and will continue to do so," he said.
Source : Toi
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