Sukhm signs deal with Punjab on IT park

Chandigarh-based Sukhm Infrastructures Private Ltd has signed an agreement with the Punjab government for putting up an integrated IT park in Mohali spread over 220 acres, which would be the second biggest IT park in the region (Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh) after Rajiv Gandhi Technology Park (RGCTP), Chandigarh, and is likely to put Mohali on the national radar soon.

The park will be developed in phases with a project cost of Rs 952 crore in the first phase and another Rs 800 crore in the second phase, funded by internal accruals and FDI, and is likely to be completed in three years.

The company--a consortium of Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance group, the Dalmias, Bergruen (US), and Yellow Stone (Chandigarh-based real estate firm)--will develop the park in two phases. The first phase will be spread over 125 acres and the second phase over 95 acres.

Work on the first phase is likely to start by December 31, and that on the second phase by February next year.

Speaking to Business Standard, Managing Director Tejinder Bhatia said, "We signed an agreement with the Punjab government today and the company will submit the zoning and layout plan in a month."

Bhatia said, "We have earmarked 60 per cent of the total area for the IT park, and 30 per cent will be residential and 10 per cent is for commercial establishments."

The park would be even bigger than Quark City, he added. The park will have an IT tower, call centres, software development companies and IT training institutes.

Also, the IT-enabled fashion tower will come up on about 4 acres. The company has also approached Austrian, UK and Canadian High Commission trade consultants to promote the zone.