'Take steps to woo IT majors to Nashik'

, national secretary, CSI, and member, advisory committee, Nashik chapter, on the growth prospects for the sector in Nashik and why it is still lagging behind.

What are the activities the Computer Society of India (CSI) is involved in?

CSI was formed in 1965 with the objective of bringing all IT experts and professionals together for the growth of the sector in the country.

As part of our initiative to creating a platform to exchange information on latest technologies, we organise yearly national level conferences. This year's meet was held here.

The Nashik chapter of CSI has been considered the most vibrant and it has won the best chapter award thrice. During the last 17 years, the Nashik chapter has conducted computer exhibition and student contests.

The chapter holds an IT exhibition every alternate year and frequently conducts lectures/ seminars for computer science students in schools and colleges in Nashik district.

Our goal is to share the latest knowledge among people related to IT. It goes to our credit that BSNL, VSNL and Software Technology Park of India were brought on single platform to start internet in the city.

What is the growth prospects for IT in Nashik in the next few years?

For all businesses to grow two things are must: adequate power supply and better communication facilities, i.e, proper air-rail-road links with major cities. Every year, Nashik creates 200-300 IT professionals. They were forced to go out seeking job opportunities as there is no scope for growth here.

However, the situation has changed over the last one year. The Nashik-Mumbai air service is operational and adequate power supply is also available here.

Two urgent needs are four-laning of the Nashik-Mumbai highway, which is long over due, and increasing the frequency of fast trains to Mumbai. Nashik-Mumbai-Pune triangle is being developed as a golden triangle.

However, this part (Nashik) of the triangle is seeing lopsided growth. Infrastructure in this region has to be spruced up to meet the Mumbai-Pune level. There is definitely vast potential for the growth of IT here, provided these bottlenecks are removed.

An IT Park was set up here three years ago, but not a single company has come here. What could be the reasons?

It is important to make quality products. But you must also market them well. This holds true for Nashik's IT park.

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) only built the park, it didn't market the park. That is why the park is deserted still.

How will companies arrive here unless you provide a presentation to IT majors such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services and Wipro. We have to inform them of what Nashik has on offer.

What efforts you are taking to attract IT players towards Nashik?

We are ready to support those industrial organisations or local civic bodies, which take steps in this regard. We have also approached two industrial organisations to take initiative. But, they didn't.

I think, Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), MIDC, the district collectorate and Nashik Industries and Manufacturers' Association (NIMA) must lead the way.

We will provide them full cooperation, including preparation of the presentation. If we market Nashik properly, why will companies not be attracted to Nashik?