Bengal keen to build social infrastructure

West Bengal government is bracing up to create social infrastructure, in a bid to woo investment in the IT and ITES sector.

State IT minister, Manabendra Mukherjee said at the foundation stone laying ceremony of Infinity Benchmark, the total number of employees in the sector will be around 40-50,000 in the next six months, from the present level of a little more than 20,000.

Accordingly, the adequate commercial space would be added. Mukherjee said, by March 31, 2006, four million square feet of space would be dedicated for the sector.

To beef up social infrastructure, new multiplex would come up closer to sector V in Salt Lake, the IT hub of the city, there would also be food courts. Mukherjee said, two new hotels would be required to cater to the needs of the sector and the government had already opened dialogue with some of the hotel majors.

Speaking on the sidelines, he said, one hotel would be in the five star category and the other would be a four star one. The Infinity Benchmark, part of the Infinity Infotech Parks Ltd, would be completed in 15 months' time. Ravindra Chamaria, chairman and managing director Infinity Infotech Parks said, the social infrastructure would be completed in the first phase.

Out of the total area of 5.5 lakh square feet, three lakh square feet would account for social infrastructure, namely food courts and car parking.

The balance would be used for IT office space. It would also house a hawkers' zone. Chamaria said, it would have a multi-level car park spread over five floors for over 600 cars.

The other facilities would be club house, tennis court, gym, conference and training rooms, business centre, swimming pool, spas, mini theatre, fine dining and banquet halls.