A delay in the construction of its complex at Hinjewadi near here has forced software services giant Infosys Technologies to move as many as 3,000 personnel from its Pune campus to Chennai.
The construction of the complex is running six months behind the schedule following labour shortage caused by protests against north Indians early this year by Raj Thackeray-led political outfit, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS).
"We have to move more professionals to our Chennai unit as we have run out of space at our Pune facility," Infosys Technologies' Human Resources Director, T V Mohandas Pai, at a news conference here. The company had recently faced delays at its Mysore site as well and had to adjust its workforce in a similar way.
The site at Hinjewadi had around 3,000 construction workers before the protests started in February this year and the number went down to 1,400. "We have managed to increase the worker strength to 1,800 as of now and the entire facility would now be completed in another 24 months," Pai added.
Once the entire complex is ready, the total seating capacity in Pune would extend to 38,700. Pai said Infosys will invest Rs 500 crore more in Pune campus in 2008-09. "Pune will become our largest development centre in terms of capacity, even bigger than Bangalore,” he said. The company also said it is planning a major leap in legal process outsourcing segment.
It has set up a cell in Pune comprising 150 advocates.for its LPO business in Pune.
"The LPO industry in India is worth $200 million today and the same would grow up to $1,000 million over next four years," said Meera Innanje, Infosys BPO head, Pune. The company has 5,000 professionals working with its BPO unit in Pune.
Our exports from Pune city have increased from Rs 2,500 crore in March 2007 to Rs 3,340 crore in March 2008 crore. We have already invested Rs 1,250 crore in Pune and the figure would touch Rs 1,550 crore over next two years," he added.
The company plans to continue hiring freshers from various engineering colleges.
Last year, the company offered 18,000 jobs across India. "This year, we will offer around 25,000 jobs and these professionals would join the company next year," Pai stated.
