Congress government’s IT ‘push’ forgets Telangana’s tier II cities

The previous BRS government had laid emphasis on expanding IT companies in tier II cities and towns on par with Hyderabad. Accordingly, IT towers were constructed in Khammam, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda.

Hyderabad: The State government’s approach to the once flourishing IT sector in Telangana appears to be missing a few crucial chords. Even as work is delayed on the much awaited IT Tower at Malakpet in the capital city, the construction of IT Towers and expansion of the sector to Tier II cities too has taken a backseat.

In fact, two companies have reportedly shut their operations from the IT Tower at Mahabubnagar.

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“In the past, nine companies were operating out of the tower at Mahabubnagar and now only two were operating. After a change in government, seven companies have shut their operations. This is the situation in the Chief Minister’s home district,” BharatMBNR, an X user, posted on the social media platform.

The previous BRS government had laid emphasis on expanding IT companies in tier II cities and towns on par with Hyderabad. Accordingly, IT towers were constructed in Khammam, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Mahabubnagar and Nalgonda.

In tune with these plans, the BRS government had accorded administrative sanction for construction of an IT tower in Adilabad. Under the ICT policy and Rural Technology Policy, the government planned to develop the IT Tower at Battisavargaon village, Manalapan mandal in Adilabad.

To this effect, the district administration had identified three acres in survey no 72 of Battisavargaon village. In 2023, the State government had accorded administrative sanction of Rs.40 crore for construction of the IT tower with a built space of 48,000 square feet.

The project was to be executed by the IT department through Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). A few companies had evinced interest in setting up their units at the tower. It has been nearly one year since the Congress government came to power but the status of the IT tower in Adilabad is still unclear.

The objective behind establishing IT towers in tier II cities was to provide IT jobs for youth in the districts and facilitate the companies in cutting down their costs.

Similarly, the foundation was laid for constructing an IT tower at Malakpet in the State capital to provide IT and ITES jobs for youth in the old city. Even after a year, construction works have not picked up for reasons better known to TGIIC officials.

Not just the construction of new IT towers, the expansion of existing ones is also getting neglected in the State. The towers constructed at Karimnagar (550 seats capacity), Khammam (450 seats), Warangal (250 seats), Mahabubnagar (500 seats) and Nizamabad are occupied, save for a few vacant seats.

In fact, the past government had even planned Phase II expansion of the towers at Khammam and Warangal. The units operating out of these towers were into full-fledged software, AI and other services and not call centres.

There was a need for constant monitoring and handholding support for the managements, operating out of the towers in tier II cities. Unfortunately that has not been happening effectively since the last few months, said an official from the IT department.