Date:04/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/04/stories/2005030400821700.htm

Back TCS to expand base; opens Kochi centre

Our Bureau

Thiruvananthapuram , March 3

TATA Consultancy Services (TCS) is expanding its base in Kerala by opening its new software development centre in Infopark at Kochi. The company operates a world-class training centre from Technopark here.

The new facility will be spread over 72,500 sq ft on three floors of the `Vismaya' structure in Infopark and will be fully functional by April, a company spokesman said here. It hopes to expand the Kochi centre to about 600 software professionals in the ensuing months.

The facility will serve as a base for software development and IT services to meet the requirements of domestic and overseas customers. It will also help tap the large pool of highly skilled IT professionals available in this region.

Speaking to newspersons after interacting with a visiting TCS delegation, the Chief Minister, Mr Oommen Chandy, said the Government would extend all possible help to the company for its operations in the State. The Government was committed to providing an investor-friendly climate.

During the interaction, Mr Nagaraja Ijari, Head, Delivery Centre, TCS, Bangalore, handed over a letter to the Chief Minister requesting allotment of 50 acres of additional land in Kochi for further expansion of operations.

The Secretary, IT, Kerala, Mr P. H. Kurien, who was also present, said the land would be provided soon from the acquisitions already made.

Mr Ijari said the company intends to set up a full-fledged world-class development centre in Kochi. When operational, it will employ at least 1,000 software professionals who will be recruited from within the State as well as outside of it.

According to Mr Kurien, the Government will soon hand over the 50 acres of land required by TCS to expand its Technopark training facility. The Technopark authorities are in receipt of the request letter and it has been decided that land be made available from the stretch acquired for the proposed Kovalam-Kazhakuttom IT Corridor.