Jaipur: Rajasthan's chief minister Vasundhara Raje inaugurated the Mahindra World City (MWC), Jaipur's information technology special economic zone (IT SEZ).

Christened Mahindra World City, Jaipur's IT SEZ covers around 750 acres, making it the largest planned IT SEZ in the country. A number of companies have already moved in to the SEZ, such as Infosys, Wipro, Deutsche Bank, Nucleus Software, and Connexions.

The IT SEZ is a part of the larger 2600-acre multi-product SEZ which will also have light engineering, auto ancillary, handicrafts and logistics zones. Investment in this larger SEZ is estimated to be in the range of Rs10,000 crore, and by 2012, it will employ around 1 lakh people.

Mahindra World City Jaipur, is a 74:26 public-private partnership between Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd. (MLDL) and the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Industrial Corporation (RIICO).

The SEZ has attained an operational status within two years of its initial launch, and its client list includes ICICI Bank, QH Talbros, Marsons Electricals, Tijaria Polyprep, Dynamic Engineering, Polymed, Genus Power, Veto Electropower, Pink City Enterprises, Artasia, Artage, Heritage, A L Paperhouse, Vamani Enterprises, Rustic Furniture.

The business process outsourcing (BPO) arm of Infosys Technologies (Infosys), Infosys BPO, has also announced the inauguration of its second BPO campus at Mahindra World City, in parallel to the inauguration of the SEZ.

Kris Gopalakrishnan, CEO and managing director of the company said, ''Jaipur is becoming an exciting destination for the IT-ITeS industry. Our investment in the second campus firmly establishes Jaipur as a significant centre for Infosys. We are extremely happy to be in Jaipur and acknowledge the support and encouragement of the state government.''

Infosys BPO's new campus at the SEZ at Mahindra World City will cover over 42 acres at an investment of Rs531 crore that will be made in phases. During phase 1 of construction, the company would invest around Rs 171 crore, creating a built-up area of 3,69,100 square feet, and a seating capacity of 3,200.

The campus is designed as a green building, and will have 49 per cent of the total area as a green belt. Green sourcing practices, integrated water management, and adoption of environment friendly refrigerant are among the many initiatives that Infosys has undertaken to help control global warming and ozone depletion.
Infosys BPO's first campus at Sitapur has been in operation since August 2006, and spans 78,000 square feet with a seating capacity of 890.

To enhance the employability of the local talent pool, Infosys has partnered 32 engineering colleges in Rajasthan in a 'Campus Connect' programme that has seen the participation of 120 faculty members and 1,914 students so far.

Chief minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje said, "The inauguration of the IT SEZ in Mahindra World City, Jaipur is a significant milestone for Rajasthan. Today Jaipur is one of the fastest growing cities in the country, with its excellent infrastructure and abundant skilled manpower. Mahindra World City, Jaipur with its state-of-the-art facilities has provided the perfect platform for corporates to set up their facilities, enabling the creation of numerous job opportunities. I compliment RIICO, the Government of Rajasthan and the Mahindra Group for successfully developing this SEZ in record time."

Arun Nanda, executive director of Mahindra & Mahindra said, "I am delighted that Mahindra World City's IT SEZ is being inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan within two years of signing the joint venture agreement with the state government. This has been possible because of the tremendous support we received from the State Government both at the policy and decision making level. I am confident Mahindra World City, Jaipur will help create Rajasthan as one of the prime industrial destinations of the country."

Sunil Arora, chairman of Mahindra World City said, "It is a moment of great pride to see Mahindra World City, Jaipur, a shining example of public private partnership being developed with such speed and success. The professionalism of the Mahindra Group and the proactive policies of the State Government have led us to this milestone, one of several more to come."