Cognizant to invest $ 46 million in Kolkata

Kolkata

July 16th, 2007

Cognizant Technology Solutions is all set to expand its infrastructure in
Kolkata. The company is coming up with a techno complex on 20 acres of land in
Bantala SEZ. The new 500, 000 square feet set-up will be equipped to accommodate
about 4000 new employees.

Within its program for this forthcoming expansion plan which will be executed
in phases, the BPO has planned to invest $ 46 million (Rs 188 crore Approx) in
the first phase. "Our Kolkata operation has been going as per our planning
and has been a major contributor in the growth of CTS," said R
Chandrasekaran, President & MD, Cognizant Technology Solutions.

The present Salt Lake campus of Cognizant employs around 4000 professionals.
"We are planning our growth in the city by tapping the rich talent pool in
the eastern part of Kolkata which will enable us to meet the growing demand of
our international customers," stated Siddhartha Mukherjee, VP & Head -
Kolkata operations, CTS. The upcoming Bantala campus is a part of Cognizant's
larger program to invest about $200 million in order to expand its operation in
places like Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad and Kolkata by the end of 2008.

The announcement of its expansion plans in Kolkata by Cognizant came at a
moment when West Bengal is passing through one of its most difficult times ever.
Amidst the political hue and cry centering the land acquisition issues by the
state government many of its leading competitors have recently backed out from
expanding their operation farther in Kolkata. On asking what was the reason
behind its plan to expand the local operation which has certainly drawn fresh
air in the state government's plan for growth in the IT sector Chandrasekaran
defended Cognizant's move by terming the ongoing disturbances to be a temporary
phase. "Every state has its own issues and problems. I am sure that the
current trouble that West Bengal is facing is a temporary phase which will soon
pass on. Apart from this so called problems other basic requirements needed for
any industrial infrastructure like, manpower, power, government support, etc are
one of the best here," he explained.

The Bantala facility will act as a key contributor in Cognizant's target of
achieving $2 billion dollar worth of business in the next eighteen months. Apart
from the two self owned campuses the company will also lease additional
facilities in the city to accommodate its plan for new recruitments. Like its
specialty to develop all its development centers on specific industry sectors
the existing Kolkata facility focuses on high growth segments like, financial
services, pharmaceuticals, retail, ERP & CRM.