NAGPUR: Swayam, a non-government social organization, has appealed to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis to make concerted efforts to transform Nagpur into an information technology (IT) hub. The plea has come in the wake of Fadnavis’ reported announcement that Pune would be developed into country’s premier IT centre.

Vishal Muttemwar , president of Swayam, has written to Fadnavis making a strong plea for promoting Mihan as the IT destination. “Why Pune which has over 2,000 IT units employing some 2 lakh people there? It is already an IT centre and there is no need for special efforts to promote it. In fact, it would be better to decongest Pune,” said Muttemwar.

“Today, Mihan with its SEZ is ready with world class infrastructure. There is good network of roads, developed land and it is encouraging that you have facilitated supply of electricity at an affordable rate of Rs4.38 per unit. While TCS is in the process of starting its unit at Mihan, other big ticket giants like Infosys too need to be attracted to start operations. By promoting Mihan as IT destination, you would be killing two birds with one stone — fulfilling the Mihan dream and providing large-scale employment,” Muttemwar stated in the letter.

The youth leader also pointed out that there are scores of engineering college in and around the city and Nagpur as IT hub would be feasible as manpower would be easily available. “So, kindly reconsider your decision and give Nagpur its due,’ the letter read.

