Visakhapatnam: Unable to figure out what to do to attract IT companies to set up shops in Vizag, the state government had finally decided to hire a professional agency to prepare a master plan or a concept plan on creating the right ecosystem with a time frame action plan. District joint collector J. Niwas has been appointed to look after the preparation of the concept plan.

An action plan on how to ‘market’ Vizag as a potential IT destination in the state is also being worked out. The master plan will also reflect the present gaps in the city. The state government had identified various Vuda buildings including the unsold units of row housing project estimated to be of 4 lakhs sft space in which IT companies can be accommodated. With the proposal to de-notify IT SEZ in Madhurawada existing IT companies that were allotted space and unable to do proper business can sublease their premises to new IT companies through which around additional 4 lakh sft space will be available.

As per the government’s estimates 8 lakh sft space will be available in Vizag for immediate use, in which 8,000 employees can be accommodated in one shift. However, the right ecosystem is what needed to attract companies. “There is a need to create the right ecosystem to attract talent and also companies to Vizag which is better placed than any other place in the state. We need to have affordable houses for employees, recreation activities, schools, colleges, malls etc. We need a holistic approach to creating this ecosystem and need to hire a professional agency to prepare a concept plan on this. The district joint collector will coordinate with other stakeholders of the IT sector like IT associations, STPI, others to prepare this Plan and also an action plan to achieve it,” said chief secretary S.P. Tucker.

The chief secretary on Wednesday held discussions with district officials and also representatives of various IT companies, officials of state IT & C department and STPI. He also assured providing affordable housing for the IT employees nearby IT SEZ by roping in private builders to construct houses. Mr Tucker, soon a government’s new affordable housing will be unveiled.