First ever IT park inaugurated "State marches closer to a dream IT industry"
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 04 2015 : The Department of Information Technology, Manipur inaugurated the State's first ever IT park along with IIIT Manipur's temporary campus at Chingmeirong in the presence of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today.

The inaugural function which was scheduled to begin from 10 in the morning was delayed by an hour and a half owing to the late arrival of Chief Minister Okram Ibobi.

Wangkhei A/C MLA Y Erabot who was invited to grace the function as guest of honour left without attending the function as the CM failed to arrive even after waiting for an hour.

Frontal view of the IT Park's main building

The Chief Minister could not arrive at the IT park inaugural function on time as he was reportedly attending the 66th Van Mahotsav at Maha-raj Gambhir Singh Samadhi, Langthabal.

The Chief Minister along with other dignitaries present at the occasion, inspected all the rooms of the new IT park and IIIT Manipur temporary campus after the inaugural event.

Chief Minister Okram Ibobi, during his speech, stated that with the inauguration of the IT park and IIIT temporary campus, the State is now two steps closer to realising its dream of establishing a thriving IT industry.

The Chief Minister also expressed his gratification with the ongoing celebration of the Digital India Week in the State.

He said the State Government has lined up various activities to increase awareness about Digital India amongst the public.

The Digital India Week commenced from July 1, 2015 and will continue till July 7.The campaign aims at creating infrastructure for provi- ding convenient online services to the people besides bringing transparency through IT.

The most important reason behind celebrating the Digital India Week, the Chief Minister stated is to transform India into a digital empowered society that can take full advantage of the IT revolution taking place across the world.

Chief Minister Manipur inaugurated IT Park & IIIT Manipur Temporary Campus at Mantripukhri, Imphal :: Pix - DIPR

The Digital India campaign is being celebrated all over the State at district level under the aegis of the Deputy Commissioners concerned.

Coming back to today's event, the Chief Minister said the plan for the establishment of an IT park in the State was conceived after STPI Imphal Centre faced shortage of space for IT incubation.

The park was originally planned to cover about 45000 sq ft which could house about 500 persons at once.

However, after the completion of the first phase of construction (20,000 sq ft), the original plan was altered to accommodate an IT SEZ which would house export oriented units for foreign exchange.

The Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahme-dabad who was consulted on the feasibility of establishing the IT SEZ had signalled the State to go ahead with its decision.

Construction works for the first building of IT SEZ with approximately 1.4 lakh sq ft space has already been initiated and it is expected to be completed by March 2016 .

The new IT Park which is set to start functioning by the end of July this year will provide space to about 250 persons.

This will be further supplemented by the IT SEZ first building which is expected to house about 1000 people or more.

Five IT entrepreneurs have already signed up at the newly inaugurated park.

They are expected to employ 100-150 persons approximately.

The CM urged State students as well as talented youths from all over India to take advantage of the presence of an institute of information technology in the State and contribute to the number of high end IT manpower to further uplift the level of IT industry in the State.

The permanent campus of IIIT, Manipur is likely be set up at Mayangkhang Ningthoupham village, Senapati district.

All the processes for land acquisition and other formalities are underway, the CM asserted.

Admission procedures to the IIIT, Manipur for the academic session 2015-16 will begin from July.

The newly inaugurated Indian Institute of Information Technology, Manipur will be the second IIIT to begin functioning in the North Eastern India and 13th in the country.

The Chief Minister thanked the IT Department, Manipur, IIIT, Guwahati and PWD, Manipur for completing the IIIT Temporary campus within a short time.

He further expressed his confidence that the new IT park, the IIIT and IT SEZ would live up to serve the interest of the State as well as the neighbouring States along with Myanmar, in generating more employment opportunities and a digital revolution in the near future.

Education Minister M Okendro Singh, MLA Victor Keishing and Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga were also present at the inaugural event.