 Hyderabad
is a city where the historical meets the futuristic. Once
a capital of the Nizams, it is today acquiring
the status of the cyber capital of India, and the
credit goes to Hi-Tec City. In its bid to promote
the IT industry in a big way in Andhra Pradesh, the state
government has initiated a series of measures, including
the introduction of a liberal investment policy. One of
the major steps initiated by the Chandrababu Naidu government
for attracting IT Companies to the state, has been the
promotion of the Hi-Tec City at Madhapur, near
Hyderabad.
This is the first high-tech complex in AP, with all the
IT infrastructure which was developed by L&T Infocity,
a joint venture between the Andhra Pradesh Industrial
Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) Ltd and Larsen
& Toubro Limited. Phase I of the project - Cyber
Towers - offered 0.58 million square feet of hi-tech
space and is now fully occupied by the Multinational IT
companies like Microsoft, Oracle, Metamor and financial
leaders like GE Capital and HSBC.
 L&T
is presently developing the second phase of the project
- Cyber Gateway - which will provide an additional
space of around 8,60,000 square feet. Cyber Gateway offers
all the facilities offered in Cyber Towers. The building
is designed according to Vastu Shastra, the ancient
Indian science of architecture. In the shape of a giant
arch, it stands as a gateway to the rest of the Hi-Tec
City.
The Cyber Gateway consists of four blocks, each block
having six floors with super built-up area ranging from
17,673 sq.ft. to 18,293 sq.ft. The first block of the
Cyber Gateway is ready for occupation. The other blocks
of Cyber Gateway will be ready in three phases by the
end of the year 2002. The Cyber Towers and Cyber Gateways
provide state-of-the-art facilities like multifeeder power
substation and diesel generators for uninterrupted power
supply, high speed data communication lines from VSNL
and STPI and Voice communication services from BSNL and
Tata Teleservices Limited, Centralised Air-conditioning,
backbone structured cabling using Optic Fibre, ECAT-5
and CAT-3 cables for the software development companies.
 Everything
is fine. But, how to set up an office at the Hi-Tech City?
Who will allot the space, L&T or APIIC? What procedures
are to be followed? How much do they charge for the space
allotted? These are the some of the questions that are
bound to boggle your mind, if you are seriously looking
to move into the Hi-Tech City. Hyderabad-best.com interviewed
Mr R Sridaran, Deputy General Manager - Marketing, L&T
Infocity, to clarify all your doubts. The details -
Who is the competent authority
to allot space at Hi-Tec City? L&T or APIIC?
Though the project is a joint venture between L&T
and APIIC, L&T is looking after the bookings, marketing
and allotments. The interested parties can directly contact
the L&T Infocity Office located in Cyber Towers of
Hi-Tech City.
Is the space in the Hi-Tec City
strictly reserved for Information Technology Companies
only?
Yes! Basically, the Hi-Tec City is reserved for IT and
its related companies only. But the IT companies need
several services like High Speed Data Transmission
lines, Voice Communication facilities, Travel Agencies,
Banks, Caterers, etc. Keeping this in mind, we are
offering some percent of the Hi-Tec City for the service
providers related to IT.
Can you explain the procedures
which are to be followed to get a site at HITEC City?
There is no specific procedure to be followed. The interested
persons and companies can directly contact us (L&T
Infocity). If they satisfy our terms and conditions, a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is to be signed.
Do the companies need any qualifications
or registration from any government agency?
No! We do not insist on any specific qualifications or
recognitions. The area purchased or hired can be used
as an office space for business in IT, engineering, consultancy,
financial, banking and other related areas.
 Do
you allot the space on lease or outright selling basis?
If it is on lease basis, what is the minimum and maximum
period of lease?
There are two options. For those who want to own the premises
permanently, they can buy the area at Rs. 3,150 (US$71.6
approx.) per sq.ft. For temporary purposes, we are leasing
the premises at Rs. 35 (US$ 0.8 approx.) per sq.ft. per
month for the first first three year period, with a 30%
increase after every three years. An interest-free, refundable
advance of twelve months' lease rentals is to be paid
in two installments by the lessee. Three months' rentals
are to be paid as booking advance, to block the space
and the balance nine months' rentals are to be paid at
the time of entering into the agreement for lease or handover
of possession. Besides, we collect separate charges towards
Operation and Maintenance, common area electricity, water
and parking.
What is the charge structure?
The lessee or the occupant has to pay Rs. 4.50 (US$ 0.1
approx.) per sq.ft. per month as Operating and Maintenance
(O&M) charges for security, common area house keeping,
mechanical & Electrical Maintenance. Parking Charges
at the rate of Rs. 2000 (US$ 45.5 approx.) per month for
a car parking slot and Rs. 100 (US$ 2.3 approx.) per month
for a two wheeler parking slot, with a refundable advance
of Rs. 6000 (US$ 136 approx.) and Rs. 300 (US$ 6.8 approx.)
per slot respectively.
 What
about electricity and other charges?
The lessee or owner has to pay the Property Tax, Electricity,
AC and water charges at actuals. All the occupants of
the premises have to share common area electricity charges
and insurance premium.
What are the consequences if a
company withdrew from the project after booking?
Withdrawal from the project after booking will attract
a service charge of 5% of the sale consideration per module
and the balance will be refunded without interest. But
once allotted and registered, no cancellation will be
entertained.
Are there any benefits like duty
exemptions to the outright purchasers?
The Government of Andhra Pradesh has exempted the Stamp
Duty / Registration Charges / Transfer of Property duty
for purposes relating to setting up of Information Technology-based
projects and other common purpose infrastructure and financial
services related to such projects in Hi-Tec City for a
period of five years. In addition, the government has
given guidelines to the concerned authorities to allot
land to IT companies for setting up their development
centres. Many IT companies like Wipro, BaaN, Infotech,
etc., have already built their development centres at
Cyberabad.
 A
total of 151 acres of prime land in Madhapur is earmarked
and allotted to the L&T Infocity for the development
of the techno-township. Fifty per cent of the total area
will be offered as built-up space and 50% percent as independent
plots for customized development. What's more, you also
have the freedom to do it all your way. That means, you
buy an independent plot and have a building constructed
to your specifications.
So, if you have missed out on Cyber Towers, get a headstart
over the rest now.
For more details contact: Mr R Sridaran,
Dy. GM, Marketing, L&T Infocity Limited, 1Q4-A1, First
Floor, Cyber Towers, Hi-Tec City, Madhapur, Hyderabad
- 500 033. Phone: 310 0666, Mobile: 98490
43833, Fax: 91-40-311 0216.
E-mail:
rs-ltinfo@lntecc.com URL: www.ltinfocity.com
|
3:52:15 PM 
IT
Companies 
