05-Dec-2013
IT-major Cognizant is in discussion with the West Bengal Government to resolve issues relating to environmental pollution in and around its second campus, located at Bantala, some 20-odd km east of the city.
Interestingly, the campus is situated inside an area which also houses a leather complex, the Calcutta Leather Complex (locally called Bantala Leather Complex). Apart, from the leather complex some 1,100 acres of land is earmarked in the same compound as an IT-SEZ (special economic zone).
However, the common effluent treatment plant of the Calcutta Leather Complex is not working at optimum levels. And, toxic waste overflowing into adjoining areas has created major environmental hazards. The pollution caused by the chemical effluent is affecting the construction activities taken up by many of these companies.
Cognizant remains the only software major to have started operations in the Bantala area.
According to a Cognizant company official, the IT firm was trying to work out ways relating to the pollution – particularly the stench and fear of contamination of water – around its campus.
“The pollution, however, has not impacted its plans for investment in the State or stopped work in the area. We are in discussions with the Government to work out ways,” the official maintained on the sidelines of Infocom 2013.
Investment in Bengal
Cognizant’s second campus is spread over 20 acres and is being developed in phases.
While the first phase, built at an estimated cost of Rs 200 crore, is already operational; the second one is in development stages.
The second phase will come up at an estimated investment of over Rs 200 crore, with a capacity to accommodate 4,800 professionals.
The company already has an existing campus at the IT-city of Salt Lake in Sector V. It employs around 12,000 people across its operational campuses.
Source:- thehindubusinessline.com
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