From Our Correspondent
Accenture’s decision to set up a new campus in Andhra Pradesh marks a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to reinvent itself as a technology and services hub. For years, Visakhapatnam had been seen as a city with promise but little traction when it came to large-scale IT investments. That perception is now beginning to change.
The arrival of Accenture is not an isolated story. Global majors like TCS and Cognizant have already announced their plans to expand in Vizag, signaling that the city is finally making it onto the shortlist of serious IT destinations in India. Much of this shift is being credited to the state government’s aggressive policy framework, spearheaded by IT and Industries Minister Nara Lokesh.
Lokesh has introduced a string of measures aimed at lowering entry barriers for investors. Most notable is his policy of allotting one acre of land for a token lease of 99 paise—a symbolic gesture that underscores Andhra Pradesh’s willingness to go the extra mile to welcome marquee companies. Coupled with proactive engagement and a visible eagerness to resolve investor concerns, the policy has managed to break through the hesitation that long kept global IT players from making big commitments in the state.
The ripple effect of these investments is expected to be transformative. Thousands of jobs are likely to be created over the next few years, with a steady inflow of young professionals reshaping Vizag’s urban and economic profile. For Andhra Pradesh, the stakes go beyond employment. The clustering of global IT companies could provide the state with a stable knowledge economy, lessen dependence on traditional sectors, and cement Vizag’s place on the technology map of India’s east coast.
In the larger picture, Accenture’s move signals confidence in Andhra’s pitch as a stable, business-friendly state. And for Lokesh, it is validation that a mix of symbolic generosity and practical facilitation can indeed tilt the balance in favor of a region long seen as being on the periphery of India’s IT boom.