IT major Cognizant is set to begin temporary operations in Visakhapatnam. The move marks a major boost for the city’s growing IT ecosystem.
The foundation stone for Cognizant’s permanent campus was laid on December 12th last year. The event took place on 22.19 acres at Kapuluppada in the presence of Chandrababu Naidu and Nara Lokesh.
At the same time, a temporary office building was inaugurated at the Mahati Block in Hill-2. Initial operations at this facility will begin with 800 employees.
Orders have already been issued to transfer 500 Cognizant employees from various states to Visakhapatnam based on their base location. Another 300 senior employees have also been transferred to the city.
After resolving logistical and operational arrangements, operations are expected to begin on the 26th of this month. Preparations at the temporary facility are nearing completion.
Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar has stated that another 4,500 employees are willing to relocate to Visakhapatnam. Initially, the plan was to create employment for 8,000 people in phases at the Kapuluppada campus.
However, during a meeting held an hour before the foundation stone ceremony, the Chief Minister requested an expansion of job creation. Following this, the CEO announced the company’s commitment to generate 25,000 jobs.
Experts believe that if this target is achieved, Visakhapatnam’s IT landscape will undergo a complete transformation within the next three to four years.
Meanwhile, digital transformation firm Capgemini and RMZ are reportedly in discussions to start operations in Visakhapatnam. If talks succeed, an announcement may be made from Davos.
Additionally, Tata Consultancy Services is preparing to lay the foundation stone for its permanent campus. A temporary office building will also be inaugurated simultaneously.
These events are likely to take place in February. TCS is preparing two blocks at Millennium Towers-2 and has already completed its GST registration and installed signboards.
Temporary operations are expected to begin with 2,000 employees. A permanent campus will later be developed on the 21.76 acres allocated by the government at Hill-3.
