Mumbai, Nov 7: The New Delhi-based Mekaster Group plans to set up software technology parks (STPs) in state capitals across the country. Archana Telecom Services, the company's telecom division, will spearhead the group's proposed plans to establish itself as a key player in the telecom sector.

The first of these STPs will come up near Bangalore where there are two such parks. Karnataka is participating in the project through Keonics and its contribution will be in the form of land. The 100 acre site is expected to be handed over to Mekaster group soon.

Mekaster group general manager TS Devanathan, told The Financial Express that the cost of the project will be Rs 175-200 crore. At present, there are two STPs in Bangalore. Keonics has a software park on the Hosur road while a Singapore-led consortium owns a project in Whitefield. On the possibility of another STP, Devanathan said infrastructure facilities were vital in this era of liberalisation. "Our long-term strategy is to provide the best infrastructure to companies including multinationals. More facilities will lead to rapid growth in the sector." The company is understood to have submitted a similar proposal to the Andhra Pradesh government to set up an STP near Hyderabad. It plans to submit more proposals soon to other state governments. Most projects will have an cost outlay of Rs 200 crore.

Mekaster Telecom consists of four divisions. While Archana Telecom provides expertise in developing telecom infrastructure in backward growth centres, Mobile Communications India gives value-added services in cellular services, radio paging etc. This company was set up in technical collaboration with Singapore Telecom International. Mekaster Telematics is a distribution and instruments division making a range of telecom products. Apart from its Indo-French tie-up, it enjoys a collaboration with Sokkia of Japan to make surveying instruments.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.