J&K Govt initiates study to set up IT/ITES parks, aims to replicate national success models
Jammu, Jul 10: In a strategic initiative aimed at strengthening the digital infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir, the Union Territory government has launched a comprehensive study to explore models for setting up Information Technology and IT-enabled Services (IT/ITES) Parks.
The move aligns with the Jammu and Kashmir IT Policy 2020, which envisions the establishment of modern technology hubs in Jammu and Srinagar to drive innovation, employment and investment.
A high-level meeting chaired by Secretary of the IT Department, Dr Piyush Singla, brought together key stakeholders from the Jammu and Kashmir e-Governance Agency (JaKeGA), Planning Department, IIT Jammu, IIM Jammu, and SeMT. The meeting marked the formal constitution of a Study Group tasked with designing a roadmap for building world-class IT/ITES infrastructure across the Union Territory.
Dr Singla underscored the importance of adopting the best practices from successful IT Parks across India to ensure sustainability and long-term impact. He noted that the initiative reflects the government’s broader vision of transforming Jammu and Kashmir into a digitally empowered and innovation-driven economy.
A presentation was made by M T Arvind, Chief Innovation Officer at IIT Jammu, outlining early research findings based on India’s leading IT and research parks. These included Electronics City in Karnataka, HITEC City and T-Hub in Telangana, Technopark in Kerala and the IIT Madras Research Park. The study focused on investment models, governance structures, operational strategies and policy mechanisms that have enabled the success of these projects.
Discussions during the meeting also addressed the distinctions between research parks, incubation centres and full-scale IT parks. Participants emphasized the need to integrate emerging technologies, support startup culture and create a favourable environment for Global Capability Centres (GCCs) to flourish within Jammu and Kashmir.
Mahima Madaan, Chief Executive Officer of JaKeGA, referred to the IT Infrastructure Development Private Limited, which was established in 2019, as a potential institutional anchor for these projects. The Planning Department also briefed the meeting about the Centre for Innovation, Transformation, and Governance (C-TAG), which has been established in partnership with IIM Jammu to support policy innovation in the digital governance sector.
Dr Guneet Soodan, Director at the University of Jammu and Officer on Special Duty to the Vice Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Higher Education Council, highlighted the significance of strong collaboration between government, industry and academia. He stressed that such partnerships are vital for attracting major players to the region and for ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled professionals.
As a key follow-up, the Study Group resolved to conduct field visits to some of the country’s most successful IT ecosystems. These include T-Hub and Cyberabad in Hyderabad and the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai. The visits are intended to offer direct exposure to operational frameworks, innovation models and governance strategies that could be adapted for the context of Jammu and Kashmir.
Dr Singla stated that the development of IT/ITES Parks will serve as a catalyst for employment generation, economic diversification and technological advancement. He said the initiative will not only enhance digital capacity but also position Jammu and Kashmir as an emerging contributor to India’s broader digital growth narrative.
