The country that produces one of the worlds best scientists, doctors, and engineers, software engineers included, goofs up when it comes to roads and townships. This is how one senior IT professional from the UK described India when I met him at an industry dinner recently. He had got stuck for over 50 minutes in the now infamous BRT (bus rapid transport) corridor while driving from South Delhi to Gurgaon, Indias model millennium city.

Even though I defended it as a teething issue in a growing country and reminded him of similar problems now coming up in London and New York, I knew how right he was. I have met many people, auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers included, who said they were not sure how this BRT would work in the limited space we have there.

I have never been to Dalian, the model city which China proudly showcases, but have not met anybody who tires from singing its praises. Dalian is said to be a great place for living as well as for doing business. Unfortunately, India does not have anything like that, and there is nothing in the pipeline. Hotspots like Gurgaon and Pune are a nightmare in terms of roads, power supply, and public security.

Ibrahim Ahmad

During one of my meetings with Kiran Karnik, former Nasscom president, he had explained how he and Nasscom had to get very active in Delhis metro train project. Smooth and efficient transport facilities for software and IT/ITeS professionals to and from Delhi and its suburbs were very important for the industry to grow.

Everybody will say that Nasscom is an IT industry body and has many other more significant things to focus on, but I think infrastructure is one of the most important challenges we are faced with. It might be a good idea, for that reason, if Nasscom and MAIT could once again get involved and have on their agenda the objective to influence and facilitate planning of roads, flyovers, electricity supply, and local transport in key cities and towns.

Beyond this, I am sure there are many Indian companies that have delivered solutions that created world-class infrastructure systems. Nasscom should engage the governments, and these companies should be encouraged to work with state governments and local planning bodies.

The hi-pitch growth and activities in IT that we are currently witnessing could take a big hit if infrastructure does not catch up. One reason is that Indian professionals are now exposed to world-class roads, flyovers, offices, housing complexes, and, therefore, their expectations have gone up manifold. And they do not mind working from other countries. Moreover, there are so many countries that are not just promising the moon but are actually setting up best-in-class infrastructure. Nobody would want to set up business in India, if infrastructure, which in many cases will bring competitive edge, is not good.

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