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Kolkata: At a time when the Bengal government is grappling to put things in order, this may come as music to its ears.

Amid controversies over special economic zones (SEZ) in the state, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has awarded the Rs 970-crore contract for design and construction of special economic zone at Rajarhat to a consortium of L&T Construction and Shapoorji Pallonji. The SEZ, being developed by TCS, is spread over 40-acres in Rajarhat Action Area III. The SEZ notification, though, was made way back in May, 2008.

Built with the plan to employ 16,000 by TCS, the project is slated to be completed in two phases. The first phase is scheduled to be over by February 15, 2014, which will have the capacity to accommodate 7,000 workstations. The remaining 9,000 will be accommodated with the completion of the project at the end of 32 months from now.

"Immediate mobilization of the project has started and the site office is being constructed," a source said.

TOI has learnt that the concept design for the project has been provided by the TCS to L&T Construction and Shapoorji Pallonji, based on which the final design is being chalked out. "It is a design-built project, where it will be developed by the two firms and in completion, the project will be handed over to TCS," the source said.

An L&T Construction spokesperson told TOI: "We are very positive about the project and hope it would end within the scheduled time frame."

Earlier, L&T Construction and Shapoorji Pallonji had executed many TCS projects together. L&T Construction is known for its engineering skills, whereas Shapoorji for its designing acumen. When contacted a TCS official said: "The company is doing its job." Though, he declined to elaborate further on the project details.

TCS, engaged in IT services, business solutions and outsourcing, already has four units operating in Salt Lake Sector V, the IT hub of the city. It has also taken a space in Unitech SEZ in Rajarhat. This project will be its sixth initiative in the state. It already employs around 12,000 in the city.

Earlier in January, TCS managing director and chief executive officer N Chandrasekaran met state IT minister Partha Chatterjee, where he promised to begin the construction work in the SEZ soon. The minister also gave his word that the state government would provide every kind of assistance to the company for the project.

L&T Construction and Shapoorji Pallonji had executed many TCS projects together. L&T Construction is known for its engineering skills, while Shapoorji for its designing acumen.