BHUBANESWAR: Infosys Technologies today celebrated the commencement of the tenth year of operation of its Bhubaneswar Development Centre.

Infosys Bhubaneswar began operations in December 1996 and has grown to over 1,720 employees today. Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik was the chief guest at the celebrations.

Surjya Narayan Patro, minister of Energy, IT & Tourism and Dr. Subas Chandra Pani, chief secretary, Government of Orissa, Infosys chairman and chief mentor NR Narayana Murthy, K. Dinesh, director and member of board, T.V. Mohandas Pai, chief financial officer and director and Ardhendu Das, head, Infosys Bhubaneswar Development Centre.

Speaking on the occasion, Murthy said, "Tier-2 cities like Bhubaneswar will be the growth engines for the IT Industry in India. Infosys has taken a lead in this direction by investing more than Rs. 135 crore in its Bhubaneswar Development Centre. We contribute approximately 80 percent of software exports from the state, making Infosys the largest exporter from the Bhubaneswar STPI. Realizing the potential that the city has to offer, we plan to increase our headcount to over 4,500 over the next few years with an added investment of Rs. 100 crore."

The Development Center (DC) at Bhubaneswar caters to clients from Canada, Europe and North America.

With a total built-up area of more than half a million square feet (46 acres), the center presently has the capacity to accommodate over 3,300 software professionals.