Bangalore: Information technology major Wipro is commencing operations in a newly established development centre in Kolkata that can accommodate more than 2,500 professionals, from February 1, West Bengal's IT Minister Manabendra Mukherjee said.

Mukherjee said, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji informed this when he met him at the Bangalore- headquartered, New York Stock Exchange-listed company on Friday (October 31).

"Wipro had acquired 12.5 acres of land in Kolkata. Now they are taking a further seven acres", he said.

Mukherjee, who was in Bangalore to participate in Bangalore IT.com that began on November 1, said GE Capital had indicated its intention to start a call centre in Kolkata but has not given any time-frame on when it would kick off operations.

The Minister said the West Bengal Government has decided to establish two software parks around Kolkata in partnership with the private sector. The target is to create 2.5 million square feet of ready- made space, he said, adding, civil works in this regard would start in January.

PTI