New Delhi, Apr 16 (UNI) Tech Mahindra, the country's sixth largest software exporter and second largest solution provider to the global telecom industry today said it enhanced its presence in Chennai by setting up a new development centre at an investment of Rs 30 crore.

The 1.2 lakh sq ft development Centre located at Mahindra world city in Paranur will house about 1,400 software engineers, said a statement.

Tech Mahindra expects to scale up this facility both in size and investments in the next 3-4 years.

Tech Mahindra will leverage this new facility at Chennai to expand its Telecom R&D business in addition to development of its telecom application business.

The company will also service global Telecom Equipment Manufacturers and Telecom Services Providers from this center.

The new development centre, will seat 400 professionals in the first phase with plans of adding 1,000 people in the next 18 months.

This is Tech Mahindra's seventh development centre in the country with centers in Noida, Pune, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Tech Mahindra Vice Chairman, MD and CEO Vineet Nayyar said, ''The organisation has been on a continuous journey of transformation, addressing new players in the telecom ecosystem and expanding service lines.'' The Centre Head, T S Krishnakumar added, ''Tech Mahindra has always expanded in major cities around India to leverage the availability of local skilled staff.'' UNI PBB PDT GC1714