IT services major Patni Computer Systems Ltd is to expand its operations in Chennai by setting up a centre to accommodate 10,000 professionals with investment outlay of Rs 450 crore (Rs 4.50 billion).

The company would set up a centre across 20 acres of land in the Siruseri IT Park, of SIPCOT -- a state government body for a total cost of Rs 450 crore, Patni said on Tuesday.

Upon completion, the centre would be Patni's second largest modern software development centre in India with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 professionals with all support services, the release said.

"The planned centre in Chennai will enable us to ramp up operations with our large clients in the growing verticals of financial services, manufacturing and insurance and become the preferred IT solution provider in these verticals for all global IT outsourcers," PCS resident director P J Kutar said.

The proposed centre would add to Patni's multiple delivery facilities in Anna Salai (Chennai), Bangalore, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Gandhinagar and Noida.

The first phase of the project would be completed in the first quarter of 2005 for an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore (Rs 600 million) and would have a capacity to accommodate 1,200 professionals with top class working facilities.