Chennai, Sep 10 (IANS): Information technology major Cognizant on Thursday said it would expand its delivery infrastructure in Tamil Nadu, investing around Rs.1,000 crore over the next five years.

In a statement issued here, the company said the company would invest Rs.1,000 crore over the next five years on its delivery infrastructure in Chennai and Coimbatore.

According to Cognizant CEO Lakshmi Narayanan, the company would develop global delivery centres in these two cities and these centres, when complete, will have a capacity to accommodate around 17,000-20,000 professionals.

Cognizant entered a memorandum of understanding to this effect with Tamil Nadu government on Thursday.

The company employs over 70,000 people across its centres in Chennai and Coimbatore.

"We have invested over $1 billion in our operations - in real estate and IT-related infrastructure -in the state. Today, we operate from 16 delivery and operations centres in Chennai and Coimbatore, and continue to invest and expand our presence in the State," Narayanan was quoted as saying in the statement.