Fast, smooth, and affordable - but when?

Delhi's High Capacity Bus System promises enormous gains, but has been a long time coming. Dr. Geetam Tiwari of the IIT-Delhi sheds some light on the project and the difficulties in the making it happen.

July 2004 - Delhi's forward looking High Capacity Bus System (HCBS) project has been hanging fire for the last couple of years. Promoted as safe, speedy and affordable public transport system - compared with the higher cost alternatives for the metropolitan region - the new proposal has been conceived and developed at the premier Indian Institute of Technology Delhi. The project also has the support of the Delhi Chief Minister.

But agency approvals for the HCBS project faced enormous delays. There were reports that the Finance department was not agreed on the merits. Recently, the public works department did give its clearance to the project. "It is difficult to justify the delays given the number of meetings and presentations we have had on HCBS", says Dr.Geetam Tiwari, Associate Professor of Transportation Planning at IIT-Delhi.

Geetam Tiwari has been closely associated with the HCBS project. She is also the Chair of the Transportation Research and Injury Prevention Program (TRIPP) at IIT-Delhi. TRIPP's work involves integration all issues concerned with transportation in order to promote safety, cleaner air, and energy conservation. The faculty is involved in planning safer urban and inter-city transportation systems, and developing designs for vehicles and safety equipment.

The prolonged delay is partly rooted in the establishment of the special lanes for the new buses. Corridor development ran into severe hassles with public works and utility bodies. It even prompted the Chief Minister to propose a phasing in of the HCB buses first, without establishing the corridors themselves. But special corridors are the centrepiece the new system, and without them the mobility of the buses will be crippled.

Says Tiwari, "The Chief Minister is very keen to establish the complete system. An appropriate institutional mechanism is lacking to carry forward the project. She is keen to establish an authority like the DMRC." (Delhi Metro Rail Corporation)

The many ups and downs in the journey of the new system thus far points to one key issue. There are logistical difficulties that stem from the manner in which public land is used and management by multiple public agencies. Despite IIT-Delhi working with Delhi's transport department to establish the feasibility of HCBS corridors on existing roads, complications developed. "Public land management in Delhi is with multiple authorities at present. There is very poor coordination between HCBS planning and other schemes such as construction of flyovers, etc. Every land owning agency is continuing with its own plans", Tiwari points out.

Despite the slow progress, the merits of the HCBS are strong enough for it to be a strong candidate in major cities in India, especially because of its track record in a variety of other countries.

The proposed route map

http://www.indiatogether.org/economy/images/2004/eco-hcbsdel-map.jpg

For more info. see - http://www.indiatogether.org/2004/jul/eco-hcbsdel.htm

I don't understand the planners mind? Why don't these people try the HCBS services in coming up areas like Gurgaon, Noida and Dwarka. It's rather difficult to alter the road network of New Delhi without cripling the city in the initial phase. So, why not build the system in parts of the metro area, which are at the initial stages of boom & growth? Atleast get something right somewhere! :weird:

I don't know how far it has progressed but these bus stands are under construction -

http://www.iitd.ac.in/tripp/hcbs/hcbs/bustop/photo6.jpg

This pic is about 2-3 years old, hope they've started constructing the bus lanes. Updates from someone please!

ViMo, they obviously want to modernize New Delhi first (Me thinks all this jazzing up of Delhi bigtime is in preparation for the 2009 games) and "trials" in other cities where the patronage and need won't be as much is a waste. It has to be done, if at all, in Delhi. This system is proven and sucessful.

ViMo, they obviously want to modernize New Delhi first (Me thinks all this jazzing up of Delhi bigtime is in preparation for the 2009 games) and "trials" in other cities where the patronage and need won't be as much is a waste. It has to be done, if at all, in Delhi. This system is proven and sucessful.

Hope, they don't end up with a hotch potch :laugh: in Delhi. But we'll find out by June 2005 - atleast one huge project - DELHI METRO - would be complete by then. Thank God, Delhi Metro has not turned out to be a showpiece only! I sincerely hope, more and more (middle class) people in Delhi begin to use public transport, rather than private vehicles. Only then, can I see any hope for the HCBS project to succeed.

The headline says it all I don't know who formulated the NCR plan but it sounds dumb to me that building good quality highrises will create "chaos" in New Delhi.

Civic Centre may add to chaos

By Lalit K. Jha
The Hindu

NEW DELHI, JULY 29, 2004. The ambitious and controversial 28-storey Civic Centre of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi goes against the National Capital Region (NCR) concept as by providing huge office and commercial space it would attract businessmen and corporate bodies from satellite townships like Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad.

According to sources in the NCR Planning Board, the buildings when completed would be of international standards, but it would only add to the chaos in the Capital.

After nearly 15 long years, construction of the Civic Centre is now expected to begin within the next few months. The Congress ruled-MCD has approached the Congress president, Sonia Gandhi, for its foundation laying ceremony on October 2. However, the function would be given another name as its foundation stone has been laid twice already, the first one by the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, when he was the Leader of Opposition.

The MCD had recently approached the NCRPB for financial assistance to construct the building, which is likely to cost about Rs. 500 crores. Incidentally this is for the first time that the NCRPB has been approached for a loan for a project in the Capital. "This is a positive development, but unfortunately we would not be able to finance it because the Civic Centre is against the Regional Plan objectives. Its construction would only help in further congestion of the Capital. So far our entire objective has been to shift offices and commercial establishments out of Delhi. Construction of such building that too in the heart of the city near Connaught Place, ITO and New Delhi Railway Station runs contrary to the NCR concept," the official said.

It is understood that the NCRPB has sought certain clarifications from the MCD before formally saying "no" for any loan to the civic body.

The Civic Centre, expected to be completed by 2007, would be the tallest building of the Capital and would have a floor area of 1.16 lakh sq. mts of which 50 per cent would be commercial offices and 50 per institutional space. It would have parking space for as many as 2,500 vehicles. As many as 44 high-speed lifts would be installed in the building. The MCD is planning to launch a massive campaign and conduct road shows for selling the commercial space.

The headline says it all I don't know who formulated the NCR plan but it sounds dumb to me that building good quality highrises will create "chaos" in New Delhi.
The ambitious and controversial 28-storey Civic Centre of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi goes against the National Capital Region (NCR) concept as by providing huge office and commercial space it would attract businessmen and corporate bodies from satellite townships like Gurgaon, Noida and Faridabad.
The underlined part is crucial too. There are several swanky and tall commercial properties coming up in Gurgaon, which they are developing as the BPO hub too. Infosys and others have shown an interest to develop Noida as a IT hub. What's wrong with ensuring these areas are the investment centres while Delhi is the main 'governance' place? Though this Civic Centre really shouldn't cause that kind of chaos.

If this project goes through it will redefine the delhi skyline. I hope it does! :)

INA facelift plan: Underground Metro...

NIDHI SHARMA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2004 02:56:02 AM ]

NEW DELHI: It has long been the common address for kiwi fruit, fondue and turtle sticks. The old and chaotic INA market which served the foreign diplomats and catered to the taste buds of Probashis and Kashmiris alike, will soon give way to a modern shopping arcade.


With Metro zipping underground and basement parking, the market area will be developed by private builders following a plan made by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). Shops, offices and restaurants will be given space. Apart from showrooms, space is likely to be kept for theme restaurants on the rooftop.

The 6.5-acre land of INA Market is under the land and development office (L&DO). Last week, the land was transferred "in-principle" to DDA for the re-development of the market. A consultant will be appointed for the project to work out the details about rehabilitation and design of the arcade. A senior DDA official said: "We received the letter of transfer from L&DO last week. We are now appointing a consultant to tell us how to go about the project."

The market will be demolished to give way to a brand new shopping arcade. The model of development will be similar to what has been followed by the Union urban development ministry in Dharavi, Mumbai, the largest slum settlement of Asia. Private builders will be invited to build on the land after plots are sold to them.

The basic design will be provided by DDA and the builders will be given room to innovate. Eligible shopkeepers will be allotted shops in the brand new arcade at a price. The official said: "We have already done the survey of the area to see how many legal shops are present in the market and how many shopkeepers are eligible for rehabilitation."

The basement will have two levels and there will be escalators. Elevators and the arcade will be essentially disabled-friendly. The official said: "There are clear instructions that the area has to be very modern with all basic amenities."

Note: 1 crore rupees = 10 million rupees ~ 222,000 dollars.

Living it up in the `burbs

Delhi`s developers are betting big on crore-plus condos far from the heart of the Capital

Jai Arjun Singh / New Delhi August 7, 2004

Will middle-class Indians pay a crore or two to live 30 km from the heart of Delhi? A clutch of fast-moving real estate developers led by companies like Vatika and the giant DLF — which owns large tracts of land in Gurgaon — are betting they will.

The attraction: plush, sprawling condominiums or villas surrounded by acres of forests and lush greenery. Other upmarket accessories like jacuzzis and health clubs are, of course, mandatory.

Take a look at DLF’s super-premium Aralia complex, scheduled to be ready in a year’s time. The complex overlooks the DLF Golf Club and will have spacious 5,575 sq ft apartments and 9,600 sq ft penthouses. The apartments (about 250 of them) are selling for around Rs 2 crore and the penthouses for around Rs 4,3 crore.

Or, look at Vatika City, an upmarket cluster of 1,600 apartments and villas that will stretch over a giant 60-acre spread. A few independent villas which the group plans to sell to celebrities are priced at around Rs 3.5 crore. And about 200 of the bigger apartments are retailing for over Rs 1.5 crore.

What will Rs 1.5 crore buy in Vatika City? Key features of the crore-plus apartments include central air-conditioning (and that includes the balconies) and Italian marble.

There will also be sandwich glass windows for soundproofing and, of course, the obligatory jacuzzis and saunas. Security features will include swipe card access and video intercoms.

The days when buying a flat meant buying an empty shell and little else are over. These new, upmarket projects are selling partly on the add-ons they offer. So, Vatika City is planning to have ATM facilities, and a supermarket in the complex.

Inevitably, there will be a club house, a health club, an outdoor sports complex, an amphitheatre and a community hall. For the next generation there will be a staffed crèche. Vatika City will be completed only by December 2006, but Gaurav Bhalla, director, Vatika Group says that around 550 of the apartments have already been sold.

DLF and Vatika don’t have the field to themselves when it comes to upmarket accommodation. Take Unitech Builders, which is erecting several projects aimed at upmarket urban dwellers. For a start, there’s the Rs 500-crore World Spa, spread over 21 acres and divided into separate complexes on two sides of the highway.

“This will be the most exclusive and luxurious residential development in the NCR,” claims Sanjay Chandra, director, Unitech, adding that around Rs 400 crore of the property has already been sold.

World Spa East and World Spa West will each have a luxury fitness centre and spa in addition to two-level underground parking. The design and landscaping is being done by the Seattle-based Callison. “We are using international architects for all our projects,” says Chandra.

Unitech also has the Rs 1,000 crore Nirvana Country, a complex of high-end apartments and villas being developed over 300 acres of land in Gurgaon. This project will offer single floor and duplex villas in various sizes.

The highest-end villas will cost around Rs 1.2 crore each. Construction on the first few blocks has already begun and the blueprint includes a landscaped park, with sand pits, splash pools and gazebos.

DLF began constructing its complex of super-premium apartments, the Aralias, in November 2002. Key facilities in the complex will include a car-calling system, a car washing and water softening plant, and 100 per cent power back up to 30 KVA.

The Aralias also conform to Zone-V earthquake specifications and will include a crèche, laundromat and club. The 250 apartments will be ready in a little over a year.

Who are the target customers for such high-value property? Understandably, with apartments and villas in the Rs 1 crore-plus bracket, the builders are targeting high net worth individuals.

“We have a large customer base of senior executives and NRIs,” says Unitech’s Chandra. That explains the attempt to create an international feel — through fancy tower and block names like Deerwood Chase and Cedar Crest.

Naturally, attention to detail is a must. “Buyers of high-end products are looking for a great design and ambience,” says Chandra. Other factors, he says, are the lifestyle features and amenities offered as well as the right kind of neighbours.

“Creating a good neighbourhood was high priority,” says Chandra, “so many of our top-end projects were sold by invitation only to like-minded people of similar profiles.” These include senior and top management employees of large corporations.

All this means the promotion has to be equally fancy. And when bucolic builders let their inner poets loose, the results can be amusing. Unitech is promising buyers a place where “the sky above and the earth below belong only to you, and nature is but a window away” — that’s Nirvana Country.

Meanwhile, in Noida, Omaxe is enticing wealthy house-seekers by promising them “shimmering lagoons, colourful flowers and friendly animals” as part of the experience of residing in The Forest apartments, surrounded by 325 acres of greenery.

Omaxe Construction is promoting The Forest as “poetry in glass and steel” and intends it to be a self-contained mini-town. Located in Noida’s Sector 92, the actual construction site occupies six acres but this is bordered by around 325 acres of jungle. “It enables us to promise permanent greenery, something few others can offer” says Kunal Banerji, vice-president, marketing, Omaxe.

As if that isn’t enough, the company’s blueprint for the project includes a rivulet winding sinuously around the complex and seven towers, with names like Ridgewood and Tennessee. Each tower will house 15 apartments — making 105 in all — priced at between Rs 1.25 crore and Rs 2.4 crore.

Some of the towers will be bridged to create sky gardens and private terraces. What can you expect if you buy a 6,500 sq ft penthouse here? Well a terrace garden with a swimming pool for one.

The master bedroom will be almost like a mini-health club with a sauna, steam bath, jacuzzi and massage chair. The open kitchen will have imported modular cabinets, a granite counter and flooring, and the exterior finish will be of aluminium panels cladding. And don’t forget the lily pond in the family lounge.

Then there’s Senior Builders, which is promising a “lime lighted lifestyle where privacy is highlighted”. The group is building a township with luxury apartments and penthouses over 14 acres in Sector 15, Gurgaon. While the apartments’ prices will start at Rs 60 lakh, the penthouses will fall in the Rs 2.5 crore to Rs 3 crore bracket.

“We will provide high-end technical specifications to make the township ultra-modern,” says Vijay Dixit, managing director, Senior Builders. The amenities will include high-security equipment such as CCTV.

While Gurgaon and Noida are the locations of choice for many builders, Ansal Properties sees promise in Delhi’s posh Palam Vihar colony.

Ansal has recently launched Celebrity Stars, a condominium of air-conditioned apartments and penthomes at Palam Vihar. The Rs 45-crore Celebrity Stars is the top-end part of a fully functional complex called Celebrity Complex where around 35 families are already residing.

The penthomes available in Celebrity Stars will be between 4,170 sq ft and 5,090 sq ft in area, and will sell for Rs 1 crore upwards. Each unit is being planned over three levels and will include a private pool and a terrace garden.

“Palam is a good location because it is closer than Gurgaon and Noida to the heart of the city,” says Aditya Wadhera, general manager, marketing, Ansal Properties.

“Besides, it is very close to the international airport.” That’s an important consideration given that the buyers will certainly be highflyers.

Condos for 1 Crore. I hope this scheme flops. Its just way too expensive for a condo.

This should happen everywhere.

Flyovers crawl in the dark, govt slaps fine.

Shubhajit Roy

New Delhi, August 18: Facing a lot of flak over flyovers under construction in the city missing deadlines, one after another, Delhi govt ordered a penalty of Rs 20,000 to be imposed for each day of delay. After 10 days, the amount will be increased to Rs 50,000. This will be collected by the urban development department. All the contracts have a penalty clause which the government is now invoking.

Finance and urban development minister Dr A.K Walia took the decision after reviewing the progress of the flyovers today. "The civic agencies have been told that penalties will be imposed if there is any further delay", he said.

The first flyover to be affected by this is the one next to Kalkaji temple, being built by Unitech. Being constructed at a cost of Rs 20.71 crore, the flyover was to be completed by August 15. "Orders have been issued to PWD for collecting fines from the contractor for the delay," Walia said.

Construction of this flyover -under PWD-began on March 19, 2003.The initial date of completion was March 18 2004, which was revised to June, then July and subsequently, August 15.

A host of flyovers- under PWD, DDA,DTTDC- are under construction and urban development officials say the progress is not satisfactory at all.

Three flyovers-all under PWD- are scheduled to opened to traffic by Sept 30.

Unitech is constructing the one at Panchsheel crossing which has become a major bottleneck. The Rs 25.73 crore, started on March 19 last year, was scheduled to be completed by March 18 2004. It got delayed by six months but there is little hope of Sept 30 being kept. Urban dept officials say only 50 percent of work has been done.

The flyover at Brittannia chowk, being built by Nagarjuna builders at a cost of Rs 29.37 cr, also has a Sept deadline. The construction was started on January 28 last year and the first deadline was March this year It got delayed by six months due to shifting of services.

The Rs 48.33 cr flyover at Dhaula Kuan, being built by UP State Bridge Corporation(UPSBC), has become the most notorious for delay. It is now scheduled to be completed by September after two clover leaf sections are completed though it seems unlikely that this deadline will be kept. The construction began in November 2000 and it was scheduled to be completed in March last year. Despite financial support in the form of a Rs 4 crore loan by Delhi government, it got delayed by one-and-half years.

By October end, three more flyovers- at Sarojini Nagar's B-Avenue, Moolchand and Sriniwaspuri- should be opening if deadlines are adhered to which seems unlikely.

Links not working....

NID has designs on Delhi roads

AHMEDABAD: Denizens of Delhi, especially from the ‘trans-Yamuna’ region, can look forward to getting an international city experience in a few years from now, thanks to the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) designs on the 2010 Commonwealth Games.


The DDA has already opened dialogue with the Ahmedabad-based National Institute of Design (NID) to create a design theme for the event to make a lasting impression on the global community. What the Olympics did for Sydney and the soccer World Cup for Korea — converting them into hot tourism and investment destinations — the Commonwealth games can do for sadda Dilli.

If what has been discussed already fructifies, the city will get a more international feel, with the best transport facilities, the best shopping destinations, and one of the most advanced digitised road system in the world. Well designed roads, signages, colour schemes will make life more enchanting, says a DDA official.

Says NID executive director Darlie O Koshy, “We have seen what the Asian Games did to Seoul, and what the Soccer World Cup did to the image of Korea. People worldover now remember the 2002 football World Cup because of the red colour the Koreans painted the city with.” It is not surprising, therefore, that 200 design experts in China are now working together to create a unique design concept for the ensuing Beijing Olympics.

New flyovers okayed for Gurgaon expressway
S.K. Ahuja
Gurgaon, August 19

The Expressway between Dhaula Kuan and Gurgaon will have a single, long flyover from Rao Tula Ram Marg till Palam crossing. The National Highways Authority of India has decided to amend its plans and construct just one flyover, instead of two.

"The flyover will start from Rao Tula Ram Marg because the stretch of NH-8 from Dhaula Kuan to Rao Tula Ram junction has defence establishments on both sides which need easy cross-movement of traffic," said S.P.S. Bakshi, chief general manager of NHAI.

It will make Outer Ring Road (between Rao Tula Ram Marg and Palam junction) signal-free, allowing uninterrupted traffic flow to domestic airport.

The NHAI will also construct a flyover at Hero Honda crossing in Gurgaon.

The authority has also approved the construction of a two-lane loop allowing the traffic coming in from Palam to merge with the traffic on the expressway on the flyover. The changes were notified by the NHAI in May this year.

The NHAI said that by year-end the slip roads till Gurgaon would be ready for traffic movement.

Wow, that's cool. Anyway, if these things happening regularly, India would see a radical change.

Real estate booms in Delhi
RAJA AWASTHI

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, AUGUST 29, 2004 12:56:26 AM ]
If you are planning to buy a house in the Capital, don’t go too far. No, not even to the National Capital Region.

For, 2004 has so far proved to be a roadrunner one for the real estate sector in the National Capital Region (NCR) as the residential market alone has seen a price rise of 25 per cent to 30 per cent in the last seven months. And it seems that this phase is here to stay.

Construction activity has gathered pace in the last one year in Delhi and its suburbs like Gurgaon and Noida. Even other areas like Greater Noida, Indirapuram and Faridabad, which were not so active till recently, have seen a substantial spurt in activity. A new development witnessed over the last one year was the robust demand in the premium segment.

Multinational real estate consultancy firm Cushman and Wakefield (C&W) has said in its report that in the last six to eight months, supply and demand dynamics in the market have reflected a complete turnaround with demand outstripping supply.

Rohtas Goel, chairman & MD, Omaxe Group, said: “In the premium segment in particular, huge new demand has come from upwardly mobile double-income families that can very well afford a flat of Rs 40 lakh and above. In response to demand, builders have also improved the quality of construction and the specifications within their projects so that many of the apartments being constructed in the NCR today would well match international standards.”


In Gurgaon, Noida and Greater Noida, there has been a spurt in development activities in the premium segment. A number of premium products like Aralias and Pinnacle of DLF, Uniworld City and World Spa of Unitech, Belmonte of Vipul, The Forest of Omaxe and Jaypee Green of Jaypee among others have received a good response from the market. Some of them were completely sold even before construction was completed.

Interestingly, the maximum price rise also took place in the premium segment. Many of the premium projects were launched at Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800 per sq ft in 2003. Today, they are quoting Rs 2,200 to Rs 3,000 per sq ft.

SK Sayal, CEO, Alpha Buildtech said: “The availability of premium quality housing has led both NRIs and affluent domestic investors to put their money into the real estate sector.
Supply has also geared up to meet increased demand. The effect of this rise in supply will be felt over the next one year. This year supply would match demand, and hence the price rise that has been witnessed over the last one year would get moderated. Construction activity in the not so premium segments is also happening at a brisk pace."

A large number of projects are coming up along the Sohna Road in Gurgaon and along the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway. Developers like DLF, Unitech, Ambience, MGF, Eldeco, Parsvanath, ATS, Omaxe and Vipul have either launched their projects or are in the process of doing so. Prices here vary between Rs 1,500 and Rs 3,500 per sq ft.

As demand grew, construction activity increased in areas like Greater Noida, Faridabad, Indirapuram, Vaishali and Ghaziabad as well. These were areas where till about a couple of years ago developers found it difficult to sell their products even at Rs 1,000 per sq ft. But now the going rates range from Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per sq ft.

A new development that has taken place in the last six months is strong demand in the Vaishali and Indiarapuram area. As prices in Gurgaon and Noida rose above Rs 1,500 per sq ft, buyers turned towards these areas where homes are more affordable.

Furthermore, being only 12 to 15 kilometres from Connaught Place, Vaishali and Indirapuram emerged as favourite destinations for those who can shell out Rs 12 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for a two bedroom flat, and Rs 16 lakh to Rs 20 lakh for a three-bedroom flat.

T Chakravarti, head, India Property Research said: “There are two key trends – there is a steady increase in the number of off-plan sales in the residential segment in NCR, which had almost petered out in the post-slump era, and high-end residential developments are back on the scene. Market indications suggest that the favourable housing finance rate regime, coupled with attractive packages tailored by housing finance companies, is prompting the end-users to consider purchasing for their own use or even sometime for investment.”

Anuj Puri, managing director, Chesterton Meghraj Property Consultants, added: “Best performing real estate markets are the ones that have a sustainable balance of properties held by end-users and properties held by investors, to offer better returns on investments. This rate of return is also governed by the growth in the activities for which the property is being used. In the last few years NRIs have shown a lot of interest in the NCR market.”

They say money, like water, finds its own level. With the stock market marking time at pretty high levels, money is said to be finding its way into the property market. This would bring in an element of speculation in property. Besides, easy availability of cheap home loans, coupled with the expectation of further rise in prices, have been driving real estate rates.

City roads: Made of mud, slush and little else (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/831836.cms)

Delhiites welcome monsoon showers with potholes and not with open arms. Forty-eight hours of rain, and driving becomes an absolute nightmare as the poor quality of bitumen laid on the road surface starts showing its ugly face. No wonder then, road experts quip: "Is there a road left in Delhi?"

Sample these stretches: Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road, especially between Andheria Morh and Adhchini, Moolchand-Ashram Road, Press Enclave Road in Saket, Nehru Place to East of Kailash via Sapna cinema, General Cariappa Marg in Delhi Cantonment, Tagore Park-Model Town in north Delhi, Patel Nagar to Moti Nagar and Moti Nagar to Najafgarh via Raja Garden, Tilak Nagar and Mother Dairy to Vasundhara Enclave via Mayur Vihar-I.

Undertake a journey on any of these roads and your experience would be the same as ours: Driving over irregular surfaces, potholes, bumpy rough patches, dirt tracks with some brick and mortar here and there, sharp edges, speed 'brokers' and dug up roads almost caving in at points.

Central Road Research Institute's head of traffic and transportation T S Reddy says that the pathetic state of city roads is a perennial woe and will remain so until drains are cleaned regularly and roads monitored once a month. "The fault lies with the archaic construction and maintenance technology civic agencies continue to use, particularly MCD," he says.

Even residents feel that the pathetic roads have nothing to do with the showers as many of them bear crater-size potholes all round the year, if not every six months. "Surprisingly, some of these roads have seen lakhs of rupees being spent on the them within a span of six months as the city saw both the Assembly as well as Union elections. But all in vain," says Ritu Chahal, a south Delhi resident.

Chahal adds: "The rains and the consequent ruination of roads raises the question as to whether the city roads have failed the residents of Delhi. And the answer is a resounding 'Yes'."

Concerned residents have already trained their guns on the Sheila Dikshit government. Nirmal Kumar, a Kalkaji resident and a reader at DU, says: "The government rightly claims to have made Delhi a city of flyovers and has even won the Delhi election on the development plank. But one short spell of rain has exposed all that."

He says: "This has bared Delhi's ugly face. What Dikshit's government was trying to achieve by making immaculate plans, her engineers and contractors messed it up by doing the opposite. The moth-eaten bureaucracy and engineering department were conspiring to plunder the taxpayers' money in the most blatant manner."

Reddy says that in most cases, the situation arises due to the same cause — drainage. Most of these roads lack side drains. "The drainage holds the key to any road's durability. Care should be taken that water drains out faster and does not stagnate on the surface, particularly during the monsoon," he says.

He adds, "Unfortunately, civic engineers pay little attention while laying out the road surface and the layers are not maintained evenly which makes the water stagnate. Special attention must be paid while maintaining a proper 'crossed slope', technically called camber."



ha ha, expecting civil Engineers of the MCD to think ahead is expecting piggies to fly.

Actually, Delhi represents everything that local and state Governments in India are: slow, small-minded and corrupt.

Damn that's pathetic. I recently visited Delhi and was so impressed by Delhi's roads. They should come see Mumbai though before complaining.

City roads: Made of mud, slush and little else (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/831836.cms)



ha ha, expecting civil Engineers of the MCD to think ahead is expecting piggies to fly.

Actually, Delhi represents everything that local and state Governments in India are: slow, small-minded and corrupt.

Delhi is probably slightly better. The states are worse off.

Live in India, NRI style (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/833379.cms)

Bhaskar's complex, which draws inspiration from the skylines of high-rise condominiums in advanced economies, is just one of a slew of self-contained enclaves that dot cities and suburbs like Mumbai, Bangalore, Noida and Gurgaon.

They're indicative of a major push India's real estate sector has launched to woo overseas Indians. And as investment in the Indian real estate market fast catches the imagination of non-resident Indians (NRIs), it has triggered a mad scramble among builders to come up with plush villas and housing complexes especially for overseas clientele.

Omaxe Construction is setting up an exclusive NRI City at Noida near Delhi. The company has also launched a Rs.1.1-billion ($24.22 million) project for high net worth Indians, both resident and non-resident.

Named "The Forest" and adjoining a 325-acre green belt, the project is already under development.

Omaxe is setting up 105 ultra luxury apartments costing between Rs.15 million and Rs.24 million, complete with features such as a personal health club for each apartment, hi-tech security and glitzy façades in glass and metal.


The Royal Indian Raj International Corporation (RIRIC), a consortium of overseas Indians, is building a "Royal Garden City" in Bangalore. It is being projected as Asia's largest single completely web-enabled housing enclave.

The project comprises 35,000 residential units, a central business district, industrial units, entertainment centres, parks, restaurants, shopping, educational facilities and civic amenities.

Cabinet nod for expressway


NEW DELHI, AUG. 30. Taking a "giant leap forward" in the infrastructure sector, the Delhi Cabinet today gave its approval for the "Elevated Expressway" on Ring Road, a brain child of the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.

Brushing aside objections raised by the Public Works Department, the Cabinet approved appointment of global consultants in what could be the first major Delhi Government-private sector initiative in the infrastructure upgradation programme.

The project is likely to take concrete shape by the beginning of next financial year as the feasibility report is expected to be ready by January 2005. The Government is also toying with the idea of constructing this project on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis in order to ensure its completion on time. The 48-km six-lane "Elevated Expressway" on Ring Road would integrate itself with the Metro Rail stations as well as the high capacity bus system in order to provide maximum advantage to the city commuters as well as motorist.

After the Cabinet's approval, Ms. Dikshit said: "This is a major step forward in finding a solution to the problem of congestion in Delhi as the flyovers and underpasses currently under construction would not fulfil the traffic needs beyond four to five years. The Elevated Expressway on Ring Road will not only ensure smooth commuting, but also take traffic off congested roads and provide people with a number of options."

The project, estimated to cost Rs. 2,635 crore, would entail entry and exit through grade separated inter-changes at multiple locations based on traffic patterns with a need to integrate with existing Ring Road flyovers, pedestrian underpasses and upgradation of the existing road network.

The elevated deck is likely to have full and semi-automatic toll plaza. In the context of Delhi, the major advantage of an elevated Ring Road is the minimal land acquisition required leading to reduced construction period and minimal traffic disruptions, officials said.

The six-lane road would have a 60-metre right of way. The project is likely to be completed within 36 months from the day construction is taken up. The elevated Ring Road project is likely to be implemented based on the concession framework used for the successful implementation of the Delhi-Noida Toll Bridge project.

The ambitious project is likely to be taken up and executed in a professional manner on the lines of Delhi Metro project. A special purpose vehicle is likely to be floated for the development of this project.

Other links -

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=833028

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_979471,0015002200000001.htm

great news!! delhi is really going to become a modern city finally!!

thats soooo cooool, would make the city awesome

Wow, Delhi is becoming so modern.

hey kshatriya can u get any info about the proposed elevated highway from chennai internantional airport to chennai port?

Metro Rail to link Gurgaon and Delhi

The Government of Haryana has approved, in principle, the implementation of a metro rail between Mehrauli road bordering Delhi and IFFCO chowk in Gurgaon to ease traffic congestion in the fast developing city of Gurgaon. The state government is also seriously considering other alternatives such as connecting the Dwarka-Gurgaon and Vasant Kunj-Gurgaon roads with the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
Disclosing this, Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala said that the public sector RITES Ltd would prepare a detailed feasibility report for the Metro Rail project. It may be recalled that the Delhi Dayabasti-Gurgaon road had already been approved under the Integrated Rail Bus Terminal (IRBT).
The government has also prepared a comprehensive plan to widen 34 roads in and around Gurgaon within the next one year at a cost of Rs 45 crore. A flyover on Sikanderpur Chowk, to ease congestion on Mehrauli-Gurgaon road, has also been planned.

IRBT system

The government has planned an Integrated Rail Bus Transit (IRBT) system for Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 2,239 crore. Under phase-I of the IRBT, 14.93-km Shahdara-Ghaziabad, the 17.36-km Sahibabad-Shivaji Bridge and 30.53-km Trinagar-Gurgaon will be taken up.
To execute IRBT, a Transport Cell for the NCR, under the Ministry of Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, has been created.

Mall-cum-parking along Metro routes


NEW DELHI, SEPT. 9. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation these days is busy finalising plans for providing to the Capital its first mechanised parking system by taking up the model project at Rohini West railway station.

To give shape to the plan, a consultant has been appointed by DMRC. With the experience of a similar parking project at Rowden Street in Kolkata behind it, the consultant will help prepare the bid document.

The developer would be required to utilise a plot of land -- about one-and-a-half hectares in size -- for making a building having a basement with a capacity for around 275 cars, a mall and a level parking for another 140-odd vehicles.

A senior official said this would be a "new concept'' since it envisages combining a mall with the parking set-up. "The idea is to make the mall pay for the parking while allowing passengers to park their vehicles at the given municipal rates.''

Noting that this was an essential component, the official said it was important since it allows for subsidising of the parking and thereby ensures the success of the scheme. Also, the scheme seeks to improve parking conditions at the stations to facilitate the use of the Metro system by more and more car owners.

The parking system will also bring to Delhi the use of high end technology in the field. The official said there are two options available at present. One is the Dutch system, which is in use in Kolkata, and is a bit complicated and costlier, while the other is a Korean system which is in use at one place in Pune and at the Shoppers Stop mall at Bandra in Mumbai.

This system provides for a "puzzle type'' parking in which the parking is akin to playing with toys by children as it involves both horizontal and vertical movement of the vehicles through a number of elevators and machines.

While the choice of selecting the system would lie with the developer, both would involve the use of world-class technology and ensure that people coming in their private vehicles to the Metro stations are able to conveniently park them.

Depending on the success of this model project, the official said, DMRC would consider replicating it at other places. "If all goes well, we may see about a dozen more of these malls-cum-basement parkings along the Metro routes.''

Metro survey causes panic in Sikanderpur

Raghvendra Rao

Gurgaon, September 9: Gurgaon’s dream of getting Delhi Metro extended to the heart of the city received a rude shock today when angry residents of village Sikanderpur took to the streets and blocked the Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road for over an hour today. Villagers were protesting the Haryana government’s move of getting a survey done in the area without taking them into confidence.

Hundreds of villagers blocked traffic near the Sikanderpur junction causing a major jam on MG Road that extended upto Arjangarh. The protestors also pelted stones on passing vehicles. It was only after they were assured of a meeting with Deputy Commissioner that they lifted the siege.

The agitation was precipitated by the unannounced appearance of a team of surveyors from Haryana Town & Country Planning Department and Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) to conduct a survey of the area for the Metro line. The team was to survey the width of the existing road to see how much land needed to be acquired for the Metro.

The team, led by senior town-planner Dhare Singh, had to literally escape from the spot when angry villagers tried to gherao and manhandle them. ‘‘The manner in which these officials started taking measurement of the area agitated the villagers,’’ said Shiv Narayan Yadav, a resident. ‘‘We were not taken into confidence by the authorities. When we asked them about it, we were told that the government wanted to acquire portions of the village and construct shopping malls there,’’ he added.

Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal assured the villagers that the Haryana government had decided to extend the Delhi Metro through MG Road to Gurgaon but the consent of the village would be taken.

Aggarwal later said: ‘‘We don’t want any legal hassles. If there is a need to acquire areas where construction has already taken place, we would rehabilitate the affected in a planned manner.’’

‘‘The government would need at least 30 metres of space on both sides of the road passing through Sikanderpur. That is what set the alarm bells ringing for the villagers who already have built-up areas adjacent to the road,’’ said a Town & Country Planning official.

Haryana to foot own bill only

All confusion over Haryana’s stance over the funding of Delhi Metro’s extension to Gurgaon was set to rest on Thursday when Gurgaon Deputy Commissioner Anurag Aggarwal said that Haryana would only pay for the construction that takes place in it’s territory.

‘‘There is no problem as far the feasibility of the project is concerned and RITES has already submitted its Detailed Project Report to Delhi Government. As for the funding, Haryana will only pay for the stretch falling within its jurisdiction,’’ said Aggarwal. According to sources, the proposed Delhi Metro to Gurgaon would be on an elevated track all along.

Naraina Ring Road to be widened: Walia
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, September 11

The government has decided to widen the Ring Road near Naraina, as it has become a major bottleneck for the smooth flow of traffic on Ring Road.

Urban Development Minister A.K. Walia said it has been decided to widen this road from 60 feet to 110 feet. No time frame for the project has been fixed as acquisition of land from private owners is the first requisite.

The government has also decided on some other plans to decongest traffic. Encroachments on the Asaf Ali Road would be removed and slip roads would be constructed on GT Road flyover, Shahdara.

Walia said the Asaf Ali Road is a 45-metre road in the Master Plan but due to encroachments, it has become a problem area. He directed the DDA to remove the encroachments from 900 meter portion of the road and hand it over to the PWD for construction as per the Master Plan and for smooth flow of traffic.

As for the Shahdara flyover, the minister said it was constructed long back and has helped decongest traffic. However, the locals could not get the benefit of the flyover in the absence of slip roads. Connecting and slip roads would now be constructed and land would be acquired, the minister said.

*******************

Ban on road-cutting revoked

The Delhi government has lifted the ban on cutting roads following appeals by the Delhi Jal Board, power distribution and telecom companies. Urban development minister A.K. Walia said the government on August 26 had banned cutting of roads for a month due to the monsoons. Walia also directed agencies to complete their work relating to road cutting within the stipulated time.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/high/2004/09.11/images/high1001434.jpg

Gadgets to catch signal-jumpers
Meenal Dubey
New Delhi, September 12

Police are on the shopping mode. Items on its must-buy list include interceptors, digital cameras and hand-held speed radar guns, etc. to deal with traffic in the Capital, which threatens to spin out of control in key areas.

Delhi Traffic Police have submitted an affidavit in the Delhi High Court, where they have listed the use of new equipment which will make traffic violations easy to detect.

Earlier this year, the court had taken suo motu notice of a report where a Blueline bus had killed two persons on different occasions and continued to ply despite the driver being booked.

The court had then asked for a report relating to cancellation of permits and driving licenses.

At this point, a reference was also made to some recommendations made in 2002 by the Bureau of Police Research and Development.

The court asked the cops to file a report regarding the traffic warden scheme, status reports on licence cancellation and other factors. Some of gadgets that have already been acquired or are being bought by the police include:

Speed Check Cameras

These can note down offences of overspeeding and red light violation automatically, with photographs. At present, these are deployed at four intersections. “It has been observed that there has been tremendous change in the behaviour of the drivers passing though these intersections,” the police affidavit says.

Hand speed radar guns

The police have proposed to procure 38 portable speed vision system (one for each traffic circle) with the facility of capturing the image of offending vehicle with its number plate, speed, date and time.

Interceptors
Interceptors equipped with modern devices such as laser-based speed detectors, laptop, printer, digital cameras, breath analysers have also been proposed.

*******************

One for the road: Smart move to enforce rules for unruly

Wardens bridge police-public gap

Currently, Delhi Traffic Police employ 423 wardens to deal with problems of parking, congestion, accidents and air pollution.

These consists of citizens who enforce traffic management schemes, educate road users on safety measures and provide solutions to traffic management. Their function is to create a bridge between the public and traffic police.

Action taken Traffic police have sent 408 recommendations to the State Transport Authority to cancel the permit of buses and commercial driving licences of errant drivers involved in fatal road accidents.

Action mooted Police have told the high court that they had moved a proposal to MHA last year for purchasing speed violation checking system, computers and networking as well as additional manpower.

Expressway, by-pass for Delhi a distant dream

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 11. Despite the best efforts of the Environment and Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) and directions of the Supreme Court, construction of an expressway, by-pass in and around Delhi remains a "distant dream'' due to adamant and indifferent attitude of the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments. EPCA has filed a status report with the Supreme Court seeking necessary directions to speed up the process and make everyone fall in line as otherwise it would defeat the very purpose of decongesting Delhi.

The Supreme Court on March 8 this year had directed that the National Highway Authority of India be treated as the nodal agency for construction of a bypass and expressway around Delhi. It had also asked for a schedule for completion of the proposed bypass and expressway and asked for a report to be submitted within four weeks by the nodal agency. The matter is now scheduled to come up for hearing on October 1. "In view of the rigid attitude of the Haryana and Uttar Pradesh Governments, we have been left with no other option but to approach the court for necessary directions to put in place this project within a stipulated deadline,'' remarked Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment and member EPCA.

It is understood that EPCA has informed the court that UP and Haryana continue to maintain they do not have the money to pay for the land acquisition costs. On the other hand, Delhi has agreed to pay for the costs in the portion of the expressway that will pass through the State. According to the officials, the Build-Operate-and-Transfer (BOT) arrangement requires governments to pay for land acquisition costs and make land available without encumbrance to the contractor. The Central Government has left this issue unresolved and has vaguely said "in case there is any requirement of grant or subsidy, the same shall be arranged by the National Capital Region Planning Board (NCRPB), subject to assurance of additionality by the Ministry of Urban Development.''

It has also pointed out that the schedule given for completion of the project - five and a half years - from a hypothetical date, when the finances will be sorted out, will defeat the very objective to decongest Delhi.

It is understood that EPCA has prayed to the court to direct UP and Haryana to pay for the land acquisition costs so as to expedite the project or allow the shorter alignment of the Western Expressway of which around 60-65 km, would remain touching Delhi's boundary. The advantage of this alignment is that a pre-feasibility plan has been prepared and the Delhi Government is willing to bear the cost of land acquisition for this stretch. The re-alignment would have to be made for the Asola Bhatti wildlife areas so that the expressway does not go through the sanctuary.

However, it has stated that this is not EPCA's preferred option, but it is constrained to make this suggestion as it is finding little willingness on the part of the different agencies to resolve issues and expedite the work. It has also sought a direction that the project be completed within a tight schedule of 2-3 years as the outside limit and also ensure that NHAI remains the nodal agency, as it would facilitate the role of the Central Government in resolving and expediting issues involved.

As far as the Eastern Peripheral Expressway is concerned, Haryana and UP have made it clear that they will not be in a position to bear the cost of land acquisition. The cost for this 100-odd km stretch has been estimated at Rs. 2,079 crores, of which land acquisition cost is Rs. 368 crores. The plan for the Western Peripheral Expressway -- original alignment -- has been estimated by Rs. 1,800 crores with Rs. 700 crores to be paid as land acquisition costs. The Delhi Government has agreed to pay for the costs of land acquisition through the State (roughly 60-65 km), while Haryana has said that it would not be able to pay for the costs of land acquisition.

Work on ITO-Noida overbridge to end by Nov: Walia

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SATURDAY, AUGUST 28, 2004 12:27:15 AM ]

After slapping a fine on Unitech Constructions for the delay in the Maa Anandmayi flyover last week, urban development minister A K Walia inspected three east Delhi road overbridges (ROB) on Friday.


Walia said that work on the ROB between ITO chungi and NOIDA will be completed by November. The project is a joint venture between railways and PWD and its estimated cost is Rs 15 crore. The bridge is 240 meters long and will have six lanes.

He also inspected the Seelampur flyover being constructed by DDA which is 672 meters long and will cost the exchequer Rs 12.10 crore. Regarding the railway crossing at Wazirpur Road near Nand Nagari, Walia asked PWD to begin constru ction work for the alternative routes while the ROB was under construction..

Walia said that work on the ROB between ITO chungi and NOIDA will be completed by November. The project is a joint venture between railways and PWD and its estimated cost is Rs 15 crore. The bridge is 240 meters long and will have six lanes.

He also inspected the Seelampur flyover being constructed by DDA which is 672 meters long and will cost the exchequer Rs 12.10 crore. Regarding the railway crossing at Wazirpur Road near Nand Nagari, Walia asked PWD to begin constru ction work for the alternative routes while the ROB was under construction.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/07/images/2004090714160301.jpg

Srinivaspuri flyover to be ready next month

NEW DELHI, SEPT 6. Termed as one of the longest flyovers of the Capital, the Lajpat Nagar-Srinivaspuri flyover, having latest water proofing system, outstanding landscape and subways with pedestrian comfort, will become operational by October 31. The Rs. 60 crore project will provide major relief to commuters travelling on this stretch of Ring Road and will be another step forward towards making it signal free.

The 1183 metres long flyover will be thrown open for vehicular traffic on both sides by this deadline. At present, one side of the flyover is already operational. The work on the project has been progressing at a very consistent pace and despite monsoons the progress has not been hampered. The Tourism and Education Minister, Arvinder Singh Lovely, today reviewed the pace of work by making an on-site inspection. Accompanied by senior officials including the Managing Director of Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC), Ramesh Negi, the Tourism Minister was given a presentation of the highlights of the flyover.

Mr. Lovely informed that the latest water proofing technique was being employed to ensure that rain water does not affect the structure in any way. Adequate provisions have been made for rainwater harvesting. It had also been decided to install sprinklers at the site as the DTTDC plans to undertake proper landscaping of the entire area around the flyover. In addition to this, three subways have been constructed to ensure comfort for the pedestrians. The subways would enable people to reach DAV College, Capt. Gaur Marg, Srinivaspuri and VIMHANS hospital. Similarly, separate lanes had been constructed for parking of buses in order to prevent any kind of traffic snarls. Complimenting the engineers and officers for doing a good job, the Tourism Minister said the DTTDC had other projects lined up in the infrastructure sector. Apart from constructing the Wazirabad Bridge, the Corporation had also been entrusted with the task of constructing the underpass at Prembari Canal Bridge on the busy Ring Road near the Shalimar Bagh-Pitampura crossing. Another underpass at Mool Chand flyover was pending clearance with the Delhi Development Authority.

Stating that a number of other steps were in the pipeline to promote Delhi as a major tourist destination and a happening place, Mr. Lovely informed that proper facilities including setting up of more tourist information centres was being taken up at various places in the Capital. A number of other facilities for the domestic as well as international tourists was being created details about which would be made public in the coming days.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/07/stories/2004090714160300.htm

Ghaziabad fun park set to bustle in December (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=167052)

The approach road to Delhi from Uttar Pradesh via National Highway 24 harbours a new hope — dullness is out, entertainment is in. That is, if the AEZ shopping mall-cum-amusement and water park-cum-3-screen cinema-cum food court-cum club house takes off by the second week of December, as stated.

The 12-acre (one acre is 3,928.25 square metres) AEZ site on the Vaishali (Ghaziabad)-NH 24 crossing is witness to a large-scale construction of a multi-pronged nature.

The water park will be maintained by Ahmedabad-based Saya Amusement “as they are the largest ride manufacturers in the country,” Kakkar said. The three-screen cinema is slated to be operated by Zee’s Fun Republic.
In the shopping mall, common brands like Pizza Corner, Cafe Coffee Day, and Music World have already signed up.

3-point formula to beat traffic snarls
Ravi S. Singh
Tribune News Service

Gurgaon, September 13
The authorities have decided to wade into one more novelty to beat the traffic snarls in the city. The new concept will be implemented in three stages.

Three points in the city: Mahavir Chowk, Gurdwara Road and Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road will occupy the attention of the authorities in the first leg.

Besides, the autorickshaws and the roving vendors, who block the smooth movement of traffic, have also come under scanner. They would feel the heat in the coming days in case they continue with their errant ways.

There is a plan to widen a small stretch on Mehrauli Road near Mahavir Chowk by incorporating a part of the land of the Police Lines Ground. This is in order to allow a parking space for three-wheelers.

Mahavir Chowk is always a scene of traffic snarls. The congestion is mainly due to the unorganised parking and erratic movement of three-wheelers. Mehrauli Road and Old Delhi Road which converge at the chowk in the heart of the city present a disorganised scene due to obstructions to the free flow of vehicular traffic.

To cap it, the adjoining Mata Road which houses the General Bus Stand is also affected by the unregulated movement and parking of the three-wheelers.

The intense traffic jam around Mahavir Chowk has another spin-off: the area is subjected to the worst air and sound pollution. The main market, the Police Lines, offices and residences of district officers, the district Civil Hospital and a senior secondary school are at a stone’s throw from Mahavir Chowk.

Besides, the jams come in the way of possible security operations during the time of any emergency.

Gurdwara Road is tipped to get a face-lift which would again take care of the floating vendors and the unregulated movement of the three-wheelers. This road is also one of the widely used stretches by the city dwellers.

The authorities also plan to bring sanity on Mall Road.

According to many, the authorities have made several moves in the recent past to decongest the roads, especially in old Gurgaon city.

The three-wheelers, including rickshaw pullers and vendors, are considered to be main defaulters. However, they are subjected to only temporary regulations. They ignore the authorities after a while.

There are also reports to suggest that some vested interests, including leaders of ruling political parties, are humoured by the vendors and owners of makeshift shops on the roads so that they could continue with their erratic behaviour.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040914/delhi.htm#4

Air, rail, road to converge under new Master Plan
HIMANSHI DHAWAN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 02:16:40 AM ]

NEW DELHI: The Master Plan for Delhi-2021 will introduce a new concept of "confluence zones" in the city's transport system. A separate zone will be made where passengers would be able to take different modes of transport — Metro, trains, a flight or a bus. Planned in Dwarka, New Delhi, Kashmere Gate ISBT and Najafgarh, these zones will not just have multiple modes of transport converging at one point but also provide organised parking and ‘park and ride' schemes at these hubs.

For instance if a person lands at the Delhi airport he has a choice between using the Metro, taking the road on a private vehicle or cab or an inter-state bus. If he is travelling in a car to Connaught Place and wants to switch to the Metro there will be adequate parking facilities at the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) depots or the New Delhi Railway station from where commuters can take a shuttle service.

The proposal gives commuters more than one option of transport and visualises extensive use of public transport. "Providing people with several modes of transport gives them the option of using what suits their pocket best and discourages the use of private vehicles," an official said. Based on the principle of a subway, the zones will have separate entry and exits for each ‘mode' allowing people a choice.

These hubs will also include rail links in the National Capital Region (NCR) so that commuting time between Delhi and any corner of the NCR is not more than two hours. "City transport will include elevated ring roads, high capacity buses, dedicated rail corridors that must be connected in a comprehensive manner," a source said. The aim is to ensure that 60% of the urban area is within 15 minutes of walking distance from the proposed Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS). There is also provision to connect locations like Commonwealth Games village and other sites of tourist interest.

The other aspect that planners will tackle in the MPD is the parking problem. "There will be provision for parking facilities only on certain public roads. Creation of underground and multi-level parking is on the anvil," the source said.

Flyovers to screen out noise and dust

Anubhuti Vishnoi

New Delhi, September 11: AFTER water-harvesting, the flyovers in the capital will be taking another environment-friendly measure — getting a noise-and-dust barrier installed along the entire length. According to PWD, the drive is going to start with the Britannia Chowk flyover which is scheduled to be completed in mid-October. It will be the first flyover in the country to get such a barrier.

Playing midwife is the Centre of Transportation Engineering (COTE), Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Roorkee. Installing the barrier involves an expenditure of about 2-3 per cent of the total cost of the flyover. In case of Britannia Chowk, it will be about Rs 60 lakh.

''Noise-and-dust barriers are compulsory in USA, Japan and Canada. We have been conducting research on this aspect for the past five years and PWD approached us to initiate the project on the Britannia Chowk flyover,’’ said Prof S S Jain of COTE IIT Roorkee.

‘‘Flyovers increase noise levels by as much as 80 per cent according to our studies. This barrier will reduce that considerably, bringing it down to 50-65dBA, the limit set by the Central Pollution Control Board. Dust and pollutants also remain in the lower atmospheric levels once the barrier is in place. Dust will be restricted to the flyover area and can later be swept away,’’ he added.

The principle behind the project is that noise barriers — made of fibre glass sheets of a particular thickness — reduce noise levels by either absorbing, reflecting or transmitting it across the highway or forcing it to take a longer path.

A Respirable Dust Sampler was used to monitor the concentration of the Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter (RSPM) in the area and it was found to be above permissible limits during peak hours.

Dinesh Kumar, Superintending Engineer and Project In-charge, PWD, said the barrier would be in place soon. ‘‘We are using fibre sheets, 6-mm thick. The barrier will run across the entire length of the flyover and will be erected on the crash barriers/parapets on the margins of both carriageways. Though the standard height will be 6 feet, it will vary with the slope. The fibre sheets will be kept in place by Y-shaped steel angles fixed at every 1-meter distance,’’ said Dinesh Kumar.

‘‘Though we are planning a translucent or transparent barrier with a shade of cement grey, COTE has suggested we go for certain patterns on the barrier to make it look aesthetically pleasing. Besides reducing dust and noise levels, the barrier will also ensure privacy for those living in multi-storeyed buildings in the area with balconies opening at the same height as the flyover,’’ he added.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=99182

DDA to launch demolition drive against encroachments

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2004 01:52:56 AM ]

NEW DELHI: Demolitions will be conducted by DDA all over the city in the next few days to remove encroachment and slums that are delaying Metro and flyover projects.


The agency also plans to remove the religious structures in Yamuna Pushta that are left on public land. It has already removed all the encroachment in Pushta and has posted Home Guards to prevent the encroachers from returning back. A senior DDA official said: "There are temples and a mosque in the area. We will demolish them to make way for the development project."

A resettlement colony with 178 houses in Kakrola will also be demolished as it is coming in the alignment of Metro's Line 3 from Barakhamba-Dwarka. DDA has been unable to demolish it since June as the engineering wing of the development agency has not been able to develop alternate plots for resettlement.

DDA had earlier decided to send the families of the resettlement colony in some plots in Pocket 11, Sector B4 of Narela. However, the residents of that area went to court against these new families being given alternate plots. Though a demolition was slotted for the end of July, it could not be carried out as the new plots had not been developed. The demolition will be carried out next week as the plots have been developed.

A slum in Dwarka will also be cleared. The encroa-chments are coming in the way of an approach road to Dwarka flyover. The project is in limbo because of this.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow?msid=848660

Inaugurated in Feb 2004..

http://www.st.com/stonline/press/news/year2004/c1411rbig.jpg

Delhi in for a major facelift

By Sujay Mehdudia

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 15. Elevated roads across the city, overhead bridges with escalators, widening of Ring Road into eight lanes at various points, an expressway in and around Delhi, landscaping of the entire stretch of Ring Road by the private sector, restoration of the façade of heritage buildings, multilevel parking and construction of state-of-the-art flyovers and underpasses! Yes, Delhi is all poised for a major thrust in the urban infrastructure sector from next year onwards attracting an investment of well over Rs. 3,000 crores.

The burgeoning urban population and the over-pressurised civic infrastructure has forced the Government to look beyond the present scenario. And what has come as an inspiration for planners is the 2010 Commonwealth Games as they go full speed ahead with their efforts to make Delhi a world-class city.

The Delhi Government is learnt to have sought Rs. 500 crores from the Union Finance Ministry for starting initial work in this direction. On the other hand, a World Bank document titled "Vision 21'' has entailed an investment of Rs. 15,000 crores over the next five to seven years in urban infrastructure in the Capital. "Delhi needs to plan for the next 10 to 15 years. We have sought the assistance of the Central Government in this regard and it is heartening that a Core Group has been constituted,'' said the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.

Stating that decongestion was high on the agenda, the Chief Minister said it was not only Ring Road which would stand elevated after submission of the Detailed Project Report but also other roads in Delhi. The consultants have been told to study the road stretches across the Capital and suggest wherever elevated roads could be constructed. The Government has had a bad experience with the construction of subways and that was the reason it has decided to go in for state-of-the-art overhead escalator powered bridges at various places.

The first such project is slated to come up at the ISBT Kashmere Gate where crossing the road has become a nightmare for the pedestrians leading to high rate of accidents. In addition, a number of underpasses have been identified to ease traffic congestion across the city.

The planners are already undertaking a study on how to go about the planning for urban infrastructure in anticipation of the Commonwealth Games. Another 20 sites have been identified for flyover construction over the next three to four years.

Also, it has been decided that landscaping and beautification of the entire stretch of Ring Road would be handed over to the private sector. Plans have already been drawn upon for replacing the present street furniture with world standard equipment. Plans are also being drawn up for restoration of the façade of heritage buildings across the Capital to attract foreign tourists. All the civic agencies are being asked to work out plans for construction of multi-level parking system.

The holding Commonwealth Games would also entail expenditure for construction of new stadia as well upgradation of the present ones.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/16/stories/2004091608750400.htm

Kshatriya.....I must say this is the tragedy with 3rd world countries. Unless India starts thinking outside the box, it can never be a developed country. 2010 CommonWealth is an excuse to spend more & more in capital where our ministers & diplomats & politicans live. Spending this much chunk of money in capital without facelifting financial capital is hysterical to say the least.

By 2010 Delhi will host CommonWealth games, but look at the other side of the picture
By 2010 Mumbai will have Population of 20 Million. I wonder what excuse center is planning to give regarding Mumbai Then?

Kshatriya.....I must say this is the tragedy with 3rd world countries. Unless India starts thinking outside the box, it can never be a developed country. 2010 CommonWealth is an excuse to spend more & more in capital where our ministers & diplomats & politicans live. Spending this much chunk of money in capital without facelifting financial capital is hysterical to say the least.

By 2010 Delhi will host CommonWealth games, but look at the other side of the picture
By 2010 Mumbai will have Population of 20 Million. I wonder what excuse center is planning to give regarding Mumbai Then?

Frikkin A dude.. Hindustani u hit the nail on the head. I will say it over and over again, the country isnt going to become an economic superpower if you dont put money into the financial capital.

This is a problem actually in US states as well.

The capital city, even though it's usually not one of the biggest, almost always gets a disproportionate share of highway money.

Kshatriya.....I must say this is the tragedy with 3rd world countries. Unless India starts thinking outside the box, it can never be a developed country. 2010 CommonWealth is an excuse to spend more & more in capital where our ministers & diplomats & politicans live. Spending this much chunk of money in capital without facelifting financial capital is hysterical to say the least.

By 2010 Delhi will host CommonWealth games, but look at the other side of the picture
By 2010 Mumbai will have Population of 20 Million. I wonder what excuse center is planning to give regarding Mumbai Then?

So i understand you are assuming that if 10,000 crores are spent on Delhi, India will not have another 10,000 crores to spend on another city? Most of the onus of the development of Bombay falls on the Government of Maharashtra, and the BMC. And Mumbai has much more private capital than other states, but the local government needs to get its act together.

Secondly, then how do you think Delhi should be prepared for the Commonwealth Games, if at all?

Guys, whenever Kshatriya or some one else publish some thing good happening in National capital Delhi, the most people in this forum start Delhi bashing. This has happened not only in his thread but in many other threads.

I appreciate your concern and love for Mumbai and your point that more attention should be given to Mumbai is to some extent valid but that does not mean you start Delhi bashing in every thread.

Having said that i would like to point a major difference between Delhi NCT government and other state governmnets. Delhi is a state just for name sake. Delhi Development Authority which does the entire planning is not under Delhi govt control but under central govt control, Delhi police i.e the entire law and order machinery is under central govt control, DTC was under central control till few years back, Delhi metro is 50-50 % between delhi and central govt, and this list goes on. So when central govt spends some money on Delhi, you guys feel that why central govt is spending so much money here. It is because the affairs are still controlled by central govt. and after all this is capital of your country too. Also, like your maintain the drawing room or living room of your house in the best possible way, so that the guest visiting your house get a better impression and don't peep in the inner rooms, the same applies to Delhi. Being the national capital it has so many foreign diplomats/dignitories visiting this city and we indians want to give the best impression about our country, i feel the expenditure is justified.

Moreover, the development of other cities and state capitals is mainly responsibility of state government unlike Delhi which is not yet a full-fledged state but more or less a union territory. Take the example of Chandrababu Naidu, he extracted the juice out of central govt for hist state and Hyderabad, he got the money directly from world bank as well for several projects. He got the Indian Business School for Hyderabad, Institute of Information Technology and Insurance Regulatory Authority head quarter for Hyderabad, National games, Afro-asian games and so many other things.

What i'm trying to say is that don't always blame central govt if the state govt is not developing your city. If the state govt want it can do wonders.

However, at the same time i agree that Mumbai should also get more frpm central but please stop this Delhi bashing.

We will get there dude one city at a time, so what if it starts with Delhi? So what if CommonWealth 2010 is an excuse? Atleast its better than Mumbai where high ranking civic officials from BMC claim the city has only 47 potholes where as the fact is that there will be 47 potholes in 47 metres of Mumbai's roads.

Guys, whenever Kshatriya or some one else publish some thing good happening in National capital Delhi, the most people in this forum start Delhi bashing. This has happened not only in his thread but in many other threads.

I appreciate your concern and love for Mumbai and your point that more attention should be given to Mumbai is to some extent valid but that does not mean you start Delhi bashing in every thread.

Having said that i would like to point a major difference between Delhi NCT government and other state governmnets. Delhi is a state just for name sake. Delhi Development Authority which does the entire planning is not under Delhi govt control but under central govt control, Delhi police i.e the entire law and order machinery is under central govt control, DTC was under central control till few years back, Delhi metro is 50-50 % between delhi and central govt, and this list goes on. So when central govt spends some money on Delhi, you guys feel that why central govt is spending so much money here. It is because the affairs are still controlled by central govt. and after all this is capital of your country too. Also, like your maintain the drawing room or living room of your house in the best possible way, so that the guest visiting your house get a better impression and don't peep in the inner rooms, the same applies to Delhi. Being the national capital it has so many foreign diplomats/dignitories visiting this city and we indians want to give the best impression about our country, i feel the expenditure is justified.

Moreover, the development of other cities and state capitals is mainly responsibility of state government unlike Delhi which is not yet a full-fledged state but more or less a union territory. Take the example of Chandrababu Naidu, he extracted the juice out of central govt for hist state and Hyderabad, he got the money directly from world bank as well for several projects. He got the Indian Business School for Hyderabad, Institute of Information Technology and Insurance Regulatory Authority head quarter for Hyderabad, National games, Afro-asian games and so many other things.

What i'm trying to say is that don't always blame central govt if the state govt is not developing your city. If the state govt want it can do wonders.

However, at the same time i agree that Mumbai should also get more frpm central but please stop this Delhi bashing.


No one is bashing delhi boss, its our capital city. We are as always are bashing the politicians for their skewed thinking :)

Ubermensch....thanks for pointing out. It always helps more when someone else points out what you really mean.

really looking forward. And mumbai also gets some development project, they are going to construct a new metro line, the western expressway, navi mumbai SEZ, trans harbour link

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/medium/2004/08.27/images/medium973705.jpg

In the fast lane

The government may take a while to react to problems but eventually they do get sorted out. Consider the Delhi Metro Project — no less than five feasibility studies were commissioned before the project was finally approved and today everybody wants to take credit for it, especially when it's expected to match rival services in London, Seoul and New York!

The next such dream project, inspired by road models in Tokyo, Bangkok and Shanghai is of an Elevated Inner Ring Road, running the entire (or at least some portions) of the 48 kms stretch, which, if cleared, could go a long way in decongesting one of the main lifelines of the city.

That the traffic conditions in Delhi are in a real shambles was never in any doubt, but whether an Elevated Ring Road project could be an answer to this will be checked out through a feasibility study, which would probably get assigned to RITES, the agency that did a similar study for the Delhi Metro, almost a decade ago.

The justification for the Ring Road project can be found in sheer numbers — Delhi's population is growing at a break-neck speed of 5 lakhs per annum and keeping pace with this is the vehicular growth of four per cent per annum, ie, 430 vehicles added per day to the existing pool. In fact, at the last count, there were 42 lakh motor vehicles registered in Delhi, choking the Inner Ring Road with a load of 75,000 PCUs (Passenger Car Units) which is expected to increase to 4 lakh PCUs by 2011. As a consequence, the average speed on the Ring Road never exceeds 15 km/hr, which falls to a snail's pace of 6-9 km/hour during peak hours.

"Under the Elevated Ring Road project, we expect to turn the road from six to 18 to a 24 lane stretch at a gradient of 15 feet," says AK Walia, Minister for Finance, Planning, PWD & Urban Development, Delhi. The project is expected to cost Rs 2,635 crores, up from 1995's estimate of Rs 750 crores. Last time, the PWD had rejected the proposal, saying it was non-feasible, but this time round, there doesn't appear to be any other alternative. "After a while, raising levels becomes obligatory for a modern city," says former LG, PK Dave.

Meanwhile, there are several design issues also that have to be resolved under the revised plan, such as how many corridors will it have, where will the toll plazas come up and whether the construction technology should be pre-cast or in-situ. At this premature stage, the transport department appears to be in favour of pre-cast technology because of its advantages of reduced cost, time and minimum traffic disruptions. The elevated LRTS in Kuala Lumpur is the best example of this.

Since the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dixit appears to be taking a great interest in this project, it is being hoped that it might well get off the ground before the start of the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Metro solutions
Some great strides made by Asian cities in terms of public transport systems:

Tokyo: Tokyo's 17-km monorail was opened in 1964 to link Tokyo International Airport to Hamamatsu-cho Station close to the city centre. It now carries more than 60 million passengers annually.
Kuala Lumpur’s elevated LRT: Although Kuala Lumpur's population (about one million) is moderate compared to some other Asian neighbours, it too has suffered from serious road congestion. However, a 12-km elevated LRT line opened in 1996 and a branch line under construction has eased the situation quite a bit.
Shanghai’s full-size subway: Shanghai's legendary traffic jam was slightly eased by the opening of the Subway Line 1 in 1995 and the completion of elevated expressways to the airport. Subway Line 2 is under construction, but Line 3 is still being discussed.
Bangkok’s rail projects: Infamous for its choking traffic jams, Bangkok has recently seen some good progress. In the city centre, the construction of new elevated urban railway lines have been in progress since 1997 and subway construction has also started, amidst massive financial difficulties.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/674_973660,00310005.htm

Elevated Ring Road to make Delhi World Class (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1010249,0015002200000001.htm)

Kalkaji flyover a marvel of technology
Anant Vijay Kala
New Delhi, September 17


Commuters using the busy Maa Anandmai Marg intersection near Nehru Place have a reason to rejoice. The much-delayed flyover at this intersection is complete and will open on Friday.

Motorists coming from Modi Mill and going to Nehru Place can use this single carriageway flyover, which has been constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) and is the first of its kind in the country.

The Rs 20-crore flyover features strain- and temperature-measuring electronic devices, the data from which will help in building earthquake-resistant flyovers. These will also help engineers devise better techniques for building flyovers.

The devices will also help improve flyover construction techniques, and save on time and cost.

Jagmohan Swarup, PWD director (P&I) Zone III, said this is the longest integrated flyover, which will not have any bearings joining the vertical piers and the deck. Simply put, the flyover will provide a superior drive quality and will be maintenance free.

Construction started in March 2003 and the flyover was originally scheduled to be ready in a year. "However, the deadline could not be met due to delay in the shifting of services," Swarup said.

Work on the Britannia Chowk flyover is also expected to be ready by this month's end. A senior PWD official said they had asked the contractor to finish the work in time.

Next on the completion schedule is the Panchsheel flyover and the Sarojini Nagar B-Avenue flyover which are scheduled to be completed in October. The B-Avenue flyover will be completed before Diwali, said a PWD official.

i think its fine. Mumbai is a huge city and attracts lots of investment from the private sector but Dehli depends on the government and u cant ignore it coz its ur capital and it shud be more beautiful than any other city. But i do agree that Roads and traffic plans are responsibility of the government.

Make the ring road acces controlled xway. Then i guess congestion would ease.

And why not make Delhi the financial capital of India.With so many projects it is bound to attract investment. Wouldn't it be cool if Delhi becomes the financial capital. It already has infrastructure in place or is in the process of getting it( Metro, so many flyovers etc), it could as well become the FC of India. Would be fun. If that happens Mumbai could be developed at a relaxing pace.

Good news for Delhi.

And why not make Delhi the financial capital of India.With so many projects it is bound to attract investment. Wouldn't it be cool if Delhi becomes the financial capital. It already has infrastructure in place or is in the process of getting it( Metro, so many flyovers etc), it could as well become the FC of India. Would be fun. If that happens Mumbai could be developed at a relaxing pace.

Uhmm.. what about the BSE? Cant really make it the financial capital when yr main stock exchange is in another city.

agree with hindustani. priority needs to be for financial capitals - bombay needs better road links, better sanitation, better rail links, better sea and air links, better telecommunications links.

if you fix bombay, it will have a cascade effect on redevelopment for the whole of india

another Bombay against the rest of the country thread. Please let this thread be what it is, discussing and posting news related to Delhi.

Mumbai has its Sea Link Project, the WB sponsored Mumbai Urban Development Project (MUDP), Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), and people still cant stop whining.

Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/projects_muip.htm)

Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) (http://www.urbantransport-technology.com/projects/mumbai_urban/)

another Bombay against the rest of the country thread. Please let this thread be what it is, discussing and posting news related to Delhi.

Mumbai has its Sea Link Project, the WB sponsored Mumbai Urban Development Project (MUDP), Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), and people still cant stop whining.

Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (http://www.mmrdamumbai.org/projects_muip.htm)

Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) (http://www.urbantransport-technology.com/projects/mumbai_urban/)

Kronik, Its a free country and this is a free board. People are allowed to express their views. Maybe this thread is not appropriate for the topic of discussion but you've said it once and if people decide not to listen then I dont think theres much you or I can do about it.

However this is not Bombay VS India, cant imagine how you can even suggest that, India stands united. As I said before, this discussion just pointed out that for the economy to do well, more investments need to be made in the financial capitals.

Agreed maybe this is not where posts of that sort should be, but these forums are for discussion, and if such a discussion is sparked in this thread so be it.

Point taken, but all i was trying to say that there are already multiple threads open which discuss Mumbai, and this thread is veering towards the same. There is nothing i can do if the discussion has started here, its just i'd figure it would make sense that i talk about what the thread theme is. I might have sounded rude and i accept my fault.


However this is not Bombay VS India, cant imagine how you can even suggest that, India stands united.

I still had the same meaning that other members were discussing under, that governments are neglecting Mumbai at the cost of building Delhi. I do not mean allegiances, think of this as a sibling rivalry.

But come on, you'll agree some of the appalling decisions that Mr. Shinde, Honorable CM has taken recently because of the upcoming elections will be anything but beneficial to the city or the state. Free power to farmers, farmer loans written off, etc. Trust our bad politicians, i wont call them leaders, be it at center or states, to mess up any steps we take forward.

But come on, you'll agree some of the appalling decisions that Mr. Shinde, Honorable CM has taken recently because of the upcoming elections will be anything but beneficial to the city or the state. Free power to farmers, farmer loans written off, etc. Trust our bad politicians, i wont call them leaders, be it at center or states, to mess up any steps we take forward.

Most definately, Mr. Shinde has proved himself to be just another power hungry, vote back appeasing politician. The other options are the NCP (they arent any better, Sharad Pawar and his crew suck) and then the lovely ol' Shiv Sena.

Nice...!

Delhi to have country's first signature bridge

By Sujay Mehdudia

The Hindu, New Delhi, Sept 19: The country's first signature bridge is slated to come up near the Wazirabad barrage here together with a new water sports facility and a theme park. The go-ahead for the construction of the ambitious cable-supported landmark over the Yamuna river has been given by the Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC).
Another initiative by the Delhi government to make the Capital a world-class city, the "signature bridge" will have a double cable support on the inner periphery of the carriageway with a pylon in the middle. This double cable support will hold the bridge with traffic running in both directions on the two sides.
"Yes, it will be the first of it's kind in the country. The project is not merely being looked at from the point of iew of regulating traffic, but also for creating additional facilities in and around the bridge. This is another step in our commitment to make Delhi a leader in urban infrastructure landmarks." says the Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit.
Two massive 150 metres high towers, double the height of Qutab Minar, will handle the double cable support. Both towers will have platforms at the top for restaurants and other entertainment facilities. Approach to the tower will be provided from the water and people would be transported through bubble lifts, giving them a panoramic view of the city while moving up and down. The entire project will cost around Rs.170 crores and private consultants for the project have already been appointed.
The new signature bridge would be 600 metres downstream the present bridge which has outlived it's utility. Also, new express lanes will be constructed to connect Ring Road with the bridge, putting an end to the ordeal of daily commuters by making the congested strech on Wazirabad crossingon Ring Road signal-free.
A water body will come up around the structure and a hydraulic structure will be constructed downstream to keep the water at the desired level. This water body would be maintained throuought the year except during the monsoon. This would provide excellent opportunity for water-sport facilities and also a theme park for children. There will be two water bodies - one upstream and the other downstream.
According to the DTTDC Managing Director, Ramesh Negi, the project provides a new challenge to the Corporation, which has executed many urban infrastrucure projects in the past. He said proper car parking, food courts and public conveniences would be provided without affecting the ecology of the area. The project also assumes significance in view of the fact that Delhi would be hosting the 2010 Commonwealth Games. The authorities could use these facilities during these games. Proper integrated lighting would be done in and around the project to make it visible from a distance at night.

Bye-bye subways, hello escalators... .

By Lalit K. Jha

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/24/images/2004092404950401.jpg

The overbridge on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in the Capital which will soon have state-of-the-art escalators. Photo: Sandeep Saxena

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 23. With the Delhi Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit, making it clear that she is not in favour of any more subways for the city, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to install escalators at the little used foot overbridge on the busy Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg here at ITO. For its part, the civic body has taken a policy decision not to build any new subways and will soon float tenders to equip the foot overbridge at ITO with state-of-the-art escalators.

According to senior MCD officials, escalators will replace subways across Delhi in the next few years, particularly in view of the fact that the Capital is to play host to the Commonwealth Games in 2010. Foot overbridges fitted with escalators along with the Metro Railway would add to the attraction and glamour of the city's transportation system, say officials.

Latest studies on subways in the Capital have revealed that these are highly "`under-utilised'' and have failed to serve the purpose for which they were constructed. Even the Chief Minister recently observed that criminal activities had "increased'' inside subways and a majority of the people were avoiding them.

"Though the case with foot overbridges is somewhat similar as pedestrians still prefer to jump over the railings to cross the road, our studies have shown that people would use the overbridges if they are fitted with escalators,'' officials say, adding that escalators are "friendly'' to both the elderly and the disabled.

Foot overbridges fitted with escalators have also caught the imagination of traffic experts, urban planners and civic bodies as their construction does not lead to traffic jams and traffic diversions as happens in the case of subways. With the latest technology it is "easier'' to construct an escalator-fitted foot overbridge without causing any traffic jams.

So far the Capital has had only a few foot overbridges, the good old Kauria Bridge near Old Delhi railway station of the British era being the oldest and also the one most in use. The foot overbridges on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg at ITO, on Netaji Subhas Marg at Darya Ganj and the one at Patel Nagar near Vivek Cinema were constructed some four decades ago. While the one in Patel Nagar has since been demolished, the first two are hardly in use. Beggars have encroached on the stairs of the ITO Bridge and sleep there at night.

The latest foot overbridge near Pragati Maidan on Mathura Road was constructed last year within a few months of court orders. It comes in handy during the annual International Trade Fair here. It was the speed with which this foot overbridge was constructed without disrupting traffic that forced the traffic experts and urban planners to have a rethink on subways.

"Initially it was thought that escalators could only function in an air-conditioned and dust-free environment and that pedestrians in Delhi would be too scared to use the escalators. But with the success of the escalators at Metro railway stations, where lakhs of people use these daily, we believe that commuters will not face any difficulty," say officials.

http://www.hindu.com/2004/09/24/stories/2004092404950400.htm

Parking lot for Red Fort
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, September 23

The Urban development ministry will fund the construction of a multi-level underground parking of international standards in front of the Red Fort. It would also take up beautification of the area around the Jama Masjid.

This was announced by Urban development minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who inspected the area along with local MP Kapil Sibal and MLA Shoaib Iqbal on Wednesday. Delhi government's urban development minister A.K. Walia, DDA vice chairman, MCD commissioner and senior ministry officials also accompanied them.

Observing that a large number of tourists visited the Red Fort every year, Azad said there was a massive problem of car parking in its vicinity. "Residents of Chandni Chowk and the Walled City had always wanted a world class underground parking lot on the parade ground before the historical fort. The parking lot will accommodate thousands of vehicles," he told mediapersons.

The Maulana Azad Park in front of the Jama Masjid, which is in a bad shape, would be given a major facelift, the minister said. Besides, a spacious community hall would also be built in the vicinity of the masjid.

In view of the acute water shortage in the locality, Azad announced that another underground water reservoir would be built there in addition to the existing one.

Azad said the proposals for the schemes would be finalised in consultation with the Delhi government.

*******************

Schemes mooted

** Urban development ministry will fund parking lot near Red Fort

** The underground parking lot will meet international standards

** Maulana Azad park in Jama Masjid will get major facelift

** These proposals will be finalised within two months after consultation with Delhi govt

DMRC has finished all tunneling work in Phase 1 of the Metro corridor.

http://www.delhimetrorail.com/commuters/whats_new.html#Delhi Metro completes Tunnelling

Looks good so far.

Amazing, this is going to be a great metro network. I look forward to using it when I goto Delhi for a short visit in December.

Wow great news.

Good...

Roads: Think vertical, says Dikshit
Chetan Chauhan
New Delhi, September 25


A network of elevated roads could soon be a reality in Delhi. Not just the Ring Road, but other six-laned roads would also be considered for the construction of elevated roads.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told the Hindustan Times that the government has decided to get a feasibility study of congested roads done to see whether elevated roads can be constructed there. "We are looking at roads which need to be decongested and the way out is the construction of elevated roads," Dikshit said.

The CM informed that the Noida Toll Bridge Authority, which is conducting a feasibility study for elevated the Ring Road, will also identify other roads on which elevated roads can be built. "Delhi roads can't be widened much. The solution is to build the roads perpendicularly," she said.

Chandni Chowk has been identified as one of the thrust areas. The government believes that elevated roads can be constructed on 100 feet wide roads, which can act as fast-moving thoroughfare in the city. "This can reduce congestion in Chandni Chowk and make the walled city much more navigable," an official said.

The MCD is already constructing an elevated road on Rani Jhansi Marg, from Filmistan till St Stephen's Hospital. DDA's technical committee has approved the plan.

The Delhi government wants more such roads. "Some of the elevated roads can be tolled. We will also look at some non-tolled elevated roads which pass through congested areas and thereby provide solution to the traffic problems," an official said.

*******************

Under consideration

** Ring Road from Ashram till ISBT

** From Red Fort till Fatehpuri

** On Mathura Road; from ITO to Ashram

** Vikas Marg from chungi to Preet Vihar

Chautala agrees to pay for taking Metro to Gurgaon
S.K. Ahuja
Gurgaon, September 25


The extension plan of the Metro Rail to Gurgaon now appears to be heading on the right track with Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala agreeing to pay the cost of the construction of metro in Gurgaon.

Chautala, who was in Gurgaon on Friday, said that he has agreed to pay the initial amount of Rs 75 crores to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) as a token of his government's acceptance of the extension plan of the Metro up to Gurgaon.

RITES had recently submitted its Detailed Project Report (DPR) to Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA). The report suggests four alternate routes. RITES has suggested Sohna-Alwar Road as the last metro station instead of IFFCO chowk.

The metro will turn left from Sushant Lok crossing on MG Road about 200 meters before IFFCO Crossing and terminate at Sohna Alwar Road near Rajiv Chowk.

RITES has put a price tag of Rs 750 crore for the Gurgaon stretch from Gurgaon-Mehrauli border till Sohna Alwar Road.

"The Metro will be constructed in two phases. In the first phase, the Metro will be from Gurgaon-Mehrauli Border through Garden Estate apartments and Sikanderpur village and will move along MG Road till Sushant Lok. It will then turn left to terminate at a point on Sector Road near RITES building," said HUDA's superintendent engineer V K Gupta.

In the second phase, the Metro would be taken from RITES building to Green Wood City, Residency Greens and along Sectors 44-47, 38 and 39 to end at Sohna Alwar Road near Tikri Depot.

Facelift on cards for Sultan Garhi tomb
Saurabh Sinha
New Delhi, September 25

The Sultan Garhi tomb in Vasant Kunj, currently in ruins, could soon become one of the Capital’s most sought after heritage sites.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has approved a DDA plan to develop the ruins around this 13th century monument.

At present, most of the ruins are in a mess and inaccessible. “The main monument has also suffered from buildings that have been built near it, thereby spoiling the visual aesthetics of the area. The very basic requirements are a storm water drain and a road,” an ASI official said. The DDA design promises all this and more.

The ‘Sultan Garhi Heritage Park’ will have a restaurant with a “viewing terrace”, a seasonal water body and a bird habitat. There would also be a separate children’s area and pedestrian walkways.

“The work will begin in a month or two and should be over in about two years. The plan is to keep the main monument the highlight of the place,” the official added.

Keeping the dry topography in mind, a xerophytic garden of desert plants will also be developed. In the areas prone to water logging, saplings of trees that are able to withstand this problem will be planted.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park that Intach is developing with Delhi Tourism and DDA is ready.


http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1024482,0015002200000004.htm

Facelift on cards for Sultan Garhi tomb
Saurabh Sinha
New Delhi, September 25

The Sultan Garhi tomb in Vasant Kunj, currently in ruins, could soon become one of the Capital’s most sought after heritage sites.

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has approved a DDA plan to develop the ruins around this 13th century monument.

At present, most of the ruins are in a mess and inaccessible. “The main monument has also suffered from buildings that have been built near it, thereby spoiling the visual aesthetics of the area. The very basic requirements are a storm water drain and a road,” an ASI official said. The DDA design promises all this and more.

The ‘Sultan Garhi Heritage Park’ will have a restaurant with a “viewing terrace”, a seasonal water body and a bird habitat. There would also be a separate children’s area and pedestrian walkways.

“The work will begin in a month or two and should be over in about two years. The plan is to keep the main monument the highlight of the place,” the official added.

Keeping the dry topography in mind, a xerophytic garden of desert plants will also be developed. In the areas prone to water logging, saplings of trees that are able to withstand this problem will be planted.

Meanwhile, the first phase of the nearby Mehrauli Archaeological Park that Intach is developing with Delhi Tourism and DDA is ready.


http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1024482,0015002200000004.htm


Delhi is really a great city with so much history.

Lots of good stuff happening!

Yes, it's good news and all.. But, it's quite lamentable the amount of delays and snags project run into. I mean, who seriously thinks the "Delhi 2021" materplan will be implemented effectively or even implemented at all by 2021?

Good news! Let's hope none of these projects get delayed or something. And I hope they're maintained too. I can imagine escalator breakdowns and stuff of that sort happening.

Good news! Let's hope none of these projects get delayed or something. And I hope they're maintained too. I can imagine escalator breakdowns and stuff of that sort happening.

hahah youre right

New look for roads along Metro’s tracks
Chetan Chauhan
New Delhi, September 27

As in our homes, old "road furniture", too, needs to be discarded. By December 2005, the Capital's roads will sport a new look. The Delhi government and Delhi Metro Rail Corporation have come together to change "road furniture" along all roads near Metro stations and alongside Metro corridors.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit told the Hindustan Times that a committee under the chairmanship of chief secretary S. Regunathan has been formed to decide on "uniform road furniture". The committee includes NDMC chairperson Sindhushree Khullar, MCD commissioner Rakesh Mehta and urban development secretary O.P. Kelkar.

Dikshit said the old rusted iron furniture and stone pavements would be replaced with more durable and better quality road furniture. The emphasis will be on providing pedestrian pathways away from the fast moving traffic. "We have an opportunity as the existing roads have been dug up and by end of 2005 they will have to be resurfaced. We should have different road furniture which goes along with Metro," she said.

The government has also instructed DTC to install a smart card system compatible with Metro in its buses. "DTC has been asked to opt for low-floor buses which are as comfortable as the Metro," she added. The buses will operate on feeder routes for Metro by end of 2005.

Dikshit said her government was "looking" at the city for 2010, when the Commonwealth Games are to be organised.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1027184,0015002200000001.htm

^ Good news - The much delayed Dhaula Kuan flyover is almost ready.

Some good news on flyovers
Chetan Chauhan
New Delhi, September 28

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/high/2004/09.28/images/high1029099.jpg
(not sure if this one is the Dhaula Kuan flyover.)

You may soon be riding on Delhi's biggest and smoothest flyover.

The Dhaula Kuan flyover will be opened for traffic by the first week of November and it will be formally inaugurated on November 14. This will help traffic around Dhaula Kuan.

The flyover missed three deadlines and the overall delay was about nine months. The earlier deadline for completing the flyover was January 2004 and then it was revised to June. The third deadline was end of September. "Most of the work is complete and the flyover will be operational by November," said Urban Development Minister A K Walia.

The change in the flyover plan mid-way caused major portion of delay.

Though the initial cost of the flyover was about Rs 80 crore, it was revised to Rs 48.33 crore after two clover leaves were removed from the initial plan. However, the builders UP Bridge Corporation Limited did not agree with the reduced cost. They claimed that the project would cause huge losses to them. The Delhi government remained adamant and refused to increase the cost. The corporation filed an appeal with an arbitrator.

The project received a major setback in March this year when UP Bridge stopped work. It claimed that there was no money to build the flyover unless Delhi Government pays them some advance.

After deliberations ranging over a month, the Delhi Government finally decided to release about Rs one crore in June this year.

Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit recently inaugurated the portion of the flyover on Ring Road. The clover leaf connecting Sardar Patel Marg with NH-8 was opened for traffic last year.

Now the Delhi Government is thinking of asking Congress president Sonia Gandhi to inaugurate the flyover. But only problem is that two parts of the flyover has already been opened for traffic.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1029157,0015002200000001.htm

New tech park to spring up in Noida
To be built with an investment of Rs 80 crore by IT Enfraservices, the technopark will be designed to house more than 6000 people.

Friday, August 20, 2004

NEW DELHI: Moved by an increasing demand to have quality infrastructure by MNCs, IT Enfraservices Pvt. Ltd., a construction focused company, is planning to build a second IT park in Noida.

"We are expanding because the business dynamics allow us to do so. There at least two big US based companies who have shown serious interest in our new facility – Logix Technopark, which is yet to be completed. This would be in Noida itself and would be more than five times the capacity of the current one covering an area of six-lakh sq. ft. Once ready, the facility will have the capability to house more than 6000 people," informed Shakti Nath, MD of Noida-based IT Enfraservices.

Backed by investment commitments from Canara Bank, the company plans to complete Logix Technopark project with a total investment of Rs 80 crore. "We would be completing the four-tower construction project in a phased manner. First one of these towers would be operational by February 2005, the next two would be designed for big multi-national companies and the last one would be involved in high-end incubation activity," he explained.

Built in an area of 1,20,000 sq. ft, Logix Park – IT Enfraservices' first IT park is working as an incubation unit and is home to 30 IT companies.

"Logix Park has done pretty well in terms of attracting foreign companies to Indian soil. Companies like Relsys, Citibank, Ikos and Computer Science Corporation already have their presence. We are likely to see two or three major incubation parks within six months. Destinations like Noida are rising up to the occasion of providing world-class infrastructure on a sustainable basis," said STPI Noida director Sunil Aggarwal.

http://www.ciol.com/content/search/showarticle1.asp?artid=60866

It's destination India for Japan IT

The Economic Times: August 25, 2004

The Indian IT sector has managed to lure not only the West but also the Asian Tigers.

The next in the league to set up base in India is Japan. The $100-billion software market of Japan accounts for 20 per cent of the world's software market.

The Minister of science and technology, Japan, Motegi Toshimitsu was recently on a trip to India. While visiting the Logix Park in Noida, he emphasised on the fact that they are now putting strong focus on India.

He further appreciated the rapid strides that India has made in the field of IT. "Japanese IT companies are interested in setting up base in India," he further said.

Japanese IT firms are highly impressed by India and they perceive India to have highly educated, trained and certified IT professionals.

The IT services market in Japan is estimated at $60 billion per year.

Approximately $3 billion is outsourced from abroad, out of which, Indian IT companies have a market of $190 million, per year.

Considering the above details, the progress of Indian IT companies has been quite a slow one. Till now 70 Indian IT firms have set up their base in Japan, but still the number does not account for a major share on the whole.

Some of Indian IT biggies like TCS, Infosys, Satyam, Wipro have intensified their attention in Japan.

At present, the Japanese market accounts for about three per cent of the Indian global IT services exports.

Inspite of all these statistics, the new improved environment and image of India has some of Japan's biggest firms looking at India's potential. KDDI Corp, Japan's second-largest telecom operator, began operations in India in January.

The Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry has also invited India's Industry minister, Kamal Nath to visit Japan, possibly in early September, for a promotional mission dubbed "Destination India".

With an eye on providing quality infrasructure for the MNCs in India, IT Enfraservices has come up with its second IT park. Built in an area of 1,20,000 sqft in Noida, the park will be home to thirty IT companies. It will be completed by February 2005 and would house 6000-trained professionals.

http://www.ibef.org/artdisplay.aspx?cat_id=164&art_id=3353

Infogain launches its largest global centre
Our Correspondent

Noida, September 27
Infogain Corporation, a US-based IT consulting and Services Company, launched its largest Global Development Centre (GDC) in Noida.

Spread over 90,000 sq ft, with an investment of US$ 5 millions, the new centre with a capacity to house 1000 people, would be the key component of the company’s dual-shore delivery model, it was claimed.

“We have ambitious growth plans. The new GDC is already half full, and is expected to triple in size in the next three years. In the next 12 months, we would double our staff strength from 650 to 1300 globally” said Maj-Gen S.K.Nanda, Chairman, Infogain India Pvt Ltd.

Supplemented by the new GDC, Infogain is targeting significant business growth in America, EMEA and APAC, by charting entry into new business domains and additional geographical regions.

He said Noida, with 15,000 IT employees, has a significant presence in country’s Infogain & IT sectors.

Maj-Gen. Nanda said, “Our new Global Development Centre is yet another step towards taking India closer to the rest of the world, and bringing opportunities for people in Noida and the NCR region in the software development arena,” he added

Mr Kapil Nanda, president & CEO, said that Infogain, the customer knowledge company, develops and delivers customer asset strategies to increase tactical and strategic decision-making capabilities across the enterprise.

Infogain possesses expertise in chosen verticals of manufacturing, retail, life sciences, financial services, automotive and telecommunications.

Infogain’s solutions focused practice areas span, CRM, Bl (Business Intelligence), EAI (Enterprise Applications Integration), Business Transformation Outsourcing, Product Engineering and Application Management.

The company has witnessed a dramatic growth in India, as organisations have turned to Infogain’s global dual shore delivery capability, in order to reduce costs, increased IT efficiency and enhance flexibility.

Leveraging the new GDC, Infogain is growing its presence in the Americas, EMEA, and PAC, which would provide critical client-facing relationship management and project management for all Infogain engagements.

http://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040928/delhi.htm#5

The NCR is booming!

Noida looks like will steal some IT thunder away from big shot indian cities. Thats great.

as before, no pics!

Here is a rendering and the layout..

http://www.logixtechnopark.com/images/ft.jpg

http://www.logixtechnopark.com/images/floor.jpg

And the official website:

http://www.logixtechnopark.com/

They have also commissioned a Logix Park in Delhi.

http://www.logixtechnopark.com/images/logix.jpg

Wow, that looks nice!

I see traditional elements in the design and shape of the building, especially in the decorations and facade of the roof

A friend of mine once remarked that India's modern-looking buildings look distinctly Indian, and not just of the "faceless" type in other developed Asian cities. =)

Looks good, yeah really NCR is booming.

TIMES NEWS NETWORK [ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 02, 2004 01:31:26 AM ]

NEW DELHI: Delhi will get its biggest Metro station at Pragati Maidan by March, 2006.Although a little late, the line from Barakhamba to IP Estate has got the final nod from the Centre. It will still be included in Phase 1 of Metro. Line 3 has got the official stamp to go beyond Barakhamba.
After this station, there will be a 2.8-km stretch till IP Estate. This 2.8-km stretch will have stations at Mandi House, Pragati Maidan and IP Estate.

The line will be underground from Barakhamba to Mandi House and will be elevated from Pragati Maidan to IP Estate. A special ramp will be created from the ITO main building till the Pragati Maidan station so that passengers can take the Metro from there.

Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday met with the Union Group of Ministers (GoM) for clearance of two stretches that are part of Metro’s line 3. The GoM cleared Barakhamba-IP Estate stretch and another stretch extending from Dwarka to Dwarka sub-city.

Director (projects and planning) C B K Rao said: "The work will now start very soon. We will start the process from tomorrow." The line connecting Dwarka to Dwarka sub-city is a 6.5-km extension. Now, line 3 has been extended to Sector 9 through Sector 14 of Dwarka. The two stretches will now be officially included in the first phase and will be completed by 2006. Dwarka sub-city extension is likely to be completed by Dec, 2005 and IP Estate stretch by March, 2006.
Rao said: "The work on Dwarka line is making good progress and we think we will be able to finish the sub-city extension by December, 2005. Earlier the deadline was March, 2006."

For latest Delhi metro pictures visit this site:

http://www.irfca.org/photos/DelhiMetroByAshish

Delhi Metro latest pictures are awesome. I like the subway pics the most. Its coming along fine..............thanks AKS.

We need a Delhi Metro like this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=135510&page=1&pp=20) one.. I like what I've seen, but it isn't good enough!

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/high/2004/10.03/images/high1039807.jpg

Hopes soar as Metro rolls out
Chetan Chauhan
New Delhi, October 4

It has finally happened. Metro has changed complexion of north-west Delhi with property prices spiralling, a number of shopping malls and multiplexes coming up and the Delhi Government approving a Dilli Haat at Pitampura.

Entire zone from Shalimar Bagh on inner ring Road, till Rohini on the outer ring road, including Pitampura and Saraswati Vihar, is witnessing a new property boom.

A shop, available two years ago for Rs 20-25 lakh is now being sold for over Rs 40 lakh.

Similarly, residential property has also seen an incredible hike. An SFS flat available for Rs 10 lakh in 2000 now costs over Rs 15 lakh. Plotted property in areas like Shalimar Bagh and Pitampura can easily fetch over Rs 50 lakh. "It is a boom time in property," said Subhash Lamba of Shalimar Bagh.

In the next two years, six malls will start operating in the area. Two malls each are coming up in Shalimar Bagh and Saraswati Vihar. Another two are being constructed in Rohini.

"There is a huge market for malls here as there are no great places to go around here," said Avinash Puri, who is promoting North Ex Mall in Rohini’s sector 9.



Riding high on low interests (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1039968,0015002200000001.htm)

That pic looks cool

Apollo Corporate Centre, Gurgaon

This building is considered a landmark building and was designed by Morphogenesis Studio.

http://www.morphogenesis.org/images/apollo%20page/apollo/new/strip%201.jpg

http://www.morphogenesis.org/images/apollo%20page/apollo/img120.jpg

http://www.morphogenesis.org/images/apollo%20page/apollo/new/strip%202.jpg

hey good pictures Suncity!!!:) :)

Very nice looking except for those horrible exposed stairs that ruin it.

ooh, there site has a lot more projects and pictures!

looks really nice. does anyone know where in Gurgaon is it?

Is there a architectural reason why buildings have fire-exit stairs on the outside as opposed to the inside?

Probably more to do with regulation.. But I don't know.

Probably more to do with regulation.. But I don't know.

Yeah. Probably some outdated fire code thats still on the books. Bleh

very controversial!

Yes, it's good news and all.. But, it's quite lamentable the amount of delays and snags project run into. I mean, who seriously thinks the "Delhi 2021" materplan will be implemented effectively or even implemented at all by 2021?

Maybe this is the solution??

:-)

Fine Rs 20000 a day, watch flyover finish

AYSWARIA VENUGOPAL

New Delhi, Sept. 15, 2004: On Friday, curtains will go up on the country’s longest monolithic flyover that has taken a little over a year and a Rs 20,000-a-day late fine in the last month to finish.

The 1.5-km flyover on Outer Ring Road in the capital was started on March 18, 2003. It was to have been ready in a year but construction was delayed by three-four months because water, power and telephone lines had to be shifted. To compensate for this, the deadline was pushed back to August 15, 2004.

When the project overshot the revised deadline, the Delhi government decided to act tough. Plagued by postponements and cost overruns since early 1996 when it set out to build flyovers and make Ring Road signal-free, the government for the first time invoked the penalty clause in the contract and slapped a Rs 20,000 fine for every day of delay.

Unitech, the firm building the flyover for the Delhi public works department, snapped into action. Three shifts were pressed in on August 15 and construction picked up breakneck speed. A month later, the project that has cost Rs 20.7 crore is ready to be inaugurated.

Project managers in charge of the flyover that will cover the Mata Anandmayi Marg section of Outer Ring Road, close to the ancient Kalka Temple and Bahai’i Temple, can’t stop talking about it.

Jagmohan Swarup, in-charge of the project, said most flyovers in the capital are built by preparing a foundation on which vertical columns are constructed. Ball bearings are placed on the columns and on them rest the deck slabs and T-beams.

“It is these bearings and joints which create the maximum problem in maintenance. They have to be replaced and this is very cumbersome. Traffic on Nizamuddin Bridge and even Minto Bridge was closed for months for repairs,” Swarup pointed out.

But the Anandmayi flyover is jointless and bearing-free and maintenance should be easy.

“In the central portion, which is equal to 150 metres, prepared concrete was brought and in-situ construction of the pier and deck was done using steel shuttering,” Swarup said. The concrete was brought to the site and moulded on a reinforced cement concrete deck.

For the approaches, the engineers used reinforced earth wall with geo-grid reinforcements and high-density polymer ethylene conforming to international standards, 2.5 times the usual strength for flyovers in the country.

Designed for ambient temperature changes of about 50 degrees Celsius, Anandmayi flyover is well-equipped to handle Delhi’s extreme climate. It can also withstand earthquakes of up to 6 on the Richter scale.

Cityscape to change for C’wealth games

Chetan Chauhan
New Delhi, October 5 (Hindustan Times)

Five-star hotels, a sports-specialty hospital and elevated roads. The city administration on Tuesday decided on all these and much more to prepare Delhi for Commonwealth Games 2010.
The spin-off from the Games — expected to cost Rs 10,000 crore — was discussed at a meeting attended by Lieutenant Governor B.L. Joshi, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, some Delhi ministers and bureaucrats.
It was decided that the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) will allocate land for nine new five-star budget hotels in different parts of the Capital. The DDA has been asked to auction the plots in the next three months.
The hospital will be the first of its kind in the country. It will cater to all types of sports-related injuries.
The Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Services Limited will be asked to conduct a feasibility study for more elevated roads in the Capital, including one between the Games Village and Yamuna Sports Complex at Surajmal Vihar. "The entire stretch is congested and we will like to have an expressway linking the Village to the complex where most sporting events will be held," an official said.
It was also decided that streetlights and street furniture should be uniform all over the city. All major roads will be redesigned to meet international standards.
The Delhi government wants most of the work to be completed by 2008. The Centre has already allotted Rs 3,000 crore for the Games and officials say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured more financial help. The government also plans to raise money from the market.

Maybe this is the solution??

:-)

Fine Rs 20000 a day, watch flyover finish

AYSWARIA VENUGOPAL

New Delhi, Sept. 15, 2004: On Friday, curtains will go up on the country’s longest monolithic flyover that has taken a little over a year and a Rs 20,000-a-day late fine in the last month to finish.

The 1.5-km flyover on Outer Ring Road in the capital was started on March 18, 2003. It was to have been ready in a year but construction was delayed by three-four months because water, power and telephone lines had to be shifted. To compensate for this, the deadline was pushed back to August 15, 2004.

When the project overshot the revised deadline, the Delhi government decided to act tough. Plagued by postponements and cost overruns since early 1996 when it set out to build flyovers and make Ring Road signal-free, the government for the first time invoked the penalty clause in the contract and slapped a Rs 20,000 fine for every day of delay.

Unitech, the firm building the flyover for the Delhi public works department, snapped into action. Three shifts were pressed in on August 15 and construction picked up breakneck speed. A month later, the project that has cost Rs 20.7 crore is ready to be inaugurated.

Project managers in charge of the flyover that will cover the Mata Anandmayi Marg section of Outer Ring Road, close to the ancient Kalka Temple and Bahai’i Temple, can’t stop talking about it.

Jagmohan Swarup, in-charge of the project, said most flyovers in the capital are built by preparing a foundation on which vertical columns are constructed. Ball bearings are placed on the columns and on them rest the deck slabs and T-beams.

“It is these bearings and joints which create the maximum problem in maintenance. They have to be replaced and this is very cumbersome. Traffic on Nizamuddin Bridge and even Minto Bridge was closed for months for repairs,” Swarup pointed out.

But the Anandmayi flyover is jointless and bearing-free and maintenance should be easy.

“In the central portion, which is equal to 150 metres, prepared concrete was brought and in-situ construction of the pier and deck was done using steel shuttering,” Swarup said. The concrete was brought to the site and moulded on a reinforced cement concrete deck.

For the approaches, the engineers used reinforced earth wall with geo-grid reinforcements and high-density polymer ethylene conforming to international standards, 2.5 times the usual strength for flyovers in the country.

Designed for ambient temperature changes of about 50 degrees Celsius, Anandmayi flyover is well-equipped to handle Delhi’s extreme climate. It can also withstand earthquakes of up to 6 on the Richter scale.

Yep! :)
Plus the government makes money too.

And the station design! So.. indian government..

New flyover at Moolchand crossing next year (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/878006.cms)

Moolchand traffic troubles will last yet another year. The DDA's constructing a new flyover on the intersection of Jossip Broz Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg. The project, which was started two years back, was scheduled to be over by April 15 last. Engineers on Thursday said, the flyover, two large ramparts (200 metres and 80 metres) off the old flyover and the Ring Road and a sub-way will be open for public use by March-end.

According to plan, the ramparts will take away the traffic-load from Ring Road. Transports will get an uninterrupted drive over the two flyovers -- a 500-metre facility with new bridge height at 5.5 metres. Traffic at present creates jams due to three bus stops each side and rush from Ring Road and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg points.

A new opening on the Ring Road towards Vikram Hotel routed behind the Amrit Kaur College of Nursing campus has eased out huge inflows from Lajpat Nagar points. Constructions over, the traffic will have additional option to turn towards the Vikram Hotel route, avoiding the mainstream traffic from Jossip Broz Tito Marg from the flyovers.

A sub-way will soon provide Central School children safe passage to cross the road. For years, the point is known as an accident-prone area.

Gurgaon projects, Site - http://www.vatikagroup.com

Vatika city project

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/new_cityimg1.jpg

Commercial buildings

First India Place

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/fipOverviewImg.jpg

Vatika Triangle

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/triangleimg4.jpg

Vatika Atrium

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/atriumImg3.jpg

City Market Mall

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/cmimg3.jpg

Some repeats but enjoy..


Sab Mall, Noida

http://www.cleanindiagroup.com/images/cradle_photogal/new_delhi/nd_big_sabmallnoida.jpg


Vatika Traingle, Gurgaon

http://www.cleanindiagroup.com/images/cradle_photogal/new_delhi/nd_big_vatikatrianglegurgao.jpg

Signature Tower, Gurgaon

http://www.thermosash.co.nz/OffShore_tech/images/Signature%20Tower.JPG

Dabur HQ, Ghaziabad

http://www.thermosash.co.nz/agencies/images/Dabur_HQ-4.jpg

Mahatta Tower, Gurgaon

http://www.thermosash.co.nz/OffShore_tech/images/Mahatta%20small.jpg

Here are some pictures Jai posted in urban discussion that needs more attention. The pictures are from HDB Corporation in Singapore

Goregaon master plan

http://img96.exs.cx/img96/4287/Goregaon.png

http://img96.exs.cx/img96/8625/Pocharam.png

You know, I live here in Singapore where I can see the work of the Housing and Development Board everywhere. Honestly speaking, the design is quite bad (boxes! argh!), but the interiors can be nicely done up.

So when I read the bit about HDB, I wasn't too happy, but as it turns out, the pics are quite nice. And even here in Singapore the HDB is coming up with nicer designs like the Pinnacle@Duxton (search in the Singapore forums). In any case the HDB has tons of experience with public housing, so it's great that India is drawing upon their expertise. :)

Those look cool....

hey
anyone checked this site? :

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/

nice collection of high-rises in India.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/high/2004/10.18/images/high1064434.jpg
The congested Moolchand crossing.

DDA wakes up to underpass plan
Anant Vijay Kala
New Delhi, October 19

Nearly two years after it was first mooted, the DDA has finally pulled out from cold storage a proposal to have an underpass in the high-congestion Moolchand point in south Delhi.

While officials are not too keen on explaining why the proposal remained buried for this long, they said the DDA’s technical sub-committee discussed it on Monday. The good news for those who take the snarl-hit Ring Road at Moolchand everyday is that almost all agencies, which attended the meeting on Monday, favoured an underpass in the area.

The proposal was first pushed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC).

Delhi traffic police have suggested minor alterations, which will be looked into by the project consultant. Officials said the project is likely to be cleared next week, when it comes up for discussion again.

After that, it will be forwarded to the Delhi Urban Arts Commission for approval. This could take another couple of months.

The Moolchand crossing has become a major bottleneck since the completion of several flyovers on Ring Road, especially after the opening of one carriageway of the Lajpat Nagar flyover being constructed by DTTDC.

Traffic coming from Rajghat on Ring Road flows smoothly only to stop and pile up at Moolchand crossing.

On the other side of Ring Road, once the Sarojini Nagar B-Avenue flyover is completed, traffic will move signal-free from Dhaula Kuan and stop only at Moolchand crossing.

Once the underpass is ready, the road at the surface level will be re-laid and used for traffic on the crossing turning right.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic, south), P.C. Hota, said police had suggested proper integration of all subsidiary facilities that will have to be constructed along with the underpass.

The re-located bus bays, the pedestrian facilities like subways or overbridge, if they come up, will have to be integrated properly for hindrance free and safe vehicular and pedestrian movement at the crossing.

Hota said there were several other factors that need to be looked into. Like, the structures should have enough height and meet other parameters so that heavy vehicles are able to pass through comfortably. They use Ring Road, as it is the connecting road to all highways.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1064560,0015002200000002.htm

Monumental hurdle for Metro in south Delhi
Saurabh Sinha
New Delhi, October 19

South Delhi is all set to witness a ‘clash of civilisations’.

The proposed route of the Metro in this historically-rich part of the city will pass several monuments. Conservationists fear this could affect these structures.

A few months ago, RITES conducted a joint inspection with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) of the Central Secretariat-Vasant Kunj corridor that goes along Tughlaq Road, Aurobindo Marg and Mehrauli-Aurobindo Marg.

“The walls of some monuments may not be able to withstand the vibrations if the track or station is too close,” an expert said. Metro authorities have said all tracks are designed in such a way that the movement of trains do not affect nearby buildings. Given the need for better public transport, the ASI has not opposed the project but asked Rites to consider some important changes in its route plan as follows.

** No Metro station should be within the prohibited 100 metres periphery of a protected monument.

** The elevated corridor from Yusuf Sarai to Ahimsa Sthal should be reconsidered. An underground section may be better there

** A distance-wise chart has been made of that shows the distance of the tracks sites from protected monuments. At some places, the track is as close as two metres from the Qila Rai Pithora Wall.



‘Speed up Noida development’ HT Correspondent
Noida, October 19

UP chief minister Mulayam Singh has directed the Noida and Greater Noida officials to speed up development projects.

While on a visit to New Delhi, the chief Minister reviewed the functioning of the two areas on Monday and warned inefficiency would not be tolerated.

He is reported to have told officials that he wanted real development, not just graphs on paper.

Yadav reportedly told the officials that he would review the actual development work done in the area and not just developmental graphs on papers.

Gurgaon

http://www.the-week.com/23may11/living.jpg

Gateway to the future, Noida.

http://www.awhosena.org/projects/noida82_gateway.jpg

http://www.noidaguesthouse.net/img/ngh.jpg

Valley View Estate - on the Gurgaon – Faridabad road - new project

From Ansals - but as usual theri website has very little info (what's new!)

http://www.ansalpropertiesltd.com/images/valleypopup.jpg

Celebrity Suites (Why can't they have a better pic?)
- old project
http://www.ansalpropertiesltd.com/images/celeb_suit.jpg

Of course the Ansal website has company - the DLF website - another useless website. Now if these moneybags cannot afford a better website - to heck with the IT revolution.

:-)

Some more from some more useless websites..

Krishna Apra Gardens, Indirapuram, Ghaziabad

http://www.krishnaapragroup.com/gifs/krishna-apra-garden-main.jpg

http://www.krishnaapragroup.com/gifs/garden1.jpg

Krishna Apra Residency, Noida

http://www.krishnaapragroup.com/gifs/krishna-apra-residency.jpg

http://www.krishnaapragroup.com/gifs/inside12-21-b.jpg

http://www.hindustantimes.com/wfsf/high/2004/10.18/images/high1064434.jpg
The congested Moolchand crossing.

DDA wakes up to underpass plan
Anant Vijay Kala
New Delhi, October 19

Nearly two years after it was first mooted, the DDA has finally pulled out from cold storage a proposal to have an underpass in the high-congestion Moolchand point in south Delhi.

While officials are not too keen on explaining why the proposal remained buried for this long, they said the DDA’s technical sub-committee discussed it on Monday. The good news for those who take the snarl-hit Ring Road at Moolchand everyday is that almost all agencies, which attended the meeting on Monday, favoured an underpass in the area.

The proposal was first pushed by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC).

Delhi traffic police have suggested minor alterations, which will be looked into by the project consultant. Officials said the project is likely to be cleared next week, when it comes up for discussion again.

After that, it will be forwarded to the Delhi Urban Arts Commission for approval. This could take another couple of months.

The Moolchand crossing has become a major bottleneck since the completion of several flyovers on Ring Road, especially after the opening of one carriageway of the Lajpat Nagar flyover being constructed by DTTDC.

Traffic coming from Rajghat on Ring Road flows smoothly only to stop and pile up at Moolchand crossing.

On the other side of Ring Road, once the Sarojini Nagar B-Avenue flyover is completed, traffic will move signal-free from Dhaula Kuan and stop only at Moolchand crossing.

Once the underpass is ready, the road at the surface level will be re-laid and used for traffic on the crossing turning right.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (traffic, south), P.C. Hota, said police had suggested proper integration of all subsidiary facilities that will have to be constructed along with the underpass.

The re-located bus bays, the pedestrian facilities like subways or overbridge, if they come up, will have to be integrated properly for hindrance free and safe vehicular and pedestrian movement at the crossing.

Hota said there were several other factors that need to be looked into. Like, the structures should have enough height and meet other parameters so that heavy vehicles are able to pass through comfortably. They use Ring Road, as it is the connecting road to all highways.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1064560,0015002200000002.htm

http://in.yimg.com/xp/reuters_ids_new/20040213/4093886500.jpg

Delhi eyes Games gains
Amitabh Shukla
New Delhi, October 21

Delhi is likely to follow the Athens Olympics model while preparing for Commonwealth Games 2010.

This will mean suitable infrastructure if the city bids for the Olympics either in 2016 or 2020, Delhi government officials said on Wednesday.

Chief Secretary S. Regunathan who had gone to Athens during the Olympics has submitted a detailed report to the Lt. Governor. And in the first meeting of the government's core committee for the Games, top officials from the Transport Department, PWD, MCD, DJB, DDA were asked to work out a preliminary plan for the event. Chairing the meeting, the chief secretary asked them to come up with specific projects and the finance needed. These will form inputs for the detailed plan of action.

The changes needed include upgradation of the transport system, an elevated Ring Road and new hotels. Officials said the DDA would soon advertise for land to construct 2 to 4 star hotels.

The government will also ask the Airports Authority of India to upgrade its aircraft handling capacity and the Northern Railway for better facilities at railway stations.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1068008,0015002200000002.htm

Metro sets afforestation record

By Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar



NEW DELHI, OCT. 20. By going in for only eco-friendly cleaning agents for mopping stations, undertaking compensatory afforestation which has shown 83 per cent survival rate, installing simple protective equipment for minimising accidents and taking all possible steps for minimising health hazards to the passengers and its employees, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation has become the first railway network in the country to be possessing both the ISO 14001 certification for environmental management and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series 18001 certification.

Setting a new benchmark in the field of environmental management, the Metro has already undertaken compensatory afforestation at Isapur and Kakraula in South West Delhi where a total of 38,000 trees have been planted. Simultaneously, it has also paid its share of the money to the Forest Department for two new sites to be developed at Rewla Khanpur and Ghazipur.

A senior official said while planting 10 trees for every one cut, DMRC has also saved about 30 per cent of the trees or around 12,000 through alignment refinement. In the process, besides saving a large number of trees, it also managed to save some places of religious worship.

Alongside, DMRC has also taken to collection of used engine oil -- which is later sold to a re-cycling agent -- to prevent it from decanting into the soil. Also, by subscribing only to permissible chemicals and recharging the water extracted during the construction period, it has taken its responsibility towards environment seriously.

Though the construction work has involved working in potentially dangerous areas like the closed landfill site at Khyber Pass, where the depot for the soon-to-be-commissioned Metro corridor has come up, the Corporation has through adoption of the material supply and data sheet kept a strict tab on toxicology, safety aspects and manner of disposal of waste products.

Pointing out that seven air monitors and 12 noise monitors have been installed for keeping check on pollution levels, the official said the figures are obtained every four hours. These are of great help in assessing the quality of air in the tunnels as well. Noting that the efficiency of the personnel is closely linked to the working environment, the official said DMRC has also taken a number of steps to prevent any form of work-related harm to its workers.

This has involved deployment of hydraulic lorry-mounted platforms for facilitating maintenance works, providing provisions for anti-falling device with contact and messenger wires and reviewing and improvement of the earthing system.

At a less technical level, this has also involved installation of reverse osmosis (RO) water purifier systems for the benefit of all the staff members at the Operational Control Centre (RCC) and use of acoustic enclosures with all generator sets to minimise noise pollution and thus reduce the stress levels of the employees working in proximity.

The benefits of DMRC dealing with the health and occupational hazards head on has also positively impacted the passengers as for them it has resulted in a number of steps which can prevent mishaps.

GurgaonOne project, Gurgaon (Luxury apartments and Golf View corporate towers)

Website - http://alphabuildtech.com

http://alphabuildtech.com/imgs/birdseye_view.jpg

Everything goes down the drain in Delhi (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/906065.cms)

Going down the drain - that's Delhi for you. Truck tyres, oil, glass, rusty iron rods, nails, concrete, cement, soil, condoms, plastic bags filled with flowers... the list of items clogging the Capital's sewer system is endless.

"Oil is the main culprit blocking our sewage system. We have warned the people repeatedly against throwing oil into the drains but the practice hasn't stopped," said an official of the Delhi Jal Board (DJB). Oil forms a layer in the drains and acts as a corrosive agent.

An exasperated DJB is sending out notices to offending industries and sweet shops for throwing excess oil and harmful substances into the drains. Recently, a well-known sweet shop in the Lawrence Road area was caught pouring dirty oil through the manhole. To counter the urban oil slick, DJB plans to emulate Japan.

"In Japan, people were taught to store the residual oil, which were later collected by vehicles sent to each house. The Japanese were also asked to soak the leftover oil by running a blotting paper over the pans before washing them," the DJB spokesman said. "We will have to follow this process as oil is causing a similar problem for us."

Of the city's 130-km long trunk sewers, 91 km have either collapsed or need considerable desilting.

The problem has been compounded by Delhiites' habit of misusing manholes. During a survey in West Delhi, DJB officials found that residents have illegally built living rooms after covering manholes. This makes it impossible to desilt the drains.

Delhi denizen surprising none with their display of absolute lack of civic sense.

kshatriya> nice rendering of apartments!.:)

Major hospital groups to invest in Gurgaon Medicity (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/11/02/stories/2004110203470600.htm)

ALL the major hospital groups such as Fortis Healthcare, Escorts Heart Institute and Apollo Hospitals are making huge investments in setting up super-speciality healthcare facilities in the country's first Medicity.

This healthcare facility in Gurgaon, Haryana is being set up on the lines of the Dubai Health City and is expected to be the largest facility in South Asia.

Fortis is planning to have two hospitals catering to the domestic and international patients, separate medical, dental and nursing colleges besides offering courses in technical areas and hospital management. Fortis will also set up a large facility for clinical research and pathology.

Meanwhile, the Escorts Group, which runs the Escorts Heart Institute & Research Centre (EHIRC), has also committed itself to setting up a modern cardiac care centre.

DK flyover to open on Nov 19
HIMANSHI DHAWAN

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 09, 2004 02:06:50 AM ]
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/916799.cms

NEW DELHI: The controversial Dhaula Kuan flyover that has long been Delhi government's bete noir will finally be inaugurated on November 19, by Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Rechristened Priyadarshini Setu, the flyover will mark former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi's birth anniversary.

"The Congress president has assented to inaugurate the flyover on November 19," said A K Walia, urban development minister.

The minister will be inspecting the project on Tuesday to ensure that work is complete in time fo the inauguration.

Incidentally, the Rs 40 crore project has already been inaugurated thrice to mark the opening of each phase. The clover-leaf shaped flyover however, had become an embarrassment for the government in recent times with delays and design changes.

Dhaula Kuan has, in fact, been delayed by one and a half years. It was started in November 2000 and its original deadline for completion was March 2003. Contracted to the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Building Corporation (UPSBBC) by the Public Works Department (PWD), the flyover, when completed was to be state-of-art in terms of technology and design.

But the dream ran kaput midway as the corporation ran out of resources and demanded a loan of Rs 11 crore. Despite threats of cancelling the contract, no punitive action or financial penalties were levied. "It became a diplomatic matter between the two state governments. There was no choice but to reconcile to the circumstances," a Delhi government official said. A series of meetings later Delhi government buckled to provide Rs 4 crore just to complete the project in January 2004.

The renewed deadline for the project was September 2004 and the current estimated cost is Rs 48.33 crore. Though traffic has been opened in the past one month, work at the flyover continues. "The carriageway is complete but some horticulture work and sprucing up is left still. We are trying to finish the work by Diwali," a senior official said.

The flyover impacts over one lakh people and caters to heavy traffic from National Highway-8, is close to the airport and affluent colonies like Chanakyapuri.

Fast track solutions to traffic blues
HT Correspondent
New Delhi, November 9

The Delhi government has a four-pronged strategy to deal with transport woes. High-capacity buses complete with corridors, electric trolley buses and trams for congested areas, an elevated Ring Road for signal-free transport and extension of the Metro and construction of expressways between neighbouring states are its answers to traffic problems.

The plan was discussed at a stocktaking meeting of the Asian Network of Major Cities (ANMC) in the Capital, which was addressed by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Dikshit is likely to attend the ANMC meeting in Jakarta on November 20 and unveil the government's plan of action.

The Chief Minister also suggested a multi-pronged strategy to deal with pollution caused by vehicular emissions in Delhi and other major Asian cities.

She said any sound approach to prevent environmental degradation from vehicular emission would have to take into consideration three factors: alternate clean fuel, high-capacity, cost-effective and well-networked public transport system and fast-moving traffic to avoid heavy emission at congestion points.

The CM cited the example of cities like Jakarta, Tokyo, Hanoi or Kuala Lumpur, which shared similar historical and socio-economic problems like Delhi. They too are faced with the burden of population due to constant migration from economically-deprived regions, growing affluence resulting in increase in the number of vehicles, co-existence of a wide variety of road-based public transportation and severe pressure on the existing roads and transport infrastructure.

Reiterating Delhi government's commitment to cleaner air by curbing vehicular pollution and excellent transportation and transit facilities, the Chief Minister called for a sustained dialogue between member cities to evolve a long-term strategy to handle traffic problems at hand.

Relief in sight? Here’s what we may get

* High Capacity Buses: Six buses likely to be introduced in the last week of November and first week of December. However, the buses would initially run without the dedicated corridors as envisaged earlier.
* Electric trolley and trams: Project cost being worked out. No deadline has been given on its introduction.
* Elevated Ring Road: Government has commissioned a feasibility study on the project. The report would be out in two months. Likely to be complete before the Commonwealth Games in 2010.
* Metro: Going as per schedule. The first underground section between Delhi University and ISBT likely to be inaugurated in December.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1097228,0015002200000001.htm

Too many agencies stall beautification drive
Amitabh Shukla
New Delhi, November 9


The government's ambitious plan to beautify the entry and exit points of the Capital has been shelved. According to officials, the multiplicity of authorities has ensured that the project became a non-starter soon after it was conceived.

A few months ago, the government decided to convert all the eight entry and exit points of the city into eight-lane roads. These included the Singhu border (GT Karnal Road), Apsara border (Ghaziabad) and Kapashera (NH-8 leading to Gurgaon)

Replicas of landmarks like the India Gate, Red Fort, Qutub Minar and other historical monuments were to be showcased to visitors as they entered the city. Miniature gardens too were planned in all such locations along with separate service roads for payment of toll tax.

Moreover, Delhi PWD minister A.K. Walia had promised in the last session of the Delhi Assembly that visitors to the city will have an entirely different experience when they enter the city.

Walia tried hard but could not cross the obstacles due to the multiplicity of road maintenance agencies.

"We submitted one plan after the other but they weren't approved," he rues.

Ironically, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has taken over maintenance of highways passing through the Capital.

The government may implement the proposal on the roads maintained by the PWD. However, the entry and exit points maintained by the PWD are not used by many commuters.

Even if the government goes ahead with its beautification drive, not many visitors would come to know that they have entered the borders of Delhi.


http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/5922_1097229,0015002200000001.htm

Since such photos of Indian cities are very rare I thought you would appreciate it on a single thread for a day or two..I found it on the net.

Gurgaon by night..

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/gurgaon_by_night_1.jpg

nice pic! the place looks still empty though

calm and serene

where is Gurgaon located in India?

calm and serene

where is Gurgaon located in India?

It is about 30 kms from central Delhi..

http://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/haryana/gurgaon.gif

It is seeing a lot of construction activity..

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/dlfsquare20.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/dlf-plaza-hcnew.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/gatewaynew.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/unitechmillenium.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/windsor2.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/hamilton3.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/hindustantimes-gurgaonskylines.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/ansalcelebrity.jpg

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/southcityheight.jpg

http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/corporateoffices/dlfnestle/window1.jpg

http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/corporateoffices/dlfatria/a1.jpg

http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/corporateoffices/ericson/3new.jpg


http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/retail/dlfcitycentre/dlfcitycentre-W-12.jpg

http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/retail/dlfcitycentre/dlfcitycentre-W-13.jpg

http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/retail/dlfgalleria/dlfgalleria-W-6.jpg

That's a nice pic! Wish we had such a shot of DLF city. Or can it be seen in that shot? But yeah, one with the gateway tower will look great.

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/sitemap/img_10000039.jpg

India first wedding mall coming up in Gurgaon

Cashing in on the retail boom, real estate developer Omaxe is setting up Indias first mall on the wedding theme in Gurgaon.
The Rs 70-crore mall will be a one-stop wedding shop to cater to all wedding needs of people, from designing and printing of invitation cards to buying honeymoon packages.
Omaxe is building the fully air-conditioned 1,75,000 sq feet marriage mall, which will also have two banquet halls, Omaxe Construction Ltd Chairman and Managing Director Rohtas Goel said. The tenants will be a judicious mix of leading international and Indian brands and wedding-related service providers including makers of bridal wear, clothing, jewellery, cosmetics, F&B, entertainment, decor, floral management, footwear, white goods, accessories, beauty parlour, wedding planners and travel agencies. "The Omaxe marriage mall will take away the hassles of frequent and numerous market visits. The focus is on maximising customer comfort and providing complimentary products under one roof," he said.
Wedding has an entire industry built around itself. Marriage business in the country is pegged at around Rs 50,000 crore per annum and has been growing at 25 per cent for the last couple of years.
"The wedding mall is being designed to change the way people shop for weddings. It will bring high-quality specialised wedding service providers under one roof," he said.
The number of malls in India is estimated to shoot up to over 200 by 2006. Thematic malls are being announced to cater to specific needs and occasions.
An electronic mall, an auto mall and a jewellery mart are already set to spread their wings in Gurgaon. Gold souk, promoted by Aerens Gold souk International Limited, is an approximately 1.8 lakh square feet speciality mall dedicated to jewellery retailing.
Along the National Highway 8, is the auto mall exclusively for products related to automobiles. An over 1,00,000 sq feet mall for furniture is also planned in Bangalore.


Specification

Surrounded by thriving townships in the neighborhood.

Strategically located on main Gurgoan- Sohna Road.

Accessibility through an 8-lane express highway.

Food court and specialty restaurants.

1,65,000 sq ft built up area.

2 large banquet halls for marriages, parties, and innovative exhibition.

Multi screen cinema.

Centrally air-conditioned.

Huge parking space.

100% Power Backup.

Designated Usage for optimum product mix

Location

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/location/img_10000033.jpg

Site - www.omaxe.com

Check this out too - THe Forest luxury apartments

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000054.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000055.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000056.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000057.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000061.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000062.jpg

http://www.omaxe.com/images/projects/innerview/img_10000058.jpg

omg!! this rocks!..i really like when it is alot of glass:) thnxs kshatriya:)

So it is Gurgaon VS Navi Mumbai...:)

the forest apartments look pretty exclusive and relaxed :cool:

the forest apartments look pretty exclusive and relaxed :cool:

yeah they are pretty expensive too. I think the cheapest costs 2 crores or something

2 crores?...i want that money:)

what are crores?

what are crores?

raffie:)

A crore is a unit in a traditional number system, still widely used in India.

1 crore is equal to 10 million.

:)

thanks for clearing that up..it does sound royal :cool:

I liked the website and the projects very much, would like to see many many more.

Bravo.

Can Gurgaon handle all these malls? There seems to be no end to mall construction. I guess Gurgaon satisfies the thirst of Mega Delhi's spending power.

Can Gurgaon handle all these malls? There seems to be no end to mall construction. I guess Gurgaon satisfies the thirst of Mega Delhi's spending power.

That's absolutely true. Gurgaon satisfies the thirst of Mega Delhi's spending power. Gurgaon in itself is a very small town.

Love the apartments

But that mall looks like Santa Claus meets 1930s Hollywood premiere...

A certain Vijay Singh, who incidentally is the world's number 1 golfer, was in Gurgaon recently to play in the BILT Skins 2004. So, i bring you Vijay Singh and the Gurgaon construction taking place in the background.

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51739785.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=0F88D096635BE44035938536916A8E86A9C30E9B9B114CE8

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51736543.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=0F88D096635BE4400380A7C4E809EDB9A9C30E9B9B114CE8

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51736540.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=0F88D096635BE440D3EC44A692B20F89A9C30E9B9B114CE8

http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/51736539.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=0F88D096635BE4405BD4A0AE888991E6A9C30E9B9B114CE8

A certain Vijay Singh, who incidentally is the world's number 1 golfer, was in Gurgaon recently to play in the BILT Skins 2004. So, i bring you Vijay Singh and the Gurgaon construction taking place in the background.


Nice! It kind of reflects whats happening in all major cities of India.

http://128.2.205.121/albums/india_album/IMG_0657.jpg

http://128.2.205.121/albums/india_album/IMG_0794.sized.jpg

^ I love that car. I'm seriously thinking of blowing all my savings and importing the kit & all the parts from India, and assembling it myself as a project car. Think of a trick paint job (saffron/red candycoat with hot green highlights), clean lines and slammed looow: Indo Amby meet lowrider De-troit stylee. That right hand drive beauty would take all the car shows :D

Mmmm.... the things I can do if only I had 6-7 extra Gs lying around.... :(

Having a mall exclusively devoted to weddings is a wacky idea, but this mall will do well thanks to the prominence weddings have in India. :)

Ok i am not a MS-fan( ;) ) but here are some pictures from the new Microsoft-office in New Delhi. I cant hotlink the pictures so i will give the link

check it out at:

http://www.pbase.com/vikasmal/microsoft

meanwhile, the supreme court trying to get things done......

SC bans clearance of commercial projects (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/928398.cms)

Concerned with unchecked growth of commercial towers in and around the Capital and ever increasing numbers of vehicles, the Supreme Court on Friday imposed a ban on clearance of any building project unless a parking of vehicles policy is formulated.

A Bench of Justices Y K Sabharwal, Arijit Pasayat and S H Kapadia asked the government to evolve a parking policy within six weeks.

Former solicitor general Harish Salve, who is assisting the court in various petitions relating to environment and habitation, said that the Delhi government was seeking frequent adjournments but was not serious in coming out with a much needed parking policy.

In another matter, the Bench accepted the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA)'s recommendation not to increase the existing strength of three-wheelers playing on the city roads.

The Delhi government has also accepted EPCA's recommendation.

On the Rs 12,000 crore bypass/ expressway around the Delhi to prevent heavy vehicles using Delhi for transit purposes, Solicitor General G E Vahanvatti said that high-level meeting of the four concerned states would be held on December 2.

The Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) suggested certain measures to improve air quality in the cities of Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ahmedabad and Sholapur.

The apex court issued notices to the Centre and Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh for the enforcement of emission norms for vehicles.

meanwhile, the supreme court trying to get things done......

SC bans clearance of commercial projects (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/928398.cms)

Concerned with unchecked growth of commercial towers in and around the Capital....



I like the way Indian media (and social activists/environmentalists) call 4-5 storey buildings "towers".

If SC is so worried about the rising amount of vehicles then just put up more road tolls with market conformed fees.
High traffic= High fees
Low traffic = low fees.

The profit goes to building more roads and to expand public transportations projects.A perfect way to self sustain road infrastructure without beeing worried about the fiscal deficit.

Road constructed on Korean technology
SUROJIT MAHALANOBIS

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2004 04:54:50 PM ]
NEW DELHI: An eco-friendly asphalt 660-metre road has been constructed on Thursday on the National Highway-8 (NH-8) connecting the Priyadarshini flyover in Dhaula Kuan.

A first in the country, the pavement was constructed following a South Korean technology, which ensures a noiseless, skid-free, dry and all-weather run. According to the technology, the stretch is expected to last over nine years on rough use and about 50, if not abused.

If successful, the stretch will not require early repairs. This is not the case about roads constructed by the Public Works Department (PWD) using, what they call, straight-run bitumen (SRB). Chances of potholes due to rains and natural wear and tear are also minimum on this asphalt stretch, the technology affirms.

The new-tech road has been paved on trial. The PWD and the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) will now keep watch on the efficacy of the road for about year. If the trial-road gives the desired results, the Korean firm, Ecophalt, may be asked to set up shop in the country and given more stretches to construct.

To a layman, the new stretch immediately looked superior to the existing one on the other side of the NH-8, made of SRB technology. Some water was poured in presence of this correspondent on the newtech road. The water immediately leached out of the surface and drained into the roadside slopes. The surface looked dry as if nothing was poured onto it.

The newtech also ensures 20-cm ducts at regular distance beside an asphalt road. The drained water will be accumulated in these ducts.

Earlier at an exclusive interview with Times News Network, engineer-inventor of the technology Hion-joon Kim, who runs a firm called Darin Tech in Seoul producing the basic material required for the technology, said, "This technology ensures accident-free and dry roads, which is highly necessary for countries like India other countries in the sub-continent."

Asked if the technology ensures rain harvesting facilities also, whereby the drained and collected water can be treated and recharged in the groundwater aquifers, Kim said, "The idea is new and great. I will work on this. But as it is, the ducts only gathers the drained-out water."

Walia and PWD engineer-in-chief K Srinivasan could not be contacted for reaction on the newtech road as they were preoccupied with the ceremony for inauguration of the Priyadarshini Setu (flyover) Friday by chairperson of the National Advisory Council Sonia Gandhi.

The pavement was built on Wednesday wee hours on two of its three lanes of the stretch and not on Monday as was earlier promised. The contractor's crushers had suddenly gone out of order on Monday and Tuesday nights it was argued.

Asked of it, a junior engineer in the plant of the contractor firm DS Constructions Ltd said, "It was a mechanical disorder. What can one do about it? It happened for the first time. So we could not produce the bitumen mix on schedule.

A word was doing rounds in the CRRI and the PWD which suggested that Delhi urban development minister AK Walia had snubbed the contractor firm for delaying the pavement construction at the site on schedule. A batch of Korean engineers under Kim was staying put in the Capital for about a month to detail their product before the government officials, NHAI, PWD and the CRRI engineers and also to monitor the manufacture of the right bitumen mix for the trial pavement. Due to delays, many of them had to leave frustrated. It was then, the minister took up the issue and talked to the contractor firm.

Pressed for his reaction, the Korean firm's spokesman Simon Park said Friday, "The minister wanted us complete the pavement before inauguration of the Priyadarshini flyover. But that could not be done so far beacuse some kind of problems was always dogging us halting our project. That's why the minister had taken up with the contractor for immediate cooperation."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/928219.cms

Remember we were talking about the haryanvi politicians and how they have made millions off builders and land prices? Heres an insight.........

Illegal highrises blotch Gurgaon landscape (http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Illegal+highrises+blotch+Gurgaon+landscape&id=63911)

Gurgaon, on the borders of Delhi, is one of the hottest properties in India.

The satellite town has become synonymous with frenzied development and rising prices.

But all this development has come at a huge cost.

Residents say that the collusion between the private developers and the government has resulted in blind and illegal grabbing of open and green spaces.

Empty promises

Residents in Gurgaon's DLF Phase 1 like Sateesan were promised public community services when they bought their plots.

But they still don't have a police or fire station in their colony. And are not likely to.

Norms flouted

Laws in the Haryana Urban Development and Town Planning Act state that built up area in a colony cannot be more than 55 per cent.

The rest has to be open area, which includes roads, parks and utility services.

But residents welfare associations and NGOs say the government has violated this law with impunity.

Their calculated estimate is that more than half of the designated open areas, also called lung areas, have been encroached upon.

Green belts eaten up

Even green belts are not being spared. Nearly 40 acres of a prestigious 18 hole golf course in Gurgaon is panchayat land, leased to DLF for a period of five years.

Documents available with NDTV show that this land was leased out by the Wazirabad village panchayat on condition that only fruit trees would be grown.

An enquiry by the town and country planning department established that the land use has been changed without permission. It is now a part of the golf course.

But despite a departmental enquiry, the government has taken no action.

Political mudslinging

In fact, the opposition in Haryana claims Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and his sons have made crores in their nexus with private developers.

But it's an issue Chautala says he knows nothing about. "Which land? What land? The government only acquires land for public use," he maintains.

The government has already passed construction plans for several more malls, cinema halls and commercial buildings despite the fact that Gurgaon lacks supportive infrastructure.

It's this dark underbelly that has taken off some of the sheen of this spanking new MNC haven.


Shame.

They are going to have a hard time competing against open source in India, thanks to their ridiculously overpriced products.

But those offices of theirs look excellent! No exterior photos? :(

yeap,Linux is getting a stronger footgrip in India so MS will have a tough time.

nope..no exterior...:(

the interior looks great

I looked over my old posts and came across some old news. The question is...what happend to these projects?

S M Towers ,Gurgaon India


http://www.arcop.com/del/Villle1.jpg

http://www.arcop.com/del/1.jpg

http://www.arcop.com/del/21.jpg

Arcop Associates Pvt ltd

World Trade Centre, Gurgaon India

http://www.arcop.com/del/Del-1.jpg

http://www.arcop.com/del/Del-3.jpg

Arcop Associates Pvt ltd

ok,this project is already finished so i guess we need real pictures of this park:)
http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2002/05/150716.jpg
Unitech Global Business Park
http://www.emporis.com/en/il/im/?id=150716

http://www.bengalweb.com/skyline/gurgaon/globalbusiness.jpg

Remember we were talking about the haryanvi politicians and how they have made millions off builders and land prices? Heres an insight.........

Illegal highrises blotch Gurgaon landscape (http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Illegal+highrises+blotch+Gurgaon+landscape&id=63911)

Shame.


Can NDTV show any of the "illegal highrises"? I think the media in India uses the term "highrises" a bit too often (or loosely) because it has a "shock" or "attention grabbing" value. If they just said illegal houses or bunglows or jhopad patties, it wouldn't be newsworthy.

And the picture they have is that of DLF Plaza Tower which I doubt is illegal.


Okay here's my venting.. nothing to do with the above topic though..

leave aside Gurgaon, the way I see it, India doesn't have the infrastructure of handling a billion people (and growing). And unless we get an handle on the population situation things cannot improve as rapidly as required. If we keep adding an Australia every year, we would have to add infrastructure at a mind boggling rate.

The media and social activists should create more awareness about the population problem too. But it's a taboo subject. You will find more people railing and wailing about "imperialism" than about "population growth".

All the "pretensions" about "greening", "environment", "conservation" fall flat on their face if the root problem is not tackled. When you have more people than you can support, activities like "Coastal conservation" or "Save the Leopard" may get foreign kudos, but it's like applying makeup on an untreated bruise.

Sun,

You have spoken the truth about the state of the world in a few decades from now. This whole world is heading towards a catastrophe and of course, no matter what is done, the polar ice caps will still melt and man will succeed in wiping out the rest of the species from the planet.

Population in India is unfortunately, as you said, a taboo subject because the Laloos and Mulayams and company will not allow anything to be done. So we could either sit around waiting for a revolution or try to do things that give us an iota of hope that we are making a difference!

I am at a loss as to how we will get our leaders to take some hard hitting decisions. But thats not what i want. I want our people to tackle these issues themselves. We Indians have gotten into this bad practice of expecting the Government of doing everything for us.
You remember we talked about people learning to realize that they are as much responsible for the garbage outside their home as their civic association. We have got to learn to take our leaders to task man!

thats true,
but to educate the people on the civic-issue(recycling,cleaning etc) is problematic. The thing is we have to educate the younger generation that is in school now on civic-issues . The older generation is lost ...i am afraid.

Also highlight the status of cleaners by campaign. No clean streets= no turists,no revenues.

Sun,

You have spoken the truth about the state of the world in a few decades from now. This whole world is heading towards a catastrophe and of course, no matter what is done, the polar ice caps will still melt and man will succeed in wiping out the rest of the species from the planet.

Population in India is unfortunately, as you said, a taboo subject because the Laloos and Mulayams and company will not allow anything to be done. So we could either sit around waiting for a revolution or try to do things that give us an iota of hope that we are making a difference!

I am at a loss as to how we will get our leaders to take some hard hitting decisions. But thats not what i want. I want our people to tackle these issues themselves. We Indians have gotten into this bad practice of expecting the Government of doing everything for us.
You remember we talked about people learning to realize that they are as much responsible for the garbage outside their home as their civic association. We have got to learn to take our leaders to task man!

Yes, people need to change their attitude of "sab kucch chalta hai" (anything goes).

Luxury 'n' swift travel comes to Delhi & NOIDA
LALIT KUMAR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2004 12:24:26 AM ]

GREATER NOIDA: The Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA), the New Okhla Industrial Development Authority (NOIDA) and the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) have decided to set up a special project vehicle (SPV) to provide fast luxury buses to connect Noida, Greater Noida and Delhi.


This will reportedly be the first fleet of buses, in the National Capital Region, to provide a facility for physically-challenged persons to roll in with their wheelchairs.

According to GNIDA additional chief executive officer (ACEO), Sanjiv Saran, GNIDA, NOIDA and UPSRTC are setting up an SPV, with an authorised capital of Rs 100 crore. These will be in addition to about 500 other "ordinary" buses already plying between Greater Noida, Noida and Delhi. The actual planning and execution of the plan will be carried out by UPSRTC.

"About 50 such buses should start plying in about four or five months. The buses will travel at high speed on the expressway between Noida and Greater Noida and will be run on compressed natural gas (CNG)," said Saran, adding that the buses will also have a mechanism to lower the foot board to the ground level when they stop. "This will allow the old and physically-challenged to board and alight from the buses with ease," said Saran.

In another development, GNIDA promised to provide Greater Noida residents 24X7 water supply from January 1. It is currently carrying out changes in the water pipeline network, to provide uninterrupted water supply.

According to Saran, the new pipeline network will be in place by December 15. "GNIDA will test the system for 15 days. By January 1, the system will become fully operational," added Saran.

Hi anybody .. please post the pictures of shuala kuan floyovers.....

Thanks in advance.

Rajesh

Wait till Suraj and others go to Delhi and take pictures. Till then, I doubt that you will see good full-sized pics of the completed DK interchange.

Malls kill leisure & recreation
PAYAL SAXENA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2004 01:06:50 AM ]

GURGAON: Variety is the spice of life. No wonder Gurgaon residents are suffering from bouts of blandness these days. For, while four mega malls have already sprung up in the city, 40 more commercial complexes are in the pipeline. They may be enough to leave the most ardent shopaholic spoilt for choice. But for children and elders of this rapidly transforming city, there are hardly any recreational avenues.


"With no amusement parks or museums in the vicinity, children have nowhere to go except to the malls," said Suman Sahgal, a resident. Manish Singh, a student, remarked: "Malls were our favourite haunts initially. But the mad rush at these joints has robbed them of the fun. Now, we are looking for different recreational spots."

A retired Army officer echoed his views: "Though Gurgaon is ideal for a morning stroll with its open spaces and wide roads, there is no place for entertainment." Swati Mishra, who works in a BPO major, said: "Shouldn’t there be a place similar to Dilli Haat or the India Habitat Centre?"

As work on the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway is yet to be completed, driving down to Delhi on a holiday is not a very welcome option for local residents. So whether people want to watch a movie, visit a pub or go out shopping, malls are the only places they can frequent.

Parents are also apprehensive about the effect these swanky malls — with branded showrooms, fast-food outlets and nightclubs — could have on the personality development of their children. Then there is the ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ syndrome. "Our kids want to compete with their friends," said a parent.

An executive of a private construction company, however, held a different view. "Malls are the need of the hour. They are profitable and seem to be everybody’s first choice. The number of people visiting malls increased by 50% last weekend due to Diwali," he gushed.

That the trend is likely to continue was borne out by district town planner Dinesh Chawhan’s statement. "We have issued licences to about 40 commercial sites. The discretion of the coloniser will prevail. He can either make a mall or any other commercial complex." He added: "Apart from this, a proposal for a habitat centre and a complex along the lines of Dilli Haat in sector 29 has been cleared."

NCR Planning Board drafts an ‘easy rider’

Esha Roy

New Delhi, November 28: The National Capital Region Planning Board is planning to take highway travelling to the next level. In its draft National Capital Regional Plan 2021 (the NCR’s masterplan), the board has proposed that a Highway Corridor Zone be developed along the National Highways.

The corridor, with a proposed width of 500 metres, will be developed on either side of the right of way of National Highways 1, 2, 8, 10, 24, 58 and 91. The corridor will span an area of 300 square kilometres. Officials said the corridor is to ensure that only planned and regulated development takes place in areas demarcated for the purpose.



Member Secretary, NCR Planning Board, Dr.P.K.Mishra said a lot of unregulated economic activity —not only shops, but also manufacturing units — is taking place on the side of highways. They have an impact on the environment and also act as traffic hazard s, he said.

‘‘We have decided to develop, permit and encourage economic activity in the corridors — but in a planned manner. What kind of economic activity will be permitted, shall depend on the area or city through which the highway passes. This is the first time such a proposal has been conceptualised,’’ said Mishra.

The main feature of the corridor will be the creation of a green buffer on either side of the highways. Excluding the areas demarcated as this green buffer, state governments can decide on the development activities ‘‘depending upon economic pressure, local situation and development potential of the area.’’

‘‘The buffer zone is meant to reduce congestion on the highways, improve the environment and also make the drive more picturesque,’’ said an official.

The Highway Corridor is to be delineated and notified by the respective state governments. Officials added that before planning for the regulated area, it should be declared as a controlled area. A development masterplan must be prepared with the approval of the NCR planning board and duly notified.

This is a recap from Jan 2004:

I am surprised it says in the article, that malls are profitable! What I saw was, that more than half the shops in the malls were not operational. Only the ground floor was in full swing, but cafés and multiplexes were doing good business. Small outlets selling mobiles were also doing brisk business. But the rest was just dead, with only abundant salespeople waiting ever so anxiously....

ps: building 40 more malls in Gurgaon is not only suicidal, but also impossible, if we consider that the future malls are gonna be roughly of the same size, as those which are currently operational. The current 4 (actually 5 malls) along with their parking lots, cover a huge stretch of the main rd that merges into the NH4. Upto Haldirams on NH4, it's all residential areas with some office buildings coming up. So, where are they going to put all these new malls, considereing that the CBD of Gurgaon is already full.

Does anyone know how big Gurgaon is?

Vimo,

In today's economy, if Indian builders are still following the formula of "let us build and they will come", then i suppose they will have to learn the hard way.

This is a wave, and there will come a point when it will subside. Let them build malls, i hope the Government builds museums and other educational assets for the children.

J B Tito Marg flyover is open (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/941843.cms)

Here’s a breather for south Delhi. Finally, the flyover on Josep Broz Tito Marg was opened to traffic plying from Defence Colony to Chirag Delhi. However, the entire project, which has missed two deadlines, will be completed by January 2005.

Delhi Development Authority (DDA) opened one side of the flyover for traffic on Tuesday. The road along Kendriya Vidyalaya, Andrews Ganj, has been closed. The level of the road is being raised. The traffic coming from Ring Road and moving towards Nehru Place will continue to use the diversion along Vikram Hotel.

The project, at the intersection of J B Tito Marg and Lala Lajpat Rai Marg, will make the intersection signal free. And those coming over Moolchand flyover will be able to get to Chirag Delhi without a stop. An open drain has to be covered and a subway has to be completed for the pedestrians.

’wealth games, metro and malls driving realty in Delhi

NIVEDITA MOOKERJI



NEW DELHI, DEC 3: If Beijing is sporting a new look for the 2008 Olympics, Delhi is gearing up for the 2010 Commonwealth games. Domain experts say that infrastructure overhaul for the Commonwealth Games is expected to have a positive impact on the real estate sector, just like it did at the time of the Asian Games or in the way the oncoming Olympics has fuelled markets in China. In the near term, the Gurgaon Expressway and Metro Rail may add zing to the realty business in Delhi and nearby areas.



In the next 18 to 24 months, there are no negative indicators for the sector both in the residential and commercial segments, according to Cushman and Wakefield managing director Sanjay Verma. On the residential side, hectic activity is being witnessed across high-end and middle segments. “There’s been a pent-up demand in the high-end residential sector for quite some time,” says CB Richard Ellis head of transactions (South Asia) Manish Kashyap.

As for retail malls, there’s plenty of construction all around and a number of projects are in the pipeline. “But it’s difficult to figure out where the demand will come from. I think, demand for so many malls could be a challenge,” a real estate consultant argues.

Suburban development is contributing significantly to the industry, says Mr Verma. But, not all suburbs around Delhi would catch the fancy of real estate developers and potential buyers, he adds. Faridabad and Ghaziabad, for instance, are still way behind Gurgaon and Noida.

Meanwhile, IT and ITES firms remain the happy trigger for real estate around Delhi. Nearly 75% of commercial demand (leasing) in the region is from IT/ITES companies, which occupy about 20 million square feet of space. Industry pundits agree that job creation for thousands of people in Gurgaon has really made a difference to the real estate scene here.

While suburban development, mall mania, outsourcing boom, plenty of home financing options, and the changing profile of home buyers are common to many big cities in the country, Delhi has its own set of advantages. Being the political capital, infrastructure development is a bit faster here, according to Mr Verma. Also, Delhi has the advantage of growing in a circular manner. Delhi’s equity however takes a hit when you think of the city’s inadequate public transport and perception of crime, it is felt.

As for appreciation in value, quality of buildings is a critical factor, according to Mr Kashyap. Good air-conditioning space, power-backup and general maintenance are significant in driving the value northwards, he says.

Industry insiders point out that among the new commercial buildings, Birla House in Connaught Place has seen a 10 to 15% increase in value over the past 12 months due to its quality. Otherwise, rates for most commercial buildings in the capital across Connaught Place and Nehru Place have been stagnant for several months, they point out.

According to a CB Richard Ellis report, the central business district market in the Delhi office sector continued to be stable with a marginal increase in values for grade A space. The overall vacancy rate dipped a little, due to lack of new supply in the central district, it says, adding that major part of disruption was due to progressing work on the metro rail. Its projection: The rental and capital value trends are likely to be stable in the short to medium term. Also, the momentum is expected to gain steam in the medium term in Gurgaon and Noida, firming up rental values there.

Among the large commercial projects coming up in Gurgaon, next to Delhi, are DLF Cyber Green and Unitech Cyber Park. Medium sized developers have also started entering the Gurgaon market with one-off commercial projects, according to CB Richard Ellis. Some of the notable transactions include DuPont, Hewitt, Sapient, Vertex and Reliance Infocomm. In Noida, the major transactions include HCL taking around 100,000 square feet, it says.

On the residential front, Unitech’s World Spa and Nirvana and DLF’s Pinnacle are among the big names, all in Gurgaon. Within Delhi, residential value continues to rise in Vasant Vihar, Panchsheel Park, Golf Link and Jor Bagh, indicates Mr Kashyap.

Even if there’s an increase in the home finance rate up to 100 basis points, there wouldn’t be much impact, says Mr Verma. Any correction above 150 to 200 basis points, however, would have a negative effect on the real estate demand, he adds.

Going back a little, values had dropped 15 to 50% post-1997. Revival started in the last 18 months. In the past 12 months or so, residential values have moved up in the range of 10 to 50% in Delhi and suburbs.

On government initiatives, decrease in stamp duty rate in Delhi and Haryana is being seen as a significant driver for real estate. Besides, government move to auction commercial and residential property in Delhi, Noida and Greater Noida have also added to the big picture.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=75953

Some U/Cpics from Gurgaon. I think these projects are completed by now..


Corporate Green
DLF Cyber City Phase-3, Gurgaon

http://www.staralubuild.com/Images/Design5.jpg

Dr Morepen
DLF Qutab Enclave, Phase-V, Gurgaon

http://www.staralubuild.com/Images/Design4.jpg

Dr Dheer
DLF Qutab Enclave, Phase-V, Gurgaon

http://www.staralubuild.com/Images/Design8.jpg

Silokhera (IBM)
NH-8 Village Silokhera, Gurgaon

http://www.staralubuild.com/Images/Design3.jpg

Cooperative Housing is one of the most popular housing options amongst middle class India. Mumbai was a pioneer and now thousands of such societies dot the suburbs of major cities like Delhi, Kolkata. Here's some pics from the NCR...mostly Gurgaon, a few Noida and Delhi.
.
[Only they are not too tall - maybe they should be allowed to build upto 20 storeys]..

Navrattan Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd.
7-A, Sector #23, Dwaraka, Pappankalan, New Delhi.

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal1.jpg

Kanchanjunga Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd.
GH-50, Sector #56, Gurgaon, Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal2.jpg

Medinova Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd.
GH-18, Sector #56, Gurgaon, Haryana.

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal3.jpg

Suvidha Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-10, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal4.jpg

University Employees Welfare Organization
GH-11, Sector #56, Gurgaon, Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal6.jpg

Shiv Shakti Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-94, Sector #54, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal7.jpg

Aravali Hills Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
Gh-74, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal8.jpg

Reserve Bank Aashiana Co-Op. Group Housing Societi Ltd
C-58/31, Sector #62, Noida (U.P).

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal9.jpg

Alankar Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
Gh-48, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal11.jpg

Maitry Reserve Bank Staff Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd.
GH-30, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal12.jpg

Lord Shiva Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-12, Sector #10 A, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal13.jpg

Siddartha Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
Gh-31, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal14.jpg

Basera Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-78, Sector #56, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal15.jpg

Surya Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
Gh-71, Sector #55, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal17.jpg

The New C. R. P. F. Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-6, Sector #9, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal18.jpg

Akash Ganga Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-3, Sector #61, Noida (UP).

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal19.jpg

Surya Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
Gh-71, Sector #55, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal20.jpg

The New C. R. P. F. Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
GH-6, Sector #9, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal21.jpg

Parivar Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
E-16, Sector #61, Noida (UP).

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal22.jpg

Karam Hi Dharam Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
GH-84, Sector #55, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal26.jpg


S.B.I. Karamchari Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
15-A, Sector #22, Dwarka-1, Pappankalan, New Delhi.

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal27.jpg

Elephant Head Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
41, Sector # 10, Dwarka, New Delhi

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal28.jpg

Elephant Head Co-Op. Group Housing Society II Ltd
GH-11, Sector # 10 A, Gurgaon, Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal31.jpg

Apex Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd.
GH-3, Sector #45, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal29.jpg


I.O.B Karamchari Sehkari Awas Samiti Ltd.
C-58/21, Sector # 62, Noida (U.P)

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal34.jpg

Saghvi Co-Op. Group Housing society Ltd
GH-85, Sector #55A, Gurgaon Haryana

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal35.jpg

Varun Co-Op. Group Housing Society Ltd
C-58/28, Sector #62 , Noida(U.P)

http://www.vikasngc.com/images/pic_gal36.jpg

Just a sampling into the amount of construction activity going on..

How abt some bunglows in Gurgaon?

http://www.builddirections.com/popup/21.jpg

http://www.builddirections.com/popup/22.jpg

http://www.amitbhatnagar.com/images/res/khosla/khosla_3_big.jpg

http://www.amitbhatnagar.com/images/res/uppals/uppals_7_big.jpg

http://www.amitbhatnagar.com/images/res/iyers/iyers_5_big.jpg

Opening in Jan 2005

Fortune Hotel Global Select (ITC)

http://www.fortuneparkhotels.com/images/ind_gurgaon.jpg

That's a nice looking building, has a good colour scheme too. Where is it?

That's a nice looking building, has a good colour scheme too. Where is it?

It's part of the Global Business Park.

Opening in Jan 2005

Fortune Hotel Global Select (ITC)

http://www.fortuneparkhotels.com/images/ind_gurgaon.jpg

Looks like, the Jade color bug (something mandatory in China ;)), has hit the Indians too. I know for one, Unitech in Gurgaon is extensively using it in it's design scheme!

More mall-pictures from Gurgaon :)


http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658087.photosIN040408.jpg

http://mk31.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658089.photosIN040414V.jpg

http://mishuna.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658090.photosIN040417.jpg

http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658091.photosIN040419.jpg

http://mishappa.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658092.photosIN040420.jpg

http://misheli.image.pbase.com/u21/patrice82/upload/36658093.photosIN040421.jpg

http://www.qbtpl.net/gs/gurgaonone_progress_01.jpg
Dec 2nd - update


Main building basement area progress - PCC Work

GurgaonOne Community will comprise of premium apartments, villas, and penthouses just opposite the Maruti Plant on Old Jaipur-Gurgaon Road, and all the 240 flats to be built have already been sold.

According to the construction update:

* Status Villa Construction: RCC structure and brickwork has been completed for 4 villas. One of the villas will be used as the sample apartment.
* Excavation: GurgaonOne excavation was completed on July 31, 2004.
* Basement: Basement work has started and will be completed by the end of Feburary 2005.
* Civil Work: The civil work contract was awarded on September 14, 2004. Electrical, plumbing works, fire fighting and tender documents are under preparation.

There is also a note in the newsletter about improving access to GurgaonOne.

* The old Jaipur-Gurgaon Road has been widened and has a central verge and electric poles.
* Wide pavements are being constructed alongside the road.
* Also construction of the 8-lane expressway has already commenced on NH-8.
* And by-passing the rush hour will be easier with two flyovers currently under construction - at the Shankar Chowk (Trident Hotel) and IFFCO Chowk.

http://www.gurgaonscoop.com/story/2004/12/8/205422/963

updates on Vatika City-U/C pictures.

http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/VCUpdate-Mvc-003s.jpg
http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/VCUpdate-Mvc-005s.jpg
http://www.vatikagroup.com/images/VCUpdate-Mvc-008s.jpg

Storm clouds gathering over Gurgaon:

http://img37.exs.cx/img37/9639/179815537yngrhkph10yl.jpg

^^^^^

Wierd... that doesn't quite look like Gurgaon to me. I didn't notice any 'commie block'-like flats like the ones in the foreground. But that does seem to be the DLF Tower in the centre background. Gurgaon is quite scenic from a panoramic perspective, especially at dusk, and this shot isn't anywhere near the potential for panoramas of the place.

^^^^^

Wierd... that doesn't quite look like Gurgaon to me. I didn't notice any 'commie block'-like flats like the ones in the foreground. But that does seem to be the DLF Tower in the centre background. Gurgaon is quite scenic from a panoramic perspective, especially at dusk, and this shot isn't anywhere near the potential for panoramas of the place.

I think those yellow buildings are the Garden Estate..http://www.arcop.com/del/GardenEstate_main.htm - one of the older projects..

http://www.arcop.com/del/17pool_deck_and_TG1.jpg

Delhi gets Rs 5,100 cr for 2005-06 from Planning Commission : :drool:

Business India > New Delhi, Dec 9 : Giving a fillip to Delhi Government's plans for overhauling the transport sector and water supply and speeding up urban development, Planning Commission today allocated Rs 5,100 crore to it for 2005-06.

Of this, Rs 1,365 crore (about 27 per cent) would be spent for transport related projects like Metro Rail, high capacity bus service, integrated rail bus system, flyovers and bridges, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit told reporters after meeting Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia during which the allocation was made.

Urban Development would get 15 per cent (Rs 785 crore), water supply 14 per cent (Rs 732 crore), medical and public health 12 per cent (Rs 606 crore), power sector 10 per cent (Rs 488 crore) and education nine per cent Rs 437 crore), she added.

The allocation for 2005-06 marks a 29 per cent increase over that for the current year, if the outlay for power sector reforms amounting to Rs 1,057 crore is excluded. The total allocation for 2004-05 was Rs 4,900 crore.

Dikshit said power sector reforms had cornered almost 25 per cent of fund allocations this year, but this would be only 10 per cent in 2005-06.

To develop infrastructure for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Delhi Government had decided to set aside Rs 200 crore, she said.

Ahluwalia complimented the state for its performance in urban reforms, but said more needed to be done in the area of infrastructure development.

Map of The Proposed Route For The Metro In Gurgaon Awaiting Approval


http://www.qbtpl.net/gs/metro_december_2004_full.jpg

Dear sir,

the photograph taken for GH-11 sector society is from the side ways but actually the look is much better from front size. pl. do the needful if possible so that the beauty and the real look can be watched by everyone.

regards


inder
Map of The Proposed Route For The Metro In Gurgaon Awaiting Approval


http://www.qbtpl.net/gs/metro_december_2004_full.jpg

Dear sir,

the photograph taken for GH-11 sector society is from the side ways but actually the look is much better from front size. pl. do the needful if possible so that the beauty and the real look can be watched by everyone.

regards


inder

Inder welcome on board. Those pics are not taken by anyone of us. We have just posted them from another site.

If you have nice pictures of Delhi or any Indian city please feel free to post here.

Unitech Heights, the first of a new generation of high-rise homes in Greater Noida. At up to 21 floors Unitech Heights will be the tallest luxury residential development yet, far above the 13 floors permissable today. Standing head and shoulders above its neighbours, Unitech Heights will afford residents the clearest views of all. (from unitech website)

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/noida/unitech_heights/pic_night.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/noida/unitech_heights/index.jpg

Looks really modern and nice.

Many people assume that greater Noida is the same as Noida, when it isnt.
I cant find a good map demarcating the two places, so if anyone finds them online, you could post them here.

nice!

So it has finally begun here too......I knew something good was coming up when I saw all those Unitech boards all over the place. :)

With all the attention on the neighbouring boomtowns here are some projects in Dilli itself!

Some Malls for Delhi from Suncity Projects (http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/)

The North Square Mall - 60,000 Sq. ft. Mall at Netaji Subhash Place in Pitampura

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/northS2.jpg

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/northS1.jpg


CrossRiver Mall - 250,000 sq ft Shopping Mall in Shahdara Business District

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/crossRiver3.jpg

Vasant Square Mall - 230,000 sq ft at Vasant Kunj

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/vasant4.jpg

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/vasant1.jpg

Nice job suncity. Both the forumer and the company. :)

Yippeeee :banana:

The North Square Mall is going to be bang opposite my apartment in Pithampura!

I will probably be going to Gurgaon today. I'm not all that familiar with the new buildings there, but please let me know if you have any requests and I'll try to find the specific buildings and take photos too. Even better if you provide a pic/rendering/location hint so I can find it easily.

I will probably be going to Gurgaon today. I'm not all that familiar with the new buildings there, but please let me know if you have any requests and I'll try to find the specific buildings and take photos too. Even better if you provide a pic/rendering/location hint so I can find it easily.

There's just so much stuff going on there...

See what you can get beyond the well known..

Essel Towers - How many towers here?

http://www.suncityprojectsltd.com/images/large/orlov4.jpg

Gesco Central Park - How many 12 storey + buildings do they have???

La Gardenia

Malibu Towne - does it have any highrises???

Unitech Rakshak

Ansal Celebrity Homes/Suites

http://www.ansalpropertiesltd.com/images/celeb_suit.jpg

http://www.ansalpropertiesltd.com/images/celeb_home.jpg

Unitech South City Heights

Maple Heights

Ansal Sushant Estate Towers (?) - 7 towers as per chairman's statement

Ansal Valley View Estate (?) - 7 towers as per chairman's statement


http://www.ansalpropertiesltd.com/images/valley1.jpg

whatever you can get should be an eyeopener...You will know best.

A good idea may be to click anything you see and like. We can always find out what they are once the pics are posted..

That sounds better. I've effectively no constraint on how many pics I can take - my compact flash cards add up to to 800+ shots at 1600*1200 . Will let you know how it went when I'm back tonight, though I may not be able to post things online until some days later, as I leave for Kerala early tomorrow.

You can probably get away with 1024x768 original resolution, with modified/cropped pictures at 800x600

That is, unless you are a true infra fan and want to adorn your living room with poster-sized images of the new water reclamation district in Barrackpore ;)

Back from Gurgaon... I took 40-50 pics before my battery ran out :( Its a rechargeable one, but I missed a few photo opportunities at the end. Gurgaon is booming with construction activity, and in particular, the Delhi-Gurgaon expressway is making great progress. I took pics of the large number of pillars which will constitute either interchanges or apparently a completely elevated 8-lane expressway section. Right now the roads are crowded and it was a hassle to travel around. I plan to go back later in January and take pics of a bunch of other things there. I took pictures of the roads, glass/steel buildings/malls and a clutch of residential properties. I'll leave it to you guys to figure out which is what :) I basically shot anything that looked halfway decent, until fate and battery cruelly cut me short.

Suraj, really looking forward to your pics, esp. the Gurgaon expressway to see how much it has progressed. :)

40-50 pics is not bad. Eagerly awaiting the results of your expedition.

BTW has anyone heard from Ubermensch??? I know he is in Mumbai but he has not posted for some time. I hope he is fine.

Unfortunately I'll take a few days to put it online, at least. I'm going to be travelling during the next week, so I don't have easy access to the web. On the flip side, it means I'll also be busy taking photos... So in the meantime I wish you all a Happy New Year :)

Well Happy new year to you too..

:cheers:

Now, a night bazaar for Delhites

NEW DELHI: Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit's 'night shopping' might have failed to excite shoppers, but tourism minister Renuka Choudhury hopes nothing will dampen her plans for a 'night bazaar'.

This is likely to take off in mid-January in Hauz Khas village. After six months, it will be rotated and held elsewhere. Keeping in mind the foreign tourist, these will be held where monuments, parks, eating areas and some basic infrastructure are there. Well-lit monuments, good food, right ambience, cultural activities and shopping all night in safe surroundings will be the USP of the bazaar.

Intach's specially-designed thelas and rehdis will be used for selling hot potatoes, pav-bhaji, papri-chat and popcorns just as any roadside hawker does and these are expected to be great crowd-pullers.

How does Renuka Choudhury hope to make this successful? "The night bazaar will be concentrated in one particular area. It'll be more than a simple shopping experience and policemen will ensure safety here," she says.

The bazaar was planned after tourists and visiting businessmen complained that the city lacked a night life. "Night bazaars will be brilliant opportunities to showcase monuments, cultural activities and cuisines along with a great shopping experience," she says.

She suggests that Dikshit's night shopping too can take off if markets are opened on a rotational basis. "For instance, keep South Extension open till late night for six months. Let everyone go and shop there and then allow some other market the same option. This will also ease the burden of the police, mitigate parking problems and extra hours being put in by workers in shops. Shops in all areas will then get an equal chance to earn more money," she says. Hyderabad will also have night shopping on the lines of Delhi.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/978119.cms

Sub-cities to act as counter-magnets

NEW DELHI: Picture this: Delhi will have to accommodate almost 87 lakh more people in its existing urban limits in less than two decades. Add to this the problems of bijli-paani, shelter for the poor and congested Walled City. The Master Plan for Delhi 2021 has introduced a new concept of redensification and redevelopment of existing colonies on a massive scale to handle the problems.

So it would be all about remodelling to suit the needs of the growing numbers. The biggest challenge of the Master Plan is to plan for about 225 lakh people, the projected population of Delhi in 2021. The first draft of MPD-2021 says: "The Master Plan 2021 would be the first plan of the 21st Century and considering the limited land area of Delhi, there would be limited scope thereafter for pure new urbanisation and the related spatial development and land use planning." At present, the Delhi Urban Area consists of sub city planning zones A to H and Dwarka, Rohini, Narela projects. The Master Plan says: "Population holding capacity of A to H zones needs to be enhanced through a redevelopment strategy and modified development norms." The most important aspect would be redensification, that is, the large proportion of underused land with vacant sites will be utilised. "The major areas are government land having mostly low density and old housing. The areas are recommended to be comprehensively planned for improvement and redevelopment in order to make best use of land resources," the draft says.

This would mean demolishing old structures and constructing more multi-storeyed buildings. Special areas have been identified to sort the problems on a special case basis. In this, Karol Bagh has been put in a separate category. There is emphasis on involving the resident welfare associations and private developers.

Simultaneously, there will be special provisions to develop other Metro centres to act as counter-magnets to Delhi. A DDA official said: "Apart from redensification we also plan to develop more sub-cities in neighbouring states so that people do not migrate to Delhi. These cities will act as counter magnets. Other state governments will also be involved in this process."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/980879.cms

Centre set to take charge of 1,100 monuments in Capital (http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=113218)

The Centre won’t let the Capital’s multi-cultural history crumble to dust.

The Union Urban Development Ministry today told Supreme Court of its plan to save over 1,100 ancient building in Delhi from the ravages of time. It informed a bench comprising Justice Y.K. Sabharwal and Justice D.M. Dharmadhikari that an expert committee has been set up for the preservation of these buildings.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH), which has alleged that the life span of these buildings, not in the list of ancient monuments of the Centre, was being further shortened by encroachers and builders.

The Ministry said the 14-member committee would include the Director of National Museum on Natural History, M. Shaheer, and conservation architect A.G.K. Menon, apart from various officials from the Urban Development Ministry and the ASI.

Following the petition and monitoring by the SC, the Ministry had amended the building bylaws to exclude historical buildings from being demolished. The Court, while disposing of the PIL, said the task before the newly set up committee was to scan Delhi for ancient monuments and take action for their preservation.

Now, take a skywalk in flyover city (http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=113783)

Shubhajit Roy

New Delhi, January 12: Move over flyovers, Delhi government is ready for ‘skywalks’ now. On course for the Commonwealth Games in 2010, the city is set to be criss-crossed by ‘‘new-look’’ foot overbridges and pedestrian subways.

‘‘Flyovers will not be successful, unless these skywalks come up to facilitate pedestrian movement,’’ Urban Development Minister Dr A.K. Walia said. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had announced the construction of more skywalks, especially with escalators, recently. And for help, Delhi is looking across the world. Sources said a Malaysian-based firm has come up with interesting ‘‘designs’’.



Walia held a meeting with senior PWD engineers and officials on Tuesday. The ‘skywalks’ will first come up at Dhaula Kuan, Nanakpura, Venkateshwara college, Maharani Bagh, Azadpur and ISBT (Kashmere Gate). The subways will come up at Nangloi, Basai Darapur, Shastri Nagar and Nigambodh Ghat.

The skywalks are cheaper to build. PWD engineers said it will take about Rs 1 crore for the foot overbridges and Rs 2 crore for the subways.

Sources said the skywalks are also expected to have ramps — instead of stairs — and will be disabled-friendly. “The escalators which will have to endure mass use will have to be imported and the costs will go up then,” a senior PWD engineer said.

bad news :(

Major fire breaks in Gurgoan complex

reason:According to a senior DFS officer, the building caught fire due to the spark from the welding.

http://www.ciol.com/images/content/2004/DLF-big_1512005.jpg


read more at: http://www.ciol.com/content/news/2005/105011502.asp

note: fire from welding spark is a classic case. builders should have fire guards that monitor the welding process so the fire does not spread.

The building was under construction I guess and so was empty. Hopefully they will take necessary precautions. Thank god no one was killed.

Gurgaon fire exposes chinks in the armour (http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?slug=Gurgaon+fire+exposes+chinks+in+the+armour&id=67003)

Gurgaon might have aspirations to be the quintessential millennium city with high-rise corporate buildings and mushrooming malls.

But a fire that broke out on the 10th floor of a slick, high-rise building has raised questions of whether the city can handle a major fire crisis.

There is no fire fighting equipment, which can tackle a blaze above the fifth floor and the fire department officials say they are helpless in improving the situation.

"We have material to control the fire for 15 minutes since there are many high-rise buildings. Due to technical reasons, we have not bought the required infrastructure but we plan to buy it soon," said AK Sharma, Fire Officer, Gurgaon.

"We have invested money for a hydraulic platform ladder but till we get it, we continue to face a threat," added Balbir Sharma, Fire Officer, Gurgaon.

"Independent welfare associations are taking more care about fire safety than the fire department. God forbid, if a major fire breaks out in Gurgaon, I doubt if they would be able to bring it under control," said Vishal, a Gurgaon resident.

Although the recent fire providentially didn't create too much damage, it has exposed the lack of fire safety infrastructure in Gurgaon.



And hopefully that should spur the Haryana Govt. to do something. Isnt it the quintessential Indian Government (federal, state, local) attitude that things are done only when something happens.

Chautala thought, let them make their high-rises as long as i get my money, and there is this fire and now he will realize, "O, i have to spend some for the fire department."

Fire over, Gurgaon feels heat of lapses


Vertical growth OK, but NCR city needs better firefighting LAPSE OR REDTAPE Gurgaon fire department had got the nod for hydraulic ladders 4 years ago. Nobody knows why these were never bought. FIRE SERVICE OR LIP SERVICE There are only two fire stations for the city. Each has just five tenders. DENT IN IMAGE Gurgaon has more than 100 skyscrapers. Many house corporate brand leaders like Microsoft. A fatal fire in its commercial core could send out a wrong message. Residents say this may have happened already, but it's never too late to correct
Abhay Jain
Gurgaon, January 16

HAD THE highrise that caught fire on Saturday been fully occupied, heavy loss of lives would have been inevitable.
On Sunday, authorities assessed their fire-preparedness, only to find a great deal of room for improvement.

There are two fire stations in the city -one at Bhim Nagar, the other at Sector 29. Both stations have five fire tenders each but without hydraulic ladders. They are equipped to throw water up to a maximum of 100 feet from the ground.

This is but grossly inadequate, consider ing the 100-odd buildings that have 15 floors or more in the city. And more are coming up. The local fire department can only manage minor fires. Two months ago, there was a major fire in a cloth shop at Sadar Bazar where the tenders from Maruti and Air Force had to be summoned.

Gurgaon deputy commissioner Anurag Aggarwal told HT that Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) had already deposited Rs 10 crore with the department concerned for purchasing a hydraulic ladder fitted fire tender. He claimed that even the Delhi fire department did not possess such a modern tender. The quotation has to be taken internationally and this might be the reason for the delay, said the official.

A senior officer of the fire department revealed on the condition of anonymity that the department got the permission of buying the hydraulic ladders four years ago. But for unknown reason, the demand still remains so.

The Gurgaon fire department claimed it played a very significant role in extinguishing Saturday's blaze. Senior officers said it was wrong to say they did nothing until a hydraulic ladder arrived from Delhi. "Our team entered the building but the internal fire fighting system such as wet risers installed on the eleventh floor was not working," said fire office A.K. Sharma.

Mega Outer Ring Planned Around Delhi Shall Act As A Bye Pass For Traffic

A super ring road, 235 km long, is being designed to free up city roads of about 20,000 trucks and 1,400 buses that enter Delhi every night and, apart from adding to the traffic load, add significantly to the city's pollution level.

full story: http://www.gurgaonscoop.com/story/2005/1/19/75911/6269

http://mk37.image.pbase.com/u12/yardbird/large/38274326.uppadjan2.jpg

http://mishopi.image.pbase.com/u14/yardbird/large/38507845.uppadjan10.jpg

http://misheli.image.pbase.com/u13/yardbird/large/38507833.uppadjan9.jpg

http://misheli.image.pbase.com/u14/yardbird/large/38570513.uppadjan11.jpg

http://mishilo.image.pbase.com/u15/yardbird/large/38786911.uppadjan16.jpg

http://mishappa.image.pbase.com/u15/yardbird/large/38786912.uppadjan17.jpg

Mega Outer Ring Planned Around Delhi Shall Act As A Bye Pass For Traffic

A super ring road, 235 km long, is being designed to free up city roads of about 20,000 trucks and 1,400 buses that enter Delhi every night and, apart from adding to the traffic load, add significantly to the city's pollution level.

full story: http://www.gurgaonscoop.com/story/2005/1/19/75911/6269

I think 3 things can help improve the bad pollution situation in Delhi

-- Good quality continuous roads
-- Fewer stoplights
-- And it should be required that all commercial vehicles entering the city should comply with Bharat III emission standards.

A bonus would be if the authorities designate certain areas as vehicle free zones. This policy of decongestion and pollution control is very popular in Venice, Geneva and Singapore.

Building ring roads is not a solution if the above listed measures are not in place.

Some great new projects(all u/c) coming up in Gurgaon here they are -- >

1. The Icon(residential) this has got to be cooooooooool once done

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/3783/icon1rs.jpg

2. Infinity towers(comm)

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/4885/infinitytowers7ws.jpg

3. Westend Hieghts(residential)

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/934/westendheights0lf.jpg

4. Trinity towers(residential)

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/1619/trinitytower4hi.jpg

5. The Pinnacle(?)

http://img139.exs.cx/img139/2273/pinnacle8wn.jpg

Building ring roads is not a solution if the above listed measures are not in place.
I agree. Strict rules which discourage people from choosing private vehicles over public transport are as important as good roads and emission norms. They can also restrict certain sets of vehicles (in alternate order) from street parking on certain days of week depending on their tags.

I agree. Strict rules which discourage people from choosing private vehicles over public transport are as important as good roads and emission norms. They can also restrict certain sets of vehicles (in alternate order) from street parking on certain days of week depending on their tags.

well there are two system for that issue. One is toll-system and the other one is heavy tax on fuel. For instance in Sweden one liter of gas costs 63 Rs or (1.44$). People here prefer public transport more.

Outline of projects in Delhi till 2010 (http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/jan/22spec.htm)

Interview with Shiela Dixit, CM of Delhi

Are we missing the wood for the trees by planning only with the 2010 Commonwealth Games in mind?

Not at all. If project planning is expedited, it can only be a good thing in the long run as well. And don't forget, we intend to make a bid for the 2016 Olympics too, so there's no question of becoming complacent after the Commonwealth Games.

Why do roadway projects consistently fail to meet deadlines?

The problem we often face is that of multiplicity. Sometimes, for instance, one side of a road might be controlled by the MCD and the other side by the NDMC.

Transport management faces similar pitfalls which make for tortuous processes and cause delays. We are trying to smoothen these things out.

What is the present status of the Sonia Jal Vihar water project? There have been so many delays already.

The project has started, flushing is currently underway. Drinking water is a high-priority area for us. The reason for occasional hitches is that Delhi doesn't produce anything itself -- everything has to come in from other states and the supply chain is often a complicated, cumbersome one.

What will the future of housing be like?

I think the plot-of-land concept is outdated. We need to go high-rise. Also, labourers -- who have so far been setting up shanties/jhuggis near their place of work -- must be given the option to take two-room flats.

What is being done by way of cultural activities and entertainment?

We have successfully organised the Qutab and Ananya festivals, and are planning Dilli Haats in East and West Delhi. Creating parks is another priority area.

Are you satisfied with the state of your financial management?

It's been pretty good so far. We aim for transparency, and to spend money well. We've greatly improved the efficiency of the tax collection mechanism, which means there's been a 22 per cent increase in tax collection without an increase in taxes.

What is your overriding vision for the capital?

Delhi's citizens -- be they carpenters, civil servants or artists -- must feel the city belongs to them.

They must believe their contribution to Delhi is as important as anyone else's; that's the essence of Bhagidari. Too often in the past, there's been the attitude of taking from Delhi without putting anything back into it.

Delhi a super city by 2010!

http://us.rediff.com/money/2005/jan/22spec.htm

Dixit said something about high rises. Let us hope she means 20+ buildings, not the 8 storied ones.

Dixit said something about high rises. Let us hope she means 20+ buildings, not the 8 storied ones.

All said and done, Delhi's biggest priority should be to produce adequate water and energy. I just saw on another website, the pollution laden river Yamuna with a thick foam of allsortsof contaminants. Pollution is again a major health concern that must be looked into seriously!

Nice article. Lets hope they accomplish atleast half of what they have set out to. Those 42 flyovers were supposed to be constructed by Dec 2002 as per the honorable CM Ms. Sheila Dikshit -
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/01/03/stories/2002010303540300.htm

and again by 2003 end - "...As many as 42 flyovers will be completely operational in Delhi by the time we go to the polls later this year"
http://www.dayafterindia.com/interview/15.html

I guess the official count is still 22.

BTW, this is the official site of the 2010 CWG
http://www.cwgdelhi2010.com

Nice article. Lets hope they accomplish atleast half of what they have set out to. Those 42 flyovers were supposed to be constructed by Dec 2002 as per the honorable CM Ms. Sheila Dikshit -
http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/2002/01/03/stories/2002010303540300.htm

and again by 2003 end - "...As many as 42 flyovers will be completely operational in Delhi by the time we go to the polls later this year"
http://www.dayafterindia.com/interview/15.html

I guess the official count is still 22.

BTW, this is the official site of the 2010 CWG
http://www.cwgdelhi2010.com

I remember that they had also constructed a games village for 1982 Asian Games in Delhi. What happened to those apartments and studios after that? Were they sold out to the civilians?

Again, they are planning a new village around the Yamuna banks. What are the authorities planning to do afterwards, when the games are over? Isn't it better to let the Hotels provide the accomodation, rather than constructing a housing village with thousands of rooms and apartments?! Why not to allow construction of hotels on this piece of land, which will be of use even after the games?

Too many Questions, too few Answers!!!

HCBS project moves at snail's pace (10 January, 2005)
PM News Bureau

As per the original plans HCBS was to have five corridors and two corridors for electric trolley buses (ETB) with a total road length of 132 km. HCBS corridors was to have dedicated bus lanes along the central verge of the road and the ETB corridors will be equipped with electric wires. http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=8540

Pee-ing Tom starts a revolution

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/999683.cms

Sunrise in Delhi Plan

Solar energy to be used in big way.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=114959

Gurgoan projects by Unitech:

Uniworld Gardens
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/uniworld_gardens/pict_night.jpg


UniWorld City
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/uniworld_city/index.jpg


The Close, Nirvana County
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/close/index.jpg


The World Spa
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/index.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/pic_west_per.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/pic_east_per.jpg


Espace
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/espace/pictures1.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/espace/pictures3.jpg


Uni TechWorld
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/commercial/gurgaon/unitech_world/index.jpg


Infocenter
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/commercial/gurgaon/infocenter/index.jpg


===


Noida Projects by Unitech

Great India Place
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/index.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/pic_south_ele.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/pic_north_ele.jpg


The Gardens Galleria
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/gardens_galleria/index.jpg

Gurgoan projects by Unitech:

The World Spa
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/index.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/pic_west_per.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/world_spa/pic_east_per.jpg


Espace
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/espace/pictures1.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/residential/gurgaon/espace/pictures3.jpg


Uni TechWorld
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/commercial/gurgaon/unitech_world/index.jpg


Infocenter
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/commercial/gurgaon/infocenter/index.jpg


===


Noida Projects by Unitech

Great India Place
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/index.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/pic_south_ele.jpg

http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/great_india_place/pic_north_ele.jpg


The Gardens Galleria
http://www.unitechgroup.com/images/projects/retail_leisure/noida/gardens_galleria/index.jpg

So many stylish and quality projects....WOW! Can we say that 10 yrs from now, Noida will give stiff competition to Gurgaon? :)

Madhusudan:

1. A Games village is not an option but a necessity if a bid has to be won. There is a reason why all major international (and national) multisport games insist on having a Games village. Games are meant not just for the events that take place but also a means of building bonhomie and friendship amongst athletes and even amongst nations. The atmosphere that a Games village provides cannot be provided by hotels. Also, the logistics of a huge event like the CWG would be impossible to handle with athletes strewn in hotels all over the place. Finally, Games villages do not provide five star facilities. Hotels that accomodate athletes would have little value after the games are over except as extremely low budget hostelries.

2. The Asiad village of 1982 is a posh residential neighborhood of Delhi now. It was a profitable venture for the Delhi Govt.

Madhusudan:

1. A Games village is not an option but a necessity if a bid has to be won. There is a reason why all major international (and national) multisport games insist on having a Games village. Games are meant not just for the events that take place but also a means of building bonhomie and friendship amongst athletes and even amongst nations. The atmosphere that a Games village provides cannot be provided by hotels. Also, the logistics of a huge event like the CWG would be impossible to handle with athletes strewn in hotels all over the place. Finally, Games villages do not provide five star facilities. Hotels that accomodate athletes would have little value after the games are over except as extremely low budget hostelries.

2. The Asiad village of 1982 is a posh residential neighborhood of Delhi now. It was a profitable venture for the Delhi Govt.

This probably means, that since Delhi wants to bid for 2016 Olympics, they'll also have to construct for an olympic size village this time itself?

btw,for all of you who are intrested in the real eastate-sector,dont forget to check out:

http://www.gurgaonscoop.com/

they do post news about new u/c-stuff which covers Noida/Gurgaon.

Mahagun Marriott (I am assuming it has nothing to do with Marriott hotels )

Noida

http://img211.exs.cx/img211/2796/mahagunmarriott1gy.jpg

http://www.mahagunindia.com/

Walking through Old Delhi may become a treat (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1015546.cms)

If strolling down old Delhi's narrow bylanes to taste the unbeatable kachori , hot off the frying pan, has been an ambition then hold on. Plans are afoot to decongest Chandni Chowk and restore it to its old glory.

Restrictions on parking and waiting for rickshaws, speed limit for cars to be 30 kmph, removing encroachments, raising the level of pavements and introducing environment-friendly public transport system are some of the suggestions made by the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).

The proposal details obstacles such as rampant misuse of carriageway and sidewalks due to encroachments by shops, power transformers and traffic congestion. "It is apparent that the demand for parking is much higher than what is provided. Vehicles are parked haphazardly, blocking pavements and traffic jams," an official said. Construction of underground parking lot at Gandhi Maidan, Meena Bazaar and Red Fort parade ground has also been suggested.

Besides passenger vehicles, the area is also plagued with trucks and tempos loading for the wholesale markets in the area. CRRI has suggested that there should be timing restrictions for all loading and unloading activity, from 8 pm to 10 pm in the evening and 6 am to 9 am in the morning. Construction of parking bays for goods vehicles at Nai Sarak and Ballimaran

The agency also suggests a beautification plan by raising pavement levels up to a height of 2-2.5 m, using interlocking tiles and improving the street lighting.

^^
Great development! During the monsoons, that place is one mudslush, where if you're not in a car, you'll be getting splashed from all the sides. Proper sidewalks are soooo badly needed!

Centre nods: Makeover for INA Market
Esha Roy

nullNew Delhi, February 9: The Union Ministry for Urban Development has cleared the Delhi Development Authority’s proposal for redeveloping INA Market and its surrounding areas. The DDA will be developing the area on the basis of private-public partnership. The work will be outsourced to a private company and the DDA will be issuing tenders this month.

DDA Vice-Chairman Madhukar Gupta said the project encompassed the entire area and aimed at integrating the market with Dilli Haat, the proposed Metro station next to it, NDMC’s proposed air-conditioned flower market and the Laxmi Bai Nagar shopping centre.

He told Newsline that the private developer, in order to make the project commercially viable, will be allowed to create a separate commercial component.

‘‘One of our main concerns is the traffic flow and circulation in the area and we want to make pedestrian access easier. For this reason, the DDA has extended the scope of the project right upto AIIMS and its surrounding areas, said Gupta.

He said lack of parking was a hindrance to smooth traffic flow though the AIIMS flyover was expected to help. Hence, DDA has proposed a three-tier underground multi-level parking which will cater not only to INA Market but also to Dilli Haat. ‘‘We will be ensuring that there is both pedestrian and vehicular access to these landmarks,’’ he said.

The new-look market will be in the form of an atrium. There is plenty of unutilised space which will be integrated in the Detailed Project Report. The atrium shape means that all the shops in the market will overlook a central plaza.

‘‘We will be concentrating on the development of several plazas as well as special designs for street furniture, street lights and kiosks,’’ said DDA officials. ‘‘The market will be multilevel. The area and the main road will be landscaped.’’

The project proposes to throw the market open to new entrants as well. The DPR will be developed by the company which receives the contract from the DDA. The concept paper for the proposal was submitted to Secretary, Urban Development Ministry, Anil Baijal last week.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=117141

i'm just wandering. don't you have any actual photos of those structures in this thread. Most photos are renderings i think it is better it the photo is taken in actual and not in rendering. Those buildings seems beautiful.

i'm just wandering. don't you have any actual photos of those structures in this thread. Most photos are renderings i think it is better it the photo is taken in actual and not in rendering. Those buildings seems beautiful.

Hi ncbmandy,
welcome

the problem is that it is very hard to find photos or good photos on new high-rises in India.So we all are waiting for some really good pics:)

but sooner or later there will be more pictures thats for sure..just hang in there:)

i'm just wandering. don't you have any actual photos of those structures in this thread. Most photos are renderings i think it is better it the photo is taken in actual and not in rendering. Those buildings seems beautiful.

All those projects are under development. That's why they are renderings. We don't have under construction photos for most projects.

If the project is completed you will find real photos.

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Indian construction workers walk in the shell of a stand at Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Stadium in New Delhi, 11 February 2005. The stadium is undergoing a massive renovation programme to be ready in time for the fifth and final One-day International match between India and Pakistan in the first week of April 2005. Doubts have been raised whether the ground will completed in time for the match. The ground is best remembered as the scene of Indian leg-spinner Anil Kumble becoming only the second bowler in the world to claim 10 wickets in a test innings during a Test match against Pakistan in 1999. AFP PHOTO/RAVEENDRAN (Photo credit should read RAVEENDRAN/AFP/Getty Images)

http://tinypic.com/1pf1oi
http://tinypic.com/1pf22f
http://tinypic.com/1pf23d
http://tinypic.com/1pf249
http://tinypic.com/1pf24m

The four flyovers opened to traffic are Brahm Prakash Setu at Britannia Chowk, B-Avenue on Ring Road, Khel Goan Marg crossing on Outer Ring Road, and link road and railway overbridge between ITO Chungi and Noida Mor. All the flyovers have been constructed with new technologies. (Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit) laid the foundation stone of the 8th bridge over river Yamuna, which is to be built from Geeta Colony to Shanti Van.

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=8650

BTW there are some pics(??) on this page which require a login/password to the unitechgroup website, is anyone else getting this or is it just me?

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1019439.cms

The government last week finalised architectural designs for the first cable-stayed bridge in Wazirabad.

It'll have eight lanes, two cycle tracks and footpaths on both sides. The 150 m high twin-towers will have bubble lifts looking into the river — visitors can get a panoramic view of Delhi from here.

Delhi Tourism plans to have water sports and is asking help from developers in Mumbai. There'll also be an amphitheatre at the shore, food courts on the tower tops, theme parks, aquatic activities and night illumination.

"Those wanting to reach the top of the towers will have to park their cars near the shore. They'll be brought to the towers in a bus through dedicated lanes," says an official. And no, it won't be a toll bridge.

There's also a proposal to develop water bodies for scuba diving and a walking aquarium, a la Singapore.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1019439.cms

The government last week finalised architectural designs for the first cable-stayed bridge in Wazirabad.

It'll have eight lanes, two cycle tracks and footpaths on both sides. The 150 m high twin-towers will have bubble lifts looking into the river — visitors can get a panoramic view of Delhi from here.

Delhi Tourism plans to have water sports and is asking help from developers in Mumbai. There'll also be an amphitheatre at the shore, food courts on the tower tops, theme parks, aquatic activities and night illumination.

"Those wanting to reach the top of the towers will have to park their cars near the shore. They'll be brought to the towers in a bus through dedicated lanes," says an official. And no, it won't be a toll bridge.

There's also a proposal to develop water bodies for scuba diving and a walking aquarium, a la Singapore.

I hope they have the 2009 deadline for this too! WOW, this really sounds great!! :)