i thought they were making a 65 storey office tower. at least thats what was reported a few months back. i had posted the story here also
Two different towers......Indiabulls is planning th 65 storey tower.

isnt the jupiter mills and the above story about indiabulls?

No this one is on Ind.united mill, owned by ntc itself. Indiabulls tower is on jupiter mills.

huh? the story above says jupiter mills. i am talking about the post above mine, not the 72 storey tower. the one that refers to the IT park

that was supposed to be a WTC of some 100-odd stories. wonder why they changed the height. right next to the crematorium. last i heard was that the dalits wanted the land for some memorial and the politicos were only to happy to listen to them

Two different towers......Indiabulls is planning th 65 storey tower.
You gotta rendering? :)

For once munna mobile seems to be ahead of time :)

MMRDA gets nimble with green fingers, goes beyond target (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=201448)

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) working on a feverish pace has achieved 80 per cent of the target of planting trees under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP). The target was set to be achieved by the end of 2006.

The widening and construction of new roads in the city has resulted in a major loss of tree count. To make the project eco-friendly, it was decided to go for a major plantation drive. The project has proved to be one of the largest plantation projects in the country.

The number of new trees to be planted as per the instruction of the Tree Authority of India (TAI) was set at 3,686, of which 3,160 has already been planted. “However, we are going to plant 10,000 trees by the next year,” said Vikas Tondwalkar, joint project director (environment), MMRDA.

This number, (10,000) will be around three times more of what is required by the TAI.

The total number of trees affected by the MUTP sub-projects has been put at 4818, which includes 1,843 trees to be cut and 2,975 to be transplanted. The Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR) and the Santa Cruz-Chembur Link Road (SCLR) account for more than 3,600 trees. Till now, 762 trees have been cut and 835 have been transplanted. As per the TAI directive, every tree which has been cut has to be balanced by planting two new trees.

Usually, the survival rate in case of transplanted trees is not more than 50 per cent, but MMRDA has met with phenomenal success. “In our case, the rate has substantially risen to 70-80 per cent,” said Tondwalkar.

The implementing agencies of plantation are MSRDC, MCGM and MRVC. There are some sub-projects, which are yet to be approved by the tree authority. It is assumed that for the sub-projects, where approvals are still sought for, 40 per cent of the trees will be required to be cut and the rest will be transplanted.

Majority of the 10,000 trees, which are in excess to the proposed number by the Tree Authority, will be planted in the Aarey Colony, near Goregaon. At the same time, the development authority is set to raise shrubs in between the JVLR and SCLR as divider to enhance the green quotient.

Some more mall development here ..

Goregaon to house the country's first 130,000 sq ft IT mall (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=201559)

With the country’s first technology mall scheduled to open in Mumbai by December 2006, it could be said that India is finally making the grades in the field. The promoters of the mall, Rachana-Astra Constructions, are also planning to set up similar malls in other cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi.

Tech mall is a concept, under which niche shopping arcades will be set up as a one-stop source for technology products. Even though, this is a relatively new concept in India, it has been a huge success in foreign countries such as Singapore and the US.

“Tech mall is what retail in India will eventually evolve into. While most malls today are family entertainment centres (FECs), there will be a growing demand for specialty malls, as they will provide the best product and prices at one location,” Rahul Chhapwale, director, Rachana-Astra Constructions, told Business Standard.

Compared with FECs, specialty malls will boast of significantly higher business due to the specialisation and availability of tech products under one roof.

To be set up in a sprawling 130,000 square feet area, Techmall aims to provide a complete tech-shopping experience, including IT products and consumer electronics, multiplex, food court, café, gaming zone and a bookstore. It would also have a parking space for over 200 cars.

The centrally air-conditioned mall would also have a star category hotel along with banquet halls and conference rooms. As majority of IT majors are slated to have a presence in the mall, it would be an ideal location to hold tech-related events such as roadshows, product launches and conferences among others, Chhapwale said.

IT malls are a huge success abroad. For example, the techmall in Singapore - Sim Lim Square - is drawing crowds in large numbers and doing a brisk business.

Explaining the logic behind the concept, Chhapwale says, although Mumbai has specialty markets for various technology goods such as Lamington Road for computers and accessories, and Manish Market for electronic gadgets, there is not a single-sourcing point for all the technology needs.

Browsing for a particular product through the various markets could be a tiring exercise, hence, the need for a specialised mall.

The builders are of the opinion that Goregaon is accessible from any part of Mumbai, and hence, the decision to set up the mall in this suburb was taken.

Tech mall...never heard of them.

Shanghai plan awaits funds

Centre’s strict guidelines may ensure state will not get its share of funds under Urban Renewal Mission

PARIKSHIT JOSHI

Will Mumbai receive its share of the funds under the much-touted National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM), announced by Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram in the 2005-06 budget, in the current financial year? The much-awaited amount (approximately Rs 1,000 crore) will help the cash-strapped state government initiate projects to translate into reality its pet dream of transforming Mumbai into a Shanghai.
However, going by the strict guidelines enforced by the Centre and the state government’s response to them, the possibility appears bleak. “Even if we receive the amount, the state will not get enough period to spend the available funds,” sources in the state administration told Mumbai Mirror.

WHAT IS THE HITCH IN GETTING FUNDS?

Though the Centre issued guidelines for the states nearly three months ago, the Union Cabinet is yet to ratify those guidelines.

WHY IS UNION CABINET IS NOT TAKING UP NURM GUIDELINES FOR STATES?

Most of the states, slated to benefit from the first year NURM corpus of Rs 5,600 crore, are opposed to the guidelines. Reason: The states are apprehensive that mandatory guidelines of the Centre will have an adverse political fallout. Or lack a political will to comply with those guidelines.

WHAT ARE THE MANDATORY GUIDELINES?

Besides repeal of the Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act (ULCA) and reform of rent control laws, the Centre in its mandatory guidelines has asked states to enact a public disclosure law to ensure preparation of medium-term fiscal plan of urban local bodies (ULBs), release quarterly performance information to all stakeholders, enact community participation law to institutionalise citizen participation and introduce the concept of area sabha in urban areas.
The other Central guidelines are — rationalisation of stamp duty to bring it down to no more than five per cent within the next five years, introduction of independent regulators for urban services, assigning elected ULBs with “city planning function” over a period of five years, transferring all special agencies that deliver civic services in urban areas to ULBs and creating accountability platforms for all urban civic service providers in transition

WHICH STATES ARE OPPOSING THE GUIDELINES MOST?

Most of the states are opposed to stiff guidelines but leading the pack are Haryana and West Bengal.
These states say that other Centre-sponsored schemes like Walmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana and slum re-development schemes should not be closed down and the state should get separate funds for these schemes as well. This is besides funds under NURM.
In repealing of ULCA, only Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are affected.

WHAT IS THE WAY OUT?

“The states have put up a request to the Centre that it should allow a time-table to comply with the guidelines,” the sources in the Union Government said. This means the states want a certain period for rent control act reforms and so on and so forth.
But in this tug-of-war, the funds are getting delayed.
As per the format, the beneficiary states are to send city investment plans, which the Maharashtra government has already despatched to the Centre. Following their appraisal, the Union Government will be disbursing the amount. But the entire process will have to wait for a while.

WHAT DIFFERENCE THE FLOODS MADE TO MUMBAI MAKEOVER PLAN?

Now the Mithi river renovation plan and the Brimstowad project have got prominence over the Sewree-Nhava Sheva sea link and Worli-Bandra freeway projects.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCE CENTRE STATUS FOR MUMBAI SOON

The state government is also awaiting an announcement of a committee, to be headed by Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), to fulfil its promise of making Mumbai an International Financial Centre (IFC).An announcement to this effect was made by Chidambaram in this year’s budget speech.

________________________________________________________________________

i think its a decent move by the centre. the states need to reform fast. the losers in the whole bargain, as usual, will be the people

What the hell building is this??

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/383/115565479hnyojifs6ki.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=115565479hnyojifs6ki.jpg)
"Crazy Building in Mumbai"

Looks like some Malaysian architecture exhibition in 2003
From (http://community.webshots.com/photo/115564299/115565479hnyoJi)

wow...a new level of uiqueness..in a strange ,...ugly..sort of way/.......architect must been high while disigning..lol...

Unique, but very unlikely (I think) to be a serious proposal.

What the hell building is this??

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/383/115565479hnyojifs6ki.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=115565479hnyojifs6ki.jpg)
"Crazy Building in Mumbai"

Looks like some Malaysian architecture exhibition in 2003
From (http://community.webshots.com/photo/115564299/115565479hnyoJi)
That's one strange looking building! :runaway:

huh? the story above says jupiter mills. i am talking about the post above mine, not the 72 storey tower. the one that refers to the IT park

that was supposed to be a WTC of some 100-odd stories. wonder why they changed the height. right next to the crematorium. last i heard was that the dalits wanted the land for some memorial and the politicos were only to happy to listen to them
shit my bad....didint read properly.

Now this project looks interesting. Need more details though.

Found it here (http://www.softtech-engr.com/cgi-bin/products/struds/project.asp)

Sarovar Darshan, Mulund
34 storied twin tower having 4 podiums for car parking
Promoters: Nahar Builders, Mumbai.
Structural Consultants: JCV Consultants, Mumbai.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/158/sarovardarshan11gf.jpg

^^ now that looks awesome!:)
any info on u/c?:)

State on core mission, shortlists consultants for Worli-N Point link

Girish Kuber MUMBAI 4 OCTOBER

WORK on the much talked about, Rs 3,235-crore Worli-Nariman Point Western Freeway may begin soon with the state agency shortlisting seven international consultants for the project.
“We are in the process of finalising the consultants which may be done as early as next week,” Anil Deshmukh, minister for public works, told ET on Tuesday. Mr Deshmukh heads the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), the nodal agency which has been entrusted the job.
By mid-’06, the work on the two major infrastructure projects in Mumbai — the Rs 4,000-crore Sewri-Nhava Sheva project, a 22-km sea link connecting Mumbai’s neighbouring areas to the mainland, and the Worli-Nariman Point freeway, an extension of the Bandra-Worli bridge — will begin, Mr Deshmukh said.
For the former, Jean Muller (France) in consortium with BCEOM (Delhi) and STUP Consultant (Mumbai) has been appointed as consultants and the process of appointment of the BOT operator is in progress.
For the latter, on which work has already begun, the MSRDC has shortlisted seven consultants. “Fifteen firms had submitted their bids for the international tenders we had called for. Seven have been picked up for the final round,” Mr Deshmukh said. These include UK’s Halcrow Group, Jean Muller of France, Wilbersmith of US, PBA International and two others.
As per the plan envisaged by the MSRDC, a fast lane freeway will be created to link the business district of Nariman Point to Worli to ease traffic flow to and from the western suburbs. As of now, the lone Western Express highway faces the brunt of heavy traffic. There was a long pending demand to have another link to the city’s western suburbs.
Currently, the biggest traffic bottleneck is at the Mahim causeway, which connects the northern mainland to the island city. According to one estimate, nearly 1.2 lakh vehicles cross the causeway every day. The road faces bumper-to-bumper traffic, especially during peak hours when traffic flows to South Mumbai. Not surprisingly, it takes nearly an hour to travel the eight km stretch between Mahim and Worli, as the causeway is the only line connecting the western suburbs.
The state government has set December ‘07 as the deadline for the completion of the Bandra-Worli sea link. The Rs 1,306-crore project is being built on a build-operate-transfer basis. It will save an estimated 30 minutes of travel time, as motorists will not have to face the 23 traffic signals that are currently along the route. The link will have “cablestayed” bridge, with eight-lanes of traffic exclusively for fast-moving four-wheelers. Advance surveillance systems and emergency support systems are also being incorporated into the sea link. The Worl-Nariman Point link will also be undertaken on a BOT basis.

nice looking towers!! so much activity in Mulund!

^^ now that looks awesome!:)
any info on u/c?:)

None. Hopefully we will find out more info in the future.

:)

Mumbai Metro Rail Financial bids by November 16 (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=9711)

Work on Worli-Nariman Point link to start from late 2006 (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=9710)

Italy eyes Mumbai-Nhava Sheva sea link project (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=9709)

MCGM to spend Rs 642 cr. on renewal of roads (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=9760)

Poonam Singh

The Road and Traffic Department of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai is planning to spend a total of Rs 642 crore on concretisation and asphalt roads all over the city and suburbs over a period of two to three years.
Altogether 400 roads of 163 km length have been identified for asphalting at the cost of Rs 300 crore. The MCGM will float the tender by mid-October.
For concretization the civic body will spend Rs 342 crore on 70 roads of 60 km length. The contract has been awarded and the work has been identified into 23 packages. The contractors will submit their design layout to the traffic police for approval. As soon as the approval comes through, work on the packages will begin as per their order on the list.

Wall to protect Mumbai from sea (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1507145,000600010004.htm)

Uma Upadhyaya

Mumbai, October 2, 2005

Maharashtra government officials have prepared a plan for a Rs 107 crore project to protect Mumbai city and its suburbs from deadly sea wave attacks. More than 13 km of the city's coastal line has been identified for construction of a retaining wall along it.

This follows a survey of the coastal areas stretching from Colaba to Gorai by the coastal engineer's office of the state Public Works Department (PWD) in April and July. Coastal engineer P.S. Mandpe says, "After the tsunami in south India, we feared that if such a situation arises in Mumbai almost the entire area near the coast would be destroyed. It was decided then that these areas should have some sort of protection from the high waves and, on the instruction of the state government, we have prepared a plan."

Of the total coastal length of Mumbai city and its suburbs, which is around 73.21 km, 33.95 km is protected by mangroves and beaches and 25.82 km already has artificial protection. Around 13.44 km needs urgent protection from the sea waves.

This plan envisages the construction of retaining walls of 4-6.3 metres in height in around 26 areas along the coast within a time span of around five years. It will be first presented to Ramraje Naik-Nimbalkar, the guardian minister for Mumbai.

He told the Hindustan Times: "I am yet to see the plan. But definitely Mumbai's coastal areas need protection from sea wave attacks. In areas such as Worli, the sea wall is in a very bad shape. Repairs to the sea wall here have to be done urgently."

On a priority basis, the PWD has prepared a proposal for repairs to a part of the existing Worli sea face wall. The cost of repairs to 55 metres of the wall has been estimated at Rs 57 lakh. "We will be sending the proposal to the BMC next week", said Mandpe.

Some updates from Keystone

______________

New project

http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/3295/13fm.th.jpg (http://img431.imageshack.us/my.php?image=13fm.jpg)

Central Business Park, Andheri

______________

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/918/13kn.th.jpg (http://img421.imageshack.us/my.php?image=13kn.jpg)

new rendering of La-Sonarisa

______________

At least the designs are getting better and more glassy each time.

Mumbai rly second phase to cost Rs 5000 crore (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=203328)

Not very accurate but still. Kurla-Thane segment 5th and 6th corridor has been going on since 1997 and still its nowhere near completion..

First phase to get over by 2008

The Mumbai suburban railway is planning an investment of Rs 5,000 crore for its second phase of expansion, once the first phase gets over. The first phase is expected to be completed by 2008.

The first phase, costing Rs 3,500 crore, is meant for both the Western as well as the Central Railway. The project was started in 2002 jointly by the railway ministry and the Maharashtra government. World Bank has agreed to fund the project, provided the project-affected people are successfully rehabilitated and resettled.

As part of the first phase, the two railways will get 909 coaches. The coaches will be similar to the Millennium Rake, which was introduced by the Western Railway on Monday. All the 909 coaches would be put in service within a year.

With the introduction of new coaches, railways will be able to increase the frequency of their services and this will also help address the demand for 12-coach rakes substantially.

In the first phase, Rs 1,500 crore has been sanctioned for new rakes, Rs 450 crore for the quarter line between Borivli and Virar, Rs 60 crore for the fifth line between Santacruz and Mahim, Rs 400 crore for the conversion of rakes from DC to AC, Rs 170 crore for increasing lines on the Kurla-Thane segment (5th and 6th corridor), Rs 300 crore for resettlement and rehabilitation and Rs 200 crore for maintenance.

Most of the work has already been finished. The four lines between Virar and Vasai has been operational since May last. However, not much has happened since then.

“The slums in Dahisar are proving a big hurdle. Because of this, we are not able to go ahead with our plan. It is up to the government to remove them, we cannot. It is already getting late,” said Shailendra Kumar, chief public relations officer, Western Railway.

As of now, no time frame has been fixed for the second phase. The second phase will cover the Bandra-Kurla and as the Harbour Line segments. In the second phase, Rs 2,650 crore will be spent on new rakes.

It will also include the conversion of the Central Railway from DC to AC. In this phase, Rs 230 crore will be spent on the Kurla-CST segment(5th and 6th line), Rs 480 crore on the Bandra-Kurla corridor(east-west link), Rs 280 crore on two additional lines in the Thane-Kalyan stretch and Rs 60 crore for the Harbour Line extension from Andheri to Goregaon.

The upgradation of signals will cost Rs 600 crore, while Rs 100 crore will be spent on maintenance. Further, Rs 70 crore will be spent on resettlement and rehabilitation.

Again, Rs 1,000 crore more may have to be spent in the second phase as the time frame is yet to be decided, which may lead to cost overruns.

^^I really do like the expansion, but can't Mumbai consider a subway?

Mumbai soon to have Rs 1,000-cr convention centre

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/17/stories/2005101701381300.htm



MUMBAI will soon have its first full-fledged convention centre of international standards. Initial work will commence by the end of the year.

Costing Rs 1,000 crore, the centre will be able to accommodate over 2,000 people. Global tender would be floated and work will commence soon.

The convention centre will be located at the Bandra-Kurla complex, said Mr R.M. Premkumar, Chief Secretary, Maharashtra. Preliminary groundwork for setting up the centre has already been completed and now requires the approval from the Chief Minister, he said.

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) would be one of the implementing authorities. Land cost for the project is Rs 480 crore while construction cost will be Rs 520 crore.

The project would be a joint venture between the MMRDA and a private player.

The convention centre would primarily consist of auditoriums conference halls, food and beverage facilities, shops, offices and support infrastructure areas needed for such centres. The location of convention centre offers connectivity with road, rail, and air network.

Along with the convention centre, there would be an exhibition centre and a hotel in the same area, the Chief Secretary said.

this has been pending for a long time. glad its finally taking off, a world-class convention centre is sorely needed. hope it really is world-class and not a pwd masterpiece. will 520 cr be enough?

Finally some good news! :)

X-posting here, for posterity's sake

Mill On The Loss (http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=80551&pn=4)

THE October 17 Bombay High Court judgment has thrown a big question mark over 20-odd redevelopment projects, worth crores of rupees, in various stages of progress across Mumbai’s millscape. The standoff will continue till the Supreme Court gives its judgment on the challenge by millowners and NTC

Phoenix Mill: The first to redevelop, the 1899 mill today is Central’s Mumbai’s entertainment and shopping hub. A multiplex and hotel are currently being added here though the BMC lease deed in 2005 gives the mill over 20,000 square yards of land at the annual rent of a rupee for ‘residences of labour staff, and welfare services...like a school’


Morarjee Mill 1: Construction of the residential complex ‘Ashok Towers’, with three 30-storeyed and a 50-storeyed tower, underway for the past six months. Part of the mill’s land is on a 956-year lease for annual rent of Rs 1 (Sun was right... construction has been halted)


Morarjee Mill 2: Peninsula Corporate Park houses new economy offices like TATA-AIG and Orange, as well as a posh health centre, Wellsprings; part of the land is on a 999-year lease.


Simplex Mill: This mill, co-founded by Mohammed Ali Jinnah in 1913, is bowing out to Planet Godrej, five residential towers of 46 storeys each. Part of the land was given on a 99-year lease for an annual rent of Rs 43. The lease expired in 1983. (f*** me. Planet Godrej on halt, too?? Only 46 stories???)


Shrinivas Mill: South Mumbai’s crorepati BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha won the redevelopment rights, plans a residential complex


Swan Mill (Kurla): Office complex already under construction


Swan Mill (Sewree): Morarjee Realties is developing Ashok Gardens, a complex of residential towers along the lines of Morarjee’s Ashok Towers. (Along the lines? Another 50+ storey tower?)


Standard Mill: A giant apartment complex of Beau Monde, with flats priced at over Rs 1 crore each. Builder Sheth Developers calls it ‘a tribute to Mumbai (Beaumonde halted too! :eek: )


Residential towers have also been cleared by the BMC for:
Bombay Dyeing Mill, Victoria Mills, Piramal Mills, Hindustan Mills, Eastern Spinning & Weaving Mill, Ruby Mill

Of the 25 nationalised mills in the city, NTC has auctioned five since March. The sales, the High Court says, does not adhere to the sanctioned revival scheme

Jupiter Mill, 10 acres: The first NTC mill to come onto the market was sold to the stock firm India Bulls in March for Rs 276 crore. The BMC cleared a two-tower ‘techopark’ office complex here in August


Apollo Mill, 8 acres: The NTC mill land received the highest bid of Rs 180 crore. Residential towers are planned here


Mumbai Mill, 17 acres: Purchased by Delhi-based DLF and Akruti Nirman developers for Rs 702 crore, the mill, among the city’s largest, will make way for a cinema complex and mall


Elphinstone Mill, 8 acres: Was purchased by India Bulls for Rs 441 crore
Kohinoor, 5 acres: Was purchased jointly by Manohar Joshi’s Kohinoor CTN Developers and Raj Thackeray’s Matoshree Realtors for Rs 421 crore. A residential complex-cum-shopping centre is planned

Hey guys,


A whole lotta something just came together for me.

Brace yourselves to be disappointed...


So yeah, remember that 140 storey tower in Mumbai thing? (http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=185036)

From that old article (http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=119225).
Piramal’s family bought Morarjee Mills in 1931 but a part of the current mill complex belongs to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which leased it out in 1936. Piramal’s Ashok Tower project is just one of the many soaring high-profile towers and malls cleared by the BMC across 300 acres of private mill land.

...

Outside Piramal’s sleek office in his newly built Peninsula Corporate Park, a battalion of construction workers and machines works feverishly through the night: Excavators gouge the earth for a 1000-car underground basement; the first of a whopping 140 stories takes shape; and at the far end of the seven-acre expanse, the last brick walls of the 170 year-old mill crumble.

A kilometre away, his second mill, Morarjee Unit 2 has already made way for a ‘‘world-class’’ office tower, leased to new-economy companies like Tata-AIG Insurance, the cellphone network, Orange, and Wellsprings, a luxury medical centre.

Now that was from this February. Now from the previous article (http://www.indianexpress.com/full_story.php?content_id=80551&pn=4) on the mills, we learn...
Morarjee Mill 1: Construction of the residential complex ‘Ashok Towers’, with three 30-storeyed and a 50-storeyed tower, underway for the past six months. Part of the mill’s land is on a 956-year lease for annual rent of Rs 1

Morarjee Mill 2: Peninsula Corporate Park houses new economy offices like TATA-AIG and Orange, as well as a posh health centre, Wellsprings; part of the land is on a 999-year lease.

...So Morarjee Mill 1 consists of Ashok Towers.... i.e.:
http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/5771/16vb.jpg

3 x 30 storey towers + 1 x 50 storey towers = total of 140 storeys.


...


So, yes. The article is quite correct in saying 140 storeys..


...but he forgot to mention in 4 bloody towers!!!. :sleepy:

Stupid $@%^& reporters.


...Plus... I have no idea how "world class" some 'economy offices' on Mill 2 can be. :sleepy:


-------==--=--==-------


Yeah...

So OK. I made another connection.

Prepare again to be disappointed, fellow Mumbaikars and Mumbaikar wannabees...


So remember this year-old article? (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-855140,prtpage-1.cms):
The National Textile Corporation (NTC), which hopes to sell 17 of its mills, is looking at an integrated development scheme (IDS) that includes a 75-storey World Trade Centre and a 1.6 million square feet international software park.

According to planners, the scheme will help transform the central Mumbai heartland into an international commercial hub.

...

Central to the NTC plan, developed by Team One Architects, is a World Trade Centre in the 12-acre plot of India United No.6 Mills off Cadell Road at Dadar, which has a over 200-meter sea frontage.

...

The mill with its large seafront and convenient access, is ideally positioned to host a world class convention centre, NTC planners feel.

A convention centre can use twice the normal FSI (a floor space index of 2.66), and the two architects Paresh Kapse and Aditya Yamsanwar have proposed a 75-storey tower accommodating 16 lakh square feet of commercial space.

“If TDR is loaded from other NTC properties to the Cadell Road mill, we can go as high as 120 floors,” an NTC planner told ET
Okay, now what does that tell us? A 75 storey building planned at India United No. 6 Mill, which has sea frontage.


Now we just had that recent storey on the approval of construction for the 72 storey India International Trade Tower (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1234497.cms), remarkably, also on a seafront location, at Indu Mills land.

...

Now guess what I realized "Indu Mills" stands for?

...

Yup.

You guessed it.

"India United."


So the proposed 75 storey tower that potentially can go up to 120(!) floors...

...and the only 72 storey IITC...

...are one and the same.


And apparently Team One Architects in Mumbai, convineantly owned by 75-storey-tower-architect-designers Paresh Kapse and Aditya Yamsanwar themselves (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1234148.cms), were the guys that NTC hired to scout their mill compounds for development. And they had apparently reccomended (http://www.mid-day.com/news/city/2003/august/60837.htm) that only Indu Mill No 6 can be allowed to build a tower.

So, for Indu Mill No 6, a 120 storey tower it is not. Hell, a 75 storey tower it is not. But 72 storey tower it is.


-------==--=--==-------


Do I sound bitter?

Yes.

But lets put it in perspective.

In the last year and a half, the tallest tower in Mumbai jumped from <40 storeys, to 75. When the whole Mill fiasco is sorted out, and a planned CBD is in place, with extra-fucking-ordinarily high real estate prices due to the delay (http://www.hindu.com/biz/2005/10/24/stories/2005102401171800.htm)... (plus the whole Noida Tower thing)... we are GOING to see supertalls in Mumbai in the very near future.

"Patience", I keep telling myself.




...Anyway, on a side note. It does seem like Mr Yamsanwar used to work with Hafeez Contractor (http://www.indiabuildnet.com/arch/ahc_2.htm), at one point.

So this may give him some Mumbai-tectural 'street cred' to all of us fanboys.

W00t.

-Jai

Sorry to go all "Captain Mumbai" on you guys all of a sudden, but speaking of HC, here's a recent interesting interview...

"We are fostering a culture of scarcity" (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu1&leftindx=1&lselect=2&chklogin=N&autono=203225)
REAL ESTATE
Gayatri Ramanathan / Mumbai October 18, 2005

If you do a web search of Mumbai’s most famous buildings, more than half, you will find, bear Hafeez Contractor’s signature. (Jai sez: Thanks in no small part to all of us at SSC India, which pretty much dominates any web search on anything Mumbai buildings :D) This 53-year-old architect is known as much for quirky designs as for his radical views on Mumbai’s ills. In a conversation with Business Standard, he outlines his prescription for the city which can also be applied to other metros in the country.


What would you say is Mumbai’s biggest problem today?

Today if you ask anybody what is Mumbai’s biggest problem, they will tell you that the city has no infrastruture, roads, drainage, water supply, medical facilities or ambience.

Then we talk about old buildngs and rent control. Flat prices here are out of reach of most ordinary people. Yet, we have the city’s elite saying that we should not have any developments.

The crux of Mumbai’s problems is that 55 percent of its people live in slums and do not pay taxes. Of the remaining 40 per cent, ten per cent live in old cessed buildings and pay very low taxes.

In south Mumbai, barring Peddar Road and Napeansea Road, areas like Girgaum, Mohammed Ali Road, Tardeo, Colaba are all old and virtually dilapidated buildings. The entire burden of development is falling on the 30 per cent who are paying taxes.


How can you expect them to foot the cost of the city’s development? What will the city earn from?

Let’s look at why people are staying in slums and old buildings. Today, if you want to buy a flat in Mumbai, you have to put aside 15-20 years of your income.

Because we have made a law that the city will only grant an FSI of 1.33, on the grounds that it is an island city and there is no infrastructure. Yet, we have a population of 16 million and more are coming in. Still we have people saying “no infrastructure, no development”.

So people live in slums. We have develpoment, but those people are not paying taxes. This is the crux of the problem: We are fostering a market of scarcity.


What should be done to change that?

We have people saying Mumbai contributes 35 per cent of all taxes so the central government should give the city more. Delhi is not going to give us anything. A city cannot survive on begging. Nor can we go to the World Bank and ask for Rs 55,000 crore to put the city in order. The firstthing they will ask is ‘How are you going to repay?’ We don’t have repayment plan.

Where is the monetary going to come from? That is your golden question. The golden answer is that the need for more housing is already there. So let us enhance the opportunities there.

In Mumbai, people want to go up because they can that is only way they can get a sea view. It is like having an an open air park in front of your house: You feel better. When there are no parks, people go for the sea view.

All the small restaurants in the Fort area have been sold to banks. All the hair cutting saloons have gone. Our streets are now filled with boys selling chinese food. But we still don’t want to give extra FSI.

In New York, if the builder gives a restaurant on the ground floor of a building, sandwich corner and a hair cutting saloon, puts a park with benches, a water body and a sculpture, he gets extra FSI for all of these additions.

The basic FSI of 7or 8 can go up to 25 on the basis of these additions. Unless you give benefits for creating utilities, no builder is going to do anything for the city. It is not that our housing is expensive to build, it is the price of air.


What is this price of air?

In the city today, the price of housing is Rs 25,000 - Rs 30,000 a sqaure foot. The cost of construction is Rs 2000 sq ft, finance, etc., is Rs 500 sq ft and land is Rs 5000 sq ft. Today, the city gives an FSI of 1.33. If that is rasied to 10 with the additional 8.7 being sold by a real estate endowment trust to the builders. (Jai sez: FSI of 10?!! :D :D :D)

The trust in turn plows the money back into the city’s infrastructure. With this you will get development which is legal, money which can be plowed into the city. The endowment should be set up by the municpality, so that the money does not get dissipated in other schemes, it is used only for the city’s infrastructure.

This FSI should be made availble only the builder commits to creating social infrastructure like low-cost housing, schools and hospitals. With a trust like this, you can create infrastructure for the city easily and quickly in 10-15 years

Ok, some pics now.

Here's an ultra-high res image of RNA Millenium Township:
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/327/rnamilleniumtownship6pq.th.jpg (http://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rnamilleniumtownship6pq.jpg)


Here's a treat... A map of Mumbai's mill lands that are approved for development:
http://img464.imageshack.us/img464/800/mumbaimilllandsresized2cq.jpg

To download a reeeal hi res version of the above (1752x1952 pixels), for printing out and hanging over your bed so its the last thing you see before you sleep at night, or to use as a table cover if you are so inclined, download the 2.53 meg image from Megaupload, here (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BLGU7FKY) .

I'm not certain Megaupload.com is totally work safe, but it is very reliable. So if can't DL it, PM me and I'll hook you up another way.

-Jai

Jai, I hope that the 72 storey tower will come up. The sooner the better though.
P.S -- 3 x 30 + 1 x 50!!!!! How stiupd can people get?. The guy must have been on crystal meth when he wrote the bloody article! :))

So is the IITC ever going to be built?

Here's a nice project proposal submission by Synergy Property Development Services, for the Kirloskar Group Corporate Office 'on the Mumbai-Pune expressway.' I'll just post it here.

http://www.synergyind.com/images/projImg_DAC06.jpg

http://www.synergyind.com/images/projImg_DAC06right.jpg



The project is a competition project for Kirloskar Group. The design includes foot print master planning of the site with other blocks and designing of the main corporate office for the client with an auditorium block attached to it. The buildings long slender volume with its dynamic composition lends it aesthetics. The twin towers sloping symmetrically in opposite in directions hold the entire composition on site. The building will be developed as a part of Advanced Business Complex, which will be a part of portfolio of similar development in the country.

wow, that is an amazing rendering. hope it really turns out that way.

and also regarding skyscrapers, i think instead of building >100 storey towers without the right infrastructure in place, we should start off with 50 to 80 floor ones and then move up.

SNEAK PEEK AT A NEW MARINE DRIVE

PROPOSED HIGHLIGHTS

Length of Marine Drive: 6 km

Cost of project: Rs 150 crore

Cost of first phase: Rs 30 crore

Executing agency: MMRDA (BMC may be roped in to finance)


Fancy fountain that will use water from the sea

Capsule lift at Air India building (at a later stage)

Paver block pavement

Sleek street furniture

Green patches along entire stretch, palm groves at Chowpatty

Memorial parks with statues

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/6067/marinedrive12yt.jpg

QUEEN’S Necklace

MMRDA has plotted a Rs 150-cr makeover for Marine Drive. TOI does some crystal gazing to tell you what the stretch may look like in the future

By Yogesh Naik/TNN

Mumbai: Queen’s Necklace is now getting ready to dazzle even more with a Rs 150-crore makeover plan. The project will be financed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and, if things work out, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.
The first phase, likely to cost Rs 30 crore, will involve refurbishment of the pavement, building sea-walls, redesigning the underbelly of the Princess Street flyover and installation of street furnitue. Architects have also suggested that the two foot-bridges at Chowpatty be dismantled and the authorities go in for four subways along Marine Drive.
But a senior government official said the technical feasibility of constructing subways needed to be studied in view of the proximity to the sea.
Urban acitivsts also feel that the stainless steel furniture will not go well with the art-deco buildings in the background. “They should use chemically-coated furniture with the period look so that they blend with the overall ambience of the promenade,’’ one of them said.
“The physical work of reconstruction will start next week,’’ state secretary for special projects Sanjay Ubale said. A senior MMRDA official said the agency would like the BMC to share 50 per cent of the cost. “But, as usual, the BMC bosses have been claiming that they have no money,’’ he added.
The makeover plan was initiated by the Sushil Kumar Shinde government. Three leading firms submitted design proposals but the presentation made by Ratan Batliboi Architects was approved.
But the grand plans have had an unexpected fall-out; Mumbai’s city district guardian minister Ramraje Nimbalkar wants a similar refurbishment plan for the Worli seaface that has eroded walls and pavements.

MARINE DRIVE MAKEOVER

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/9443/marinedrive20tz.jpg

There are plans to dismantle the two flyovers near Charni Road and Chowpatty and, instead, have four subways to help people cross the busy stretch

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/4671/marinedrive39ej.jpg

This is MMRDA’s impression of what the refurbished pavement along Marine Drive will look like; the footpath is going to be fitted with paver blocks

http://img357.imageshack.us/img357/1646/marinedrive44ve.jpg

The underbelly of the Princess Street flyover will cease to look seedy once the MMRDA is done with the stretch

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/8219/marinedrive51cl.jpg

A plot will be earmarked for a memorial park. Green patches with palm groves have been planned around them where you can sit and while away your time

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/5628/marinedrive65al.jpg

The Air India building in the vicinity may have capsule lifts to give visitors a bird’s eye view of the six-km-long stretch

http://img460.imageshack.us/img460/3298/marinedrive77er.jpg

The first phase will see the pavement being fitted with paver blocks, sea-walls being built and stainless steel and granite benches, bins and signages being installed. A fancy fountain will be erected at the junction of Veer Nariman Road and Netaji Subhash Road. There are also plans to have green patches along the entire length of the pavement and, in the second phase, fountains at Nariman Point near NCPA and an amphitheatre near Birla Kreeda Kendra

Good to see plans start to cement. That memorial park mentioned would be dedicated to Dr. Ambedkarji, iirc?

Sweet!

DSK Durgamata Towers (Last time I posted some of these, they were proposals. Now it is underconstruction!)
http://tinypic.com/f35nif.jpg

Zahra
http://tinypic.com/f35nh0.jpg

Lake Castle
http://tinypic.com/f35n5v.jpg
http://tinypic.com/f35na0.jpg

Planet Godrej
http://tinypic.com/f35nd5.jpg

RNA Mirage
http://tinypic.com/f35pqh.jpg

The Legend
http://tinypic.com/f35pv6.jpg

Evershine Crown
http://tinypic.com/f36cte.jpg

Blue Diamond
http://tinypic.com/f36f7l.jpg

Raheja Princess
http://tinypic.com/f36frp.jpg

Celebration and Sparkle
http://tinypic.com/f36glv.jpg

Orbit Heights
http://tinypic.com/f36irl.jpg

La Sonrisa
http://tinypic.com/f36jad.gif

Cooper
http://tinypic.com/f36lg1.jpg

Mage, check out Mumbai U/C highrise projects list and renders (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=235076) for all those and more :)


Some projects from GHP Group. Not sure if completed or not.

Shimmering Heights, Powai
20 storeys
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/7955/13mj.jpg

Whispering Woods, Powai
15 storeys
http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/5127/29cn.jpg

Hey guys, some cool news

Remember this project
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6721/oceanickandivaliahuja0pz.th.jpg (http://img86.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oceanickandivaliahuja0pz.jpg)
Oceanic
Plot No. 1, Kandivali (W), Mumbai
18 storeys
Architect:
Developer: Ahuja Group
Status: Under Construction
Well, it seems Ahuja realized that the above building looks like crap.

And they redid it to this beaut:
http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/8510/47projbig113jx.jpg

Good call, Ahuja group!


Also, here's a new, better render of
Samarpan, Borivali (E)
http://www.kanakia.com/popup/html/Samarpan.jpg
Developer: Kanakia Construction Pvt.Ltd


Some more new projects

Runwal Garden City, Thane
http://img494.imageshack.us/img494/5498/cityblowdetail2kp.th.gif (http://img494.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cityblowdetail2kp.gif)
18 storeys
Architect:
Developer: Runwal Group
Status: Under Construction, Possession by June 2007

Palm Beach Galleria,
Beach Road, Vashi
http://www.braheja.com/archive/galleria/images/home2.jpg
Developer: B Raheja

You guys are awesome man! Go Mumbai!!

A Hummer for the city police?


Auto experts tell CM, get civilian model of US military’s Humvee so police can drive in floods; Great idea, says police chief.
Reshma Patil

Mumbai, October 31: BEFORE actor Suniel Shetty’s Hummer was infamously seized by revenue intelligence for alleged customs duty evasion, word of the 4.5 tonne US vehicle’s combat skills in plowing over rocks or 30-inch water had reached Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Mumbai has a discreet network of three Hummer owners, and a dozen well-heeled Hummer fans are making cautious inquiries to buy this civilian cousin of the US military’s Humvee.

The latest approval comes from auto experts who recommend the Hummer as a deserving addition to the Mumbai police force.

Last month, the Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) wrote to Deshmukh recommending Hummers as police vehicles. ‘‘In a 26/7 situation in Mumbai or the recent deluge in Bangalore, only a Hummer can drive in water,’’ Nitin Dossa, executive chairman WIAA, told Newsline. ‘‘I have told the police commissioner he should get this vehicle.’’

Commissioner of Police A N Roy agrees enthusiastically. ‘‘This would have to be a government decision, but a Hummer would be a great help to police in a disaster,’’ says Roy. ‘‘We could reach people in crisis situations like floods.’’

Roy estimates that just ‘‘one or two Hummers’’ to supplement their fleet of Boleros and Qualises would help in emergencies.

‘‘A Hummer drives through water or terrain where jeeps give up,’’ says Laljee Bhatia, auto adviser and consultant. ‘‘I have 12 Hummer inquiries, but I advise people to wait and watch for a shift in government policy.’’

An auto consultant aware of Mumbai’s Hummer demand warns that acquiring piles of mandatory documentation—like a ‘type approval certificate’—to clear customs is not easy. ‘‘People are confused how to buy. I discourage them from buying now.’’

But when the State is a buyer, the 105 per cent customs duty—it doubles Hummer costs to Rs 70 lakh-plus—could be waived, says Dossa. ‘‘Police jeeps cost Rs 6-9 lakh upwards but they are so low that they stall in floods,’’ he points out.

General Motors—it owns and markets the Hummer brand—does not list India on Hummer.com among nations with authorised dealers. But a Mumbai businessman managed to import it through an agent last year. ‘‘I got a Hummer within three months of my order,’’ he says, requesting anonymity. ‘‘It’s meant for Indian roads!’’

The cheapest Hummer is the mid-sized H3 model—the nickname’s Baby Hummer—and the Indian car fanatic has noticed it. ‘‘I see a very good market for H3 in India,’’ says Bhatia.

Is Deshmukh convinced?

Muscle on the road
Humvee—High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle—is the mainstay truck of the US military since 1985. Hummer is Humvee’s civilian cousin, made by A M General at Mishawaka, Indiana. Hummer is a Class III truck, not SUV, and plies on rocks, steps, water, hills Police vehicles (Toyota Qualis, Mahindra Bolero cost: Rs 6-11 lakh Hummer cost: Rs 25-35 lakh minus customs duty.

They should just requisition Suniel Shetty's

If it costs roughly $100 to fill up the tank in the US, I can only imagine how bad it would be in India.

____________________________________________

http://img489.imageshack.us/img489/8072/vastupark1ep.jpg

Abrol Vastupark, Malad (W)

21 storeys
Architect:
Developer: Abrol Builders
Status: under construction
____________________________________________

They are slowly becoming more glassy at least.

They are slowly becoming more glassy at least.
About time. :happy:

Mumbai's ageing buses to be replaced by year-end (http://in.news.yahoo.com/051101/43/60u0s.html)

By Harish C. Menon, Indo-Asian News Service

Mumbai, Nov 1 (IANS) Replacement of Mumbai's ageing buses that are more than 15 years old will be completed by the end of this year, a senior official of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking said.

BEST would replace nearly 1,282 buses that are more than 15 years old by the end of the year at a cost of nearly Rs.3.4 billion. :cheers:

The process, which began after a December 2003 Mumbai High Court order asking BEST to make the replacement, involves 1,282 buses, out of which 278 are double-decker buses.

'Orders have been placed with a company and we will be completing the total revamp this year,' said Sandeep Jakhi, superintendent of transport, BEST.

'We had estimated the total cost of replacement to be around Rs.3.4 billion including the cost of introducing 100 new CNG buses every year,' Jakhi told IANS in an interview.

The court had added in its order that 100 new buses should be introduced in the city for the period of six years beginning 2004.

'We have already introduced 200 CNG buses and another 400 will follow in the next four years,' Jakhi noted.

The BEST has purchased bus chassis from truck and bus major Ashok Leyland at the rate of Rs.1.7 million for a double-decker chassis, while that of a single-decker would range from Rs.860,000 to Rs.1.2 million.

'In addition to this, the bus body costs another Rs.1 million per double-decker and around half of that for a single-decker,' Jakhi added.

The BEST buses, which carry around 4.5 million passengers everyday, complement the city's suburban trains operated by the Central and Western Railways that carry nearly seven million people.

Out of the 3,391 BEST buses, 725 are double-deckers, modelled on London's double-deckers and have been plying on the city's roads since 1937.

Mumbai Port Trust scouting for consultants for cruise terminal project (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu1&leftindx=1&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=204695)

Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) is scouting for consultants for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for constructing a greenfield cruise terminal on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis at an estimated cost of Rs 153 crore.

“The board of Mumbai port has already approved the concept of greenfield cruise terminal and the port has floated global tenders, inviting consultants to prepare a detailed report for the proposed dedicated cruise terminal,” said P Mohanachandran, secretary, Mumbai Port .
....
Mohanachandran said that the location of the greenfield cruise terminal is near Radio Club in south Mumbai. It would be a finger jetty and would be able to handle cruise vessels at both the sides. The special approach road to this terminal would facilitate easy evacuation of tourists.

According to an MbPT official, the port would construct a berth, a trestle, mooring dolphins, walkways and a terminal building on the the proposed berth of cruise terminal. It would also carry out capital dredging of the approach channel.

No timelimes yet

Raheja Atlantis - render

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/4912/rahejaatlantislarge7kg.jpg

Looks great!

Ansal Heights
Dr. G M Bhonsle Marg, Near Worii Naka, Mumbai - 400 018

http://www.ansals.com/ansal_heights.asp

Render

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/8956/ansalheights5ly.jpg

Ansal Whispering Meadows
Mulund (W), Mumbai

http://www.ansals.com/whispering.asp

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/2871/ansalwhispering6rc.jpg

Ruwal Pride (a better rendering)

http://img154.imageshack.us/img154/4361/runwalpride5vx.jpg

La Citadel, Lokhandwala

http://www.shethdevelopers.com/lacitadel.htm

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1791/lacitadel5ii.jpg

wow another sheth biggie.

Supreme Residency
14th Road, Bandra(W)
http://www.supremedevelopers.com/

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/1627/supremeresidency14ju.jpg

I get vertigo just looking at that rendering

Bids for Mumbai Trans Harbor link to be called by Nov end (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=204896)

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will be in a position to invite bids for the Rs 4,000-crore Mumbai Trans Harbor Link (MTHL, Sewri-Nhava Sheva Sea Link) by the end of this month.

Speaking to Business Standard, a senior MSRDC official said, "We have received six letters of intent (LoI) from different consortiums. Right now, we are in the process of evaluating their bids on financial, technical and legal counts. Those who are shortlisted will be asked to submit the final bid document and we hope to complete this evaluation process by the end of this month."

"We expect the work to start on this project by the end of next year and the consortium which quotes the least period of handing over the completed project back to the government, will be awarded the contract," he added.

The official further added that work on the sea link project between Worli and Nariman Point was also expected to start sometime in the mid-2006, with a consultancy contract being awarded for the project last month.

Speaking about the Bandra-Worli sea link project he said, "The project can be completed only in 2007 as right now, only around 25 per cent work on the project has been completed. The approach roads on both sides have been completed and soon, work on erecting the bridge will commence."

Hi, I'm new here and i need your helps. I'm from Thailand and right now i'm doing a paper on shopping malls in India. I would like to know that are there any modern shopping malls in Mumbai which do not have any theatres or cinemas? Are there any theatres or cinemas at Shoppers Stop - Andheri? And i would like to know details of shopping arcade at the Taj hotel and the Oberoi Towers. Please i really need your helps as soon as possible !!!
Thank you in advance.

I know magestorm has many photos on malls so he could probably help you out. And I don't think all malls have cinemas. A few years back Crossroads was the hippest mall (I guess) and I don't think it had one.

Well If you check out some threads around here, I'm sure that should help a bit. :)

Tallest twin towers (http://www.business-standard.com/smartinvestor/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu6&leftindx=6&lselect=11&chklogin=N&autono=205086)

Gayatri Ramanathan / Mumbai November 10, 2005
The Rs 500 cr project in Mumbai will be a landmark structure.

Mumbai will soon be home to the country’s tallest building, a 252 metre-high twin residential tower designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor.

The Rs 500 crore project, in Tardeo, Central Mumbai in the N P Mills compound, is being developed by construction major Shapoorji Pallonji in a joint venture with Dilip Thacker under the banner of S D Corporation.

The twin residential towers of 60 storeys each are expected to be a landmark in the Indian construction industry, designed to withstand both cyclone velocity winds and earthquakes.

Said Joseph Colaco, president of the Houston-based CBM Engineering and structural consultant on the project, “Since geographically, Mumbai is prone to both cyclones and earthquakes, we have designed the towers to withstand both cyclone winds and earthquakes. While designing the building, we took into consideration the following factors: Mumbai’s climate, wind pressure, proximity to the sea, height of the building, various safety aspects and possibility of earthquakes.”

Coalco points out that shorter buildings are at greater risk compared to high rise structures of 50 or more storeys during earthquakes. “As the earthquake waves are horizontal, shorter buildings tend to get flattened out. With taller buildings, the waves take more time to travel up, and the structure builds up resistance with different sections often responding in opposing directions.”

One of the prominent features of the building include s large and specialty windows, designed to withstand the immense wind pressure at higher levels. The glass used is heat resistant and is specially strengthened to withstand high wind pressure at higher altitudes.

The frames are aluminum composite panel, fire resistant and having a high fire rating. It is leak proof and less prone to corrosion. The window glass is laminated to prevent breakage in case of quakes making them safer.

The laminated glass cracks but does not disintegrate. However, the windows are minimum openable as too many open windows will create problems at higher altitudes.

The building also offers maintenance free permanent exterior façade, split air conditioning in all apartments, 24 large capacity high speed elevators, a fully equipped health club and spa, indoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar, a mini theatre and guest rooms and nine levels of car parking.

The towers will offer spacious apartments and sprawling penthouses approximately measuring 1400 sq ft to 7500 sq ft. The view from the first residential level of the buildings will be above the roof levels of most of the surrounding buildings and will over look the entire skyline of Mumbai on either side, with a commanding view of the Arabian Sea.

These are premium residential projects having exquisitely planned apartments and best of facilities and amenities having international standards. This project is an example of the global standards that the company always strives to achieve.


...no info on the tower from their website (http://www.cbmengineers.com/projects1.htm)

Tallest twin towers (http://www.business-standard.com/smartinvestor/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu6&leftindx=6&lselect=11&chklogin=N&autono=205086)

Gayatri Ramanathan / Mumbai November 10, 2005
The Rs 500 cr project in Mumbai will be a landmark structure.

Mumbai will soon be home to the country’s tallest building, a 252 metre-high twin residential tower designed by renowned architect Hafeez Contractor.

The Rs 500 crore project, in Tardeo, Central Mumbai in the N P Mills compound, is being developed by construction major Shapoorji Pallonji in a joint venture with Dilip Thacker under the banner of S D Corporation.

The twin residential towers of 60 storeys each are expected to be a landmark in the Indian construction industry, designed to withstand both cyclone velocity winds and earthquakes.

Said Joseph Colaco, president of the Houston-based CBM Engineering and structural consultant on the project, “Since geographically, Mumbai is prone to both cyclones and earthquakes, we have designed the towers to withstand both cyclone winds and earthquakes. While designing the building, we took into consideration the following factors: Mumbai’s climate, wind pressure, proximity to the sea, height of the building, various safety aspects and possibility of earthquakes.”


Are these the same SD towers that were originally purported to be 210m, or are they different? (I know it sounds stupid esp. since there are a number of indications that they are the same towers) Also, does anyone here have details on earthquake risks in Mumbai? I mean, I really don't think that it has as much of a problem with them as, say, Tokyo, SF, or LA.

Are these the same SD towers that were originally purported to be 210m, or are they different?
The SD Towers are 210m while these are 252m, so I'm guessing they're different complexes.

Looks like same project! So it's gonna be 42 m taller!

Maharashtra’s private port plan runs into rough weather

Mumbai Port Trust argues Rewas port will encroach its territory, pollute sea

RAKSHIT SONAWANE

Posted online: Wednesday, November 16, 2005 at 0057 hours IST

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 15: An ambitious Maharashtra government plan to develop a new privately run port to handle spiralling shipping traffic is being fiercely opposed by the 132-year-old Mumbai Port Trust.

The plan to develop the port of Rewas—about 10 nautical miles (16 km) south-east of Mumbai harbour—was strongly objected to by the Mumbai Port Trust in a recent meeting called by the Ministry of Shipping in New Delhi.

The Mumbai Port Trust was not told about the state government move to allot almost half of its territorial waters to Amma Lines, a private firm with which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2002. The Mumbai Port Trust got galvanised only now because another private port—Maharashtra’s first—in Dighi, 45 nautical miles (72 km) south of Mumbai just got environmental clearance.

‘‘We have strongly objected to the plan, which would lead to unhealthy competition in the harbour,’’ the secretary of the Mumbai Port Trust P Mohana Chandra said. ‘‘Besides, there should be a single controlling authority.’’

Apart from the parcelling of its territory, the Mumbai Port Trust contended that:

• The new private port would complicate port operations, since the new port’s territory would begin at the mouth of Mumbai port’s shipping channel.

• The operations would cause sea pollution

• There would be too much shipping capacity

The Mumbai Port Trust has also pointed out to the shipping ministry a policy document issued by the ministry in October 2004 that says: ‘‘No carving out of a minor port from the territorial limits of a major port... to avoid unhealthy competition.’’

Rewas port (proposed)

• 10 nm south-east of Mumbai port
• Draught upto 18 metres - 21 berths
• Estimated investment: Rs 4,500 crore
• Will handle mainly containers

Dighi port (proposed)
• 45 nm south of Mumbai port
• Draught: 11 m
• Six jetties
• Estimated investment: Rs 1,000 crore
• Will handle mainly bulk and liquid cargo

http://www.indianexpress.com/ieimages/pics/rewas-b.jpg

The territorial waters of Mumbai Port are spread over about 400 sq km.

Mumbai Port Trust Chief Engineer N M Purohit, who attended the Delhi meeting, argued it was ‘‘dangerous to have a private port in our neighbourhood’’.

Of course, there’s the Jawaharlal Nehru Port across the harbour, ‘‘but is our sister port, controlled by the government’’.

S R Kulkarni, a trustee, was perhaps the most direct in his objections. ‘‘It is going to have a major effect on us and will spell doom for our commercial interests,’’ he said.

However, the state’s Principal Secretary (Transport) R R Sinha—who recently sought voluntary retirement and was the deputy chairperson of the Mumbai Port Trust for six years till 2003—has rubbished the port’s claim.

‘‘The only reason they are opposing the new port is because they are scared of competition,’’ said Sinha. ‘‘It is illogical in the era of globalisation and when the country has a 6,000-km waterfront. The Trust can at least grant the right of way through its territorial waters for ships calling on Rewas.’’

The state is going ahead with the project. ‘‘Within six months, construction activity at Rewas will begin,’’ said K P Bakshi, chief executive officer of the Maharashtra Maritime Board, which is executing both the Rewas and Dighi projects.

The Board has started acquisition of 3,700 hectares of land for Rewas and begun work on rail and road connections. The Rewas project will cost Rs 4,500 crore and Dighi Rs 1,000 crore, Bakshi said.

The Rewas project has gained momentum at a time when both the Mumbai and Jawaharlal Nehru ports Trust are improving their draughts (depth) to accommodate larger vessels.

Mumbai port has a maximum draught of 10.7 m while Jawaharlal Nehru Port has a draught of 12.5 m, which is being deepened to 14.5 m in one year (at the cost of Rs 700 crore) and finally to 16.5 m.

The Rewas port would open with a draught of 13 m, which would be deepened to 18 m. That means Rewas would be able to handle some of the world’s largest container ships.

The Mumbai Port is also constructing an offshore container terminal to accommodate vessels too large for its 132 year-old lock-gate and the dock-basin.

252m is great for 60 storeys!

[b]

‘‘The only reason they are opposing the new port is because they are scared of competition,’’ said Sinha. ‘‘It is illogical in the era of globalisation and when the country has a 6,000-km waterfront. The Trust can at least grant the right of way through its territorial waters for ships calling on Rewas.’’


I think this is one of the major reasons for BPT's opposition. Everybody loves a captive market and nobody like competition especially public sector / government companies - becaase competition would mean that BPT will have to provide better services.

of course thats their reason. thats the reason for most public undertakings. if they have competition, god forbid, they may actually have to improve their services, be nice to the customer and work for a change. i think that scares the living daylights out of them

I posted the 252m news of SD tower in the international forums.

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=6239728#post6239728

F3 track coming up near Panvel! (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu4&leftindx=4&lselect=7&chklogin=Y&autono=203332)

Source:Business Standard

A Formula 1 (F1) track in India might be a distant dream but motoring buffs in the country can have some consolation. A Formula 3 (F3) track is coming up near Panvel, along the Mumbai-Pune expressway.

Nitin Dosa, executive chairman of the Western India Automobile Association, told Business Standard that the track would come up on a 75 acre plot and the cost of the project would be around Rs 50 crore.

Dosa said the state government had promised to hand over the plot by the end of this year. The project would be completed within two to three years of getting possession of the land.

“F3 grand prix race may come to India by 2010.” he said. In terms of racing track, there is hardly any difference between F1 and F3, but similarities end here. In terms of the speed of the cars, money pumped in, fan following, glamour, infrastructure etc, there is a world of difference between the F1 and F3 racing.

While F1 cars do easily cross the 350 km per hour (kmph) mark, F3 cars manage to hover between 250 to 280 kmph. Then there is a vast difference in the kind of money involved in the two versions of the motor sport. While teams such as Ferrari pays its top driver Michael Schumaker a salary of $30 million per annum, that could be the annual budget of the top team in the F3 category.

Meanwhile, senior tourism department officials said that the government was very keen on bringing F1 racing to the state, as it would not only bring in investments to the tune of Rs 2,000 crore but would also generate employment. A plot of land near Gorai and Navi Mumbai has been found suitable by the racing association.

On the News Development section, someone posted that in the area of SD Towers (or SD Tower's units) go for a $3 million USD starting. How true is this? And if it is, are these bungalows or condos (and approx sq. ft/m is appreciated).

On the News Development section, someone posted that in the area of SD Towers (or SD Tower's units) go for a $3 million USD starting. How true is this? And if it is, are these bungalows or condos (and approx sq. ft/m is appreciated).

$3 million is appx Rs 13.5 crores. (hope I got that right at exchange rate of Rs 45 - Rs 135,000,000).

Is that a feasable amount? Depends on what the person is buying and how much square foot.

On the News Development section, someone posted that in the area of SD Towers (or SD Tower's units) go for a $3 million USD starting. How true is this? And if it is, are these bungalows or condos (and approx sq. ft/m is appreciated).
Seems like only millionaires are going to live in the SD towers.

500 crores is the development cost of this project, and this does not include the cost of the landpurchase. It said somewhere that this project comprises only 85 condos. 85 condos in 2 towers; well you guys can do the mathematical calculations yourself, and see for yourself, how close or far you come to my figures.

Seems like only millionaires are going to live in the SD towers.

Only millionaires can afford to buy property in central Mumbai!

Wasn't this stated in one of the articles, that the price of apartments adjacent to SD Towers has shot up to almost 10 crores or thereabouts in the bidding market. This is almost an year old news, and the article was posted and discussed on this very forum. I can understand why these apartments are so costly: because, most of them are held in company names, whereby the directors and the upper management make use of them. No wonder, the prices are so high, because companies can afford them but not private individuals. Besides, by keeping them as service apartments, companies can get tax rebates by deducting, service, maintenance and depreciation charges. :)

Now, do you get the hang of it, why some choice properties are so expensive in Mumbai? It's an inflated market, but the inflation is rocksolid, and won't go away. ;)

500 crores is the development cost of this project, and this does not include the cost of the landpurchase. It said somewhere that this project comprises only 85 condos. 85 condos in 2 towers; well you guys can do the mathematical calculations yourself, and see for yourself, how close or far you come to my figures.

Each unit could not possibly take up an entire floor.

Each unit could not possibly take up an entire floor.

This is the fashion in Mumbai, rightnow my friend. We are talking about apartments starting around 4000-5000 square feet range. There are many more prestigious projects in Central Mumbai area, which only have a single unit/floor.

^^ What exactly do the rich guys do, murder people. 13 crores :eek: :eek2:.

All this development is fine, but what about the middle class people. Are enough houses being built for them, for people like bankers etc(tho for bankers, atleast SBI, gives apartment for staff officer level staff), insurance people and other chota mota aadmi. And there is no government housing.

Actually what these developers could do is while they are making those flats for the slum dwellers, they could add a few extra floors and sell it to the lower-middle class people. That way they could make some money as well.

^^ What exactly do the rich guys do, murder people. 13 crores :eek: :eek2:.

All this development is fine, but what about the middle class people. Are enough houses being built for them, for people like bankers etc(tho for bankers, atleast SBI, gives apartment for staff officer level staff), insurance people and other chota mota aadmi. And there is no government housing.

Actually what these developers could do is while they are making those flats for the slum dwellers, they could add a few extra floors and sell it to the lower-middle class people. That way they could make some money as well.

Are you serious? Even low-middle class people don't want to do anything with the slum dwellers, let alone share the same real estate. Besides, like I said, most of these expensive apartments are CORPORATE APARTMENTS, where the company holds the title to the property. No wonder, the prices are so high, because the demand is being generated by corporations.

Okay, another way of explaining this is as such: You have tonnes of people who run midsize businesses, of which we know nothing. Diamond and Jewellery merchants, transporters, financiers, exporters and so on have enough money to buy/invest in these apartments. But they buy them in the name of the company, which saves them on personal income taxes, besides also saving corporate taxes, as property depreciation and property maintenance is tax-deductible. So, these honchos keep on living in company quarters without paying any annual wealth or property tax. Yet, at the same time their companies are also saving taxes. So you have a win win situation here, and it is going to remain so, because it has been like this in Mumbai for the last 50 odd years. But I agree, that through these means, the middle-classes are being keptout of Central Mumbai. It's not intentional, but things have fallen inplace as such.

However, you cannot accuse that there isn't enough property for middle classes. Mumbai is well connected with suburban trains, and if you are willing to live an hour away from proper Mumbai, then there are several options for the masses. As long as there's demand, developers have all the right to construct properties for the well heeled. It's perfectly legitimate! No one is being held hostage here!!

^^ Oh thanks for the explanation. I really felt bad for the middle class. Even if the govt is doing nothing for the middle class, the least they can do is to construct the metro so that thier travelling is easier. Oh well.

Any news from commercial projects in Mumbai ?

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1007/pano1qi.png

This was actually a full size advertisement from Hiranandani, but I couldn't post it whole due to size restrictions at imageshack. Anyways, why it caught my interest was because it states the revised height of Torino and Octavious. Originally, Torino and Octavious were to be 33 storeys, but it seems there has been a revision upwards!

After there Raheja Atlantis proposal

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=6088311&postcount=367

Here comes two more -

Raheja Legend, Worli

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1388/rahejalegendlarge3mj.jpg

Raheja Excelsior, Haji Ali

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/9416/rahejaexcelsiorlarge2fe.jpg

Wow, first looks really nice.

Raheja Legend looks awesome!!,i hope the projects gets a green light:)

^^ How tall are they?

^^ How tall are they?

Wish I knew.

The builder hasn't even specified the number of floors. Maybe they have them in the brochures.

Wow, first looks really nice.

Yes these three towers will be a good addition to the skyline.

Very classy

And awesome news on Hiranandani. Python, where'd you find that info?

Raheja Legend, Worli

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/1388/rahejalegendlarge3mj.jpg
Quick count gives me 50-54 floors, ~175-190m, plus an additional ~15-20m spire


edit--
is that the same as this project?
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2632/rahejalegendelev0td.jpg

and this?
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1210/rahejalegendsmall2sw.jpg



I am so friggin liking how all these towers are not only being redesigned to look cutting edge, but are being scaled upward big time. The last render was the first render put out, then the middle, and now the top.

I suspect most of the 'capital' projects are going to be significantly taller -- and in many cases much better looking -- when they get built, compared to the renders/height details we have initially collected.

Great news!

Very classy

And awesome news on Hiranandani. Python, where'd you find that info?

Oh..they had this huge AD in TOI or HT about acouple ofdays ago. I guess, this is a normal practice in Mumbai. Recall, that Heritage was supposed to be 34 storeys and 138 mts in height. It ended up being 36 storeys, and by that yardstick it should be touching the 145-147 metermark. Torino and Octavius are both going to cross the 150 metermark in my opinion, because of the height revisions.

Great towers! :okay:

Python

Good work man.

Being our now appointed Mumbai connection, y5ou think you can scan the relevant bits of real estate/project ads in the newspaper? Especailly the relevant bits like the height/floor information, and any renderings? And post them here?

By and far real estate ads are going to be targeted to domestic audiences via print media. Only the really, really expensive ones marketed to NRIs and PIOs will ever make it to the web. :(

PM me if you have any questions about how to scan and reduce the size of images

-Jai
Jai

Python

Good work man.

Being our now appointed Mumbai connection, y5ou think you can scan the relevant bits of real estate/project ads in the newspaper? Especailly the relevant bits like the height/floor information, and any renderings? And post them here?

By and far real estate ads are going to be targeted to domestic audiences via print media. Only the really, really expensive ones marketed to NRIs and PIOs will ever make it to the web. :(

PM me if you have any questions about how to scan and reduce the size of images

Cheers,
Jai

Will do Jai. Thanks for the good words! :)

Awesome

Oh also please try to post the full advert for the Hirananani buildings (doesnt have to be high qualitY)_, plus give the newspaper date and editition, so that I can use that as a source document to get the heights revised on SSP and Emporis

Is this old news being reported, or is the 72 storey tower a different project? i think they are the same, and in trouble.

State plans to extend Chaitya Bhoomi

Wednesday, October 26, 2005 9:55:4 IST
May be extended to adjacent NTC land; original plan could be shelved to give way to skyscraper..


--Select--NewsSportsDiaryEditorialsIn MumbaiOpinionsSpecial ReportLakme Fashion WeekThe Uppercrust ShowSpecial SectionBooksHealth CheckBusiness ExtraWoman's ExtraBombay FirstShow BuzzCelebrity InterviewsGuest ColumnStray ThoughtsRound and AboutBooksEating OutPoliticsInternet HumourTarotscopeAsit ChandmalDr.Shirin WadiaMehraboon Irani
for :

One of the famous landmarks in the city, an incomplete replica of ‘Ashoka Stambh’ and ‘Torna’ of Gaya erected in Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar’s honour and memory by the state government stands still at Chaitya Bhoomi in Dadar. However, this famous landmark is now locked in controversy.
The state government’s plans to extend Chaitya Bhoomi on to National Textile Corporation’s (NTC) land, which is adjacent to the Bhoomi. The plan is to scrap the original project to make way for a 104-storey World Trade Centre (WTC). However, this plan has the entire construction fraternity fuming.
According to sources at the Chaitya Bhoomi, nearly two years ago, the government had proposed to allot more place to the Bhoomi. However, nothing happened about this proposed allotment.
Balaji Sarvoday, a shopkeeper sits near the huge metal gate of the Bhoomi selling cassettes, compact disks and books on Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thinking and teachings. Being a member of Bhoomi Trust’s he is very happy that the government has floated the plan to extend the NTC land to the Chaitya Bhoomi. “Since two years, the government has been discussing proposals of handing over a part of the NTC land to us but to no avail. Even this year, the government has come up with the same plans, just to impress us in view of the next elections. If it really works out, then it would benefit scores of dalits in the city,” he says.
Bikaji Kamble of The Buddhist Society of India, says that even though the Bhoomi is declared a national monument, the government seems to be neglecting importance for its work. “Works of the gate, astumb, garden and the chaitya stubh have to be completed by the government. But they are very lackadaisical in their attitude towards the monument. Every time, the government talks of getting permission from different legal bodies. In fact, they should clear all the permission issues at one go. And since it’s politics, we too understand that corruption prevails even in helping us,” he said.
More than 25 lakh devotees from all over the country visit Chaitya Bhoomi on December 6. Most of these devotees come from the interiors of Maharashtra, mainly the Vidarbha region. Buddha Vandana is held on December 5 by Babasaheb’s daughter-in-law Meeratai Ambedkar.
Thousands of people from various parts of Maharashtra and the rest of the country converge at ‘Chaitya Bhoomi’ in Dadar, central Mumbai, to pay homage to the social reformer and Dalit leader.

are most of these being made in the downtown or in the suburbs

are most of these being made in the downtown or in the suburbs

Allover; such is Mumbai's market demand and it's geographic expanse.

Most are in th mill lands future CBD, and several are in other highrise clusters determined by property value around the city.


kshatriya,
I think its the same project. The parcel of land allowed upto 104 stories, but after the controversy, it was reported as being 74 stories. Maybe a 104 storey plan is back in the works? Mumbai builders always underplay height until it is completed

.....both with new projects and modified ones'! Enjoy :)

NEW

Lokhandwala Apartment Hotel: just next to Lokhandwala Queen's Court
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/5813/lokhandwalaapartmenthotel6ez.jpg

Nahar group - Amritshakti, Powai
http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/2296/naharamritshaktipowai6ay.jpg


Ongoing.....

RNA Mirage update
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7784/rnamirageupdate5bh.jpg
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/4240/rnamirageupdate20hn.jpg

Oberoi Spas - Supersized rending
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7249/oberoispas7cc.jpg

Oberoi Woods update
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6519/oberoiwoodsnewdesign2hz.jpg

Another "Whacky" project from HC - don't know the status of this one!

Jain Hotel & Mall, Mulund
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1861/jainhotelmall1ah.jpg

Nice stuff

Excellency
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/6728/rustomjeejexcellecyrender2vw.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5083/rustomjeejexcellecy2jm.jpg
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/1133/rustomjeejexcellecy21vq.jpg

Juhu Project
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9392/rustomjeejuhuproject3xw.jpg

Orva
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/2518/rustomjeeorva1qy.jpg

Regal
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/5598/rustomjeeregal9vb.jpg

O-Zone Layout: all of 16 acres with 2 storey underground parking!
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/900/rustomjeeozonelayout0ce.jpg

Cool stuff!

http://img364.imageshack.us/img364/7698/rustomjeeraaginallmajesty1nu.jpg

~~~~~~~~~~

Titanium Business Center
http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/6062/rahejatitaniumlarge3mv.jpg

Anchorage, Worli
http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/8103/rahejaanchorage8ex.jpg

That new RNA Mirage is disappointing :( The old one looks a lot better, but this new one looks more massive
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7587/14bt.jpg ==> http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7784/rnamirageupdate5bh.jpg

That new RNA Mirage is disappointing :( The old one looks a lot better, but this new one looks more massive
http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/7587/14bt.jpg ==> http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7784/rnamirageupdate5bh.jpg

Well, we all know, HC is fiddling all the time! Maybe, it's the photoangle + the bulge at the top, that's giving it a dissappointing look :dunno: Yeah..he has moved the spire to the back, and the base is more conventional now.

^^ So will the new one be taller than the older one? Any idea how tall?


http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/900/rustomjeeozonelayout0ce.jpg

They are seriously going to do this or is this just a marketing thing. If they are, I am jealous of the guys going to buy a house there. How much would one flat cost. Say the most basic flat.

Some more from his website

Tata Hospital, Mumbai
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/2384/10vy2.jpg


The mall of Citi of Joy residential complex
http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/3606/13nj2.jpg

I admit though, Oberoi Woods is much better looking
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/327/15xb.jpg==>http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6519/oberoiwoodsnewdesign2hz.jpg

^^ So will the new one be taller than the older one? Any idea how tall?



They are seriously going to do this or is this just a marketing thing. If they are, I am jealous of the guys going to buy a house there. How much would one flat cost. Say the most basic flat.

No mate, this one is already under construction, and would be complete by end 2007, as per the company website. Meanwhile, I didn't post the O-Zone picture, because it has already been posted. Albeit I did hooked onto the complete planning of this project. Every Builder in Mumbai is going upscale. The same is the case with Rustomjee. Their earlier projects are not eyeworthy, but the newer ones are premium +

Jai, don't post the photographs of the IB terminal from his Public Catalog. I have them on my PC, just didn't post them due to time constraint. Meanwhile, look how many malls he's designing, and quite afew are outside Mumbai, and look really cool are eyepleasing. :)

Jai, don't post the photographs of the IB terminal from his Public Catalog. I have them on my PC, just didn't post them due to time constraint. Meanwhile, look how many malls he's designing, and quite afew are outside Mumbai, and look really cool are eyepleasing. :)
I posted them in the airports thread :)

I'm going to have to redraw a lot of buildings on SSC now that he has updated them.


I'm wondering.. we don't see adverts for middle class housing in Mumbai. Likely they would target their ads in local media, realtors and real estate magazines.

Mumbai guys, is there a concurrent housing boom there as well? I've seen those new aerials of Mumbai posted by that Israeli tourist, and it seems there's a lot of rennovation/construction. What is the quality of the new buildings?

Meanwhile, is it just me or does Rustomjee Excellency really look massive for a single building project. It's not more than 80-85 meters, but just looks huge!

I'm wondering.. we don't see adverts for middle class housing in Mumbai. Likely they would target their ads in local media, realtors and real estate magazines.

Mumbai guys, is there a concurrent housing boom there as well? I've seen those new aerials of Mumbai posted by that Israeli tourist, and it seems there's a lot of rennovation/construction. What is the quality of the new buildings?

There's a boom allover the city. Even the chawl owners are getting tempting offers from builders to convert their shabby quarters into swank towers, and then sell the overflowing property on market rates. Mumbai is strapped for land, and anybody with a decent plotsize can now sell his holding, and eat for the rest of his life without working. The Banks are lending at such cheap rates, that everybody who earns over 5000 rupees/month will eventually endup with some form of property ownership.

self edited

Python,

Check this link out
http://www.constructionupdate.com/construct/infra/october2005/coverstory1.html

And you'll see why the recent Mill land ruling is a huge win for the city :)

Evershine Sapphire, Chandivali
http://img437.imageshack.us/img437/3721/15hd.jpg

Runwal Pride has been updated
http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/9914/13fm1.jpg

RNA's base looks much more realistic now instead of that "white tiger" color scheme.

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6519/oberoiwoodsnewdesign2hz.jpg

lovely & majestic at the same time. looks close to 40 floors.

Python,

Check this link out
http://www.constructionupdate.com/construct/infra/october2005/coverstory1.html

And you'll see why the recent Mill land ruling is a huge win for the city :)

Jai,

You thanks for realising why I removed that news! It just depressed me somuch, I didn't want to post it today. :cry: I was all along thinking that many of the current u/c projects might go the Pratibha way. The article clearly said, that builders were taking a huge risk by starting construction, without waiting for the final SC verdict. And this is the problem here: High Court upheld the decision of the Maharashtra Government, to allow the builders to construct according to their plans, and then this was challenged in the Supreme Court by a PIL. With HC decision getting the snub, I don't know where this episode is going to end. The final SC hearing is slated for midweek december.

Yesterday, I was feeling euphoric that all these skyscrapers will get built, because atleast, 30000 crore rupees is at stake here. The mill owners have made their killings, and the builders are saddled with huge debts, if their projects don't go through. I just cannot imagine, why the fuck, were the property auctions not put onhold, until the things sorted out? I mean, this litigation has been going on for awhile, meanwhile all along, properties have been publically auctioned. Couldn't the SC pass an order until the final judgement came? What's the idea behind locking so many billions, when there's no clarity on the issue? Every deal has been an public affair, and was widely covered in the Media, then why didn't the authorities think it as fair, to protect the builders/developers from an eventually disastrous outcome!!!

This whole things sucks, and no doubt, Mumbai and India's image will take abeating.

as i have always said...until i see a finished building, i never believe it will ever come up....same thing applies for any road or for that matter, ANYTHING that is proposed in india. the politicians SUCK. do anything to put some money in their own pockets. eventually this mill land thing will be sorted out because the politicians will eventually be BRIBED and things will fall into place. this is the truth of india.

as i have always said...until i see a finished building, i never believe it will ever come up....same thing applies for any road or for that matter, ANYTHING that is proposed in india.

Not to worry. There is plenty u/c right now

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=281203

:)


The two sides of the story

Why anxiety sweeps upper-crust buyers of mill-land flats

Those who bought flats in Central Mumbai high-rises fret about investments.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=154643

Mumbai Mill Lands retrieved for the People

http://www.goodnewsindia.com/index.php/Supplement/article/401/

Meanwhile

No interim order on NTC plea: Supreme Court
Matter listed for December 13
High Court erred in interpretation: SLPs
No "violation" of BIFR scheme

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any interim order against a Bombay High Court judgment scrapping the Rs 20,000 crore project to develop land belonging to 58 sick textile mills in Mumbai.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/22/stories/2005112204291300.htm

hey suncity...ur right about loads of u/c right now, but the thing is that loads of the buildings on the mill lands were u/c as well and they have stopped construction now.

hey suncity...ur right about loads of u/c right now, but the thing is that loads of the buildings on the mill lands were u/c as well and they have stopped construction now.

How many in Mill Lands that are already u/c (not proposed) were affected? Ashok Towers is probably one. Any other projects / info??

Buyers have booked flats worth Rs90 crore at the multi-storey Ashok Towers at Lalbaug, being developed by Piramal Constructions. "It is unclear what will happen to them," said Rajeev Piramal. "The delay is bound to affect property prices and delay payment of workers' dues."

Here are some proposals

Bombay Dyeing Mill (Naigaum, 35 acres): Residential towers, shopping mall and school by the Wadia Group on their 125-year mill
Kohinoor Mill (Dadar, 5 acres): Proposed three-star hotel by Manohar Joshi’s CTN Kohinoor and Raj Thackeray’s Matoshree Realties
Apollo Mill (Parel, 7 acres, Rs180cr): Three-towered apartment block Macrotech Towers by BJP MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s Lodha Builders
Jupiter Mill (Parel, 11 acres): Two-towered office complex by stock brokerage firm India Bull
Elphinstone 8 acres Indiabulls
Mumbai Textile 18acres DLF

Simplex mills, upon which Godrej Planet is u/c is also one of the mills in trouble. Likewise, someone had commented that work on Beaumonde has stopped. Ashok Towers, we know is a highprofile casualty. What about the 47 storey Orchid Enclave, isn't that on mill land? Likewise, Sumer Trinity. RNA Mirage has also slowed down, as per the reports of an SSC forumer.

So, we are talking about a handful of premier quality projects, upon which we have provided extensive coverage here at SSC!

Simplex mills, upon which Godrej Planet is u/c is also one of the mills in trouble. Likewise, someone had commented that work on Beaumonde has stopped. Ashok Towers, we know is a highprofile casualty. What about the 47 storey Orchid Enclave, isn't that on mill land? Likewise, Sumer Trinity. RNA Mirage has also slowed down, as per the reports of an SSC forumer.

So, we are talking about a handful of premier quality projects, upon which we have provided extensive coverage here at SSC!


Here's another list (some projects completed):

5.49 mn. sq. ft. for Residential Development in Mills Land

Development of Private Mills
Mill Name Location Project Name
Commercial Development
Ruby Mills Dadar (W) Ruby Corporate Park
Raghuvanshi Mills Lower Parel Commercial Bldgs
Victoria Mills Lower Parel Oasis Complex
Morarjee Gokuldas Parel Peninsula Centre
Morarjee Gokuldas Lower Parel Peninsula Park
Kamala Mills Lower Parel Commercial Complex
Brady Mills Mahalaxmi Brady Plaza

Residential Development
Modern Mills Mahalaxmi Belvedere Court - GESCO Corp
Khatau Mills Byculla Unnamed - Marathon Group
Simplex Mills Mahalaxmi Planet Godrej
New Great Eastern Shipping Byculla Unnamed - Mahindra GESCO
Swan Mills Sewri Ashok Gardens - Piramals
Srinivas Cotton Mills Lower Parel Unnamed Lodha - Group
China Mills Sewri Unnamed - Dosti Group
Matulya Mills Lower Parel Casa Grande - Ashford Housing
Standard Mills Prabhadevi Beaumonde - Sheth Builders
Crown Mills Lower Parel Unnamed - Raheja Universal

Mixed-use Development
Shree Ram Mills Worli Commercial & retail
Hindustan Spinning Mahalaxmi Residential Commercial and Retail
Mafatlal Mills Lower Parel Commercial and Retail
Phoenix Mills Lower Parel Residential Commercial and Retail
Piramal Spinning Lower Parel Marathon Innova/ Next Gen
Bombay Dyeing Worli Commercial and Retail

________________

Another list with some common projects

Goculdas Morarji Mill I (8 acres, Parel): Morarjee Realties is developing Ashok Towers, three 30-storey and one 50-storey apartment towers
* Swan Mills (15 acres, Parel): Ashok Gardens, another residential complex along the lines of Ashok Towers, is being developed by Morarjee Realties.
* Simplex Mill (9 acres, Byculla): Godrej is building Planet Godrej, 5 residential towers here amounting to over 200 storeys. Nearly 2 acres of the mill is Collector’s land, whose lease expired in 1984, and continues to be rented out annually for Rs 48!
* Great Eastern Spinning & Weaving (5acres, Parel): Gesco-Mahindra Developers plan residential towers.
* Matulya Mill, (8 acres, Parel): 7 star residential complex, Casa Grande, two 23 storey-towers being developed by Ashford Housing Corporation.
* Shrinivas Mill, (17 acres): BJP’s crorepati South Mumbai MLA Mangal Prabhat Lodha won the redevelopment rights for this mill in April, which is now being legally challenged.
* Jupiter Mill, 10 acres, Elphinstone Road: The first NTC mill to come onto the land market, it was sold to the stock firm, India Bulls in April for Rs 276 crores. The company plans a hotel and apartment complex there
* Two NTC mills India United 2 and 3 (16 acres) and New Hind (8 acres) will be given to BMC and MHADA respectively for public development.

_____________________________________

Is promise of green spaces a white lie?

Renni Abraham/Suhit Kelkar
Saturday, November 05, 2005 09:23 IST

http://dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=8475

The city is dreaming of 400 acres of lung space. It will happen only if all the existing mills (private as well as the National Textile Corporation-owned ones) raze all standing structures on their properties as a development option. But there is no telling, as many may follow the ‘refurbishment’ option just like Phoenix Mills.

Even as the Bombay High Court ruling of October 17 has raised fond hopes that the city will gain 400 acres of open land for utilisation as a much-needed lung space and for cheap housing options, ground realities tell an altogether different story.

The romantic notion that the city may benefit from 400 acres, out of the total 600 acres of mill lands in central Mumbai, will hold true only if all the existing mills (private as well as the National Textile Corporation-owned mills) raze all standing structures on their properties as a development option.

The Bombay High Court has struck down the state government clarification issued in 2003 that permitted mill owners to demolish all existing structures on their property and still share only two-thirds of the vacant land (prior to this demolition) with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA).

In the court's definition, if all existing properties are razed to the ground by the mill owner, then the entire property becomes a vacant land and necessitates the owner having to share two thirds of the entire land with BMC and MHADA.

Let us understand this with three live cases. Between 1991 and 2001, three mills actually opted for this manner of redevelopment of their lands. The owners of Swadeshi Mills at Kurla handed over 22,000 sq m (approximately 5.4 acre) each to the BMC and the MHADA, while retaining the same area of land admeasuring 5.4 acre for his private development plans. This was necessary since the mill razed all existing structures as part of its redevelopment plan.

Similarly, the Modern Mills at Jacob Circle gave about 2 acres to BMC, 1.72 acre to MHADA and developed nearly 2 acres itself. Matulya mills at Lower Parel gave about 1.5 acres to BMC and 1.2 acres to MHADA.

This is exactly what the city hopes will happen now. Wishful thinking, said a highly-placed civic source and some private builders this paper spoke to.

Deputy managing director of the Piramal Mills Rajeev Piramal told DNA immediately after the high court ruling that most mill owners (who had not already razed all the existing structures on their properties) would now follow the Phoenix Mills example by going in for the 'refurbishment' option.

What is the Phoenix model of developing mill lands?

Both Phoenix Mills and Kamala Mills located in Lower Parel have limitedly developed their respective properties commercially within the restricted space of the hollowed out mill structures. By retaining the external façade of the mill buildings, the developer created commercial structures within.

For example Phoenix Mills owners exercised the refurbishment option under DCR regulations and developed 16 acres of property within the existing structures. The share of BMC and MHADA - one can only guess.

However, what Mumbai will get, unless the high court ruling is overturned, is a two-third share of the total premises of the Mafatlal Mills existing in Lower Parel and Mazgaon, Ruby Mills at Mahim and the Standard Mills at Sewri and Prabhadevi. These mills completely razed the existing structures on their lands after the state government permitted them to do so in 2001, without having to share two thirds of the entire land mass.

Now, these mill owners are faced with the dilemma of having redeveloped their land under existing provisions of law that came to be overturned by the court. The mills whose structures have been only partially demolished are the Morarjee Mills in Lalbaug and Lower Parel, Hindoostan Mills at Jacob Circle, Parel and Prabhadevi, Simplex Mills at Jacob Circle and the National Textile Corporation mills. These mills are most likely to stop any further demolishing activity and continue with refurbishment plans, without having to share any land with the city of Mumbai.

The extent of demolition at these mills is unclear, but the ones whose structures are still largely intact, could still apply for refurbishment.

None of these mills has yet applied for refurbishment. But a highly-placed civic official say they are likely to do so depending on the ruling of the Supreme Court, which is seized of the mills lands case. Thus, it will be better that Mumbai city doesn't count on the huge land mass - 400 acres - coming its way. It need not be too optimistic even if the Supreme Court upholds the high court ruling.

_____________________________________________

And here is one of Mumbai's leading activist's point of view

This is old news though from June 2005

Koi mill gaya
By: Darryl D'Monte
http://ww1.mid-day.com/news/city/2005/may/109954.htm

The euphoria of Mumbai’s mill owners at the recent decision by the Supreme Court to lift the stay granted by the High Court on development of land belonging to the 58 cotton mills conveys the impression that the city is about to witness a real estate bonanza in Parel-Lalbaug.

This is by no means the case, for the apex court has stated that it was only providing relief to the private and public owners whose ongoing plans might have been jeopardised by the temporary stay.

Significantly, it has left the cardinal issue – the legality of the amendment of the controversial Development Control (DC) rules by the Maharashtra government in 2001 – for the High Court to decide by July 31.

The owners, both private and public, are hand-in-glove with builders and top financial institutions, all of whom have a vested interest in promoting the sale of high-rise commercial and residential development in the mid-town belt which sprawls over 600 acres.

HDFC, ICICI and IDBI are lending over Rs 800 crore for the redevelopment of this mind-boggling chunk of real estate.

The National Textile Corporation (NTC) has auctioned the first of its 25 mills – Jupiter – for Rs 276 crore. Before all get carried away by the current property boom, several caveats are in order.

The Supreme Court has placed the onus on development on owners or promoters. It has told them to proceed within the confines of existing laws, which is more than can be said of present plans.

Specifically, in relation to the deluge of hitherto concealed data regarding lapsed leases, flushed out by activists under Maharashtra’s right to know law, it states categorically: “We do not think that the statutory authorities shall be so callous as to grant permission in favour of a person who does not have ownership over the land in question.”

Before making any fresh plans, the owners have to advertise in two newspapers; the creation of any third party interest is at their risk and will be subject to any order of the High Court.

The apex court has indicated its lack of trust in the bona fides of the state government and BMC, which have been notorious in obfuscating the sale of mill land.

They have been instructed to place all the relevant documents before the High Court; failure to produce relevant information will invite “adverse inference” by this court.

This stricture is notable, considering that by sleight of hand, the Maharashtra government’s amendment in 2001 requires owners to part with two-thirds of only vacant land for public use, whereas the original amendment in 1991 required them to surrender two-thirds of the total area occupied.

Mills are typically cavernous structures and these areas will be exempt, which is why the Bombay Environmental Action Group, backed by other citizens’ organisations, has filed a public interest writ. In one stroke, the state government has deprived the city of up to 400 acres of land for public use.

In its earlier order, the High Court has asked the owners to divulge information on 14 counts.

These include the one-third of space that would be available to the Maharashtra Housing & Area Development Agency (MHADA) for public housing and the other third to the BMC for public amenities like parks and schools both under the original and amended rule.

Owners have to cite whether the mills are on private or leasehold land and whether the leases are valid or have expired; what permissions have been applied for and obtained, the exact status of development and what funds have so far been spent.

It asked, pertinently – in accordance with the recommendations of the Charles Correa committee in 1996 – whether both categories of owners can club the areas for gardens in one or more wards.

The Correa committee recommended a Golden Triangle, comprising eight contiguous mills in Parel-Lalbaug, which would be slightly larger than the triangle formed by Hutatma Chowk, CST and Horniman Circle – a tremendous boon to the city.

Finally, the court has required promoters of any project worth over Rs 50 crore to comply with the central Ministry of Environment’s notification of July 2004, under which any “construction complex” for over 1,000 persons can only proceed if there is a public hearing prior to the commencement, after which the Ministry’s sanction is obligatory.

Since this law applies to all projects which had not been built up to the plinth by that date, it would presumably affect such mammoth edifices as “Planet Godrej” with five 40-storey towers coming up on Simplex Mills and “Kamala City” on Victoria Mills (part of the proposed Golden Triangle), among most others.

Because the public has no idea of what is happening to the mills, it does not realise that the city is in imminent danger of losing such invaluable open space – the equivalent of eight Nariman Points, an opportunity that will never arise again.

People believe that the only stakeholders here are the workers, who are demanding their termination payments. The workers are only one claimant to a share in this development, albeit most directly.

Everyone in Greater Mumbai stands to benefit by gaining access to such land for affordable housing and open space, of which the city has one of the lowest proportions in the world. There ought to be a public outcry at this daylight robbery.

The tragedy is that mill owners are eyeing their land as real estate when the Multi-Fibre Agreement has ended, removing textile quotas imposed on developing countries by the West, but few companies in this country can take advantage of this.

The NTC pleaded to the apex court that around 18 of its 25 mills (32 are private and one under the state textile corporation) are closed, 15,000 employees are redundant and some Rs 650 crore has to be paid to workers.

Bombay Dyeing has justified borrowing Rs 120 crore to retrench its workers and is committed to paying another Rs 50 crore.

The discredited “official” textile union, the Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh, has revealed its complicity in this sordid saga, virtually outdoing the owners in championing the sale of land.

refurbishment itself can be illegal. the leases have been given for land for industrial use. if there is a change of 'user', then you need bmc permission. else your lease can be terminated for violating lease conditions and then you have to return the land to the city. all of it

phoenix is a time-bomb. he has redeveloped it under the guise of 'recreation facilities for industrial workers'. which is clearly not the case. one PIL and he may have to vacate the full premises

refurbishment itself can be illegal. the leases have been given for land for industrial use. if there is a change of 'user', then you need bmc permission. else your lease can be terminated for violating lease conditions and then you have to return the land to the city. all of it

phoenix is a time-bomb. he has redeveloped it under the guise of 'recreation facilities for industrial workers'. which is clearly not the case. one PIL and he may have to vacate the full premises

The question is are the "activists" really trying to get something done for Mumbai or are there some ulterior motives (rival builders, jealousy, out of fashion socialists becoming in fashion environmentalists, thinking small). In Mumbai (and for that matter India) it is very difficult to trust anyone be it babus or netas or social workers or environmentalists or architects or builders or the media. Everyone seems to have a vested interest.

Photo by Shivam Pancholi and the building is in Borivali

http://tinypic.com/hs6vwg.jpg

Granted that are plenty of interesting midrises in Mumbai - but this one does look cool.

Could it be Agora Business Plaza?

Some commerical projects

Vastu Mall Complex
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/7752/18st.jpg


British Gas, Powai, Mumbai
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/3259/12xv.jpg

http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/2794/22un.jpg


Atria Commercial Complex, Worli
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/8505/atria17cr.jpg

How many malls do you think India will have by 2010? Or at least Mumbai :hahaha:

Judging by this thread, Spy, a crapload, and I doubt we've even recorded half of the construction ;)

On that note, some Mumbai projects by Architect Niteen Parulekar:
K Raheja Universal, Mumbai
http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/9884/013wd.jpg

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/6238/028is.jpg


K Raheja Universal Mixed Development, Malad, Mumbai
http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/2834/016cp.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/8523/023yc.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/9991/035sw.jpg


Esols Worldwide software campus, New Mumbai
http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/6804/109na.jpg


Garodia International School, Ghatkopar, Mumbai
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6181/014nv1.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/1021/025hp.jpg


UDHE, Vikhroli, Mumbai
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2223/014cm.jpg


Growal Place Mall, Kandivili, Mumbai
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2249/015le.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/5927/025na.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/491/035af.jpg

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/8044/051mb.jpg


Various malls by K Raheja mall, Mumbai
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7778/012vg.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/7476/015tb.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3571/021av.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/1269/032sh.jpg


Panchshil Mall, Mumbai
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9672/011es.jpg


Hard Castle Mall, Kalyan, Mumbai
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/4950/012pn.jpg

http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/159/022yd.jpg

Seth Iris Blue
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/8674/irisblue1kd.jpg


Seth Vasant Gardens, Mulund
http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9371/vasantgarden7xc.jpg


Seth Beaumonde (New Render)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/6275/beaumonde7nz.jpg


Seth Vasant Lawns, Thane
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8764/vasantlawns0go.jpg

Some projects from RNA Builders. Only small pics available, but DAYAAMN!, what pics indeed :)

RNA Royale Park, Kandivali (W)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8825/royalepark8hj.jpg


RNA Auroville, Santacruz (W)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6559/012rv.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1664/024es.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1293/035ae.jpg


RNA Mirage, Worli (More renderings)
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2706/019jq.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5763/026sv.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2617/037ue.jpg


RNA Azzure, Bandra (E)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4479/018fa.jpg


RNA Kandivali Mall, Kandivali (W)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9998/011nf.jpg


RNA Sunderbans, Santacruz (E)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9762/sunderbans6vp.jpg


RNA Sapphire, Andheri (W)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1720/sapphire7ov.jpg


RNA Metropolis, Wadala (W)
http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7766/metropolis1bs.jpg


RNA Metropolitan, Upper Parel
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7506/metropolitan2xb.jpg


RNA @ 4th, Chembur
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8940/rna4th9ik.jpg


RNA Central Park, Chembur
http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9175/centralpark4vh.jpg

Residential Township Upper Govind Nagar [Phase II], Goregoan Mumbai
Designed by IAG Consultants
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2365/upvan29mz.jpg


Suburbia, Bandra
Designed by IAG Consultants
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8516/suburbiabig3hy.jpg

Great find!:rock:Jai, those projects by Niteen Parulekar for Kraheja Universal: are they competition entries, or are they under construction? The company website doesn't have any info on them.

No idea :(

The guy seems to do all or K Raheja Uni's buildings, if they're style is any indication.


It's interesting to see how in the last couple years, all the bigname architects in India basically invented a whole new style of modern Indian architecture. A dash of Miami, a hint of London, a touch of Singapore marinated in a rassam of traditional Indian architecture with idlis of bollywood and vegitables of postcolonial, Indo-saracenic and art-deco.

Ok that analogy didn't work how I thought it would when I started it, but you know what I mean. To a layman like me, with nothing more than a passing interest in the craft, in the last one year on the forum, you can actually have seen how the style evolved out of the glitzy malls and creep up and up into highrise and now skyscraper buildings.


Indian cities may be more low rise and more chaotic and than those of our Eastern neighbors, but they are a helluva lot more architecturally innovative, with India's own guys breaking the sweat and not hiring XYZ Western Architect Inc. to create make believe manhattans of cookie cutter s&g boxes and the occasional tower showcasing the latest trend in Europe.

I mean, its incredible when you think the highrise boom has only lasted a year, and already its developed so much. I can only imagine the heights and the designs in 10 or so years, when Mumbai is developly (is that a word) speaking where Shanghai is now, and all the zoning and infra problems are worked out!

-Jai

Jai - some great projects indeed. The quality has improved over the time we started tracking projects at SSC. Now if only the quality of information at the websites of these architects and builders showed a similar improvement!

Well Sun, Laloo was ousted by the people, so I'm in a optimistic mood on any take Indian

I think as SSC India threads are becoming increasinly easier finds when people when people search for anything building, architecture, construction or city on India, I think if we bitch about it enough in our threads, we can at least shame them into eventually putting height details and postcard sized renderings on their websites ;)

I think if we bitch about it enough in our threads, we can at least shame them into eventually putting height details and postcard sized renderings on their websites ;)

:)

No idea :(

The guy seems to do all or K Raheja Uni's buildings, if they're style is any indication.


It's interesting to see how in the last couple years, all the bigname architects in India basically invented a whole new style of modern Indian architecture. A dash of Miami, a hint of London, a touch of Singapore marinated in a rassam of traditional Indian architecture with idlis of bollywood and vegitables of postcolonial, Indo-saracenic and art-deco.

Ok that analogy didn't work how I thought it would when I started it, but you know what I mean. To a layman like me, with nothing more than a passing interest in the craft, in the last one year on the forum, you can actually have seen how the style evolved out of the glitzy malls and creep up and up into highrise and now skyscraper buildings.


Indian cities may be more low rise and more chaotic and than those of our Eastern neighbors, but they are a helluva lot more architecturally innovative, with India's own guys breaking the sweat and not hiring XYZ Western Architect Inc. to create make believe manhattans of cookie cutter s&g boxes and the occasional tower showcasing the latest trend in Europe.

I mean, its incredible when you think the highrise boom has only lasted a year, and already its developed so much. I can only imagine the heights and the designs in 10 or so years, when Mumbai is developly (is that a word) speaking where Shanghai is now, and all the zoning and infra problems are worked out!

-Jai

I wish they would incorporate more ancient styles into the buildings though - still when even I see a residential highrise, it looks like something out of Dubai (maybe because Hafeez works there too) - but just as China and Taiwan have made 'pagoda-like' skyscrapers, id like to see some vimana/pagoda type towers in cities, and incorporation of traditional themes like gopurams, yakshi/temple-guardian sculptures, stupa/vimana-like roofs, etc - this is afterall the 'heart' of India.

Also, like my namesake, I wish they would follow Hong Kong's feng shui example, and build traditional vaastu features into modern buildings, just for tradition's sake if anything.

am i the only one who finds most of these concrete boxes ugly? they have absolutely no beauty or charm. give me marine drive with its art deco over palm beach marg any day

I wish they would incorporate more ancient styles into the buildings though - still when even I see a residential highrise, it looks like something out of Dubai (maybe because Hafeez works there too) - but just as China and Taiwan have made 'pagoda-like' skyscrapers, id like to see some vimana/pagoda type towers in cities, and incorporation of traditional themes like gopurams, yakshi/temple-guardian sculptures, stupa/vimana-like roofs, etc - this is afterall the 'heart' of India.

Also, like my namesake, I wish they would follow Hong Kong's feng shui example, and build traditional vaastu features into modern buildings, just for tradition's sake if anything.

I like the Vaastu example but hey its the builder's choice.

And I agree with the bit on integration of local stuff into our designs but a radical designs are cool.

The real problem is that some of these buildings lack originality-they are, more often than not, ripped off from foreign buildings. While it's ok get inspired by stuff in other countries, it's a good idea to differentiate yourself from the pack to be noticed.

For example, someone could erect something with four sides, four antennae, four entrances, etc. for geometrical soundness (and because the humman mind is wired to like things that are geometrically sound).

Yeh a building that kinda had four 'horns' would look nice as a central attraction on the Mumbai skyline - slope the sides too and it would look like a gopuram.

Wasn't there a Thane thread somewhere?

Scheme to decongest Thane

The Thane Municipal Corporation has conceived a plan - Station Area Traffic Improvement Scheme - to decongest the heavily-crowded area near Thane railway station (west). The project, consisting of an elevated deck and foot over bridges, is estimated to cost Rs 8 crore.
The 1.1-km long elevated deck will be reserved for the movement of buses. Its starting point is the ST bus station at Thane (west), close to the station, from where it will be diverted towards Shivaji Path and Dada Patil Wadi. Foot over bridges will be connected to the railway FOBs through which pedestrian traffic will be diverted to Gokhale road and Old Station road. The area, including roads, beneath the elevated deck will be used by autorickshaws and private vehicles.
TMC has taken up detailed engineering work for the project. The municipal corporation is waiting for the approval from the Railways. The latter has made certain suggestions which TMC will incorporate in its plan. Work on the entire project is likely to start in the next four to five months.

I have read more exotic proposals which called for the Bus Deck to be built over the Railway station in some sort of integrated transport arrangement. People can board the buses and trains without getting out of the station complex. That would have been very very spacious. Don't know what happenned to that? The space outside Thane west is way too cramped to build anything meaningful.

Yeh a building that kinda had four 'horns' would look nice as a central attraction on the Mumbai skyline - slope the sides too and it would look like a gopuram.

Not exactly horns or VastuShatra but Ajit Bhuta's designs are interesting. Don't know if they are mostly concepts/dreams...

http://www.ajitbhuta.com/

1
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/1018/ajitbhuta18ue.jpg

2
http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/6899/ajitbhuta27rw.jpg

it'll be great if all these turn out to be true structures, for mumbai skyline.

It's probably more concept/fantasy than anything else.

I'd love to see those buildings built! :eek:

It's probably more concept/fantasy than anything else.

I think so too.

:)

And its good that they are, too, cause they look like crap

^ to ammend my previous statement, which was unfairly harsh, his real life proejcts are quite nice indeed :)

Some more projects from Hafeez Contractor's site, since it is, *sigh*, one of the few architects who give a damn about publicizing his work and achievements

New night render of that Vijay Kamdar building after a small redesign. Is it me, or has it gotten taller? :)
http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/8056/10gp.jpg http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3466/20lg1.jpg

Is this a new one? I haven't seen it before: Nahar's Amrit Shakti, Powai
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7356/16un1.jpg http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/548/28tj.jpg

Some new renders from Neelkanth Palm. Looks to be a bigger housing project apart from the towers
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/719/15cl.jpg http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/8379/22mo.jpg http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/6929/37wl.jpg

New Ravi Estate, Thane
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/7268/15ip.jpg

Mumbai’s Congestion Will Be Eased by A Concrete Masterpiece (http://enr.ecnext.com/free-scripts/comsite2.pl?page=enr_document&article=feinar051128g)
The 6-kilometer-long viaduct of the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is the first of three crossings


http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/7831/05112868b4ir.jpg

Nice one Sun, I wish some of those were turned into projects :-(

Some of them are strongly reminicient of Orissan temples - they would look beautifull if ever constructed, im sure.

I like that first tower/mall thing that Jai posted though - it bears some resemblance to his dreams at least ;-)

it'll be great if all these turn out to be true structures, for mumbai skyline.

There is word that Bhuta will be using such proposals for work in UAE. This is another example of an Indian architect who is saving his most extravagant work for outside Indian territory.

No interim order on NTC plea: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday refused to pass any interim order against a Bombay High Court judgment scrapping the Rs 20,000 crore project to develop land belonging to 58 sick textile mills in Mumbai.

A Bench consisting of Justices S.B. Sinha and P.K. Balasubramanyan, while issuing notice on petitions filed by Bombay Dyeing and Manufacturing Company Limited, the National Textile Corporation (NTC) and other mills affected by the October 17 order, directed that the matter be listed for December 13.

The notice was issued to the Maharashtra Government, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and the Bombay Environmental Action group, on whose petition the court passed the impugned order.

It held that the sale of the five NTC mills — Apollo, Mumbai, Elphinstone Mill number 3, Jupiter and Kohinoor — did not comply with the conditions laid down by the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR). As for the other mills, the High Court, while interpreting the amended Development Control Rules 58 framed by the Maharashtra Government, held that the sale of their land would come under the ambit of the earlier rules, which stipulated that one-third of saleable mill land be earmarked for open space, one-third for the government to set up low-cost housing and the rest for the mill owners.

The appellants, in their special leave petitions (SLPs), said the High Court had erred in the interpretation of the rules and also ignored the ground reality of existing third party rights created by the developers on the mill land.

The NTC contended that the High Court was wrong in concluding that the sale of the five mills was contrary to the BIFR scheme as well as the May 2005 orders of the Supreme Court. The apex court had permitted the NTC to sell the land belonging to these five mills and ordered that in case the High Court ruled against it, it would be required to make up for the open space from the land available in its other mills.

http://www.hindu.com/2005/11/22/stories/2005112204291300.htm

There is word that Bhuta will be using such proposals for work in UAE. This is another example of an Indian architect who is saving his most extravagant work for outside Indian territory.

Does anyone have any idea why Indian architects do so?

Hehe - because they get payed more ;-)

Or perhaps people like Hafeez just think Dubai is a better place to showcase their achievements, and have no respect for Indian cities - I cant really blame that attitude, seeing as Dubai is so hyped, and in India the only cities where they can even build tall have size limits, and in the case of Mumbai - no land being freed.

I think the one difference here is the attitude of the authorities in charge.

Dubai is looking to go vertical, with more glass. In India we still havn't come to come to building commercial skyscrapers higher than a dozen or so stories.

I think thats the story with most of these projects. When the designs are there and there is a buyer for them, which in this case is a foreign city, then why shouldnt our architects go for it.

I am sure these accomplished people would be more than willing to put in their best effort if they were given the mandate by the authorities without fear of interference, and a builder came forward with loads of money.

Hehe - because they get payed more ;-)

Or perhaps people like Hafeez just think Dubai is a better place to showcase their achievements, and have no respect for Indian cities - I cant really blame that attitude, seeing as Dubai is so hyped, and in India the only cities where they can even build tall have size limits, and in the case of Mumbai - no land being freed.

Hafeez is a smart guy and he doesn't think that way! He knows that in the International arena, he would just be another architect, whereas in India, he lives like a celebrity. Every builder wants to work with him, and he generally dictates the terms. Meanwhile, all this hype about Dubai is just that only - Dubai is dull, it pales infront of Mumbai or any other "real" city of the World. Skyscrapers are not the be all of citylife. Building shiny scrapers in a desert doesn't amout to much culturally! :)

That's why I hope Mumbai doesn't become like Shanghai (except infrastructure-wise). I'd like to visit, but based on pictures I've seen, the streets are so clean because there's no streetlife. Even in the residential streets of Mumbai's suburbs there are street venders, markets, people roaming at all times - a great vibe and energy in the city which can't be replicated through skyscrapers only.

Photo by Shivam Pancholi and the building is in Borivali

http://tinypic.com/hs6vwg.jpg

Granted that are plenty of interesting midrises in Mumbai - but this one does look cool.

Could it be Agora Business Plaza?

Yes you are right.... It is in fact Agora Business Plaza at Borivali...

the streets are so clean because there's no streetlife.
No. Thats because Chinese clowns would shoot anybody who builds sub-standard roads or sidewalks. Mindyou Shanghai gets just about the same rainfall as Mumbai, so the rain-eats-up-our-roads excuse totally blows.

I agree with you, but then Shanghai doesn't get it all at once, like Mumbai. Monsoon pounding during a couple months wrecks more roads than a steady drizzle over the course of a year

continue here

I agree with you, but then Shanghai doesn't get it all at once, like Mumbai. Monsoon pounding during a couple months wrecks more roads than a steady drizzle over the course of a year
I don't know if thats better or worse. For roads that withstand 40 tons of vehicle weight, impact of shower should be feeble. The breakdown is more severe because of degradation and softening of the bituminous binder in presence of water. Also water gets trapped in pavement layers below road surface and when the vehicles pass over the surface, the force from the wheel exerts pressure on water which causes bursting and potholes. So the real damage occurs after the rainfall due to water logging. I would think the Chinki situation is worse than ours.

Well they certainly have better drainage infrastructure than Mumbai. From when I went a while back, there was a lot of pooling water on the new roads, and drainage ditches were nearly overflowing.

Anyways, since the last thread has closed on an upbeat note, why not carry on that to the new thread. A rundown of new scrapers discovered, from the last couple pages

____________________________________________

Abrol Vastupark

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6190/vastupark1ep3zx.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vastupark1ep3zx.jpg)
____________________________________________

Raheja Atlantis

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8538/rahejaatlantislarge7kg0ss.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rahejaatlantislarge7kg0ss.jpg)
____________________________________________

Ansal Heights

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/6858/bigansalheights8ke.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bigansalheights8ke.jpg)
____________________________________________

Ansal Whispering Meadows

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3430/ansalwhispering6rc6vl.th.jpg (http://img176.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ansalwhispering6rc6vl.jpg)
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Oberoi Spas

http://img469.imageshack.us/img469/5516/oberoispas7cc0yt.th.jpg (http://img469.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oberoispas7cc0yt.jpg)
____________________________________________

Oberoi Woods has been redesigned (thank God!)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4052/oberoiwoodsnewdesign2hz7qm.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oberoiwoodsnewdesign2hz7qm.jpg)
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Rustomjee Excellency

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9192/rustomjeejexcellecyrender2vw4u.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rustomjeejexcellecyrender2vw4u.jpg)
____________________________________________

Rustomjee Regal

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/9806/rustomjeeregal9vb4bp.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rustomjeeregal9vb4bp.jpg)
____________________________________________

Tata Hospita

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/354/10vy23la.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=10vy23la.jpg)
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Evershine Sapphire

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3228/15hd5yj.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15hd5yj.jpg)
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K Raheja Universal Mixed Development

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/3981/016cp8rv.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=016cp8rv.jpg) http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/4893/035sw9sy.th.jpg (http://img444.imageshack.us/my.php?image=035sw9sy.jpg)
____________________________________________

UDHE

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/5011/014cm1qb.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=014cm1qb.jpg)
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Residential Township Upper Govind Nagar

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/5933/upvan29mz5yy.th.jpg (http://img411.imageshack.us/my.php?image=upvan29mz5yy.jpg)
____________________________________________

Vijay Kamdar building has been a bit redesigned + taller

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/6025/20lg11du.jpg
____________________________________________

Nahar Amrit Shakti

http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/8063/16un17sm.th.jpg (http://img325.imageshack.us/my.php?image=16un17sm.jpg) http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/6501/28tj9jo.th.jpg (http://img325.imageshack.us/my.php?image=28tj9jo.jpg)
____________________________________________

Ravi Estate

http://img325.imageshack.us/img325/5064/15ip8id.th.jpg (http://img325.imageshack.us/my.php?image=15ip8id.jpg)
____________________________________________

Seth Vasant Gardens

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/130/vasantgarden7xc5bz.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vasantgarden7xc5bz.jpg)
____________________________________________

Seth Beaumonde has been updated

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/7885/beaumonde7nz5wm.th.jpg (http://img409.imageshack.us/my.php?image=beaumonde7nz5wm.jpg)
____________________________________________

Seth Vasant Lawns

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/174/vasantlawns0go4cx.th.jpg (http://img310.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vasantlawns0go4cx.jpg)
____________________________________________

RNA Royale Park (only small rendering available)

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/8299/royalepark8hj3mi.jpg
____________________________________________

RNA Azzure (only small rendering available)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4479/018fa.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA Sunderbans (only small rendering available)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/9762/sunderbans6vp.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA Sapphire (only small rendering available)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/1720/sapphire7ov.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA Metropolis (only small rendering available)

http://img507.imageshack.us/img507/7766/metropolis1bs.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA Metropolitan (only small rendering available)

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/7506/metropolitan2xb.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA @ 4th (only small rendering available)

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/8940/rna4th9ik.jpg

____________________________________________

RNA Central Park (only small rendering available)

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/9175/centralpark4vh.jpg

____________________________________________

Hmm, when all these projects are built, will Mumbai at least look world class skyline-wise from a distance? ;-)

^^Maybe...

It will have density, that's for sure. It still needs recognizable buildings however.

^^ Exactly. Otherwise it would ugly as hell, just like Sao Paolo. Who cares for the friggin density if there are no supertalls.

There's plenty density in Mumbai, but it is just so poorly documented

When I look at Chinese cities, despite knowing that their reforms were 10 years ahead of ours (thus they have 10 years of economic advantage on us), and despite knowing that much of their stuff is 'for show' (like the way tramps are jailed for making cities look bad), I cannot help but feel we should still be ahead of where we are now in terms of modernising cities.

Mumbai has density, and even looks pretty from a distance at night (lol), but there seems to be virtually no attempts at true mass-reform of the city, in terms of drainage, roads, etc - instead the impression I get from the sealinks, etc, is that Mumbai is adding 'bits' on when it needs them without an overall plan, the way a child might use tape to fix a toy whenever it breaks - leading to a bigger mess each time.

In comparison, when another city which generates as much wealth as Mumbai goes into reform, we see mass slum regeneration, not just a dozen 1000-person habitations, but like hundreds of well planned highrises for the poor that wont create ghettos but instead encorage community, we see mass road reforms, not just bypasses being stuck on haphazardly, we see cities being totally re-orginised at the street level, where in Mumbai, from what I can see, people just find a bit of space and build somehting on it without consideration of how the roads around it could be re-worked, etc.

Maybe I just have a really bad view from the outside of what is happening - but is Mumbai really being transformed? I.E. is anyone seeing evidence of a grand plan coming into fruitation?

Being a former slum-heaven, Hong Kong is probably the city that Mumbai should most follow the example of - they have created great apartments for the poor slum dwellers, retained the culture's charm at the street level, and made the skyline, etc, superb. I wouldnt mind some Indian-style statue like the Buddha of Hong Kong in Mumbai either. Maybe two figures like Ram and Krishna standing at the end of the sealink between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai... And marine drive can be turned into a Hong Kong style showcase of talls. There is often talk about Mumbai and Shanghai being finantial hubs on par with London and New York - well I think Mumbai deserves to be one, and unlike other contenders like Dubai and Shanghai, actually can be one. Oldest stock exchange in asia - good distance between Tokyo and London, part of a democracy, etc. Mumabi also could be one of the largest ports in terms of world trade. Hong Kong also shares that ex-colonial heritage with so many big Indian cities, including Mumbai.

When I look at Chinese cities, despite knowing that their reforms were 10 years ahead of ours (thus they have 10 years of economic advantage on us), and despite knowing that much of their stuff is 'for show' (like the way tramps are jailed for making cities look bad), I cannot help but feel we should still be ahead of where we are now in terms of modernising cities.

Mumbai has density, and even looks pretty from a distance at night (lol), but there seems to be virtually no attempts at true mass-reform of the city, in terms of drainage, roads, etc - instead the impression I get from the sealinks, etc, is that Mumbai is adding 'bits' on when it needs them without an overall plan, the way a child might use tape to fix a toy whenever it breaks - leading to a bigger mess each time.

In comparison, when another city which generates as much wealth as Mumbai goes into reform, we see mass slum regeneration, not just a dozen 1000-person habitations, but like hundreds of well planned highrises for the poor that wont create ghettos but instead encorage community, we see mass road reforms, not just bypasses being stuck on haphazardly, we see cities being totally re-orginised at the street level, where in Mumbai, from what I can see, people just find a bit of space and build somehting on it without consideration of how the roads around it could be re-worked, etc.

Maybe I just have a really bad view from the outside of what is happening - but is Mumbai really being transformed? I.E. is anyone seeing evidence of a grand plan coming into fruitation?

Being a former slum-heaven, Hong Kong is probably the city that Mumbai should most follow the example of - they have created great apartments for the poor slum dwellers, retained the culture's charm at the street level, and made the skyline, etc, superb. I wouldnt mind some Indian-style statue like the Buddha of Hong Kong in Mumbai either. Maybe two figures like Ram and Krishna standing at the end of the sealink between Mumbai and Navi Mumbai... And marine drive can be turned into a Hong Kong style showcase of talls. There is often talk about Mumbai and Shanghai being finantial hubs on par with London and New York - well I think Mumbai deserves to be one, and unlike other contenders like Dubai and Shanghai, actually can be one. Oldest stock exchange in asia - good distance between Tokyo and London, part of a democracy, etc. Mumabi also could be one of the largest ports in terms of world trade. Hong Kong also shares that ex-colonial heritage with so many big Indian cities, including Mumbai.

Great Insights...This is not true only of Bombay but most cities in India. Bombay just shows up because of its sheer size.

Yeah i read in an article by a Mumbai town planner that the problem is that there aint any.
He said he was one of 4, yeah thats 4, international standard TP's in mumbai & that there was nowhere in india that trained people up to whats needed.
Its a bit of a problem
EG: Big article in 'India Today' about Delhis plans for the commonwealth games in 2010.
thats only 4 years away!
They want to do things that take 10 years to implement, huge slum clearence & restlement, jamuna clearence, airport & stations sorting out , massive road building, stadia etc.Everything infact.
There seems to be money on the table but they're a bit late.
(eg london has already started, needs to do much less, for the olympics)
Mumbai needs a realy comprehensive mission statement sector by sector with a realistic time scale & how its gonna be funded
Still India WILL sort it out but it'll be in fits & starts

I must say that VaastuShastra has a point when he mentions the fact that Hong Kong and Mumbai share a lot of similarities under the Skyscrapers and Slums, respectively.

In fact, around 50 years ago, Mumbai was in the same shape as Hong Kong, if not better. Why didn't they make Mumbai an SEZ and SAR, then encourage India's buisinesses to go mad there? Why did they implement the bloody liscence raj, and worst of all, why did they nationalize Air-India, only to ruin it?

the point is that Hong Kong progressed much faster than Mumbai due to the much freer economy. And today, there is a situation where Mumbai now trails Honng Kong by 2-3 decades. Pretty sad huh?

That is an economic advantage China had over us - Hong Kong was given back to them in good shape, meaning instant business from Chinese speakers when the economy liberalised, and Taiwan too can benefit China despite their history.

In comparison, we do have expat dominated countries like Guayana and Trinidad, but they are themselves pretty poor comapred to Taiwan, and we have never had a Hong Kong.

Mumbai probably was better than Hong Kong up until the 80s - and like so many outposts of colonialism, even shared virtually the same archutecture, like old British government buildings, etc, not to mention the same kind of geography - Mumbai being an isolated peninsular, Hong Kong being an isolated island - both situations that force buildings upward.

Yet now the two cities are so different in terms of development - and Mumbai, being the Hong Kong of 20 years ago, must follow Hong Kong's example. In comparison, more spread out cities in the middle of land, like Delhi dont really need to build tall, except for prestige, and can redevelop in the same way as flat European cities wth lots of old buildings do. I hope designers take into account how Shanghai has begun to sink due to the construction boom though, and use light wieght materials instead.

Then again, considering the nation's population density (it's second to Japan at 328 people/km^2), it might be wise to build skyscrapers even in cities that are located inland. For example, there is a city known as Chicago in the USA, which just happens to be located way inland somewhere in Illinois. It also just happens to have the second-highest concentration of highrises in the country (after NYC). Yeah, it's next to a river, yeah you can see the great lakes from the Sears Tower, yadda yadda but it's not like it's a space-starved island or something. The reason they have highrises is largely due to the fact that a lot of buisinesses like to locate themselves in the city's main CBD. Is it any surprise that it is the home of the tallest building in the Western hemisphere?

Cities which expand vertically instead of horizontally are also more efficeint in terms of transportation and energy consumption. Lesser length of roads / railways can bring huge masses under their coverage.

Finally, something good on the FSI front..

Builders to get more FSI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1316944,curpg-1.cms)

In a major modification proposed to the development control regulations, the government wants builders developing such land (not textile mill land) to be given a higher floor space index (FSI) in lieu of them surrendering between 5 per cent to 25 per cent of the property for public amenities.

Mantralaya sources told TOI the proposal has been initiated by CM Vilasrao Deshmukh himself, who is in charge of urban development.
.....
In other words, he gets additional FSI to construct taller towers instead of using it as TDR elsewhere.

Moreover, the developer can use double the prevailing FSI on the same plot instead of the maximum permissible of .8 FSI (if the land is taken away for road widening for instance).

The government notice says that an industrial plot between two to five hectares (5-12 acres) will have to surrender 20% of the land for public utilities and amenities.

Plots which are more than 12 acres will have to give away 25 per cent of the land for such purposes. Plots less than two hectares will surrender only 5 per cent for public amenities.

Mumbai probably was better than Hong Kong up until the 80s - and like so many outposts of colonialism, even shared virtually the same archutecture, like old British government buildings, etc, not to mention the same kind of geography - Mumbai being an isolated peninsular, Hong Kong being an isolated island - both situations that force buildings upward.


Just a small point.
Mumbai was already 2 decades behind HK by the eighties.
HK was an international standard city (i was there & it was wiked).
The brits started sorting it out in the late 50's.
First SS was 'Chunking Mansions' in 1957.
Massive land reclamation & building boom in the 60's, including public housing.
All transport (highways, airport etc)infrastructure sorted by 70's
World class Metro completed 1978.
Still had some shanties but they all had air con boxes.
China learned 'how to do it' from HK, with HK & Taiwan expertise & ££ fdi. Western ££ followed about a decade later.
Rich & near Chinese countries is the biggest advantage that China had over India.
(Authoratarionism has its own pitfalls.In the end Indias democracy will be the better bet.)
Anyway as far as cities go thats why theres are in better shape than indias
V good news about the FSI, if it happens.
Mumbai realy needs to pitch itself as 'HQ India' for all the multi national Corps & Banks that will come in the next decade.
Ites

I just get that impression from old Kung Fu movies of the period - the slums and the inner city didnt look too different from Mumbai - but they were already attracting much more international business ;-) China had its examples right next door - what then will it take for India to be given an example of how to really develop a city?

Then again, considering the nation's population density (it's second to Japan at 328 people/km^2), it might be wise to build skyscrapers even in cities that are located inland. For example, there is a city known as Chicago in the USA, which just happens to be located way inland somewhere in Illinois. It also just happens to have the second-highest concentration of highrises in the country (after NYC). Yeah, it's next to a river, yeah you can see the great lakes from the Sears Tower, yadda yadda but it's not like it's a space-starved island or something. The reason they have highrises is largely due to the fact that a lot of buisinesses like to locate themselves in the city's main CBD. Is it any surprise that it is the home of the tallest building in the Western hemisphere?

Yea, really even the population difference of Delhi makes if different from some English or French city, and like gyration said, scrapers are more efficient, assuming the city around them can support them. Also Mumbai probably needs to do something also to prevent a similar traffic problem to that of Bejing or Shanghai. Perhaps subsidising public transport so that the road is full of buses is the answer to the car boom.

well,its a good step,but i will wait for result before i shout "hooray!" ;)

BBC:India to overhaul city services

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4494504.stm

Heres an article from a while ago too, about how Mumbai is a 'sinking ship' ^^

BBC: Mumbai's looming ecological disaster

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4737153.stm

Its nice to hear but do we really have the money to make mumbai as hong kong within 10 years?

To support all those high rises spanning over different islands Mumbai need more complex roads, bridges, quiet a few elevated expressways. Mumbai already has good rail connectivity but when we talk in terms in a larger magnitude, it needs metro rails to transport all those people from & to the CDB.



Is it viable?

Mumbai has just grown huge. The city is not very well planned. So many bit & pieces roads or bypasses have been fit into the city. So even if all the infrastructure were put into the city, can it be planned?

People living in Mumbai should be able to shed some light on this.


Having said this, it is more of a no choice option as all these infrastructure has to be put in place as more and more comercial space is required in the financial capital of the country and has to be done in 10 years.

Also im worried that Mumbai is probably our most vulnerable city to global warming and sinking.

People who are talking about Mumbai sinking. Well, there was an article earlier in the year that talked about studies that had gone on in Shanghai and Hong Kong. They didn't really say much about Hong Kong but they did say that the main Island with all the skyscrapers in shanghai is sinking little by little every year. They are getting worried and don't know whether to limit skyscrapers. They feel it has to do some with skyscraper weight. Same with Hong Kong I think. I will look for the article.
By the way. HongKong, Singapore, Malaysia, and the city of shanghai were all ruled by the British until after World War 2. Shanghai too. Didn;t know until I did some research. Anyway, they have all done good. Even Mumbaim, but not as good.

Heres an article from a while ago too, about how Mumbai is a 'sinking ship' ^^

BBC: Mumbai's looming ecological disaster

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4737153.stmJust how many times have I read this...:bash:

I dont want to limit Mumbai - so this is bad news - when Japan did studies into superstructures like pyramid cities, they found that they would probably have to build them out of lightweight carbon nanotubes, otherwise they would simply sink - well, I think some entire cities should be contemplating light building materials right now, before the problem gets any worse - yet Mumbai has no grand scheme in city planning.

[/QUOTE] what then will it take for India to be given an example of how to really develop a city? [/QUOTE]

Its happening already with the roads being built by (chinese)Malaysian Singaporean corps in India.They learnt from the HK or Taiwaniese who originaly learnt from the Japs who, learnt from the Yanks.
So now the Malaysians & Sings are starting to bid for SS & other projects. They'll start doing them & the indiginous corps will suss out how its done, then do it them selves & then presumably start developing Africa or Burma or wherever.
15-20 years time it'll all be very different

Hopefully, but I sometimes worry that in India, a lack of central authority also makes for a lack of central planning of stuff, and that instead improvements are being 'stuck on'.

Its about time we give this old city a breather. It is too congested, too overcroweded, too polluted, too criminalised, too abused. People, businesses, etc should start to disperse from there, to 2nd tier cities like pune and nagpur. By 2030 - 2035 The population should be reduced to 1/3rd its current size. Mumbai is too deep in bullshit. It has grown too big for its own(the country's) good. It has become so unmanageble and chaotic that by the time we do get about the crucial business of revitalizing it, it would have become too late.

This city is producing too many crime sindicates and AIDS patients. It must be systematically dismantled and rearranged somewhere else, like you do with LEGO.

:D

many great cities have had their obituaries written from time to time. many have gone on to greater heights

london today is probably at its peak, a glorious city, the greatest in the world (after bombay of course ;)). but every decade through the last 100 years various people have written about its coming end. same will be the case with bombay. india cannot afford to have it go down like calcutta

Photo by vandijkada

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/9017/lokhandwalatower7vj.jpg

Photo by lecercle

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/1007/mumbailecrle6qi.jpg

:D

many great cities have had their obituaries written from time to time. many have gone on to greater heights

london today is probably at its peak, a glorious city, the greatest in the world (after bombay of course ;)). but every decade through the last 100 years various people have written about its coming end. same will be the case with bombay. india cannot afford to have it go down like calcutta

It wont go down, nor should it become smaller .It should be allowed to grow but be well managed.
Look india is gonna have some pretty chaotic cities for at least 20 years & the best run will prosper & become nicer places to live .The others well...
Mr Bombay Boy r u in bombay or in the states& europe like most of the other forumers?
Me the better half land there at the kalkoda & Mumbai festivals time & wouldnt mind meeting up with some people if you all aint decided from my particular brand of posts that I am, infact, a comlete arshole
Dread

i am in bombay. when is the bombay festival? jan?

Sun

is that building u/c Zara?

yup. four seasons behind it

Sun

is that building u/c Zara?

Yes it is Zahra. Bombay Boy gave the answer already!

Great news about the increased FSI!!!

Remember the NTC WTC project in Dadar, even though im pretty sure it wont happen i wanna know if its a definate dead project??

hear are some of the designs:

http://www.team1architects.com/images/ntc01.jpg
http://www.team1architects.com/images/ntc02.jpg
http://www.team1architects.com/images/ntc03.jpg
http://www.team1architects.com/images/ntc04.jpg
http://www.team1architects.com/images/ntc05.jpg

Also theres nothing about the IITT in Prabhadevi (although i hear they are waiting for 13 dec verdict to free up more land)!!

Looks like the only hope we've got of a highrise topping the SD Towers is 'Oberoi Skyz' the MYSTERY 90-story residential scraper

Need updates, and renders if possible on other skyline redefining proposals:

-Noida Tower
-Hyderabad Twin Towers
-North Star@Brigade Gateway, Bangalore
-KRSTC, Bangalore

THANKS

^^

for the love of god man, the last one is a pic of the Kindgom Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

^^

for the love of god man, the last one is a pic of the Kindgom Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Yeah i know its a rip off but its not the 'same' one beacuse that goes against copyright laws, but if it gets built i wont be complaining

Can you see DSK Durgamata towers u/c
Photo by Vinu (will post them later in the showcase gallery)

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/4895/dskdurgamata1kq.jpg

^^

for the love of god man, the last one is a pic of the Kindgom Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Aren't those the 'renderings' released by mid-day? Supposedly put out as a 'feeler', to gauge public reaction?

It seems we know the source of the images. They were probably put out by this firm to the client to get an idea of what kind of design was wanted. And mid-day got a hold of a copy of them and ran with it

soho or sobo?

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/7003/122fr.jpg

Bombay Boy SSC Forums

Can you see DSK Durgamata towers u/c



http://idlebrain.com/discus/clipart/033102stupid_1_prv.gif
u mean the one to the left of Jupiter & Venus?

Sun,thanks for the updates:)

http://idlebrain.com/discus/clipart/033102stupid_1_prv.gif
u mean the one to the left of Jupiter & Venus?

yes!

http://tinypic.com/ibju4i.jpg

yes!Cleared up the image a bit:
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/3344/17rh1.jpg

Its about time we give this old city a breather. It is too congested, too overcroweded, too polluted, too criminalised, too abused. People, businesses, etc should start to disperse from there, to 2nd tier cities like pune and nagpur. By 2030 - 2035 The population should be reduced to 1/3rd its current size. Mumbai is too deep in bullshit. It has grown too big for its own(the country's) good. It has become so unmanageble and chaotic that by the time we do get about the crucial business of revitalizing it, it would have become too late.

This city is producing too many crime sindicates and AIDS patients. It must be systematically dismantled and rearranged somewhere else, like you do with LEGO.

WTF are u talking about?

1) NOT the most polluted city in India just FYI. much lower on the list infact than you would guess.
2) NOT as criminilised as you make it out to be. There are more rapes and criminal acts in other cities of north India than there are in Bombay
3) NOT too big for its own (country's good), do I have to remind you that this city has supported the business community in India for decades, its the breeding ground for world class entrepreuners even todayand if anything the country has let this great city down and not vice-versa.
4) AIDs patients? I'm not even going to comment.

Bombay is not going anywhere.. infact India's destiny is pretty much intertwined with this city. There will be ups and downs but like every other great city in the world, Bombay will bounce back, you already see glimpses of that happening today.

And let me remind you that if this city was built in an artificial form like constructing something using LEGO it would not exhibit the character and the spirit that this megapolis does today.

Your defeatist attitude is what really needs to be dismantled and shipped off somewhere else. Show a little more respect for one of your country's greatest cities and possibly tomorrow one of the greatest in the world.

Enuff said.

"infact India's destiny is pretty much intertwined with this city."

that's overstated. not really true.


and yes I do agree that Mumbai hasn't yet gotten what it deserves. lots of funding is needed for several projects and it all should have started a long time ago. but it's never too late. Of late, progress is being made and remaking process has begun. it's surely a good sign. but infrastructure and development plans should be put on a faster track. only then will we Indians be able to show that even we have world class cities.

WTF are u talking about?
Uber, that was kindof hard on 29A. Infact I agree that Mumbai has become too congested, too overcroweded, too polluted and too abused. There were some statistics thrown by babucrazy back in the slum demolition days that on an average 300 families move into Mumbai everyday. But am hopeful that under VRD the city will see better days ahead.

M`shtra awaits ministry nod for MUTP-II phase (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?storyflag=y&leftnm=lmnu2&leftindx=2&lselect=1&chklogin=N&autono=207985)

The Maharashtra government is expecting the approval of the railway ministry for the Rs 3,700-crore rail component of the second phase of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP) in the next budget. The project plans were sent to the ministry for approval over a year ago.

The total cost of the rail component is being shared equally by the state and the railway ministry, with one half being a loan from the World Bank. The loan has a 13-year repayment window.

The second phase proposals include laying of additional lines between Thane and Diva, Borivali and Mumbai Central and CSTM and Kurla at a total cost of Rs 935 crore, aim to bring down the number of passengers per 9 coach train to 3,000 from the current 5,000. After the first phase, it is expected to come down to 3,600.

Meanwhile, the government has already started working on the third phase of MUTP’s rail component, at a projected cost of Rs 2,550 crore.

So far, it has drawn up plans for an East-West link between Bandra and Kurla (Rs 360 crore), upgrade signalling equipment to reduce headway between two trains to 2.5 minutes from the current 3 minutes (Rs 1,200 crore) and procurement of additional rolling stock (Rs 846 crore).

By the end of the second phase, around 700 new trains will also be added enabling the railways to bring down the number of people per car to 3,000 during peak hours. All the trains except on Harbour Line will be 12-coach rakes. Harbour Line will continue to run 9-caoch rakes. The proposal sent to the railway ministry has allocated Rs 2,009 crore for the procurement of additional rakes.

The second phase will also witness the segregation of suburban train operations from long distance and freight services on the Central and Western railways.

After the completion of the second phase, both these sections will be completely segregated from the mail/ passenger/ express / freight traffic enabling suburban trains to run uninterrupted.

Under phase one of MUTP, the Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC) has commissioned a study to change the design of stations especially at Bandra, Andheri, Mankhurd and Vadala

Studies are currently on at Churchgate, Mumbai Central, Bandra, Goregaon, Byculla, Kurla and Dadar. The stations will be redesigned in the second phase to reduce tresspass and optimal utilisation of suburban infrastructure.

Point taken, maybe I was a little hard on 29A, I apologize..

Now lets get back to project news!

CapitaLand(Singapore) plans special dividend, targets India

"Mumbai will be our first foray (into India) and it will be a residential project for a start," Liew Mun Leong said.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2005-12-09T151304Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-227194-1.xml

CapitaLand(Singapore) plans special dividend, targets India

"Mumbai will be our first foray (into India) and it will be a residential project for a start," Liew Mun Leong said.

http://in.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=businessNews&storyID=2005-12-09T151304Z_01_NOOTR_RTRJONC_0_India-227194-1.xml

That's good news.

^^ yeap sure is:)
cant wait to see some SG-design come in to mumbai:)

Sumer Grand, Chowpatty
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8022/sumergrandeelev8sh.jpg

Sumer Grand, Chowpatty
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/8022/sumergrandeelev8sh.jpg

could have been better if it was around 27-30F range than 15-17F. Chowpatty is a prime area & also a beachfront.

At least they're getting glassy!

The Supreme Court's verdict on the sale of NTC mill land is due today. Lets hope the HC decision gets overturned.

Keep on the look out for any breaking news!

Is this related?

SC begins hearing on sale of mill lands by NTC

The private mill owners today opened the arguments before the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court verdict holding that the sale of surplus lands by National Textile Corporation were contrary to the BIFR scheme.

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, advancing arguments for Bombay Dying mill contended before a Bench comprising Justice S B Sinha and Justice P P Naolekar that the High Court verdict suffers from several infirmities and needs to be set aside.

The High Court had held that sale of the mill lands by NTC were contrary to the scheme of Board of Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) and Supreme Court orders.

The High court had also held that all the constructions carried out by various developers were clearly in violation of Government Notification of July 7, 2004, as admittedly none of them have obtained clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Jethmalani said applications for environment clearance were pending before the appropriate authority.

Bombay Environmental Action Group, an NGO had filed a PIL alleging that surplus lands were sold in violation of rules.

Besides NTC, the Apollo Textile Mills, Mumbai Textile Mills, Elphinstone Mills, Kohinoor Mill No 3 and Jupiter Mills, Bombay Dyeing and several others have challenged the High Court judgement.

The NGO had said that NTC had 25 textile mills spread over 285 acres in prime locations of the city, estimated to be worth over Rs 5,000 crore. Of these, surplus land of five mills were sold in violation of Development Control (DC) rules 58.

Is this related?

yes.

:)

So what is SD Tower's name?

To add to the confusion:

Do check this out:

The Imperial (http://www.takassociates.net/references.htm)

Imperial :)

That's a nice name

And, argh, I'll never hear the final verdict on the mill lands until march! :(

Well the hearing has definately began:

http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14047574

SC stays Bombay HC order on NTC mill land

December 14, 2005 17:14 IST


The Supreme Court Wednesday stayed a Bombay High Court order holding that the sale of textile mill lands by the National Textile Corporation was contrary to the apex court order.

A bench comprising Justices S B Sinha and P P Naolekar stayed a portion of the high court order holding that the sale of lands by the NTC was contrary to an apex court order and the Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction scheme.

The buyers, however, cannot go ahead with construction on the lands bought by them, the court said.

The court, however, directed municipal authorities to process the forms submitted by the buyers, NTC Counsel B Sunita Rao said.

The buyers can apply and get all clearances, including the environmental clearance, from authorities concerned, the apex court clarified.

The order was passed during the hearing of a special leave petition filed against the high court order.

http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2005/dec/14ntc.htm

So what is SD Tower's name?

To add to the confusion:

Do check this out:

The Imperial (http://www.takassociates.net/references.htm)
Hafeez's website says it's called M P Mill and that website says the towers are 65 stories tall instead of 60?

Hafeez's website says it's called M P Mill and that website says the towers are 65 stories tall instead of 60?

For now let's stick to 60.

:)

Like I said in Jai's farewell thread, let's hope that they start producing accurate and consistent information.

Anyone know what building is this one?

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/5812/mumbaitower0am.jpg

its in colaba. i knew someone who lived there, but forget the name

Goal post keeps moving .. Nothing new here.

MUMBAI: The decision on who will finally construct the Rs 1,500 crore Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar line of the Mumbai Metro has been deferred till January 10.

Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials said the decision, which was to have been announced on December 15, has been deferred at the request of the bidders who wanted to finalise a few technical details.

The Mumbai Metro is a three-phase project including lines from Versova to Ghatkopar, Charkop to Colaba and Mahim-Bandra to Mankhurd. It's a mega project that is expected to span over a decade, with preliminary planning still on.

Reliance Energy and an L&T-led consortium are among the groups vying to construct the first phase of the 15-km Versova-Ghatkopar stretch.

The third group in contention is led by Infrastructure Leasing and Finance Services (ILFS).

If the bids are finalised in January, said officials, work will begin in April. And it will take four years from the commencement of work before the line will be complete.

MMRDA officials said the L&T-led consortium has Siemens and Bharat Earth Movers Limited, Bangalore, with it, while Reliance Energy has a tie-up with Connex, a multinational with a presence in 25 countries.

ILFS is leading a consortium with four other companies, Consolidated Transport Network Ltd, Unity Infrastructure Projects, Skanska Construction, a multinational involved in the Delhi Metro project, and Italian-Thai Transport which runs the Bangkok metro rail

Shapoorji Pallonji's twin tower to come up by June 2007

Shapoorji Pallonji's twin residential towers at Tardeo, south Mumbai, are scheduled to commission by June 2007.
Construction work on what could be Mumbai's tallest residential building is in progress. The twin towers will have 60 floors each with 120 flats on each floor. The tower, designed by Hafeez Contractor, will offer maintenance free permanent exterior façade, split air-conditioning in all apartments, 24 large capacity high speed elevators, a fully equipped health club and spa, indoor swimming pool, restaurant and bar, a mini theatre and nine levels of car parking.
The Rs 500 crore project is being developed by S.D. Corporation, a joint venture between Shapoorji Pallonji & Company and builder Dilip Thacker.

Shapoorji Pallonji's twin tower to come up by June 2007

The twin towers will have 60 floors each with 120 flats on each floor.

what!! there is too much lazy journalism in india. 120 flats in each building maybe

on the oberoi skyz project (90 storeys). oberoi is looking at making it on the glaxo property on annie beasant road that he bought. only problem is the tv tower on the next plot, which does not want such a tall building next to it. oberoi has offered to put the antenna on top of his building, but the government does not want it on top of a private building on private land. so its stuck for now. we have to wait and watch

http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4015/image318wj.jpg

the new ghettos of india? they should have been a bit more imaginative with the design. these kind of mass housings have been a failure all over the world, with not much social interaction and depressing look

lets hope the reason they are rehabilitated goes through, i.e. the massive infra projects

It looks like it. I'm not sure what you can do with the amount of space they have and the number of people they need to provide housing for, but I too have my reservations about projects like these. All they tend to do is create isolation and resentment and eventually have to be torn down like all around the world because they do not work.

While such massive housing blocks may look (or eventually develop) like ghettos, what other options does the government really have to house the poorer sections in Mumbai?

The reason for the development of crime-filled ghettos in many Western cities is not the fact that they were drab housing blocks per se, but that they were segregated from the rest of the population. Plus, it was a coincidence that around the same time as Governments of the west took up public housing in a big way (after World War II), there was a flight of the richer folks to the suburbs due to the spread of the car culture combined with the building of urban expressways. Suburbs offered them a lifestyle that was valued (more space, smaller and more manageable communities offering better public services etc.) Public housing was built in the very inner city areas that richer folks were leaving.

None of these conditions prevail in Mumbai. The housing for the Project Affected Persons (PAPs) is coming up adjacent to middle-class housing blocks or even apartments for relatively richer folks in some cases. It is not segregated. Secondly, Mumbai is not divided into inner city vs. suburban areas. What used to be considered a suburb is very much part of the inner city now. And there isn't the city/suburb segregation that is seen in many western cities (suburb=richer, inner-city=poorer). Thirdly, unlike western cities, the inhabitants of these public housing blocks are not unemployed folks - they are mostly employed, regular folks, just poorer. Many of them are not abjectly poor - but lower middle class. Finally, unlike urban ghettos in Western cities that are not diverse (ghettos in the US are invariably black, those in Paris have Muslim immigrants from North Africa), the PAPs constitute an ethnically, linguistically and religiously diverse community.

Thus, while the buildings may be eyesores, they are unlikely to lead to the problems that are associated with public housing blocks in many western cities. Those problems are not due to the housing projects per se (though it had a role to play) - they were because of deeper underlying issues in society.

Such housing options can only accomodate (some of) the existing poor in Mumbai.

But what about the poor that keep pouring into the city in the future.

Only sustained regional development can contain urban poverty.

One more clarification is necessary. These are not housing blocks for the poor living in slums across Mumbai. These are housing blocks for those who have been displaced by these specific projects (MUTP/MUIP) where land had to be acquired for the projects. Some of them were illegal residents on these lands, but others were perfectly legal residents. Not all were in slums either, a large number were in pucca buildings - chawls and even apartment buildings - that abut railway tracks and roads.

The slum development project will follow a different project. They will be let out to private developers, who can use the land to develop saleable real estate, while providing a tenement to each slum dweller.

Public housing can be a success if managed well. Singapore is one such example - most of the city lives in public housing. They are non-descript, but not rundown.