"Vote Mumbai" - to kick off in 2 weeks (http://www.indiaprwire.com/news/other/20060609304-vote-mumbai.htm)

The city's biggest public campaign on governmental reforms starting from 28th June

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, 2006-06-09 (IndiaPRwire.com) -- Mumbai, 8th June 2006: "Vote Mumbai", which promises to be the biggest citizens' movement ever witnessed by Mumbai, will be launched on 28th June. The campaign which aims to change the face of Mumbai is being promoted by over 25 NGOs, civil society organizations and opinion leaders including APNALAYA, AGNI, YUVA, BOMBAY FIRST, BHRASTACHAR VIRODHI ANDOLAN, DIGNITY FOUNDATION, LOK SATTA MOVEMENT, NAGAR, JANAAGRAHA, JUHU CITIZEN ACTION GROUP, SPARC, MOHALLA COMMITTEE, and POPULATION FIRST.

The campaign is an endeavor to promote participatory democracy by empowering citizens and encouraging them to participate in the governance process.

According to Advocate Anant Shende, 'VOTE MUMBAI' Campaign Coordinator and head of the Maharashtra Chapter of Lok Satta Movement, "The tragic events of the past year have shattered the faith that Mumbaikars had placed in the city's governance. We believe that 'Vote Mumbai' campaign will bring together thousands of like-minded people who believe that Mumbai needs a central authority that is directly accountable to its citizens."

The cornerstones of the 'Vote Mumbai' campaign are:

1. Empowerment of the local government

2. Decentralization and democratization of local government.

3. Local Self Government with legitimate platform for people's participation.

4. Transparent local government, which is accountable to the citizens

VOTE MUMBAI requires volunteers for the five days residential full-time theatre workshop to be conducted from June 9-14. VOTE MUMBAI Campaign expects these volunteers to undergo the orientation and then carry out street plays in groups on the campaign in local basti's and designated areas during next four to five months to connect citizens with the campaign and increase awareness about the need for municipal reforms in Mumbai to make it accountable to citizens and improve service delivery. Interested, young, energetic, committed volunteers in the age group of 18 to 25 years may contact Pankaj Kharat between 11am and 6pm on any weekday on 23772242 / 23772284 or email loksatta.maharashtrachapter@gmail.com.

About Vote Mumbai
VOTE MUMBAI is a non-partisan platform of citizens and NGOs, which proposes solutions to recognise the supremacy of the citizens adn changes the power equation so that it flows from the people.

For more information, Please contact:
Monika Bhatkhande
Sr Exec, Imprimis PR
24375620
mbhatkhande@imprimispr.com

You can also visit www.votemumbai.org for more information.

Good Luck with vote Mumbai.

By the way I came across this one by coincidence...

Some project (what's the name?) by Gundecha Builders, Parel

Render - copyright Architect Hafeez Contractor website

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/9323/gundechaparel5rt.jpg

Status
photos cc rights world leader pretend

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7867/lalbaughmumbaiunkworlleaderpre.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/8712/lalbaughunkbuild2ccworldleader.jpg

Has the service started already? The report also says "none of the existing taxi drivers would lose their jobs as they would be absorbed by the fleet operators". Does this mean the black-and-yellow rust boxes will be replaced by the new fleet?
I think it will be out for public in next 2 - 3 months time. But yeah, the first few taxis are out. I saw few Tata indicas as well as one Maruti Esteem in which the reporter took a ride.

Hay guys

FYI, I created a thread in the SSP International Forum called: The Bombay *BOOM* -- A Rundown of U/C Skyscrapers in MUMBAI, India! (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=8812712#) -- a comprehensive list of skyscrapers u/c in Mumbai over 25 stories

That thread over there is my pet project. It will be continuously updated with new project information and news. I'm maintaining a parallel thread (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=2112811) in the SkyscrapePage India subforum.


Please check it out!
Cheers,
Jai

Thanks Jai, just what I wanted.

Great pics Bombay Boy of the new building. Yeah good luck to "Vote Mumbai" hope it is a great success.

Thats great, thanks Bombay Boy! Cant wait for some photos. :)

Yeah!... Coming back after soooooo long. Hey Guys!!! and welcome to new forumers.
This is really good news. but a "5 floor" step forward is hardly any step forward. This way we will reach somewhere in maybe another 10 years!! :(

damn straight... geaz ill be dead once india hits hte 500m mark...

Thanks Jai for the new list! Very helpful. Not moaning or anything but some of the building work/construction has finished on some of the buildings i.e. Zahara, Avarsekar Heights & Evita. Four Seasons Hotel as also finished construction and has been glazed which is not on the list. Would be useful where in Mumbai these buildings are being built. Thanx.

Hi,

Am adding to the Bombay Boom Rundown thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=360628) locations, deleting the three you mentioned, and am adding the following:

RNA Metropolitan, Parel: one (two?) tower(s) of ~52 stories (each). More information needed.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/5926/10zo2.jpg

Orchid Tower, Mumbai Central; 50 stories. More information needed.
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/2470/17os4.jpg

Tabrez Tower, Wadala: 45 stories
http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/4651/19rl2.jpg

RNA Metropolis, Wadala (West): two towers of ~40 stories each; multiple towers ~20-25 stories each. More information needed.
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/6770/25sn.jpg

RNA @ Central Park, Chembur: ~40 stories. More information needed.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1195/16om3.jpg

RNA Sunderbans, Santacruz (East): ~40 stories. More information needed.
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/333/19ij6.jpg

Four Seasons Hotel, Worli: 35 stories (forgot about this one!)
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/5472/fourseasons22xt3tm.jpg

Hafeez Contractor House, Parel; 35 stories.
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3666/hafeezcontractorhouse3jz.jpg

Oberoi Park View, Kandivali: two towers of 30 stories each
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2104/oberoiparkview8ax1rz.jpg

Gundecha Gardens, Mulund: two towers of ~30 stories each
http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5158/10ll1.jpg

RNA @ 4th, Chembur: ~30 stories. More information needed.
http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3738/12wf3.jpg

City of Joy, Mulund: 30 stories, 27 stories, 21 stories, 18 stories
http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/3348/10ji3.jpg

Rustomjee O-Zone, Goregaon: six towers of 28 stories each
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8010/oz7ao.jpg

Hiranandani Meridian, Thane: 28 stories
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8357/meridianelevation2xc.jpg

Hiranandani Evelina, Thane: 27 stories
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/360/evelinaelevation9od.jpg

Hiranandani Springhill, Thane: 26 stories
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/8357/meridianelevation2xc.jpg

Amrit Shakti, Powail: multiple towers of 25 stories, multiple towers 15-20 stories each. More information needed.
http://img106.imageshack.us/img106/3849/10aw3.jpghttp://img83.imageshack.us/img83/5179/28ie2.jpghttp://img106.imageshack.us/img106/952/37lq1.jpg

Dosti Flamingos, Parel: four towers of 25 stories, two of 15 stories, two of 9 stories each
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9528/dosti23os.jpghttp://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6118/dosti12kg.jpg

RNA Royal Park, Kandivali (West): ~25 stories. More information needed.
http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/8299/royalepark8hj3mi.jpg

Ravi Estate Phase - 2, Thane: 25 stories
http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/6789/19uc1.jpg

Cheers,
Jai

Underworld rules the SRA roost in Mumbai (http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=2&articleid=6122006003659361120062355646)

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/663/mirror200661226122006003659361.jpg
Above: One of Surve's multi-crore SRA development projects in Borivli

Jt Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik had sent written directives to city police stations in April instructing them to check the underworld’s involvement in slum rehabilitation projects, yet...

Ashish Khetan

The underworld is lording it over slum-rehabilitation projects in Mumbai — right under the Mumbai police’s nose. In a two-week-long investigation, Mumbai Mirror found that notorious criminals were handling huge SRA projects worth hundreds of crores in the city. This, despite a written directive from Joint Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik to different police stations instructing them to check the underworld’s involvement in Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) projects. Patnaik had issued the directive in April and has held two meetings of police officers over the issue since then.

According to Patnaik, “We have intelligence inputs about gangsters’ involvement in SRA projects. An inquiry is being conducted into projects where we suspect underworld involvement .”

Mirror found three men with criminal antecedents, underworld affiliation and with several cases registered against them at various police stations, carrying out huge SRA building projects in the city. Their projects involve hundreds of crores of investment raising a question mark over the source of funds.


Prakash Surve

Prakash Surve, with four cases of extortion and grievous assault registered against him at Borivli police station, is currently carrying out three SRA projects in Borivli, Dahisar and Worli. His projects include Adarsh Nagar in Borivli, Shanti Nagar in Dahisar (East) and Gandhinagar in Worli. According to current market rates the projects are worth over Rs 400 crore.

From a known underworld figure Surve become a real estate developer overnight and now runs two big construction companies — Raj Constructions and Aman Raj Constructions. “I want to contest the next assembly elections and my detractors are filing false cases against me,” said Surve, a resident of Nootan Nagar, Borivli (West).


Kashi Pasi

Kashi Pasi is Chhota Rajan’s Man Friday in the western suburbs and is currently in judicial custody after being booked under MCOCA. He is handling the slum-rehabilitation project of the Koldongri slums in Andheri. The project involves rehabilitating 2,500 families in an area spread over one lakh square feet. Kashi’s brother Subash looks after the business while the former is in jail. The Pasi brothers stand to earn over Rs 100 crore from the sale of FSI. The brothers were also involved with SRA projects in Daulat Nagar in Santacruz, Sambhaji Nagar in Andheri and Konkan Nagar in Jogeshwari. These projects were each worth over Rs 200 crore.

The Pasi brothers, originally from Gajipur village in UP, used to live in a chawl in Shankarwadi in Jogeshwari till a few years ago. However, the family stock rose as Kashi ventured into the underworld. Kashi has over two dozen cases of extortion, assault and rioting registered against him at different police stations in Mumbai and Thane. He was booked under MCOCA for his ties with the Rajan gang six months ago.

“Koldongri will be my first SRA project. In earlier projects I had helped the builders get agreements done with the slum dwellers. Later on, I supplied building material for all these projects through my company called Raj Traders,” said Subhash from his Bandra flat.


Indu Shetty

Indu Shetty is a known Chhota Rajan aide in the western suburbs. Shetty has three cases of extortion and assault registered against him at Kandivli and Charkop police stations. He is currently involved with SRA projects near Shimpoli police station in Borivli. Shetty’s name had recently cropped up during Mumbai police’s investigation into their own cops — Ashok Borkar and Sanjeev Gawde — having underworld links. Shetty, police found, was the link between Borkar and Chhota Rajan. Besides, the project in Shimpoli, Shetty has also undertaken a couple of SRA projects in Kandvli and Charkop. When contacted, Shetty refused to speak to Mirror.

Boom time in realty sector (http://www.thestatesman.net/page.news.php?clid=12&theme=&usrsess=1&id=119619)

Press Trust of India
MUMBAI, June 11: The Rs 2,250-crore real estate deal by Adani group in Mumbai’s Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in May and the Rs 821-crore deal struck by the Delhi-based Parsvnath developers in Chandigarh, recently, have once again catapulted the Indian realty sector into the spotlight.

If the present trends continue to be mirrored in the coming months, then the Indian property market could witness a healthy growth in the medium-term horizon, experts in the industry said.

A report by a leading international consultancy, puts it in perspective by stating that “in India’s fast-growing economy, real estate has emerged as one of the most appealing investment areas for domestic as well as foreign investors.” The interest shown by investors from Singapore to invest in Indian realty by forming a consortium to promote real estate projects recently, is another indication of the immense potential as well as increasing foreign interest in this sector.

According to reports, these investors are awaiting regulatory approvals for their foray into the Indian market.

“A tremendous growth-driver will be the booming IT sector with nearly 70 per cent of new construction estimated to emanate from it. Another growth-driver “will be the basic need for modern real estate”, the report stated.

The report further said that the growing young population with huge surplus earnings is also likely to channelise money into real estate, housing, educational establishments, shopping malls and infrastructure projects.
Reflecting this view, Mr Bharat Udeshi, a stock-broker and real estate industry observer, sad that “with the bourses now exhibiting extreme volatility there is every possibility of investors diverting some money into the real estate sector.

If this happens, it will instill greater buoyancy into the already-robust Indian realty sector.” According to him, a robust real estate market also has the potential to fuel growth in associated sectors like cement and steel, which, in turn, will help contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
The realty boom has also had a positive spin-off on other segments as well; for example, on real estate mutual funds.

While, initially, most funds were floated by big names such as HDFC and Kotak Mahindra, presently, more players are reportedly mulling setting up their own funds.

LIC Housing Finance (LICHF) is one such, though, its strategy is to first garner experience in the field before undertaking operations in a big way.
Housing finance director and chief executive Mr SK Mitter while declaring his company’s FY- 06 financial results, said, “given the present good health of the real estate sector, I foresee no hurdles in its rapid growth in the foreseeable future.” LICHF has invested Rs 50-crore in Kotak Mahindra’s India’s Realty Fund and another Rs 10 crore in Unitech’s CIG Realty Fund.
Most of the funds floated in the recent past have received a strong response from investors and market reports state that over the last six months, nearly $500 million has flowed into the sector.

The current trends in the sector indicate that the property market in the metros and other urban centres, will continue to remain hot while momentum will begin to gather soon in Tier II and Tier III towns as well.

Thanks Jai, fab rundown of buildings under construction.

Could we have more pics of BKC please? Some new buildings are being constructed like the Convention Centre as well as the new Diamond Bourse should have finished construction? Lets not forget the new commercial buildings as well which are going to be important locations.

How is the restoration of VY coming along?

Hi Im new to the forum. I know the SD towers have been under construction for a while. Does anyone have the latest pics of them? Does anyone know how far the work has gone and whne it will be done? Sorry if this isnt the right place to post. (Im new)


Thanks!

Welcome SU30MKI, Ive not seen anything latley. All I know is that one of the towers has glass being fitted but the towers are not topped out as yet. Need someone to go out and take pictures.

Thanks for the reply Cov boy. Do you know when these towers are expected to be finished?

Has this been posted before? Very handsome looking building. From HC:

IIT Bio School, Mumbai
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8935/12jg4.jpg

Nope not seen this one before! Looks very flashy for school but nice anyhow.

Oh I meant VT not VY!!!

No problem SU30MKI, expected completion date is Dec 2006.

Have you seen this thread?

http://skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=149659

How is beaumonde coming along?

It's like a Frank Gehry, except tolerable.

Yeah looks like a flash museum in LA or New York.

Any pictures of the Marine Drive make-over? Would love to see how it is progressing.

Mumbai plans to free space, resettle slumdwellers in developed salt-pans (http://www.indianexpress.com/story/6566.html)

Mahesh Mhatre

MUMBAI, JUNE 15:The Centre is working on a comprehensive policy for redeveloping the slums in Mumbai so that precious real estate in the island city can be freed up for infrastructure and development.

The innovative ‘From Hutments to Tenements’ policy envisages resettling Mumbai’s slumdwellers in housing projects that could be developed on the 2,700-acre expanse of salt-pan land in the city.

Under the proposed policy, 50 per cent of the land freed up after removing slums and encroachments would go to public sector entities, while bids will be invited for the other half for development by private parties.

Union Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath, under whose jurisdiction the salt-pan land falls, has already given the go-ahead to opening up this land for redevelopment.

Nath, who was in Mumbai on May 25, had met Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and agreed to share the land with the state government to resettle slumdwellers from near the domestic and international airports and from the Mumbai Port Trust land.

The GVK group, which has bagged the modernisation project for the Mumbai airport, faces several problems in building a second runway and new terminals for both the domestic and international airports, most restricting of which is the limited land available.

Encroachments by slumdwellers around the airports are not only detrimental to the project, but also pose a security threat. The salt-pan land development projects could accommodate the residents of these slums and free up space for the airport expansion.

A committee headed by the state’s Chief Secretary D Sankaran will chalk out within the next four weeks a plan to redevelop the salt-pan land. Government sources say that the Costal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) Rules applicable on the salt-pan land would be the main hurdle.

Carving up the land could also be tricky—though most of it is owned by the Central and state governments, stakeholders like salt producers could try to block development. ‘‘The committee will begin meeting soon, to sort out all these issues,’’ Sankaran said.

The Committee would be paying careful attention to all the technical aspects of the issue, examining it from all angles with the help of Urban Land Department officers and experts.

Meanwhile, Mumbai’s environmentalists are still set against the redevelopment. A Concerned Citizens’ Commission, set up last year to investigate the causes behind the July 26 floods, has warned that development of such lands could cause flooding.

mahesh.mhatre@expressindia.com

http://www.indianexpress.com/res/i/mediumImages/M_Id_1436.jpg

A walk under the trees along Mithi? Soon (http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=188309)

IIT proposal for landscaping river bank under study

Anumeha Yadav

Mumbai, June 15: You could be jogging on a tree-lined promenade along the Mithi river by December, or strolling in a mangrove park near the river’s mouth at Mahim. That is, if all goes as per plan.

Come September and the Mithi River Protection and Development Authority (MRPDA)—a body set up by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh after the river flooded last monsoon—will begin landscaping the river bank as per the recommendations of a team of experts from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Powai.

‘‘We have asked Tata Consulting Engineers to study IIT’s recommendations along with the ground situation and to present a feasibility report in a month,’’ said V S Tondwalkar Project Director, MRPDA.

The report, prepared in February by IIT’s Centre for Environmental Science and Engineering, provides suggestions for transforming the much-abused natural drain into a prudently used water resource. On the anvil are fig and neem plantations on the upper stretch—from the Vihar and Powai lake to the Aarey Milk Colony—and banana and canna plants along the middle stretch as these will reduce siltation and catch the solid waste.

The river’s lower stretch—the Bandra Kurla complex region—will serve as a buffer zone with a thick mangrove belt. The mangroves, which pump out excessive minerals from water, will aid the clean up process.

Catch drains along the promenade to prevent sewage from reaching the river, a road to keep encroachments at bay and provide easy access to the river are also on the cards. A jogging track or a service road may be constructed to separate the buffer zone from land used for commercial and residential purposes.

The Mithi clean-up
The initial portion of the report, submitted in February, after sampling the river for pollution levels, studied water supply and waste treatment facilities along the river. It then provided suggestions for improving the river flow. The submission was followed by the first clean-up phase between March and May, which comprised dredging and desilting the river.
The river now flows freely, after the 100-crore process, at places where it used to be a trickle.
Phase II—between September and May 2007— will cover further widening of the river. Forty metres of the banks will be cleared on either side, for which Rs 1,100 crore has been allocated.

The games continue.....

Maharashtra govt halts development of mill land

http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=1&autono=95356&tab=r

In a move that is likely to impact the sliding prices of real estate in Mumbai city, the Maharashtra government today issued an order stalling development of mill land in the city, pending the resettlement of chawls on premises.

In a surprise development, the state urban development ministry, headed by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, issued an order saying, "Permission should not be given by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to development plans of mill land unless it includes the rehabilitation of chawls adjacent to the mill lands."

The development of the chawls will be over and above the provision for one-third of the mill land being given to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority for low-cost housing.

According to the order, which comes into effect from June 14, the developer is bound to give a 225 sq ft flat to each tenement holder as of January 1, 2000.

The state government's order is likely to stall 30 million sq ft of development across both NTC and privately owned mill land that is currently coming up in the mill area, valued at Rs 15,000 crore.

These developments include the five mills NTC sold to private developers including India Bulls (Elphinstone and Jupiter Mills) and DLF (Mumbai Mills).

Nope not seen this one before! Looks very flashy for school but nice anyhow.

Oh I meant VT not VY!!!


you sould see MIT's buildings. i'll look for some pics.

Thanks pding!

pics of MIT CS buildings. this is out of topic but still some cool stuff.

http://www.kegz.net/archives/images/gehry_mit.jpg

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.rachelallen.net/buildings/5/images/1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.rachelallen.net/buildings/5/1.html&h=330&w=477&sz=93&tbnid=vcFqPujz2-bn6M:&tbnh=87&tbnw=126&hl=en&start=6&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMIT%2Bbuildings%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D



but yes, Hafeez design for the IIT building is pretty flashy and will be a landmark if it ever gets built.

Kingston Tower, Parel by Siroya Developers
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8223/2437mainthumb2yu.jpg
31 floors

----

Ashok Gardens, Parel by Peninsula Facility Management Services Pvt. Ltd.
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8642/2435mainthumb5dr.jpg
2 towers of 25 floors

The games continue.....

Maharashtra govt halts development of mill land

http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=1&autono=95356&tab=r

In a move that is likely to impact the sliding prices of real estate in Mumbai city, the Maharashtra government today issued an order stalling development of mill land in the city, pending the resettlement of chawls on premises.

In a surprise development, the state urban development ministry, headed by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, issued an order saying, "Permission should not be given by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai to development plans of mill land unless it includes the rehabilitation of chawls adjacent to the mill lands."

The development of the chawls will be over and above the provision for one-third of the mill land being given to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority for low-cost housing.

According to the order, which comes into effect from June 14, the developer is bound to give a 225 sq ft flat to each tenement holder as of January 1, 2000.

The state government's order is likely to stall 30 million sq ft of development across both NTC and privately owned mill land that is currently coming up in the mill area, valued at Rs 15,000 crore.

These developments include the five mills NTC sold to private developers including India Bulls (Elphinstone and Jupiter Mills) and DLF (Mumbai Mills).

sounds fair to me. resettling of any existing chawls is part of the deal for any mill. most of them dont even have chawls on them, so dont have to resettle them. extremely exagerrated article, since most if not all of the mills sold dont have to resettle anyone since no one was living on the land occupied by them

http://www.andheriplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=AP1ART06162006

CITY TO FLY HIGH-FI(VE)

http://www.andheriplus.com/img/AP1ART06162006.jpg

Western Express Highway gets more flyovers.

Virat Singh l WEH

The horrors on the Western Express Highway have been brought under control in the past few days, except for one or two junction hiccups during the peak hours. The good news is that five new flyovers will soon crop up between Kandivali to Bandra to clear the remaining traffic conflicts and ensure that the motorists are always on the … go. The spots identified by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) for the five flyovers are:

THAKUR COMPLEX
-Contactor: Ameya Developers and J. Kumar Company (Joint venture)
-Accepted tenders: Rs. 22.38 crores
-Status: Road widening underway by MMRDA. Permission from Traffic Department awaited for further progress.
-Time limit: 15 Months (Work yet to begin)
-Work order: Issued
-Flyover length: 600 meters
-Lanes: 3 + 3
-Target area - Decongest Thakur Complex-Samta Nagar Junction. Also expected to play a major role by regulating traffic piling between Kandivali railway station and the new townships in Kandivali (East)

TIMES OF INDIA, MALAD
-Contactor: Ameya Developers and J. Kumar Company (Joint venture)
-Accepted Tenders: Rs. 17.09 crores
-Status: Work yet to start, permission from Traffic Department awaited.
-Work order: Issued
-Time limit: 15 Months
-Flyover length: 487.66 Meters
-Lanes: 3 + 3
-Target area: To decongest the Times of India junction; it witnesses the slowest movement.

DINDOSHI - GOREGAON
-Contactor: J. Kumar Company
-Accepted Tenders: Rs.10.38 crores
-Status: Work in progress with a duplicate flyover being constructed to the existing one.
-Work order: Issued
-Time limit: 12 Months
-Length: 485 Meters
-Target area: Decongesting Dindhoshi Junction. Will be an exact replica of the existing flyover, which has traffic plying two ways in the day and one way towards Borivali in the night.
Lanes: Similar as the adjacent bridge

SANTACRUZ AIRPORT JUNCTION
-Contactor: Tenders under consideration
-Accepted tenders: Approved cost at Rs. 33.85 crores
-Status: Work yet to begin
-Work order: Not issued
-Time limit: 18 months
-Flyover length: 703 Meters
-Lanes: 3 + 3
-Target area: Decongesting the Domestic Airport Junction.

KHERWADI
-Contactor: M. Venkatrao
-Accepted Tenders: Rs. 25.77 crores
-Status: Awaiting green signal from the Traffic Departments
-Work Order: Issued
-Time limit: 15 months
-Flyover length: 627.74 meters
-Target area: Decongesting the stretch going towards Bandra flyover
-Lanes: 3 + 3


8 EXISTING FLYOVERS FROM BANDRA TO BORIVALI -National Park Flyover
-Magathane Flyover
-Rani Sati Flyover
-Dindhoshi Flyover
-Jaycoach Flyover
-Andheri Flyover
-Vakola Flyover
-Bandra Flyover

5 new flyovers, under the MSRDC, to be ready by 2008

http://www.andheriplus.com/fullStory.asp?articleID=AP3ART6162006

Andheri to get a flyover and a subway

http://www.andheriplus.com/img/AP3ART6162006.jpg



Virat Singh, S V Road
Pics: Virat Singh

How many times have you been peeved by the fact that you missed the 9.05 Churchgate bound local at the Andheri station, while you were busy negotiating the traffic jam just few yards away.
Keeping in mind the notoriety of the traffic congestion between the SV Road junction and Barfiwala Road (Rajiv Gandhi Chowk), a construction of a flyover and pedestrian- cum-vehicular subway was proposed by Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) who handed the responsibility of construction of the project to Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC). The project includes:

THE BRIDGE
The proposed four lane flyover would begin opposite to Upasara Lane on the Barfiwala Road and would go on to divide into two arms at the Rajiv Gandhi Chowk ending at the common point at the existing Gokhale Bridge with suitable clearance between the roads from Andheri Railway Station to Lallubhai Park.
The North Arm (towards the Andheri Station) would have vehicles moving towards highway, while the South Arm (towards Lallubhai Park) would have traffic flowing towards Barfiwala Lane.

SUBWAY
Traffic surveys have identified the place between Barfiwala Lane and MA Road of heavy pedestrian activity with commuters moving to and fro from Andheri Station West, along with vehicular traffic. A subway, running below the SV Road from Barfiwala Lane to MA Road, has been suggested. It will begin from Barfiwala Lane, opposite to Vita bank near Samroack Apartments, passing below the SV Road to terminate on the MA Road in front of the school. This subway will be open to light vehicles (autos, cars, taxis) and pedestrians.

THE PURPOSE
The flyover and subway will remove the conflict points from traffic jamming on the SV Road. Traffic moving towards Barfiwala Road and highway can directly take the south arm or north arm respectively, while traffic and pedestrian moving towards the station can take the subway with wasting time at signals or obstructing traffic on SV Road.
“The flyover coupled with the proposed pedestrian cum vehicular subway will relieve the hazard to the traffic as well as the pedestrian commuting at the junction,” concludes an official from MSRDC.

Flyover Bridge 16.6 meters wide with footpath of 2 meters wide on both sides
Subway 52 meters
Project duration 15 months
Cost Rs. 22.40 crores

Here are some more projects I have found



-----

Eternity, Thane (W), by Kanakia Construction
Four towers of 13 stories each
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/3336/eternity9uj.jpg

-----

Vasundhara, Thane (W), by Kanakia Construction
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/6800/vasundhara0dd.jpg

-----

Iris Park, Off S.V. Road, by B Raheja Builders
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/2156/home14ee.jpg

-----

Viceroy Court, Kandivali, by BREDCO Ltd.
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/179/viceroycourtfilesviceroycourto.jpg

-----

Dheeraj Dreams, Bhandup (W), by Dheeraj Group
http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/8518/flash1rk.jpg

-----

Elita, Andheri (W), by Rustomjee / Keystone Group
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/402/elitafullviewth9zy.jpg

-----

Elanza, Malad (W), by Rustomjee / Keystone Group
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/5842/elanzafullviewth2om.jpg

-----

Silver Spring, Bhandra, by Rizvi Builders
15 storeyed building
http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/7625/silverspringimagen5sm.gif

-----

Vikas Palms, Thane (W), by Vikas Group
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6607/19sa6.jpg

-----

Gundecha Symphony, Andheri (W), by Gundecha Builders
http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/7779/sym125at.jpg

-----

Soham Apartments, Walkeshwar, by P R Builders
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/9606/sohambldlarge4pn4qv.jpg

-----

Meera, Santacruz (W) , by P R Builders
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4357/meerabldlarge6te8fo4gp.jpg

-----

Swarna, JVPD Scheme, by P R Builders
http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/50/swarnabldlarge9fa7tn4hz.jpg

-----

Dosti Elite, Sion, by Dosti Group
Ready posession
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1264/22gg1.jpg

-----

Yogi Dham Phase III, , by
Three towers of 12 stories each
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/6862/enlarged5gi8pw.jpg

-----

White Field Palms, Bangalore, by B Raheja Builders
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/7055/home14tn.jpg

-----

Maple Leaf, Mumbai, by K Raheja Corp
12 stories
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4116/mapleleaf17vq.jpg

-----

Brooke Ville, Mumbai, by K Raheja Corp
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9043/structure5ki.gif

-----


Aashish C- View, Worli by Sanghvi Developers
http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/9836/worli2hk.jpg

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Shantivan, Kandivali (E), by Vijay Associates (Wadhwa Developers)
Two towers of 25 stories each
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/5341/imagesshantivan6tr6ha.jpg

-----

Anmol, Goregaon (W),by Vijay Associates (Wadhwa Developers)
Four towers of officially 16 stories each (but I count 1 + 23 + 2-storey-sized roof elements)
http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/8214/imagesanmolimage6qb.jpg

-----

Solitaire, Powai, by Vijay Associates (Wadhwa Developers)
Officially 23 stories each (but I count 30-33 stories in render)
http://img467.imageshack.us/img467/1706/imagessolitairepowaielevation8.jpg

-----

Skyline Icon, Andheri, by Skyline Residency Pvt. Ltd.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4624/28jb2.jpg

-----

Skyline Epitome, Ghatkopar (W), by Skyline Residency Pvt. Ltd.
http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/4378/33pd2.jpg

-----

Skyline Oasis, Near Vidyavihar Staion (W), by Skyline Residency Pvt. Ltd.
http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/7569/55ks1.jpg

-----

Sumer Trinity Towers, Prabhadevi, by Sumer Group
Three towers of 36 stories each
Property Flyer [pdf] (http://www.mumbai.realacres.com/components/com_hotproperty/pdf.php?id=820)
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/6186/820820820sumertrinitytower6xo.jpg

-----

Sumer Burhani Park, Mazgaon, by Sumer Group
Two towers of 40 stories, six towers of 21 stories each
Property Flyer [pdf] (http://www.mumbai.realacres.com/components/com_hotproperty/pdf.php?id=825)
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/6813/28ck2.jpg

edit-- its the same as this building complex at Apollo Mills
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3591/atlasmills3tv7px.jpg

-----

Jai!

Great work!

Hi,

Am adding to the Bombay Boom Rundown thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=360628) the following buildings.


Added renderings from Lodha Bellisimo, Chinchpokli: one (two?) tower(s) of equivalent height of ~63 stories including roof effects, pinnacle; 50 liveable stories with higher ceiling size, and discounting podium. Claims 'Mumbai's tallest u/c building' tag; to be taller than Imperial Towers.

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/1536/project1a6ab9kc.jpg http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/5351/bel30mk4gr.jpg

Added more details for Sumer Burhani Park, Mazgaon: two towers of 40 stories, six towers of 21 stories each.
http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/8776/28ck29kh.jpg http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3591/atlasmills3tv7px.jpg

Added more details for Sumer Trinity Towers, Prabhadevi: three towers of 36 stories each.
http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/9047/820820820sumertrinitytower6xo1.jpg

Solitaire, Powai: 33 stories in render. Note: initial listings show 23 stories, but renderings 25. More information needed.
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1706/imagessolitairepowaielevation8.jpg

Brooke Ville, Mumbai: 29 stories. More information needed.
http://img65.imageshack.us/img65/9043/structure5ki.gif

Elanza, Malad (West): three towers of 28 stories each
http://img70.imageshack.us/img70/5842/elanzafullviewth2om.jpg

Shantivan, Kandivali (E): two towers of 25 stories each
http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/720/imagesshantivan6tr6ha9ud.jpg

jai................Nice work there. :)

Hey Jai Nice Work there. Correct me is the Skyline Icon, Epitome and and Oasis is a mall or residency. Cause to me it looks pretty much mall.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/Web/HTMumbai/Article/2006/06/25/012/25_06_2006_012_005.jpg

vibs89,

I believe both of them are malls. But I posted them for posterity's sake :)

Anyway, here's an interesting map I found of the new Reliance SEZ, Mahamumbai, with an interesting blurb from the accompanying article which shows clearly how significant this development is, and now, with the construction of the harbor-spanning Nhava Sheva-Sewri bridge in the near future, just how close it will be from downtown Mumbai, and how it will thus boom.

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/5425/200606300037113011js.jpg

Zone of conflict (http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/stories/20060630003711300.htm)
What the company wants to set up is not very different from the East India Company's trading zones. Reliance wants to develop a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Chirner. An SEZ is an enclave where no taxes are collected, there are no labour laws and there is no local government - on land taken for a pittance. That is the Maha Mumbai SEZ project.

It will be Mumbai's satellite city spread over 35,000 acres (1 acre is 0.4 hectare) - one-third the size of the metropolis. Since the government has cleared Reliance's request for it to be the special planning authority, the company will have complete control over the development of the entire area. With land prices shooting up, undeveloped areas outside the city are the next big booty for real estate developers. Before anyone could lay their hands on it, Reliance has gobbled up the entire stretch from Navi Mumbai to Dharamtar creek. And the government is acting as its real estate agent. It will acquire 45 villages for the Reliance project.

....

"Why should we sell for less? Let them pay the market rate. The land value will soon be much higher than even Rs.40 lakh when the new airport is built here and the Nhava Sheva-Sewri bridge will make it only a 30-minute drive into central Mumbai," said D.K. Patil, executive president of the Maha Mumbai Shetkari Sangharsh Samiti, a coalition of several groups that has been formed to challenge unfair land acquisitions. The value of land here is high also because of its proximity to the JNPT port.

Two u/c pics of the BW Sealink, originally found at http://doesmumbaimatter.blogspot.com/

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/445/bwsl1uu.jpg

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9499/bridgeworlishutternut6qi01cn.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5649/kalpatarusynergy8xl.jpg

Can anyone post the renderings form Transharbor sealink. It suppose to start soon in few months. :)

Two u/c pics of the BW Sealink, originally found at http://doesmumbaimatter.blogspot.com/

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/445/bwsl1uu.jpg

http://img465.imageshack.us/img465/9499/bridgeworlishutternut6qi01cn.jpg

WOW......grt pic!

:)

Can anyone post the renderings form Transharbor sealink. It suppose to start soon in few months. :)

Yup we need renders!

Flights of fancy - a 4D movie theatre comes to Mumbai
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=190732

IF attention spans are getting shorter by the day, this latest addition to the city’s entertainment menu promises a virtual antidote to ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder).

Orama, Mumbai’s first 4D movie theatre at Worli’s Atria Mall, comes fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology that allows movie-goers to get more involved with the goings-on on the screen than ever thought possible before. ‘‘The audience will be able to feel the wind, water sprays, movement of the characters on screen, see lightning and smell various smells,’’ says Ankur Choksi, owner of the theatre, whose initial line-up of movies for the coming weeks includes, Haunted House, Panda Vision and Magic Carpet.

However, movies for such 4D theatres across the world are usually kept short in duration, to crank up the hi-tech fun. Of course the ulterior motive that isn’t highlighted is that they serve as a great big honeypot for the mall to draw in the hordes. Nevertheless, Orama promises to give you your 75 to 200 bucks worth of entertainment, with its leg ticklers, wind blasters, water sprays, bubble machines, laser machines and simulator chairs.

And Mumbaiites who are no virgins to the technology will perhaps be the first to queue up at the ticket counter.

Choksi intends to screen wildlife documentaries for school children and an interesting combination of animated and horror movies. And in a 72-seater hall, there are nine chairs that guarantee a little extra fun at a little extra cost. ‘‘I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag by telling all right now. I can only ensure my customers an absolutely thrilling ride,’’ he says.

Never heard of a 4D movie theatre before.

Sheth Beaumonde

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/35/shethbeaumondemum1ue.jpg

Planet Godrej

(not sure how old the construction photo is)

48 floors + 3 floors (parking?)

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8669/planetgodrejstatus2cj.jpg

WOW, both Sheth & Beaumonde coming on well but wonder how old those pics are?

some of those projects are very impressive and give mumbai a great look.

i hope the andheri flyover project is done by 08 or 09. the city will def have a landmark in this.

New(?) renderings of The Imperial towers:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/7350/60gal63gj.jpg

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6003/60gal19qq.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/8963/60gal22ah.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3945/60gal30rk.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3388/60gal43od.jpg

http://img114.imageshack.us/img114/8837/60gal55sj.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9030/60gal78cv.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/9849/60gal86gb.jpg


Note that the cladding, pinnacle and some of the design of the tower is different than the one posted on the architect's website:
http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2358/0319to.jpg

Which one is the correct/final rendering? Who knows. I do hope it is the one on HC's website.

The Shapoorji Rendering could be the final one. The rounded edges are gone.

Ajmera Cosmic Heights update

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/971/cosmicheightsmk5eo.jpg http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/6882/ajmeracosmicheightsstatus6az.jpg

Jai..............................Great work pal. Just realize those twin towers look different from front and back which is great.

The BEST renderings of Imperial Towers I have ever seen! :eek2:

Still cant get over the pictures.

Which ever the correct design for the top of the building, they both look great to me.

BTW how is the project coming along? Nearly topped out? Some recent photographs would be great.

Kalpataru Horizon update

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/6291/kalpataruhorizonjune20065si.jpg

WOW! Kalpataru Horizons coming on well....another suprise!

Govind Niwas

www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1038357

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday permitted the landlord of Govind Niwas, a four-storey building on Altamount Road, to redevelop the structure and construct an 18-storey building in its place. The court, however, stayed further construction of the building till the landlord complies with certain conditions of disclosing details regarding the project to the 31 tenants, who will be re-housed in the new building. The construction of the 18-storey tower behind Woodland Apartment on Peddar Road was challenged by the New Woodland Cooperative Housing Society. The petition alleged that the landlord, Govind Shah, had created fictitious tenants to claim a higher floor space index (FSI) under the development control rule (DCR) 33 (7), which governs reconstruction of dilapidated cessed buildings.

_____________________________________________

Project photo
Govind Nivas
Altamount Road, Mumbai
Double basement + 40’ high podium having 18 floors with 3 level parking

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/3811/govindniwas5tf.jpg

Raheja One Altamount Road
12 parking levels + 22 typical floors with duplex flats

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7778/rahejaonealtamountroad5id5fd.jpg http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/953/onealtamountrdmum1cu.jpg

Queen's Court @ Worli (NOW ALMOST READY)

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/3508/queenscourt77fr.jpg http://img76.imageshack.us/img76/6145/queenscourt66wx.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/5456/queenscourt45hc.jpg http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6283/queenscourt33mz.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/3884/queenscourt28zo.jpg http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/2566/queenscourt53ro.jpg

Atria Commercial Mall @ Worli

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/6848/56dg1.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/1596/156ji.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/7893/87ln.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/1825/91rb.jpg

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/3507/108jt.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/5302/116wf.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9600/44vo.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/6567/122yc.jpg

The Legend @ Walkeshwar ( Latest rendering has Color & design change)

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9176/legend17jd.jpg

Konark Empress (NOW READY)

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6638/15qc3.jpg

http://img347.imageshack.us/img347/5448/22vg1.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3665/37ac2.jpg

Wow - I'm quite impressed by that mall. The renderings hardly ever do justice to projects like this.

I agree, the finished and real thing look great when finished.

Just love Queens Court, The Legend & Konark Empress actually like all these projects on this page.

I very much like the Atria Mall esp. the interior.

Whats with the colour & design changes of "The Legend"? I prefer the original colours.

I thought Konark Empress & Queens Court were finished long time ago?

Great pictures anyway, the lobby of Queens Court is FAB!!!!

Please find more renderings of Planet Godrej taken from their website http://www.godrejproperties.com/

Simplex Mills / Mahalaxmi

Front View:

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=473&img=Front_View.jpg

<img src="http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=473&img=Front_View.jpg" border="0">

Sorry gone wrong here!

Please see bigger pics on the web-site above: (Images are too small but posting them anyway)

REAR VIEW

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=474&img=Rearside_view.j.jpg

FRONT VIEW NIGHT

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=475&img=Front_View_Nigh.jpg

REAR VIEW NIGHT

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=476&img=Rearside_View_N.jpg

LOUNGE/LIVING

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=477&img=Living_Large.jp.jpg

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=478&img=3241Front_View.jpg

Trying again with the links but larger:

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=479&img=Gardens.jpg

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=480&img=6027Front_View.jpg

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=481&img=8087Rearside_view.j.jpg

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=482&img=6240Front_View_Nigh.jpg

http://st105.startlogic.com/~alkaspac//is.php?i=483&img=7645Rearside_View_N.jpg

Does anyone know when Planet Godrej will be finished? Is December '06/Jan '07 a good guess?

Great update, Cov!

You should use imageshack.us to transload the images for posting on this message board.

Here they are re-uploaded:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/4186/day1largeln9.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2486/day2largenj7.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/8171/night1largecs0.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/9484/night2largeyb9.jpg

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/372/gardenlargezt1.jpg

I wish there were more U/C pics especially of those fall buildings like the Imperial Towers and Simplex Mills. When I show other people these renderings they're like "those are totally fake".

I wish there were more U/C pics especially of those fall buildings like the Imperial Towers and Simplex Mills. When I show other people these renderings they're like "those are totally fake".

But there have been several u/c pictures in the various threads including both Simplex (Planet Godrej) and Imperial. If people think they are fake, then that is their problem and even if they see it they will find some other issues (not so great, only residential, no glass, not too tall etc etc). No one can please such people. So why bother?

________________________________________

Mumbai Projects Collage I

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/1112/themumbaiprojectscollagema8.jpg

Ah, I suppose.

Excellent Vasants and nice Nirmal World Homes.

Any U/C pics of that Lodha Bellissimo by any chance? I tried googling it, no luck.

Any U/C pics of that Lodha Bellissimo by any chance? I tried googling it, no luck.

It's been just announced a couple of weeks back.

Thanks Jai! Most helpful...tried to load the images like you did but no success.

Will use imageshack as you suggested.

Love the collage above Suncity...hows DSK Tower coming along?

I like the Burhani Park building very Singapore.

wow..great pics. One of the main reasons, Mumbai roads look cleaner is because of underground electricity cabling system, unlike other indian cities.

Mahindra Eminente

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/7605/mahindraeminenteig1.jpg

http://www.mahindragesco.com/eminente/

Gladstone Heights
Kandivali Lokhandwala Township
Lokhandwala Builders

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1439/gladstoneheightsdnamumbaoz8.jpg

Ajmera's Bhakti Park project
Cosmic Heights and others

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3195/ajmeradnaad5.jpg

JP Gardens, Kandivali West
JP Developers

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/5672/jpdevelopersdnasmumpq7.jpg

I like Gladstone Heights building, very interesting design.

HC paves the way for better roads

Wants Quality-Control Audit Of City Streets

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Thursday directed the BMC to ensure that all asphalt and cement roads constructed in the city in the current financial year undergo a quality-control audit by thirdparty auditors as per the recommendations of the Standing Technical Advisory Committee (STAC)’s 2004 report (Merani panel report).
A division bench of justices R M Lodha and N H Patil also asked the civic body to maintain the roads as per the STAC specifications and initiate action against errant contractors. The third-party auditors appointed by the BMC for conducting the quality control are—Shrikhande & Associates, Shirish Patel & associates, Congress for Road Research India and AB Karveer & Associates.
The court’s orders came during the hearing of PILs filed by resident-activists Kewal Semlani and Bhagwanji Rayani and city cardiologist Dr Sandeep Rane on the poor condition of roads in Mumbai and Thane.
The court has also sought a solution from the BMC for repeated digging up of roads. The municipal corporation’s counsel, K K Singhvi, and MMRDA lawyer Rajendra Savant raised a common grievance that the 13 public utilities, including MTNL, GAIL and others, were mainly responsible for the damage caused to over 450 km of roads. The BMC informed the court that it would assign a junior/sub engineer in each of the 24 wards to monitor trenching work. The court also asked the BMC to come up with a scheme for better synchronisation and coordination between the agencies that dig up roads.
The court also directed the civic body to use the entire budgetary provision of Rs 680.89 crore, earmarked for road works in the city. Of the amount, asphalt roads will get Rs 331 crore, while Rs 349 crore will be provided for concretisation work. The BMC informed the court that the Rs 72 crore left unutilised from last year’s budget would also be used during the current financial year. Singhvi informed the court that STAC guidelines had been incorporated in all the tenders invited after April 2005.
The case will come up for hearing on August 16 when the court will hear issues relating to roads under the control of MMRDA and Mumbai Port Trust.

Now, spit if you have the time

Clara Lewis | TNN

Mumbai: The next time you spit on the road, be ready to spend an hour sweeping, cleaning litter or removing graffiti from defaced walls.
In a bid to inculcate civic pride among Mumbaikars, the BMC wants to introduce onehour community work for those defiling the city by spitting, urinating, defecating or throwing garbage in public spaces. Even those throwing leftover food for dogs and cows will not be spared.
“Community service is a common form of punishment in the developed world. It’s a positive way to render service to society for wrong deeds,’’ said R A Rajeev, additional civic commissioner in charge of solid waste management. However, there is a way out for those who want to escape this punishment—pay a hefty fine of Rs 500. “We want to hike the fine so that the offender will think twice before repeating the act,’’ added Rajeev. “There are those who can afford to pay but for those who cannot, it is a good method of penalising them,’’ he added.
The Municipal Solid Waste Rules 2006 were introduced in March this year. However, they have not yet been approved by the general body of the BMC. “So, we are using the opportunity to make some additions before it is passed,’’ said Rajeev. The BMC has more innovative ‘punishments’ up its sleeve. For instance, it is planning to charge car owners who park their cars on roads Rs 500 or ensure that the area under the car is swept. “When the sweeper comes to sweep the road, the driver is not around to move the car, so that portion of the street remains unswept. “Often cars are parked on the road for days. So, when it is moved that one spot makes the road look as though it has not been swept at all,’’ he said.
The state authorities too will be made responsible for the cleanliness of their premises. The railways will have to ensure that the platforms are clean at all times of day. The same will apply to the BEST, state transport and even Mantralaya.
“When one steps onto the platform from the train, one carries the impression that the entire city is shabby. This can change only when one is made responsible for the cleanliness of one’s premises,’’ Rajeev added.

More shanties cleared from Tulsi Pipe Rd

Mumbai: Motorists and pedestrians using Senapati Bapat Marg, better known as Tulsi Pipe Road, may soon be able to enjoy smoother traffic and uncluttered footpaths. As part of its drive to clear arterial roads, the BMC on Thursday removed around 25 shanties along the stretch at Mahim.
The 8-km-long stretch, from Parel to Mahim, is a major road for vehicles. There are also many railway stations parallel to the road.
The drive which was started off a month ago is to streamline the vehicular traffic on the entire stretch of the road. Of the 722 shanties on the Mahim Matunga portion of the road, around 369 shanties have been demolished and its residents have been provided alternate accommodation at the tenements for project affected people (PAP) at Chembur-Vashi naka. “We will proceed further south. Our aim is to clear the road of all encumbrances,’’ said additional municipal commissioner R A Rajeev.
He added that once cleared, paver blocks and street furniture will be installed on the footpath. TNN

Activists raise their voice for gaothans

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: Prominent residents and activists of Bandra and Andheri have joined hands to protect gaothan villages in the two suburbs.
A PIL has been filed by Shaina NC, Gerson D’Cunha and H S D Lima against the rampant constructions in the Bandra Pali village and Andheri gaothans.
The petitioners also demanded that the villages be declared heritage precincts. On Thursday, the Bombay high court issued notices to the state government and the municipal corporation to file their affidavits in the case in response to the petition.
Gaothans are indigenous Portuguese villages that dotted the suburbs with their ground-plus-one-storey structures, sloping Mangalore-tiled roofs and narrow winding roads. Over the years the structures have made way for multi-store buildings.
Advocate C U Singh, counsel for the petitioners, claimed that the large-scale constructions were not in tune with the infrastructure available in the area.
“The builders either misuse the repair permissions granted by the municipal corporation or use the hypothetical concept of a proposed line of street under Development Control Rules 17 to construct multi-storey structures,’’ said Singh.
The petitioners contended that the infrastructure in the gaothan villages would not be able to cope with the massive development. This, they said, posed a hazard to the original residents as well as the flat owners in the new multistoreyed structures.
“The roads are between 4 feet and 8 feet wide which does not allow a car to pass, let alone a fire engine in case of an emergency,’’ said the advocate.
“The sewage lines and storm water drains are over a 100 years old and would not be able to take the load due to the development,’’ he added.
The petitioners also said the traditional houses were being damaged due to the rampant construction activities and heavy machines being driven in at the sites.
The court has allowed the petitioners time to amend their petition in order to challenge DCR 17 and has scheduled the matter for hearing on August 17.

Mithi mouth may get a sluice gate

Ashley D’Mello | TNN

Mumbai: Last fortnight’s rains and subsequent flooding in the city has led city planners to discuss the possibility of installing sluice gates near the mouth of the Mithi River to prevent seawater from entering the drainage system during heavy rains.
Mumbai’s problems with floods are compounded by the fact that during high tide, seawater flows into the mouth of the river and goes upstream. The water then flows into a network of nullahs and storwater drains that connect with the Mithi. Thus, rainwater that collects following a very heavy shower can flow out to sea only after the high tide recedes.
The sluice gate would be shut during high tide, to keep seawater from entering the river, but water that collects in the river from the network of drains could be allowed to flow out to sea. The gate would then be opened after the tide recedes, so water flows out unhindered.
There are many types of sluice gates, including the flap, vertical rising, radial, rising sector and needle gates. Authorities are not yet decided on which type of gate would be used across the Mithi.
Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) officials state that building sluice gates is being seriously discussed as part of a package of flood control measures for the city. A senior official said the Mithi gate could be installed at a spot that is 100 to 127 metres wide.
There is talk that gates would also have to be built at other locations, as the seawater may rush with greater force into other outlets that empty into the sea if the Mithi is blocked.
There are several stretches along the coast where outlets, including drains and nullahs, empty into the city. One spot which has been discussed for gates on several occasions is the Gazdarbund area of Santacruz.
Officials of the MMRDA also said that if the force of the sea was kept out by gates at the Mithi, then the pressure would be felt in other areas along the coast, leading to other problems, like perhaps erosion. Environmentalists in the past have pointed out that reclamation of land at Nariman Point and other areas has led to erosion at Versova.
Sluice gates for flood control have been used in certain Western countries, but the project is bound to be opposed by environmentalists as the conditions in Mumbai are different.
The recommendation to control flooding through a sluice gate was first made by the Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS), which is based at Kharakvasla, near Pune.
The station had done a study of the Mumbai coast, but the possibility of environmental problems cropping up kept city authorities from going ahead with the project in the late 1970s. MMRDA officials said they would go ahead with the project now only if a comprehensive study was done.

FLOOD CONTROL: RAGING RIVER, RISING TIDE

THE BENEFIT

During heavy rains and before high tide, the sluice gate would be shut so that rainwater that drains into the Mithi river can flow out to sea, while seawater cannot flow upstream and block this important drainage channel.

THE DRAWBACK

Environmentalists may oppose the plan, as a shut gate at the Mithi’s mouth during high tide and heavy rain could lead to a raging sea putting pressure on other areas along the coast, leading to land erosion.

GREEN RIVERBANK

Slums along the Mithi are slated to be cleared

SAI to lay two astroturfs in city

Stanislaus D'Souza | TNN

Mumbai: The Sports Authority of India has zeroed in on the city as a nodal point to step up its activities and plans to lay two astro-turfs, one at its centre in Kandivli and the other at the University campus in Kalina.
SAI is also planning to shift some of its national hockey camps to Mumbai after surveying the facilities at the Bombay Hockey Association's Mahindra Stadium.
Talking to ToI on Thursday, Ratan Watal, the director general of Sports Authority of India, who surveyed the land at Kalina, said he had a lot of plans for the city. Watal was in Mumbai along with hockey Olympian MP Ganesh, director SAI South, to attend a function of the Mumbai University which is celebrating its 150th anniversary.
"We plan to lay 10 astroturfs all over the country, two of which will be in the city. We have worked out an MOU with the Mumbai University which has promised us space on its premises. They have also asked us to build a hostel, stadium and athletic track,'' said Watal.
Watal also informed that Mumbai, being the breeding ground of yachtsmen, plans to tie up with the Colaba Sailing Club, the Sea Cadet Corps, and the army to start a SAI Centre of Excellence in sailing which will also include training of civilians.
SAI also plans to upgrade facilities at Kolkata, Coorg and Sundergarh. Watal informs that SAI has already installed the Techno Gym, the latest state of the art training facility in the world, in four of its centres -- Delhi, Patiala (its headquarters), Bangalore and Kolkata.
"I aim to increase the number of SAI trainees from 10,000 this year to 14,000 and hope to touch 40,000 trainees by 2010. But, that means I will need 2500 coaches which is quite a lot of qualified men. There was a freeze on the employment of coaches as a result of which the present average age of the coaches is 47. We need to infuse a lot of new blood and the first step is recruit new coaches.''

Debate over stalls at Gateway continues

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: Debate continues over the Gateway of India restoration project. Although the proposal submitted by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) has been selected by a state government task force over a rival plan drawn up by Charles Correa, the details of the plan, which is now with the civic heritage committee, are still to be finalised.
“At the moment, what’s being discussed is whether to put the stalls and services above or below ground. Intach has proposed building a structure to house these facilities above ground, but the heritage committee feels that would detract from the view of the monument and clutter the plaza,’’ said a heritage committee member. An earlier version of the plan situated services below the statue of Shivaji. This met with controversy earlier in the year when protesters led by NCP corporator Ravindra Pawar said to put toilets under the statue was an insult to Shivaji.
Mumbai Intach joint convenor Tasneem Mehta said no final decision has been made about where stalls and other services would be located. “We are still conducting technical feasibility studies about whether it is possible to put services underground. It may be that doing so would endanger the monument,’’ she said.

Now, Mumbai cell in PMO

Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh finally had some good news for beleaguered Mumbai. He told the legislative assembly on Wednesday that the Prime Minister’s Office had created a special cell to monitor civic infrastructure programmes in the city.
While admitting that there was a general feeling that Mumbai was not being given its due, he claimed the PM had pledged to fund Mumbai’s makeover. Deshmukh said the state had submitted six infrastructure proposals for funding.

PMO will monitor city infrastructure

Mumbai: A special cell has been set up in the Prime Minister’s office to monitor civic infrastructure programmes in Mumbai. This was announced by CM Vilasrao Deshmukh in the legislative assembly on Wednesday. He was responding to a four-hour debate on Mumbai’s civic problems.
Deshmukh admitted that there was a general feeling that Mumbai was not being adequately compensated by the Centre for the astronomical revenue it generated. However, the PM had given a commitment to fund Mumbai’s makeover.
He said the state had submitted six infrastructure proposals including the middle Vaitarna project, Brimstowad, Metro and Mithi river development projects for funding.
He also said said the state had given a commitment to the Centre to repeal the Urban Land Ceiling Act. He added the state will consult all major political parties before taking a final decision to scrap the Act.
Deshmukh said the state will sanction the BMC’s proposal for private development of playgrounds. “The BMC does not have funds for the purpose,’’ he said. TNN

‘Centre must loosen purse strings for city’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The city contributes upwards of Rs 75,000 crore to the Central government annually, but gets peanuts in return. The Shiv Sena has decided to change all that. City Sena MP Mohan Rawle has taken the initiative in mobilising members of parliament and the public to put pressure on the Manmohan Singh government to open the purse strings.
Rawle told TOI here on Wednesday that in 2005-2006 Mumbai contributed Rs 53,000 crore by way of income tax, Rs 799 crore worth of service tax and central excise in excess of Rs 13,000 crore. “Despite this, the state still has to beg for funds for the improvement of its suburban railway network, which is already generating huge income for the railways and infrastructure upgradation. Over the years, Mumbai has contributed thousands of crores and yet it is neglected when it comes to allocation of funds,’’ Rawle said.
He said “the laying of additional tracks from Borivli to Virar and from Kurla to Thane has been going on at snail’s pace. There is no unified railway corporation, which can operate both Western and Central railways. The local trains are ancient and a disgrace to the city. The railway termini at Kurla and Bandra and all the stations are in a pathetic condition. The local trains are carrying four times their capacity resulting in inhuman travelling conditions.’’
Rawle noted that there is virtually no patrolling of the railway tracks. “Six million suburban commuters are carried over these tracks daily, but there is no worthwhile security system in place. While speaking on the railway budget, I had demanded that jammers, which can neutralise remotecontrolled and timer bombs, be installed along the tracks, but nobody listened to me. The tracks should be lit at night and round-the-clock security should be provided,’’ he added.
He said he would mobilise the support of all the remaining five MPs from the the city, MPs from the rest of Maharashtra, and lobby for a better deal for Mumbai. “This is not a party issue. Mumbai has been neglected for too long. The blasts should be seen as a wake-up alarm,’’ he added.

Rs 180 cr is what beggars make a year

Mumbai: Beggars in Mumbai earn up to Rs 180 crore per annum, said Dharmarao Baba Atram during a short discussion in the legislative council on Wednesday. The issue was raised by Shiv Sena MLC Vilas Avchat during a debate.
Raising the issue, Avchat pointed out that under the Anti-Begging act, 1959, those collecting funds for the disaster affected could be booked. Later in 1964, the Government of Maharashtra issued another circular and made it mandatory for people seeking aid to have a ‘bhik magnyacha parvana’ or begging permit. Avchat sought to know what the state’s policy was on the issue and demanded information on how many permits were given and how many applications received by the government.
Avchat demanded that instead of allowing them to beg, the beggars should be made to work under the Employment Guarantee Scheme. TNN

Cabbies plan stir, say no to e-meters

Mumbai: The stage is set for a battle between taxi drivers and the state government over the latter’s decision making it mandatory for cabs to install electronic meters.
Taxi unions are now getting ready for a statewide agitation against the state government’s decision on meters.
The issue came to the fore on Tuesday when state minister for transport Dharamarao Atram told the legislative assembly that all taxis would have electronic meters within a year.
According to president of the Mumbai Taximen’s Union, A L Quadros, who is busy uniting the taximen in Pune, Nashik and other cities in the state for a joint agitation, there was an “active lobby working for the installation of electronic meters’’.
“The state claims it wants to end meter tampering. We know that mechanical and electronic meters can be tampered with,” he argued. TNN

‘Centre must loosen purse strings for city’

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The city contributes upwards of Rs 75,000 crore to the Central government annually, but gets peanuts in return. The Shiv Sena has decided to change all that. City Sena MP Mohan Rawle has taken the initiative in mobilising members of parliament and the public to put pressure on the Manmohan Singh government to open the purse strings.
Rawle told TOI here on Wednesday that in 2005-2006 Mumbai contributed Rs 53,000 crore by way of income tax, Rs 799 crore worth of service tax and central excise in excess of Rs 13,000 crore. “Despite this, the state still has to beg for funds for the improvement of its suburban railway network, which is already generating huge income for the railways and infrastructure upgradation. Over the years, Mumbai has contributed thousands of crores and yet it is neglected when it comes to allocation of funds,’’ Rawle said.
He said “the laying of additional tracks from Borivli to Virar and from Kurla to Thane has been going on at snail’s pace. There is no unified railway corporation, which can operate both Western and Central railways. The local trains are ancient and a disgrace to the city. The railway termini at Kurla and Bandra and all the stations are in a pathetic condition. The local trains are carrying four times their capacity resulting in inhuman travelling conditions.’’
Rawle noted that there is virtually no patrolling of the railway tracks. “Six million suburban commuters are carried over these tracks daily, but there is no worthwhile security system in place. While speaking on the railway budget, I had demanded that jammers, which can neutralise remotecontrolled and timer bombs, be installed along the tracks, but nobody listened to me. The tracks should be lit at night and round-the-clock security should be provided,’’ he added.
He said he would mobilise the support of all the remaining five MPs from the the city, MPs from the rest of Maharashtra, and lobby for a better deal for Mumbai. “This is not a party issue. Mumbai has been neglected for too long. The blasts should be seen as a wake-up alarm,’’ he added.

Mumbai should get lots of funds to improve its quality of life.

But the logic that since its contributes X amount to the Central Govt and so should get Y out of it is not an open and shut case.

Mumbai contributes a lot of taxes because, it was decided that it would be the financial centre of the country. If the GOI shifts all the Bank HQs to Patna, Patna will theoretically be contributing a lot.

Mumbai's politicians need to remember that Mumbai is what it is largely due to the rest of India pitching in and not because of Mumbai alone.

by any standard it gets back less than what it puts in, even after factoring in national level hqs of psus. i dont think anyone is suggesting it should get back 40% of india's revenues. but a few thousand crores for sure. if they can pump in money for delhi, why not a more deserving bombay?

i think there has to be a dramatic structural change in the way our cities are run. they need to have the basic powers to raise funds for themselves without running to their state or national government. villages have more say in their own running than bombay, calcutta or bangalore

University hall restored in record time for celebrations

Mumbai: The Mumbai University has restored in a record nine months its landmark neo-Gothic convocation hall. The entire work was completed at a cost of Rs 2 crore provided by the state government. The hall is now ready for the university’s 150th anniversary celebrations on July 18, which will be attended by President A P J Abdul Kalam.
Not bad when you compare this to the time it ordinarily takes to restore a heritage building. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is an extreme case: two years after the building was declared a World Heritage Site in July 2004, the tender for the first phase of work has yet to be given to a firm of contractors.
But conservation architect Abha Narain Lambah, who has supervised the work on the convocation hall, says, “We published all the tenders and got project approved.’’
University engineer Bharat Ishi seconds that the work was somehow pushed through in time for the sesquicentennial celebrations. Ironically, the speedy restoration work contrasts with the delay in building the hall in the first place. The building was funded by a donation of Rs 1 lakh from Sir Cowasji Jehangir Readymoney in 1863. But Sir George Gilbert Scott, the leading 19th-century architect chosen to design the building, was not available for some time. Eventually the building was constructed between 1869 and 1874. Though the design was by Scott, it was executed by another firm, Paris and Molesey, which did the construction work for Rs 3,79,093 (less than the estimate of Rs 4,15,000).
The hall is now fully restored to its former glory. Major problems like the leaking roof have been fixed and the cathedral-like accoustics, which made hearing a speech difficult, have been restored by using a new spray-on substance in the vaulted roof to absorb echoes.
Details like the 24-carat gilding on the cast-iron minstrels’ gallery and the elaborate stone carving throughout the building have been restored. Paint covering the stone walls has been removed so the original surface can be seen. Electrical wiring, previously running in tangles all over the place, has been cleverly concealed so that it is all but invisible now. The Minton floor tiles have been polished and repaired and some of the original, made-to-measure neo-Gothic teak and leather seating has been recovered from diverse places, including the Kalina campus.
The stage has also been raised so that it is more visible and lighting installed to illuminate features like the ribs in the roof vaulting.
Maybe, the caretakers of some of the city’s other heritage buildings could take the hint?

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/07/18/7/Img/Pc0070900.jpg
A NEW LOOK: The cathedral-like accoustics, which made hearing a speech difficult, have been restored (above) and lighting has been installed in the hall to illuminate features like the ribs in the roof vaulting

Mumbai haat project gets go-ahead

Bella Jaisinghani | TNN

Mumbai: Delhi’s pride, the Dilli Haat, has long been the envy of Mumbaikars who have had the chance to savour the delights of this mini-India. No longer, though. The city is set to get its own Mumbai Haat since chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has given the goahead for the project. The venture is likely to be operational by the end of this year.
The chief minister gave the green signal to the Mumbai Haat at a meeting held recently with the trustees of the Surabhi Foundation, the organisation that had proposed the concept. A 30-acre plot of land in Ambujwadi near Malad is among the locations being considered to house the permanent fair. A formal agreement is expected to be signed soon, which begins the process of procuring licences and permits from the BMC and other agencies.
At the meeting, Deshmukh recalled his visit to the colourful Surajkund Mela in Haryana last year, and suggested that the Mumbai Haat be patterned along those lines. Local residents and visitors recall the healthy bargains that are available on authentic handicrafts and artefacts. Moreover, the convergence of the best that each Indian state has to offer proves a fun learning experience for families.
“Like the Dilli Haat and the Surajkund Mela, the Mumbai Haat will invite artisans and craftsmen from every corner of the country to exhibit their wares and set up food courts. Boarding and lodging will be subsidised, and there will be no middleman who will ask for a share in their earnings or their profit,’’ says Siddharth Kak, chief trustee of the Surabhi Foundation. The foundation is exploring the possibility of allocating a theme to the fair at regular intervals, and is confident of offering a completely new experience every two weeks or so.
The Surabhi Foundation had approached the state government with the concept of having a full-time cultural centre in the city where the cuisines and crafts of all Indian states would be showcased on a rotational basis. The foundation would function as the custodian of this private-public partnership.
The foundation has announced a collaboration with the Jindal Arts Foundation for its Mumbai Haat venture. Its representative, Sangita Jindal, joined luminaries like Pt Shivkumar Sharma, Dr Jyotindra Jain and Anup Jalota on the Surabhi Foundation’s board of trustees. On behalf of the Jindal Foundation, she will help sponsor the Mumbai Haat.
Kak says the show may be up and running by the end of this year, given that no permanent structure needs to be constructed to house the exhibits or the craftspeople. Until then, the thousands of people who visited his cultural exhibit named ‘Indiyeah!’ at the Mumbai Festival earlier this year, have a fair idea of what they can expect at Mumbai Haat.

HLL to make Mumbai the sole power centre

• CONTROL OF FOODS BUSINESS MAY BE SHIFTED OUT OF BANGALORE
• 10-ACRE BROOKEFIELD FACILITY MAY BE PUT UP FOR SALE

Kala Vijayraghavan and Ravi Ananthanarayanan MUMBAI

FMCG heavyweight Hindustan Lever (HLL) is believed to be consolidating its operations under one roof and is thinking of putting an end to its decades-old system of two power centres — home and personal care in Mumbai and foods in Bangalore.
Such a move will ensure a single chain of command through the chief executive to ensure benefit of synergies across businesses. The company is understood to be examining a plan to put on sale one of its top-notch properties in India — the 10-acre palatial, sylvan Brookefield facility in Bangalore, which is home to many of HLL’s food brands like Brooke Bond and Lipton. The foods business, accordingly, will relocate to Mumbai.
The property, which currently houses around 300 employees, came into the HLL fold following the acquisition of Brooke Bond in 1984 by Unilever in a global deal. The massive property was set up in 1983 when tea major Brooke Bond moved its headquarters from Kolkata to Bangalore.
HLL officials denied any such plans. “This information is absolutely untrue and is baseless speculation. The company does not have any plans, whatsoever, to sell off the Brookefield facility,” a company spokesperson said. However, people close to the decision said that the company has begun top-level discussions on handling the issue sensitively and avoiding any negative HR repercussions.
The need for a separate office in Bangalore has come into question especially since the plan is to bring the languishing food business under the gaze of the top management, and infuse a new sense of purpose and accountability. For years, HLL’s food business has functioned almost as a separate company with no common consensus on the growth strategy.

• Move to ensure single chain of command through the CEO

• Co to reap benefit of synergies across businesses

• Languishing foods business to be brought under top management’s purview


HLL plans to rejig foods arm

HLL is likely to relocate its food business to Mumbai and sell off its Bangalore facility to ensure better control over its foods business.
The business has been running almost as a separate entity for years. The separation gained even more importance after Brooke Bond Lipton was merged with Hindustan Lever in 1996 and R Gopalakrishnan, the vice-chairman, handled the foods business from Bangalore. Sources said the idea was to have all divisional heads in one office with a common sense of purpose. Top officials have blamed the separation of the foods division as one of the reasons for its poor performance. Unlike the HPC business, which has done well in recent years, the foods business has been a non-starter with most of its buys going dud and unable to take on competition.
Lipton was acquired by Unilever in 1972, and Lipton Tea India was incorporated. Later, the two companies were united before being merged with Hindustan Lever. Bangalore has been a preferred testing ground for new consumer products and was one of the earliest cities to embrace modern retail formats like Food World. Britannia’s registered office is Kolkata, but its business is run out of Bangalore. ITC also runs its foods business from Bangalore.
A regional structure has been set up by Unilever, wherein the local units will be responsible for activities like activation, distribution and on-ground strategy. The regional (Asia Pacific in this case) centre will man activities like branding, innovation and advertising. Surplus land sales are usually due to restructuring of businesses, which either leads to manufacturing operations being realigned or in fewer cases, commercial operations being realigned.

Politicos wake up to city woes

Abhiram Ghadyalpatil MUMBAI

MUMBAI may not be getting its due from the Centre, but politicos of all hues in Maharashtra seem to have woken up to the neglect of the city. In a positive development, a general consensus is shaping up among major parties in the state over the need to give Mumbai what it deserves.
This was evident from the way Maharashtra Legislative Assembly discussed Mumbai’s ills for a marathon six hours on Wednesday. Though nothing concrete came out of it, the debate indicated the ripples caused by 26/7 and 11/7.
There was one jarring note though. The Nationalist Congress Party, the single largest ruling party in the House, was all along indifferent to the debate. Only a couple of NCP legislators participated in the debate. Worse, virtually all senior ministers including home minister RR Patil and finance minister Jayant Patil had left the House well before Mr Deshmukh gave a reply.
The party has often invited criticism for being rural-centric and Thursday’s debate only reconfirmed the charge. That the CM is not satisfied with the NCP so far as Mumbai matters are concerned was evident from the way he virtually exposed MSRDC minister Anil Deshmukh, from NCP, over delay in construction of the Bandra-Worli sea-link. “There has been an unpardonable delay in implementing this project,” the CM admitted.
Though all parties discussed Mumbai with equal seriousness, there were instances of parties refusing to rise above their individual programmes. The Shiv Sena was for cleansing Mumbai of all Bangladeshi immigrants. It accused the Congress of providing political patronage to illegal slums for its vote-bank politics. “All post-1995 slums are illegal and must be removed,” Leader of the Opposition Ramdas Kadam demanded. Mr Kadam also exonerated the BMC, which the Sena rules, from all blame over the 26/7 deluge and directed his ire at the MMRDA, Sena’s favourite target. Mr Kadam also sought to know the status of various infrastructure projects worth Rs 4,526 crore awaiting aid from the Centre.
The BJP offered some constructive suggestions, which were hailed even by the Congress. Senior leader Gopinath Munde suggested ceasefire between the state government and the BMC for funds. “Mumbai must get funds from the Centre only. If need be, we will take an all-party delegation to the Centre for funds. We also need a Cabinet minister in the state exclusively for Mumbai,” Mr Munde said. He pointed out that Mumbai’s GDP in the fiscal ’05-06 had dipped to an abysmal 2.1% as against the national GDP of 8.6%. “It’s a myth that Mumbai is India’s richest city,” Mr Munde said.

Mahim magic: Mumbaikars want Kalam to visit all stations

Our Bureau MUMBAI

TILL last week Mahim looked no different from any other station on Mumbai’s suburban Western Railway. On Tuesday, the blast affected station, was sporting a new look.
The reeking stench that emanated from toilets has vanished, walls have a fresh coat of paint, platforms paved with inter-locking tiles and a new public toilet has sprung up. All to impress a VIP visitor, President APJ Abdul Kalam, who paid homage to the victims of Terror Tuesday.
Such was the efficiency shown by the railway and municipal staffers that passengers at Mahim station were stunned with this Rome-built-in-a-day work, at a place which till last week didn’t even have a proper cabin for the station master. This prompted regulars to ask: “Can they make the President visit every station in Mumbai?”
Pranai Prabhakar, the spokesperson for Western Railway said, “Decorations are a must if there is a special guest coming to visit the station and if the guest concerned is the President of India then his visit commands that amount of respect.”
Meanwhile, at Mahim Mr Kalam along with state chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, deputy chief minister RR Patil and governor SM Krishna joined others in observing the twominute silence. The President placed a wreath on a black granite plaque at the station before leaving for New Delhi. The Western Railway had placed seven such plaques at stations where the blasts occurred.

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this is really sad. seems we got rid of one set of royalty (the british) to get another (politicians). who cares about what the common man gets

Rustomjee Elanza, Malad West

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Sanghvi Heights, Wadala

http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/650/sanghviheightsdnasly4.jpg

I do hope that the Centre gives funds for Mumbai for its infrastructure and hopefully in return the Rent Control can be abolished as this draconial law is no good for Mumbai.

things may happen

City infra projects get cracking

• Centre To Clear 3 Major Water Supply & Drainage Projects Soon

Abhiram Ghadyalpatil MUMBAI

MUMBAI cannot ask for a better gift on the eve of the first anniversary of 26/7, the terrible Tuesday that exposed the city’s decaying civic infrastructure. Mumbai’s three major infrastructure projects are on the verge of getting approved by the Centre under the Rs 50,000 crore National Urban Renewal Mission (NURM). A team comprising Maharashtra’s urban development secretaries and BMC officials was in Delhi on Monday for a follow-up on NURM proposals. A member of the team told ET that Mumbai’s three proposals have cleared two crucial hurdles at the union Government level.
The proposals likely to be cleared are Rs 2,376-crore Mumbai sewage disposal plan, Rs 1,800 crore Brimstowad (Brihanmumbai storm water drainage) upgradation project, and Rs 1,600-crore Middle Vaitarana water supply project.
In fact, the Brimstowad project, gathering dust for more than a decade, could receive 100% funding from the centre. Under the NURM guidelines, the centre has only 35% share in the project outlay. The local civic body bears 50% cost followed by a 15% share by the state Government.
“The centre could make a special case for Brimstowad since the project is key to Mumbai’s infrastructure overhaul. The union urban development ministry has cleared the project. What is significant is that the centre has earmarked a budgetary allocation for B r i m - s t o w a d , which gives hope that it could be kept out of NURM and funded entirely by the centre,” additional municipal commissioner, projects, Manu Kumar Srivastav told ET. The possibility of Brimstowad getting entirely funded by the centre had been previously reported by ET.
Nevertheless, the BMC is ready with fiscal provisions for all three projects. If all three projects are cleared under NURM, the BMC will have to spend close to Rs 3,000 crore from its kitty. “We have factored this while drafting the project proposals. BMC has its own depreciation fund and asset replacement fund from which we can draw money and repay later,” Mr S r i v a s t a v said.
The BMC had submitted these proposals to the centre under NURM in January. Since then, there has some sort of uncertainty over the chances of these proposals since Mumbai does not meet some of the mandatory conditions like repealing the urban land (ceiling and regulation) act, 1976 and Maharashtra rent control act, 1999. In June, union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy categorically stated that Mumbai’s wouldn’t get funds under NURM if these conditions were not met. That hurdle seems to have been cleared by the state now. “We have given a commitment to the centre that we will phase out the acts within three years. The centre is satisfied now,” an urban development secretary said.
Another major breakthrough was achieved when the Middle Vaitarana project and Brimstowad cleared a tough scrutiny by central public health and environment engineering organisation (CPHEEO), Mr Srivastav said. “Technical scrutiny of Mumbai sewage disposal plan is being done. This clearance is necessary as Middle Vaitarana and Brimstowad would now be put up before the expenditure finance committee which would give a final financial go-ahead. Once this happens, the cabinet will consider the proposals,” Mr Srivastav added.
The three-phase Brimstowad project would be completed within three years of getting started and the other two projects have 2010-11 deadline.

Mumbai Set To Tower Over Indian Skies

• Textile Ministry, NTC Plan 70-Storeyed, Rs 700-Cr International Trade Tower On United Mill Land

Sunny Verma
NEW DELHI

THE textile ministry and the National Textile Corporation (NTC) are planning to construct a 70-storeyed building in Mumbai that could turn out to be India’s tallest trade tower, looming large over the financial capital’s skyline. To be called India International Trade Tower, the Rs 700-crore tower would be built on land owned by NTC’s India United Mill.
The tower would provide showroom and office space to textiles, diamond, gem and jewellery industries. “We are planning to construct this tower as a selfsufficient business centre. Apart from being a platform to industries, it will also have facilities such as five star hotel, water sports and convention centres,“ textile ministry officials told ET.
The Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR), which is looking at the revival plan for NTC’s nine subsidiaries, has given its nod for construction of the tower. The textile ministry is now seeking approval for the project from a group of ministers (GoM). The ministry expects green signal from the GoM next month.
“The tower will boost trade of finished textile and other products from India. By bringing together various domestic and international producers, it will provide them a common platform to perform better. It may be instrumental in increasing domestic consumption of textile products,” said officials.
The proposed tower would also help in boosting India’s textile exports, officials feel. Funds for the project will come from the Rs 2,020 crore NTC has raised through sale of land last year. BIFR has permitted the textile ministry to use these funds only after modernising its sick mills, repaying loans and providing for a Voluntary Retirement Scheme for its employees. The government would also use this kitty to modernise 22 mills under NTC at an estimated cost of Rs 530 crore and revive 29 mills through joint ventures with private companies.

PAST FORWARD: Mumbaikars are in no mood to forgive state govt

Girish Kuber MUMBAI

MUMBAIKARS are in no mood to forgive the Maharashtra government for what happened a year ago on July 26. ‘Mumbai Marooned’, an initiative by a group of citizens and NGOs, has held the BMC, Maharashtra government and police responsible for the rain havoc in the financial capital last year. It has rejected the state government’s argument that such rains happen only ‘once in 100 years.’
The city’s suburbs received 944.2 mm of rain, exceeding the record 833 mm in Cherrapunji in 1910. According to official figures, 910 people lost their lives, 65 were injured and 33 were declared missing in Mumbai. The damage to property ran into hundreds of crores and thousands of people lost their houses, belongings and savings.
At least one-third of the surface area of the city had been flooded. Most phone lines were lost or severely disrupted for periods ranging from a few hours to, in some cases, weeks. Electricity supply was cut. The city’s cell phone network also faltered, Mumbai airport was closed, with water flowing over the runway and even through the terminal buildings. Public transport too came to a grinding halt, leaving lakhs of people stranded at different points in the city. For 18 hours, Mumbai’s lifeline, its suburban rail system, was completely inoperable. The final report by the Concerned Citizens Commission (CCC), that would be released on Tuesday, holds lack of accountability, administration’s incompetence and corruption amid government servants as responsible for the rain-related damage. The CCC had launched a drive to understand the reasons behind last year’s misery.
The report notes: “A reason cited by government officials for the system failure on July 26 was that the rainfall was unprecedented. There is enough evidence to suggest that the deluge was definitely not a ‘once-in-a-100-year’ event. The intensity of such events will only increase with increased human activity. The report cautions that “this should definitely not be used to excuse shortcomings and incompetence on the part of the administration.”
About the rehabilitation efforts, the report says, “there is much that is left desired”. The rehabilitation package announced for Maharashtra did not include a single rupee for Mumbai because the houses which were affected were illegal and providing any kind of rehab package to these hutments would be an acknowledgement of their illegality. “Further the government’s notion of calculating losses is extremely short-sighted and does not take into account loss of livelihood which needs to be seriously looked into,” it notes.
The committee is particularly harsh on the much talked about disaster management plan (DMP). “It can be safely said that the DMP is nothing more than a futile exercise in academics. While theoretically the plan exists on paper, in reality it is far from perfect,” the report notes.
It has severely criticised the role played by the Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA). “The MMRDA has shown an alarming disrespect for sensible planning norms and ecological spaces,” the report has observed. Town planners attributed the cause of the deluge to encroachment of the Mithi river by slums, development of the airport runway by diverting the river’s course and development of the Bandra-Kurla complex. Starting from September 3, ’05, the CCC held 12 public hearings in the worst affected areas of the city like Kurla, Kalina, Jeri Meri and Sakinaka. Over 14,000 written testimonies and 200 videotapes were recorded.

Anil’s metro stuck at price signal

ADAG COSTS NEARLY TWICE THAT OF DELHI METRO

Rajat Guha NEW DELHI

IT’S not just Anil Ambani’s airport plans that are jinxed. Now, even his Metro project appears to have run off track, with the Union urban development ministry questioning the high cost of the Mumbai Metro project. The Rs 2,356-crore project has been promoted by Anil Ambani’s Reliance Energy (REL) and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). While the projected cost of the Mumbai Metro works out to Rs 215 crore per km, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation’s (DMRC) cost per km had been half that amount, at Rs 120 crore.
Quite remarkably, the foundation stone of the project was laid by the Prime Minister on June 20, while the detailed appraisal of the project was still incomplete. While the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group-controlled REL had been selected to develop the project on the basis of its lowest claim on viability gap funding (VGF), the Union government now finds that both the VGF asked for and the per km cost are excessive. The finance ministry had floated VGF as an instrument to help part-finance infrastructure projects undertaken on a public-private partnership basis.


Delhi Metro had govt backing: REL

The Phase 1 of the Mumbai Metro is to be a 11km-long east-west corridor connecting Versova and Ghatkopar. Senior government officials told ET that REL’s demand for Rs 650 crore — or 26.7 % of the total project cost — as viability gap funding (VGF) goes against the stipulated cap on VGF of 20% of the total project cost.
When contacted, an REL spokesman said: “The Government of India norms for viability gap funding stipulate that the Central government would provide support in the form of VGF to the extent of 20% of the capital cost. These norms are with a view to ensuring that GoI’s exposure does not go above 20%. In the Mumbai Metro case, the government of Maharashtra has committed to GoI that any excess above 20% shall be the commitment of MMRDA/GoM. So, the Centre’s exposure will remain restricted to 20% of the project cost as per norms.”
Senior government officials, however, said: “The cost of elevated systems should be far less than the quoted amount. Even after considering other factors like land development and resettlement, the cost still remains exorbitantly high.”
REL has also argued that the two projects are not comparable. While the Mumbai metro project is essentially a private project, which does not enjoy “government backing”, the DMRC project had the advantage of scale and soft loans from the Japan Bank for International Co-operation, it says. Reliance Energy has a 74 % stake in the Mumbai Metro project, while MMRDA has a 26% stake. The work on the project is slated to be in full swing by October.

MUKESH THINKS, KINGSIZE

• RIL’s Proposed HQ To Be The Largest Corporate Office In The World

Rajeev Jayaswal and Soma Banerjee NEW DELHI

SIZE does matter when it comes to Reliance, be it the largest refinery in the world, the biggest SEZ in the country or simply an office complex. The Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries (RIL) is set to soon create yet another record by developing the largest single corporate office in the world, spanning over 2m sq ft in suburban Mumbai. The proposed Rs 150-crore office structure will be as large as four big-sized malls put together. It will headquarter RIL’s businesses of petroleum, retail and agriculture. The office building, being built by Reliance Engineers Association, a group company which has developed many infrastructure projects of RIL, will be housed within a larger complex covering a total area of around 40m sq ft. Sources in the know said that the dream project has drawn heavily from global corporate office structures like that of GE or Exxon Mobil in the US. The office complex, to be built on a theme titled ‘brilliance per square inch’, will include among other things a lake and a greenbelt. “The idea is to get the best brains in the country to share their ideas, and think together,” a source said.
Despite its growth and diversification into several business areas, RIL is yet to have a ‘proper headquarters’ for its operations. RIL is currently headquartered in its legendary Maker Chamber No IV in Nariman Point, Mumbai’s business district. Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s office is located on the fourth floor where the founder of RIL, and his father, Dhirubhai Ambani used to sit. The company occupies a couple of other floors in the same building and most of the petroleum and petrochemical business is controlled from there. Sources say that although the new headquarters is a dream project of Mukesh Ambani, he is unlikely to relocate completely from Maker Chambers as RIL’s roots lie there.
Reliance Infocomm, a pet project of Mukesh Ambani, was run from the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge Centre (DAKC) in the Mumbai suburb of Vashi. DAKC is now a part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, as part of a family settlement. Incidentally, Mukesh Ambani’s new headquarters will be located barely a stone’s throw away from DAKC. The project is expected to start in six months and will be completed in the next 12 months.

judging from the last para its in new bombay. wish they had made a tall tower in nariman point. but i guess new bombay is where it will need to eventually be based, next to the new sez, port and airport

3 months, no nod from heritage panel

Express News Service

Mumbai, July 24: The ongoing Rs 130-crore project to redo Mumbai’s iconic Marine Drive—listed as a heritage precinct in 1995—still lacks the nod of the civic heritage committee.

A Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) project, the plan has been drawn up by architect Ratan Batliboi, but neither routed the proposal through the heritage body, as mandated by law.

Ironically, the heritage body’s move to protect the historic character of the Drive is post-facto; the project’s Rs 27-crore Phase I has been on since April, after a grand inauguration by Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Committee Chairperson Sharad Upasane had raised the issue with the MMRDA in a letter on May 17, but is yet to get a reply.

‘‘The architect (Batliboi) called up after that and assured us that his firm would present the plan before the committee for its approval. We asked his firm to come for the committee’s July 6 meeting, but they didn’t,’’ said a BMC engineer in the Planning Department.

Batliboi’s defence is that ‘‘the BMC letter arrived after the date of the meeting’’, but adds that he agrees in principle to the need to route the proposal through the city’s heritage body. ‘‘We want to get their okay, and it will be done. We will try to meet the committee when it holds its next meeting. Already 3 km is being worked upon,’’ he said.

‘‘What exactly is being proposed must be shown to us,’’ Upasane told Newsline. ‘‘The MMRDA should have got back to us by now. We might eventually have to point out to the municipal commissioner that this is unauthorised work.’’

City historian and former heritage committee member Sharada Dwivedi says the committee’s okay is essential. ‘‘Marine Drive is not just Mumbai’s leading public space and one of the world’s most unique beautiful natural bays, but it has along its edge one of the world’s best collections of art deco,’’ she said. ‘‘We have to be careful how we treat this space. One government arm makes all these rules to protect the heritage, and then another goes and breaks them.’’

MMRDA Commissioner T Chandra Shekhar said: ‘‘The heritage clearance remains, and we will get it. We want to wrap up the first phase by December.’’

The BMC is not without fault. Conservation guidelines to regulate development for the Marine Drive precinct were drawn up in 2002, but are yet to be legislated upon.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=194138

State wants BEST to give up monopoly

Sayli Udas

Mumbai, July 24: If the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport undertaking (BEST) accepts the state Transport Department’s suggestion for an inter-city public transport system, it would ease the travel woes of more than 10 lakh residents of Navi Mumbai, Thane and Mira-Bhayander.

But a cash-strapped BEST is reluctant to relinquish some of its revenue-generating routes to other municipalities and seems determined to refuse them entry into city limits.

‘‘These satellite cities need stronger and larger public transport inter-connectivity,’’ said Transport Secretary G S Gill. ‘‘The BEST has to understand this.’’

On May 12, the state Transport Department put forward its proposal at a meeting attended by BEST, Thane Municipal Transport, Navi Mumbai Municipal Transport and Mira-Bhayander Municipal Transport service representatives. And suggested that the BEST permit them to ply within city limits, up to a point.

But the BEST, whose 295 buses ply on 23 routes—14 in Navi Mumbai, three in Thane and six in Mira Bhayander—is unlikely to give up its monopoly.

‘‘I will not comment on the issue now, let the committee take its decision,’’ said BEST General Manager Uttam Khobragade. The BEST standing committee will meet this week to decide on the matter.

‘‘We are going to unanimously oppose it though we know it is the need of the hour for commuters,’’ said standing committee member Sunil Ganacharya. ‘‘These are our special and profitable routes, ones that we established when those corporations needed help. We cannot share these now.’’

Committee members point out that the BEST extended its services—to Vashi from April 1984, to Mira Bhayander from 1991 and to Thane from 1995—to these satellite towns after the state government requested it to. ‘‘I don’t think we want to take this step when our transport section is in loss,’’ added Ganacharya.

But the government is also determined. ‘‘The BEST has to understand that it has to reciprocate positively and cooperate. If it doesn’t, the state transport authorities will have to intervene,’’ said Gill.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=194139

MHADA wants to rebuild in clusters

Anumeha Yadav

Mumbai, July 24: The Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is looking at an alternative model to reconstruct buildings in the island city that are over 80 years old.

It is now proposing to amalgamate individual plots and reconstruct these 5,000-odd cessed buildings—they pay a repair cess to MHADA—in clusters.

MHADA has appointed the All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG) to carry out a pilot study for what it considers will be a financially viable model of development and ensure better infrastructure in the area.

‘‘We want to give greater incentive to the owners and to the tenants to reconstruct,’’ said MHADA Vice-President Iqbal Singh Chahal. ‘‘In each cluster of 30 to 40 buildings, the layout will be better and will allow better planning for amenities like roads, sewerage system, open space etc than the piecemeal approach of looking at individual plots allows at present,’’ he said.

The AIILSG, which will begin the project in a week, will be looking at buildings in four areas—Girgaum, Nal Bazaar and Bora Bazaar near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and in Dadar Parsi Colony.

‘‘The residential and commercial buildings in these four pockets will be representative of old cessed structures in the entire island city,’’ said A K Jain, senior advisor, AIILSG. ‘‘For instance, in Girgaum, we will examine how the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) affects reconstruction and if we see a need, we will recommend an amendment in the CRZ and Development Control Rules to facilitate development,’’ he added.

Not all of it may be smooth sailing though. Reaching a consensus among owners and tenants over a reconstruction plan being just one of the difficulties.

‘‘I shudder to think of the legal problems this will cause when consensus for reconstruction of even one building is so difficult to arrive at,’’ said former chief secretary J B D’Souza, who had filed a public interest litigation in the Bombay High Court last September to challenge an amendment to DCR 33(7) that increased incentive Floor Space Index (FSI) given to private builders on reconstruction of cessed buildings.

D’Souza is sceptical about other issues as well. ‘‘Our wily set of builders will surely find a way of misusing this too,’’ he said.

While the number of buildings that will form a cluster has not been fixed, it will approximate 50 survey plots.

AIILSG has roped in the faculty and graduates of architecture and planning schools like JJ, Rachna Sansad and Kamla Raheja Institute to carry out detailed socio-economic surveys and discussions with tenants and landlords over the next six months in the four areas.

‘‘We will look at viable cluster sizes, we will examine allowing tenants who can afford it to buy flats in the cluster, in addition to the one they will be given for free in place of their old residence,’’ said Jain.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=194143

30 lakh litres of alcohol in 48 hrs!
By: Prashant Shankarnarayan and Yogita Rao
July 24, 2006
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since Saturday, the city has consumed around 30 lakh litres of hard liquor. All in the name of Gatari Amavasya. If this is not enough, 19 lakh chickens and 40,000 goats were butchered since Saturday, as yesterday was the last day before the auspicious month of Shravan.

Sources in the state excise department said, “The wine shops have registered around 30 per cent increase in sale of hard liquor since yesterday.”

The city’s average consumption of hard liquor per day is around 23 lakh litre. There are around 700 wine shops in the city and 2,000 permit rooms.

As for the chickens and goats, the numbers increased as many Hindus abstain from drinking liquor and consuming meat during the holy month of Shravan.

Gatari mayhem

Meanwhile, hospitals recorded almost twice the number of patients involved in minor brawls and accidents last night.

“There was a rise in the number of alcohol-related cases last night,” said a doctor at KEM Hospital in Parel.

“I was surprised to receive so many cases. Later, I was informed by one of my staffers about Gatari,” said an intern at Nair Hospital in Bombay Central.


The gatari effect

http://ww3.mid-day.com/ArticleImages/images75/injured247200613443.jpg
Sunil Kumar Singh (left), a private car driver at Ghatkopar was badly thrashed by unknown men early today morning. Singh said, “I was heavily drunk because of Gatari and on the pretext of lack of parking space, two men beat me black and blue.”

Singh sustained nose fractures and head injuries, other than getting his face disfigured. “The person who beat me up was also high on beer,” added Singh

Pic and Text: Anand Holla

Not normal

KEM Hospital: 12 cases (routine: not more than 6)
Bhabha Hospital: 25 cases (routine: not more than 11)
Cooper Hospital: 6 cases (routine: not more than 3)
GT Hospital: 7 cases (routine: not more than 4)
Nair Hospital: 12 cases (routine: not more than 4)

Interesting! but what's that got to do with projects?

for some relief from just project news. some local bombay news. didnt know where else to post it

for people not familiar gatari refers to gutter (amavasya obviously being part of the lunar cycle). why gutter? because you are supposed to get so drunk that you fall into a gutter and lay there till morning comes

City to get 15 new flyovers

Kavitha Iyer

Mumbai, July 25: Plans for 15 new flyovers in Mumbai were finalised on Tuesday, to be built by the MMRDA.

After the Shiv Sena-BJP’s 55-flyover plan during their tenure in 1995-99, this installment of flyovers aims to grab some brownie points for the Congress-NCP government.

‘‘The total cost is about Rs 220 crore,’’ said Metropolitan Commissioner T Chandrashekhar. Project management consultants have been appointed for each flyover, he added, while the expertise of the MSRTC will be roped in too. ‘‘Work begins in October,’’ he said.

While eight of the flyovers are in the western suburbs, the other five will be located on Dr Ambedkar Road.

The locations in the western suburbs are: Kherwadi, Santacruz, Times of India junction, Dindoshi and Thakur Complex along Western Express Highway, Barfiwala Lane at Andheri, a via duct and a road overbridge between Dahisar and Mira Road along the Main Link Road.

In the eastern suburbs, there will be one at Navghar, while the existing flyover at Sion junction will be doubled from three lanes to six. Those on Dr Ambedkar Road are at Sion Hospital, King’s Circle, Hindmata, Bharatmata and Lalbaug.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=194227

Remembering 26/7

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/07/26/4/Img/Pc0041300.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/07/26/4/Img/Pc0041400.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/07/26/4/Img/Pc0041500.jpg

http://70.86.150.130/indianexpress/Web/Photographs/2006/07/26/521/26_07_2006_521_003_001.jpg

http://70.86.150.130/indianexpress/Web/Photographs/2006/07/26/528/26_07_2006_528_002_002.jpg

Great before & after pics, gives you a really great indication of how bad things were to those who didn't experience 26/7.

The plans earmarked for infrastructure by the centre looks great and the way forward.

Great pic of the Eastern Express Highway. Looks as good as the new national highways.

HC seeks fund details on drains

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: With the first phase of the Brimstowad project facing a shortfall of Rs 350 crore, the Bombay HC on Wednesday directed the Union and state governments to clarify their stands on whether they will give funds for the project that aims to modernise the city’s stormwater drainage system.
The court has given the two governments time till August 24 to file their affidavits. The orders came on a PIL filed by city cardiologist Dr Sandeep Rane. Earlier, on the court’s direction, BMC counsel K K Singhvi unveiled the corporation’s proposal to implement the Brimstowad report in three phases by 2009 at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore. For the first phase, to be implemented in the current financial year at a cost of 630 crore, the corporation has already provided for Rs 280 crore, according to Singhvi. The remaining Rs 350 crore is now being sought.
The second phase (2007-08) will cost Rs 590 crore, and the third and final phase (2008-09) Rs 580 crore. Singhvi informed the court that the project’s progress depended on funds from the state and Centre.
The judges have also asked the corporation to file a detailed affidavit on the waste management system in the city as well as the McDonald report to upgrade the sewage system.


FINER POINTS

BMC’s claims of fining contractors for shoddy road works failed to impress the HC. The BMC informed the court that 33 contractors had been collectively fined a total of Rs 5.4 lakh.
“It is just a token fine,’’ said the judges. “Fines should be a deterrent. This is almost like taking no action at all.’’ Senior counsel Iqbal Chagla, counsel for the petitioner, called for penal action and suggested that contractors who do a bad job should be blacklisted. TNN

Rs 475cr central aid likely, says Vilasrao

Mumbai: The city’s infrastructure projects will soon get a much needed boost. Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said the Centre was likely to sanction Rs 475 crore for the Brimstowad project which aims to upgrade the city’s storm water drainage project.
The Centre has agreed in principle to exclude the Brimstowad project and the Mithi River protection and development programme from the National Urban Renewal Mission and also give funds for the Mumbai Metro project, Deshmukh said.
On Tuesday, Deshmukh met union urban development minister Jaipal Reddy and made a pitch for central funds for Mumbai’s makeover. The CM demanded that the Centre sanction funds for the Mumbai Sewerage Disposal Project and the second phase of the Mithi river protection work.
“We are expediting the process and the works in some of the projects will begin in the next three to four months,’’ Deshmukh said.
The chief minister admitted that the state government had failed to rehabilitate flood affected people in Raigad and other districts.
“Finding a suitable site for rehabilitation is a problem. There is no resource crunch,’’ he said.

BMC told to bridge gap with MMRDA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The constant bickering between Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials and those of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has led to mayor Datta Dalvi and Shiv Sena leader Uddav Thackeray asking the two organisations to sort out issues once and for all.
The advice came at the end of a meeting between top-level MMRDA officials, the mayor and senior municipal councillors to discuss drainage and flooding issues. The attempt to stop the friction between the two organisations came on the heels of similar efforts by chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh’s to end the problem.
According to Sunil Prabhu, leader of the house in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, it was agreed that MMRDA and BMC officials would meet every month and discuss the technical aspects of one road at every meeting to ensure that all roads constructed were of good quality and there was no flooding in the future.
Joint metropolitan commissioner of MMRDA, Milind Mhaiskar said several issues were sorted out at the meeting and the need for a constant dialogue was stressed. Prabhu said the issue of damaged drains on the Western Express Highway leading to excessive flooding last year was also raised at the meeting.

The Kalina Air India colony is in such bad shape even now!

dunno how old the image is but looks like the Tower #2 is no rush of getting taller.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3159/bombay1et2.jpg

i took that snap some 8 months ago. its much taller now

tower 1 is starting to get some cladding as well

I thought that pic was by sajpics and was taken early last year! I am probably wrong.

hmm. you might be right sun. it looked a lot like the ones i had taken, same angle, height and all. here's one

http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/1532/1001125xo5.jpg

sorry my bad. apologies to whoever took it

just realised, mine are looking south. the one posted by hindustani is looking north. still with regards to the date the hindustani pic is older as you can not see the glass windows as seen in my pic. so its at least 9-10 months old

This building is due for completion Dec 06 & it look like thats way off.

Need some up-dated pictures.

just realised, mine are looking south. the one posted by hindustani is looking north. still with regards to the date the hindustani pic is older as you can not see the glass windows as seen in my pic. so its at least 9-10 months old

I will be posting sajpics's photos in the showcase gallery soon.

The Project Status as on 05/05/2006 was:

Tower I - Slab Work - 52nd Level
Tower II - Slab Work - 26th Level

This project cannot be ready before 2007 end.

I also think its going at a slow pace!

Sun, Bombay Boy

Ok. So it is not that bad then. I never realized Tower 1 is at 52F & Tower II at 26F. I thought more along the lines of 40F & 15F respectively. I hope they are completed by '07 as promised.

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/7012/bombay1rx4.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/8919/bombay2to5.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/1943/bombay3nb2.jpg

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2015/bombay4xt8.jpg

Planning a new Mumbai (http://www.business-standard.com/lifeleisure/storypage.php?leftnm=5&subLeft=5&chklogin=N&autono=99740&tab=r)
BIRD`S-EYE VIEW
Gayatri Ramanathan / Mumbai July 29, 2006

Architect Hafeez Contractor has a new dream for Mumbai. A new marine drive, stretching all the way from the Governor’s garden to Bandra Fort. Contractor, known for his radical ideas, is not proposing a reclaimed stretch on which Mumbai’s ultra rich can buy bigger and better homes.

Rather, he is proposing reclaiming land along this 17.6 km stretch to create an urban forest or parkland, where an ordinary Mumbaikar can come for a walk or enjoy a weekend picnic, without having to go out of the city.

“Today, there are no open spaces in the city. Even the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali is not fully open to the public. I am suggesting creating a new green space right in the heart of the city which is open to everybody, much like the Central Park in New York,” says Contractor.

His idea: to reclaim land upto 500 metres from the shoreline along some of south Mumbai’s posh areas along the west coast and convert it into forest land, which is open to everyone with walkways, plazas and recreational areas running alongside the forested patches. To create an additional green cover for the city of some 425 acres out of this reclaimed land.

Argues Contractor, “South Mumbai has a meagre green cover of just 160 acres on the mill lands. I am suggesting a way of creating additional green cover, without taking away land from anyone else.”

An obvious reference to the old Charles Correa plan under which the mill owners were asked to surrender part of their land for maintaining the green cover in the city.

“This reclamation plan will not only give the city a better look but also change the micro climate of this part of the city. Temperatures will come down by at least a degree because of the new forest, the air will be cleaner, and people will have place where they can walk. There are no open spaces in the city and this will create that much-needed open space. And most important, Mumbai will get a completely new image which, in turn, will attract further investment into the city,” he says.

His plan also suggests ways of beautifying existing landmarks such as Pedder Road, Mahalakshmi temple precinct, Haji Ali and Shivaji Park. It suggests ways of preserving the few existing historical landmarks such as the Worli and the Bandra forts and opening them to the public. In addition, it even incorporates the Bandra-Worli sealink which is under construction.

“And add to this a ring road which goes right around the city and you can actually free up a lot of road space in the city. Most of the inner city traffic in Mumbai is actually north-south traffic. It moves through the city as there is no other way and chokes up the inner city roads. Once you have a ring road, around 80 per cent of this traffic will move on that road. Imagine how much more space you will have on the city roads then!” says Contractor.

Contractor’s plan was getting a serious look-in from the last Sena- BJP government with former minister Nitin Gadkari looking into it. He laments that the present Congress government has shown little interest in the plan. “I haven’t lost hope. I am planning to make a presentation to the chief minister soon,” says the architect.

an old plan of contractor. great on paper but dont know how feasible it is though with the reclamation part. its potentially quite an environmental disaster. some real experts will have to go through it, the sea near bombay can be very rough

also means no sea-front houses or localities. a manufactured crz, a law contractor himself is fighting so hard against

Singapore firm shows interest in zoo revamp

Anumeha Yadav

Mumbai, July 28: The Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan or the Byculla zoo is in for a revamp and on the cards may be a new layout with moats, landscaping and better sanitation and veterinary facilities for the animals.

National and international consultants with prior experience of designing zoological parks have been invited to prepare a ‘master plan’. And among the firms that have expressed interest is zoo design and consultancy firm Bernard Harrison which designed the night safaris and under-water viewing exhibits at the Singapore zoo.

‘‘Considering the characteristics of the Byculla zoo, its limited space and the density of people living around it, we will choose a plan that provides for conservation and education, without compromising the comfort of the animals,’’ said Assistant Municipal Commissioner R A Rajiv.

‘‘Bernard Harrison approached us last year, but nothing is finalised. We will keep the process competitive and transparent,’’ he added.

According to zoo officials, it will be a 20-year plan that will be implemented in four- or five-year phases.

It will look at the present topography, sanitation and veterinary facilities, waste management, feed, landscaping, themes, visitors’ amenities and how to improve the same. The preparation of the plan will begin in August and is expected to take a year.

As per the zoo-keeping policy of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests in New Delhi, all zoos must prepare master plans for the next 20 years.

‘‘We gave guidelines to zoo officials from all over the country during a workshop in Bhubaneshwar this April,’’ said CZA Member-Secretary B R Sharma. Of the 58 ‘large’ zoological parks in the country, Byculla will be the eighth to prepare such a plan after Darjeeling, Bhubaneshwar, Chennai, Mangalore, Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Kanpur.

Animal activists said this is only one of the several decisions over which the Byculla zoo has been dragging its feet over the years.

‘‘This is long overdue,’’ said Anuradha Sawhney, chief functionary of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. ‘‘In fact, they have not yet done what the zoo improvement committee asked them to this April, like shifting some healthy animals out of the zoo hospital, or improving the enclosures.’’

The committee was appointed by the Bombay High Court to look into the conditions in the Byculla zoo after 14 black bucks were killed by the entry of stray dogs into their enclosures.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=194690

an old plan of contractor. great on paper but dont know how feasible it is though with the reclamation part. its potentially quite an environmental disaster. some real experts will have to go through it, the sea near bombay can be very rough

also means no sea-front houses or localities. a manufactured crz, a law contractor himself is fighting so hard against

This will not happen. Hafeez is wasting his time. With thousands of environmental experts any such project is bound to get mired in intellectual bs debates.

Mumbai's environment is degraded because of its high population which is still growing. If environmentalists in Mumbai are really interested in solving the problem, they should be distributing family planning tools to the citizens (old timers or fresh off the train in VT).

No matter of cosmetic activism like tree hugging or save the flamingoes or save the mill lands is going to work. If not highrises or bridges, all open lands will be taken over by slums eventually. And then they will have nothing to agitate against because saying anything against slums will be politically unfashionable.

its quite a fanciful and silly plan anyways. dont think its possible or even desirable

its quite a fanciful and silly plan anyways. dont think its possible or even desirable

For Mumbaikars and Indians there is no point in beating around the bush.

The main problem of Mumbai is over population.

While there is a lot of debate between weepy socialists who claim all growth is internal and ferocious right wingers claiming all growth is from migrants, the moot point is whatever be it, Mumbai just cannot take any more people. Especially unskilled, semi literate ones (however brutal that may sound). Period.

The environmental degradation is just a secondary issue here.

Unfortunately it is also more media friendly and a glamorous topic compared to the population issue. So the main issue is pushed under the carpet, while the secondary one is brought out and debated with thousands of intellectuals arguing over something that will not get fixed unless the first problem gets fixed.

Yarrow, Yucca and Vinca
Nahar Amrit Shakti

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8561/yarrowyuccvincanaharanritshaktioh3.jpg

Brookhill (Raheja)

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3479/brookevillemahimmatungaov6.jpg

Mukesh Ambani eyes another record (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1803141.cms)RAJEEV JAYASWAL AND SOMA BANERJEE

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ TUESDAY, JULY 25, 2006 12:00:01 AM]

NEW DELHI: Size does matter when it comes to Reliance, be it the largest refinery in the world, the biggest SEZ in the country or simply an office complex. The Mukesh Ambani-promoted Reliance Industries (RIL) is set to soon create yet another record by developing the largest single corporate office in the world, spanning over 2m sq ft in suburban Mumbai. The proposed Rs 150-crore office structure will be as large as four big-sized malls put together. It will headquarter RIL’s businesses of petroleum, retail and agriculture.

The office building, being built by Reliance Engineers Association, a group company which has developed many infrastructure projects of RIL, will be housed within a larger complex covering a total area of around 40m sq ft.
The proposed Rs 150-crore office structure will be as large as four big-sized malls put together and will headquarter RIL’s businesses of petroleum, retail and agriculture.

Sources in the know said that the dream project has drawn heavily from global corporate office structures like that of GE or Exxon Mobil in the US. The office complex, to be built on a theme titled ‘brilliance per square inch’, will include among other things a lake and a greenbelt. “The idea is to get the best brains in the country to share their ideas, and think together,” a source said.

Despite its growth and diversification into several business areas, RIL is yet to have a ‘proper headquarters’ for its operations. RIL is currently headquartered in its legendary Maker Chamber No IV in Nariman Point, Mumbai’s business district. Chairman Mukesh Ambani’s office is located on the fourth floor where the founder of RIL, and his father, Dhirubhai Ambani used to sit. The company occupies a couple of other floors in the same building and most of the petroleum and petrochemical business is controlled from there. Sources say that although the new headquarters is a dream project of Mukesh Ambani, he is unlikely to relocate completely from Maker Chambers as RIL’s roots lie there.

Reliance Infocomm, a pet project of Mukesh Ambani, was run from the Dhirubhai Ambani Knowledge Centre (DAKC) in the Mumbai suburb of Vashi. DAKC is now a part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, as part of a family settlement. Incidentally, Mukesh Ambani’s new headquarters will be located barely a stone’s throw away from DAKC. The project is expected to start in six months and will be completed in the next 12 months.

The project is managed by Australian consulting firm Meinhardt. Meinhardt Singapore, which advised the government on Delhi and Mumbai airport modernisation projects, is also involved in integrated engineering of Reliance headquarters.

Singhania suggests closing Mahalaxmi racecourse (http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Singhania+wants+racecourse+shut&id=90636) Yogesh Pawar

Wednesday, July 26, 2006 (Mumbai):

In a letter to the Maharashtra finance minister, Mumbai sheriff Vijaypat Singhania has suggested that the Mahalaxmi racecourse be shut down.

The industrialist and aviator has charged that Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai's only island of green, is not making money and instead is being used to launder illegal cash.

He has written a letter to the Finance Minister Jayant Patil where he's asked for shutting down racing and instead turn the race course into a mega theme park.

In his letter he says the Race Course should be developed with night safaris, animal enclosures, children's playgrounds, cafeterias, walking areas and picnic spots.

The tallest hotel in the world should be built here, to rival Dubai's Burj Al Arab Hotel. He says the state can generate enough money to help check its rising debt.

Singhania 's letter has stunned the Royal Western India Turf Club which runs the race course, not least because he's a member of the Club.

Officials rubbish charges

Club officials say the charges made by Singhania are rubbish, that the races are still drawing in crowds and that there's no betting mafia which has taken over the club.

Others are worried that south Mumbai's biggest green space which is used by walkers and families may get choked if its over built up.

"The race course is the only open space. What are they trying to do by choking the city?" said a local.

"Who makes these decisions? They should live in cramped homes and travel in packed locals. Then they'll know what the race course means to us," said another.

"The city has less than a square metre space for each person as against the 16 square metre recommended. Where is the empirical data on the basis of which the sheriff has proposed this?

"This is like the repeating the mistakes made in mill land issue," said Neera Adarkar, architect and urban researcher.

Mumbai has the worst open areas to built up area ratio in the whole world. It's not surprising then that a proposal to develop the Mahalaxmi racecourse five years ago had led to public furore.

The government had then shot down the proposal. All eyes will now be on the government to see how it deals with this new proposal especially since its come from the city's sheriff.

BTW: Be sure to keep a watch on Meinhardt India's website (http://www.meinhardtgroup.com/content/projectsoffice.asp?sectorID=-1&countryID=96&Keywords=&btnSubmit=Search) for renderings of the Ambani complex

Singhania suggests closing Mahalaxmi racecourse (http://www.ndtv.com/morenews/showmorestory.asp?category=National&slug=Singhania+wants+racecourse+shut&id=90636)

Once he said Mumbai should build a rival to Burj Al Arab there, he lost me.

I think he means a world's tallest hotel. If I'm not mistaken, BAA's the tallest built hotel in the world (not counting that NoKo shell.) Though I think an over 150 storey one has been proposed in Dubai.

An interesting note: Mid-Day reported that he wished a 'world's tallest building', be built there.


But, Mahalaxmi racecourse is such a senic effect on that part of the city. Surely the it wouldnt entirely be utilized in such a project. Perhaps turning the rest of it into a public park is the best idea, and would significantly increase greenery

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6645/mirror5c20065c75c255c15c72420062339168127242006233833ei2.jpg

if they want to make anything at all they should just make a public park, like hyde park or central park. not structures at all except small cafetarias and mini galleries

Race Course is a huge open area. If they want to buid something, build something that can beat any of these in aesthetics or height. Why copy anything that looks remotely similar to Burj Al Arab. Bombay needs to think of building something Iconic and drop this 'chalta hai' atitude. Its time that Bombay starts planning something along the lines of Petronas, Taipei 101, Jin Mao, Sears, SWFC. By the time it materializes it will take 4-5 yrs anyways. Race Course is a huge open area in Bombay, I'd like to see it put to a good use with gigantic supertall & acres of open park space.

http://www.joelertola.com/grfx/grfx_update_feb_05/tall_buildings.jpg

like i said i'd rather not have buildings on race course land. the footprint might be small, but it affects a much larger area and the area needs to remain as green as possible. make it into an outstandingly beautiful park with good parking space and large play areas. that would be much better than any 100-storey building

Serve Mumbai’s spirit by tackling the rot

Sucheta Dalal

Four days after the deadly blasts that rocked Mumbai, I am hugely relieved to find that thousands of Mumbaikars, like me, are tired of the paeans sung to the astonishing spirit of Mumbai. The praise about our resilience is beginning to grate, because it allows city officials and politicians to remain corrupt, slothful, inefficient and confident that Mumbai pauses only long enough to get people back on their feet and marches on.

Let us stop the rush to normalcy and examine why we have allowed Mumbai to be crippled by a venal administration and resolve to fight the rot with the same single-minded efficiency that lets us bounce back after every calamity. Today, the Right to Information Act and the judiciary’s support to public interest litigation (PIL) have saved Mumbai from greater degradation.

If Mumbaikars join mass campaigns or public interest petitions with the same zeal they showed in their rescue work after the blasts, we can transform this city. Here are few things that must be achieved by re-directing that famous Mumbai spirit.

The root cause of sloth and evil is, invariably, corruption. Mumbai is not called the ‘maya nagari’ (city of magic) only because paupers are able to make their fortunes in business or in tinsel town. It is also maya nagari for corrupt officials. That is why many top posts in the police, vigilance agencies, customs and income tax are auctioned off and captured by corrupt officials. The biggest bribe-mela is usually associated with municipal jobs and contracts.

This does not mean that there are no honest people in government offices— there are, and in fact they desperately need public support systems to help them stand up to corrupt colleagues. We need all those who were out on the streets donating blood or helping people 2 a.m. on Wednesday to join a ‘zero tolerance for corruption’ campaign.

Mumbai’s second big problem is the land mafia. In collusion with politicians, they have kept Mumbai so cramped that every precious inch of land costs a bomb and 60% of the population lives in expensive slums. Today, institutional investors are driving prices even higher through speculation. Let us stop listening to bleeding-heart statements from industrialists; when it comes to land grabbing they are either active participants or silent spectators in the process of corrupting the system, changing rules and gobbling up public property.

We have already lost the battle for a legitimate share of the mill lands that were gifted to industrialists at discounted rates a century ago. Today they are private goldmines that continue to break development control rules. For obviously reasons, politicians are happy to release bus stations, Expressways and public sector dairy’s for development by the private sector, but how about asking public sector monoliths sitting on vast tracts of land gifted to them by the government to donate some of it for public amenities?

The Bombay Port Trust, Mumbai’s biggest land owner, must be asked to part with a track of land that will reduce traffic congestion by opening up another artery to the suburbs and will allow uniform development of the city. Last week, I was stunned to discover how much of excess land is owned by the Nehru Science Centre that runs parallel to the numbingly-crowded E. Moses Road extending from Worli to the race course. This is public land gifted at some point of time to the Centre.

How about reclaiming a part of it to broaden roads leading to newly developed shopping and office centres in Lower Parel; or to rehabilitate the clutter of slums and garages that block precious road space; or to build a much needed parking block? If Mumbaikars contribute their personal time and money during calamities, why can’t public sector companies do their bit by donating a little land to let the city breathe more easily? The next time leaders from Delhi come here to shed crocodile tears at our plight, let us make specific demands and monitor the progress.

Now look at the Mumbai police. Once known for efficiency, it now makes news for corruption, inefficiency or raping hapless citizens. But we are equally guilty of ignoring obvious evidence of the stress that they work under. Remember the constable at the airport who killed his superior out of frustration? Or the several cases of suicide by depressed cops that get no more than a couple of paragraphs in the newspapers? So many of them are saddled with the frustrating, dead-end job of protecting corrupt politicians. Surely nobody joins the police force to do that. Can we expect them not to turn cynical?

Home Minister R.R. Patil kept the police so busy shutting down dance bars that had no time to worry about public security. All he has done is to push bar girls into full scale prostitution and also endangered the city. He must now be asked to ruthlessly withdraw superfluous security cover to politicians who use the posse of policeman as a status symbol.

Let us also persuade Raj Thackarey and former police commissioner M.N. Singh to set an example by voluntarily giving up State security. The former can afford private security and show he is different and the latter was trained to protect others.

Finally, let us look at the Railways. It has been a decade-long demand of Mumbaikars that the local railway route must be spun off into a separate undertaking so that special attention can be focussed on its needs.

A combination of corruption, apathy and lack of accountability has ensued that land along the railways track is dangerously blocked by encroachments that are supported by politicians, the entrance to railways stations is choked with illegal shops and commuters are forced to dodge hundreds of hawkers who occupy every footbridge. A senior journalist discovered that local stations do not even have basic first air or a stretcher to deal with emergencies even though 6.5 million people commute everyday.

These are just a few things that can help transform Mumbai if propelled by the indomitable spirit of its people.

suchetadalal@yahoo.com

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/8677.html

If anybody really wants to fight corruption, they should first look into their neighborhood, friends, relatives and community. Let them first take a shot at empowering these people to give up corruption, and then they can take a shot at correcting the entire system.

Also most of us (Indians) whine and complain about corruption but do we really want to get this problem solved? Do we really want somebody in our circle losing his/her job? Or being fined/prosecuted in the court of law? ...take a moment to think about the people in your circle who have bribed others or who have received bribes.

If that’s what we want, our politicians have served us right....they been doing their jobs!;)

Race Course is a huge open area. If they want to buid something, build something that can beat any of these in aesthetics or height. Why copy anything that looks remotely similar to Burj Al Arab. Bombay needs to think of building something Iconic and drop this 'chalta hai' atitude. Its time that Bombay starts planning something along the lines of Petronas, Taipei 101, Jin Mao, Sears, SWFC. By the time it materializes it will take 4-5 yrs anyways. Race Course is a huge open area in Bombay, I'd like to see it put to a good use with gigantic supertall & acres of open park space.

http://www.joelertola.com/grfx/grfx_update_feb_05/tall_buildings.jpg

I Totally Agree!!! .. Its a huge land .. they can make a supertall (to satisfy us) aswell as greenpark to satisfy Bombay boy! :)

Mumbai projects - DNA

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/7586/projectsmumbaidnas1jt1.jpg
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9489/projectsmumbaidnas2dx2.jpg

Great newspaper clip above, makes things look pretty exciting but I hope some of the projects dont fall through.

I think that the Racecourse in Mumbai should be left as a open green cover hence the shortage of green space. A Central Park/Hyde Park equivalent would be better. As for a supertall "yes" in principal the Mill lands could be better for that instead of it being near the Racecourse.

-Tell them what they've won Rod!

-A brand new CATAMARAN!

Cool graphic - probably a little misleading with the trains; are the cars really going to look that modern?

Here's the news about the new suburban trains


A violet revolution on tracks
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1037182



Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation will procure 909 new suburban train coaches with new colour combinations

To adorn a corporate look, the Indian Railways has decided to change the face of its brown and cream suburban trains. All suburban trains in the city will go violet by the year-end.

As part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (Phase I), Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation (MRVC), the nodal agency to execute the railway-related projects, will procure 909 new suburban train coaches. MVRC had installed three coaches on central suburban section and conducted a survey to find out commuters' choices about the new coaches.

Based on certain recommendations and suggestions, the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai designed two prototype trains with new colour combinations, which will run on the Mumbai's suburban tracks in December.

"Indian Railways is coming out of its shell. To enhance its identity and introduce maintenance-free trains, ICF-Chennai has designed new coaches with violet and white combination with a fine orange line running through the top of the coaches," said MVRC Public Relations Officer Ashok Kumar.

The new models have been made after taking feedback from over two lakh pamphlets in English, Hindi and Marathi among 20,000 commuters.

"These included 16,699 second-class and 3,660 first-class commuters. Seventy per cent of the responses were from male passengers and the remaining from female commuters," said Kumar.

Once the two prototype rakes start running in December, continuous production will begin from June 2007.

BTW that first graphic of the "new" train looks pretty good. But it may be inaccurate.

In another article the "new" trains look pretty much the same as before.

http://img307.imageshack.us/img307/7793/newtrainsdnaindia1hg2.jpg

Not sure which one is true. But going by Indian Railways' poor track record in design and aesthetics, I will bet for the second one.

Purple?

Maybe I shouldn't ask this but would these coaches have doors ? I think it is high time that they did something about people spilling out of the commuter trains. Since it is one of the most visible safety lapse, I wonder why that is never incorporated in design and operation.

I agree they should have doors however the new coaches are an improvement but dont look anything special in that diagram.

Perhaps some actual photos would be better to made judgement.

the IIM profs have done a decent job, you cant have everything you want when you're dealing with IR

doors will be a mere hindrance to the large volume, but I want to see them as well

trains are not going to be air conditioned so why bother with the doors?

the coaches are barely more than a mere paint job and they are like the HYD mmts, just an urban renewal project

MPE has updated with this project, called "Continental Tower" in Chembur by RNA builders:
http://mumbaipropertyexchange.com/images/builders/projects/thumbs/2460_main_thumb.jpg

This is identical to RNA Central Park at Chembur:
http://www.rnabuilders.com/images/detailImages/central_park.jpg

IIRC, Continental Tower is the former name of this project, and was called such on RNA's website last year. However, their website hasn't been updated since Feb.

No details of this project on either site yet.

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Madhuban, by DSK Developers
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6773/madhubanbd2.jpg

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Enternity, Thane by Kankia Constructions
http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/796/eternitytt5.jpg

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Ashirwad Residency, Borivali (W)
http://img399.imageshack.us/img399/3985/ashirwadks6.jpg

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Kiran Apartments, Bandra (W) by Rachanaa Group
http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/856/kiranhorqf8.jpg

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New Juhu Project, Nerul, New Mumbai by Ahuja Constructions
http://www.ahujaconstructions.com/images/15projthumb.jpg

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Hiranandani Developers have launched several projects. No elevations or renderings have been released yet:


Glendale, @ Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
30 Storeys + 3 BHK

Richmond tower, @ Hiranandani Gardens, Powai
24 Storeys + 5 BHK


Villa rica, @ Hiranandani Estate, Thane
17 Storeys + 2 BHK

Villa grand, @ Hiranandani Estate, Thane
Stilt + 14 Storeys + 2 BHK


Orchid, @ Hiranandani Meadows, Thane
27 Storeys + 4 & 6

Northside, @ Hiranandani Meadows, Thane
27 Storeys + 3 BHK

Mumbai is building so many towers! However the "environmental" clearance issue is probably acting as a dampener on construction activity.

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=11827
MSRDC's sea bridge projects take a leap

The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation has taken a step ahead on its ambitious and largest sea bridge projects in the country. It has issued bid documents to three of the shortlisted consortia for the Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link project.

The 22.5-km bridge from Sewri in Mumbai to Nhava in Navi Mumbai is expected to take the next big leap in the next three months by when the financial bids are to be decided and work order issued in December. MTHL has already received environmental clearance as well as clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India to go ahead with the project.

The consortia which have pre-qualified to execute the project on BOT basis are the IL&FS, SKIL and John Laing Construction (UK) consortium, L&T-led consortium comprising Gammon India and Sistmea Ltd (Russia), and IFFCO consortium with members Skanska Cementation (Italy), Thani Development Co. and Meada (Japan).

"We have had tremendous backlog and the confusion that exists in the traffic and transportation network of the city is mainly on account that we did not have those instruments earlier, by which we could get these works done," comments Ramanath Jha, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of MSRDC. "The MTHL has been in process of planning for several decades while the Bandra-Worli-Nariman Point Sea Link is a piece of infrastructure suggested a long time back. But the BOT route, which has become the fashion now and which has become viable because of traffic volume, was not an option in the earlier days. Infrastructure was completely dependent on government resources. Now we have other means of resources; private people are prepared to come in if we give them the viability that they desire which reduces the load on government finances. So Mumbai Trans-Harbour Link, Bandra-Worli-Nariman Point Sea Link, flyovers could come up," he adds.

Work on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link is suspended now due to monsoon and is expected resume soon after that and race towards the April 2008 completion deadline. Currently, 30 per cent work on the bridge is complete and MSRDC has initiated the process of extending the link up to Nariman Point and has called for proposals from bidders.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1045383

Peddar Road will get earplugs worth Rs 24 cr

Smita Deshmukh
Friday, August 04, 2006 00:14 IST

MUMBAI: Determined to build the 4.2km long Peddar Road flyover despite opposition from local residents, the state government has come up with a solution to protect the rich and famous in the area: noise barriers imported from China, to be installed along the flyover to keep the peace. The cost: Rs24 crore.

Public Works Minister Anil Deshmukh had visited China over a month ago with engineers from the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation to select the equipment.

Work on the three-lane flyover, estimated to cost Rs160 crore, will begin early next year. “We have decided the alignment of the route - Lala Lajpat Rai Marg via Haji Ali and ending at Wilson College,” Deshmukh said. “We hope to get environmental clearance without much difficulty.”

PWD officials said traffic speed along the stretch, one of the city’s busiest, will jump from the existing 18kph to 60kph once the flyover is built.

The sharp turn at Babulnath junction may be overcome by extending the flyover till Tambe Chowk to ensure a 60-metre radius at 35kph. The option of encroaching on the Nana Nani Park along Girgaum Chowpatty has been ruled out.

On Thursday, Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh chaired a meeting to firm up the plan. “Considering Mumbai’s growing population, a transport plan for the year 2020 needs be worked on,” he told the meeting, attended by Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph, police chief AN Roy, and Urban Development Secretary Ramanand Tiwari.

Anil Deshmukh said the initial survey for the flyover is complete. “An environmental study will be undertaken soon.” Peddar Road residents refused to react to the news. “We have to study the plan,” said Ram Ajoomal, general secretary, Peddar Road Residents Association.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1041969

Road to Sahar may soon be shorter

Rajshri Mehta
Sunday, July 16, 2006 01:35 IST

If all goes according to plan, you will be able to zip between the Western Express highway and international airport on Sahar road in just 15 minutes as against the 25 minutes it takes currently.

Two years after work began on the first double-decker flyover between Santacruz and Chembur, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has drawn up plans to construct another two-deck road under its Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project (MUIP).

The two-deck flyover has been proposed on the 4.75-km stretch connecting the Western Express Highway to the international airport. The four-lane elevated road will be constructed so that it will be over the existing Jog flyover at Andheri station road junction. Two ramps constructed on opposite sides of the bridge will serve as entry points for vehicular traffic coming from Borivali and Bandra to go to the airport. An exit ramp is provided only for South-bound vehicular traffic. The project cost is estimated at Rs240 crore.

Senior MMRDA officials said the new flyover was expected to reduce heavy vehicular congestion on the route leading to the airport. The layout is ready, but the MMRDA cannot hurry with the project.

The reason: GVK consortium, the successful bidders to modernise Mumbai airport, has not yet submitted the layout plan for airport modernisation. GVK has asked MMRDA to extend one arm of the metro rail between Versova and Ghatko-par to the airport. “So, if the metro rail comes, the MMRDA will have to change the location of where the elevated road ends. We have requested the consortium to speed up their plans,” said the senior official.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=195746

Mayor should be elected by people rather than state: Correa

To save Mumbai city from the brink of disaster vis-a-vis crumbling infrastructure, architect Charles Correa advocated that it should have a mayor directly elected by the people rather than the state.

‘‘Cities like Mumbai should be governed along the lines of London and New York, which have an elected mayor living in the city. Accordingly, the mayor can then focus on the development and betterment of the city totally and will be responsible to people and not to his political bosses,’’ Correa said.

Correa was speaking at the Forum for Exchange and Excellence in Design (FEED) at the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) on Sunday.

‘‘The public are living in a dehumanising condition. At times, the government officials behave in a docile manner as was reflected in the aftermath of the recent Mumbai blasts, when citizens rushed in to carry the injured and dead to hospital.’’ he added.

The lack of planners and the role of architects as experts, rather than executioners in policy and decision making also undermines the proper maintaining and development of a city, he mentioned. Adding further that skyscrapers were not a solution to end the problem of housing in cities like Mumbai and Pune, architect Correa endorsed the traditional way of building houses as they were affordable and provided better living conditions.

When asked about the mushrooming architecture colleges and diminishing quality of students graduating out of them, Correa said that there was an urgent need for more trained teachers to ensure better quality of passouts from these colleges. He suggested offering of fellowship and teacher’s training programmes to overcome the problem. He also blamed the fast pace construction work pattern for stifling the imagination of the architects.

what?
Mayors are appointed by state? I never knew this

I thought Mayors were elected by the city

I thought that too...

HC raps BMC for leasing hoardings

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has pulled the plug on the BMC’s largesse to hoarding owners who enjoy a virtual monopoly at prime locations in the city. Taking note of the shocking instance of a hoarding at a prime location being leased for a meagre sum of Rs 999, the division bench of justices F I Rebello and Vijaya Kapse Tahilramani on Monday ordered the corporation to follow established norms and auction outdoor publicity sites every three years in a transparent manner.
The BMC’s reluctance to auction the sites to the highest bidder so that it could earn more revenue surprised the judges. The court’s orders came on a petition filed by outdoor publicity firm, Anurag Sites, which had challenged the corporation’s decision to automatically renew the lease of a prime location to a firm called Deepak Enterprises. Deepak Enterprises was in charge of the hoarding site at Loyalka Compound, at Marine Drive off Girgaum Chowpatty since 1996, thanks to automatic renewal of its license by the BMC. It was paying a measly amount of Rs 999 to the civic body as rent and ground charges. The petitioner claimed advertisers would be willing to pay a whopping monthly rent of over Rs 1 lakh to showcase its products at such a prime location.
The BMC contended that it was authorised to renew existing leases on the basis of a 1957 Improvement Committee Resolution.

Police stations make it to heritage list

Even Cop Hospital At Nagpada Included

Anjali Joseph I TNN

Mumbai: The city police have been in the news for not so pleasant reasons of late, but one piece of news might force headquarters to smile. The updated heritage list soon to be finalised by MMRDA governors now adds several police stations like Lamington Road and Bhoiwada, as well as the police hospital in Nagpada. By doing so, the list highlights the way that policing in the city changed completely in the early 1900s.
The city police first came into existence in the form of Portuguese outpost in Mumbai, followed a few years later in 1669 by a Bhandari Militia
created by the governor, which was stationed at Sion, Sewri and Mahim. A city police force of about 500 men was maintained through the next century. The first superintendent of police, Simon Halliday, held office from 1793-1808 during which time the city was divided up into policing zones, each of which had 2 European ‘constables’ in charge of Indian policemen. In 1908, says Deepak Rao, who is writing a history of the city police force, Mumbai police was modernised.
“After riots and the imprisonment of Tilak, a committee of Indian Civil Service (ICS) officers was formed to investigate why the police had not been able to control the rioters better. S M Edwardes, who was then the collector and went on to write the definitive History of the Bombay Police, was one of the members,’’ says Rao. A year later, Edwardes, while on long leave in England, was told to report to New Scotland Yard for training in detection. When he finished, he was sent to Mumbai as commissioner of police. Edwardes was the first ICS officer to hold the post (he was in office until 1916); previous commissioners were ex-army men.
“When Edwardes came in, the state of stations was very bad. In 1911 there is a record
saying that Khetwadi station lease had expired and the inspector in charge was holding his office from a room in a nearby Indian theatre. The station kit boxes had to be kept in a chai shop,’’ says Rao.
Between 1908-1924, 18 new police stations were built according to the latest standards to improve the level of detection in the force. The new stations included a proper room in which registration of crimes could be carried out, a charge room and cells, quarters for European and Indian staff and offices for the European constable. Colaba and Nagpada stations were built in 1906, Esplanade (now Azad Maidan) in 1916, Princess Street in 1909, Gamdevi in 1917 and eight others—V P Road, Byculla, Agripada, Bhoiwada, Kingsway, Mahim, Delisle Road and Yellow Gate—were built between 1923 and 1924. Kala Chowkie was the last one to be built, in 1928. After that, the next new police stations were constructed in suburbs like Bandra, Andheri and Santa Cruz in the 1940s in preparation for the amalgamation of city and the former Suburban District under the new name Greater Bombay.
The Nagpada Police Hospital was also built as part of the same initiatives under the City
Improvement Trust. Before the purpose-built colonial style hospital on one of the new roads in Nagpada also built by the CIT, the police had to rely on J J Hospital, then on two subsequent makeshift infirmaries, one in the stable of a hotel in Mazagaon, and the second in a workshop nearby. The hospital was important more for treating cases of infectious disease than injuries sustained during duty. “Many policemen were lost in the 1897 plague, and the commissioner wanted to avoid that. For a force of 1,500, the 94-bed hospital was quite adequate,’’ says Rao.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/08/07/4/Img/Pc0040900.jpg

WB nod to overbridges at Jogeshwari, Vikhroli

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: The World Bank (WB) will finance three road overbridges at Jogeshwari north and south and Vikhroli. To be built at a cost of Rs 108 crores, the bridges are part of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP), which is being implemented by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).
MMRDA joint commissioner Milind Mhaiskar said work on the overbridges will begin soon. He added that the MMRDA was concerned about the resettlement of project-affected persons at Jogeshwari.
Mhaiskar said the projects were cleared by a WB team, which had come down to the
city for an inspection last week. The WB had recently lifted its suspension of financial aid of Rs 4,500 crore to the MUTP project, which includes several important road and rail works such as the Santa Cruz Chembur Link Road and the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road. The aid was withdrawn as the WB was unhappy with the manner in which the rehabilitation programmes of the government was being conducted.
MMRDA officials said some displaced Vikhroli shopkeepers had demanding they be resettled in areas near their place of residence. But, they added, the demand cannot be met. Plans have been chalked out to rehabilitate the shopkeepers in one of the resettlement colonies set up by the government.

A mayor of, for and by Mumbai

The great cities of the world—Paris, New York, Tokyo—are run by their mayor. Why not Mumbai?

Charles Correa

One of the most appalling images of the recent bomb blasts was the injured being slung in bed sheets and carried by their fellow passengers along the railway tracks. Where were the stretchers, the ambulances, and the other emergency services? They might have been held up by traffic jams—but then how did those TV crews get to those seven sites so fast, with all their cameras, reporters and sound equipment?
Those traumatic scenes made palpable to the citizens of Mumbai the nightmarish situation into which we are descending. For despite the proliferation of a number of government agencies: the BMC, the MMRDA, the MRDA, the SRA, etc, there seems to be very little effective governance in our city. Why is this? For a number of reasons. First, because these organizations, with a few exceptions, are run by officials who have been appointed not because they know how to GIVE orders—but because they know how to TAKE them. They are docile and compliant. So, in times of crisis, how do you expect them to show any initiative? Even if they had ever once been capable of such responses, years of such servitude has put that to sleep.
Which brings us to the second basic flaw in the process— viz., that the orders they receive are issued not by leaders voted into power by the citizens of this city, but by politicians who have been elected from some other towns, somewhere else in the state. So naturally, they have their own agenda—which is carried out in a piecemeal fashion, without concern for the consequences. Gradually, these governmental agencies have become more and more myopic, and today they are adrift, without the overview —and the planning capability—so essential to any long-term decision-making.
This sorry state of affairs prevails not only here in Mumbai, but in several other cities as well: Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad. All of them contain an increasingly frustrated and belligerent population and a seemingly unresponsive officialdom— for they are all controlled by state governments who take the major decisions, without any accountability to the citizens themselves.

II

How did this come about? The British ran India to further their own colonial interests. So they created three highly centralised Presidencies—Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. Our towns and cities, from Bombay to Ahmedabad, Karachi and Quetta, were all run out of Bombay. In the late 19th century, to appease the nationalism which was growing by leaps and bounds in this city, they created a carefully structured municipal corporation. But it wasn’t one which transferred actual power to the people. No, though it created a context in which the energy and enthusiasm of the citizenry could find expression and free debate, it made sure that the real powers resided with the municipal commissioner—who got his orders from the governor of the presidency. Even today, the role of the municipal corporation is just advisory—and the commissioner has the authority to ignore that advice.
He does not report to the mayor of this city, but to the chief minister of the state government—who has been elected by quite another set of voters in another part of the state. (Just like the British governor was not accountable to the citizens of Bombay, but to the viceroy—who in turn was accountable to a government elected by voters in quite another part of the world).
This is the heart of the problem. It is not deficiencies in the character, nor in the integrity, of our political leaders and government bureaucrats, that has brought us to this deplorable state of affairs. It is the roles that each of them must perforce play in the structure in which they have to function. If our CM (or any of his predecessors) had been elected by the citizens of this city—and were hoping to get re-elected by them—then the political pressures would be completely different.
That’s the crucial difference between us
and the other great cities of this world—Paris, New York, Tokyo, London, and so forth. There the key decisions are taken by the mayor of that city, who is directly elected by its citizens. He in turn appoints a city manager, who assembles a team of excellent professionals to get the best results—people who have the experience and proven ability to run the transport systems, the water supply, the police, and so forth. If that city manager and his team fail, then the mayor doesn’t get re-elected. That’s how democracy works. It’s as simple as that.
Mumbai is part of this state—and it must continue to remain so. But within that framework, we must carve out an area of authority —and responsibility. New York city is part of the State of New York—but this does not mean it is run out of Albany by the governor of NY State. No, New York is run out of Manhattan, by the mayor of the city.
So being Mayor is a very important position. Jacques Chirac’s last job before he became President of France was mayor of Paris —that’s the political clout of being mayor. And London is not run by Tony Blair, but by Mayor Ken Livingstone—who is a powerful politician in his own right. Unfortunately in Mumbai, we have debased this title of Mayor. Instead of being elected by the citizenry, he is appointed as a decorative figurehead, without any real power or responsibilities.

III

Last month when our PM came to Mumbai, he pointed out several major problems this city faces—including the rampant corruption of the municipality. In response, almost to a man, the citizens rose up to tell him that the principal culprit is not the municipal corporation, but the state government itself
How will this change? Our politicians will not act of their own accord. In fact, every political party will oppose any such move, because each of them knows that our big cites are gravy trains, and that sooner or later their chance will also come. No, it can only change if the citizens themselves DEMAND this— and make it a touchstone issue that helps each voter determine just how honest and concerned about this city our political parties really are.

You can check out the live traffic situation from Kandivali/Malad/Mahim courtesy: SifyMax

http://mumbailive.in/

Oberoi Meaows, Jogeshwari
http://mumbaipropertyexchange.com/images/builders/projects/thumbs/2463_main_thumb.jpg
Several towers of 21 stories each.


Oberoi Constructions hasn't updated its website for over half a year :|

BMC promises potholes are passé (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1047143)

Those sick of bumpy rides on Mumbai’s pothole-ridden roads can take heart. In their desperate bid to find a solution for the chronic problem, civic authorities are planning to experiment with German technology that promises pothole-free roads with a ten-year guarantee.

To be conducted on an experimental basis in October, the process, which involves water-proof asphalting, will be carried out on JJ flyover, Peddar Road, and on Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Marg.

Gussasphalt - as it is called - will cost the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) twice the price of normal asphalting (Rs1,000 per square metre).

JT Barbhaya, officer on special duty, BMC roads department, said if the experiment succeeds, Gussasphalt will revolutionise roads in the city. A plant for supplying this asphalt will be set up in Turbhe in October, he informed.

For long, MSRDC has been grappling with the problem of potholes on JJ flyover. Experts say the accumulation of water at two of the identified “problem spots” on the flyover is causing the disintegration of asphalt. “After Gussasphalt is used, we will not only get rid of potholes permanently, it will also minimise the skidding accidents on the flyover,” said a senior engineer at MSRDC.

He said the water-proof asphalt could be laid on the Bandra-Worli sea link once completed. But will the product work in Indian conditions? Jon Czojar, sales director of the German company supplying the product, said Gussasphalt has lasted in their country for 25 years. “I am sure it will last at least 10 years in India.”

Authorities look to beautify all spaces under the overs (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1047147)

Taking note of the mushrooming of slums, dens of drug addicts and other anti-social elements proliferating in the spaces below the city’s 30 flyovers, the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) has now come up with a comprehensive policy to ensure that the space below is aesthetically maintained.

Under this policy, flyovers closer to malls and multiplexes will continue to be used for parking, while those passing through residential areas and on highways would be beautified. On the other hand, space would be equally divided for parking and beautification under those flyovers built in semi residential and commercial areas.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=BO&autono=101719&chkFlg=
Tatas in talks for Nashik SEZ
Kausik Datta & Makarand Gadgil / Mumbai August 16, 2006

The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) is in talks with the Tata group for setting up a 2,500-acre (1,012.14 hectare) special economic zone (SEZ) at Sinnar near Nashik.

Confirming the development, Mantralaya sources said the state government was keen to have the Tata group as a joint venture partner for the proposed SEZ. Sources at Bombay House, the Tata group’s headquarters, also said that the group was “in principle, interested in taking part in the SEZ.”

State government sources said Tata representatives had had a few meetings with state government officials. However, a meeting of top Tata group executives with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh was yet to take place.

The chief minister’s office is the highest authority for sanctioning investment-related proposals in SEZs. A team led by RK Krishnakumar, director, Tata Sons, is in charge of the SEZ initiative of the group.

The Nashik SEZ ranks among the top zones, in terms of size, announced so far. The size of the SEZ that Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani plans to build across the harbour from India’s commercial capital will be 25,000 acre (10121.45 hectare).

The list of other major SEZs include the Mundra SEZ in Gujarat on 2,656 hectare of land, the Mahindra group’s SEZ in Pune with a 809-hectare area, and Reliance Industries’ 440-hectare SEZ at Jamnagar in Gujarat.
The broad contours of the discussions between the two parties suggested that the Tata group would pick up a 74 per cent stake in the venture, while the remaining 26 per cent would be kept with the government, the Mantralaya sources said. However, the state government would not infuse funds into the project. “MIDC will get a 26 per cent stake in lieu of the land it provides to the zone,” they pointed out. Going by the thumb rule, the total investment in the SEZ might be in the region of Rs 3,000 crore.

According to the government sources, the Tata group had also submitted a proposal for participating in the state government’s proposed SEZ at Amravati in the Vidarbha region.

New news on Oberoi Skyz! Apparently it will be twin towers of 200m. It was touted to be the tallest residential project in the city. At a 200m roof height it will top Lodha Belissimo's 197.5m roof height. However, like LB, the spire height may be even taller.


Madison Creative bags Oberoi Constructions (http://www.agencyfaqs.com/news/stories/2006/08/14/15737.html)
New Delhi, August 14
The Mumbai based Oberoi Constructions has awarded its creative duties to Madison Communications. The size of the business is estimated to be Rs 2 crore.

Confirming this development to agencyfaqs!, Neha Bapna, manager, marketing and corporate communications, Oberoi Constructions, says, “O&M did a few projects for us, but it was not officially hired as the agency on this business. Meanwhile, we were also impressed with what Madison had done for another construction company. That is why we decided to award the business to Madison Creative.”

Oberoi Constructions, which was essentially developing projects in the Western suburbs of Mumbai, now plans to develop properties in Central Mumbai, too. The company is currently working on Oberoi Skyz, a 200 metre twin tower.

It is said that these apartments will be sold on a by invitation only basis.

Depending on the creative work Madison delivers on this account, the company plans to award its media duties to Madison Media

© 2006 agencyfaqs! story fileby Neha Kalra

Send a scoop

BTW for posterity's sake, this url (http://www.axiomestates.com/polaris.htm) says that the architect who designed Vasant Polaris (and presumably the other similar Sheth group buildings) is a Mr. Rajan Koregaonkar.

I can't seem to find his company's website though...

Good work Jai on gathering all the info.

Remind us of how the Oberoi Skyz building looks like please?

This there a render?

Thanks

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=11951&secid=28
Mahindra Gesco to set up biotech SEZ

Mahindra Gesco Developers Ltd is setting up a sector-specific special economic zone for the biotechnology sector at Ghodbunder Road, Thane, Maharashtra. The Board of Approval of Government of India has cleared the project.
The proposed SEZ will be spread over 72 acres of land owned by the company, which will also develop the project. The SEZ will involve an investment of around Rs 150 crore and is expected to generate direct employment for more than 2,000 people.
The SEZ will offer all conveniences, high productivity and lower costs, living community in close proximity, while providing a truly international and soothing environment.
Contact: Mahindra Gesco Developers Ltd, Mahindra Towers, 5th Floor, P.K. Kurne Marg, Worli, Mumbai 400018. Tel: 022-24929353/54; Fax: 022-24975084; E-mail: lrc@mahindragesco.com

Cov Boy,

No renderings have been released yet. Heck, HC's redesign of Oberoi Woods

From this: http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/housing/apart-resi/obwoods/1.jpg to this: http://www.hafeezcontractor.com/housing/apart-resi/obwoods/4.jpg
hasn't even been (at least on the internet) acknowledged by Oberoi Constructions.

However, I recently emailed Oberoi Constructions about their lack of updates in their website. They emailed me back rather soon saying that they are in the process of redesigning it an that "they will be done with it very soon"

~~~~~

Here's Mahindra Gesco Developers Ltd's Eminente Goregaon (W); 24 stories + stilt
http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2663/1879mainthumblm8.jpg

~~~~~

Dimple Realtors Haridarshan, Borivali (W); 28 stories
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6237/758mainthumbrl8.jpg

~~~~~

Nirmal Lifestyle's Eden Garden, Mulund (W); 25 stories
http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/2822/edeniu8.jpg

~~~~~

Royal Palms India's Sumit Apartment, Goregaon (E); 25 stories
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/1047/sumitext01ta9.jpg

~~~~~

Agarwal Group's Madhuvan Park, Virar; five towers of 25 stories each
http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/1479/919mainthumbci7iq8.jpg

~~~~~

V R Mittal Builders's Keshav Kunj, Nerul; four towers of 24 stories each
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7537/1475mainthumbuj0.jpg

Thanks Jai.

Think some of those new projects have bneen posted before but thanks for them anyway as it keeps them in the foray.

Are there any updates on Imperial Towers (SD Towers), Mirage, Beaumonde, Four Seasons etc?

Cheers.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/currentaffairs/pmoblueprint/whatstatusmumbaisshanghaidream/market/stocks/article/235310

What the status on Mumbai's Shanghai dream?

2006-08-19 11:02 Source : Moneycontrol.com
Will Mumbai’s Shanghai dream finally become a reality? CNBC-TV18 has details on the blueprint.
The PMO has circulated the blueprint to ministries for their comments. It is estimated that civic investments of Rs 50,500 crore will be required by 2010. Rs 25,000 crore will come from private equity and user charges by that time. Rs 12,000 crore will come from stamp duty and development charges, while the government will borrow Rs 8,500 crore by 2010.

The city will have four SEZs, and will be declared as an international finance center. The Bandra-Worli sea link will be completed by April 2008.

The Metro project will take place three phases, starting from 2006. The Dharavi slum development project is estimated to cost around Rs 5,480 crore. The Mumbai trans-harbour link is said to be completed by 2011.

At A Glance
Blueprint
Civic investments of Rs 50,500 cr needed by 2010
City to be declared international finance center
Bandra-Worli sea link to be completed by Apr 2008
Dharavi slum development to cost Rs 5,480 cr
Mumbai trans-harbour link to be completed by 2011

Mumbai's Metro cinema gets a makeover

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/6708/mumbaimetrocinemaxo3.jpg

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/life/2006/08/18/stories/2006081800150400.htm

Malabar Hill to get traffic tunnel (click to view image of article)
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1416/2aiw2do9.th.jpg (http://img228.imageshack.us/my.php?image=2aiw2do9.jpg)

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/currentaffairs/pmoblueprint/whatstatusmumbaisshanghaidream/market/stocks/article/235310

What the status on Mumbai's Shanghai dream?

2006-08-19 11:02 Source : Moneycontrol.com
Will Mumbai’s Shanghai dream finally become a reality? CNBC-TV18 has details on the blueprint.
The PMO has circulated the blueprint to ministries for their comments. It is estimated that civic investments of Rs 50,500 crore will be required by 2010. Rs 25,000 crore will come from private equity and user charges by that time. Rs 12,000 crore will come from stamp duty and development charges, while the government will borrow Rs 8,500 crore by 2010.

The city will have four SEZs, and will be declared as an international finance center. The Bandra-Worli sea link will be completed by April 2008.

The Metro project will take place three phases, starting from 2006. The Dharavi slum development project is estimated to cost around Rs 5,480 crore. The Mumbai trans-harbour link is said to be completed by 2011.

At A Glance
Blueprint
Civic investments of Rs 50,500 cr needed by 2010
City to be declared international finance center
Bandra-Worli sea link to be completed by Apr 2008
Dharavi slum development to cost Rs 5,480 cr
Mumbai trans-harbour link to be completed by 2011

lets see some action then. too many promises and plans, not much action

PMO boost for city’s Mission Shanghai

Sanjay Dutta & Mahendra Kumar Singh | TNN

New Delhi: Following up on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ambitious vision to turn Mumbai into Shanghai, the PMO has has sought a report card on the projects either in the works or on the drawing board to transform the country’s financial capital into a world-class city by 2020.
The intervention could act as the providential life-saver for the Rs 228,000 crore initiative and turn it into reality.
In a communication to all the central ministries concerned last week, the PMO sought details of the projects and the amount of assistance required from the Centre. It has focused on redeveloping slums, easing traffic in the suburban rail system and roads, rationalisation of environmental clearances andmodernising air and sea links, besides developing the eastern seafront.
According to a presentation made before the PMO, the central government will pump Rs 12,000 crore through its Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (NURM) for crucial projects.
For the Rs 228,000 crore redevelopment plan, the government will raise Rs 120,000 crore through private equity and user charges while Rs 81,000 crore will come through public sector equity and development charges. Rs 15,000 crore will be raised from public borrowing.
For its ambitious Rs 4,000 crore Mumbai Transharbour Link project, the city will get Rs 1,400 crore via NURM support. The urban development ministry will provide Rs 832 crore in central assistance for the Rs 2,376 crore Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project II.
The PMO has sought details of central assistance given for crucial infrastructure projects—the Bandra-Worli sealink, the Western Freeway sealink project linking Worli to Nariman Point, the Mumbai urban infrastructure project and Mumbai transport projects.

Beauties in the slum

Inside the parlours of Mumbai’s slums, beauty is a poignant hope. Sharmila Ganesan reports

VANITY CASE

In a narrow bylane of Dharavi, Asia’s largest slum, three women raise their shaped eyebrows at a jeans-clad passerby. A little girl leads her up a flight of steps to a one-room-home that becomes a parlour from 10 to 9. Inside, Bharati Kalambe, the beautician, is busy watching the rerun of a saas-bahu soap. But the sight of desperate women gossiping, crying and swearing through their television makeup fails to excite Kalambe. That scene is played out in her one-room home, everyday, anyway. “I watch it only for the hairstyle and makeup,” says Kalambe, mentally noting the layers her college-going customer asked for the previous day.
She knows that in the same impoverished hutments where girls were once discouraged from looking in the mirror for too long, beauty regime no longer means just kohl and flowers. It means regular visits to the nearest beauty parlours usually named unimaginatively after the owners. It means eyebrows, waxing, threading, Oxy bleach and other painful processes in the backdrop of cooker whistles and posters of their favourite stars. “College girls sacrifice their meal to come here. Some come even when they have fever,” says Kalambe.
Especially during college festivals like saree day, rose day and even Valentine’s day, her residence overflows with these giggly girls who want to look like the “up-to-date” South Mumbai girls in their batch. They watch FTV, skim through Indian and foreign magazines at old paper marts and even determine a celebrity’s character based on the makeup.
Teens ask their next-door beautician to solve mysteries like how the girl who had curly hair the previous day suddenly lost the curls. Then, they learn about hair straightening. Even perpetually veiled housewives bear painful beauty processes in the same spirit as they endure labour pains.
Zareena Abdul, a beautician of Dharavi, once asked a lady customer in a ghunghat why she was getting her eyebrows shaped and fringes trimmed, when her face is veiled. “She said she was doing it for her husband. Also, she wanted to feel good when she looked in the mirror,” says Zareena. And age is no bar. “Three days ago, a lady brought her four-month-old daughter to get her uneven hair cut as her husband complained about it every day,” says Zareena. That was her youngest customer ever. “I distracted the infant with toys to protect the eyes. Then, it was smooth,” she says.
The interiors though are not remotely inviting. Cracks in the walls hide behind gaudy film posters while leaking corners seek refuge behind dusty trunks. But this ambience affords a kind of social bonding with the customer. The visitors here are neighbours first, customers next. They discuss everything — from the hushed rape of a minor by a drunken 21-yearold to the man who died of suffocation in the illegal first floor of the leather unit, and many such things that could’ve sold tabloids.
In these areas where politicians woo voters with religion and superstition, it’s not surprising that some girls stay away from the scissor. A group of Muslim girls recently joined a beauty course, where they were supposed to learn the basics in pairs, by trying out on each other. “Some of them didn’t want to be tried upon as that would invite trouble at home,” says the teacher.
Most of the girls here dream of becoming beauticians, if not tailors. Vidya Awaad of Bandra’s Ashok Nagar chawl, who is undergoing a hairstyling course, is one of them. She is now popular in her chawl as their inhouse beauty expert. The college dropout tries out hairstyles on her sister, a nurse by profession.
These parlours offer every process for almost half the price of an upmarket beauty parlour. Eyebrows can be shaped for as low as Rs 3 to Rs 10 while chemical hair-straightening is done for Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500. Though price is the main attraction, it can also be a deterrent. Zareena recalls a lady customer who wanted to straighten her hair. She went to an expensive beauty parlour as she did not trust the slum parlour, which offered the Rs 2,500 process for Rs 1,200. She returned the next day with worn and burnt hair. “I asked her why she didn’t trust us. Was it because we were cheaper,” says Zareena, who prescribed a regime to set it right. She is now her “permanent” customer.
The customer profile is varying too, ranging from bar girls to sex workers and sometimes eunuchs. For them, looking good is a matter of survival. “We feel naked without makeup,” says Rani, a transvestite from Kishen Nagar. They generally visit the parlour for waxing, eyebrow shaping and hair colouring. “They believe in pancake makeup, which they do at home. Rouge is also a big thing for them,” says Laxmi, another transvestite. They all endorse natural, homemade remedies and generally trust “herbal” cosmetics.
Brands are becoming important too. Door-to-door salesmen selling anything within Rs 50 to 100 are sought. “I met a transvestite recently who asked her boyfriend to get her only Dove soap as gift,” recalls Varsha Kale, president, Bar Girls’ Association.
But this wide-eyed imitation of the glamorous city life is not always rewarding. Five months ago, a man allegedly duped about eight to 10 women who ran beauty parlours in Dharavi of Rs 250 each. He told them they had to the sum to register for a Shehnaaz Hussain conference in their vicinity. “He sounded genuine and very convincing. I still remember he was a thin, dark man,” says Kalambe. TNN

Die, Another Day

As multiplexes flex muscle, Mumbai’s old movie mansions put up a fight

Deepak Sadarangani

Aradio spot for the new, ritzy Metro Adlabs concocts a Bollywoodesque tale: Long-lost college pals who’d watched Don at the original cinema reuniting to catch Shah Rukh’s donning of Big B’s role at the multiplex… But wait, Chandra Barot’s 1978 classic celebrated a jubilee-run at New Excelsior, the film’s ‘main theatre’ for Bombay. There was no question of Metro, or any other nearby hall, showing it simultaneously. That was when golden jubilee trophies were glowingly displayed in mirror-lit showcases by these magnificent movie mansions.
Today, with multiplexes mushrooming by the minute, the single-screens are no longer known by their hits. It’s not just the Krrishs and KANKs that are ‘carpet-bombed’ all over, even this week’s non-starrer Ahista Ahista has hit nine South Mumbai screens with 24 shows in day. Before the advent of the area’s first multiplex Inox in 2004, a small film like this would have been confined to three shows in a single theatre in the Colaba-Mumbai Central radius.
With the industry redefining objectives—crores collected quickly matter more than the number of weeks—the single-screen survivors are learning to reconcile and re-adjust to the new dynamics. “The animosity between us and the multiplexes has gone,” says Deepak Kudale of the Cinema Owners and Exhibitors Association. “Many cinemas are doing well and also upgrading.” Jimmy Talati, an old-hand in the trade, adds: “People had stopped going to the Metro area. Now besides Adlabs they’ll also patronise the nearby theatres. So it actually helps to have more multiplexes.”
Strategies employed by the single-screeners are diverse. ‘Multiplexing’ of show-timings with up to three different films spanning five shows in a day is common. Prints are shared with film reels ‘shuttling’ between, say, Eros at Churchgate (matinee) and Premiere Gold at Sandhurst Road (night show). Several cinemas release display ads in the dailies wooing patrons with lines like “Experience leisure with pleasure” (Sun City) and “Kool-n-Kozy” (Roxy). Incidentally, Metro’s original catchphrase was “Every seat a cool retreat”.
Some theatres have gone in for a complete overhaul, for others renovation is a constant process. While Regal, Eros and New Excelsior boast panoramic screens—unmatched by the multiplexes barring Imax Adlabs—they’ve also recently installed plush Dress Circle seats. Large auditoriums have been rebuilt as compact theatres (Globus, Suburbia) along with shopping complexes. Minerva is poised to become India’s first film museum.
Perhaps the most remarkable case is that of Thakur cinema. Built in 2003, this 782-seater has “Asia’s largest flat screen and four-foot leg-space between the rows. It is a tourist attraction,” beams manager Hiten Shah.
Despite the cinemascope splendour, there’s a darker picture as well. Innumerable cinemas dotting the metro have gone to seed. The likes of Majestic, Diana, Opera House shut shop long ago but many more are in a sorry state with their hapless patrons contending with roaches and rodents tangoing in the aisles. However, given how ticket prices have skyrocketed at the better cinemas—starting at Rs 6 for the Stalls at the original Metro 20 years ago to an incredible Rs 500 for the Ebony Lounge at its ‘sequel’—the common Mumbaikar has little choice.
Finally, Mrunalini Hoosein of the stately Liberty cinema offers what is hopefully a preview of a blockbuster future: “We can all prosper together in this business. Two things are important: professional service and enough good films to pull in the audiences.”

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/08/20/23/Img/Pc0230800.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIM/2006/08/20/23/Img/Pc0231100.jpg

Bombay Boy

As multiplexes are taking over the business & shine, its important that Bombay protects Metro Cinema, Maratha mandir, Eros Cinema which are part of the Movie history & 70 millimeters folklore.

most of the old cinema halls are protected under the local heritage laws. almost all are grade-III heritage structures, i.e. they cant be modified externally (facade remains the same, but allowed internal changes)

i went to metro for a movie today. they've done a pretty good job. also cheaper than inox, so its a good option. cant wait to see what tuli of osian does with minerva

Very niceley done.

Have you any photos of how these cinema halls look like from the outside?

Has the work on Maha Mumbai SEZ and Nhava Sheva -Sewri Sea link started???

SEZ board takes tough stand on land acquisition

Monica Gupta / New Delhi August 22, 2006 Business Standard

Given the huge interest in corporate India to climb on to the special economic zone bandwagon, the inter-ministerial Board of Approvals for such zones has taken a tough stance on the issue of land acquisition.

The board, in a meeting earlier this month, asked the Maharashtra government to take a second look at the land being acquired for the 10,000-hectare SEZ of Reliance Industries Ltd in Mumbai.

The empowered group of ministers on SEZs, which is meeting tomorrow to allow more zones, could consider a ban of one to two years on setting up of more information technology zones. Out of 150 zones approved so far, over 70 are in the IT sector.

“The board has received some representations from the locals who are going to be displaced due to the RIL zone. It has told the state government to ensure that minimum people are displaced and put to any hardship on account of the zone,” a senior government official said. The state government representative at the board meeting pointed out that the zone had been cleared by the state Cabinet. The board extended the in-principle clearance to the zone by a year since the earlier approval, valid for three years, had expired.

The board also questioned the Tamil Nadu government on the use of double-cropped land for an SEZ. “The board had received a representation from the farmers in Hosur that double-cropped land was being was used for an SEZ. The government informed the board that only single cropped or barren land would be used,” an official said. A spokesperson for Reliance Industries Ltd said the Maharashtra government was acquiring land for the MahaMumbai SEZ, which is now called the Mumbai SEZ, in Raigad district.

“The government of Maharashtra is in the process of acquiring land from people in 45 villages in Uran, Pen and Panvel talukas in Raigad district. A few months ago, the state issued a notification in the local newspapers under the Land Acquisition Act, 1884, and the process is under way,” the spokesperson said. “We would like reaffirm that no individual would be displaced due to the Mumbai SEZ as far as possible. On the contrary, the Goathans (structure of the village as it exists today) are being retained to ensure there is no displacement,” he added.

Polycon Realtors Pvt Ltd's Unnat Nagar Akshay CHS , Goregaon (W)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/681/2468mainthumbql3.jpg http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6636/image1gc8.jpg
Approx 26, 25, 22, 18 storey buildings

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/nmirror/mmpaper.asp?sectid=2&articleid=8212006230107818212006230978

Now, ply over even more flyovers

MMRDA plans to construct six flyovers along Eastern Express Highway
Yogesh Sadhwani

The Mumbai Metropolitan Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) is all set to construct six flyovers in Mumbai along the Eastern Express Highway. With the construction of these flyovers, the total number of flyovers along the highway would go up to 19.

The plans include constructing flyovers near Sion Hospital, Kings Circle, Hindmata, Bharatmata, Byculla and making the Sion flyover a two-way one. At present the three-lane Sion flyover allows one-way traffic movement from Dadar to Kurla.

However, off late, due to congestion, the traffic police have started allowing movement of traffic from Kurla to Dadar between 8 am and 8 pm in one of the lanes.

MMRDA officials said care would be taken to ensure that the new flyovers cater to the needs of the city.

“Wherever there are T-junctions we have planned one-way flyovers, while in case of four-way junctions, we would construct two-way flyovers,” said P R K Murthy, chief, transport and communications division, MMRDA.

The new flyovers have been approved by the executive committee of MMRDA.

“Now we are working on the detailed plans. The plans would be ready by the end of August and we would start inviting bids by first week of next month,” said Murthy.

By January 2007, work on the flyovers would start. If everything goes according to plans, the flyovers would be ready within two years after the work starts.

MMRDA estimates the cost of the six flyovers at Rs 183.44 crore. It is planning to construct the flyovers on its own rather than tying up with the World Bank.


THE 13 EXISTING FLYOVERS

• Mulund
• Kanjurmarg
• Vikhroli
• Ghatkopar
• Amar Mahal (Chembur)
• Kurla
• Sion
• Wadala
• Dadar
• Parel
• Byculla station
• Saat Raasta (Byculla)
• JJ

Guys, it's been slow recently, due to the monsoon season and halting of most construction, but I bring good news!


Orbit Corp has reuploaded their website and added several exciting new projects and redesigns.

One thing I have noticed is that this company seriously downplays their advertised heights from the real, completely omitting podiums, roof heights and only seemingly counting rentable floors. I guess the stigma of 'tall buildings' still lingers in Mumbai


~~~~~

First a great redesign:

Orbit Enclave, Prarthana Samaj: 27 stories + additional several stories from podium + 1 storey pinnacle (officially 19 stories (i.e. rentable blocks), but they are not counting the lobby, podium, etc.)
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5769/orbitenclavezz6.jpg

(It formerly looked like this: )
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/2809/orbit19krhq9.jpg

If the podium is the same height, then the total number of stories would be about 32

~~~~~

Another redesign:

Villa Orb, Napeansea Road: at least 22 stories + 1 storey pinnacle (officially 18 stories (i.e. rentable blocks))
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/636/villaorbnapeansearoadnk3.jpg

(It formerly looked like this: )
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/7295/1624mainthumbhh7.jpg

~~~~~

New project:

Orbit Grand, I & II , Lower Parel: two towers of 27, 30 stories (officially 22, 25 stories, but not counting the 5 storey mall podium)
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5316/orbitgrandja3.jpg

~~~~~

New project:

Orbit Plaza, Bandra Kurla Complex (Kalina): 12 stories
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9580/orbitplazamf0.jpg

~~~~~


-----==---==-----
I recounted the number of floors for the following old projects:
-----==---==-----

Orbit Eternia, Lower Parel: 31 + 1 storey pinnacle (officially 21 stories (i.e. rentable blocks) but not counting 10 storey podium + pinnacle)
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4649/orbiteterniajo9.jpg

~~~~~

Orbit Arya, Napeansea Road: 30 stories (this one is actually advertised correctly! though roof height and/or pinnacle may add a couple stories)
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2605/orbitaryagu8.jpg

~~~~~

Orbit Heights, Tardeo Road: 42-43 stories + 1 storey pinnacle (this one is advertised as 41 stories, but per emporis's methods, roof height, pinnacle adds an additional couple stories)
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/3720/orbitheightstardeoroadfs6.jpg

~~~~~

Hafeez Contractor House, Parel; 35 stories + pinnacle (advertised correctly! though pinnacle may add several storeys)
http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/3830/hafeezcontractorhousecj9.jpg

~~~~~

Wonderful buildings!!!! Love all the projects and hope they get built.

Just some smaller and random projects
Another nice small mall,


Milan Mall, Santacruz (W)
http://www.dynamixgroup.co.in/images/busisect/Photographs/15_milanmall.jpg

===

Neptune Living Point, Bhandup: 15 towers of 25 stories each
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2705/2538living20point20layoutvk3.jpg

===

Neptune Colourscape, Mulund (W): 4 towers of 18 stories each; mall
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/9479/2554colourscapeau3.jpg
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7307/2554amenitieszv0.jpg


===

Nirmal Lifestyles Mall Mall, Mulund
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/3883/nirmalmainpageyh2.jpg

===

Prime Mall, Irla, Vile Parle (W)
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/492/prime2dm6.jpg
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/9131/prime3ud9.jpg

===

Hi ! Life, Santacruz (W)
http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/6517/hilifebigimagekq2.jpg

===

Dreams The Mall, Bhandup (W)
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/4107/dreams1gv7.jpg
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/2358/dreams2sv9.jpg

===

Megamall, New Link Road
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/1198/megamallhb7.jpg

===

Raghuleela Mall, Mumbai
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6475/raghu1qg3.jpg

===

Central Business Park, Andheri (E)
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5458/centralbusinessparkku3.gif

===

Mayfair Meridian, Andheri (W)
http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/869/meridian11wu3.jpg

===

Hi,

Am adding to the Bombay Boom Rundown thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=360628) the following buildings.
---

Added rendering for RNA @ Central Park, Chembur: ~40 stories.
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/4659/2460mainthumbcd6.jpg

Corrected height information for Raheja One Altamount Road, Altamount Road, Mumbai: ~34 stories.
http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/7778/rahejaonealtamountroad5id5fd.jpg

Corrected height information for Raheja Atlantis, Worli: 36 stories
http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/7484/rahejaatlantislarge6wy7dd.jpg

Added new rendering for Sunbeam Tower, Andheri (West): 35 stories
http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5227/image1in8.jpg

Hiranandani Orchid, Thane: 32 stories
Building approved, but no rendering released yet.

Orbit Eternia, Parel: 31 stories
http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4854/orbiteternia9px.jpg

Corrected height information for Runwal Infinity, Mulund: five towers of 30 storeys each
http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/9260/runwalinfinity7bq5qo.jpg

Orbit Grand, I & II, Lower Parel: two towers of 30, 27 stories each.
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/5316/orbitgrandja3.jpg

Hiranandani Glendale, Powai: 30 stories
Building approved, but no rendering released yet.

Mahindra Eminente, Goregaon: 28 stories
http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4717/mahindraeminenteig1yv9.jpg

Lakshchandi Heights, Goregaon (East): 28 stories
http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8960/4lakskmipiclj0.jpg

Haridarshan, Borivali (W): 28 stories
http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/6237/758mainthumbrl8.jpg

Ashok Gardens], Parel: two towers of 28 stories each
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/8642/2435mainthumb5dr.jpg

Added height information and new rendring of the re-designing of Orbit Enclave, Prarthana Samaj: 28 stories
http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/413/orbitenclavezz6mp7.jpg

Hiranandani Northside, Thane: 27 stories
Building approved, but no rendering released yet.

Unnat Nagar Akshay CHS, Goregaon (West): four towers of 26, 25, 22 and 18 stories each.
http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/681/2468mainthumbql3.jpg

Sanghvi Heights, : 26 stories
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9066/image1cv6.jpg

Gladstone Heights, Kandivali: 26 stories
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/2151/gladstoneheightsdnamumbaoz8eo7hh8.jpg

Yarrow, Yucca and Vinca, Powai: three towers of 25 stories each.
http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/6069/yarrowyuccvincanaharanritshaktioh3eh8.jpg

Eden Garden, Mulund (W): two towers of 25 stories each.
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2076/image1vg0.jpg

Sumit Apartment, Goregaon (E): 25 stories
http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/8892/sumitext01ta9bs3.jpg

Neptune Living Point, Bhandup: 15 towers of 25 stories each
http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2705/2538living20point20layoutvk3.jpg

Keshav Kunj, Nerul: four towers of 25 stories each
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/7537/1475mainthumbuj0.jpg

Evershine Sapphire, Chandivali: 25 stories
http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4125/main13zu8.jpg

S Mumbai realty rates take a leap

Prices Of Premium Apartments Appreciate By Up To 60%

Nauzer Bharucha | TNN

Mumbai: The market for premium apartments in South Mumbai has gone haywire with prices zooming up by 50% to 60%. Flats on Carmichael Road, Altamount Road and Napean Sea Road have seen a substantial appreciation in recent months.
Although the real-estate market in the city is going through a sluggish phase, as is usually the case during the monsoon, there has been no dip in the demand for highend flats, with NRIs, diamond merchants, industrialists and the new stock-market rich making regular enquiries.
Barely six months ago, flats on Carmichael Road and Altamount Road used to fetch between Rs 18,000 a sq ft to Rs 25,000 a sq ft. Now, prices have touched Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 a sq ft.
In Rushila building on Carmichael Road, two flats on the fifth floor were sold about a year ago for Rs 7 crore each. A few months ago, another flat in the same building and of the same size (3,000 sq ft) went for a hefty Rs 12.5 crore, sources said.
Mumbai’s oldest skyscraper on Carmichael Road, Usha Kiran, has seen its value appreciating from Rs 25,000 a sq ft a few months ago to Rs 35,000 a sq ft.”A lot of old-time residents are getting calls from brokers on this road. Interestingly, the upcoming Tardeo twin towers have not affected property prices on Carmichael/Altamount Roads,’’ said a local resident. Several of these high-end buildings on the two roads will have their views blocked due to the Tardeo towers.
In Breach Candy Apartments, on Breach Candy, a 1,800 sq ft flat was recently sold for Rs 8 crore or Rs 40,000 a sq ft. Fionica building at Walkeshwar also recently saw a 2,500 sq ft flat with two garages sold for Rs 7 crore or close to Rs 30,000 a sq ft.
In Cuffe Parade, a property watcher claims that no large-sized flat in Maker A and B is available for less than Rs 50,000 a sq ft. The last transaction about six months ago here was at Rs 45,000 a sq ft.

PRIME SPACE


Cuffe Parade—A 4,800 sq ft apartment in a brand new building with modern amenities and a spectacular view sold for Rs 17 crore
Bandra (west)—A 3,200 sq ft apartment in a prime building sold for Rs 5.50 crore
Kemp’s Corner—A five-BHK apartment measuring 4,500 sq ft in a building fitted with a swimming pool and gym was rented out for Rs 6 lakh a month Source: Cushman & Wakefield

‘Lack of good flats sends prices soaring’


Says Chanakya Chakravarty, joint managing director of Cushman and Wakefield, “Rates are just going northwards, the trend is typical to premium properties all over the city, whether it is South Mumbai or Bandra.’’ According to him, buyers who continue to have an appetite for such apartments either for personal use or as an investment are snapping up these properties even when prices have gone up by 50% to 80%.
A real-estate consultant says the high prices are mainly commanded by upcoming residential buildings, which go at Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 a sq ft for sprawling apartments as large as 5,000 sq ft. But the effect is rubbing off on older buildings in these areas too.
“There is a lack of good, premium flats in the market. That’s why they command a good price,’’ says Knight Frank (India) chairman Pranay Vakil. Real estate brokers say flat owners, knowing they are sitting on a gold mine, are refusing to bargain with brokers, demanding anywhere from Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 a sq ft. In some cases, owners who have held on have succeeded in getting a better price.

BMC cracks down on Linking Rd stalls

Mumbai: In what could be seen as a warm-up exercise before swooping down on shops and malls along Linking Road at Bandra, the BMC on Friday cracked down on roadside hawkers there. The civic body had over the past month served notices to several higher-end stores along the shopping avenue.
Starting its drive early on Friday morning, civic workers forced several hawkers—mostly clothes and shoe sellers—to remove the extensions to their stalls. By evening, BMC trucks were making their way back with bamboos, tarpaulin and plastic sheets that the stall owners had used to encroach onto the footpath.
“The BMC has intensified action against hawkers here in the past fortnight. These drives have become more frequent,’’ said shoe-stall owner Mohammad Ismail as he folded away unauthorised extensions made to his store.
“All authorised hawkers have permission to keep 1-metre-by-1-metre stalls. Action was taken against those who increased their area. We removed the tarpaulin or plastic sheets used to extend the area,’’ said deputy municipal commissioner C R Hirekar.
Wth regard to the shops and malls on Linking Road which were served MRTP notices for flouting Development Control rules, Hirekar said the offenders would be prosecuted in court if they failed to restore the shops to their original state. TNN

Will BMC take concrete action against contractors?

Mumbai: Following a high court directive to repair potholes, the BMC has proposed de-registration of four road contractors. However, going by its past record, officials say, “In all probability, no action would be taken against them.’’
Deregistration has been proposed against contractors Ramesh and Associates, Shantinath Roadways in collaboration with New India Construction, Bhavsar Associates and Mira Construction. In addition to this, the BMC has also imposed a total amount of Rs 22 lakh in fines on some other errant contractors.
Post-rains, the BMC had initiated similar proceedings against nine contractors in the last two years. However, two years later, except in two cases —where registrations have only been suspended—all others have been let off.
Many BMC officials feel the recent suspension of roads department executive engineer DP Waghani was a mere kneejerk reaction to the HC directive. “Why should one officer be made the scapegoat? In case of contractors, the de-registration process is normally initiated post-monsoon. Once the dry spell begins, everything is forgotten,’’ said a civic official.
According to Prakash Devdas, leader of the Municipal Karmachari Mahasangh, no civic employee can be suspended without serving him a showcause notice and conducting a preliminary inquiry against him.
“There has to be a prima facie case for suspension. Also, the only grounds for suspension are if the employee being in service will tamper with the course of the inquiry against him, which is not the case here. BMC’s action is only to give the high court the impression that the civic body is working,’’ said Devdas.
“Once a de-registration is proposed against a contractor, a decision is taken after he is given a hearing and a chance to appeal,’’ said Mohan Kadam, chief engineer of the roads department. TNN

Live in BKC for Rs 20,000 per sq ft

Mumbai: The 914-acre Bandra Kurla Complex will soon see its first residential project. Sunteck Group is constructing a luxury building in the complex jointly with Ajay Piramal’s Indiareit, a real estate venture fund.
The total cost of the project is estimated at Rs 400 crore, which includes the Rs 140 crore Sunteck paid for the land at an MMRDA auction in January this year. The developer bagged the land under a special purpose vehicle called Starlite Systems. Indiareit has picked up 35% stake in the project at Rs 140 crore.
The project, called Signature Island, will have 48 duplexes and two penthouses. Each duplex will be between 5,000 to 6,000 sq ft, while penthouses are expected to be bigger. According to Ramesh Jogani, CEO Indiareit fund, rates start at Rs 20,000/sq ft.
The project will be ready for possession by February 2008. “There are queries coming in from diamond traders due to its proximity to Bharat Diamond Bourse,’’ said Kamal Khetan, chairman, Sunteck Group. TNN

BMC evicts 500 from Azad Maidan

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: Over 500 people were evicted as BMC bulldozers razed 50-odd shanties in yet another demolition drive at Azad Maidan on Thursday morning. Ironically, most of the slumdwellers were from Mankhurd, and had shifted to Azad Maidan on May 17 after their homes were allegedly set on fire by civic authorities.
The police detained over 40 slumdwellers as well as activists from the National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM), who protested against the demolition of the shanties. They were detained at J J Marg police station for not conforming to the directions of the law enforcement department. While the slumdwellers claimed that they were lathicharged, the police denied the allegation, saying they only used reasonable force.
“When I bent down to pick up my belongings, I was hit on the back by a policewoman and asked to clear off,’’ said Khairunissa Syed, adding that she was recovering from an operation. Her husband, Syed Iqbal Hussain, who too was recuperating after suffering from tuberculosis, lost all his documents in the demolition. Hussain, who had recently bought fevicol and paper to manufacture paper bags, said all his material had been destroyed.
Another slumdweller Nasreen Bano said their belongings had been cleared by the civic body and taken to the dumping ground. “We salvaged whatever we could from Mandala during the demolitions. Now we are left with nothing,’’ said the mother of four, trying in vain to fight back the tears.
Gadlya Daji Kale had a dazed look in his eyes as he sat among the rubble after the demolition. He had lost all the money he saved from his meagre earnings, not to mention his ration card. His 18-year-old niece still bears the scars of the burn injuries she suffered on her arm and face during the previous demolition.
Four sisters Najma (11), Nazia (12), Tehsira (8) and Syeda (2) spent the morning scavenging for their belongings after their father was picked up by the police during the demolition drive. The girls’ mother lives in their native village.
“The demolition is illegal,’’ said NAPM’S Simpreet Singh, one of the activists detained by the police. Singh added that the government was thwarting people’s right to protest. Singh further said his organisation was trying to meet the chief minister and present their demands for housing options for the displaced.
On August 16, the Bombay high court had directed the deputy collector (encroachments) to remove all encroachments on Azad Maidan. The court’s orders had followed a letter written by the Mumbai Cricket Association on the poor condition of the maidan, which was converted into a suo motu writ petition.
Mumbai city collector Walsa Nair said some of those who had been evicted belonged to the Pardhi tribe and had been offered alternative accommodation in Kalyan. But they had refused to relocate there, Nair added. The rest, according to her, were not eligible to rehabilitation.
NAPM activists, however, claimed that the accommodations were too far from their workplace.

Lowe may shift office with HLL

Namrata Singh & Amrita Nair-Ghaswalla | TNN

Mumbai: With Hindustan Lever moving its headquarters to northern Mumbai suburb Andheri by 2008, its advertising and marketing agency Lowe, erstwhile Lintas, is likely to follow suit.
HLL is the largest advertiser in the country with an adspend of over Rs 1,000 crore. Sources say there is another reason for Lowe to shift base, than just moving in closer to its client. Lowe, which currently occupies the 13th and the 15th floor at Express Towers in upmarket Nariman Point with its 150-160 employees, also has a rent renewal coming up next year. This would mean a sharp rise in rentals for the advertising firm.
The 13th floor of Express Towers—where the entire servicing and creative team that caters to HLL sits—is particularly vulnerable, sources added. Lowe has been occupying this floor for the last 30 years and will now have to contend with market realities. Lowe caters to HLL’s big brands like Surf, Lifebuoy, Clinic, Breeze, Axe, Rexona, Fair & Lovely and Lakme’s hair care segment.
As against the current measly sum paid as rent, the agency will have to shell out a hefty Rs 250-300 per square foot, after the revision in rate comes into effect with the new agreement, which also involves an in-built escalation clause, sources said. Considering that the space occupied by Lowe on the 13th floor of Express Towers is around 8,000-10,000 square feet, the total outgo for this floor alone would run into Rs 3-4 crore annually, given the current market rate.
The 15th floor, which also occupies a similar area as that of the 13th floor, has the agency handling other clients like Bajaj Auto, in addition to some managers on the HLL account. Lowe is one of HLL’s five creative agencies. Others are Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, McCann Erickson and Ambience.
Sources in Lowe who spoke to TOI said, “It makes immense sense to move in close proximity to the client with whom dealings are done on a daily basis.’’ They added that the agency was thinking along similar lines, after the HLL announcement, and that the contract renewal “would force the agency’s hand.’’
Lowe’s COO Pranesh Misra, however, maintained that the agency is not envisaging a move from Express Towers, as a result of the Lever move. “Not as of now, we don’t feel the need.’’
“Moreover,’’ he added, “a lot of our business is already being transacted at HLL’s research centre at Andheri through the Nariman Point office. Our managers are doing the commute quite effectively.’’

CHASING THE BUCKS


Like HLL, its advertising and marketing agency Lowe is likely to shift its offices to north Mumbai.
HLL is the largest advertiser in the country with an adspend of over Rs 1,000 crore.

Three mills get nod for devpt

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: Nearly five months after the supreme court cleared the mill land development plan in Mumbai, the state government has given its go ahead to three NTC mills which were sold to private developers last year.
In June, the state had amended its development control rules, making it mandatory for developers to rehabilitate mill chawl tenants before allowing them to redevelop the mill land. Previous attempts to reconstruct dilapidated chawls and give alternate accommodation to mill workers had failed as developers showed no interest in the task.
Last week, the urban development department wrote to municipal commissioner Johny Joseph to immediately sanction the development plans of Kohinoor Mill no 3 (Dadar), Apollo Mill (near Arthur Road jail) and Jupiter Mill (Elphinstone Road). The three mills do not have chawls and the department intimated the municipal corporation that the amended rules would not be applicable to them and hence sanction could be given for construction. A civic official said the final sanction will be granted only after certain conditions and no-objection certificates from different departments were obtained by the developers.
Shiv Sena MP Manohar Joshi’s son Unmesh and Sena chief Bal Thackeray’s nephew Raj Thackeray teamed up and purchased the 4.8 acre Kohinoor Mill for Rs 421 crore. They plan to put up a shopping centre on the mill land. Lodha Builders, which bought the 7.5 acre Apollo Mill for Rs 180 crore, will construct three residential towers there. Financial services firm Indiabulls, which took over Jupiter Mill for Rs 276 crore, will build an IT park.
The NTC sold five of its mills to private companies last year. These include Mumbai Textile Mill and Elphinstone Mill. The New Hind Mill and the India United Mill are to be handed over to Mhada and the BMC as a part of the integrated development plan.
All the five mills obtained initial sanction from the BMC six to eight months ago but have not been granted the commencement certificates to start construction.
“Five months have passed since the supreme court directives on mill land. I do not understand why the BMC is not sanctioning our development plans,’’ said a builder on condition of anonymity.
Mill workers’ leader Pravin Ghag pointed out that Kohinoor Mill has three units and one of them was sold by NTC. “Kohinoor Mill workers have a chawl in Dadar. The government should not sanction construction in the no 3 mill unless all the tenants are rehabilitated,’’ he said. Unmesh Joshi, however, said the Kohinoor mill no 3 did not have chawls.

Slum rehab authority’s eviction drive from Oct 1

Mumbai: Illegal occupants of transit tenements could be forced out of their temporary homes during the Slum Rehabilitation Authority’s month-long eviction drive from October 1.
City guardian minister Jayant Patil, who held protracted meetings with government officials and MLAs from the city on Tuesday, announced that the state will take a tough line against the illegal occupants.
Patil, who is also the state finance minister, said legitimate tenants were being deprived of transit accommodation as a number of tenements were occupied by the encroachers. He said after the eviction drive the legitimate tenants would be given temporary possession of the transit homes. Patil also instructed the state officials to finalise a time-bound plan for acquisition of plots to facilitate reconstruction of dilapidated buildings. TNN

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=198828

Devotees make way for roadwork

Trustees assure peace as officials get ready to break religious structures

Express News Service

Mumbai, August 28: ABOUT 23 religious structures—temples, mosques, gurudwaras and some madarsas—are set to make way peacefully for the construction of the delayed Santacruz-Chembur Link Road, a key road component of the Mumbai Urban Transport Project (MUTP).

“With all issues sorted out, trustees of all religious structures affected by the Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road and the Santacruz Chembur Link Road have agreed to the relocation,” said R K Sonawane, relief and rehabilitation chief for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA).

At a meeting at MMRDA last week, trustees of various institutions affected by the road projects agreed to the relocation and volunteered to maintain peace in the vicinity of demolitions. The meeting was chaired by the Joint Metropolitan Commissioner Milind Mhaiskar, also project director for MUTP.

Already, the MMRDA has moved over a dozen religious structures from alongside Jogeshwari Vikhroli Link Road. Nineteen religious structures are still to be demolished along Santacruz Chembur Link Road.

With no government or World Bank policy on rehabilitating roadside temples or mosques, moving them was another reason for the slow pace of work on SCLR and JVLR. “Some of these structures are being relocated to various rehabilitation sites,” said Sonawane.

At Rahul Nagar near Tilak Nagar, the MMRDA is proposing to rebuild a gurudwara, a temple, a mosque and a church on a single plot, with the active involvement of the trustees.

Mumbai Mills - who had posted this one (or is it something I found elsewhere)? Any information about this project?

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/4919/mumbaimillsny5.jpg

The Imperial

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8564/60storeymumdnatv9.jpg

Julian, Bolivian, Himalyan, Girnar - Wadala - by Ajmera

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/7453/bolivianjulianhimalayangirnarajmerawt6.jpg

Sun, I don't think I've seen the Mumbai Mills project before. Nice find! Any idea where you found it?

I'm counting 2 towers of 40 storeys each?

Like the projects above! Yeah great find.

I also like the Imperial Towers photo.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1941590.cms

Central funds for city hang in balance
[ 31 Aug, 2006 0250hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

MUMBAI: Shanghai may yet remain a distant dream. In a setback to the CM's mega make-over plans for Mumbai, the Union urban development ministry has put funding of several key infrastructure projects in the city under the National Urban Renewal Mission on hold, reports Aneesh Phadnis.

These projects include the Bandra-Worli sea link, the Mithi river restoration, the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project and Mumbai Metro Phase-II.

MSRDC, which is implementing the sea link plan, has been asked to invite fresh viability gap funding of up to 20%. Under NURM, city projects can get up to 35% of the project cost by way of a central grant.

Sun, I don't think I've seen the Mumbai Mills project before. Nice find! Any idea where you found it?

I'm counting 2 towers of 40 storeys each?

Hmm..I will have to find out where I got that from. Must be one of the architecture sites that either you or Anniyan sent me. I will check.

Central funds for city hang in balance
[ 31 Aug, 2006 0250hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

MUMBAI: Shanghai may yet remain a distant dream. In a setback to the CM's mega make-over plans for Mumbai, the Union urban development ministry has put funding of several key infrastructure projects in the city under the National Urban Renewal Mission on hold, reports Aneesh Phadnis.

These projects include the Bandra-Worli sea link, the Mithi river restoration, the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project and Mumbai Metro Phase-II.

MSRDC, which is implementing the sea link plan, has been asked to invite fresh viability gap funding of up to 20%. Under NURM, city projects can get up to 35% of the project cost by way of a central grant.




:bash: Whats the hell is going on!!!!

Nice update. already see the green glass effect. :)

The Imperial

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/8564/60storeymumdnatv9.jpg

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1941590.cms

Central funds for city hang in balance
[ 31 Aug, 2006 0250hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK ]

MUMBAI: Shanghai may yet remain a distant dream. In a setback to the CM's mega make-over plans for Mumbai, the Union urban development ministry has put funding of several key infrastructure projects in the city under the National Urban Renewal Mission on hold, reports Aneesh Phadnis.

These projects include the Bandra-Worli sea link, the Mithi river restoration, the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project and Mumbai Metro Phase-II.

MSRDC, which is implementing the sea link plan, has been asked to invite fresh viability gap funding of up to 20%. Under NURM, city projects can get up to 35% of the project cost by way of a central grant.

This is only part of the article in the newspaper.The other part states that the Centre is more than willing to fund Mumbai project,they just need more detail about the projects,something the very unprofessional State government has given.The details will be provided by next week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From the article:
"the centre forwarded the report to the National enviromental engineering Research Institute for appraisal.NEERI wanted more details about the project.We will send it by next week" said senior MMRDA offcial.

Vijay Mahajan ,CEO of NGO Bombay First said,"The state doesn't have a professional approach and clear direction for the development of the city.The Centre is keen to fund the Mumbai projects but we do not have master plans."
---------------------------------------------------------------------

The imperial looks a lot taller in reality.Its soooo gonna dominate the Mumbai skyline.Also from ffrom what I saw have made 20F buildings for slum dwellers around the tower :eek2: .

This might have already been posted but another supertall. Just 10 floors taller than Imperial...and it is approved.... Mumbai's second tallest
Lodha Bellissimo
Height (struct.) 198 m 648 ft
Floors (OG) 50

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/07/472052.jpg

Which design is being used for the SD Towers?
http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2003/09/220118.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2004/06/275914.jpg

kind of like the second one more

This might have already been posted but another supertall. Just 10 floors taller than Imperial...and it is approved.... Mumbai's second tallest
Lodha Bellissimo
Height (struct.) 198 m 648 ft
Floors (OG) 50

http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2006/07/472052.jpg

I've been to the site.Its awesome.Possibly the best residential building in the city.

Here the website:
Lodha Bellissimo (http://www.lodhagroup.com/bellissimo.html)

I agree it looks fab the Lodha and many exciting projects to come.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=199411

Jolt for Mumbai’s Shanghai dreams

Centre asks state government to rework 3 infrastructure projects, no funding for BRIMSTOWAD this year

Express News Service

Mumbai, September 1: So far boisterously championing the cause of transforming Mumbai into a Shanghai, the State government’s efforts suffered a serious setback as the Centre has sent back three of the seven projects submitted to it for funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM). These include the Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project, the Mithi river protection project and the Thane Metro.

As for the long-pending Brihanmumbai Mahanagarpalika Storm Water Drainage Project (BRIMSTOWAD), which is supposed to rid Mumbai of its perennial flooding problem and was submitted to the Centre for 100 per cent funding separately, it has also been sent back.

The Centre has now asked the state to re-work all these four projects and submit detailed project reports by October 31, 2006.

Only two projects, the Middle Vaitarna Water Supply Project and the Sewerage Disposal Project, are in the advanced stages and are now pending with the cabinet committee for economic affairs. While the Middle Vitarna project is estimated to cost Rs 1,600 crore, the sewerage project is estimated to cost Rs 2,376 crore.

And the only good news is that both the Mumbai Metro Rail Project (Rs 12,662 crore) and the Worli-Bandra Sea-link Project (Rs 1,200 crore) are still under active consideration.

Principal secretary, urban development department J M Phatak sought to downplay the importance of the Centre’s snub saying, ‘‘The Centre has raised some queries over the (three) projects. And there are some conditions of the JNNURM which we have to fulfill. Even if we don’t receive funds this year, we’ll get them in future as the projects are to be completed in seven years.’’

He said the State had requested the Centre to separate BRIMSTOWAD from JNNURM under which the Centre grants 35 per cent, while the state’s share is 15 per cent and the civic body has to raise 50 per cent. ‘‘We want the Centre to delink BRIMSTOWAD from JNNURM and give us 100 per cent funding,’’ he said.

When it was planned in 1980, BRIMSTOWADs was pegged at Rs 1,200 crore. Now it has gone up to Rs 1,800 crore.

The Centre’s action is the result of the State failing to fulfill the conditions of JNNURM which include scrapping of the Urban Land Ceiling Act, creating a citizens’ charter, adopting two laws enacted by the Centre— the public disclosure law and the model community participation law— and administrative and property tax reforms. The state has to fulfill all these conditions by 2007-2008.

The JNNURM was launched by the Centre for infrastructural development of 63 cities and is to be implemented in seven years. Five cities in Maharashtra- Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur and Nanded-are covered under it.

Is Lodha Belissimo actually under construction?

Nirmal Polaris

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5936/nirmalpolarisdy8.jpg


It's time the Hiranandanis started buildings some modern iconic towers for Mumbai rather than dozens and dozens of similar looking greco-roman whatever. The novelty factor of these buildings has worn off. Time for something new. But is anyone listening?

Hiranandani's Richmond Tower

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2987/richmondtowerhiranandaniku3.jpg

From TOI's e-paperWINDS OF CHANGE
City infrastructure is cause for worry, but SEZ to fuel growth
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai: It appears that nothing — neither the city’s traffic-choked and potholed roads nor the grossly inadequate storm-water drains — can prevent Mumbai’s realty market from surging ahead.

A closer look at the roadmap, which developers have charted out for the next three to five years, tells us that a huge amount of space is going to enter the realestate market. Over 1 crore square foot of residential and commercial development is going to take place in central Mumbai alone, with the defunct mills providing the land, and Kalina and Bandra-Kurla Complex are going to get a major boost as business districts. Builders also have another bonanza coming in the form of redevelopment of Dharav despite the stiff resistance from slum residents. But the redevelopment of run-down, old buildings into skyscrapers will put an enormous strain on infrastructure, say experts.

“Mumbai will become the most expensive ‘Slumbai’ in the next five years. Residential apartments will be beyond the reach of the average person but, simultaneously, the demand for premium apartments will continue to go up along with the price of office and retail space,’’ developer Subodh Runwal said.

It would soon stop making sense for IT or ITES firms to set up base here, he felt. “Prices are going up because of the high demand and the limited supply and they will stabilise only if the government is proactive and increases FSI, cuts down the number of permissions and NOCs needed, releases salt-pan and MbPT land, scraps the Urban Land Ceiling (Regulations) Act and spends money on infrastructure,’’ he added.

Real-estate consultant Ashok Narang says he is following the upcoming Reliance Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Navi Mumbai. “Most clients could be looking at investing or shifting to the SEZ. The poor infrastructure in Mumbai will not support the kind of development expected,’’ he added. Narang expects a boom in the residential sector in Andheri (E) because of the improved connectivity after the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road is completed. “It is also close to the airport and Kalina and BKC,’’ he explained.

Knight Frank India chairman Pranay Vakil agreed: “The buyer will be able to choose between not only locations but also between developers and projects of different qualities and prices. Young people will prefer to live 20 minutes away from the centre of the city because of the better quality of life if the townships and the trans-harbour bridge between Sewri and Nhava Sheva come up as conceptualised.’’

Cushman and Wakefield India joint managing director Chanakya Chakravarty said: “Broad estimates indicate Mumbai is likely to witness officespace absorption of over 40 lakh square feet in 2006 despite the escalation in rentals. As the investment sentiment for Mumbai’s real estate remains robust, domestic as well as foreign funds and developers continue to exhibit keen interest.’’

But he, too, warned that the pressure on infrastructure was the most obvious challenge to the city’s growth.

Lodha Bellisimo

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/4687/scan0002sc6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://ia.rediff.com/money/2006/sep/12mumbai.htm?q=tp&file=.htm

Turning Mumbai into Shanghai @ Rs 60,000 crore
Rupesh Janve in New Delhi | September 12, 2006

Maharashtra finally has a Rs 60,000-crore (over $13 billion) plan ready for transforming Mumbai into the next Shanghai, with the money earmarked for infrastructure upgrade alone.

The funds are proposed to be spent on 31 projects, and the state wants the central government and centrally sponsored schemes to pitch in with Rs 43,000 crore (Rs 430 billion) for 20 schemes. On its part, the state has offered to invest Rs 7,000 crore (Rs 70 billion) in the remaining 11 projects.

Last week, the state government made a presentation to the Planning Commission on the infrastructure aspect of the Mumbai transformation project.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's dream of transforming Mumbai into a Shanghai will not just take this kind of money but also lots of time. Some of the key projects, including the Mumbai metro rail transport system, will be complete only by 2021, a water supply project by 2012, and a facelift for Dharavi by March 2008.

The six projects for which the state has sought 100 per cent central funding will need Rs 9,000 crore (Rs 90 billion). These include the Mumbai Urban Transport Project costing Rs 3,700 crore (Rs 37 billion), and the Brimstowad project for a storm-water drainage system costing Rs 1,800 crore (Rs 18 billion).

The state intends to fully fund the setting up of a convention and exhibition centre at the Bandra-Kurla complex costing Rs 1,000 crore (Rs 10 billion), rehabilitation of pavement dwellers at a cost of Rs 500 crore (Rs 5 billion), and beautification of Marine Drive at a cost of Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion).

To strengthen the North-South corridors and East-West connectivity in the metropolis, nearly 17 high-speed junctions with signal-free road corridors, having dedicated bus lanes, will be developed under the urban transport project, and funded through the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 2,647 crore (Rs 26.47 billion), and is expected to be complete by June 2007. The Metro Rail Transport System project costing Rs 19,500 crore (Rs 195 billion) will also be taken up under central schemes.

Apart from financial help, the state is seeking assistance on duty cuts for project inputs and full tax exemption under the Income Tax Act for the next 25 years.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said in 2004: "When we talk of a resurgent Asia, people think of the great changes that have come about in Shanghai. But we can transform Mumbai in the next five years in such a manner that people forget about Shanghai."

I think henceforth we should avoid all silly titles about this Mumbai - Shanghai nonsense. India's journalists should give this stupidity a break. It's kind of like a broken record now.

the bombay to shanghai slogan is one coined by the GoM, esp the people involved in the bombay makeover, to kind of act as a starting point for the debate about the city and what it needs to do. thats why it has gotten so much airspace in government functions as well. has certainly worked well enough

^^

Well if you think the slogan is working then all power to the slogan.

______________________

Meanwhile another one of those from Hiranandani

Glendale, 31 storeys

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/975/glendaleelevationvr1.jpg

well its worked in creating a debate for sure. there has been an avalanche of articles, discussions, programmes on the issue in the last few years. whether it has helped in actually changing bombay we will have to see

The state government is full of douchebags.Water logging is the biggest problem faced by the city. It results in traffic jams,potholes,delays in rail service etc.. the city is virtually shut because of water logging problem. Drainage project should be on the top of the priority list but sadly thats not the case:(.They've spent 100's of crores on potholes but haven't spent a single penny of the drainage system.If there is no water logging there is no need for cemant roads.they want to spent billions of rupees on cemant roads first and than on the drainage system.I don't understand the logic behind this. :bash:

well the drainage and water supply projects are probably the ones that will get help from the centre under nurm. msdp and brimstowad should take off soon

Rs 60,000 crore

Mumbai needs its own administrative region.

Might as well give all Indian megacities their own region, to ensure that whoever is voted for dosent have to constantly tango with the local state government.

MbPT set to unlock 1,400 acres (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2004087.cms)

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), the city's largest landlord, appears to be clearing the decks to sell off huge portions of its vast land holdings.

The MbPT's humungous 1,860 acres of land—stretching from Colaba (Sassoon Dock) to Wadala—are its most precious asset. It's also the largest chunk of real estate on view in the city. The fate of this potentially lucrative asset is currently being deliberated upon in the boardroom of the MbPT headquarters at Ballard Estate.

The uninterrupted MbPT stretch, known as the eastern waterfront, is thrice the size of the mill lands in central Mumbai put together and eight times larger than the sprawling Mahalaxmi racecourse.

TOI has exclusive access to the MbPT's proposed revised land policy, which has been prepared by the port administration in consultation with the Union shipping ministry. The sale of land not required for port activity, the fresh allotment of land and renewal of leases are some of the major proposals in the draft.

According to the draft, the port may sell outright any plot which is outside the custom-bound area provided the land is not required for the port's own use in the future based on its approved perspective plan.

Custom-bound areas are those where actual shipping activities take place—as at the Indira Docks, the Princess and Victoria Docks in Ballard Estate, the Pirpau Jetty in Mahul and the like.

According to MbPT sources, the custom-bound areas comprise about 485.5 acres, or about 26% of the total of1,860 acres. Hence, any port land outside this area could be up for grabs if not needed by the authorities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Great news. This means couple hundred more skyscraper for Mumbai :scouserd:

PM gives Rs.1200 cr for city drainage (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2011788.cms)

MUMBAI: The city need not fear a repeat of 26/7. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday gave the Mumbai makeover plan a much-needed boost by clearing a grant of Rs 1,200 crore for the long-delayed Brimstowad project meant to augment Mumbai's drainage system.

The proposal was cleared by the Prime Minister in a meeting with Planning Commission officials on Wednesday evening. The decision has come months after the state began lobbying for funds to upgrade Mumbai's infrastructure through a range of projects.

And it's the second core sector scheme in the city after the Mumbai Sewage Disposal Project (MSDP) to get central funding this year. Work on Brimstowad is expected to start next month.

Prithviraj Chavan, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), told TOI, "The PM has agreed to provide the Rs 1,200 crore needed for the Brimstowad project.

We have also reviewed ten other projects for Mumbai." Chavan is the coordinator between the state and the Centre for the Mumbai-related projects.

The Brimstowad (Brihanmumbai storm water drains) project, which has been in the planning stage for 15 years, is aimed at augmenting a drainage network unable to withstand more than 25 mm of rainfall per hour.

After last year's deluge on 26/7, chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had repeatedly urged the Union government to help the state implement the project.

The cost of Brimstowad was estimated at Rs 400-odd crore in the early 1990s. It has since escalated and is now in the range of Rs 1,200 crore.

MbPT set to unlock 1,400 acres (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/2004087.cms)

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), the city's largest landlord, appears to be clearing the decks to sell off huge portions of its vast land holdings.

The MbPT's humungous 1,860 acres of land—stretching from Colaba (Sassoon Dock) to Wadala—are its most precious asset. It's also the largest chunk of real estate on view in the city. The fate of this potentially lucrative asset is currently being deliberated upon in the boardroom of the MbPT headquarters at Ballard Estate.

The uninterrupted MbPT stretch, known as the eastern waterfront, is thrice the size of the mill lands in central Mumbai put together and eight times larger than the sprawling Mahalaxmi racecourse.

TOI has exclusive access to the MbPT's proposed revised land policy, which has been prepared by the port administration in consultation with the Union shipping ministry. The sale of land not required for port activity, the fresh allotment of land and renewal of leases are some of the major proposals in the draft.

According to the draft, the port may sell outright any plot which is outside the custom-bound area provided the land is not required for the port's own use in the future based on its approved perspective plan.

Custom-bound areas are those where actual shipping activities take place—as at the Indira Docks, the Princess and Victoria Docks in Ballard Estate, the Pirpau Jetty in Mahul and the like.

According to MbPT sources, the custom-bound areas comprise about 485.5 acres, or about 26% of the total of1,860 acres. Hence, any port land outside this area could be up for grabs if not needed by the authorities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Great news. This means couple hundred more skyscraper for Mumbai :scouserd:

What's the proposed FSI for the area? Is there a chance of 300-400m+ buildings in this area? Remember, 3 years ago, the tallest u/c in Mumbai was 150m, now it's 250m. That's quite a jump.

I think that the Mumbai-Shanghai slogan should be given a rest now too.

It is a good slogan and sets a standard of where Mumbai wants to go but it is been over used.

To have the infrastructure like Shanghai would be fabulous for Mumbai & some of the projects to improve Mumbai's infrastructure as kicked off.

Mumbai is the New York of India and a Shanghai in the making but Mumbai needs to be Mumbai with its own unique character & heritage.

Originally Posted by MYSTIC
MbPT set to unlock 1,400 acres

MUMBAI: The Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT), the city's largest landlord, appears to be clearing the decks to sell off huge portions of its vast land holdings.

The MbPT's humungous 1,860 acres of land—stretching from Colaba (Sassoon Dock) to Wadala—are its most precious asset. It's also the largest chunk of real estate on view in the city. The fate of this potentially lucrative asset is currently being deliberated upon in the boardroom of the MbPT headquarters at Ballard Estate.

The uninterrupted MbPT stretch, known as the eastern waterfront, is thrice the size of the mill lands in central Mumbai put together and eight times larger than the sprawling Mahalaxmi racecourse.

TOI has exclusive access to the MbPT's proposed revised land policy, which has been prepared by the port administration in consultation with the Union shipping ministry. The sale of land not required for port activity, the fresh allotment of land and renewal of leases are some of the major proposals in the draft.

According to the draft, the port may sell outright any plot which is outside the custom-bound area provided the land is not required for the port's own use in the future based on its approved perspective plan.

Custom-bound areas are those where actual shipping activities take place—as at the Indira Docks, the Princess and Victoria Docks in Ballard Estate, the Pirpau Jetty in Mahul and the like.

According to MbPT sources, the custom-bound areas comprise about 485.5 acres, or about 26% of the total of1,860 acres. Hence, any port land outside this area could be up for grabs if not needed by the authorities.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Great news. This means couple hundred more skyscraper for Mumbai


A couple of hundred more skycrapers for Mumbai???????
Are you mad. Im all for skycrapers but in some places of Mumbai they would spoil the area/neighbourhoods. The Port Trust areas would be a great opportunity for for more open spaces in Mumbai. Mumbai needs a huge open space like Central Park in New York which also act as the "lungs of the city". Yes you can build skycrapers around it abeit housing/offices which Mumbai also needs but I would hate to see the whole Port Trust land become a concrete jungle.

To cover Mumbai will hundreds of Skycrapers in the Port areas would be mad and would spoil the city. Perhaps the Port Trust could give the land over to develop a huge Park for its citizens and Mumbai then can have its own "lungs" for the city to improve its climate and pollution and also some the land can be developed for offices and housing.

What's the proposed FSI for the area? Is there a chance of 300-400m+ buildings in this area? Remember, 3 years ago, the tallest u/c in Mumbai was 150m, now it's 250m. That's quite a jump.

I'm not sure about this particular piece of land but BMC is set to unlock some of its property for sale and the FSI will be in the tune of 6.XX(now thats huge) ...Ofcourse there will be some stipulation that the builders have to fulfill. None of this would be in the island city(south Mumbai),only in the suburbs(Goregoan and some other place). Obviously there are some critics who are opposing this plan of providing so much FSI to the builder and a PIL has already been launched.Lets see how things go.

As for MbPT, I think the would allow higher FSI for this piece of land.The reason for low FSI was because of lack of planning and infrastructure. MbPT land would have the best infrastructure and would be well planned(hopefully)
and since we are talking about Mumbai it will be economically viable. so I dont see a reason why they wouldn't be provided with higher FSI.

A couple of hundred more skycrapers for Mumbai???????
Are you mad. Im all for skycrapers but in some places of Mumbai they would spoil the area/neighbourhoods. The Port Trust areas would be a great opportunity for for more open spaces in Mumbai. Mumbai needs a huge open space like Central Park in New York which also act as the "lungs of the city". Yes you can build skycrapers around it abeit housing/offices which Mumbai also needs but I would hate to see the whole Port Trust land become a concrete jungle.

To cover Mumbai will hundreds of Skycrapers in the Port areas would be mad and would spoil the city. Perhaps the Port Trust could give the land over to develop a huge Park for its citizens and Mumbai then can have its own "lungs" for the city to improve its climate and pollution and also some the land can be developed for offices and housing.

I understand what you're trying to say but this particular piece of land is GOLD MINE. South Mumbai already has enough green and open grounds. We've got Oval maidan, Cross Maidan, Azad maidan ,August Kranti Maidan ,Race course, a zoo(which BTW might soon be used for night safari) and many others. The city also has a freakin National Park for crying out loud.
Not don't forget Marine Drive,Nariman point,Chowpatty beach,Bandstand,Worli Seaface,Juhu and Dadar beach.

I mean yeah a little more open space wouldn't harm anyone but something as big as central park would be stupid. The main idea behind the sale of this land
was to bring down the astronomical property rates. Slum dwellers can be relocated in this area(especially the part of land near Wadala which right next to Dharavi). I have no problem if around if around 10% is used for park and open grounds but more than ....:nono:

i am with cov boy on this one. according to some reports only 7% of the land will go to the city. that is disastrous. and no bombay does not have enough open spaces. i find it incredible that people can think it does, even south bombay. esp south bombay actually

what this port land can give is invaluable if planned properly, and with a view to help the city, not just fill the coffers of BPT. a large central park, crucial road and rail linkages, a nice waterfront, low-cost housing, office space, etc. if done well it could be the best thing to happen to bombay. if done poorly, which the present plans suggest, it could harm it irreperably. i know this is ssc, but the number and height of skyscrapers on this land is absolutely inconsequential. what matters is how the quality of the city and the life of its residents can improve. one landlord (unlike mills) means an integrated plan is possible. damn it, it is absolutely vital

i am with cov boy on this one. according to some reports only 7% of the land will go to the city. that is disastrous. and no bombay does not have enough open spaces. i find it incredible that people can think it does, even south bombay. esp south bombay actually

what this port land can give is invaluable if planned properly, and with a view to help the city, not just fill the coffers of BPT. a large central park, crucial road and rail linkages, a nice waterfront, low-cost housing, office space, etc. if done well it could be the best thing to happen to bombay. if done poorly, which the present plans suggest, it could harm it irreperably. i know this is ssc, but the number and height of skyscrapers on this land is absolutely inconsequential. what matters is how the quality of the city and the life of its residents can improve. one landlord (unlike mills) means an integrated plan is possible. damn it, it is absolutely vital

The environmentalist want 30% for this land for parks and garden. And please stop that bull shit we need open spaces. People of Mumbai prefer beaches over parks and gardens. Race course is huge but has very few visitors.

They are asking for 30% land when Mumbai is desparate need of land.
But I agree about one landlord thingy.Since everything will be built from scratch I think it will be well planned.

Caption: Inside view of the newly renovated 'Metro Adlabs', a multiplex, in Mumbai. Photo: Shashi Ashiwal 12-8-2006


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