Date:28/03/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/03/28/stories/2009032858350300.htm
Operations at new terminal begin
R. Jagadeeswara Rao
Senior officials welcome air passengers with sweets and rosebuds
Jet Lite is the first airliner to land
Full-fledged operations from Monday
Photo: K.R. Deepak

Saying it with flowers: Passengers being offered flowers at the new airport terminal in Visakhapatnam which came into operation from Friday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The landing of Jet Lite airliner with some 50 passengers from New Delhi at the Visakhapatnam airport by 5.30 p.m. on Friday, marked the commencement of operations from the new integrated terminal building complex at the airport.
Ugadi ambience

Senior officials of the airport headed by Director C. Pattabhi welcomed the passengers to the new terminal complex by offering sweets and rosebuds.

Keeping in tune with the mood of Ugadi, the Telugu New Year, the ambience in the fully air-conditioned terminal was festive.

President of the Air Travellers’ Association (India) D. Varada Reddy, who came to the airport to welcome the first batch of passengers, described the arrangements at the airport as excellent and the shifting from the old building to the new terminal smooth.

It’s a gift: It was a gift to air travellers, he said, pointing to the lot of space for passengers and visitors and the modern furniture in the lounges.

According to Mr. Pattabhi, the second airliner with about 30 passengers to arrive at the new terminal building was the Kingfisher.

This had landed by 6.40 p.m. and departed by 7.00 p.m.

Features: The other two airliners – Spice Jet and Jet Lite – arrived at the new terminal but departed from the old terminal.

The new terminal building has 20 check-in counters and the airliners had already moved to the new counters. A feature of the Rs.95-crore new terminal building was the use of glass and steel structures, making it eco-friendly. The other facilities include inline X-ray baggage inspection system integrated with the baggage conveyor system, flight information display system, CCTV for surveillance.

It has the peak hour passenger handling capacity of 700 and annual handling capacity of 7.3 lakhs.

Trial basis: According to Mr.Pattabhi, the day’s operations were carried on a trial basis and full-fledged operations would commence from Monday...
cool! :cheers:

Date:01/04/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/04/01/stories/2009040154620400.htm
Pitching for low-cost IT hub status
Santosh Patnaik == CII being roped in to approach parties to spell out their agenda for making Vizag an IT hub

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam IT Association (VITA) – an umbrella organisation of IT entrepreneurs and Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) – has launched a joint campaign to promote the city as one among the world’s top 10 low-cost destinations for investment in IT and ITES.

As part of the campaign, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is being involved to approach contesting candidates and political parties to spell out their agenda for making the city an IT hub.
Political support

“There is need for political support. We are already getting a lot of support from the government and we hope the parties and candidates will also include promotion of IT investment in the city in their agenda,” says K. Shyam Kumar, VITA secretary and vice-president (business development), Symbiosys Technologies.

Prospective entrepreneurs and all those who matter are being reached through the fastest mode of communication with details on why the city is billed as investment-friendly with the lowest commuting time to reach IT Special Economic Zone at Rushikonda and other places where a unit could be started from residential colonies. Ample facilities are in place for plug and play investors.
Low FTE cost

A NASSCOM report recently confirmed that Vizag offers the lowest full time employee (FTE) cost among tier-II destinations. While it is $2,333 per month in Bangalore, $2,000 in Pune, it is $1,500 in Vizag for an experienced professional.

Satyam, HSBC, Kennexa, Infotech, IBM Daksh and several other players have already started their operation and Wipro is shortly launching its centre in the city.

VITA, which also wants to provide free pickup and drop from and to the airport to prospective investors for first-hand knowledge, is confident that their initiative will be a big hit. “Vizag has enormous potential to become a top IT destination being a tier-II city with tier-I facilities. Its crime-free status, the lush green valleys and the sun-kissed beaches along with several sight-seeing spots offer the perfect place for pumping in huge funds into IT,” points out M.P. Dubey, STPI Joint Director.

Date:03/05/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/03/stories/2009050352300300.htm
Work on BRTS corridors on course
G.V. Prasada Sarma
VISAKHAPATNAM: Work is going on on the two Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridors taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission in the city. The Simhachalam corridor links Pendurthi to the Dwaraka Bus Station via Vepagunta, Gosala, Adavivaram, Hanumanthavaka and Maddilapalem running into about 18 km.

On the Simhachalam corridor, the work on about 8 km stretch has been going on. The laying of a 6 km 200-ft road at Mudasarlova earlier by the corporation has now come in handy for the BRTS. However, the road has been in various stages of completion earlier and now forms part of the BRTS corridor, says Superintendent Engineer (projects) T. Moses Kumar.

As a part of the BRTS, the pig farm of the animal husbandry department has been demolished after an alternative is provided spending about Rs. 2 crores.

Residents shifted: Besides, residents of Pedagadili and other villages falling in the corridor are to be shifted. As part of it, about 370 families have been allotted housing sites at a housing layout near Arilova. However, they are yet to be given compensation to the structures and a compensation package is being worked out for those affected by the laying of corridors. Besides, at Ramakrishnapuram near Adavivaram, some families living on a government site are to be vacated. They will be provided housing near Pineapple Colony under the JNNURM.

On the Pendurthi corridor too, about 5 km of road is available for work. As the road has been cleared of encroachments for the replacement of the Tatidpudi pipeline, it came in handy for widening for the BRTS, says Mr. Moses Kumar. The bottleneck for the Pendurty corridor is the thickly-populated Kancharapalem area. It is estimated that on both the corridors about 3,000 families will be affected. The GVMC also plans to offer transferable development rights to those losing properties.

About 15 to 20 per cent of the work on the two corridors is completed.

Date:03/05/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/05/03/stories/2009050355481400.htm
Vizag Port to expand cargo handling capacity

Santosh Patnaik
VISAKHAPATNAM: With the help of private investors, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) will enhance its cargo handling capacity from 62 million tonnes to 125 million tonnes by 2012.

The capacity increase through modernisation of existing facilities and creation of new berths would be done with a total investment of Rs. 2,600 crore, Port Chairman Ajeya Kallam told reporters here on Saturday.

Of the Rs. 2,600 crore, the port would invest Rs. 1,200 crore from internal accruals. To a question, he ruled out the possibility of raising a part of the investment from the market.

The port, which is hit along with other major ports due to global meltdown and the challenge posed by the launch of operations in its neighbourhood by Gangavaram Port, is in the process of developing two berths on BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis, mechanisation of coal handling at general cargo berth and mechanised fertilizer handling at EQ-7 berth, upgrading outer harbour to handle two lakh dwt ships and Phase-II deepening of inner harbour entrance channel to cater to 12.5 metre draft vessels.

Tenders are now under evaluation for strengthening five berths in the inner harbour. Techno-economic study for developing the east docks is being entrusted to Indian Ports Association. Proposal for development of WQ-7 and 8 berths, including mechanisation, is under process.

Mr. Kallam said the port was taking up eight projects under public-private parnership (PPP) mode and expressed the hope that it could handle a throughput of at least 85 million tonnes by 2012 by creating world-class facilities.

Performance: On its performance during the just concluded financial year, he said it could finish second after Kandla Port by handling 63.90 million tonnes as against 64.59 million tonnes in the previous year.

The stagnation in growth is attributed to recession, shift in part of trans-shipment cargo to Paradip following commissioning of pipeline up to Haldia, fall in iron ore traffic to China and diversion of coking coal and other bulk traffic to Gangavaram Port on ‘economic considerations.’

To a question, he said the port was commissioning a study by the Kolkata-based institute on finances involved in the shifting of fishing harbour to another area and make use of the vacated space for creating additional facilities for the port. “Even if found viable, its implementation will take a long time due to the requirement of about Rs. 600-800 crore,” he said.
cool!

Date:02/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/02/stories/2008060257500300.htm
Railway station to get facelift
J Balaji
VISAKHAPATNAM: The Waltair division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has taken up a massive work costing around Rs.6 crore for improvement of the Visakhapatnam railway station. The work is targeted to be completed by the end of 2008-09. However, officials are hopeful to complete it by December this year.

Extension of roofs: According to sources, while Rs.3.5 crore will be spent on extending the existing roofs on platforms 4 and 5 and laying new roof for 650 metres and providing other amenities on the platforms six and seven that have come up in the erstwhile island area of the station, another Rs.2 crore has been sanctioned for extending the existing foot-over-bridge (FoB) in the north of the station from platforms 4 and 5 to connect 6,7 and 8 and the one near the reservation complex (with ramp facility) to cover all the eight platforms. Another Rs.50 lakh will be spent on taking up various facelift works and providing amenities.

The railways wanted to speed up the work before the onset of monsoon as it might pose hindrance to the progress of civil works. Once the new platforms are ready for passenger traffic, the city station will have the pride of having the highest number of platforms in the ECoR zone and the north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Even Bhubaneswar, which is the headquarters of ECoR is having only five platforms, an official points out. Presently the railways is keeping the idle rakes in the new platform as they cannot be used for passenger traffic due to absence of roof and FOB to come out of station.

The new platforms were laid last year at a cost of Rs.1 crore. Now all the platforms in the city station could accommodate longer trains, i.e. those trains with up to 24 coaches. The 600-metre-long platforms have a width of 10.5 metres. Once the new platforms are opened to passengers, the platform capacity of the city station will increase by 60 per cent which means less waiting time for the trains for want of platforms, say the sources.
would anyone know whether all the 8 platforms are now operational ...

Date:28/06/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/06/28/stories/2009062850920300.htm
Works at Visakhapatnam railway station in full swing

R. Jagadeeswara Rao
Most of the works will be completed by December, According to Divisional Railway Manager D. Kamilla
Works worth Rs.16.38 crores taken up, says DRM
Air-conditioned reservation complex being built

VISAKHAPATNAM: Development works at the Visakhapatnam railway station, taken up with the twin objectives of providing more amenities to passengers and giving a new, elegant look to the station’s visage, are in full swing. Completion of these works will result in availability of more commercial space on the station premises, enabling authorities to earn additional revenue. In all, works to the tune of Rs.16.38 crores had been taken up and so far more than half the amount had been spent.

According to Divisional Railway Manager D. Kamilla, most of the works would be completed by December this year. The two-storey façade of the station would have aluminium glazed windows and architectural elevation and would have an elegant look. There would be two main entries as against one at present. While ground floor would be used as walkway for passengers, the first floor would be used for providing additional amenities to passengers. An amount of Rs.3.13 crores is being spent for this. Water fountain with horticulture works, landscaping in front of main entry would enhance the beauty of the station’s visage.

The second entry near the existing booking office would have ‘multi layered thermo clear lexan sheet cover’ on an area of 500 sq.m. (It is like the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s green crescent sheet on the side of the main road). This is the first railway station to have such sheet. The provision of toughened glass panelling would add to its elegance, he said.

The most important work is the air-conditioned reservation complex, being constructed at a cost of Rs.3.20 crores. This complex with vitrified flooring would have 12 counters and a lot of waiting place. Also there would be exclusive second class waiting rooms for ladies and gents with the multi layered thermo clear lexan sheet at the front. Provision of shelters to platforms 2,3,4 and 5 would be completed by August, the DRM said. These platforms with heavy duty mosaic tiles would be provided with modern water cubicles for drinking water...

The south end of the foot-overbridge (FOB) would be extended to platforms 6, 7 and 8. All platforms would have stainless steel benches.
Mr. Kamilla said that the development works of second phase worth Rs.7.25 crores were also being finalized.
These include renovation of retiring rooms and dormitories, widening of road and parking lots.
cool :cheers:

^^ nice... anyone have any pics of this??

Hyderabad, Tirupati, Vizag zoos to be developed (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Hyderabad,+Tirupati,+Vizag+zoos+to+be+developed&artid=xzMSSw/pUuU=&SectionID=e7uPP4|pSiw=&MainSectionID=b7ziAYMenjw=&SectionName=EH8HilNJ2uYAot5nzqumeA==&SEO=zoo,%20vizag,%20vijayawada,%20hyderabad)

RAJAHMUNDRY: Minister for Forests, Environment, Science and Technology P Ramachandra Reddy has said that an international consultancy would be appointed for developing zoological parks at Tirupati, Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

Speaking to mediapersons here today, he said that Papikondalu sanctuary was given a national park status. The State Government was taking all precautions while giving permission for mining operations in the forest area. In Orissa, mining operations were done upto to a depth of 40 metres in the forest area and later the license-holders were filling up the pits and planting saplings, he said. Many habitations came up in the forest land and forests were degraded due to agriculture activities in Visakhapatnam district he added.

Steps would be taken to fill up vacant posts, he said adding that when compared to other departments staff in the Forest Department was less. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests P Siva Shankar Reddy and Chief Conservator of Forests N Prateep Kumar were also present.

EVERY VOTE COUNTS

Please vote for a new moderator - the contest is hotting up

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http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=909566

BARC to set up center in VIZAG..

The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (APIIC) has already handed over 2,080 acres to BARC for the new centre.......

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Hyderabad/BARC-to-set-up-centre-in-Vizag/articleshow/4813564.cms

BARC to set up center in VIZAG..

The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (APIIC) has already handed over 2,080 acres to BARC for the new centre.......

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/City/Hyderabad/BARC-to-set-up-centre-in-Vizag/articleshow/4813564.cms

excellent news

Date:27/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/27/stories/2009072759700400.htm
Waltair-SCR merger gains momentum

Ravi Reddy
Union Minister Purandeswari takes up issue with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee
State pursuing merger issue with the Centre for long
‘Move will help businessmen, industries from Vizag’

HYDERABAD: Two decades of agitations by the people of North Coastal Andhra seeking merger of Waltair Division in East Coast Railway into South Central Railway have finally received a boost with the government preparing an alternative proposal to strengthen the cause.

The State government has been pursuing the issue with the Centre and the Railway Board for long. Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development D. Purandeswari sent several reminders but to no avail. Ms. Purandeswari, however, brought the issue to the fore yet again during her meeting with Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and Union Minister of State for Railways K. H. Muniyappa recently.
Proposals

As part of the proposal, the State suggested transfer of Nanded Division (SCR) to Central Railway fulfilling the long pending demand from the people of Marathwada.

Further, consequent on merger of Waltair Division in SCR, Khurda Division (ECR) could be split into two. The ECR at present has three divisions -- Sambhalpur, Khurda and Waltair.

Khurda Division presently handles freight traffic of 52 million tonnes that is likely to touch 100 MTs in the next five to six years owing to number of upcoming large steel plants like Arcelor Mittal, Possco and British Mining.

In the event of resistance to splitting of Khurda Division, the State government proposed creation of a new division with Rayagada as it headquarters. Koraput-Rayagada, Rayagada-Naupada, Rayagada-Vizianagaram, Bobbili-Salur, Naupada-Palasa and Singapuram Road-Titlagarh routes could be brought under the new division.

Talking to The Hindu, Ms. Purandeswari said the three proposals would help in meeting the demand of businessmen, Chamber of Commerce and Industry from the Port city.

“Under the South Eastern Railways and the ECR regime, improving passenger amenities, development of stations, new terminals, introduction of new trains and related aspects in Waltair division have been highly deplorable,” she said.

The Union Minister said the biggest grievance was extension of Visakhapatnam Express and Prashanti Express up to Bhubaneswar and diversion of Nizamuddin Express to Sambhalpur.

She complained that more than 25,000 Telugu speaking staff working in Waltair Division were discriminated in promotions and transfers. Merger would integrate operation of trains both passenger and freight.

“It will require political will and determination to achieve the objective. Re-jurisdiction and formation of new divisions have always been political decisions,” official sources said.
cool!

Vizag takes a giant leap
By By Our Correspondent Aug 04 2009 Visakhapatnam

Aug. 3: The city of destiny has now become one of the fastest growing metros of Asia.

Recently, the city drew the attention of entire world after the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, and his wife, Ms Gursharan Kaur, launched the country’s first nuclear powered submarine INS Arihant on July 26.

Just a day before this event, the Bhaba Atomic Research Centre (BARC) opened its laboratory, a prelude to opening its major facility at Atchyutapuram on a 2,800 acre site, which will be second only to Trombay. The first phase of the facility would be commissioned in three years.
The new BARC campus would also be home for Homi Bhabha National Institute, a deemed university offering graduate programmes in nuclear science.

Giving a further academic boost to the city, the “Innovative University” proposed in the Union Budget two years ago is also coming up on the outskirts of the city. The location is being finalised this week.

The courses of this university, with special focus on industries, would be designed as per the recommendations of the Prof. Yashpal committee.
There are major developments on the industrial front too. An extent of 5,449 acres in Achyutapuram has been allocated for development of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

About 12 companies have registered and five have started their units here. The government is expecting an investment of Rs 27,804 crore in the zone.
“We believe that the Vizag SEZ would become the Pudong of the Indian east coast,” said the APIIC commissioner, Mr B.P. Acharya.

The Pharma City being developed by Ramky group, Apparel Park by Brandix of Sri Lanka and IT SEZs coming up on the hillocks of the Beach Road would also be accelerating the development process of the city.

The Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is also on an expansion mode with an investment of Rs 12,000 crore. Authorities believe that better air connectivity to important destinations, night landing facility and more international services would bring in more investment.

VIZAG TIMELINE

* 260 BCE: Ashoka conquers the Kalinga empire (of which Vizag was a part).

* 208: Chandra Sri Satakarni becomes the king of this region.

* 11th century: Simhachalam Temple is built by Kulottunga I.

* 13th century: Simhachalam Temple is renovated.

* 1515: Krishna Deva Raya’s rule begins.

* 1735: Dutch Colony is established.

* 1765: The territory of the Northern Circars, of which Vizag was a part, ceded to the British East India Company by the Nizam of Hyderabad. Following this, a British colony was established.

* 1902: Andhra Medical College is launched.

* 1904: Railway from Madras to Calcutta, passing through city.

* 1926: Andhra University is established.

* 1933: Vizag Port is established.

* 1942: Japanese war planes attack Vizag, killing 12 persons in the port area.

* 1947: Eastern Naval Command establishes its base. Before 1947 the Royal Navy had a base in HMIS Circars.

* 1949: Scindia Shipyard, later nationalised and called Hindustan Shipyard Limited, commissioned.

* 1953: The Boat Repair Shop expanded into a Base Repair Organisation.

* 1957: Opening of petroleum refinery, Caltex, currently owned by HPCL.

* 1965: Two survey ships, “Jumna” and “Investigator”, permanently deployed.

* 1971: INS Rajput destroys Pakistani submarine Ghazi off the Vizag coast

* 1977: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park established near Madhuravada.

* 1981: Visakhapatnam Steel Plant commences operations.

* 2008: Night landing operations at Vizag Airport begin.

* 2009: The Gangavaram Port, the second port in city and deepest in India, opens.

* 2009: Nuclear powered submarine is launched.

* 2009: Bhaba Atomic Research Centre opens laboratories.
Source URL: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/vizag-takes-giant-leap-704
:cheers:

Vizag’s growth into a major industrial city has necessitated the need for a stronger infrastructure to support the population that is expected to treble in another 10-15 years. Political support for Vizag is coming in, with the state government committed to spend Rs.1000 crore on the rehabilitation of slum dwellers in 2007-08.

The central government is also pitching in with a Rs. 1,600 crore grant to develop roads, improve drainage and sewage systems, and augment drinking water supplies. .

The city is on the move as the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) aggressively engages in widening roads and initiating green projects. The four-lane project between Vizag and Bhimili Beach Road is already underway, while the two-side tunnel between Vizag and Simhachalam is being commissioned with an investment of Rs 50 crore.

Public transport within the city and decongested roads are assured once the Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s action plan for the Rs. 453 crore Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) project is put in place.
As for Vizag’s air links with major cities, the same would be augmented once night landing facilities are completed. A proposal is on to upgrade the airport to an international level. Meanwhile, the Visakhapatnam Port Trust, as the country’s premier port handling 55.8 million tones during 2005 – 06, is being upgraded to handle Panamax vessels and large crude carriers.

Novotel Hotel in Vizag next year (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/city/hyderabad/Novotel-Hotel-in-Vizag-next-year/articleshow/4934713.cms)


VISAKHAPATNAM: Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Hotel, the first international hotel project in the port city at a cost of Rs 125 crore, will be

coming up on the beach road next year. The hotel will have the second largest convention hall in the state, an international standard health spa and a jogging track with landscape.

Varun group MD V Prabhu Kishore on Tuesday said with the launch of a new terminal port and improved flight connections, the city needs a world-class hotel. Varun group entered into an agreement with Accor Hospitality, one of the world's largest hotel operators, to set up the hotel in the city.

I recently visited vizag and saw the flyover construction area near RTC complex. I guess that abt 50% of the job is done and almost all the pillars have come up - couple are in curing stage, and I also guess that the segments are pre-casted already by now somewhere ... until the flyover is done, it's just too much inconvenience for all but once it's done, traffic flow shud be lot better than before ...

I recently visited vizag and saw the flyover construction area near RTC complex. I guess that abt 50% of the job is done and almost all the pillars have come up - couple are in curing stage, and I also guess that the segments are pre-casted already by now somewhere ... until the flyover is done, it's just too much inconvenience for all but once it's done, traffic flow shud be lot better than before ...

work on a 400 meter subway is also being taken, traffic will be one way underground.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/11/stories/2009091153390300.htm

Date:23/09/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/09/23/stories/2009092359090300.htm
CONCOR puts up good performance

Santosh Patnaik
Racing towards achieving a turnover of Rs. 25 crores during 2009-10 == Some 25 ship liners establish their units in city == Gets order from Tata Usha Martin

VISAKHAPATNAM: After launching operation at the Container Freight Station developed at a cost of Rs.10 crores at the old railway station in the Old Town, the Container Corporation of India (CONCOR) has made a big impact in attracting container cargo.

Introduction of stuffing, stacking, de-stuffing and allied activities have led to increase in volume of its business ever since it introduced its operations in the city.

As of today, nearly 25 ship liners have established their units in the city to transport cargo by feeder ships to the mother ships.

CONCOR, which began its business with a modest turnover in early 2000, is pinning high hopes on converting the Visakhapatnam port as a gateway port due to locational advantage.

Visakhapatnam is close to Southeast Asian cities compared to other ports and holds an important position in the eastern seaboard.

CONCOR, which had a turnover of Rs. 23.46 crores during 2008-09, is heading towards achieving a turnover of close to Rs.25 crores during 2009-10. “The impact of recession is not much though the potential of Vizag as a destination for container cargo has to be explored much more,” Md. Azhar Shams, Senior General Manager of CONCOR told The Hindu.

CONCOR is handling export and import (exim) and domestic business. Last year it handled 5,500 domestic and 4,500 exim containers. Pig iron, steel, ammonium nitrate, rajma, coal tar pitch, yellow peas and project cargo are the main throughput for domestic containers. Ferrochrome, garnet, mills scale, alumina powder, computer machineries, wood and carbon blocks are the main exim cargo.

Procurement: The recent procurement of 200 open top containers, 150 of them 20 feet and 50 of 40 feet from China, have come as a boom for transporting of domestic container cargo. Now one tonne jumbo bag stuffing through end access is no more difficult. “Now it is more cost effective for the domestic traffic,” said Mr. Shams. One good development in recent times was the order from Tata Usha Martin to send 25,000 tonnes of scrap from Visakhapatnam.

More enquiries were also pouring in after acquiring 200 open top containers. Containerisation would gain momentum once sea fares from Vizag were made competitive compared to the tariff charged by container terminals in Mumbai and Chennai, he said.

AP ready to allot land for central public sector undertakings (http://www.samaylive.com/news/ap-ready-to-allot-land-for-central-public-sector-undertakings/657642.html)


Hyderabad, Sep 19 The Andhra Pradesh government has come forward to allocate required land and also provide necessary infrastructure for establishment of Central Public Sector Undertakings in the state.

Chief Minister K Rosaiah gave this assurance to Union Shipping Secretary A P V N Sarma during their meeting here today. The Chief Minister said the government was ready to handover required land for establishing the Shipping Technology Unit in Visakhapatnam.

Sarma told the Chief Minister that the Shipping Technology Unit would be one-of-its-kind and would meet the requirements of even the defence forces.

The issue of setting up the second unit of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant at a cost of Rs 9,000 crore also came up for discussion, the Chief Minister's Office informed in a press release. Plans were also afoot for setting up the Central Law University in the port city.

An international airport will also be built in Visakhapatnam soon and we will develop it into an international city, the Chief Minister told the Union Shipping Secretary. .

Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals and Government of Andhra

http://www.webnewswire.com/node/467529

Pradesh sign MoU to set up a Petroleum Chemicals and Petrochemicals Investment Region (PCPIR)
Submitted by editor on October 2, 2009 - 01:00
In pursuance of the PCPIR policy of the Government of India and the approval of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in February 2009, the Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Government of India entered into a Memorandum of Agreement earlier today with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to set up a PCPIR in the Vishakhapatnam – Kakinada region of the State. The PCPIR policy is a window to ensure the adoption of a holistic approach to the development of global scale industrial clusters in the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical sectors in an integrated and environment friendly manner. The idea is to ensure the setting up of PCPIRs in a planned manner with a view to achieve synergies and for value added manufacturing, research and development.

Government of Andhra Pradesh proposes to set up a PCPIR at Vishakhapatnam-Kakinada-Rajahmundry within the Vishakhapatnam and East Godavari Districts of Andhra Pradesh covering an area of 603.58 sq. kms. This will include a Processing Area of 269.44 sq. kms, which is approximately 44.64% of the total area and hence in conformity with the PCPIR policy that states that the minimum processing area for the PCPIR will be about 40% of the total designated area. The balance 334.14 sq. kms will be used as Non-Processing area and will include residential, commercial and other social and institutional infrastructure.

The State Government has proposed to notify the delineated area of AP PCPIR under Section 13(1) of The Andhra Pradesh Urban Areas (Development) Act 1975. The nodal agency for implementation will be Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Limited (APIIC).

The total industrial investment in the Andhra Pradesh PCPIR is estimated at Rs. 343,000 crore including committed investment of Rs. 1,63,890 crore. The direct and indirect employment in the PCPIR is estimated to be about 5.25 lakh and 6.73 lakh persons respectively.

The proposal envisages development of physical infrastructure such as roads, rail, air links, ports, water supply, power etc. at a cost of Rs. 19,031 crore. The PCPIR policy provides that infrastructure will be created/upgraded through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to the extent possible. Central Government will provide the necessary Viability Gap Funding (VGF) of approximately Rs. 1,267 crore subject to VGF guidelines existing from time to time.

The delineated region has a strong industrial base comprising HPCL’s Visakhapatnam refinery, two pharma Special Economic Zones (SEZs), three fertiliser plants and a pharma manufacturing complex. Government of Andhra Pradesh has identified Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and a GMR led consortium as the Anchor Tenants in the proposed PCPIR. The GMR led consortium proposes to set up a 15 MMTPA refinery and a 450,000 MTPA Polypropylene Unit in Kakinada SEZ with an investment of Rs. 31,000 crore.

The State Government has already conducted a preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) while submitting its proposal and is committed to a detailed EIA subsequently. All existing labour laws of the country would be applicable in the PCPIR. SEZs in the region, if any, would be governed by special laws, as approved by Government of India.

The Doubletree by Hilton-Visakhapatnam, a five star hotel under construction
should be operational in a few months

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wNTUTLMtw0I/SX1HrXESaEI/AAAAAAAAAYE/_hHcbOwHiT8/s1600-h/Vizag+Jan+2009+006.jpg

http://www.projectstoday.com/News/NewsDetails.aspx?nid=28521

Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd (VCTPL), the container terminal operator at Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh, proposes to spend about Rs 120 crore over the next two years to increase its handling capacity.

Initially, VCTPL had invested more than Rs 100 crore to develop a handling capacity of 3,00,000 container boxes a year. Now, the company hopes to increase the handling capacity to 6,00,000 boxes a year.

Visakhapatnam port is jointly developing by Dubai Ports World and United Liner Agencies of India.

Here are some pictures from my recent visit to Vizag city.

Rishikonda IT SEZ
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/VizagRishikondaITSEZ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWU3ovUp-b6wAE#


Ramky JN Pharma City SEZ
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/JNPharmaCitySEZ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXon-y93YvBoAE#


Ramanaidu Studios
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/RamanaiduStudiosVIZAG?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfAjp-bpPu4Zw#


Vizag Airport
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/VizagAirport?authkey=Gv1sRgCKqk5_3PsPj0YQ#

Bhimili Road
15km road is now complete after 6 years of construction and God knows how many more years are needed to finish the rest.
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/BhimiliRoad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLSpkLa0zLS6kgE#

Here are some pictures from my recent visit to Vizag city.

Rishikonda IT SEZ
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/VizagRishikondaITSEZ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMWU3ovUp-b6wAE#


Ramky JN Pharma City SEZ
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/JNPharmaCitySEZ?authkey=Gv1sRgCMXon-y93YvBoAE#


Ramanaidu Studios
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/RamanaiduStudiosVIZAG?authkey=Gv1sRgCOfAjp-bpPu4Zw#


Vizag Airport
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/VizagAirport?authkey=Gv1sRgCKqk5_3PsPj0YQ#

Bhimili Road
15km road is now complete after 6 years of construction and God knows how many more years are needed to finish the rest.
http://picasaweb.google.com/suppala/BhimiliRoad?authkey=Gv1sRgCLSpkLa0zLS6kgE#

excellent pics.

Hyderabad: Tokyo-based pharma major Eisai Co Ltd is planning big for India. The company is set to develop its Indian operations as part of its global research efforts and also make the country a pharma production hub.

The company has set up a manufacturing and research facility at the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City at Visakhapatnam. The $50-million facility will be used to manufacture active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and formulations, in addition to research into manufacturing processes and formulation technologies.

"Eisai is currently working on eight to 10 new chemical entities. They are at different stages of development. The Indian team will now become a part of that development process. Additionally, we are also set to make the facility a manufacturing hub for global markets. Since we are located in an SEZ, 95% of the production would be for the export market," Sanjit Singh Lamba, president of Eisai's Indian operations, told DNA.

Eisai has its major API manufacturing facility near Tokyo and the unit at Vizag will be its second major facility.

The company focuses on key therapeutic segments like neurology, psychiatry, gastro enterology, immunology, vascular diseases and oncology. Its two blockbuster drugs -- Aricept for Alzheimer's disease and Pariet for gastro enterology ailments -- are worth over $5.2 billion together. Currently, these drugs are being manuactured by Wockhardt and GSK for the Indian market. "Our deal with Wockhardt will end by this financial year and we will look at taking Aricept to our new facility," Lamba said.

However, the Vizag facility is yet to go through regulatory inspections and that is expected to be done by the third quarter next year. The unit would be ready for production only in the fourthquarter.

source:http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_hub-in-mind-japanese-pharma-firm-enters_1326899

Rushikonda SEZ all set to become an IT hub

Santosh Patnaik

VISAKHAPATNAM: With several units at advance stage of completion, the IT SEZ at Rushikonda is inching towards turning into a hub for IT units.

“By the end of next financial year, 20 units will be operational. It will certainly become another Madhapur, also known as Cyberabad,” says B.P. Acharya, APIIC Chairman and Managing Director.

Hill No. 2 and 3 in the SEZ are fully occupied and as of now, six units have started operations, including Symbiosys Technologies, Southerland and Kennexa. In next six months, as per APIIC projections, 5,000 jobs will be created. Mahati Software, Sankhya Technologies, Infotech and Softsol will launch their operations within couple of months. Recession notwithstanding, employment in the zone will go up by 10,000 people in 2010 and 20,000 by 2011 making it a major IT hub. During the visit of Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, the officials concerned gave a facelift to the zone with streetlighting.

Though on infrastructure front, everything is complete, public transport is missing as the APSRTC is running only an ordinary bus. IT entrepreneurs want that a couple of Metro or JNNURM buses should be plied regularly.

Voltage fluctuation and load shedding have also caused serious concern among the exporters. After a discussion, District Collector J. Syamala Rao last week directed the officials concerned to take steps to ensure uninterrupted power supply and introduce two buses in good condition from various destinations to Rushikonda within a fortnight. As per IT policy, it is the responsibility of the government to supply high-quality power without any interruption to the SEZs.

http://www.hindu.com/2009/12/26/stories/2009122654710600.htm

Centre to shut down Visakhapatnam shipyard

The Centre on Thursday decided to close down the 68-year-old Hindustan Shipyard that is an important component of economy of the coastal city of Visakhapatnam [ Images ]. The decision comes as yet another blow to Andhra Pradesh, which is yet to recover from the December 9 midnight Telengana shock.

The shipyard is to be transferred to the Defence Ministry and the Ministry of Shipping has been asked to look for another location to set up a new shipyard for repairing and building merchant ships.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni announced the transfer of the Vizag shipyard to the Defence Ministry for meeting 'national security requirements of building strategic vessels for the Indian Navy'.

She told media persons after a Union Cabinet meeting that the Ministry of Shipping has been given an 'in principle' approval to set up a new shipyard of international standard to meet the merchant shipping requirements.

Though she did not take questions on whether the sudden decision will adversely affect Visakhapatnam people and the shipyard workers, sources said the shipyard will now be converted for exclusive use of the Indian Navy to build six new generation submarines.

The Cabinet decision does not spell out the mode of transfer of the shipyard to the Defence Ministry nor does it set a deadline for the new merchant ship repair and building shipyard to be established.

Port Traffic: Since new submarines are to be built under top secrecy and security, there may also be curtailment of some of the activities of the Visakhapatnam port, which boasts of the highest cargo handling among all Indian ports and berthing of as many as 2347 vessels in 2008-09.

Closure of the shipyard may also affect the traffic received by the port, as vessels berthing there will have no facility nearby for the usual repairs undertaken while at the port for loading and unloading cargo.

The Indian Navy has been pestering the government to provide it a domestic shipyard to build the second line of submarines under a Rs 30,000-crore programme. Its Rs 18,798-crore Scorpene project (P75) to build six submarines is already underway, though at a very slow pace, at the Mazagaon Docks in Mumbai [ Images ].

Only on Tuesday, the Defence Acquisitions Council had adopted a resolution to acquire the Vizag shipyard. Defence Minister A K Antony who chaired the council meeting on Thursday secured the Cabinet's nod to the proposal.

There may be hardly any work at the shipyard after its transfer to the Defence Ministry as sources said it will take five years for the Project-75I to be launched as work starts only after the government ties up with one of the four foreign manufacturers to build the new
submarines.

Rosoboronexport (Russia [ Images ]), DCNS/Armaris (France [ Images ]), HDW (Germany [ Images ]) and Navantia (Spain) have been shortlisted for the purpose but the Defence Ministry could not pursue further until it gets a shipyard to negotiate and finalise the deal.

Urgency: Sources said Defence Minister AK Antony pressed for an immediate transfer of the Vizag shipyard, pointing out that the Mazgaon shipyard is already running two years behind schedule and any further delay in allotment of a shipyard, public or private, for the next project will badly hit India's [ Images ] defence preparedness on sea.

He stressed that the Vizag shipyard has been found to be the best, both in terms of location and equipment.

According to his submission, India will be left with only nine out of present fleet of 16 submarines by 2012 and the number will further go down to just five by 2015 and that too at a time when China and Pakistan in the neighbourhood are rapidly increasing their underwater muscle.

China is estimated to have 62 submarines, including 10 of them nuclear powered while Pakistan has added three French submarines lately to its fleet and is trying to get three more from Germany.

Both Project-75 and 75I are part of the 30-year submarine-building perspective programme approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security a decade ago. The basic aim was to acquire indigenous capability in design, development and construction of submarines, with a total of 24 submarines to be manufactured in a phased manner.

http://news.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/24/centre-to-shut-down-visakhapatnam-shipyard.htm

Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 1:23 pm
Post subject: Vizag ahead!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Brewberrys plans to open 50 outlets by 2010 end
Plans to open new outlet at Vizag soon!

In an attempt to expand its footprint in India, leading hospitality group Brew Berrys Hospitality Pvt Ltd, which operates the Brewberrys chain of cafes has planned to open 50 new cafe outlets by the end of the year 2010, according to a top company official. Currently, the company operates around 16 outlets in cities including Vadodara, Ahmadabad, Surat, Indore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Bhopal.

Speaking exclusively to ImagesFood.com, Ankur Gupta, CEO, director, Brew Berrys Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. said, “As planned, we will be opening around ten outlets each in Maharashtra and Karnataka. The remaining 25 outlets we will be opening in cities including Delhi, Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Cochin, Lavasa(Pune), Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Lucknow and Punjab. Further, backed by great response in Ranchi, we plan to open atleast five more outlets across Jharkhand and Orissa regions.”

Discussing the location strategy Gupta said, “ We will be operating our cafe in three formats ie. Cafe, kiosk and Bistro with an average investment of Rs 8 – 16 lacs on each outlet depending on the size. On high streets we would set up cafe and Bistro model outlets and on the other hand we would also open outlets at shopping malls, airports, institutions etc. in the kiosk model.”

Further, he informed that the average size of the Cafe outlets would be 600 to 1,500 sq.ft. Area, for kiosk model it would be around 50 to 120 sq.ft. and 1500 to 2500 sq.ft for Bistro model. According to the company's plan all the outlets will be operated as franchise model and the average turnover from these outlets is expected to be approx. 20 crore for the year.

The Brewberrys cafe menu includes coffee and blends, teas, variety of frappe, thick shakes, fruit smoothies, fizzers and mocktails, sundaes, fusion and health drinks. Some of its signature products include 'tall and dark' cold coffee, priced between Rs 60 to Rs 80, Choco brew available at Rs 40-60 and Mocha stax and Black magic priced between Rs 80 to Rs 100.

Further, the cafe offers a unique food menu including Sandwich bar, Specialty Pizza, Burgers, Salads, pastries, brownies, muffins and other bakery dishes. As informed, the outlets have a strong centralised operations system and their master software is developed and supported by leading IT firm TCS.

FAME Cinemas to enter new markets in India.
Starting Multiplexes at Chennai, Vizag and Chandigarh soon!

KOLKATA: FAME Cinemas plans to invest around Rs 60 crore every year to open six multiplex. Each multiplex, with around 4-5 screens, will be
equipped with 1,200 seats. Fame is also putting up 3D screens in the metro cities.

"Fame , at the moment, has 23 multiplexes which house 93 screens. Plans are on to shore up our clutch of multiplexes by 5-6 properties annually. This will see the company investing in the region of Rs 60 crore yearly. In the next phase of expansion, we will enter new markets such as Chennai, Vizag and Chandigarh,“ Fame Cinemas’ chief operating officer Rishi Negi told ET. “There will also be some activity in regions like Baroda and Kolkata where we are already present. For instance, we could add another property in Kolkata in the near future."

http://www.famecinemas.com/

Like most multiplex chains, Fame’s operations revolve around the lease model, where the company coughs up a fixed rental to the mall developer. "But , the scenario is changing now. We are now mulling a system where a percentage of the revenues will be shared with the developer. This could be handed out from the box-office receipts or the bottomline ," Mr Negi said.

Botanical garden in Eastern Ghats

December 23rd, 2009
By Our Correspondent

Visakhapatnam , Dec. 22: The first botanical garden in the Eastern Ghats will come up near Thotlako-nda tourist spot as a joint venture of the Visakhapatn-am Port Trust (VPT) and the Visakhapatnam urban deve-lopment authority (Vuda) with a project cost of Rs 12 crore over 200 acres. Land will be provided by Vuda and of the total project cost, the Port Trust will bear Rs 10 crore and Vuda Rs 2 crore. The project is targeted to complete within five years, said the Vuda vice-chairman, Mr V.N. Vishnu.

He said that saplings of different rare fruits, flowers and medicinal plants available in the Eastern Ghats would be planted in the botanical garden. Mr Vishnu said the park will be the cynosure of the city and an expert committee has been appointed for this purpose.

A similar botanical garden, Blue Mountains, is in Ooty in the Western Ghats. The implementation of the project as been entrusted to the forest wing of Vuda.

State government had earlier declared Thotlakonda as a protected zone as there are some Buddhist relics there.

The Vuda vice-chairman said that they have allotted the 200 acres without touching the protected zone. He made it clear that project work would be taken up only after faculty members of the history department of Andhra University confirm that there are no Buddhist relics in the proposed area.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/visakhapatnam/botanical-garden-eastern-ghats-811

CMR CENTRAL:

My Review :

Today i went to the new CMR Central , so first of all am happy that now vizag has a Mega Entertainment Zone first of its kind with Multiplex!!! :)

Equipped with National and International brands , and other like

-> Reliance Digital ( Apple Products) :wink:
-> 4D sfx Theatre
-> 4 Screens ( INOX - Live The Movie)
-> Gaming
-> Jungle Horror ( some sort of )
-> Mirror Maze
-> Food Courts

So , so far so good . And the good thing was , we can expect good outcome from INOX ( hope so , he builts well )

The 4D Theater is not yet opened , as from my info , 4D is a theater equiped with motion or the movement of the chairs. And a movie length of 30 - 45min and with separate format. Letz expect good :)

And mirror maze like the Prasadz Imax kinda thing , i guess.

And now coming to food courts , i dunno wat exactly are coming . But plz install a MC Donalds or KFC . :cry:

Gaming , shooting , jungle horror and etc , i dunno nethng abt that :?

Positives :

The front elevation was good and the open space was very satisfactory . And a pleasant interior look.

Negatives :

One thing i didnt like was , in the entrance to the left side , all the three floors are just like the CMR Shopping Mall with saree and jewellery stuff . I really disappointed with that , because when compared to Prasadz Imax , we hav a big LCD projectors showing the updates of the mall and wat i mean was , it could me replaced with some other better place . But remaining is all fine.

Parking :

Il give 5/5 rating for parking place. Its fabulous , very huge place given for parking . I am damn sure , it will be very very comfortable for parking. And the parking was a very free flow with Entry from one side and Exit from other side. 5* given 8)

As from the info , all the mall construction will be completed on Ugadhi including INOX screens.

So , people just chillax . This helps in tourism as well as the increase in acceleration of other Multiplex constructions going on in vizag.

Visit the basic website www.cmrcentral.in

So , plz share ur views too. And letz discuss here abt the day to day activities.

Thursday, Dec 24, 2009

The new manufacturing and process research base of Eisai Pharmatechnology & Manufacturing India Pvt. Ltd. (EPMIPL), a company belonging to Eisai Co., Ltd. of Japan, set up at Jawahalal Nehru Pharma City with an investment of Rs. 250 crores is ready for operation.

http://www.thehindu.com/2009/12/24/stories/2009122459540300.htm

IT, pharma companies make Vizag viable alternative to Hyderabad (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/it-pharma-companies-make-vizag-viable-alternative-to-hyderabad/563445/2)


Visakhapatnam:When one of the top 20 pharma giants in the world, Eisai Pharmaceuticals of Japan, inaugurated its global research and development and production facility in Visakhapatnam last month, it was not just another feather in the cap of the city that is being dubbed as the ‘city of destiny’. Rather, it was a harbinger of how significant the city has become in recent times and how fast it is developing into a major centre on the eastern coast.

The Telangana issue, which has forced planners to look beyond Hyderabad, has given a fresh impetus to the city. Known till recently for the Eastern Naval Command and the steel plant, Vizag is fast transforming into an IT hub, a pharma junction and a real estate goldmine. Lying on the Chennai-Kolkata coastal corridor, the city is home to the biggest special development zone, called the Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR), where an investment of $80 billion is expected.

The Vizag Urban Development Authority (VUDA), touching four districts, is the third biggest in the country after Bangalore and Mumbai. At least 25 IT companies are coming up here — three are already operational, four will be operational in a month and others by the end of 2010.

Like Hyderabad, IT is proving to be the catalyst for accelerated development here, forcing the authorities to lay four-lane roads and revamp public transport and civic infrastructure. Recently, a new fleet of metro buses was introduced and townships are being planned to meet the growing demand.

“There is an investment of Rs 700 to 800 crore in the IT sector here. We are looking at 20,000-30,000 jobs by the end of 2010,” said Naresh Kumar, head of Symbiosis Technologies which started in November.

Blessed with a natural harbour, the coastline is jotted with small hills that earlier prevented its growth, but private and public entrepreneurship has meant that the city is now growing on these hills. The country’s most picturesque IT parks have come up on Hill no 2 and 3 near Rushikonda and Madhurwada and another one is coming up at Ghambhiram.

“Considering that a majority of the people working in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore in the IT industry are from coastal Andhra, most of them may return to Vizag as the industry develops here. Companies which have data storages in Hyderabad or Bangalore are looking at a second place to store backups and Vizag is proving to be an ideal location. A couple of years ago, finding even 10,000 sq feet of ready office space was difficult. Today, there are people with one lakh sq feet space ready to be occupied,” added Kumar.

The city has also become a pharma zone with more than 20 major pharma companies coming up here. The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, developed by Ramky Group in collaboration with AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), has 17 pharmaceutical companies. The adjacent Pharma SEZ has two global giants — Eisai Pharma of Japan and Pharmagel of Germany.

“The infrastructure and the facilities provided here are attracting investment. Good investment environment, large talent pool and easy access to global destinations due to the presence of ports are of great advantage. After Japan, the US and UK, this is our new research and development centre. We plan to manufacture 2 billion tablets and 30 tonnes of formulations per annum,” said Eisai Knowledge Centre head Sanjit Singh Lamba.

Executive Director of AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) Ishwar Rao said that besides the existing 17 companies in the pharma SEZ, another 30 companies will come up within a year. “A multi-product SEZ of 6,000 acres is coming up besides the Brandix Apparel SEZ. All this has injected life into Vizag. The Gangavaram and Vizag port and excellent connectivity to Kakinada port, 180 km away, have made it the gateway,” added Rao.

“The city is looking at slingshot development in the next five years. The three growth engines are infrastructure, IT & ITES and travel and tourism. The existing 20 lakh population is expected to reach 50 lakh in the next five years, so Rs 1,500 crore is being invested under the JNNURM to upgrade the civic infrastructure,” said vice-chairman of VUDA V N Vishnu.

Spread over 603 sq km near Vizag, the PCPIR will see several mega integrated petrochemical complexes and refineries coming up like never before in a single corridor that extends across the coast from Vizag to Kakinada. The HPCL is the nodal organisation which will anchor the development of infrastructure, in association with APIIC.

“Unlike other cities, Vizag’s real estate prices have remained stable and there is only a marginal drop in rates. That is because 70 per cent of the population is employed with PSUs like steel plant, shipyard, naval dock yard, HPCL, and have a permanent income. The demand for real estate has been steady and not subject to recession. The city is developing so fast that residential layouts some 30 to 40 km from the city centre are being lapped up immediately,” said N V Satya, president of Apartment Builders Association.

Vizag ought to be most promising Indian city of the future..Rock on!!

EFLU setting up campus in Vizag (http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=EFLU+setting+up+campus+in+Vizag&artid=IoyYsZZ0w7I=&SectionID=e7uPP4|pSiw=&MainSectionID=fyV9T2jIa4A=&SectionName=EH8HilNJ2uYAot5nzqumeA==&SEO=)

HYDERABAD: Here is good news for the people of Visakhapatnam and surrounding areas. The English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), which has campuses in Hyderabad, Shillong and Lukcnow, is intending to set up another campus at Visakhapatnam.

Stating that the both Haryana and Kerala governments have given about 100 acres of land for the campuses that would start from the next academic year, Vice-Chancellor Abhai Maurya informed that there is a proposal to set up one more at Visakhapatnam.

``The plans for setting up campuses at both Haryana (Rohtak) and Kerala (Kollam) is all set to take off. And we are working on the modalities in order to set up a campus at Visakhapatnam,’’ the EFLU Vice-Chancellor said at a press conference held here today.

Abhai Maurya said that they have received proposals from the Ministry of External Affairs and Indian Embassies abroad for setting up its off-shore campuses in foreign countries like Malaysia, Yemen, Oman, Mangolia and Belarus.

``We are the only Central University in the country, which has been called upon to set up off-shore campuses,’’ Maurya said and added that the university has been identified as the nodal agency by the Ministry of External Affairs to set up permanent Centres for English Language Training (CELTs) in Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries.
As part of its academic programmes, the English and Foreign Languages (EFL) University here would conduct All-India English Language Testing Authority (AIELTA) English proficiency test on March 7 this year at various centres across the country.

The test, which is being conducted for the first time in the country, is aimed at standardising levels of proficiency in English in the country and also aims to reach out to remote areas in the country. According to the University officials, the test, which is being conducted for Intermediate students, would be extended to graduates and PG students in subsequent stages.

With great major port , military establishments, potential to attract talent from Coastal Andhranew airport, KG Gas basin, not the least beautiful beaches I feel Vizag has the greatest potential in South after the major metros, I believe seperating AP with Vizag as capital might help build a new metro center. This is just my personal opinion I am not a telengana supporter or anything.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/visakhapatnam/gvmc-passes-rs-73-crore-surplus-budget-2010-11-834
Visakhapatnam, Jan. 25: Amidst protests from the Opposition, the Gre-ater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) approved Rs 73.08 crore surplus budget for 2010-11 at the council meet held here on Monday.
The budget was proposed for Rs 1,802 crore including the opening balance of Rs 1,802 crore and the expenditure was put at Rs 1,729 crore. The approval was announced by the Mayor, Mr Pulusu Janardhana Rao.
Earlier the corporators discussed on the proposals at length and the Congress members termed it as people-oriented and aimed at the welfare of the lower rungs of the society. They called for approval without making any changes.
But the Opposition corporators belonging to the Telugu Desam, CPM and the CPI said the Budget proposals were nothing but jumbling of figures and the mayor failed to show the sources of income.
The Mayor said the corporators have been protesting that no work was being taken up in their respective wards and keeping their demand in mind, the corporation would release Rs 50 lakh for each ward and the works would begin immediately. Pending bills for the works taken up before the general elections would also be cleared, he assured. Similarly funds under SC and ST component would also be released.
Floor leader of Telugu Desam Nalluri Bhaskara Rao alleged that only 25 per cent of the budget was feasible and the remaining was concoction of figures. He said the coffers were empty and the corporation was making tall claims of earnings to the tune of Rs 1,800 crore.

Work in full swing to modernise port

Santosh Patnaik

VISAKHAPATNAM: Modernisation is the buzzword at the Visakhapatnam Port with the management doubling efforts to transform it into the most preferred port of South Asia.

As per the roadmap, capacity augmentation is being done to handle 78 million tonnes by 2011-12 and 82 million tonnes by 2012-13. Run by Visakhapatnam Port Trust , the port has locational advantage and excellent facilities. It has so far handled little over 53 million tonnes exceeding last year’s cargo by nearly 1.5 million tonnes.

With good progress in export of iron ore and thermal coal and container cargo compared to the corresponding period last year, the management is confident of achieving a throughput of 65 million tonnes, falling short by two million tonnes to reach Ministry of Shipping’s target of 67 million tonnes. This is due to competition posed by Gangavaram and other ports in the neighbourhood.

VPT has a steady progress in handling cargo over the years by achieving throughput of 55.8 in 2005-06, 56.38 in 2006-07, 64.59 in 2007-08 and 63.9 million tonnes in 2008-09.

Approvals have been received for taking up six projects under Public Private Partnership mode involving an investment of Rs.1,250 crores. They include development of west quay-6 berth for bulk cargo, east quay 10 for liquid cargo in Inner Harbour, mechanisation of coal handling and upgrading general cargo berth to enable navigation of 200,000 DWT vessels and mechanised fertilizer at EQ-7. It is envisaged to develop WQ-7 and 8 with mechanisation to handle alumina, caustic soda and other bulk cargo in the Inner Harbour.

Port Chairman Ajeya Kallam is confident of awarding concessions to most of these projects on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis by March 2010. As part of environmental protection, the port is building a compound wall of seven metres height alongside the east yard and installing material data safety sheet in east yard and ore handling complex.
Panamax vessels

The port has completed the phase-I of deepening the entrance channel and turning circle in the Inner Harbour to facilitate navigation of Panamax vessels with 11 metres draft. The phase-II to handle ships with 12.5 metre draft will be completed by October, 2010. This will be followed by third phase for having facility to navigate Panamax with 14 metres depth. Deepening work in Outer Harbour is scheduled to be completed next year.

Rosaiah to open Brandix Apparel City on Feb. 5

Project to be inaugurated in Vizag will be a boon to cotton and textile industry

Chief Minister also scheduled to lay stone for Coastal Ferro Alloy Unit at Atchutapuram

BIAC venture proposes to provide employment to 25,000 people

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Rosaiah will inaugurate the Brandix India Apparel City (BIAC) at Atchutapuram in Visakhapatnam on February 5.

During a hectic schedule to the port city on February 5 before leaving for New Delhi, the Chief Minister will also lay the foundation stone for Coastal Ferro Alloy Unit in AP Special Economic Zone at Atchutapuram.

In an interaction with senior officials on Sunday after his return from Tirupati, Mr. Rosaiah said that he was sure Brandix project would be a boon to the cotton and textile industry.

He was informed by the officials that BIAC was a 1,000 acre integrated textile and apparel park with all financial and other associated activities, about 50 km. from Visakhapatnam.

Brandix Lanka, which is Sri Lanka’s largest integrated apparel exporter conceived BIAC and manages it. Other global apparel partners from US, Mauritius and UK support the venture. The venture proposes to provide employment for 25,000 people.
Industrialisation drive

A press release from the Chief Minister’s office said, the State Government would go in for a major industrialisation drive with the twin objectives of rapid economic growth and creating significant employment potential. A major programme in this direction with close coordination of top investors, industrialists, Government of India, CII, FICCI and other private players is on the anvil. The new industrial policy will also be revamped to suit this objective and drive of the State Government, the Chief Minister said.

Mr Rosaiah was told that Brandix’s business model encompassed vertical integration and specialisation in key product categories in both ‘woven and knit’ apparel. To achieve its vision, BIAC has created a vertically integrated apparel value chain and to shore up its smooth operation, centralised infrastructure along with common services and facilities were provided at the Park.
Employment

The State Government will go in for a major industrialisation drive with the twin objectives of rapid economic growth and creating significant employment potential, Mr. Rosaiah said.

A major programme in this direction with close coordination from top investors, industrialists, Government of India, CII, FICCI and other private players is on the anvil.

Firstobject Tech to set up facility at SEZ, Vizag
Firstobject Technologies announced that as a part of its expansion strategy is planning to set up a facility at SEZ, Vizag.

The company has started interaction with the officials of SEZ, which is known as Visakhapatanam Special Economic Zone.

Shares of the company declined Rs 1.2, or 4.7%, to trade at Rs 24.35. The total volume of shares traded was 56,239 at the BSE (1.46 p.m., Monday).

Date:28/02/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/02/28/stories/2010022860120300.htm
VJF meet focuses on separate railway zone for Vizag

Special Correspondent
Participants suggest various measures to achieve the goal
FBV for involvement of people of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram
Form pressure groups to pursue the issue, says AU professor

VISAKHAPATNAM: In a path-breaking move, the Vizag Journalists’ Forum on Saturday organised a ‘Round Table Meet’ sans politicians, on railway budget to chalk out a plan of action to make the long-pending goal of a separate railway zone with headquarters at Visakhapatnam, a reality. Initiating the proceedings, president of the Forum M. Yugandadhara Reddy said that the Waltair Division was subjected to injustice under the successive regimes was well known and needed no repetition. The political leadership had also miserably failed. That was the reason why the VJF had taken up the issue, he said, asking the participants to suggest measures to achieve what was due to Visakhapatnam and the people of north Andhra.

Retired IAS officer and president of Forum for Better Visakha E.A.S. Sarma wanted involvement of people of Srikakulam and Vizianagaram, who were major losers because of the neglect of Waltair Division, as also various associations and unions. Once this was done political leaders would automatically involve themselves, he said, exhorting all concerned to insist on only one demand, which is formation of a new zone. Editor of Leader V.V. Ramana Murthy, while advocating involvement media from Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts, suggested that media persons should make ‘railway issue’ the first question at all media conferences. Then the politicians would realise the importance of the issue. He wanted peace rallies to be organised to sensitise people on this issue.

Bobby Vardhan, Head of the Department of Journalism, AU, wanted pressure groups to be formed to pursue the issue. Another suggestion was to see that none boarded trains at this division. This required the cooperation of commuters, the professor said. Uttarandhra Rakshana Vedika president Siva Sankar wanted media persons to attend press meets with black badges and bring pressure on politicians.

There were also suggestions for non-cooperation, organising rail rokos to prevent movement of freight, return railway concession passes issued to the media persons to Railway Minister, Mamata Benarjee. The meeting started with a song by noted ballad singer Vangapandu Prasada Rao. Mr. Yugandhara Reddy assured to pursue the issue with all seriousness and chalk out a plan of action keeping in mind all the suggestions made at the meeting. G. Sreenubabu, secretary VJF proposed a vote of thanks.

Talks over international airport
By By DC Correspondent Mar 07 2010
Visakhapatnam, March 6: Pressure is mounting on the government agencies to draw up plans for an international airport in Visakhapatnam, thanks to the vast investments being planned in and around the city. The officials of various departments such as Navy, Revenue, Airport Authority, finally seem to be waking up to the call.

Talking to various officials of the concerned departmen-ts here on Saturday, the district collector, Mr J. Shyam-ala Rao, urged the officials of the revenue department to identify land for an international airport, as quickly as possible. He told them to come up with an ideal location for the international airport, at the earliest. Earlier, during the discussions, Commander C. Satish of the Indian Navy, made it clear that there was no chan-ce of creating a civil aviation structure in the Navy-controlled area. Moreover, Mr Pattabhi, controller, Vis-akhapatnam airport, made it clear that they would require at least 5,000 acres for an international airport.

The collector noted that immediate steps would be taken up to address the issue and added that the district administration would soon hold talks with the various officials concerned. The joint collector, Mr P. Satyanarayana Reddy, the DRO, Mr D. Venkata Red-dy, members of the revenue and engineering staff took part in the meet.
Source URL: http://www.deccanchronicle.com/visakhapatnam/talks-over-international-airport-862
back to square one! :) the possibilities are (Vizag District - Mandal Names):
http://i14.************/2nut3tf.jpg
Mandal Code, Name --------- Mandal Code, Name ---- Mandal Code, Name
1 Munchingiputtu ------------16 Nathavaram --------- 31 Pedagantyada
2 Pedabayalu ----------------17 Narsipatnam ---------32 Paravada
3 Hukumpetau ---------------18 Rolugunta ------------33 Anakapalli
4 Dumbriguda ----------------19 Ravikamatham -------34 Munagapaka
5 Arakuvalley ----------------20 Butchayyapeta ------35 Kasimkota
6 Ananthagiri ----------------21 Chodavaram ---------36 Makavarapalem
7 Devarapalle ----------------22 K Kotapadu ----------37 Kotauratla
8 Cheedikada ----------------23 Sabbavaram -------38 Payakaraopeta
9 Madugula ------------------24 Pendurthi ------------39 Nakkapalli
10 Paderu -------------------25 Anandapuram --------40 S. Rayavaram
11 Gangaraju Madugula ------26 Padmanabham -------41 Yelamanchili
12 Chintapalle ---------------27 Bheemunipatnam -----42 Rambilli
13 Gudemkothaveedhi -------28 Visakhapatnam -----43 Atchutapuram
14 Koyyuru -----------------29 Visakhapatnam (U)
15 Golugonda ---------------30 Gajuwaka

VUDA gets recognition at national level

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has been awarded the National Tourism Award by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India for 2008-09.

The Ministry has selected VUDA for the special award in the ‘Best Civic Management of a Tourist Destination in India' category for green practices. There are only two awards in the category. While one award was jointly won by Tranquebar (Tarangambadi) in Tamil Nadu and Yanam in Pondicherry and the other was bagged by VUDA.

Andhra Pradesh Minister for Tourism J. Geetha Reddy and VUDA Vice-Chairman B. Sreedhar received the award from Vice-President Hamid Ansari at a function at Vignan Bhavan, New Delhi, on Wednesday. Union Minister for Tourism Kumari Selja and the Minister of State Sultan Ahmed, and Secretary, Tourism, Sujith Benarjee were present. VUDA Divisional Forest Officer B.V.A. Krishna Murthy also attended the function at New Delhi.

Expressing happiness on receiving the award, Mr. Sreedhar said it was in recognition of the developments and amenities provided at all its tourism destinations.

User-friendly: VUDA, the second largest urban development authority in AP and the third largest in the country, has now earned recognition at national level with the award, he added.

The user-friendly amenities and arrangements, maintenance of facilities, waste management practices, encouragement of re-use and re-cycling systems, care for environment and green practices at Kailasagiri, Thotlakonda, VUDA Park and Submarine Museum have been considered and the award announced. The continuous efforts of the urban forestry wing and engineering officials under the supervision of B.V.A. Krishna Murthy, DFO, have made VUDA's tourism spots user-friendly, according to a VUDA release.source: The Hindu

IBM team visits AU, GitamMarch 10th, 2010

Visakhapatnam , March 9: A 12-member IBM team headed by Ms Amanda Garland director, strategy, IBM growth market and Mr Anuj Malhotra, strategy leader, IBM global business, held a meeting with registrar of Andhra University Prof P.V.G.D. Prasad Reddy and vice-chancellor B. Satyanarayana here on Tuesday.
According to sources, the IBM team is here to conduct a survey on the availability of human, knowledge, so-cial and technical resources in the city.
Professor Prasad Reddy said, “They (IBM team) enquired about the history, infrastructure and knowledge base of Andhra University. I informed them on the curriculum of the university and the national and international seminars being held here on a regular basis.”
The team later visited the EEE, CSE of the Engineering College and the management block and interacted with students present.
Sources said that they enquired into the quality of school-level education avai-lable here and also wanted to know about the road and traffic conditions in the city.
When asked if their response was positive, Prof Prasad Reddy said “I cannot really comment. Their response seemed to be enthusiastic.” The IBM team later visited the Gitam University campus and interacted with the vice-chancellor, Prof. G. Subhramanyam, pro-vice chancellor Prof D. Harinarayana, senior faculty members and students. According to Gitam officials, they (IBM team) were quite impressed with the infrastructure and the quality of human resource available.
Meanwhile, district collector Mr J. Shyamala Rao who had a meeting with the visiting IBM team, STPI officials and representatives of IT association here on Tuesday, said that Visakhapatnam is most suitable for developing into an IT hub.
He told them that the city was very peaceful and people-friendly to make it an ideal place for investments.
The city has good rail, road and air connectivity to important cities in the country. The international air services have shown interest to operate services from city to Dubai, Singapore and Colombo.
Efforts are also on to extend the night operations shortly. The IT industries and tourism has been the main sectors in the city and if IBM opened its centre, the industry could completely utilise the local human resources. The graduate have been migrating to Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru and Chennai and if better companies began its operations, the migration could be checked to a large extent.
“We have plenty of water, power and transport facilities and the quality of life is much better than many cities in the country,” the collector told the visiting officials of the IBM.


http://www.deccanchronicle.com/visakhapatnam/ibm-team-visits-au-gitam-771

Varun Beach INOX inaugurated

VISAKHAPATNAM: An auspicious beginning has been made on the entertainment front with the inauguration of INOX Varun Beach by District Collector J. Syamala Rao here on Ugadi Day.

INOX Varun Beach, the first multiplex in north AP, promises to take entertainment to new heights in the City of Destiny. The multiplex has six screens with 1,166 seats including 37 recliner seats which provide an opportunity to film buffs to watch their favourite movies in the lap of luxury.

Addressing a media conference on the occasion, CEO of INOX Leisure Ltd. Alok Tandon said that INOX has a total of 109 screens in 30 multiplexes across India. The total has gone up to 115 screens and 31 multiplexes with the opening of Varun Beach. The state-of-the-art projection and sound equipment would provide a superior cinema viewing experience comparable to the best cinemas in the world.

He said that the first multiplex of INOX was established in Pune in 2002. INOX was primarily an exhibition company. He said that INOX would add 20 more multiplexes and 81 screens across India this year. The convenient location and easy accessibility would be an added advantage for Varun Beach. The second multiplex of INOX in the city would be launched at CMR Central Mall in the near future.

Source :- Hindu

12-hour operations at airport from March 28

Navy has agreed to take flights from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., says Airport Director

More airline operators can utilise the extended hours of operation, says Airport Director

Approach road to the new terminal building awaits NHAI nod

VISAKHAPATNAM: Though air passengers have to wait for some more time for round- the-clock operations from Visakhapatnam Airport, they have enough reason to cheer, with the Navy which is in charge of Air Traffic Control, agreeing to 12-hour operations starting March 28.

The demand for 24-hour operations has been there for a long time. The Centre had agreed to take up the demand once the New Integrated Terminal building at the airport was completed. Flights started operating from the new terminal almost a year ago and Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) and other facilities were already in place.

Initially, the Navy was averse to 24-hour operations on the plea of shortage of staff to man the ATC round-the-clock. They also claimed that international airlines were not evincing interest in operating night flights to Visakhapatnam.

Airline operators, however, countered the claim saying they were prepared to operate night flights to Visakhapatnam once round-the-clock operations were in place. The other day, a shrimp exporter from Visakhapatnam said that lack of international flights was hampering his business. International flights and 24-hour operations are a must to attract entrepreneurs be it from the IT sector, academicians from top grade institutions like IIT s as also from other sectors.

The Navy agreed to operate the flights up to 8 p.m. following a hue and cry from the air users several months ago. The watch tower operations were split from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The staggered timings prevented airline operators from operating flights to Visakhapatnam between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. all these months. “The Navy has agreed to take flights from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. without a break with effect from March 28,” Airport Director C. Pattabhi said on Wednesday.

He hoped that more airline operators would utilise the extended hours for operation of flights in and out of Visakhapatnam.

The approach road to the new terminal building that has been completed long ago is awaiting approval of the National Highway authorities. “The NHAI authorities here have sent a proposal to their higher ups in Hyderabad in this regard and we hope that they would soon clear the opening of the new approach to the highway,” he said.

Aerobridges

The installation of aerobridges at the new terminal is expected to be completed during the first week of April. The aerobridges have been imported at a cost of Rs.3.56 crores.

Source :- Hindu.

HYDERABAD: With the global economy showing signs of improvement, chief minister K Rosaiah wants to put behind the Telangana agitation and once again woo investors. Accordingly, the state government has started scouting for investors for the Visakhapatnam-Kakinada petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region (PCPIR).

As a first step, the state is participating in the three international petrochemical conferences being held in Chicago, Houston and San Antonio in the US between March 24 and March 30. This is for the first time that the state is trying to lure investments into the corridor, set up in an area of 603.58 sq. km in Visakhapatnam and East Godavari districts.

The total industrial investments in the state’s PCPIR are estimated at Rs 343,300 crore which is expected to create employment for more than seven lakh people. The Union government also signed a memorandum of understanding with the state as part of its policy to promote such corridors in the country in an integrated and eco-friendly manner, said sources in the government. B Sam Bob, principal secretary, industries and commerce and B R Meena, managing director of APIIC, will be representing the state in the Indian government delegation led by Union minister for chemical and fertilizers M K Alagiri.

Along with Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Gujarat and Karnataka have also been invited to be part of the delegation.

“The international petrochemcial conference being held in San Antonio is the world’s biggest event representing the petrochemical industry. This provides AP an opportunity to showcase the investment-attractiveness of PCPIR,” said Sam Bob.

“Along with investment proposals, the conference is expected to debate the political, economic and environmental issues affecting the industry,” Sam Bob told TOI.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Petro-corridor-States-bid-to-woo-investors-/articleshow/5717734.cms

VPT getting ready to go world class by 2012

It is all set to retain its No. 2 slot this fiscal

VISAKHAPATNAM: In its endeavour to make it a world-class port, Visakhapatnam Port Trust is implementing a roadmap to complete various projects to handle capesize vessels and have fully mechanised facilities.

VPT, which is all set to retain its No. 2 slot this fiscal by handling a throughput of 65.5 million tonnes during 2009-10 as against a target of 66 million tonnes notwithstanding competition posed by Gangavaram Port and recession, is undertaking construction of 10 berths with the Build Operate Transfer Operators.

The highlight to make it fully automatic and capable of handling capesize vessels was the recent issuance of Letter of Award to Sterlite Industries Ltd and Leighton Contractors India Pvt. Ltd. for mechanisation of General Cargo Berth at a cost of Rs.443 crores. It is scheduled to be ready in 18 months.

Berths under PPP

A senior official of VPT told The Hindu on Monday that by 2012, VPT had already awarded three BOT berths including a liquid cargo berth under Public-Private Partnership Mode.

The official said they would be in a position to offer better, cheaper and faster handling facility than Gangavaram to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited's Visakhapatnam Steel Plant after one-and-half years and felt that the RINL management should take into consideration pilot-age charge, inventory carrying, berth hire and other charges before entering into long-term contract with anyone.

Centre's clearance

The Centre recently gave clearance for mechanisation of fertilizer handling at EQ-7 of VPT. The official said the award would be finalised in a month.

Besides iron ore mechanisation, fully automated berths will be built for handling alumina, caustic soda and other bulk cargo, thermal coal and steam coal.

As per National Maritime Development Plan, Rs.2,500 crore is being spent for creating new berths, augmenting existing facilities, equipment and logistics so as to enhance cargo handling capacity to 120 million tonnes by 2012 from the present 62 million tonnes.

The port, keeping in view the need to cater to deep draft vessels, is implementing phase-II deepening of Inner Harbour entrance channel and turning circle to 12.5 meters draft. It is likely to be over by October 2010. Phase-III deepening of Inner Harbour entrance channel and turning circle to cater to 14 meters draft will be taken up soon.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/03/30/stories/2010033054250300.htm

Sheraton Visakhapatnam Seaview Resort - Opening July 1, 2011:banana::cheers:

The information listed above is for the hotel's physical address. The Sheraton Visakhapatnam Seaview Resort is currently accepting group inquiries at the pre-opening office. Individual hotel reservations are not being accepted at this time.

Pre-Opening Office:
Sheraton Visakhapatnam Seaview Resort
VatikaTowers, 11th Floor,Golf Course Road, Sector 54
Gurgaon, Haryana, 122002
India

Make Sheraton Visakhapatnam Seaview Resort your home base when visiting Visakhapatnam, or Vizag, as it is commonly known. Our hillside location will overlook the beach on Vizag-Bheemli Road, just three kilometers from the Rushikonda Information Technology Park.

Familiar Sheraton touches will be everywhere, including the signature Sheraton Sweet Sleeper(SM) Bed in each of our 150 spacious and comfortable guest rooms and villa-suites – all with ocean views. Stay connected to business with wireless Internet, a business centre, and nine meeting or function rooms totaling over 1,800 square meters.

Enjoy local and international fare from our two restaurants or share a drink with people who are important to you in our sports bar or lobby lounge. Two outdoor pools, including a kid’s pool, spa, and health club will be available for your relaxation.

Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is on the east coast of India and the largest port in the country. It is located approximately 650 kilometers northeast of the state capital – Hyderabad.


Sheraton.com

Starwood Hotels & Resorts

© 2010 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

All rights reserved.:cheers:

Two new railway platforms opened

The platform on the Gnanapuram side has been re-numbered 8 and foot-over-bridge extended to provide connectivity

VISAKHAPATNAM: Waltair Division of East Coast Railway on Wednesday formally inaugurated platform numbers 6 and 7 taking the total number to eight.

The increase in number of platforms will decongest the existing ones and help Railway staff take better care of passenger amenities on the existing ones, said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager H.L. Luwang. There has been a demand from the passengers to upgrade the number of platforms and make all the trains touch Visakhapatnam Station instead of getting diverted via Duvvada.

Passengers utilizing Visakhapatnam railway station had been demanding diversion of all new train that have been scheduled to run only via Duvvada to be brought to Visakhapatnam with additional facilities created at the heart of the city. Lack of proper connectivity between Visakhapatnam city and Duvvada railway station is inconveniencing city passengers. The platform on the Gnanapuram side has been re-numbered 8 and foot-over-bridge extended to provide connectivity to the new platforms – 6 and 7 from No.8.


http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/17/stories/2010061761540300.htm

Marriott eyeing budget hotels
M. L. Melly Maitreyi
Source:-The Hindu

Global hospitality major The Marriott group, which is bringing its luxury JW Marriott brand hotels into the metros, is also eyeing budget hotels in smaller cities in the next few years.

“There is huge growth potential to tap in the budget hotel segment in the two and three-star category. These hotels will be clean, crisp, with basic facilities and convenient for the business traveller,” said Ty Collins, General Manager, Hyderabad Marriott Hotel and Convention Centre and Courtyard by Marriott. Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Collins said Hyderabad would also have its first JW Marriott property soon. The new JW Marriott hotels in Delhi, Chennai and Bangalore would be open by mid-2011 and the one in Chandigarh should be ready by the year-end.

The Marriott added five Courtyards (four-star category), including the one in Hyderabad, during the last 17 months.

After subdued business over few quarters, the hospitality sector was bouncing back with hotel chains expanding their inventory, he said. After taking a hit due to the economic downturn, Delhi and Mumbai recovered faster than Hyderabad as the State had to contend with political uncertainty too following the death of Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhar Reddy and political agitations.

Marriott is working on a project in Visakhapatnam.:cheers:

GITAM, Japan-based pharma firm sign MoU

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: GITAM University and a Japan-based pharmaceutical company, Eisai Pharmatechnology and Manufacturing Private Ltd., have entered into an MoU to take up joint research programmes for better health care.

As part of the agreement, the Japanese company will provide need-based support in establishing an industrial pilot plant in GITAM Institute of Pharmacy towards R&D and also help GITAM University in designing, delivering and periodic updating of curriculum for B.Pharm. and M. Pharm programmes to meet the pharma industry needs.

The MoU will promote cooperation and advancement of industry-university interaction and Eisai will support research in its areas of excellence like neurology, gastrointestinal disorders, oncology and acute care, according to a GITAM University press release.

The MoU was signed on Thursday by Eisai president S.S. Lamba and GITAM University Registrar M. Potha Raju in the presence of Vice-Chancellor G. Subramanyam, Pro Vice-Chancellor D. Harinarayana, Eisai Knowledge Centre HR and Administration Director S.R. Saini. and GITAM Institute of Pharmacy principal P. Suresh.

Drug research

Mr. Lamba said that his organisation would extend its support to GITAM University to train quality human resources. Eisai was actively involved in new drug research and a few new anticancer drugs were in the final stage.

International status for airport soon

Favourable reply to Rosaiah's letter to Union Ministry likely next month

State regularly reviewing the status of the demand in order to help bring foreign investment

Emirates Airlines, Air Arabia, and Silk Airways evince interest in beginning their operations

VISAKHAPATNAM: International flights may very soon begin to land at the Visakhapatnam airport with the State Government taking firm initiative to get permission from the Union Government to formally declare it an International Airport.

The Department of Investment and Infrastructure now with Chief Minister Konijeti Roshaiah has written to Ministry of Civil Aviation to accord the requisite permission for the airport and a favourable reply was likely in July. The State Government was regularly reviewing the status of the demand in order to help bring foreign investment to north Andhra region.

Only hurdle

Only hurdle as of now is with timings as Indian Navy permits operations only between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., which does not attract many airlines to schedule their operations only during day time. From the data available with the Air Travellers' Association of India, about 6 lakh people annually go either to Hyderabad, Chennai or Mumbai to take flights to South East and West Asia from coastal region extending from Berhampur to Bhimavaram.

Emirates Airlines, Air Arabia, and Silk Airways were showing interest in beginning their operations from Vizag in view of great potential and Spice Jet now taken over by Kalanidhi Maran would also qualify this year to operate international flights as it would complete 5 years of domestic operations.

The Vizag airport has Night Landing Facility and the Instrument Landing Facility with 10,030 feet runway enough to accommodate landing of Boeing 747s and Airbus 340. This is also one of the 18 airports in the country recognised for operating unlimited number of flights under Open Sky Policy and as part of ASEAN Agreement this has been projected as one the potential ones.

It is already a Customs airport and Ministry of External Affair along with local police has to set up an immigration checking post also. Passenger intake should be 700 per hour to have the status.



http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/22/stories/2010062261290300.htm

IT towers in city, Vizag (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/it-towers-city-vizag-428)

Hyderabad, June 25: A special IT tower will be set up near Kokapet in Hyderabad to cater to the needs of small and medium units. The IT principal secretary, Ms Ratnaprabha, said on Friday after a review meeting of the department there is a proposal to set up a similar IT tower in Visakhapatnam.

The government gave the green signal for the IT Investment Region in the financial district in the city with financial help from the Centre.

“The Centre has agreed to give additional funds to improve infrastructure and provide world-class transport to the IT-IR. The work will be launched as soon the plans get approval,” said the IT minister, Mr Venkata Reddy.

The government will announce its IT policy on July 1, Mr Venkata Reddy told mediapersons at the secretariat. The policy would encourage small and medium IT units with more incentives and subsidies.

“The policy is meant to attract SMEs in the IT sector towards Special Economic Zones. At present most of these units are located in Software Technology Parks. As the STPI policy is coming to an end, the new policy is framed in such a way that it will ensure smooth transition of IT business to SEZs,” said the minister.

The Chief Minister reviewed the IT sector’s progress with the minister and officials and approved setting up of the tower at Hyderabad.

Demand for flats in Vizag on the rise, again (http://sify.com/finance/demand-for-flats-in-vizag-on-the-rise-again-news-news-kgrbaPfjjbh.html)

Real estate developers in Visakhapatnam have a reason to cheer. Demand for flats, which in the last two years had been on the decline, has once again picked up.

"Due to the economic recession, the response from the public was very poor till last December for properties in and around the city. Even after flat prices declined by 20 per cent in the last two years, customers were shying away from buying them. However, from February, we are witnessing a significant change," K Subba Raju, chairman, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Associations of India (Credai), Visakhapatnam, told Business Standard.

From mid-January, around 2,000 flats were sold in Vizag city as compared with around 800 in the last two years. "There is hardly any scope for a further reduction in prices. Moreover, steel and cement prices have started rising again from the last three months. This apart, the separate Telangana statehood issue is pushing up the demand for housing in Visakhapatnam and its surroundings," he said.

According to Suryanarayana Raju, managing partner, RR Builders, developers have reduced the price of their projects to clear the backlog. "A few crores of rupees were blocked in old projects over the last two years due to lack of demand. But with builders getting good enquires, they have decided to clear the old projects to take up new ones," he said.

However, rising construction cost is a cause for concern. Over the last couple of months, construction cost has increased by Rs 100 per sft due to hike in steel, cement and labour costs, Subba Raju said. About two years ago, steel prices stood at Rs 50,000 per tonne and cement at Rs 250 per bag. It took over 2 years for steel prices to come down to Rs 32,000 per tonne and cement to Rs 150-160 per bag, But in the last three-four months, these prices have again increased to Rs 45,000 and Rs 200-210 respectively, he said.

"Wages have also increased abnormally. We used to pay Rs 100 to a male worker and Rs 75-80 to a female worker per day, but now are paying Rs 250 and Rs 175 respectively," he said.

Infotech starts operations from Vizag SEZ facility (http://sify.com/finance/infotech-starts-operations-from-vizag-sez-facility-news-news-kg3ca6iihdd.html)

Infotech Enterprises Limited, a Hyderabad-based engineering and geographic information services provider, on Monday commenced operations from its new special economic zone (SEZ) facility in Visakhapatnam.

The new facility is the company’s sixth development centre, with the other five being at Madhapur and Manikonda in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Noida and Kakinada, and its first in an SEZ and second in a Tier-II town. The Visakhapatnam development centre, housed in a five-acre campus, has a built up area of 75,000 sft for accommodating 750 seats. The facility will house around 500 associates in Phase-I.

The centre will be working on delivering engineering services and solutions to Infotech’s customers in the offshore and marine segments, which include engineering of semi-submersible rigs, jack up rigs, drill ships, bulk carriers, construction support vessels, pipe lay barges, offshore supply vessels and dredgers. The engineering support provided from this centre will encompass all functional areas such as naval architecture, structural, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation.

"As part of our strategy to expand our operations in Tier-II cities, Vizag came as the obvious choice due to availability of highly-skilled resources, its infrastructure and lower cost base compared to Tier-I cities. This development centre will add a new dimension to our operations in India in providing high-value services to our customers globally at competitive rates," Infotech chairman and managing director BVR Mohan Reddy said in a press release.

Infotech Begins Operations from New SEZ Facility in Visakhapatnam (http://www.itnewsonline.com/news/Infotech-Begins-Operations-from-New-SEZ-Facility-in-Visakhapatnam/19593/8/1)

Infotech Enterprises Ltd., an engineering services and technology solutions provider headquartered in Hyderabad, announced that it has begun operations from its new SEZ facility in Visakhapatnam at Rushikonda IT Park. This is Infotech’s first SEZ development center.

The company said this facility is an extension its strategic move to take advantage of benefits of locating development centers in tier II town. Infotech currently operates out of five of its own Development Centers in India - Hyderabad (Madhapur and Manikonda), Bangalore, Noida and Kakinada. This will be the sixth development center of Infotech, the first in SEZ and the second in a tier II town.


This Development Center is housed in a five acre campus on Hill 3 at Rushikonda, Visakhapatnam, and has a built up area of 75,000 sq. ft for accommodating 750 seats. The facility currently will house around 500 associates in the first phase.

Infotech said the new Development Center at Visakhapatnam will be working on delivering engineering services and solutions to its customers in the offshore and marine segments, which includes engineering of Semi-submersible rigs, Jack up Rigs, Drill ships, Bulk Carriers, Construction support Vessels, Pipe Lay Barges, Offshore supply vessels, Dredgers, etc. The engineering support provided from this center will encompass all functional areas such as Naval Architecture, Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Instrumentation.

B. V. R Mohan Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Infotech Enterprises Ltd., said, "We are happy to set up a development center in Visakhapatnam, our first in an SEZ. As part of our strategy to expand our operations in tier-II cities, Vizag came as the obvious choice due to availability of high skilled resources, its infrastructure and lower cost base compared to tier I cities. This development center will add a new dimension to our operations in India in providing high value services to our customers globally at competitive rates."

Krishna Bodanapu, President, Engineering, Infotech Enterprises Ltd., said, "This new facility at Vizag reinforces our commitment to providing world class service to our customers. We would be addressing the needs of many of our customers with a wide range of services and solutions out of this center."

Ashok Reddy, President, Global Human Resource and Corporate Affairs, Infotech Enterprises Ltd., said, "We are pleased to announce the commencement of our operations from today at our Vizag facility. The city of Vizag offers the unique advantage of good infrastructure for the IT industry and an engineering talent created by the good quality technical institutes in and around the city."

To provide world-class service to its customers, the new facility is equipped with state-of-the-art IT network and systems, cutting-edge technologies for information security to maintain stringent security standards.

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100705/jsp/business/story_12646970.jsp
Plan for metal SEZ in Haldia

New Delhi, July 4: A subsidiary of Nagpur-based Abhijeet Group has proposed a special economic zone for metal-based industries in Haldia.

It is among the three firms that have sought approval to set up tax-free enclaves at a time uncertainty looms over tax benefits after the implementation of the direct tax code from April 2011.

Abhijeet Group officials said land acquisition problems had delayed the Haldia SEZ by more than a year. In the meantime, the group has set up a Rs-800-crore ferro-alloy plant at Atchutapuram SEZ near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

The Andhra Pradesh project, which the company says is the biggest ferro-manganese and silico-manganese manufacturing facility in Asia, is likely to commence operations in January-February, officials said.:cheers:

On whether the firm will go ahead with its SEZ plans despite having set up the facility in Andhra Pradesh, they said, “If we are able to acquire the land, then this could be considered. However, we will have to wait for the final decision on the incentives in the tax-free zones to take a call.”

Four more units coming up at Brandix apparel park

Visakhapatnam, July 8

Four more units are being set up in the Brandix apparel park near Atchyuthapuram in Visakhapatnam district by the end of the current financial year, according to Mr Vinu Sudan, Director of Brandix Apparel City.

He told reporters here on Thursday that at present four units were functioning in the park and 5,100 were employed in the units. The number of jobs would double after the completion of the four units. “More importantly, rural women are getting employed in the units. Their skills are getting upgraded. There is a distinct change for the better in their life style,” he said.

He said Brandix had so far invested Rs 200 crore on building up infrastructure in the park and the four functioning units. “The four units under construction are investing roughly Rs. 400 crore and the total investment by the end of the current fiscal would be Rs 800-850 crore," he explained.

In response to a question whether the progress was slow and when the promised 60,000 jobs would be generated in the park, Mr Sudan said 30 units may come up in the next five years in the park, and 60,000 jobs would be a reality by then. “Considering the global recession and the fact that an apparel park had to be built here from the scratch, our progress has been quite remarkable. No other park has achieved the same pace,” he claimed.

He said the State Government had leased Brandix 1,000 acres for the park, of which 250 acres was the non-processing area. Of the rest, 600 acres was set apart for units and the remaining area was used for roads and other requirements.

Mr. Sudan said the Brandix park had been accorded the SEZ status.


:cheers:



http://www.blonnet.com/2010/07/09/stories/2010070953041900.htm

Tata Refractories' vizag construction to begin by 2010

Tata Refractories Limited, the country's largest refractory manufacturer, is likely to commence construction of a new facility in Vizag by the end of this year. The greenfield plant is expected to cost between Rs 190-200 crore, and will bring up the company's total capacity to 6.5 lakh tonnes from the current figure of 4.5 lakh tonnes.:banana:

“A proposal will be placed from the board (of directors) for their formal approval soon,” Tata Refractories managing director A K Chattopadhyay said here today, while adding that the required investment would be funded primarily through internal accruals.


The company has its main works and captive mines in Orissa, along with operations in Gujarat, Hyderabad, Jhansi, Jamshedpur and Karuppur in Tamilnadu. It also operates in China through a joint venture.

Sales to Tata Steel Europe (Corus), too, are expected to increase from Rs 5 crore last year to about Rs 70 crore this fiscal, Chattopadhyay added.
:cheers:

RAK bags Vizag port project (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/hyderabad/rak-bags-vizag-port-project-549)

The state government has awarded yet another infrastructure project to the Ras Al Khaimah-led joint venture, this time a port facility at Nakkapalli in Visakhapatnam district.


Anrak Alluminium, a joint venture of RAK and state-based Penna group, got approval to construct a single berth deep water port with a provision to construct a second berth. The company indicated that it will handle cargo up to four million tonnes a year.


“The location is between Kakinada port and the submarine facility coming up after Gangavaram port in Visakhapatnam district. It is a captive port for Anrak’s cargo,” an official said.


Significantly, the company sought 500 acres of hinterland to facilitate construction of a mega power plant.


Sources said the proposal to sanction port facility was mooted in a representation made to the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, who also holds the portfolio of infrastructure and investment. The entire procedural work in the government was completed within four months and the officials expedited the work as Mr Rosaiah inquired about the progress of the proposal at the review meetings.


However, in previous instances RAK, one of the seven emirates of UAE, is providing cover to some industrialists to circumvent the regular procedure of bidding and securing the project under government to government mode. Be it bauxite mines to Anrak or two other infra projects — twin ports and economic city — the RAK route was chosen by state entrepreneurs for preferential allotment.


The RAK failed to launch the multi purpose ports project Vadarevu-Nizampatnam Ports Industrial Corridor (Vanpic). It teamed up with Matrix Enport of Mr N. Prasad and entered into agreement with the state government for developing the twin ports three years ago and acquired 20,000 acres for building the industrial corridor in Guntur and Prakasam districts.


RAK was also given 2,000 acres to build Hyderabad Economic City in Medak district. Mr Koneru Prasad, a Dubai-based entrepreneur known for his links with Mr N. Chandrababu Naidu and YSR partnered with RAK for the project, which ran into legal tangle.



Wtf is this?? We keep hearing about this RAK but we have never really seen anything built by them??

Vizag Seaport to invest Rs 150 cr in bulk material handling facility


Hyderabad, July 22

Vizag Seaport Private Ltd. (VSPL), a public-private initiative, will invest Rs 150 crore in developing a bulk material handling facility near the Visakhapatnam Port in Andhra Pradesh.:cheers:

The company has been allocated 50 acres of land by the Visakha Port. The facility will mainly handle coking coal and gypsum, said Mr Ragam Kishore, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VSPL.

Its promoters, Gammon Infra and Last In Holdings, will raise the necessary funds through the debt-equity route. VSPL has 10 major customers, including SAIL, VSP, cement and power plants handling coking coal mainly. “We offer the best rates, though they are fixed by the Government,” Mr Kishore, told newspersons, here.

Target turnover

The company, now in its fifth year of commercial operations, is confident of breaking even during fiscal 2010-11, with a target turnover of around Rs 120 crore. At present, the annual turnover is close to Rs 100 crore, he added.

VSPL had invested Rs 370 crore so far for the existing facility of two berths spread over a 70 acre area, which is on a 30-year lease from the Visakhapatnam Port. It handled 7.5 million tonnes last fiscal.


There is tremendous scope for every player and space for several new ones, given the potential growth in the country, he added.:banana:

World-class logistic hub to be ready by 2012

The hub is mooted as part of VPT's strategy to stop flight of cargo

The container terminal will be benefited in raising its traffic volume

VISAKHAPATNAM: Containerisation is poised to get a big boost with Visakhapatnam Port Trust entering into a joint venture with Balmer & Lawrie & Co. Ltd. (BLCL) to set up a world-class logistic hub here in the export-import park area.

After signing a memorandum of understanding for a 30-year lease of 65 acres for creating the required infrastructure by investing Rs.155 crores, BLCL, a Government of India enterprise, has appointed a consultant for preparing a detailed project report.

The DPR will be ready by October and the VPT's equity in the project will be in the form the land. The hub will be operational by 2012 – the year VPT management is targeting to make the port transform into a truly international gateway port.

The logistic hub is mooted as part of VPT's new strategies to stop flight of cargo to neighbouring ports and establish its supremacy over Kandla, which is now able to handle the largest cargo in the country. VPT is ranked second among the major ports after its premier port status was snatched away by Kandla a few years ago.

VPT has already signed separate agreements with Sterlite Industries for mechanisation of coal handling facility at a cost of Rs.443 crores and for modernisation of general cargo berth for handling 2,00,000 DWT ships in two years.

Sources in VPT said the multi-modal logistic hub will have a container freight station, rail and road connectivity, inland container depot, warehousing, labelling and packaging facility and distribution corridor with rest rooms.

In growth mode

Visakhapatnam Container Terminal (VCT) – a facility developed under BOT by VCT Pvt. Ltd. -- will be benefited in raising its traffic volume once the hub becomes operational.

“We have already handled 1,00,000 TEU (twenty-feet equivalent) container throughput in the operational year and are confident of increasing it substantially due to the hub and procurement of ultra-modern cranes at a cost of Rs.110 crores,” VCTPL Vice-President R. Ravi Kumar, told The Hindu.

Steel Exchange plant to be inaugurated today


Visakhapatnam, Aug. 7

Steel Exchange India Ltd has established an integrated steel plant at Sreerampuram village, near Kothavalasa, in Vizianagaram district. The unit, set up at a cost of Rs 300 crore, will be inaugurated on Sunday by the Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Ms D.Purandeswari.

At a press meet here on Saturday, Mr B. Satish Kumar, Managing Director, said the Steel Exchange Group had acquired a sick unit, GSAL, for Rs 150 crore and further invested Rs 150 crore to set up an integrated steel plant.

A new rolling mill with a capacity of 3 lakh tonnes per annum of rebars and a steel melting shop with 2,50,000 TPA of billets, had also been set up on the same premises. “We are planning to set up a 60 MW power plant using the waste heat of the kilns and the coal char generated by the sponge iron unit.

The cost of the project would be Rs 325 crore, of which, Rs 100 crore would be in the form of equity and the rest loans from banks.

He said a pelletisation plant as well as a 0.7 million tonne blast furnace would be established in future, besides an oxygen furnace and electric arc furnace to produce special steel. “Our current turnover is Rs 700 crore and we aim to enhance it to Rs 4,000 crore by 2015, after the completion of all these projects,” he said.

Sheraton continues Asian expansion with new resort in India
24 Aug 2010

Sheraton Hotels and Resorts has continued its expansion in Asia and launched its brand in Udaipur, India, which is known as the 'city of lakes'.

A complex previously managed by Rockwood has now been rebranded as a Sheraton resort and will be followed over the next three years by five new hotels in Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam, Chandigarh, Mysore and Amritsar.
:cheers:

Maithan Alloys to invest Rs 250 cr in Vizag plant
BS Reporter / Chennai/ Kolkata August 26, 2010, 0:36 IST

Kolkata-based Maithan Alloys will be investing Rs 250 crore in setting up a ferro alloys plant in Vishakhapatnam.

“The project, which will come up in a special economic zone, will double our total capacity by 120,000 tonnes,” managing director Subhash Agarwalla said. The company has facilities in West Bengal and Meghalaya with a combined capacity of around 120,000 tonnes.

The company has applied for mines in Vishakhapatnam. “We are expecting the government to grant us mines,” Agarwalla said. Maithon would be exporting 100 per cent of the output.

“Our products are high-end and hence we are focusing on exports. We are one of the largest producers of manganese alloys and have extended beyond commodity grades to specialised grades,” Agarwalla said. The Vishakhapatnam plant would go onstream by June 2011.

Maithan has a mine in Orissa as well, which has run into environment issues. As part of its backward integration plan, Maithan has a captive power plant in Meghalaya.:cheers:

Ultra Wash Tex's garment unit goes on stream

Our Bureau

Visakhapatnam, Sept. 5

The garment processing unit of Ultra Wash Tex Private Ltd started commercial operations in the apparel park at Vadlapudi near here.

Mr. P. Balaraju, State Minister for Tribal Welfare, inaugurated the unit on Saturday evening. Mr D. Prasada Rao, State Revenue Minister, was the chief guest at the function.

Apparel park

Mr Prasada Rao said on the occasion that the establishment of the unit would give a fillip to the growth of the apparel park. Mr Balaraju said it would provide employment opportunities to the local people.

Mr L.G. Trinadha Rao, Chairman and Managing Director of the Ultra group of companies, said the unit had been set up in two acres in the park at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

The machinery was supplied by the Bangalore-based Brilliant Group, having 17 years of experience in the field. He said the setting up of the unit would be of great help to the other garment units in the apparel park.

The unit would help in treatment and packing of garments meant for export.

Anrak to get another 400 acres for minor port in Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Centre has suspended mining leases granted to Anrak as well as Jindal companies to mine bauxite in Vizag Agency till the new mining policy is unveiled. But the state government continues to shower largesse to the UAE-based Anrak company notwithstanding the furore over the alumina plant at Makavarapalem.

Sources said plans were afoot to handover 400 acres to Anrak, a subsidiary firm of Ras-al-Khaimah group, which is planning to construct a minor port with a captive jetty and a berth. The revenue authorities have already issued land acquisition notices for 213 acres for the minor port at Rajaiahpet-Chandanada villages in Nakkapalli mandal. Sources said the company will have 51 per cent share in the SPV set up for construction of the jetty. "It is shocking that the government is overtly favourable to Anrak despite the people of these two villages refused to handover their land for the port," a Left leader said.

While this is so, the revenue authorities are gearing up to acquire another 104 acres after Anrak had asked for additional land for its alumina plant at Makavarapalem. Sources said the authorities were planning to handover land at G Koduru village close to the plant site. "The row is over the rates as the farmers have not accepted the price fixed by the revenue authorities," sources said.

In fact, the displaced persons at Makavarapalem were given Rs 4 lakh per acre two years ago, way below the market price. "Knowing that their fellow ryots were deceived, the farmers of G Koduru are demanding a better price," sources said. Anrak is planning a green belt in the 104 acres, it is learnt.

CPM district secretary Ch Narsinga Rao alleged that APIIC acquired 1,925 acres from the district revenue department and handed over the land to Anrak for its alumina plant. "Of that extent of land, 1,658 acres was acquired from the farmers, who have been cultivating there since decades, without giving any compensation to them," he charged.

Anrak would get 224 million tonnes of bauxite ore from Jerrela blocks in G K Veedhi through APMDC for its alumina plant. What more, the state government has already given assurance of 10 MGD water from Yeleru canal for the plant. "It is shocking that the government is assuring the firm of 10 MGD water when it claims that the canal water was not sufficient to meet drinking water needs of the people of the district," another Left leader bemoaned.

Sources said Ras-al-Khaimah, which has come forward to take up several projects with local partners in the state, has already got permissions to develop Vanpic port corridor in Guntur-Prakasam districts and Hyderabad Economic City.

Underwater weapon-making facility launched

http://www.hindu.com/2010/09/28/images/2010092856770401.jpg
From strength to strength: Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju explaining various models of torpedoes after laying the foundation for an underwater weapon manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam on Monday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Work on an underwater weapons manufacturing facility being set up here by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) was launched here on Monday by Minister of State for Defence M. M. Pallam Raju.

This is the third facility of BDL which has production units at Hyderabad and in Medak and will take up indigenous manufacturing of torpedoes.

The location is strategic due to the presence of the headquarters of Eastern Naval Command, Naval Science & Technological Lab (NSTL) and the establishment of Naval Alternative Operating Base (NAOB) at Rambilli, about 50 km from here. The new unit is being set up on 10 acres at Fakirtakya near Gajuwaka at a cost of Rs.61 crore.

The facility will be ready in a year and in the first year of operation, BDL is expecting a turnover of Rs.100 crore. Mr. Pallam Raju said the establishment of the BDL unit was, a dream come true for him. He said BDL would take up torpedo manufacturing indigenously in collaboration with NSTL.

It would increase its turnover from the Vizag unit to Rs.1,000 crore in a few years and congratulated the public sector for deciding to adopt green technologies in the construction of the building for the facility.

BDL Chairman and Managing Director Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Ravi Khetarpal said the company was at present producing anti tank guided missiles, strategic weapons, surface-to-air missiles, launchers, underwater weapons, decoys and test equipment.

He said BDL was also vying to emerge as an effective outsourcing hub to the world missile manufacturers for precision components, sub systems and integration of missiles and underwater weapons. The company will manufacture light weight torpedo (TAL-MK-I) at Vizag and subsequently take up production of heavy weight torpedo, mines and decoys for the Navy.

Joint Secretary in Ministry of Defence (missile systems) Rashmi Varma complimented BDL for taking up work on producing TAL torpedoes and hoped that the company would become a billion dollar company within a few years.
:)

Maersk' connects Vizag with China


The main line container ship berthed at Visakha container Terminal Private Ltd

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/01/images/2010100160340601.jpg
Maiden visit :Capt. Vedran Pavic, of E.R Canberra being presented a shield by Capt. Sriram Ravichander, COO of the Visakha Container Terminal Limited, on Thursday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: In what can be termed as the first step to make the city into a transhipment hub, a Maersk main line container ship E.R. Canberra berthed at Visakha Container Terminal Private Ltd (VCTPL) in the early hours of Thursday.:)

This was a historic occasion as for the first time such a huge main line vessel reached VCTPL carrying 1,000 containers. It brought electronic appliances from China for delivery through feeder vessels at various destinations in the country. It will also take export cargo on its return journey.

The 1996-built ship with a Liberia flag has deadweight of 35,980 tonnes and a length of 201 metres and breadth of 32 metres. It is owned by ER Schiffahrt Gmbh & Cie.

While greeting the main line container vessel and its crew, Capt. Sriram Ravichander, COO of VCTPL presented a memento to the visiting ship Capt. Vedran Pavic.

‘Efforts bear fruit'

Capt. Ravichander expressed happiness that all the efforts which were put in for over a year to connect Visakhapatnam with China finally yielded fruits. Introduction of China service will enable Vizag to attract huge business from Nagpur, Raipur, Delhi, Hyderabad and Guntur, which are presently using other ports. Now Vizag will be a better and convenient option.:banana:

While talking to press, he mentioned that as part of the weekly service, Maersk line deployed four Vessels of around 2900 container boxes initially. The service would call Vizag every Wednesday and depart on Thursday with transit time of 15 days between Shanghai to Vizag.

The service would also be extended to Kolkata/Haldia by trainshipping the boxes here. Container movement between Kolkata/Hadia and Vizag would be carried by feeder vessels.

India's container traffic is likely to reach 15 million boxes in next decade from the present 6.5 million. To cater to this growth, more main line vessel services to the city can help in terms of both capacity and performance.

VCTPL is the only terminal in India to have a natural draft of 16.5 meters to handle the upcoming bigger size vessels and also has the adequate space to cater to the growing container traffic as compared to the other congested ports on the East Coast.

These vessels ply between Vizag – Tanjung pelapas – Shanghai – Yantian - Tanjung pelapas – Port Klang – Chennai – Vizag.
:cheers:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/08/stories/2010100856530600.htm
HPCL firm on expanding capacity of Visakh Refinery


It is waiting for statutory clearances and additional land

At present, Visakh Refinery is running at more than its rated capacity

An extent of 280 acres has been sought from the Visakhapatnam Port

VISAKHAPATNAM: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL), a Navaratna company, is keen on expanding the capacity of its Visakh Refinery to 15 million tonnes at the earliest as efforts to set up a Greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex on the city suburbs have evoked a lukewarm response.

HPCL Director (refineries) K. Murali told The Hindu on Thursday that they were waiting for statutory clearances as well as additional land required for the expansion project. An extent of 280 acres was sought from the Visakhapatnam Port.

At present, Visakh Refinery is running at more than its rated capacity. Petroleum and Natural Gas Secretary S. Sundaresan recently inaugurated the largest ever black oil terminal in the city in an area of 38 acres. With a product handling capacity of 94,000 KL, it will facilitate blending of products as per customised requirement. Presently, work on compliance to Euro II and IV fuel is in progress.

The refinery has completed work on commissioning LPG and propylene mounded storage. Crude line augmentation has led to logistic advantage to handle very large crude carriers (VLCC) to reduce freight cost.

There is no progress in the proposed Greenfield 15 million tonnes capacity refinery and petrochemical complex proposed near Atchutapuram following backing out of two of the major partners from the five-way alliance.

The $10 billion project ran into rough weather due to recession after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs cleared it. The Mittal Group, which incurred heavy losses in the steel business in France, and TOTAL SA withdrew from the project. The AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation had also promised to allot 1,500 acres within AP Special Economic Zone and 2,000 acres outside APSEZ for the project.

The HPCL management is very keen on expanding the capacity of Visakh Refinery in view of growing demand for petroleum products, development of cavern facility in the city and the city's location advantage. The city has easy access to fuel markets in East Asia as Singapore is five days away and Sanghai 14 days by sea route.
:)

Date:17/06/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/06/17/stories/2010061761540300.htm
Two new railway platforms opened

Special Correspondent
The platform on the Gnanapuram side has been re-numbered 8 and foot-over-bridge extended to provide connectivity

VISAKHAPATNAM: Waltair Division of East Coast Railway on Wednesday formally inaugurated platform numbers 6 and 7 taking the total number to eight.

The increase in number of platforms will decongest the existing ones and help Railway staff take better care of passenger amenities on the existing ones, said Senior Divisional Commercial Manager H.L. Luwang. There has been a demand from the passengers to upgrade the number of platforms and make all the trains touch Visakhapatnam Station instead of getting diverted via Duvvada.

Passengers utilizing Visakhapatnam railway station had been demanding diversion of all new train that have been scheduled to run only via Duvvada to be brought to Visakhapatnam with additional facilities created at the heart of the city. Lack of proper connectivity between Visakhapatnam city and Duvvada railway station is inconveniencing city passengers. The platform on the Gnanapuram side has been re-numbered 8 and foot-over-bridge extended to provide connectivity to the new platforms – 6 and 7 from No.8.

Date:28/08/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/08/28/stories/2010082855080600.htm Back

Escalators for Vizag railway station

Ramesh Susarla

VISAKHAPATNAM: Two platforms of Visakhapatnam Railway Station will soon have escalators connecting the central foot over-bridge (FOB) at both ends so that people boarding trains on any other intermediate platforms need not physically lift luggage on the staircase.

The escalators, for which procurement orders have been placed, will be of one-metre width taking passengers from Platform No.1 and No.8 upwards onto the 12-feet FOB close to the central main entry gate on both sides. For now there will not be any escalator taking passengers down from the FOB, Divisional Railway Manager N. Kasinath told The Hindu.

“As part of improving passenger amenities, the Waltair Division had spent Rs.15 crore in the last financial year and it could reach Rs.20 crore during current fiscal,” he explained listing out other developmental works being taken up.

Reservation Counters: The existing reservation counters would be augmented to 12 with 9 functioning at any time, in a separate building near Chavulu Madhum, which would be ready by September-end.

On the Gnanapuram side a large circulating area would be created demolishing the old Railway staff quarters. Currently works with an estimate of Rs.7 crore were being taken up at several locations on the division.

Three massive waiting halls would be constructed on the Gnanapuram side to encourage passengers to use the facility and a large parking area earmarked for two-wheelers and cars/other vehicles. On the city side a new air-conditioned dormitory, a retiring room and restaurants would be constructed and the new facade of the station extended to give it a complete shape.

Entry of all two-wheelers and auto-rickshaws will be restricted from the current main entry gate into the Railway Station (opposite 20-foot FOB) and a separate entry and out gate created for the auto-rickshaws with alighting platforms for the passengers to have easier entry onto platforms.

Four-wheelers and drop-and-proceed vehicles would be allowed from the current entry when the redesign of the entire circulating area is complete. Two-wheelers would be allowed to be parked on the RMS building side with a separate entry and a wicket gate provided for the riders to get into the station area as was being done on the other end close to ADRM's bungalow.:cheers:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/10/23/stories/2010102351172300.htm

Promote Vizag as IT hub, says Infosys CEO

‘Cloud computing will provide more opportunities to small units'.

Visakhapatnam, Oct 22

The entrepreneurs, the State Government, academic institutions, and other agencies should strive to promote Visakhapatnam as a unique destination for the IT sector, leveraging the city's strengths, and it is not desirable to tread the beaten path, according to Mr S. Gopalakrishnan, Managing Director and CEO of Infosys Technologies, and also the Chairman of the Southern Region of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

While participating in a conference on developing the IT sector in Vishakhapatnam organised by the Vishakhapatnam zone of the CII here on Friday, he said Visakhapatnam as a tier-II city had advantages, such as the location of a significant number of public sector units and the presence of the defence (Navy), that would attract large-scale investments in future.:banana:

“The IT sector here should focus on such areas. Also, in future, cloud computing would open up great opportunities even for the small and medium enterprises in cities such as Vizag and the SMEs (small and medium enterprises) can compete with the bigger companies in such areas. Data centres can be established here,” he said.

Mr Gopalakrishnan said tier-II cities such as Vishakhapatnam would have certain constraints and handicaps, as it would be more difficult to attract manpower to these destinations, but there were also advantages. “The attrition would be much less and a considerable number of employees are also drawn to these cities as quality of life is much better. Local connection also helps,” he said. But decidedly faster growth would be possible only in tier-Ine cities.

He said the State Government should also help by providing land at affordable rates, supplying quality power, and providing incentives to the IT sector. Air connectivity was also very important. He suggested that as there were 40-50 engineering colleges in the vicinity of Vishakhapatnam they should focus on entrepreneurial development.

Earlier, the District Collector, Mr J. Syamala Rao, explained at length about the steps being taken up by the administration to promote IT in Vishakhapatnam. He said 34 companies had been allotted land in the IT special economic zones at Rushikonda and Gambhiram, and ten of them had started operations. The rest would do so soon, he added.

Incubation centre

He said the Government was setting up an IT incubation centre at Endada with the assistance of the Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) to attract new units. He said the Centre would be ready in two years. He said the administration was also providing all the incentives to the IT units enunciated in the new IT policy of the State Government.

In response to a query, the Collector said the infrastructure was ready at the Visakhapatnam airport to operate flights round the clock, but the air traffic control was with the Navy and more staff were needed for the purpose. He said 300 more employees would be needed and the naval authorities were also making attempts to get the requisite staff. “We have written to the State Government to pursue the matter. I cannot fix a timeframe for it, but it will be done as soon as possible,” he explained.

Mr Gopalakrishnan said Infosys had no plans to set up an office here or in any other tier-two city in the country right now. “We are concentrating on consolidation. We are also focussed on our second campus at Hyderabad,” he added.
:cheers:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/10/30/stories/2010103059680400.htm

Hindujas begin work on Vizag plant
:banana:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/03/stories/2010110354242100.htm

SBI opens first corporate branch in Vizag

Visakhapatnam, Nov 2

State Bank of India is anticipating rapid industrial growth in Visakhapatnam and the surrounding areas in view of the rich natural resources in the region, especially the huge natural gas find in the Krishna-Godavari basin, and therefore the bank has opened its first corporate branch here to cater to the needs of big clients, according to Mr A.P Verma, the Deputy Managing Director in charge of the corporate centre in Mumbai.:banana:

After inaugurating the specialised branch here on Tuesday, Mr Verma told reporters that SBI had opened 65 such branches in the country, including five in Andhra Pradesh (four in Hyderabad and one in Guntur), so far.

“This is the sixth commercial branch in he State and we are very bullish on it. We have advanced Rs. 800-900 crore to big clients in the region and we expect it to be doubled within a short time,” he said.

:cheers:

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_ramky-infrastructure-to-complete-land-sale-at-pharma-city-next-year_1470552

Ramky Infrastructure to complete land sale at pharma city next year
Published: Tuesday, Nov 23, 2010, 2:25 IST


Hyderabad-based Ramky Infrastructure hopes to wrap up sale of land to pharma companies at its 2,350-acre industrial park in Vishakapatnam within a year, said chief financial officer Gopalakrishnan Sanjiv Iyer.

Ramky has so far acquired 2,147 acres, of which 70% has already been sold. It will acquire the remaining land by March. The project cost of the Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City is Rs552 crore.

"About 15-20 pharma companies have already begun operations in half the land we have sold," Iyer stated.

Asked about the price at which the land has been sold to pharma firms, Iyer said in the second quarter, Ramky offloaded 27 acres for about Rs25 crore. "We also earned nearly Rs30 crore from O&M," he added.

Of the project cost of Rs552 crore, Ramky has so far spent Rs425 crore.

Iyer said about 35% of the project area will fall under a special economic zone (SEZ).

Ramky is developing four other industrial parks, three in Chattisgarh and one in Maharashtra, together worth over Rs400 crore. They are scheduled to be operational by 2014.

It is also developing three residential townships in Andhra Pradesh, of which two are on a public-private partnership (PPP), and five build-operate-transfer (BOT) roads, the first of which, in Gwalior, will be commissioned by the end of the fiscal.
:)

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/03/stories/2010120355990500.htm

MoEF asked to probe revival of eco clearance for Hinduja project

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/08/stories/2010120851191900.htm

Choice hotel to open soon in Vizag

Visakhapatnam, Dec. 7

Choice Hotels India announced here on Tuesday the opening of its new hotel, Quality Inn Bez Krishnaa, at Dwaraka Nagar, on Dec. 15.

At a press meet, the CEO, Mr Vilas Pawar, said it would be the twenty-ninth Choice hotel in the country. “We are adding three or four hotels next month and 14 more hotels are under construction in different cities.

In Andhra Pradesh, we have hotels in Hyderabad, Vijayawada and now in Vizag. We are negotiating with franchisees in Rajahmundry and Kakinada. We are keen to enter the two cities. One more Choice hotel will come up in Hyderabad,” he said.

He said Choice Hotels Intl. had 6,000 hotels across the globe, with 11 brands. In India, however, only five brands were in the market, the latest addition being Cambria.
:cheers:

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/17/stories/2010121760150300.htm

‘Focus on IT research'


‘VISAKHAPATNAM: Huge untapped potential of skilled personnel in information technology and IT enabled services in tier-II and III cities of India like Visakhapatnam can be integrated into mainstream industry by opening incubation centres, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Daggubati Purandeswari has said.

Formally opening the Visakhapatnam branch of SoftSol India Limited at the IT-SEZ in Madhurawada on Thursday, she said she saw an urgent need for skills upgrade to meet the international standards in the services sector, which had kept the GDP growth at 7 per cent even in a year where world countries faced financial meltdown.

Expressing concern over the lack of research in information technology sector, she said that incubation centres if supported by the entrepreneurs in the Public Private Partnership mode could become a hub for such an activity benefiting the industry at large. Only two pilot projects were done in East Godavari and Pochampalli, for tapping skill in rural areas and did not progress further, she pointed out.

Complimenting SoftSol India Chairman Srini Madala for setting up the unit in Visakhapatnam, which was according to her had all the makings of a second IT capital of Andhra Pradesh, she said India was in an enviable position in competition with its neighbour China due to its strength in English language skills. Others present on the occasion included company director P.S. Srinivasan, Software Technology Parks of India Joint Director Dubey, local corporator P. Hanumantha Rao.
:cheers:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/31/stories/2010123151351700.htm

VUDA yet to finalise consultant to prepare master plan

Vizag-Kakinada petro-chemical investment region.

Visakhaptnam, Dec. 30

The Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has not yet finalised a consultant for preparing the master plan for the proposed petroleum, chemical, petro-chemical investment region (PCPIR) between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada, according to Mr B. Sreedhar, Vice-Chairman. The VUDA is the nodal agency for executing the project.

He told reporters here on Thursday that earlier international tender had been floated and bids were received, but the chosen company was unable to provide the requisite documents such as experience certificate. “Therefore, we have called for expression of interest again and some bids have been received. The evaluation will take place next month and then the consultant will be finalised,” he said.

Asked about the delay in executing a project announced three or four years ago, he said it was a huge project and would take time. He said such PCPIR projects were coming up in Gujarat, West Bengal and other states as well. “There is no question of our project suffering because of them. AP (Andhra Pradesh) has been sanctioned one PCPIR and we will execute it keeping in view the conditions here,” he explained.

Auctions

Mr Sreedhar said the VUDA would issue a notification on Friday for auction of residential and commercial plots in VUDA-developed layouts in the city. “The auctions will be conducted for three or four days from January 24 in the VUDA children's theatre here. Applications will be available in the VUDA office here from tomorrow (Friday) and also at three identified branches of Indian Overseas Bank (IOB) in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The branches are ones at Jubilee Hills and Himayatnagar in Hyderabad and R.P. Road in Secunderabad. Earnest money deposit of Rs 25,000 will have to be paid while submitting the application. On bid finalisation in the auction, 10 per cent of the cost will have to be paid and the rest can be paid in three equal monthly instalments,” he said.

He said a big project was Ozone Valley at Paradesipalem, where 121 residential plots would be on auction, with the minimum price being Rs 8,000 a sq. yard. “We have taken up the land pooling project at Paradesipalem. We have taken the land from farmers, paying them the price and also alloting plots to them in the layout. We have also reserved 10 per cent for the economically weaker sections and then only we are auctioning the remaining plots,” he said.

Mr Sreedhar said 14 commercial plots would be on auction at Kurmannapalem near the Visakhapatnam special economic zone and the Duvvada railway station, with the minimum price of Rs 12,000 a sq. yard, and 16 in Kapuluppada joint venture layout with the minimum price of Rs 6,000 a sq. yard. Two plots at MVP Colony would be on auction with the minimum price of Rs 21,000 a square yard. Two residential plots at Gandigundam would be on auction, with the minimum price of Rs 1,500 a square yard.

When it was pointed out to Mr Sreedhar that most of the plots would be out of reach for the economically weaker sections, he said the VUDA was also taking up projects for lower income groups at Kapulauppada and other places.
:)

http://www.hindu.com/2011/01/01/stories/2011010163030600.htm

VPT to construct two world-class berths

Two oldest ones to be dismantled for the purpose

Global tenders for construction of the two berths evoke good response

Work on the two berths will be taken up on fast-track, says official

VISAKHAPATNAM: EQ-1 and part of EQ-2, the oldest berths of Visakhapatnam Port, will be dismantled shortly to take up construction of two world-class berths with no scope of any kind for pollution at a total cost of Rs.636 crores.

EQ-1 and 2 were built in 1933 with shallow draft facility using monoliths, wherein it is a Herculean task to deepen it. The berths served for over 75 years, outliving their life. The average life of a berth is 50 years.

The new berth, also to be known as new EQ-1, will be taken up to handle steam coal in the Inner Harbour under Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis at a cost of Rs.328.18 crores in an area of 25 acres. Behind this berth, another Greenfield berth named EQ-1A will be built to handle steam coal, also on DBFOT basis, with a total investment of Rs.313.39 crores.

Backup area

EQ-1A will also have backup area of 25 acres. While new EQ-1 will handle 6.41 million tonnes, EQ-1A will handle a throughput of 7.36 million tonne.

The period of contract for commissioning the two berths will be 24 months.

The global tenders for construction of the two berths have evoked a good response. Seven qualified bids for each berth were received and sources told The Hindu on Tuesday that the bids would be opened on January 19.

New EQ-1 will have 280-metre length to cater to ships up to the size of 230 metres overall length (LOA) and 32.5 metres beam to allow 14 metres draft vessels leading to synchronisation with the deepening plan of Visakhapatnam Port. With a large backup area, the new berth will have equipment such as 100 tonne harbour mobile cranes, reclaimer loader, belt conveyer and pay loader. EQ-1A will also have more or less identical infrastructure.

Both will have mechanised dust separation system at each and every point of transportation of cargo and also closed stacking. “Total mechanisation will ensure faster evacuation of cargo, putting an end to manual handling and transportation by lorry,” a senior port official said. “Work on two berths will be taken up on fast-track mode as part of plan to make Visakhapatnam Port an international port,” he said.
:cheers:

On top of a colourful world (http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/travel/article1133532.ece?homepage=true)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00372/29MP_ARAKU_VALLEY_372897f.jpg
We fall in love with the beautiful city of Visakhapatnam for its stunning coast, resplendent Araku Valley, intriguing Borra Caves and more…

“From a small town, Visakhapatnam has grown rapidly in the last few years, outpacing many urban settlements,” says the local resident who accompanies us. The pride in his voice is unmistakeable. A pride that is justified, we find, as we explore this beautiful city in the next three days. ‘Vizag' as it is popularly called, rests on the coast of the Bay of Bengal. And, what a coast it is! Bordered by greenery are undulating beaches with hills rising gently on the side. The railed vantage point resembling the deck of the Titanic at Kailasagiri inspires dozens of tourists to pose in the Leonardo DiCaprio ‘I'm the King of the World' mode. The view compares with the best anywhere in the world. The hill is crowned with huge idols of Siva and Parvati, and a major attraction is the ride on the ropeway.

The sea is the evergreen protagonist of the Visakhapatnam saga. No wonder the city with its natural harbour, is the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy. The French, the Dutch and the English used the port for exports, and it owes its name ‘Waltair' to the time of British colonisation. The area housing the naval headquarters is spic and span, with buildings painted in white and blue. But, one needs special permission to enter the site, and so, we make do with a visit to the submarine museum. Obtained from Russia in the 1960s, the decommissioned sea vessel ‘INS Kursura' is a ‘must-do' for tourists to acquaint themselves with the tough life of those who dedicate their lives to the sea, and to the nation.

Dolphin's Nose, the 174 mt-high rock jutting out into the sea in the loveable shape of the marine animal, gives a distinct feel to the city. A drive to the top of this rock reveals newly-constructed naval houses, and brings us to the lighthouse.

Up an iron ladder, and we could be in an Enid Blyton ‘Famous Five' adventure on Kirrin Island, with the aquamarine sea stretching for miles ahead. The view is as enchanting when we drive to Thotlakonda, the hill where the remains of a 2nd Century B.C. Buddhist monastery were found.

From the Buddhist to the Hindu — the next day we drive to the ancient temple of Lord Narasimha in Simhachalam. The icon that represents both Lord Narasimha and Lord Varaha is encased in sandalwood paste, and the true form revealed only once a year.

The eagerly-looked-forward-to visit to the Araku Valley is filled with regret that we did not take the train but chose to drive there instead. “It is a fabulous ride with the train puffing in and out of numerous tunnels. And, the scenery is very picturesque, with wild flowers blooming riotously on the hillside,” says a friend, a one-time resident of Vizag. Reaching the top of the valley, we go around the tribal museum, which is a rather half-hearted attempt to showcase the lifestyle of the tribes in the region.

But, the visit to the Borra Caves, 90 km from Vizag in the Ananthagiri range of the Eastern Ghats, is an experience like no other. The unimpressive entrance does not promise much. But, we walk down the steps, and enter a cavern of sheer enchantment.

Underground treasure
The caves, 400 steps below the ground, are spectacular — a symphony in stone, with Nature sculpting the most amazing shapes. The steady dripping of water adds to the magical feel. “Here is the ‘brain',” points our guide, and sure enough you look down to see the numerous capillaries and veins that make up the human brain. He also points to figures of Lord Ganesha, Siva and Parvati, images of birds and trees.
And, we ‘find' many ourselves. “There are Husain's horses,” says a friend, and you look up to see the neighing, majestic creatures on the rocky wall overhead. The naturally-formed Sivalinga attracts many devotees. The caves were discovered by British geologist William King in 1807. ‘Borra' is Oriya for ‘hole', but the name does not capture the magic and the magnificence of these natural formations, considered 150 million years old and formed by streams travelling to Gosthani river. A lensman's delight, the caves are enough inducement for one to repeat trips to Vizag.

The drive along the beach to Bheemunipatnam is a delight, with very few tourists in sight.

And, at night at the hotel where our all-women's group is staying, there is an all-pervading sense of peace and well being.

As we rest on the chaise lounges on the beach, the swishing of the waves seems to wash away our cares, and transport us to a timeless realm of sand, sea, sky and stars...

All's in a name
The name ‘Visakhapatnam' is said to have derived from the God of Courage. Alternatively, it is also thought to have been named after King Visakha Varma who ruled here in ancient times, or the Muslim saint Syed Ali Ishak Madina.

Visakhapatnam belonged to the Kalinga Empire before it became part of the territory of Emperor Ashoka. Later, it came under the rule of the Chalukya, Chola, Ganga and the Vijayanagar kings. Buddhism is said to have travelled to Sri Lanka and South East Asia from here.

The city's almost synonymous with the Steel Plant set up here in 1971.
Source - The Hindu: Life & Style/Travel

Advaya Hospitality to be launched in India and US by Quarter Two of 2011

As per plans, Advaya Hospitality services will be located in key cities that include New York, Miami, Atlanta, and Phoenix in the US and Chennai, Tuticorin, Kakinada, Vizag and Vellore in India. It will be later expanded to China, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Brazil.

http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/d...aid=9544&sid=1

^^ Another star hotel in vizag...:)

Hi Madurai Gilli,

Advaya is planning to launch International brand MODO "Musically Inspired Lifestyle Hotel" in India.

All the 5 cities listed will have MODO hotels under the management of Advaya (MODO).

http://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4049972.search?query=modo+hotels+india

http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/19/stories/2011021961400300.htm

Direct flight to Colombo from city under study: Lanka official

Fishermen issue will be sorted out by joint panel, he says

VISAKHAPATNAM: The frequent arrest of Indian fishermen for allegedly straying into the Sri Lankan waters and their early release will be sorted out by the Joint Committee headed by officials from both countries, Deputy High Commissioner for Sri Lanka Southern Region Vadivel Krishnamoorthy said on Friday.

During a chat with media persons here on Friday, he said people of India were like relatives, while those from other nations were only friends.

People of Sri Lanka and India have cordial relations politically and culturally, he said giving examples of how people fly from Colombo to Chennai and Bangalore just to buy gold, clothes or for treatment.

“Our Government expects to maintain the growth rate at eight per cent though it had dipped below six per cent in early 2009,” he said during a presentation to delegates of the Confederation of Indian Industry.

Bilateral trade

Inviting investment in infrastructure, road, power, large buildings, etc., he welcomed the suggestion of some of the CII members for establishing a food processing industry for tea.

He expected additional preferential treatment in bilateral trade as it was having with China and Korea, which had pushed up its exports showing a 45 per cent growth in the past seven months.

He said there were 100 flights a week from Sri Lanka to various destinations in India and that he had sent a proposal for a direct flight to Visakhapatnam too, but it was for the private entrepreneurs to take the call and wanted the Indian Airlines also to consider operating a direct flight.

The Air Travellers' Association gave a representation to Mr. Krishnamoorthy.

A roadshow on Sri Lankan tourist destinations and other attractions would be held in Visakhapatnam and he invited any agency to organise a similar road show in Sri Lanka to improve the tourist traffic. CII Vizag Zone Chairman Sriram Ravi Chander briefed on the potential of Visakhapatnam region for investments from Sri Lanka. Others, who participated in the meeting included past CII Chairman K.V. Bhaskar and CII Vizag head Vinay Iyer.
:cheers:

ate:20/02/2011 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2011/02/20/stories/2011022058430500.htm
Infrastructure lying idle at airport

Ramesh Susarla

Lack of coordination among agencies concerned to blame for the situation

VISAKHAPATNAM: Several facilities at the Visakhapatnam airport remain underutilised or unused at all and it is a tale of ‘Too many cooks …' as there is no semblance of coordination among all agencies to optimise its functionality.

Problems begin with the approach road from National Highway No.5 that is ready for almost one year but cannot be opened to the public as the National Highways Authority of India wants the Airport Authority of India to deposit Rs.1 crore with them to create a gap in the median of four-lane highway closing the existing one.

This also entails creation of about 500 metres of service lane on the western side of NH-5 along the road so that those from the Navy residing at Kakatiya Nagar could make use of it. AAI Station Director C. Pattabhi told The Hindu that it was not proper on the part of the NHAI to ask them to deposit money for a road that would not be in exclusive domain of Airport Authority.

“Matter was represented to the NHAI New Delhi headquarters through Union Minister of State Daggubati Purandeswari, but there was no response from them,” he observed. Heavy traffic between NAD Kotha Road and Gajuwaka makes six-laning of NH-5 a better option, but another proposal of State R&B to four-laning of the Anandapuram – Anakapalle bypass for Visakhapatnam city was pushing this proposal back, the NHAI officials point out.

Aerobridges: Two imported aerobridges installed and tested in September last year remain unused as the airlines running wide-bodied aircraft had not equipped themselves with ‘pushback' facility for the craft. Pushback equipment moves aircraft from parking position to taxi position by use of specialised ground support equipment.

The facility that was to be formally commissioned during October last is likely to come into use any day from Monday, according to the AAI officials.

Aerobridge can be used by passengers boarding Air India flight to Hyderabad, two Jet Airline flights to Delhi and Mumbai via Hyderabad and the two SpiceJet flights. Other airlines using Avions de Transport Régional (ATRs) will have to continue with the old practice.

Air Traffic Control manned by the Navy functions between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. only making it impossible for adjusting some domestic/international flights in the schedule of various airlines, opined Air Travellers' Association D. Varada Reddy. what a shame!

NH9 <to> Vizag Airport Connecting Road
This is the road that connects NH9 to Airport and is still not open for public use.

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/6686/vizagairportnh9.jpg

^^
MUMBAI: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) will add new facilities at its Vizag refinery to convert low-value heavy oils into premium products, which will significantly increase refining margins, the company's director for refineries, K Murali said.

This will be part of its 8,000-crore project to expand the refinery's capacity to 15 million tonnes a year from the current 8.3 million tonnes, he said. The project also involves installing a new 180,000 barrels per day, or 9 million tonnes a year, crude distillation unit in place of the an old 36,000 bpd unit.

"We also plan an upgradation of the refinery to facilitate conversion of heavy fuel oils to value-added products which could improve the gross refining margins at the refinery by $3," he said. The company's refining margin in the last quarter was $5.1 per barrel.

"We are moving our existing white oil and black oil terminals and our LNG facilities to a new 250-acre plot close by, this will free up around 70 acres which we will use to expand the refinery," said Murali.

HPCL was earlier planning to build a brand new 15 million tonnes refinery and a 2.5 million tonnes petrochemicals plant at a cost of around $4 billion close to the existing plant in partnership with the Mittal group and Total SA. Both partners walked out of the project. HPCL has now decided to independently expand the production volumes at its existing refinery, "We had some issues with the earlier consortium that was jointly planning to build the new projects," added Murali. The other partners in the five-way consortium were Oil India and GAIL.

"We are undertaking this expansion primarily to fullfil our internal requirements. We do not have any export focus as of now," said Murali. HPCL expects sales to reach 43.4 million tonnes of oil products in 2016-17, up from the current 24 million tonnes

To accommodate the expansion, the company has moved a significant portion of its marketing facilities to a nearby location said B Mukherjee , director, finance, HPCL.

The company is now awaiting environment clearance for the project which will be completed by 2015-16, Murali said.


Source:
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/oil-gas/hpcl-to-add-new-facilities-at-vizag-refinery/articleshow/7732358.cms

^^
Viceroy Hotels gets shareholders nod to increase borrowing limit

Thursday, March 17, 2011, 14:00 Hrs [IST]
By HBI Staff | Mumbai



Viceroy Hotels Ltd has secured shareholders nod to increase borrowing limit and also to hive off the Bengaluru project division. The company management through a postal ballot has received the approval for both the proposals, hiving off the Bengaluru project to a subsidiary and also increasing the borrowing limit to Rs 1,200 crore.

According to a report in The Hindu Business Line, the Viceroy board of directors had proposed to hive off the Bengaluru project division to a subsidiary valued at about Rs 205 crore. P Prabhakar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Viceroy Hotels Ltd mentioned that the board has been accorded permission to raise the requisite funds for expansion of projects at various places including Bengaluru, Chennai and Visakhapatnam. The company is at an advanced stage of commissioning its mega project in Chennai.

Source:
http://www.hospitalitybizindia.com/detailNews.aspx?aid=10387&sid=1

Vizag Hotel Project named "Renaissance Vizag"

Source:
http://www.viceroyhotels.com/businesses/RenaissanceVizag.aspx

Vizag Port to finish second among major ports this fiscal

It handled a throughput of 67 million tonnes as against a target of 70 million tonnes

VPT has decided to modernise and handle 110 million tonnes by 2014-15

At present, nine berths are being developed under Build Operate and Transfer programme

VISAKHAPATNAM: Decommissioning of three berths in the Inner Harbour for mechanisation and the diversion of cargo to Gangavaram and other factors notwithstanding, Visakhapatnam Port is all set to finish second among major ports after Kandla during the current fiscal.

With few days left for the year to end, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) will fall short of the target set by the Ministry of Shipping.

As against a target of 67 million tonnes, the port had handled 65.4 million tonnes during 2009-10. This time, the port is likely to finish with a throughput of 67 million tonnes plus as against a target of 70 million tonnes.

The port had to face problems due to the shutting down of one of the major refinery units of HPCL for maintenance, reduction in feed stock of Essar Plant due to repair to slurry pipeline, less nomination of vessels by Tamil Nadu Electricity Board and decommissioning of EQ-5, 6 and WQ-1 berths in the Inner Harbour for strengthening measures.

The port, notwithstanding the competition posed by Gangavaram Port and diversion of traffic from Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, could handle 54.7 million tonnes by January 26. This was one million tonnes more than the cargo handled during the corresponding period last year.

During current fiscal, VPT has done remarkably well in import of crude and POL products, finished fertilizers. Container traffic has also increased significantly due to acquisition of state-of-the art cranes by Visakha Container Terminal. The commissioning of single buoy mooring by VPT and HPCL has led to handling of bigger size vessels bringing imported crude.

A senior official of VPT told The Hindu that they had prepared a blueprint for facing competition not only from Gangavaram but also non-major ports coming up at Gopalpur, Dhamara and other places.

The allocation of Rs. 330 crore this year on modernisation was the highest ever outlay in any of the annual plans commencing from first five year plan.

To make VPT the most preferred port in South Asia, the management has decided to modernise and handle 110 million tonne by 2014-15. At present, nine berths are being developed under Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) programme.

Adanis to invest Rs 300 cr on coal import terminal at Vizag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article1561945.ece?homepage=true)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00509/vizag_509333f.jpg
Coal berth in the Visakhapatnam Port (file photo): K R Deepak

Ahmedabad, March 22: After Gujarat and Goa, the Adani Group's port development arm will now expand operations to the east coast of India where it will invest over Rs 300 crore on setting up a 6.5 million tonnes a year (mtpa) coal import terminal at Visakhapatnam port in Andhra Pradesh.
The Adani Group-promoted Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd (MPSEZL), India's largest private multi-port operator and a subsidiary of the flagship Adani Enterprises Ltd, leading infrastructure conglomerate, has won a bid to develop a coal import terminal at Visakhapatnam, marking the entry of MPSEZL on the eastern coast, a company spokesman said here on Tuesday.
MPSEZL has been selected by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust to develop the coal import terminal. This selection was through a competitive bidding process to design, build, finance, operate and transfer Berth East Quay–1, which will be designed to handle imported coal volumes of approximately 6.5 mtpa.
The company plans to build and commission the terminal within 24 months.
Strategic location The Visakhapatnam port is a strategic port for coal imports to feed the local industries and power plants located in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and eastern Maharashtra.
This port has strategic importance and is in line with long-term business plans of the Group, said Mr Gautam Adani, Chairman. The contract to set up the Berth on the Vishakhapatnam port is in line with the Group's objective of having a pan-India presence.
The Mundra port is India's largest privately-owned and operated port, and is among the 10 largest Indian ports in cargo handling volumes.
It handled around 40 mtpa of cargo in 2009-10 and is targeting 50 mtpa during the current year.
MPSEZL currently operates ports at Mundra and Dahej and is developing a port at Hazira and coal terminals at Mundra, Goa, and now Visakhapatnam.
Its international forays include port development in Australia and Indonesia. By 2020, the company is targeting to handle 200 mtpa cargo volumes.

HPCL to add new facilities at Vizag Refinery
(http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-18/news/29141736_1_vizag-refinery-tonnes-refinery-hpcl)

MUMBAI: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) will add new facilities at its Vizag refinery to convert low-value heavy oils into premium products, which will significantly increase refining margins, the company's director for refineries, K Murali said.

This will be part of its 8,000-crore project to expand the refinery's capacity to 15 million tonnes a year from the current 8.3 million tonnes, he said. The project also involves installing a new 180,000 barrels per day, or 9 million tonnes a year, crude distillation unit in place of the an old 36,000 bpd unit.

"We also plan an upgradation of the refinery to facilitate conversion of heavy fuel oils to value-added products which could improve the gross refining margins at the refinery by $3," he said. The company's refining margin in the last quarter was $5.1 per barrel.

"We are moving our existing white oil and black oil terminals and our LNG facilities to a new 250-acre plot close by, this will free up around 70 acres which we will use to expand the refinery," said Murali.

HPCL was earlier planning to build a brand new 15 million tonnes refinery and a 2.5 million tonnes petrochemicals plant at a cost of around $4 billion close to the existing plant in partnership with the Mittal group and Total SA. Both partners walked out of the project. HPCL has now decided to independently expand the production volumes at its existing refinery, "We had some issues with the earlier consortium that was jointly planning to build the new projects," added Murali. The other partners in the five-way consortium were Oil India and GAIL.

"We are undertaking this expansion primarily to fullfil our internal requirements. We do not have any export focus as of now," said Murali. HPCL expects sales to reach 43.4 million tonnes of oil products in 2016-17, up from the current 24 million tonnes

To accommodate the expansion, the company has moved a significant portion of its marketing facilities to a nearby location said B Mukherjee, director, finance, HPCL.

The company is now awaiting environment clearance for the project which will be completed by 2015-16, Murali said.

I hv been wondering what the status of asilmetta flyover is and found this picture in panoramio .. CC is in the picture itself .. Quite big picture, but the pic is already in a public domain ...

http://v5.cache3.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/48699025.jpg

One more picture from John Shanker ..

http://v3.cache3.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/48699271.jpg?redirect_counter=1

113 cr for JNNURM works soon

Source (http://www.hindu.com/2011/05/03/stories/2011050362760300.htm)
The cash-strapped Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation is likely to get Rs.113 crore towards the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) projects taken up in the city.

The tranche is part of the Rs.328 crore due to the GVMC from the Central and State governments to the GVMC.

“The Rs.113.61 crore is part of the money to be released by the Central government and the corporation expects to get sometime in the second or third week of this month,” said Municipal Commissioner V.N. Vishnu. The decision followed a review of the JNNURM works by the Chief Minister last week.

However, the release is hardly enough for the corporation to clear arrears of bills due to contractors. The arrears run up to Rs.148 crore. GVMC has taken up 20 projects at a cost of Rs.1,885.68 crore.

So far seven projects have been completed. While 10 projects achieved a progress of 50 per cent for three it is less than 50 per cent.

Mr. Vishnu said work on the Asilmetta flyover, part of the Pendurti-Dwarakanagar Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) corridor, would commence with the clearing of bills. Incidentally, the Rs.22 crore tender for the extension of the flyover by about 0.5 km has been awarded to the same agency presently executing the work. With the flyover work coming to a halt on the arterial Dwarakanagar road, traffic has been hit hard for the past few months.

Linked to reforms

The release of funds has been linked to the implementation of reforms, mainly relating to mapping of properties by using Geographic Information System (GIS) and solid waste management by lifting garbage from the doorstep of residents.

A Swedish team would be aiding Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) on a long-term assistance to help the GVMC in developing the waste disposal and energy generating projects.

A team of representatives from the Swedish embassy and two officials from the Asian Development Bank will visit the GVMC to discuss on these projects from May 9 to May 11. Ms Aerti Devis, programme manager, Swedish Embassy, who arrived here on Saturday and held discussions with the commissioner of civic body, Mr Vishnu said a nine member Swedish delegation divided into two working groups representing Swedish Embassy,

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Swedish Energy Agency, municipality of Linkoping of Sweden, suppliers and consultants from Sweden including the two representatives from Asian Development Bank would hold talks with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation work group for long term collaboration and implementation of waste to energy projects in GVMC. She requested the commissioner and his working group members to provide the inputs for successful launching of the projects through the outcome of the ensuing visit of the Swedish delegation.

Mr V.N. Vishnu gave her assurance that all necessary cooperation would be extended from the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation after getting concurrence from the State and Central governments for the proposed long term joint collaboration between Swedish government and GVMC.
Mr Vishnu said the corporation was looking for long term assistance in the areas of solid waster management, waste to energy, bus rapid transit system and sewage sectors

Earlier the joint project preparatory group members including the additional commissioner of finance, Mr P. Poornachandra Rao, the chief engineer Mr B. Jayaram Reddy, the chief medical officer, Dr B. Abbulu and the HRD President, officials on the ensuing visit of the team.
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/sweden-aid-gvmc-waste-disposal-564

Is there any news about International Airport in Vizag....?

http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=62817&sid=1

Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City to see investment of Rs.25000 crore by 2017
Gireesh P K, Hyderabad
Wednesday, May 11, 2011, 08:00 Hrs [IST]

The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City (JNPC) in Visakhapatnam, a joint venture between the Hyderabad-based Ramky Group and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), is expected to see a total investment of Rs.25000 crore by 2017.


The investment so far made in the venture is Rs.3000 crore, including those by the occupant companies and the remaining investment of Rs.22000 crore is expected to made by 2017. The Pharma City, with a land area of 2143 acres, has the capacity to accommodate 120 units in total. Thirty companies have already started their manufacturing activities and other 25 units, which are under construction, are expected to begin production by next financial year. Another 16 companies are expected to start construction of their units shortly. It has an occupancy ratio of 33 per cent currently. Out of the total land area of 2500 acres, 611 acres are earmarked as special economic zone.
:cheers:

In a telecon with Pharmabiz, Dr P P Lal Krishna, chief executive officer, Ramky Pharma City (India) Ltd said, “At present we have 89 occupant industries, including those in the production stage and those under construction. We have the capacity to accommodate a total of 120 units and we are expecting occupancy ratio of 80 per cent by 2015.”:banana:


Commenting on the advantages of JNPC, Dr Lal Krishna said that normally it takes two years for getting environmental clearance for establishing a manufacturing unit and this clearance is not required in the case of the Pharma City and the companies can save two years. It is the only park in the country with integrated environment management facility and has facilities such as those for the treatment of effluent water. He added that common Research and Development (R&D) and office spaces are available for the occupants and they can save 40 per cent of production cost.


The JNPC, in which Ramky Group holds 89 per cent stake and remaining 11 per cent by APIIC, is also looking forward for expansion and is in discussions with the government for land allotment. Actus, Vivin Laboratories, Glochem Industries and SMS Pharma are some of the major occupants of the Pharma City.
:cheers:

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will shortly appoint a consultant to develop the National Waterway No. 4 stretching from Kakinada to Puducherry of which Buckingham Canal is a part.

Talking to media persons at the Visakhapatnam container terminal here on Wednesday, chairperson of IWAI Bhupender Prasad said that the proposal was under the consideration of the Ministry of Finance.

She said that the Kakinada-Puducherry stretch of canals was declared National Waterway No. 4 midway through the 11 {+t} {+h} Plan in 2008, but no funds were allocated in the plan. The Planning Commission had suggested roping in the private sector and viability gap funding for taking up the works. This involved revival of the Buckingham Canal which was in disuse for long by dredging it at many places and clearance of above sectors. The Godavari and Krishna canals in Andhra Pradesh formed part of the project. “We have invited expression of interest (EOI) for the project work and we are also working with the Union Ministry of Finance to appoint a consultant for the project. The preparatory work is being done,” she said. Member of IWAI R.P. Khare said the cost of the 1,077 km. project, according to 2010 rates, was Rs.1,515 cr. Chief Operating Officer of Visakha Container Terminal Limited Capt. Sriram Ravichander also spoke.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Work on the much-delayed flyover at Asilmetta and the sub-way should be expedited and completed by the year-end, Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu has asked the contractor.

During a visit on Tuesday, he assured the contractor that he would ensure payment of bills.

He, however, wanted the contractor to submit a month-wise report on the schedule for completion along with the signature of the consultants for third party verification.

Mr. Ramanjaneyulu suggested some concession or transferable development rights for owners of the private site in which some ducts were being constructed.

Chief Engineer B. Jayarami Reddy and Chief City Planner D. Venkataratnam were present.

During a visit, the Commissioner directed that a special, 15-day drive be taken up to clear debris left by contractors after digging trenches for laying pipelines in Wards 20 to 29 except 27. He visited Pedajalaripet, Paindorapeta and Relliveedhi. Expressing anger at the cont

ractors, he said the cost (for lifting debris) should be recovered from them. Residents who dump garbage into drains should be fined Rs.5,000.

Sanitation was not satisfactory though on an average there was a worker for every 50 houses, the Commissioner pointed out and said neighbourhood committees should be formed for better supervision.

Re-circulating water system commissioned

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Rs. 87 crores re-circulating water system for power plant expansion in the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant was inaugurated by Chief Vigilance Officer K. Vidyasagar on Friday.

The system was meant for meeting the requirement of turbo generator-5 and turbo blower-4 of the expansion units, according to a VSP press release. Turbo generator-5 requires 16,000 cum/hr while four vertical pumps of 6000 cum/hr have been provided to supply cooling water to the turbo blower-4. There are also common stand pumps to the turbo generator and turbo blower and can be interchanged in case of need.

Director (Operations) Umesh Chandra, Director (Projects) A.P. Choudhary, and Director (Finance) P. Madhusudhan also complimented the RINL collective, officials of Dastur and Co and the executing agencies for achieving the milestone.

©Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/25/stories/2011062563810300.htm)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7641/yo134.jpg (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=419068)

300 unauthorised constructions identified


VISAKHAPATNAM: About 300 unauthorised constructions have been identified by the Town Planning wing of the GVMC.

At a meeting here on Friday, Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu wanted a detailed report on the number of cases filed, their status etc.

The Municipal Commissioner said loopholes in revenue collection should be plugged and evaders identified and the revenue from Town Planning wing should be increased by 50 per cent from the present Rs.60 crore. Unidentified assessments should be identified and new numbers given to them. Also licence fee from traders should be fully realised as some evasion came to his notice.

Chief City Planner D. Venkataratnam, deputy city planner Balaji, assistant city planners and other staff members participated in the meeting.

©Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/25/stories/2011062563640300.htm)

http://img847.imageshack.us/img847/7641/yo134.jpg (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=419068)

NCC-German co venture rolls out construction pre-form


Paschal Form Work (India), a venture of Paschal Werk G. Maier Gmbh of Germany and construction company NCC Ltd, has announced the roll out of modular pre forms useful for the construction industry from its manufacturing base located near Visakhapatnam.

The company stated that it plans to expand its manufacturing capacity during the year.

These pre forms conform to European standards but customised for Indian requirement. Being modular in nature, they are easy to deploy and help expedite construction work.

Manufacturing capacity

The venture set up last year with an outlay of €12 million (about Rs 77 crore) with a capacity to manufacture 50,000 square meters of wall panels and 15,000 sq.meters of roof panels, is expected to achieve a turnover of about Rs 100 crore during the current financial year, according to Mr Udo J.Vetter, Chairman of Paschal (India).

Addressing a press conference here late on Friday after the launch of e-deck pre forms, Mr V. Radhakrishna, Director of Projects, NCC, said, “The first year business has been fully tied up. NCC, Lanco Infratech and several other construction companies are Paschal customers. We have begun pilot exports to some select markets including Oman.”

“With the first year business fully committed. We are looking at expansion of the existing facility by first quarter of next year. This would mean doubling the existing capacity at the same site with an investment of about Rs 30 crore more. We plan launch of other products,” Mr Vetter said.

Mr A. Ramakrishna, former President of L&T Ltd, said, “The Indian construction industry has relatively low productivity. If the pace of the country's construction industry has to go up and meet the targeted achievements, we would have to adopt new technologies while also speed up construction process.”

“The system form work is yet to become popular because it needs higher investment. But when companies invest in pre forms, this results in increased productivity,” he said.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article2134626.ece?homepage=true)

Vizag to be next generation IT hub

Computer Society of India-Vizag is organising an international seminar on information technology (IT) in January next year to promote Vizag as the next generation IT hub. During the first management committee meeting of CSI, Vizag, for 2011-12 held at Ukkunagaram Club, the annual plan was discussed and decisions were taken. Technical talks and workshops on latest technologies on monthly basis will be organised for members and students.

To promote IT among the masses and to see that CSI is contributing to rural development, computers along with internet facility and training (both software and hardware) to rural schools, colleges, ITIs and public will be provided free of cost, said the CSI secretary, Mr P. Satyanarayana. Course material in Telugu and English and also certificates will be supplied to the students for these courses which will enhance their employability. Already some areas like Islampeta and Vadachipurupalli have been identified for this purpose. Annual national student convention will be held in the month of September and October at Godavari Institute of Engineering and Technology (GIET), Rajahmundry.

The annual CSI meritorious student award and student chapter award will be distributed during the convention. Young IT professional contest for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka states will be held at Visakhapatnam in November this year, he added.

Source (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/vizag-be-next-generation-it-hub-733)

Vizag Co-op Bank crosses Rs 1000 cr deposit mark
BS Reporter / Chennai/ Visakhapatnam July 4, 2011, 0:56 IST

Visakhapatnam Cooperative Bank has crossed the Rs 1,000-mark in deposits, according to its chairman.

“Though we have branches in six districts, about Rs 940 crore deposits were mobilised from Visakhapatnam district only,” Manam Anjaneyulu told mediapersons here today. The bank spent about 83 years to mobilise its first Rs 100 crore deposits, and then took only 12 years to collect another Rs 900 crore.

As on July 1, 2011, the bank’s total business stood at Rs 1,785 crore (Rs 1,014 crore deposits and Rs 771 crore advances). “Our aim is to enhance it to Rs 3,000 crore by 2016, which is our centenary year,” he added.

VCB operates 19 branches and plans to add another six this fiscal.

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/vizag-co-op-bank-crosses-rs-1000-cr-deposit-mark/441379/)

Plea to rename Vizag after Alluri
TNN Jul 4, 2011, 01.06am IST

HYDERABAD: While the Samaikhya Andhra protagonists are planning to revive the movement to keep the state united, a new movement has taken wings in the port city with a call to rename Visakhapatnam district after Alluri Seetharamaraju.

Not stopping at this, Seetharamaraju's nephew G V Satyanarayana Raju even launched an indefinite hunger strike at the collectorate in Visakhapatnam on Sunday demanding that the government name the district as Alluri Seetharamaraju district.

Satyanarayana Raju and Alluri Yuvajana Sangham president Padala Veerabhadra Rao sat on an indefinite strike demanding that the government organize Seetharamaraju's birth and death anniversaries officially. Satyanarayana Raju said that 'manyam dora' Alluri Raju belonged to Visakhapatnam district and died while fighting for the freedom of the nation against the British. Raju said he would continue the hunger strike till the government renamed the district.


Source (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-04/hyderabad/29735189_1_hunger-strike-vizag-visakhapatnam)

Domino's Pizza opens first store in Vizag

The overwhelming response the store has witnessed since its opening few days back proves how popular Domino’s Pizza is! Residents of Vizag can’t seem to get enough of Domino’s Pizza if one is to go by the astounding sales figures since the store’s launch in the city.


Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Dominos-Pizza-opens-first-store-in-Vizag/5178805401)

VUDA to open regional offices

VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar announced a number of initiatives at his press conference here on Monday.

Regional offices are planned to be opened at Tuni and Srikakulam. For the Telugu museum coming up atop VUDA had completed its part of the work. The federation has to take up the remaining work such as e murals, sculptures, and depiction of culture etc. spending Rs.7 crore.

The YSR Park coming up at the old central jail site will have a number of attractions including a ‘Jurassic park' in two acres, a ‘lighting zone,' leisure and performance areas, jagging track, and various colours of flowers that bloom in different seasons. At the entrance it will have YSR museum. To help promote tourism, VUDA was mulling a planetarium on the Beach Road, close to the sub-marine park, Mr. Sasidhar said. VUDA would obtain access to the beachfront at VUDA Park before the private park's was leased out again, he said.

©Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2160789.ece)

9-km LED street-lighting for city

VUDA and GVMC will share the cost of the project

Tenders will be finalised on July 1 and work completed in six months

VISAKHAPATNAM: The city will have its first stretch of environment-friendly and energy-saving LED street-lighting from Hanumantavaka to Kommadi.

The estimated cost of the project, Rs.3.76 crore, will be shared by Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority and the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation. While VUDA will contribute Rs.1 crore, GVMC will foot the remaining cost, according to in-charge Municipal Commissioner Kona Sasidhar. Tenders will be finalised on July 1 and work completed in six months.

There has been a demand for a long time to provide street-lighting on the 9 km stretch on the national highway. With the city witnessing lot of real estate activity towards Madhurawada area, traffic has also increased multi-fold over the last few years.

It is for the first time that the city is going to have LED-street-lighting. Though the government has accorded administrative sanction about six months ago, the process of calling for tenders took time. “Since it is a relatively new technology, processes followed at other cities like Chennai have been studied and stringent conditions laid down for the tenders for the work,” says Executive Engineer (Electrical) D. Raju Ramana.

LED lighting will save 50 per cent power compared to sodium vapour and mercury lights and is virtually maintenance-free. It is expected that LED lights will last 12 years burning 11 hours every day with each bulb providing a total of 50,000 burning hours.

Eco-friendly

The LED lights are also free from mercury and lead used in florescent and sodium vapour lamps. Owing to poor disposal practices, they lead to contamination of groundwater and LED lights are free from it, adds Mr. Raju Ramana.

©Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2011/06/16/stories/2011061656040300.htm)

http://http://epaper.sakshi.com/apnews/Visakhapatnam_City/13072011/Details.aspx?id=964083&boxid=28067696

Granules-Omnichem to set up manufacturing facility in Vizag

Hyderabad, Jul 14 (PTI) Granules-Omnichem, a joint venture of Granules India Ltd and Belgium-based Ajinomoto Omnichem, will be setting up a set up a high value active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam, a top official said. The USD 20-million-facility will start production by 2013 and earn revenues from 2015, Granules India Managing Director Krishna Prasad said. The JV will value through a unique contract manufacturing platform that will benefit through Ganules technological capabilities and OmniChem's extensive product portfolio and existing customers, he said. "The partnership will allow Granules, from day one, to focus on leveraging our core competency, which is offering high quality products and exemplary customer support with industry leading efficiency. In addition, Granules will have an opportunity to manufacture formulations for the JV APIs," he added. According to Gwin Bompas, Managing Director, Ajinomoto OmniChem, the JV's plant capacity will be utilized initially with OmniChem's extensive product portfolio and existing customers. The company will initially focus on high-value, low- volume APIs and intermediates for existing customers and will custom manufacture new chemical entities in the future, Bompas said. (More) PTI GDK VKV

© IBNLIVE (http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/news/granulesomnichem-to-set-up-manufacturing-facility-in-vizag/756676.html)

STPI to set up plug-and-play facility in Vizag

The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) is planning to set up a plug-and-play facility in Visakhapatnam to help new and small information technology companies. STPI currently operates an incubation facility at Duvvada near the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone is located.

“The Duvvada facility has 150 seats and is occupied most of time. Hence, STPI is planning to set up a bigger facility in Vizag,” said MP Dubay, joint director, STPI.

He said representatives of IT companies visit Vizag every week to enquire about the facilities that the city offers. “If they start their activities through incubation centres they would get to know the city better and later would come forward to set up their own facility,” he said.

At present, more than hundred small and medium IT companies operate from the city and another 20 to 30 are expected to commence operations during this fiscal. In 2009-10, software exports from Vizag stood at about Rs 800 crore. This grew over 30 per cent in 2010-11. He said the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation had called for tenders for the proposed IT tower at Madurawada, where the SEZ is located.

According to B Murali, president of Visakha Information Technology Association, IT and ITeS industy has not shown impressive growth in this area. The industry needs plug-and-play facilities to attract more players, he said.

© IBNLIVE (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/stpi-to-setplug-and-play-facility-in-vizag/442615/)

VUDA is planning to set up a Suburban Transport System (STS)

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/MMTS-mooted-for-Visakhapatnam/articleshow/9241311.cms)
MMTS mooted for Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: To reduce congestion on the roads in the fast growing port city, Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (Vuda) is planning to set up a suburban transport system (STS) on the lines of Hyderabad's Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS).

RITES Ltd, a Government of India enterprise under the aegis of the Indian Railways, has been asked to give a feasibility report on STS. Vuda vice-chairman Kona Sashidhar said they held a meeting with RITES officials and discussed the plans for the new suburban transport system.

Interacting with media persons here on Friday, he said RITES would submit the feasibility report in three months. Initially, the STS project has been planned to cover a distance of 28 km between the railway station (convent junction) to NTPC Simhadri in Parawada village to overcome the mounting traffic woes.

He said the cost of the project, land acquisition and other details would be formulated once the report was made available. An integrated master plan of Vuda would be formulated by including the newly-merged areas in Srikakulam and Tuni town of East Godavari districts, he said.

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited Chairman-cum-Managing Director P.K. Bishnoi on Tuesday asserted that with the availability of intelligent workforce, expertise in steel making, high quality iron ore reserves, favourable demographic profile and conducive investment climate, India would emerge as one of the strong players in the world steel industry.

He was speaking as co-chairman of ASSOCHAM's National Council on Iron and Steel at the Fifth India Steel Summit in New Delhi. The Fifth India Steel Summit with the theme ‘Capacity, Value Creation and Competitiveness' was a sequel to the earlier summits held in previous years and is a part of ongoing efforts by ASSOCHAM to catalyse the development of steel sector in the country.

According to a release issued by RINL here, Mr. Bishnoi stated that even in tough times of economic slowdown, the Indian steel industry had succeeded to sustain its positive growth momentum supported by strong economic fundamentals.

Director (Projects), RINL-VSP A.P. Choudhary welcomed Union Minister for Steel Beni Prasad Verma and profusely thanked him for taking keen interest in the expansion of RINL-VSP and SAIL and for taking steps for rural distribution of steel.

Coast Guard plans to set up air base in Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM: To strengthen security along the vast 974-km coastline, the government is planning to establish an air force station in Visakhapatnam within the next two years. Sources said the Coast Guard has obtained the necessary permission for the air force station, which would be called Air Enclave.

Presently, the Coast Guard here has only one helicopter for surveillance. Once the new station comes into being, more choppers would be deployed for use. "The Air Enclave would be developed to accommodate lightweight vigilance aircraft like the Dorniers," highly-placed sources told TOI.

The necessity for a new Air Force station was mooted to check the intrusion of unlawful elements in the Indian territorial waters. "If they are spotted near the coastline, the marine police would swing into action based on the inputs given by the choppers of Air Enclave. In emergency situations, the personnel manning the choppers could also conduct attacks to keep the enemy at bay," sources said. The choppers would also be helpful in spotting illegal poaching by smugglers and entry of foreign vessels.

Sources said land has been identified near the Visakhapatnam port, close to the airport, where the new air station would come up with all modern facilities. The Coast Guard uses the airport for operating its chopper service. "It can take the help of its Chennai base if it needs to operate more choppers. After the air station takes shape, more number of choppers would be stationed here," a senior official said.

Meanwhile, the marine police wing, which has six stations along the coast, would be increased to 21. Presently, the wing is facing anchoring problems for its boats. "We have identified seven places for the jetties, but the depth is very low and needs dredging, which is a costly affair. We will finish the construction in a year's time," marine police IG Chandramouli said.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-26/hyderabad/29815637_1_marine-police-choppers-air-force-station

Grand plans to make city a tourist hub

The Tourism Department has resolved to promote Visakhapatnam as a tourist hub with several mega projects by rolling out a red carpet to private investors.

As part of the new tourism policy, Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) operators will be encouraged under Public Private Partnership mode to set up projects to popularise beachfront tourism by developing a corridor all along the beach road from the city to Bhimunipatnam.

Tourism Secretary Jayesh Ranjan said Rushikonda would be developed on the lines of Goa by improving the ambience with an allocation of Rs.50 lakh.

Mega projects

The potential projects identified by the government include international convention centre, sea cruise tourism, aquamarine park, wellness tourism, gold course, beach circuit, and visitor zones.

Water sports will be an important component. An international convention centre is proposed with an investment of Rs.300 crore. As IT business is picking up, mandarins in Tourism Department feel that the city can be promoted as a centre for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE). Right now, the city does not have a venue to host international business/cultural meets, seminars, expos, industry-specific fairs, and buyer-seller meets.

The convention centre is proposed with 3,000 seating capacity equipped with modern display and lighting facilities on par with international standards, combination of budget and business class accommodation, shopping, food courts, and entertainment centres.:cheers:

Sea cruise tourism

To promote sea cruise tourism, a cruise terminal is proposed to operate cruise liners between Visakhapatnam and Port Blair on a regular basis after Star Cruise operators represented to the government to provide the facility.

AMET Shipping, which brought its cruise liner to the city sometime ago, had also faced problem in berthing the vessel in the port. It is estimated that the cruise terminal project will cost Rs.200 crore.

An aquarium park with Rs.200 crore, marine science centre with botanical garden, mangrove lagoon, movie theatre, and waterfront beach activities at a cost of Rs.150 crore and wellness centre in Health City with an investment of Rs.50 crore are mooted.

“The city can become an ideal destination for tourists if new facilities are added on a regular basis and air and rail connectivity improves,” said Harsh Vardhan, who runs a hotel in the city.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2324353.ece

North Coastal Andhra – a growing industrial hub

Hindu (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2341363.ece)

Andhra Pradesh plans to set up IIIT in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: The state government is planning to set up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) here. While the other IIITs at Nuzvid, Idupulapaya and Basar are beset with various problems, the move to set up another IIIT in the port city has come as a surprise.

The government has asked the district administration to identify a suitable land for setting up the institution. The revenue officials have started scouring for 100 acres of land in Sabbavaram, Parawada, Bhimili, Anandapuram and Pendurthy mandals, all abutting the city.

Sources said Sabbavaram has a major chunk of government land in comparison to other mandals. The tehsildar of Sabbavaram mandal visited Antakapalli, Lagisettipalem and Vangali villages to look out for a suitable location for setting up the IIIT.

The district was already allotted the law university and maritime university by the government. "If IIIT comes into a reality, Visakhapatnam will become a national-level centre for education in the coming years," a senior academic observed.

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Andhra-Pradesh-plans-to-set-up-IIIT-in-Visakhapatnam/articleshow/9559085.cms)

Andhra Pradesh plans to set up IIIT in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: The state government is planning to set up an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) here. While the other IIITs at Nuzvid, Idupulapaya and Basar are beset with various problems, the move to set up another IIIT in the port city has come as a surprise.

The government has asked the district administration to identify a suitable land for setting up the institution. The revenue officials have started scouring for 100 acres of land in Sabbavaram, Parawada, Bhimili, Anandapuram and Pendurthy mandals, all abutting the city.

Sources said Sabbavaram has a major chunk of government land in comparison to other mandals. The tehsildar of Sabbavaram mandal visited Antakapalli, Lagisettipalem and Vangali villages to look out for a suitable location for setting up the IIIT.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-08-11/hyderabad/29875554_1_iiits-mandals-visakhapatnam

Vizag tops in afforestation

Visakhapatnam: The district has topped the afforestation programme by attaining its target while it lagged in implementation of the Prime Minister Sadak Rojagar Yojana (PMSRY). This was revealed at the review meet on the implementation of 20-point economic programme for the first quarter of the current fiscal here on Friday.

The chairman of the 20-point economic program me, Dr N Tulasi Reddy, after reviewing the targets and achievements told reporters that the district had occupied sixth position in the State during 2010-11 on the performance parameters of Aganwadi workers, power supply to agriculture pump sets. Where as in the implementation of PMSRY, the district faced a set back.

He said Andhra Pradesh stood first during 1992-93 and 2010-2011 along with Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh.This review will remain a yardstick to measure the government functioning, he said.

The 20-point programme, introduced by former Prime Minister Indira Gan dhi 36 years ago, comprises eradication of poverty, workers’ welfare, food security, hygienic drinking water supply, education to all, women’s welfare, child welfare and slum development.

Dr Reddy said that he had suggested to the officials to monitor progress as per annual targets and to prefer field inspection without depending upon paper work,’ he said. Denying any fund crunch, he informed that the Central government released funds as per the targets set from time to time.

The question of resource crunch arises only when a district surpasses its target, he said. Asked about short supply of medicines in agency areas where viral fevers are rampant, Joint Collector, Girija Sankar said there was no short supply of medicines. The trouble began with the shortage of doctors.

Twenty four doctors have been recruited on an emergency basis. He denied shortage of funds for acquiring medicines.

http://www.thehansindia.info/News/Article.asp?category=5&subCategory=2&ContentId=890

IIIT sanctioned for Vizag: Balaraju

The State government sanctioned the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) for Visakhapatnam district. A Centrally-sponsored sche-me, Adima Adivasi Arogya Raksha for tribals will also be launched in the district soon.

he State government sanctioned the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) for Visakhapatnam district. A Centrally-sponsored sche-me, Adima Adivasi Arogya Raksha for tribals will also be launched in the district soon.

The tribal welfare minister, Mr Pasupuleti Balaraju, revealed this information after unfurling the national flag at the Independence Day celebrations organised by the Visakhapatnam district administration at the Police Parade Grounds here on Monday.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Balaraju said that the government took the decision with a view to develop the district as a hub of information technology. Vizag was recognised as the third Silicon Valley in the country after Bangalore and Hyderabad, Mr Balaraju maintained. The respective departments were already entrusted with the task of identifying nearly 100 acre land to set up the institute, he added.

The Centre had sanctioned Rs 2.79 crore to implement the Adivasi scheme in Paderu agency of the district, the minister said. He further added that the UPA’s prestigious project worth Rs 18,670 crore, Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam was also under progress in full swing.

While talking about the progress of agriculture during kharif, the minister said that the government had so far sanctioned Rs 105 lakh crop loans to 16,155 tenant farmers under the Sagu Rythu Rakshana Hastam scheme. The bankers were also instructed to conduct loan melas for the farmers, who have not received the loans in the next four days, the minister said.

The minister further said that the government would develop nearly 70,000 acre of wasteland at a cost of Rs 110 crore under the Indira Jala Prabha scheme. Some 2,579 people would be given 3,778 acres of land under the sixth land distribution programme, he added.

Later, the minister distributed sanction orders of Rs 29.64 crore worth assets to beneficiaries.



http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/iiit-sanctioned-vizag-balaraju-137

http://epaper.sakshi.com/apnews/Hyderabad-Main_Edition/19082011/Details.aspx?id=1003397&boxid=25515154^^ (http://epaper.sakshi.com/apnews/Hyderabad-Main_Edition/19082011/Details.aspx?id=1003397&boxid=25515154)

Vizag's long wait for Wipro may end soon

VISAKHAPATNAM, AUG. 23:
Wipro, one of the leading IT companies in the country, is fighting shy of launching its operations in Visakhapatnam for some unspecified reason.

The company was allotted a prime site at the busy TB Hospital Junction right on the National Highway no. 5 along with Mahindra Satyam and it constructed an attractive glass building some years ago, with 2,20,000 sq ft. But the company has not so far started operations. It is not known what is blocking the project. The issue came up for discussion at a seminar on IT industry in Visakhapatnam here on Tuesday. One of the participants, Mr Shiv Kumar, of Maple Software, said that it was one of the talking points in the IT circles that Wipro had not started operations here. It was also proving to be a deterrent to other companies.

Mr Chaman, the representative of Accenture, said that sometime ago the Chairman of his company had visited Visakhapatnam to start operations here, but he also developed second thoughts wondering why an IT major such as Wipro had not yet started operations, after taking possession of the site and constructing the building so long ago.

Mr Balakrishnan, a senior official of Wipro, said in response that Wipro may begin operations here in two months or so, and it was in the final stages. Beyond that, however, he was reluctant to divulge any more details. He was not specific whether Wipro would take up BPO work here or software development.

Mr Sanjay Jaju, Secretary of the IT Department in Andhra Pradesh, who was the chief guest at the seminar, expressed the hope that Wipro would at least now start the operations as promised. “You are a major company. If you arrive here, expectations rise and others will follow. Otherwise, they may also put on hold their projects.”

The District Collector, Mr Lav Agarwal, said at least five to six major anchor companies should set up shop in Vizag. It would spur IT growth in the city.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article2389514.ece

IT industry at take-off point in Vizag

VISAKHAPATNAM, AUG. 23:
The IT industry in Visakhapatnam has passed through the nascent phase and is set to take off in the next two-three years, according to Mr Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, IT Department, Andhra Pradesh.

He was addressing the industry representatives here on Tuesday at a meeting convened jointly by the Confederation of Indian Industry, the State IT Department, the Visakhapatnam IT Association and the Software Technology Parks of India.

He said IT exports from Hyderabad amounted to Rs 36,000 crore and from Visakhapatnam Rs 1,000 crore. “Even though these are tough times for the IT industry globally, what with the current crisis in the US, I still feel Visakhapatnam should touch, or cross, nearly Rs 10,000 crore in the next two or three years. It is a realistic ambition and you should strive to achieve it. We will render all help and make it possible,” he assured industry representatives.

Mr Jaju said problems on the infrastructure could be addressed but human resources remained a major problem. Many of the graduates coming out of the 700-odd engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh were not immediately employable and the State Government had introduced the Jawahar Knowledge Centre (JKC) training scheme for the purpose. But it needed to be modified to make it more effective.

He said the cost advantage of tier-two cities should be exploited to promote IT exports from them. In the State, all efforts would be make to promote Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Vijayawada, Warangal and Tirupati as attractive destinations.

Mr Lav Agarwal, District Collector, said Visakhapatnam was the best location for IT in Andhra Pradesh. “Our endeavour should be to get five to six major anchor IT industries to Vizag and that will spur growth. The smaller units will not be neglected, but we should have the bigger companies.”

He said 3,000 sft of space in the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority Building would be made available to the IT industry for incubation centre. More space would be provided if the industry needed it, he promised. The infrastructure at the IT SEZs at Rushikonda and Gambheeram would be improved. “We are going to have a big convention centre, just as in Hyderabad, and it will give a boost to the industry,” he promised.

ATCHYUTHAPURAM SEZ

Mr C. Sreedhar, Executive Director of the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), said the corporation had developed six properties in Visakhapatnam for the IT industry including the SEZs at Rushikonda. He said a hi-tech city along the lines of Hyderabad would be developed in Visakhapatnam in the public-private partnership mode and an incubation centre would also be set up. “A decision has been taken to allocate 250-300 acres in the multi-product SEZ at Atchyuthapuram in Visakhapatnam district for IT industry, especially for hardware units,” he said.

Mr B. Murali Manohar Rao, a member of the VITA and COO of Sankhya Technologies Pvt Ltd, explained about Vision-2015 prepared by VITA and said Rushikonda was the ideal place for developing R&D in the IT sector and for low-cost BPO enough space was available at Duvvada SEZ. He said there should at least be one product company with revenues of $20 million or so in Vizag. The SME investors in the sector wanted faster clearances within a week or ten days. Now, he said, it was taking three to six months.

Mr Shiv Kumar, of Maple Software, explained the difficulties faced by the industry and sought several incentives and concessions mainly relating to bandwidth, to promote IT industry in Vizag. Ms Padmavati, Chairman of Mahati Software, complained that certain Government restrictions and policies were curbing the growth of her company. Otherwise, at least a thousand more jobs could be generated.

A representative of Wipro said the company would start operations in a few months' time in Vizag. He said certain issues were being sorted out.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/info-tech/article2389513.ece

Model towns proposed in Visakha Metropolitan Region

Civic bodies asked to adhere to Master Plan norms

The municipalities falling in the limits of the Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region (VMR) have been asked to enforce the VUDA Master Plan rules without any deviation for planned development.

VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar said the powers delegated by VUDA to the local bodies would be taken back, if the enforcement was not up to the mark. The role of the gram panchayats and municipalities was crucial, he said. The Vice-Chairman convened a meeting with Regional Director of Municipal Administration P Ashajyothi and commissioners of municipalities in the VMR area on Wednesday. While assuring support in developing infrastructure, he said priority would be given to those bodies that adopted the norms and adhered to the Master Plan. VUDA will extend its technical support, funding and implementation of the projects to public-oriented works such as major roads with excellent connectivity, beautification of towns with greenery and other major multi-beneficial projects, contributing to the integrated growth of the region, he said.

Mr. Sasidhar disclosed that VUDA had decided to develop one or two urban areas in the VMR area as model towns and the municipal commissioners were asked to make proposals.

He directed the municipalities to take over the infrastructure and amenities developed and handed over for further maintenance as the responsibility was vested with them.

Municipalities must keep a watch on unauthorised layouts and constructions and violations of plans hindering the Master Plan, the Vice- Chairman said. Enforcement of zone regulations pertaining to the land use, local bodies not issuing layout plans as they are not authorised to do so, were among them.

Municipalities were entitled to issue permissions for constructions in 1000 square meters or with G+3 floors and beyond that VUDA alone has the powers to deal with approvals. VUDA has initiated steps for preparation of a revised integrated Master Plan with revision, duly including the zone plans of the newly-included areas in its jurisdiction and the municipal commissioners were asked to finalise action plans to incorporate them in the new Master Plan.

A task force will be formed with officials of the VUDA planning wing to take up continuous field inspections to identify illegal and unauthorised layouts, Mr. Sasidhar said. VUDA regional offices at Tuni and Srikakulam will also be started soon.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2395768.ece

GVMC to go ahead with work on water treatment plant

GVMC will press ahead with work on the 85 million litres per day (MLD) water treatment plant near Aganampudi to keep pace with the other related works going on.

While work on the pipeline, reservoir and distribution lines has been apace, work on the treatment plant has not even begun yet. The treatment plant forms part of the Rs.244 crore comprehensive drinking water scheme launched under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission for the 32 villages that have been merged in Visakhapatnam forming GVMC. During his visit to Division 57, Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu found no point in people objecting to the treatment plant.

No crop was being grown on the land.

The land was allotted by the district Collector and the Municipal Standing Counsel also foresaw no objections for the work. The Commissioner wanted the work to be taken up at once taking police assistance, if necessary.

He wanted the three industries at Aganampudi to lay approach roads to the villages nearby. A special drive should be taken up for animal birth control surgeries for stray dogs whose number was rather on the high side there.

While power should be provided to the 1,088 houses under JNNURM at Talarivanipalem paving way to shift beneficiaries, Mr. Ramanajaneyulu pulled up officials for allotting door numbers to shed erected in the area .

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2392569.ece

GVMC to get Swedish support

Ambassador of Sweden to India Lars-Olof Lindgren has said that Sweden will extend its technological support in areas such as solid waste management, waste to energy, and sewerage treatment to Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.

Inaugurating a three-day workshop at GVMC here on Tuesday, Mr. Lindgren said following a bilateral agreement with India for long-term collaboration, Sweden was looking at GVMC to take up sustainable development of Visakhapatnam.

The Ambassador said Sweden was extending support to India in other important areas of development such as information technology and education tying up with IT firms and universities.

The Swedish team that is in city to participate in the workshop will extend the necessary technical support to GVMC for sustainable development. The working groups of GVMC constituted with the heads of departments concerned and the Swedish delegation and members of Cities Development Initiative Asia (CDIA) discussed the immediate requirement for revised city development plan (CDP). CDIA Senior Programme Coordinator Balakrishnan Elangovan explained various steps planned for a revised CDP.

Mayor P. Janardhana Rao, who welcomed the delegation, expressed his keen interest in seeking the support of Sweden through various technologies. He hoped that urban development that he had seen during his recent visit to Sweden could be replicated in the city through long-term collaboration between Sweden and India.

Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu said that several global agencies were evincing interest in the development of the city, trying to tap the potential for development.
Swedish team

The Swedish delegation comprises Ludwig Lindstrom of Swedish Energy Agency, Mikael Kullman and Arati Davis of Swedish Project Management, Eric Ronnols of Swedish Waste Management Association, consultants Stefan Dahlgreen and Anders Ellergard and Jan-Olov Vinterhav of CDIA.

Deputy Mayor K. Dorabbai, floor leaders A.J. Stalin and B. Eswaramma, Chief Engineer B. Jayarami Reddy and Additional Commissioners K. Ramesh and P. Purnachandra Rao participated.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2431882.ece

APIIC cancels land for Wipro in Vizag

The chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corpor-ation Limited (APIIC), Mr S. Siva Rama Subrahmanyam, on Friday announced that the APIIC had served cancellation notices to the IT giant Wipro along with another IT firm at the Vizag IT Park, here. The APIIC took the decision after the companies failed to comply with norms and conditions of the MoU signed with the government and did not respond to repeated caution notices sent to them.

Addressing a press conference here, Mr Siva said that as the chairman he was making sincere efforts for industrial development of the state by providing necessary land and basic infrastructure to entrepreneurs. He said that the APIIC was, however, keeping a watch on the activities of entrepreneurs who have been allotted land and to ensure that the APIIC’s objectives are fulfilled. He further added that the APIIC had so far made allotments to 46 entrepreneurs including Wipro in 172 acres of the Vizag IT Park, here.

However, only nine of them had actually set up companies and projects till date. The corporation would shortly take necessary steps after reviewing the progress reports of the companies who have been allotted land. While talking about the progress of the APIIC, the chairman said that they had so far served notices to nearly 2,500 entrepreneurs across the state for failing to comply with the company rules as well as the assurances given in the MoU with the government. Of these, roughly 450 companies had come forward and appealed to the APIIC to give one year’s time to complete the targets of the APIIC, he added.

He further said that he held a short review meeting on the progress of the Brandix apparel company in Vizag, and verified some records of the company. He admitted that the Brandix too had not met targets set by the state government. While Brandix was supposed to provide jobs to nearly 60,000 people, it had just given only 12,000 jobs, he pointed out

Deccan Chronicle

Official inspects subway, flyover at Asilmetta

About 80 per cent of the work on subway has been completed

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00783/15vzgps3Subway_work_783253e.jpg

Testing the waters: Official vehicles on a trial run in the subway at Asilmetta in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.
Principal Secretary, Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Sam Bob, on Thursday visited the subway and flyover at Asilmetta on which work has been going on.

A trial on the completed part was made. About 80 per cent of the work on the subway has been completed. Mr. Sam Bob complimented Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu for speeding up the work.

The flyover work also must be completed early, Mr. Sam Bob said.

Accompanied by Municipal Commissioner Ramanjaneyulu, he later visited the proposed tunnel road from Narasimhanagar to Mudasarlova. The tunnel work had been proposed as a part of the Simhachalam corridor of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) but was later shelved. Of late, there are indications that it might be revived.

Continuing his ward visits, Mr. Ramanjaneyulu on Thursday ordered the removal of supervisor K.V. Ramana who was not present for duty in Division 14.

Opened

Mayor Pulusu Janardhana Rao and MLA V. Ramakrishnababu inaugurated anganwadi buildings at Sriramnagar and Balajinagar and a market yard at Balajinagar- all costing Rs.30.74 lakh. Corporator Ommi Sanyasi Rao participated.

During a visit to the indoor stadium under construction at Vikasnagar at an outlay of Rs.4.74 crore, the Mayor wanted it to be completed by October-end.

HINDU (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2458336.ece)

Kiran goes around airport

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, before taking his flight to Hyderabad from here on Monday, inquired about the facilities for upgrading the airport as an international airport and went around the premises to study the facilities available.



HINDU (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2489101.ece)

At least now the state and central govt should wake up and upgrade Vizag as International and should make vizag as alternative to HYD in Phrama and IT.
So, that Investments in state will in safe and employment will increase and will help in the development of the North Coastal Andhra Districts.

Neeru's opening showroom in Vizag

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2500901.ece)
Neeru's, one of the major brands in the ethnic fashion industry, is opening its first showroom here on Saturday.

At a press meet here on Friday, Mr Harish Kumar, the company's spokesman, said it had been established in Hyderabad in 1971 and since then, it had set up several showrooms in the twin cities as well as Bangalore and made its mark in the industry.

He said “the brand is known for its consistent quality, designs and customer relationship.” The endeavour of Neeru's had always been to capture the aura and beauty of Indian ethnicity. An array of ethnic attires with latest print and laced kurtis would be available at the store. “The finest fabrics are on sale,” he said.

Telugu film actress Prathistha and several models participated in the event.

Project Utkarsh launched at RINL Vizag Steel Plant

Source (http://www.steelguru.com/indian_news/Project_Utkarsh_launched_at_RINL_Vizag_Steel_Plant/227691.html)
Mr AP Choudhary CMD of RINL has launched the Project Utkarsh in Visakhapatnam steel Plant on September 29th 2011. Utkarsh is a Sanskrit word meaning progress and growth. It also signifies high quality as also advancement.

Project Utkarsh will be an integrated and sustained effort to drive business excellence in VSP through a series of initiatives that will ensure evolving of existing practices into best practices and also ensure sustainable results and growth for the company.

While Project Utkarsh would also focus on Business Excellence essentials emphasis would be on Business Excellence Roots by ensuring improvement in the implementation standards of various initiatives that inspire and enable people to progress towards realization of the company vision.

Mr Choudhry complimented the Corporate Strategic Management department of VSP for the initiative and asserted that as the business environment is undergoing a constant change it is imperative for the business organizations to continuously adapt themselves to the changing scenario to remain competitive in the market.

He stated that lack of captive mines is severely denting VSP's margins underlining the need on enhanced focus for more cost saving measures to remain competitive in the market and enable sustainable growth and that Project Utkarsh has been evolved providing a framework to inspire us in our great journey towards realization of our vision. Mr Choudhary called for supplementing the commitment and dedication with the urge to achieve more in this pursuit and to walk together and hearts beat together to speak in one voice of 'Excellence, Excellence and Excellence.

What does this mean?

Rs.100-cr. bulb line mooted

Source (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2506198.ece)
Proposals to lay a bulb line for one-and-half-km at cost of Rs.100 crore were discussed in detail by Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy with the railway and Visakhapatnam port officials here Saturday.

“The project, which needs the approval of the Railway Board and is estimated to be completed within two years, is seen as a permanent solution to the problem of diverting trains via Duvvada without touching the Visakhapatnam railway station,” Dr. Reddy told mediapersons.

Divisional Railway Manager of Waltair Division N. Kasinath and Deputy Chairman of VPT G.V.L. Satya Kumar participated in the discussions.

The MP also said that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Technology, Environment, and Forests for which he is the Chairman, would inspect various industrial units in Visakhapatnam city from October 19 to 21.

APIIC offers alternative site to Brighton Energy

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/apiic-offers-alternative-site-to-brighton-energy/451184/)
Though there is much process left before it becomes an Act of Parliament, the new draft land Bill has already roused hopes of getting higher compensation among the farmers at Nakkapally near the coastal city of Visakhapatnam.

Now, they are willing to negotiate with the government only after the new land Legislation is passed.

Incidentally, this land is part of a site shown to Brighton Energy, a US-based heavy equipment and forged steel manufacturing company, which had entered into an MoU with the state government to set up a nuclear power plant equipment manufacturing facility on 800 acre adjoining the sea coast.

“Earlier, these farmers had given their informal consent for parting their land at Rs 3-4 lakh an acre to our officials. Now, this area is dotted by Red flags. Farmers say they want compensation under the provisions of the new land Bill,” BR Meena, vice-chairman and managing director of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), told Business Standard.

With no sign of finding a middle ground anytime soon, the APIIC has informed the company to move the project to some other location in the district while offering a couple of options.

As Brighton representatives had already spent close to one year in scouting for a suitable land in coastal areas, they have no choice but to chose an alternative location in the hope of securing the land at least in the next few months.

One of these new locations is expected to be finalised once the Brighton management gives consent for the same, according to a local representative of the company.

A senior industry department official said they had to find alternative ways to facilitate the project as the state had already been going through a political turmoil, sending adverse signals to the investor community.

“We know that the new land Bill is complicating the matters as far as land acquisition is concerned. But there are ways to overcome these problems,” the official said.

Brighton is the only large manufacturing project with a proposed investment of $ 600 million that had come to the state in the last couple of years. Though the state government went all out to woo the Peugeot car project early this year, the latter chose Gujarat last month.

Brighton had approached the government with an intent to implement the project in a short span of 24-30 months to be able to deliver the orders already in its kitty. The company sought 800 acre land for the project, including ancillaries apart from other support.

SpiceJet connects Vizag to Tirupati and Bangalore (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/SpiceJet-connects-Vizag-to-Tirupati-and-Bangalore/5248246234)

SpiceJet Limited, India’s most preferred budget airline, today commenced commercial operations at Vizag with its much-awaited Q-400 aircraft with daily flights to Tirupati and Bangalore. SpiceJet is also increasing its service of the Vizag-Hyderabad route with the introduction of their 3rd daily flight from the 28th September on the Q-400 aircraft.

The first commercial Bangalore-Vizag flight landed at the Vizag Airport at 10:40 am and the inaugural Vizag-Tirupati flight took off at 11:10 am.

With the maiden Hyderabad-Tirupati flight today morning, SpiceJet kicked off its first phase of Q-400 operations under which the airline connects Hyderabad to 12 popular Tier II and Tier III destinations - Aurangabad, Bhopal, Goa, Indore, Madurai, Mangalore, Nagpur, Pune, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Trivandrum and Vijayawada. The inaugural all-inclusive fare to these cities starts at Rs. 999/-. This limited seat offer is valid for bookings for the first 14 days of commercial operations.

The launch marks the commissioning of a brand new fleet of the latest Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft from Bombardier. SpiceJet’s fleet expansion, with addition of the Q400 aircraft, aims to enhance air connectivity to Tier-II and Tier-III towns. Hyderabad has been chosen as the first base for new routes.

The Q400 NextGen turboprop aircraft can accommodate 78 passengers and is widely accepted as the best short-haul plane globally. SpiceJet had placed an order for 30 such aircraft and have already taken delivery of the first 4 aircraft during early-September.
SpiceJet already has a strong presence in Vizag, having commenced operations to the city in 2008 with 2 daily flights to Hyderabad and with connections to Delhi and Mumbai. In June this year, SpiceJet introduced a Vizag-Chennai flight. Now, with the introduction of the flights to Bangalore and Tirupati, SpiceJet connects Vizag to 6 cities and is the largest airline serving Vizag.

New Vista launched in Vizag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2487315.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/00792/vista_792824f.jpg
Dasara offer: The New Vista from Tata Motors being launched in Visakhapatnam on Monday. The car is priced at Rs 3,95,000 (ex-showroom). — Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

VISAKHAPATNAM, SEPT. 26:
Tata Motors launched its new model Vista car here on Monday available in four models and six colours. A company spokesman said prices start from Rs 3,95,000 (ex-showroom) here and “the new Vista is a hatchback with a sedan look, space, power and comfort.”

He explained about the new features such as alloy wheels, and electrically operated controls. As a Dasara offer, the Tata New Vista can be purchased by local customers, with the lowest down-payment of Rs 30,000. Sriramdas Motor Transport Corporation is the dealer for the Tata vehicle.

Source: http://www.pharmabiz.com/NewsDetails.aspx?aid=65456&sid=1

On the lines of the centrally implemented project, Jan Aushadhi, efforts of a district administration in Andhra Pradesh in launching Jeevanadhara Pharmacy to make available quality medicines at affordable rates have won remarkable acclaim in the state and got the state government’s nod to replicate it in all other districts as a government project.


Jeevanadhara Pharmacy, a model drug supply concept developed by J Syamala Rao IAS, the district collector of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, with the help of NGOs, IMA and Red Cross Society, will shortly become a government project for the whole state.


Other district administrations have already started replicating the model as a scheme in their own districts. Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy while inaugurating one such store at Kurnool said his government is committed to establish more Jeevanadhara stores in Andhra Pradesh. Government has notified the APMSIDC as the Nodal agency for procurement and supply of generic medicines for these pharmacies.


The scheme was first implemented in certain government hospitals in Visakhapatnam and later one Jeevanadhara Sanjeevani Pharmacy was launched at the King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam. Finding success of the scheme, the district collectors of Krishna, Nellore, West Godavari, East Godavari, Ananthpur, Karimnagar, Guntur, Kurnool, Srikakulam and Vizianagaram have followed the concept and started generic stores in their district hospitals. Private hospitals like Dr Rama Chandra Reddy Hospital, Nellore has also started Jeevandhara pharmacy.


The ADC of Visakhapatnam, R Uday Bhaskar said nearly 300 varieties of drugs to treat most of the ailments and 50 varieties of surgicals/disposables manufactured by 20 companies of repute are made available at the stores on 40 per cent to 90 per cent discount on MRP. He said these pharmacies have started with a sale of Rs.2,000/- per day and grown up to a tune of Rs.25,000/- to 28,000/- per day. The authorities are planning to introduce oncology (anti cancer) medicines through these pharmacies within short time. Morphine tablets and fentenyl patches for the pain palliative care and pain treatment of cancer patients will also be supplied soon.


He said the officials of DRDA and Drugs Control Administration are extending large scale support to the programme and they lend logistics support to other districts. Doctors in the government hospitals prescribe drugs in generic name. KGH is also purchasing drugs from the Jeevanadhra Pharmacy.


The district authorities established depots at Pendurthy and retail pharmacies at Tagarapuvalasa, Chodavaram, Anakapalli, Addu Road and Narsipatnam. The total sale of medicines through Jeevanadhara pharmacies upto April 2011 is around Rs.1.30 crore. They claim that if the same medicines were supplied by other than Jeevanadhara Pharmacies, it would be more than Rs.3 crore. Navaratna Kesavarao Memorial Trust also started one Jeevanadhara Pharmacy in Visakhapatnam. Majority of the people got benefitted out of this concept.


According to sources, the scheme would redefine the principles of drug prescription by doctors, production by manufacturers and retail trade by chemists and druggists. Further, it would establish and emphasize the efficiency and potency of generic medicines so as to get the public quality medicines at affordable prices.


It is learnt that shortly Jeevanadhara pharmacy will be opened in rural areas at Pedawaltair, Gajuwaka, Gopalapatnam, Madhurawada and Gnanapuram in Visakhapatnam district. So far the Jeevanadhara depots has supplied nearly 10 lakhs worth of Generic medicines to Jeevandhara stores at Hyderabad, Kurnool and Guntur Districts, sources informed Pharmabiz.

As more tourists are approaching towards vizag as a tourist hub as its a major sea port in india and also a industiral hub. As a result businessmen tend to settle down here and invest in Vizag Properties (http://www.shrirampanoramahills.com/india-our-vizag-properties.aspx).

The city's main commercial and shopping centres are in the Dwarakanagar,R.T.C. complex area and Jagadamba Junction area. The city is home to many hotel like Taj, Sheraton, ITC and Park hotels. Various large and small software and BPO Companies have announced their announced their contribution to the real estate industry in vizag.


Cheers
:)

Special buses to be run on BRTS roads

Collector holds review meeting with officials
A special transport organisation, the Visakhapatnam Urban Transport Company Limited (VUTCL) is being formed to operate vehicles that are for common use by the people on the BRTS roads being laid under the JNNURM.

Collector Lav Agarwal, at a review meeting with GVMC, VUDA, and APSRTC officials, said the BRTS corridors under JNNURM were being laid with the idea of reducing the use of individual vehicles and encouraging the use of public transport to reduce pollution. To implement the main aim of the JNNURM, special buses must be run on the BRTS corridors and a company, in the name of VUTCL should be formed.

While Collector would be chairman of the company, Commissioner of GVMC would be its CEO. APSRTC Executive Director would be the managing director with Vice-Chairman of VUDA, city Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Transport and Regional Manager of APSRTC as Regional Managers. Mr. Agarwal said the special buses would receive patronage if they were punctual and not expensive. About 200 special buses were required in the city.

Free zones

He also suggested creating four-wheeler free zone and auto free zone to reduce use of motor vehicles and to encourage the people to use bicycles.

Vice-Chairman of VUDA Kona Sasidhar and other officials participated.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2572680.ece

Beach Road to be made ‘no-vehicle zone' in morning

The decision has been taken to check pollution and promote cycling
The stretch from Kali temple to the Park Hotel on Beach Road will be a ‘no vehicle zone' between 5 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. from November 1 to permit cycling.

Interaction

Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu who was on his morning visit to Beach Road on Tuesday interacted with walkers and skaters and saw for himself the pollution caused by vehicles.

He spoke to the DCP (Traffic) over the phone and decided to declare it a free zone for cyclists, walkers and skaters.

GVMC will purchase 100 bicycles and keep them in the area for free cycling.

Fuel saving

This is will help in keeping fit, save fuel and reduce pollution. People may use their own bicycles.

Mr. Ramanjaneyulu and the DCP Brahma Reddy cycled for a trial run.

The DCP said though the actual implementation would begin on November 1, free zone on trial basis would begin from Thursday.

Parking

For those coming by vehicles for walking, skating and cycling, may park their vehicles at Kali temple, Spencers', Yoga Village, Victory-at-Sea and YMCA.

Those intending to use GVMC's free bicycles should register themselves at the Zone II and III offices at Asilmetta and Surya Bagh and Swarnabharati Auditorium by producing PAN card, passport, driving licence and id card issued by registered employers.


Those intending to use free bicycles must register themselves
‘Free zone' on trial basis to begin tomorrow

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2572688.ece

Morning walkers to enjoy a whiff of fresh air

Beach Road is a closed to vehicles from 5 a.m. to 7.30 a.m.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00824/01vzgps3Beach_Road__824949e.jpg

Way to go: Police Commissioner J. Purnachandra Rao riding a bicycle on Beach Road declared ‘No Vehicle Zone' in the mornings in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.
On the second day in a row, GVMC continued its drive to reduce vehicular pollution by declaring the stretch from NTR Statute to Park Hotel on the Beach Road as ‘no vehicle zone' from Tuesday.

District Collector Lav Agarwal, Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu and Police Commissioner J. Purnachandra Rao rode bicycles on the Beach Road formally inaugurating the “no vehicle zone.”

The idea behind declaring the road as ‘no vehicle zone' from 5 a.m. to 7.30 a.m. is to avoid exposure to vehicular pollution to morning-walkers, cyclists, skaters and those doing yoga on the Beach Road. The Beach Road was colourfully decorated with GVMC flags.

DCP (Traffic) Brahma Reddy, corporators K. Vengal Rao and Ch.V. Pattabhiram and others participated.

Mr. Ramanjaneyulu and other municipal officials set an example by cycling to office on Monday in an effort to contribute their mite to reduce pollution.

Mr. Ramanjaneyulu said efforts would be made to introduce cycling in a phased manner.

Bicycle rally

Several educations institutions were coming forward to take up the exercise and discussions were going on with them.

A bicycle rally was planned by Information Technology companies to Bhimili with 500 bicycles. The officials inaugurated beach volleyball and kabaddi courts to felicitate physical exercise by way of sport in the morning.

Police will put stoppers to restrict vehicles on either end of the ‘no vehicle zone.'

According to GVMC officials, arrangements are in place to provide bicycles to members of public who want to exercise on the Beach Road by cycling.

As many as 100 bicycles have been kept ready at the Aqua Sports Complex for lending free of cost.

Identity cards

They will be given to public after keeping their identity cards like PAN Card, employee identity, driving licence etc as security.

They will be returned at the time of giving back the bicycles.


Top officials formally inaugurate the ‘no vehicle zone'
Municipal officials set an example by cycling to office

HINDU (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2590383.ece)


Hope this will help in improve sports activities and tourism in Vizag City.

VUDA to explore green energy for Kailasagiri

Moots the idea of developing the hill park as a knowledge hub
VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar mooted the proposal of establishing solar and wind power stations to make it a knowledge centre on energy conservation as well as creating alternative energy sources.

At a meeting with technical advisor P. Srinivasa Raju of SOLAR, NEDCAP District manager P V Rama Raju and VUDA engineering officials on Wednesday, he said VUDA wanted to take up solar and wind power generation atop Kailasagiri for both conservation of energy and to develop the hill park as a knowledge hub on non-conventional energy sources. He asked the technical advisor and engineering officials to take up a feasibility study and also assess the requirement of power atop the hill park and identify locations for establishing wind and solar power energy production units.

Kailasagiri, with its wide area and aesthetic appearance has been attracting lakhs of visitors and tourists all through the year and the consumption of power has been increasing day by day with street-lights along the ghat road, the pedestrian path, the entire park area atop the hill, rope way, circular train projects, shops, ‘sankhu-chakra namas' and the other arrangements use electric power now.

The upcoming projects such as Telugu Culture and Heritage Centre, and events and programmes taking place on the hill, require more power in future. Keeping the increasing demand for power utility in view, Mr. Sasidhar is considering the idea of generation of power through non-conventional means.

Directive

He directed the officials to study the feasibility of using the solar energy for the nine-storeyed VUDA building. Basing on the feasibility and scientific study, the project will be initiated soon and support will be sought from the agencies like NEDCAP etc. VUDA Chief Engineer I. Viswanatha Rao, EE V. Bhavani Shankar and Deputy Engineer (EleEctrical) Somasekhar attended.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2593701.ece

EENADU (http://www.eenadu.net/district/inner.aspx?dsname=Visakhapatnam&info=vsp-panel2)


Vizag is getting 150 New Jnnurm buses fo BRTS project and another 8 new Corridors are Proposed.

Source: Times of India (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Metro-rail-for-port-city-on-the-cards/articleshow/10636753.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: While Hyderabad Metro Rail project doesn't seem to go on rails in the near future, the port city could have a metro network of its own in the coming three years if everything goes as per plan.

A Switzerland-based international company, Smart Network, has come forward to build the rail system in three phases in Vizag to offer better transport facilities and ensure hassle-free commuting for passengers. Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) commissioner B Ramanjaneyulu told TOI that the Swiss firm has evinced keen interest to put in place the rail network.

"We have asked them to submit the detailed project report (DPR). Once they come with that, we will call for tenders. We would also seek permission of the state and central governments before going ahead with the project," he said. A technical committee from Switzerland would visit the city soon to carry out feasibility studies and structural surveys.

The GVMC chief said that Vizag desperately needs a rail network that would ease traffic congestion. "Notwithstanding the population boom, vehicles are increasing every year," he pointed out.

Sources said the authorities are looking at investments of Rs 10,000 crore in each phase for the new metro rail. Smart CEO D Sridhar, who visited the city on Saturday, expressed his desire to set up the rail network. "We requested the authorities to examine the possibilities of constructing metro or mono or light rail systems in the city. We have vast experience in constructing metro rail networks in European countries," he said.

This project would be taken up under build, operate and transfer (BOT) mode. Before going ahead, GVMC will have to pass a resolution in the council. Sources said the Swiss company would give a power-point presentation to the municipal administration minister and senior officials soon.

"GVMC would not spend a single rupee as Smart Network would provide technology and fund the project," an official stated.

Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), a dedicated bus line system, with funding of JNNURM is already being planned for the city. Out of the eight corridors proposed for BRTS, work on two corridors is under way. "If metro rail comes to the city, the transport system would be trouble-free for the commuters," a resident of MVP Colony said.

Sources said the first phase would be within the core area of the greater city spread over 534 sq km. Peripheral areas like Bhimili, Anakapalli and nearest places of Viziangaram would be covered in the second phase and Tuni in East Godavari and some areas in Srikakulam would be brought under the metro rail network in the third phase. Officials said each station will have shopping malls and business establishments for the benefit of passengers.

As per estimates, the greater city population, which is now 20 lakh, would reach one crore by 2040. "If everything goes well, the city will have the metro rail system by the end of 2015," Ramanjaneyulu added.

Source: Eenadu epaper (http://epaper.eenadu.net/svww_zoomart.php?Artname=20111107a_008101004&ileft=266&itop=576&zoomRatio=131&AN=20111107a_008101004)

http://epaper.eenadu.net/pdf/2011/11/07/20111107a_008101004.jpg

German firm Heildelberg and the Indian fims Ultratech & Reliance cements are interested in forming a joint venture with Vizag steel (RINL) for the proposed 3 MTPA cement plant. The flyash & slag coming from the steel plant will be used for the manufacturing of cement in this upcoming plant. The capacity will be increased to 6.4 MTPA in the future.
To be started with an investment of 1000 Crs, is expected to start production in 2 years once construction is started.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article2609278.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home

Visakhapatnam, Nov. 8:


Andhra Pradesh is looking forward to having a second major port in the State, after Visakhapatnam, as announced by the Union Government in the maritime agenda for the current decade (2010-20) and has requested the Centre to initiate the necessary steps.
The plea was made by the Principal Secretary (Investment and Infrastructure Dept), AP, Mr Sutirtha Bhattacharya, at a seminar on ports and logistics, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the State Government here on Tuesday.
He said the non-major ports in the State were being developed in association with the private sector and they would have the major share (54 per cent) of the cargo being handled by 2020.
He said the State was formulating a development strategy for the non-major ports in the State and would make all efforts to add to capacities.
Mr. Bhattacharya said the State was looking to forward, also, to having a second major port after Vizag and he expressed the hope the Union Government would expedite the matter.
“It would give a great boost to the economy and the port sector in the State,” he said. He added that many people were advocating the Gujarat model for developing the non-major ports in the State, but the issue would have to be studied in depth, as the conditions in the State were slightly different.
Security
The Joint Director-General of Shipping, Mr Deepak Shetty, said security at the ports was of the utmost importance and the ports should gear themselves to implement the International Ship and Port Security code and also the International Maritime Dangerous Goods code.
Further, the ports should also join the Port Community System (PCS) to implement e-commerce and e-governance in the ports. It would reduce the transaction cost considerably.
Vizag port
The Deputy Chairman of Visakhapatnam Port Trust, Mr G.V.L Satya Kumar, said the port had handled 68 million tonnes during 2010-11 and it may handle 72-73 mt during the current financial year. It was expanding its capacity and by 2013-14 its capacity would rise to 110-120 mt.
Referrring in general to the port sector, he said it was not enough to increase the handling capacity of the ports as envisaged in the maritime agenda 2010-20, but to gear up the railways and roadways to handle the increased traffic.
“Our rail network is already saturated and there should be greater co-ordination between the ports and the railways. I feel there should be a unified command and control structure to address some of the problems,” he remarked.
The Chief Operating Officer of the Visakhapatnam Container Terminal Ltd, Capt Sriram Ravichander, spoke about the prospects of increasing container cargo on the east coast, especially at Visakhapatnam, and developing it into a hub.
The Chairman of the CII, Vizag zone, Mr R.V.S Raju, welcomed the guests.

International status remains pipedream for Vizag airport

VISAKHAPATNAM: Lack of a permanent night landing facility has landed the Vizag airport in a mess. Though the airport has a new integrated terminal building, improved facilities and increased patronage from passengers, the government is not ready to clear the decks to give it the international airport tag.

International and domestic carriers are unable to operate services after 8 pm and before 8 am due to restrictions imposed by the Indian Navy, which continues to control the operations at the airport. The Eastern Naval Command (ENC) refuted the charges levelled by the operators and people's representatives and said it would consider requests if any airline shows interest to operate international flights, which usually land at night.

Sources, however, said ENC is attributing its inability to open the airport round-the-clock, to the non-availability of sufficient ground staff and manpower in the Air Traffic Control (ATC). Vizag airport caters to five districts - Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, East and West Godavari - and southern parts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh. About four lakh passengers from this region travel overseas from Chennai and Hyderabad, because Vizag doesn't operate international flights.

Presently, the domestic passenger traffic has touched nearly nine lakhs per annum and is expected to cross one million by the end of next year. Though the airport runs 42 services to destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Tirupati everyday, Vizag's location in the faraway corner on AP's map is also playing spoilsport in getting the international airport tag, said sources.

While passengers of Anantapur, Kadapa prefer Bangalore for their onward international travel, travellers from Nellore and Chittoor opt for Chennai. "So, the chances of Vizag getting the international airport status are limited," an expert said.

But those pitching for the international airport tag said Vizag is one of the fastest growing cities on a par with Kochi, Coimbatore and Pune. But except Visakha, all the three cities are operating international flights.

"The ministry of civil aviation has declared Vizag one of the 18 airports in the country to operate flights to SAARC nations as it provides a vital link to these nations. This was envisaged in the 'Look East' policy," Air Travellers Association of India, Vizag chapter president, D Varada Reddy said.

Sources said Sri Lankan firm Brandix which has operations in Vizag, operates chartered flights to the airport to transport its executives from Colombo. "Lack of international connectivity will seriously affect the image and development of the growing city. It's high time Vizag is given the international airport status," Rajya Sabha MP T Subbarami Reddy told TOI.Experts said, apart from a thriving IT sector, the city boasts of several defence establishments, industries, four universities and three Special Economic Zones, which contribute substantially to the economy and growth of the city. "It's in this light the city needs to have international flights as the passenger rush is only going to increase in the coming years," an expert said.

Passengers from the region pointed out that smaller cities like Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Kozhikode, Kochi, Mangalore and Amritsar have international connectivity, but not Vizag.:bash:


"If ENC cannot arrange night landing facility, let the ATC be handed over to the Airport Authority of India. We have asked the Union defence minister to consider this request," Subbarami Redy added.

Table

State -- Population --- Number of airports -- Number of international airports

Andhra Pradesh -- 8,46,65,533 --- 6 ---1:bash:

Tamil Nadu --- 7,21,38,958 --- 5 ---- 3

Karnataka --- 6,11,30,704 ---- 5 --- 2

Kerala --- 3,33,87,677 ---- 3 ---- 3

Maharashtra --- 11,23,72,972 ---- 5 ---- 3

TOI (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/International-status-remains-pipedream-for-Vizag-airport/articleshow/10662251.cms)

Soon, Rs 120 bn petroleum refinery in AP

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/rs120-bn-petroleum-refinery-to-come-up-in-ap/203268-62-127.html

Amerind Petroleum Private Limited (Amerind) proposes to set up a nearly Rs.120 billion petroleum refinery near Visakhapatnam, in joint technical collaboration with US-based American Industrial Corporation (AIC). The refinery to come up in Petroleum, Chemicals and Petro-chemicals Investment Region (PCPIR) near the coastal city of Visakhapatnam, will have an initial refining capacity to process 7.5 million tonnes of crude oil per annum (or 150,000 barrels per day) and will produce the entire range of petroleum products.
A memorandum of understanding between Andhra Pradesh government and Amerind to set up the refinery was signed here Thursday in the presence of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy. Major Industries Minister J. Geeta Reddy later told reporters that the first phase of the project would be set up on turn key basis by AIC by relocating an existing and running refinery acquired by it in the US. The estimated cost of the first phase would be Rs.25.25 billion ($505 million).
In the second phase, the project would be expanded to a total refining capacity of 15 million tons per annum along with a petro-chemical complex, at an additional cost of Rs.86.11 billion.

Vizag Port unveils plan to sport new look

Visakhapatnam Port, the government-owned major port, will not have the tag of a dirty port once nine Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) operators complete their projects in 2013.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00853/I01vzskp1_NDUSTRY_D_853370e.jpg
Going green: Construction work in full swing at Visakhapatnam Port.

read more:- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2680120.ece

NOC to power plant put on hold

Minister discusses ‘Hinduja' issue with officials at a meeting

At a meeting on the problems being faced by villagers in and around the proposed Hinduja power plant at Palavalasa, district in-charge Minister and Minister for Tourism Vatti Vasant Kumar has directed the District Collector to come with a procedure and guidelines on which the villages should be shifted and the amenities created.

The Minister made it clear that until such a process was chalked out, no permissions or a ‘no objection certificate' would be given and directed officials to strictly follow procedure while allotting land to the plant, a statement issued by Pendurti MLA P. Rameshbabu said.

read more:- http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article2680118.ece

Novotel comes to Vizag

The steel city will have a new five-star addition on its beachfront. The Novotel Visakhapatnam Varun Beach, a new luxury hotel will launch its commercial operations from Wednesday.

The hotel with 225 rooms, a conventional centre and Varun Inox have been constructed at a cost of Rs 140 crore. The Varun Group Chairman and Managing Director and the hotel's proprietor, Mr V. Prabhu Kishore, said it was a diversification for the group.

With its agreement with Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe that specialised in managing convention centres it would be a premiere destination for conventions. He and General Manager- Delegate, Andhra Pradesh of Accor, Mr Paul Archer, stated that the hotel did not want to share business but wanted growth in business.

The Varun Group would expand in the hospitality sector by taking up ventures in Vijayawada and Hyderabad also. Mr Archer said Visakhapatnam was the next big conference destination. He identified Asia-Pacific region with potential growth for hospitality sector.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article2689512.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy

NOVOTEL VIZAG (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uLtc_0hqLI&feature=colike)

Hi,

Finally some good news in Andhra Pradesh.IBM has opened vizag office.Any news or comments about what exactly they are upto?

IBM opens branch in Vizag (http://www.mydigitalfc.com/opportunities/ibm-opens-branch-vizag-it-goes-smaller-towns-401):)

IBM opens branch in Vizag as it goes to smaller towns
By B Krishna Mohan Dec 19 2011
Tags: Opportunities
NYSE-listed information technology company IBM on Monday announced its new centre in Visakhapatnam. This is part of its strategy to reach to smaller but rapidly developing cities by having presence in 40 cities across India and South Asia by 2013. In 2011 IBM has opened six new branch offices in India.

IBM has been present in the coastal district Visakhapatnam since 2007 through its global delivery centre. The new branch will boost IBM’s business in the region by enabling it to provide solutions and services in information management, IT security and cloud computing and business analytics.

“Companies in regional cities are looking to IT as a way to drive innovation. Small and medium enterprises have been the engines driving economic growth across & play a role in regional development,” said Nipun Mehrotra, IBM India/South Asia VP (general business-geographic expansion).

“IBM is working to spur innovation in SME sector by providing advanced technologies through increased local presence and relationships with local business partners,” he said adding that in 2011 over 1000 new business partners from India/South Asia have registered with it. IBM is working with clients in Vishakhapatnam. It is providing hardware, software and services for EISAI Pharmaceuticals. It provided an enterprise resource planning solution for EISAI’s India operations to streamline EISAI’s desktop computing environment.

Hi,

Finally some good news in Andhra Pradesh.IBM has opened vizag office.Any news or comments about what exactly they are upto?

Yes it is a good news.but still it takes time to get into Major Projects starting in Vizag.

I think IBM has opened a Sales Wing in Vizag.As they have opened few centers in Tier II cities i.e Indore.

But we can have a hope of IBM generating Employment in Vizag in few more years.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/steel/rinl-to-invest-rs-42000-cr-at-its-visakhapatnam-facility/articleshow/11514658.cms

NEW DELHI: State-run RINL has inked a pact with the Andhra Pradesh government for Rs 42,000 crore investment at its Visakhapatanam facility, the Steel Ministry said today.

"Under the agreement, the Visakhapatanam Steel Plant will invest around Rs 42,000 crore for various projects for the expansion and modernization of the plant," the statement said.

The signing of pact with the state government would strengthen RINL for the next phase of expansion to 11/12 MT per annum, it added.

"...RINL emerged as the 'number one' company as far as the investments are concerned in Andhra Pradesh and this will give a big boost to the industrial development of the state, particularly the Visakhapatnam region," it said.

RINL falls under the administrative control of the Steel Ministry.

"Government of Andhra Pradesh will also facilitate allotment of iron ore mines including other raw material mines, supply of water, power, etc, to RINL on priority basis," it further said

This MOU is made to facilitate RINL for establishment of the Projects in Andhra Pradesh in a time bound manner. The signing of the MoU with the State Government would strengthen RINL for the next phase of expansion to 11/12Mtpa.

^^ good one but they should develop other regions too

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article2923837.ece

Acquisition of 1,000 acres of land for Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)'s second campus at Atchyutapuram near here, for building a township will be completed in a couple of months, Scientific Officer G and in-charge of Engineering Services Division of BARC here, M. Venkataratnam said on Wednesday.

An area of 4,000 acres which will be the main site is with the BARC after the APIIC acquired it and handed it over, while the rest of land -- 600 acres belonged to the government and the remaining 400 acres was with private persons. Negotiations were on with the private persons and the process was expected to be completed in a couple of months, said Mr. Venkataratnam, who was here to participate in a seminar on peaceful applications of atomic energy being organised at GITAM University.

Construction of the BARC facility, which will be three times the size of the one at Trombay, near Mumbai, would be taken up in phases and the first phase was estimated at Rs. 550 crores.

The budget would be allotted for each phase as the work progressed.

The entire facility would be ready in all respects in 30 years.

The BARC facility here is functioning from a rented accommodation in the Autonagar here and an electromagnetic system was commissioned during July 2009 by the then Director of BARC Sreekumar Banerjee. The second campus is being established here as the Trombay facility has reached saturation point and also the government is keen on takinge BARC to the east coast in a bid to spread research all over the country and probably a strategic reason is also involved.

The campus here will focus on energy research in its totality and also the strategic needs of the country, he had said then.

Source: http://www.orissadiary.com/Shownews.asp?id=32519

:banana:

Hyderabad: HPL to set up project at Vizag A delegation of Hindustan Prefab Limited (HPL), a Government of India Enterprise led by its Chairman and Managing Director Sri Jaiveer Srivastava met the Chief Minister Sri N.Kiran Kumar Reddy here at camp office this evening and expressed their interest to establish their branch at Vizag with an estimated cost of Rs.107 crores.

They informed that they will take up Housing, Institutional buildings, Hospital Buildings, Sports Complexes, Disaster Rehabilitation Works using precast concrete and prefabrication techniques. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is providing lakhs of houses to weaker sections, 14 lakh houses are being built apart from Urban and Indira Awas Yojana Housing projects.

The Chief Minister said that the one lakh youth are being trained by National Academy for Construction every year. The Chief Minister asked the Officials to examine the proposals submitted by HPL for establishment of their Unit at Visakhapatnam. Sri Jaiveer said that the flagship hotel of the Oberoi Group was built on a precast concrete frame manufactured by HPL in its Delhi factory.

HPL has a dedicated team of 500 employees and stated that theirs is profit making public sector under taking, having projects in 17 States and in Sri Lanka. Sri Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Minister for Infrastructure and Investments, Sri T.S.Appa Rao, Principal Secretary, Industries, Sri Sutheertha Bhattacharya, Prl Secretary, Infrastructure and investments, Sri B.R.Meena, VC & MD, APIIC and other officials attended the meeting.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/rail-corridor-for-vizag-petrochem-region/467732/

Strengthening rail connectivity in the Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) by developing a coastal rail corridor between Kakinada and Visakhapatnam was among the slew of announcements made by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi with respect to Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday, even as political parties continued to protest against the alleged step-motherly treatment to AP projects.

The coastal rail corridor assumes significance in the wake of several big-ticket investments in refinery projects, including the one by the GMR group, proposed in this region. Also, there is an increased pressure on moving cargo from Visakhapatnam, Kakinada and Gangavaram ports to the hinterlands as the inbound and outbound sea cargo has grown manifold in the last few years.

5 rail line projects
The minister announced five new rail line projects, including four with the participation of the state government, apart from announcing 12 new express trains and one passenger train that will start from half-a-dozen locations including Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Kakinada.
The long wait for the proposed extension of the existing multi-modal transport system (MMTS) in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad also ended with the announcement of the second phase of the project in the 2012-13 Budget. While the current system covers 40 stations with over 80 services used by over 100,000 commuters every day, the authorities propose to extend the services in three directions, up to Patancheru, international airport in Shamshabad and the sub-urban Bhongir town.

Though the minister announced several new coach and wagon factories for 2012-13, the proposed coach factory at Kazipet in the Telangana region did not figure this time as well. Incidentally, Minister of State for Railways KH Muniyappa yesterday clarified that the project was not going to be taken up owing to land issues.

Hailing the Budget for setting a direction in terms of improving productivity and safety logistics, Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Fapcci) president VS Raju, however, said the recent hike in freight tariff would trigger inflationary trend in the economy. The proposals to introduce railway station development corporation, logistics corporation and other projects in public-private partnership mode were welcome moves, he added.

Telugu Desam Party MP MV Mysoora Reddy said despite the South Central Railway division, headquartered in Secunderabad, being the largest contributor in terms of revenues to the Indian Railways, only a fraction of that was coming back to the region towards development of railway infrastructure.

Atlast the subway at Siripuram has finished construction and was opened to public by CM !!!

Next step, the flyover !


==================================================================

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3231613.ece


Chief Minister inaugurates subway

http://i.imgur.com/81BDS.jpg


Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Sunday inaugurated the subway constructed at a cost of Rs.10.28 crore at Aseelmetta and launched the beautification of roads proposed at a cost of Rs.30 crore at Siripuram. The subway was part of the Pendurti corridor of the Bus Rapid Transit System. It is expected to considerably reduce congestion at Aseelmetta as about 1,300 buses pass through it from the RTC Complex. The 493 m-long sub-way is 7.5 m wide and has a footpath.

...............

Flyover is almost complete:

K_B5thwt9vs

SOM (http://www.som.com/content.cfm/vizag_knowledge_city_master_plan)'s master plan of the Knowledge City -

http://i41.************/syqm2g.png

CII prepares roadmap to promote 'Brand Vizag' (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3335341.ece)

A summit meet of foreign diplomats from South East Asia is being organised on April 28

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), which works to create and sustain an environment conducive to the growth of industry, has come forward to showcase the investment potential in Visakhapatnam by promoting ‘Brand Vizag' in a big way.

As the first step in this direction, CII Vizag Zone is organising a summit meet of foreign diplomats from South East Asia here on April 28.

Five Ambassadors, half-a-dozen Deputy High Commissioners and several First Secretaries along with senior officials and top executives of industries are expected to attend the summit being held with the theme ‘business opportunities, investment and industrial development of Visakhapatnam.'

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy during a visit to the city had stated that if there were objections from the Navy to introduce 24-hour operation at the INS Dega airport, the government was ready to consider construction of an international airport.

“We need a coordinated effort to promote Brand Vizag at national and international fora.

Vizag has bright future as Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited itself has signed an agreement at Partnership Summit to invest Rs.40,000 crore.

There is a total committed investment of Rs.80,000 to Rs.1 lakh crore in next few years,” CII zonal chairman and RINL Director (commercial) T.K. Chand, told The Hindu on Thursday.

CII has adopted a three-pronged approach to highlight Vizag's industrial might, tourism potential and its promotion as a hub of connectivity due to its strategic location.

As a tourism spot, CII wants to facilitate development of a golden triangle by attracting investments in creating facilities in lush green Araku Valley, golden beaches of Vizag and the Buddhist sites.

For the industrial units, the location of several engineering and management colleges also offer job-ready professionals.

CII is also in the process of preparing a Vision 2020 document on how to develop Vizag in next eight years. This will help unveil a roadmap for promoting Brand Vizag.

The State Government, which is facing teething problems in attracting investments in its ambitious Visakhapatnam-Kakinada Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region is also planning to take up a publicity campaign to convince the investor fraternity to invest liberally in the region.

Bharti AXA General Insurance hopes to double business in Vizag and South Zone (http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-04-19/news/31367799_1_vizag-recruitment-drive-double-business)

KOLKATA: Bharti AXA General Insurance Company Ltd is planning to double its business in the current financial.

The company has sold over 3.14 lakh policies and has settled 44,777 claims in the South Zone since its inception where it has 14 branches and 26 points of presence.

The company is planning to achieve its target through educating and awareness creation, strengthening of the distribution network through a major agents & brokers recruitment drive.

Vizag has generated Rs 3.38 crore of business during 2011 - 91% of which has been from motor covers followed by the health and commercial lines of insurance at 5% and 4% respectively.

Bharti AXA GI has tied up with over 27 garages in Vizag to offer cashless facilities for its motor customers. It has also tied up with 12 hospitals in the city to facilitate cashless hospitalization. The Company has sold over 6499 policies and settled 656 claims in Vizag since inception.

Amarnath Ananthanaryanan, CEO & MD Bharti AXA said "South India is a key focus market for us & Vizag being one of the biggest cities in South India is very important for us. We are looking at fuelling growth by creating awareness about the need for insurance in Vizag as well as other parts of Andhra Pradesh which are currently under-served.

This is especially true since hazard mapping by our risk management experts puts Vizag in a high risk potential zone for cyclones which makes the need for insurance critical to protect the lives and aspirations of the people & organizations of Vizag."

Manoj Nair, zonal vice president, South, Bharti AXA said "Vizag, the second largest city in Andhra Pradesh with a population of over 4 million, holds tremendous potential for growth with new industries being set up and people coming in. As a major commercial hub, we see growing demand for our retail as well as commercial line products in Vizag.

We are specifically looking at expanding our business in the tier II & III segments in the region. In 2012 we are looking to strengthen our distribution using a large agent recruitment drive, thereby offering large job opportunities".

VUDA jogging track to be ready by next month (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3327779.ece)

The jogging track at the foothill of Kailasagiri, being developed by VUDA, is likely to open next month.

With its lush green surroundings and rich eco system, the track will become another landmark in Vizag. Development of the 2.3-km jogging track has been taken up from the Ropeway Junction to Visalakshinagar area along MVP Colony and Hanumanthawaka junction.

VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar has directed the engineering officials to finish works on the track to open the first stretch of 1.9 km from ropeway junction to the Hanumanthawaka junction. Street-lighting, landscaping, toilets, drinking water facility and other requirements will be provided along the track. The track has two separate zones for jogging and cycling.

Shasun Pharma targets Rs 2000 cr turnover in 3 yrs (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/shasun-pharma-targets-rs-2000-cr-turnover-in-3-yrs/471789/)

Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd has set a target to double its turnover to Rs 2,000 crore by 2015.

“We have crossed the milestone of Rs 1,000 crore turnover for the year ended March 31, 2012, and our next target is to double it in next three years. Our plan is to become a billion dollar company in 2020,” said S Abhaya Kumar, managing director. He was speaking to reporters on the occasion of company completing 35 years of existence.

The company, which invested Rs 83 crore last fiscal in its operations, is planning to invest around Rs 250 crore for capacity expansion in 2012-13, including setting up of a multiproduct facility in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and upgrading existing facilities.
Kumar said they starting last year they were investing considerably into capacity building and other expansion activities.

It expects the contract research and manufacturing services (Crams) along with active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) business to contribute to the Rs 2,000 target. A large number of products going off patent in 2013, including sevelamer hydrate, sevelamer carbonate and colesevelam molecules for which the company has a first to file advantage to manufacture, would bring in considerable revenue, he added.

The formulations business under Crams is expected to grow from the current Rs 80 crore to Rs 400 crore, and its UK subsidiary, Shasun Pharma Solutions Ltd that is exclusively for Crams, is expected to clock in around Rs 500 crore in 2014-15 from Rs 350 crore at present.

The API business is expected to grow from Rs 400 now to Rs 600 crore while the API business for Crams and custom synthesis would go up from Rs 90 crore to Rs 250 crore by the fiscal 2014-15. The upcoming plant at Vizag would generate a business of Rs 300 crore by the time. The biotech business would grow from Rs 3 crore at present to Rs 25 crore.

By 2015, around 50 per cent of the target revenue would be from API and the rest from Crams.

The UK entity clocked a net profit of around 6.2 million pound last year, said Kumar.

The company is also looking at backward integration, including into some of the petroleum products for its products. Its multiproduct manufacturing facility for contract manufacturing services business in the SEZ of pharma park in Vizag, with an investment of over Rs 50 crore, is expected to commence commercial production before December, 2012.

It recently raised Rs 50 crore through preferential allotment of shares to Caduceus Asia Mauritius Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based healthcare investment firm OrbiMed Advisors, for capacity expansion by diluting around 11.93 per cent stake in the company. OrbiMed's representative is being inducted on the board of Shasun. It was a strategic investment to bring in expertise of OrbiMed into the company, rather than an investment to raise money for Shasun for its future growth, said Kumar.

Vuda teams set for field survey (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/vuda-teams-set-field-survey-028)

Vuda vice-chairman Kona Sasidhar directed officials of the planning and estate wings to conduct continuous field inspections to id-entify unapproved and un-authorised developments in all areas under Vuda’s jurisdiction and also encroachments of Vuda lands, here on Thursday.


Vuda vice-chairman Kona Sasidhar directed officials of the planning and estate wings to conduct continuous field inspections to id-entify unapproved and un-authorised developments in all areas under Vuda’s jurisdiction and also encroachments of Vuda lands, here on Thursday.

Special teams were also formed to safeguard general public from false publicity of private firms and individuals and also protect Vuda properties in ur-ban as well as rural areas of Vizag, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts falling under Vuda limits, said the vice chairman.

These teams will function under the direct control of the vice-chairman and will be supervised by chief urban planner R.J. Vidyullatha and estate officer M. Venkateswara Rao.

The team of planning st-aff found an unauthorised layout at Sangivalasa village of Bheemunipatnam mandal during their field inspection on Thursday.

Some private persons are developing layouts over 2.82 acres in survey number 22/p of Sangivalasa village without approval from Vuda. The team immediately removed the boundary stones and other development works in the site. An official communication was also forwarded to the local sub-registrar office, asking him not to entertain any registration in the said layout.

The vice-chairman advis-ed public not to take up any transaction with the layouts as developers were not given any kind of permission, either from Vuda or the local body.

The layout has been identified as unauthorised and no permissions will be given for construction or further development works in the plots purchased here, he stressed.

The vice-chairman further said that people can forward complaints against any unauthorised construction or development of layout taking place within their purview and also on encroachments of Vuda properties. Immediate action will be initiated against such unauthorised and unapproved activities, he said.

VUDA to lay six new Master Plan roads (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3327777.ece)

To promote identified growth centres in its limits, VUDA has taken up laying of six new Master Plan roads in the suburbs of the city.

VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar has announced that equal priority will be given to rural areas also to achieve equilibrium in terms of development.

The six new roads running a length of 11.6 km will be laid at a cost of Rs. 29.5 crore connecting the outskirts with national highway-5 and Visakha-Bheemili Beach Road.

The roads are: 80-feet road of 2.2 km at a cost of Rs. 6.5 crore connecting the highway at Nagarampalem to the 100-feet Kapuluppada road via old Sub-registrar's office; 60-feet road of 1 km length connecting NH-5 to Sivasakthinagar via Ganeshnagar (Rs.3.5 crore); 100-feet road of 2.3 km connecting NH-5 at Law College to Rushikonda VUDA Layout (Rs.7.5 crore); 80-feetroad of 2.2 km connecting NH-5 at Yendada to Vizag-Bheemili Beach Road via GITAM University(Rs.4.5 crore); 80-feet road of 2.9 km connecting NH-5 at underpass to Navodaya School via Bakkannapalem(Rs.4.5 crore) and another 80-feet road of 1 km connecting the internal areas of PM Palem with NH-5 at VDCA Stadium (Rs.3 crore).

Work on the roads has already begun.

Master Plan roads were also developed in Vizianagaram, Srikakulam, Anakapalle, Bheemili and Tuni urban limits under Town development works.

Few days back, the Vice-Chairman had conducted meetings with municipal commissioners and gram panchayat secretaries and asked them to submit proposals for formation of new roads.

VUDA will extend funds and technical support under Master Plan roads category.

New blast furnace commissioned at Vizag Steel plant (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3353150.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, APRIL 25:
The third blast furnace of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL - Visakhapatnam Steel plant) was commissioned on Tuesday.

It was built as a part of the expansion project to take the capacity of the plant from the present 3 million tonnes to 6.3 mt. The cost of the blast furnace along with the turbo blower, water system and auxiliary systems is estimated at Rs 3,800 crore.

Mr A. Eswara Rao, the senior-most employee, and Mr Md. Khalil, the junior-most employee, did the honours on the occasion of blowing-in of the newly-constructed blast furnace No. 3 in the presence of the Chairman and Managing Director, Mr A.P. Chowdhary.

With the blowing-in, hot metal production would begin from the new blast furnace within 72 hours. The blast furnace will on the aggregate produce 7,150 tonnes of hot metal per day.

Mr Chowdhary said that it was a great milestone in the expansion project, as the blast furnace started hot metal production. Currently, he said the two existing blast furnaces were producing 3.9 mt of hot metal and by the end of the current financial year, the hot metal production would go up to 4.5 mt. By 2014-15, he said, hot metal production would go up to 7.5 mt. He said that in the next phase of expansion, 5 mt more would be added to the capacity of RINL and the estimated expenditure for the next phase is Rs 22,000 crore.

In response to a question on how RINL would meet the cost for the next phase of expansion, Mr Chowdhary said that for the present phase of expansion the company had met the expenditure (Rs 12,500 crore) out of its internal accruals. But for the next phase it may go in for loans and the debt-equity ratio may be 1:1.

HPCL set to revive Vizag project, applies for land (http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_hpcl-set-to-revive-vizag-project-applies-for-land_1680728)

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd (HPCL) is set to revive its plan to set up an integrated mega refinery near Visakhapatnam.
The company has approached the Andhra Pradesh government for allotment of about 1,500 acres at Achyutapuram near Vizag for this.

The land the state-owned company is keen on falls under a special economic zone and the state is yet to take a final decision on that.

According to state government sources, HPCL is keen on setting up a mega refinery, an aromatic plant and a naphtha unit in its proposed project with an estimated outlay of Rs 35,000 crore.
The refiner had come up with a similar proposal in 2006 and was allotted the required land by the government. However, it had deferred its plan and the land was also taken back by the government.

“The proposal is still at an early stage. They (the HPCL officials) have met state government officials and conveyed their interest in going ahead with the project this time. However, land allotment is an issue this time since significant part of the SEZ land has already been allotted. Anyway, the state government has asked HPCL to come back with a detailed report on the project,” a government source said.

HPCL already has a refinery near Vizag with a capacity of about 8.3mmtpa. The Vizag refinery is the largest in terms of capacity while the other refinery is in Mumbai with a capacity fo about 6.5 mmtpa. According to sources, HPCL was also keen on roping in a partner for the proposed second project at Vizag. However, it could not find a suitable partner.

“The issue of incentives has also come up during the recent meeting. The state has a policy for each of the sectors and the incentives would be passed on accordingly,” the source said.

In fact, the state government is this time confident of HPCL grounding its project while not insisting on a particular set of incentives since it is believed that the oil company had earlier gone to other states after deferring its Vizag plans and could not find a suitable location.

“It will be a prestigious project and the government too is keen on accommodating the project near Vizag. However, there is a lot of procedure to follow before confirming the arrival of the project,” the source said.

Vesuvius India plans to open R&D centre in Vizag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3356362.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

KOLKATA, APRIL 26:
Manufacturing firm Vesuvius India Ltd is planning to open a research and development (R&D) centre at Visakhapatnam soon.

“We are going to open an international R&D centre at Visakhapatnam in a 15-acre land,” Dr S.K. Gupta, Chairman, said at the company’s 21st Annual General Meeting here on Thursday.

According to him, the company has already made “full payment’’ for acquiring the land on a freehold basis from Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation to set up the R&D facility along with its fifth plant.

CII meet to showcase Vizag as ideal destination (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3359663.ece)

Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and diplomats from eight countries to attend the conference tomorrow

Several Ambassadors, High Commissioners, and senior diplomats from eight countries will participate in the one-day conference on ‘Trade and investment — exploring new opportunities' at Hotel Gateway on Saturday.

The conference is being hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industries in association with the Andhra Pradesh government to showcase Visakhapatnam as a destination for investment in industry, infrastructure, and tourism. Those who confirmed their participation include Dato Paduka Haji Sidek Ali, High Commissioner, Brunei, Muthafa Yusof, Minister Counsellor (Economic Affairs), Malaysia, Nguyen Thanh Tan, Ambassador, Vietnam, Guna Seelan Balakrishnan, Second Secretary (Economic Affairs), Malaysia, Pisan Manawapat, Ambassador of Thailand, Chanchai Charnavatnakit, Consul-General, Royal Thai Consulate, Thailand, Vichael Angelo D. Roaring, Commercial Attache, Philippines, Hun Han, First Secretary, Cambodia, Chan Kah Mei, First Secretary (Economics), Singapore, Pimpha Keomixay, Deputy Chief of Mission, Laos, and Sasirit Tangulrat, Minister-Counsellor, Royal Thai Embassy, Thailand.

Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari will inaugurate the conference. Minister for Investment and Infrastructure, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, Industries Principal Secretary T.S. Appa Rao, and RINL Chairman-cum-Managing Director A.P. Choudhary will speak.

RINL Director (commercial) and CII zonal chairman T.K. Chand said on Thursday that the high-level delegation from ASEAN countries would visit key industrial establishments such as Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Visakhapatnam Port Trust, and the Special Economic Zone.

They will also have a glimpse of tourist potential of Visakhapatnam.

One-to-one interaction

CII will organise a one-to-one interaction of top entrepreneurs with the ASEAN delegation to explore the possibility of collaboration and investment.

The conference is expected to bring together corporate bodies, entrepreneurs, representatives from India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.

The objectives are essentially two-way dissemination of information — among the local industry on business opportunities in the ASEAN region and among the ASEAN representatives on sectors of strength of the local industry — as well as to explore possibilities of collaboration and investment. The programme includes a session on investment opportunities in Visakhapatnam in different sectors. An exclusive session with the ASEAN delegation showcasing their countries' investment opportunities and one-to-one meeting between delegates and representatives of the ASEAN group on their business opportunities will be highlights.

It's 'look Vizag' mantra for ASEAN countries now (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3369687.ece)

After a two-day trip to Visakhapatnam on Friday and Saturday, delegates from ASEAN countries have shown keen interest for partnership in various spheres in Visakhapatnam and promote the city as a gateway to South East Asia.

Senior diplomats from Brunei, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines and Laos told the CII, which invited them to a day-long conference on ‘South India – ASEAN trade & investment: Exploring new opportunities,' said they were returning to their work place with a good impression on exploring trade and commerce.

Brunei High Commissioner Dato Paduka Haji Sidek told The Hindu that promoting business in the region would be mutually beneficial for ASEAN members, the local authorities and the entrepreneurs.

Ambassador of Thailand Pisan Manawapat told the CII members that a consortium of nations, including his country, was building a mega port to decongest traffic in Strait of Malacca and there would be huge requirement of quality steel.

Impressed with the data on quality of production at Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and its high standard customer service, he asked the VSP management to come forward for supplying steel for the mega project.

He also saw huge opportunities in tie-ups for tourism in Visakhapatnam. Seafood is yet another area where collaborations with Vizag and Thai entrepreneurs could materialise.

FLIGHT TO BANGKOK

He expressed the hope that Visakhapatnam would soon be connected with Bangkok. A flight to Dubai was launched from the city last month.

Minister Counsellor (Economic Affairs), Malaysia Musthafa Yusof, evinced interest in steel and iron products. RINL-VSP is already exporting its products to Malaysia and this relationship he wanted to grow further. Tourism is yet another area that Malaysia wants to propose with respect to Visakhapatnm.

Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Tan sought participation of Visakhapatnam entrepreneurs/industries in Vietnam economy. Host of areas such as MSMEs and IT could be the areas of collaboration.

Diplomats from Philippines, Laos, Singapore, and Malaysia were impressed with the educational facilities in the city and evinced interest for educational tie-up. They wanted to explore exchange of educational teams and students.

The delegates in general expressed the view that the ancient bond of South India with South East Asia would provide an excellent bridge to step up relations in contemporary time and the strength of Vizag in steel, port and logistics, IT, pharma, fishing, MSME and tourism need to be leveraged.

CII zonal chairman and RINL Director (commercial) T.K. Chand told this correspondent that the positive signals from the high-level delegation from ASEAN countries would make the city the cynosure of ASEAN countries in future.

Mr. Chand said they were overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and interest shown by ASEAN delegation and would set up a working group soon for follow-up action.

Biggest blast furnace goes on stream at Vizag Steel (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com//articleshow/12937502.cms)

KOLKATA: A new blast furnace went on stream at RINL's Vizag Steel Plant with the first tapping of Hot Metal successfully from the newly built Blast Furnace (BF-3) taking place on Friday evening.

The blowing-in process of new BF-3 had commenced on Wednesday, April 24. The 3,800 cubic metre capacity BF-3 at the state owned RINL-Vizag Steel will be one of the biggest blast furnaces in operation. It will add about 4% to the overall capacity in the country.

The state of the art BF-3 along with auxiliary facilities like power, water, ASUs etc was commissioned at a cost of Rs 3800 crores. With this, RINL achieved a major milestone in relation to its proposed Rs 12,500 crore expansion to a capacity of 6.3 million tonne per annum. The blowing in of BF-3 was carried out by RINL employees along with the company's chairman and managing director on April 24.

A P Choudhary, CMD, RINL shared the long cherished dream of commissioning of one of the country's biggest blast furnace by participating with employees in tapping process and congratulated them on this historic moment. Beni Prasad Verma, Union Minister of Steel, DRS Chaudhary, Secretary Steel also congratulated the RINL collective on the occasion.

Araku set to get first butterfly park (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/node/118736)

Aimed at tapping the scenic beauty of tribal and rural pockets along the Eastern Ghats in Vizag district to attract tourists from all parts of the country, the state government is all set for a mega Vizag tourism package worth Rs.250 crore.

The state’s first butterfly park in Araku has been mooted before top Union tourism officials last week and it has been okayed for further research study. Around 100 acres has been identified in Araku to initiate activities including a butterfly park.

Integrated Tribal Deve-lopment Authority, Paderu in collaboration with APTDC officials are gearing up for modernisation of the existing north Andhra’s only tribal museum in Araku valley and providing tourist-friendly activities at Chaparai Konda in Vizag agency.

Explaining the mega tourism project, APTDC general manager Sumit Singh added that the stretch of 30-km road from RK beach to Bheemili passing through Kailasagiri, Buddhist remains, Rushi Konda, will be completely transformed.

A special package of Rs.50 crore was proposed to develop the entire beach road with more theme parks, beautification works. etc.

Alstom bags two contracts valued at Rs 84 crore from NALCO and Rastriya Ispat Nigam Limited (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/alstom-bags-two-contracts-valued-at-rs-84-crore-from-nalco-and-rastriya-ispat-nigam-limited/articleshow/12964492.cms)

KOLKATA: Alstom has bagged two contracts valued at Rs 84 crore from NALCO and RINL. These include a fume treatment plant at NALCO's Angul plant and stock house dust extraction system at RINL's Vizag steel plant.

Alstom's scope of supply for the fume treatment plant at NALCO's Angul plant will include a gas conditioning tower for cooling of the gas followed by a Alstom patented fabric filter system, ducts, dampers and electrical control systems.

At RINL's Vizag steel plant, Alstom will install a new air pollution control system replacing the existing one with new duct systems, electrostatic precipitator, dampers and electrical control systems.

"The customer specifically chose Alstom due to its extensive experience in providing customized retrofit solution, seamlessly integrated into the existing production process. When completed, the Alstom system will improve energy efficiency as well as the working environment at the plant," said the company in a release.

Francois Carpentier, vice president, thermal and renewable power, Alstom India said: "We are witnessing sustained growth in the environmental control systems business. These latest contracts are further proof that utilities and industrial customers in India value our world-leading air quality control solutions. Alstom's focus will be to ensure the application of the most effective and efficient environmental control technology for both these plants".

Alstom's business unit in Kolkata will handle the execution activities associated with supply of the fume treatment plant and the stock house dust extraction system. To-date, Alstom has installed more than 90 fabric filter systems and 1100 electrostatic precipitators worldwide.

T-effect: Vizag turns favourite investment hub (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/t-effect-vizag-turns-favourite-investment-hub-450)

Call it Telangana affect or being an ideal place, Vizag has turned out to be a favourite destination for investments after Hyderabad. More than 100 companies have readied their plans to establish industries in Vizag.

Availability of manpower, better logistics, both air and sea connectivity, has made Vizag a favourite destination for investors.

Interestingly, of the total 104 industry enterprise memorandums (IEMs) signed by investors since 2002, 80 were signed after 2009, when the stir for separate statehood peaked.

The 104 industry proposals are all set to bring in Rs 85,000 crore investments to this region besides providing more than 36,000 jobs to skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled local unemployed youth.

“Of the 104, more than 40 per cent of the companies have reached an ‘active stage’ and will begin operations within a couple of years. Around Rs.30,000 crore investments would be pumped in the first stage,” district industries centre general manager, V.R. Nayak told this correspondent.


Though some IEMs were signed in 2002, these companies have also swung into action and begun construction and other activities only after 2009. Another interesting point is that these investments are not part of state government’s prestigious PCPIR project coming up between Vizag and Kakinada.

Besides domestic firms, international companies also show interest in establishing their industries in the Vizag region.

For instance, the US-based Brighton Group evinced interest in setting up a Rs.2,880 crore nuclear power equipment manufacturing facility in this region and signed an MoU with state government in 2011, making it Brighton’s maiden venture in India.

Brighton will invest Rs.2,880 crore and provide direct employment to 2,500 skilled workers, and indirect employment to another 10,000 persons.

The proposed plant will be set up on an 800 acre site at Nakkapalli in the district.

Around Rs.1.2 lakh crore of the total investments, that is, Rs 6.47 lakh crore, signed at the CII partnership summit held in January at Hyderabad are for the Vizag region.

“Vizag offers a calm, peaceful atmosphere away from any disturbances in the form of rasta rokos, frequent bandhs, etc., besides good manpower.

The trend of a sudden rise in investments in the Vizag region after 2009 can clearly be attributed to the Telangana agitation. Vizag already has two ports, one in the public and the other in the private sector.

Recent international air connectivity will attract more investments from global players,” opined an industrialist.

Welspun completes Vizag berth ahead of schedule (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3418884.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

MUMBAI, MAY 14:
Leighton Welspun said it has completed construction of the berth at Visakhapatnam Port three months ahead of schedule and is in the process of wrapping up the balance work.

The company has bagged the contract to mechanise coal handling facilities and upgrade the general cargo berth at the outer harbour of the Visakhapatnam Port to cater to 2,00,000 dwt vessels.

The berth is 356 m long and 21 m wide and built to support three ship-unloading cranes.

The public-private partnership project, awarded in 2010, is on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.

Welspun's contract includes civil, mechanical and electrical works for installation of a system to unload coal at the rate of 70,000 TPD by three ship un-loaders. The main challenge in executing the project was to ensure that there was no disruption to the existing berth. For this, the work had to be carried out in two phases.

Work continues on the buildings and terminal operational facilities with the balance of the contract works slated for completion in the next few weeks, it said.

The Vizag port contract is the first project for the company.

Recently, Welspun has been chosen to build the Vizhinjam container terminal in Kerala.

Concept Hospitality to set up 5 properties this fiscal (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/article3433042.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

SPRUCING UP THE FERN

HYDERABAD, MAY 18:
Hospitality management services provider Concept Hospitality is set to lay thrust on The Fern brand, presenting it as an eco-friendly hotel chain.

Concept is set to add five more properties to its existing portfolio of 24 during the current financial year.

The company, which manages a chain of 24 properties with over 1,200 rooms, is expected to add 600 rooms during the year. Of the 24 projects under management of the chain, 13 projects are managed under the Fern Hotels & Resorts brand and the rest are branded independently.

The Fern with Ecotel tag stands for environmentally sensitive hotels across the country. It is the company's flagship brand.

“We are at an advanced stage of completing five more properties. These include projects in Chennai, Tezpur, Tirupur, Rajkot and Chandigargh,” Mr. Param Kannampilly, the Chairman and Managing Director of Concept Hospitality, said.

The Hospitality chain, which had added Mansarovar The Fern in Hyderabad last year, is scouting for more projects in Andhra Pradesh, which includes one at the port city and business hub of Visakhapatnam.

Mr Param Kannampilly told Business Line that the hospitality business is looking up lately and the occupancy levels have begun to get better with business and tourist travel increasing.

The chain, which clocked revenues of Rs 200 crore last year for its properties, expects to close this year with about Rs 250-275 crore, he explained.

Hyderabad has emerged as one of the fastest growing centres with several major hospitality chains setting up their bases.

Vizag refinery capacity expansion by 2015-16: HPCL (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/oil-gas/vizag-refinery-capacity-expansion-by-2015-16-hpcl/articleshow/13313679.cms)

HYDERABAD: Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) expects to expand the Vizag refinery plant to 15 million tons by 2015-16, a top official of the state-owned oil firm said.

According to HPCL Director (refineries) K Murali, Engineers India has been appointed as consultants for the project and they are expected to submit report on that.

"They (Engineers India) are expected to complete the feasibility report in few months time. Then we will have to take it to board for approvals. By 2015-16 we can expect the expansion in place provided we overcome all hurdles such as environmental clearances," Murali said.

HPCL operates two major refineries producing a wide variety of petroleum fuels and specialties, one in Mumbai (West Coast) of 6.5 Million metric ton per annum (MMTPA) capacity and the other in Vishakhapatnam, (East Coast) with a capacity of 8.3 MMTPA.

The project, which was scheduled to take off in 2013, could not be taken forward for variety of reasons such as environmental issues and partnership with others.

Refusing to reveal cost of the expansion, Murali said it depends on the project report being prepared by EI.

A senior official of HPCL earlier had said the capacity expansion will require investment of Rs 10,000 crore.

HPCL will be completing the shifting of its two terminals for black oil and white oil, to newer location which will free 70 acres of space in the existing complex.

On the frequent interventions of Pollution Control Board on environmental issues, Murali said they will chose the technology in such a way that the emission levels remain under prescribed norms even if the capacity goes up.

Meanwhile, HPCL will be spending around Rs 4,500 crore on capex plans in this financial year, Murali said.

"Both plan and non-plan put together and part of it will be used for the replacement of older machinery. Some of it will go in to safety features and marking also. Implementations of new safety features itself will cost more than Rs 1,000 crore investments," Murali said.

Port Trust signs pact with Vizag Agriport (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3439434.ece?ref=wl_industry-and-economy)

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 20:
The Visakhapatnam Port Trust signed the concession agreement on Friday with the Vizag Agriport Pvt Ltd, a special purpose vehicle formed by the ABG-LDA Bulk Handling Pvt Ltd, Mumbai, and IL&FS Maritime Infrastructure Company Consortium. The agreement is for the installation of mechanised handling facilities at East Quay-7 in the inner harbour of Visakhapatnam port on design, build, finance, operate and transfer basis at a cost of Rs 217.58 crore for a period of 30 years.

The Chairman of Visakhapatnam port, Mr Ajeya Kallam, and senior officials from the port and companies, participated in the function. It is estimated that the project will add 5.21 MTPA to the port traffic.

State first police canteen in Vizag soon, says DGP (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/state-first-police-canteen-vizag-soon-says-dgp-275)

The Director General of Police (DGP), Mr V. Dinesh Reddy, appreciated the police commissioner, Mr J. Puranchandra Rao, and city traffic police on Wednesday for significantly bringing down the number of road accidents in Vizag city during the last three years.

The Director General of Police (DGP), Mr V. Dinesh Reddy, appreciated the police commissioner, Mr J. Puranchandra Rao, and city traffic police on Wednesday for significantly bringing down the number of road accidents in Vizag city during the last three years.

Mr Dinesh Reddy said that the total number of accidents that occurred in the city during the first four months of 2010 was 657.

It was brought down to 459 during the corresponding period last year and further reduced to 423 in the first four months of 2012.

Police canteens will be set up at various places in the state on the lines of defence canteens and police personnel can soon avail of subsidised canteen facilities including in Vizag city also.

Mr Dinesh Reddy said that the first such canteen will be set up in Visakhapatnam soon. Canteen facilities can be availed not only by police personnel in Visakhapat-nam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts but also by ministerial staff working in the Police Department.

He said that a police hospital would be set up in Hyderabad at an estimated cost of around Rs.50 crore for police personnel.

Answering a question, Mr Dinesh Reddy said that so far, there were no plans to set up a full fledged cyber crime police station in the city. Earlier, he inaugurated the renovated Police Club and a police sub control unit at Chavulamadhum Jun-ction in the city.

Plans afoot to start tribal wellness centre at Araku (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-24/hyderabad/31838344_1_tribal-products-trifed-tribal-affairs)

HYDERABAD: Tribal medicines and herbs to cure illness will soon be dispensed for the general public and tourists at Araku, a hot tourism destination in Visakhapatnam. Specialised traditional healers will provide medicines for bone fracture, arthritis and several other health problems, including medicine for snake bite and scorpion sting.

A Common Facilitation and Wellness Centre on 20-acre of land is being proposed to set up by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (Trifed) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India where the medicines will be made available.

Trifed managing director Jiji Thomson informed this at a programme organised at the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) here on Wednesday to release a survey report on 'Diet and Nutritional status of tribal population and prevalence of hypertension among adults' brought out by the National Nutrition and Monitoring Bureau ( NNMB).

Thomson said Trifed would establish a green house to produce saplings of selected proper variety of plants. At the wellness centre, modern machinery will be set up for preparation of herbal drugs from local grown species.

The wellness centre will be established at a cost of Rs 10 crore to Rs 20 crore and the basic infrastructure could be ready in six months as land has already been identified for it. Thomson said in Uttarkhand, it was proposed to set up a centre of textiles, to sell tribal products. Shawls in contemporary style could export to Europe, he said. Similarly in Jagdalpur in Chattisgarh, a centre would be established where minor forest produce, handicrafts and other products would be sold. There was a plan to make use of land in Navi Mumbai also for promoting tribal products, he said. Thomson said there are 35 outlets all over the country, including one in Hyderabad, where tribal products were being sold. Measures will also be taken to patent tribal produce and products, he said.

Earlier speaking at the function, M K Bhan, secretary, department of biotechnology said when designing health programmes, it was important to have an understanding of the complete environment in which the targeted population lives. He pointed out that 35 per cent of the Indian population, including tribals and those living away from cities had a lifestyle of their own which had to be understood.

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general and secretary, Department of Health Research said tribals face specific problems and their survival wisdom has also to be understood and documented.

NIN director B Sesikeran said surveys had shown the spread of non-communicable diseases even among tribals and that should be a cause for concern.

Andhra University to take up Rs 20-cr bio-tech project (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article3473787.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

VISAKHAPATNAM, MAY 30:
Andhra University is undertaking a Rs 20-crore project for the extraction of bio-active molecules from medicinal plants and marine organisms, according to the rector, Prof P.V.G.D Prasad Reddy.

The permission of the University Grants Commission (UGC) is awaited. He was speaking at the national seminar on bio-active molecules organised in the university on Wednesday.

In his inaugural address, he spoke about the challenges in bioactive molecule research.

Prof V. Veeriah, Principal, AU college of Science and Technology, explained the importance of bioactive molecules in human health and well-being.

Delivering the key-note address, the Director of the National institute of Nutrition (NIN), Hyderabad, Dr B. Sesikeran, discussed the importance of different technologies such as agricultural technology, nutritional technology, food technology for food and nutrition security.

He also emphasised that bio-technological advances such as marker assisted breeding and transgenic technology could be used to bring about a significant increase in food production both in quantity and quality.

Prof T. Ramana, Prof. K.P.J. Hemalatha, Prof. T. Raghava rao and other professors from Andhra University and many other Indian universities participated in the inaugural function.

Daikin eyes 15% market by entering new cities (http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-7864-daikin_eyes_15_market_by_entering_new_cities/)

Daikin Air-conditioning India looks to increase its market share from current 12 per cent to 15 per cent as a part of its expansion drive for FY 2012-13. The company is aggressively looking at foraying into newer markets in the tier II and III cities of Indore, Bhopal, Ujjain, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Patna, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Lucknow, Vizag and Kochi—a move in line to strengthen its hold in the HVAC market of the country.

To consolidate its foothold, Daikin India is taking its Inverter & BEE Star labeled range of products to these newer markets across the eight states. It also aims to aggressively market its patented VRV solutions in the country to help create a value-driven segmentation in the residential and light commercial air-conditioning sector.

Kanwal Jeet Jawa, managing director, Daikin Airconditioning India, said, “At Daikin India, innovation is what powers our vision to stay ahead in everything.

Nod for project to supply treated water to industries (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3568570.ece)

It is being taken up by GVMC as part of reforms under JNNURM

The Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Authority (APIA) has given its approval to a project to supply water from sewage treatment plants to industries in the city.

The project is being taken up as part of reforms required to be implemented by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation under the JNNURM.

Once implemented, the project enables the corporation to supply treated water to industries instead of letting it off into the sea, affecting fish and causing problems to people living nearby. As of now, a portion of the treated water is supplied to industries. The approval for the project came at a high-level meeting in Hyderabad on Saturday with Chief Secretary Pankaj Dwivedi presiding, bringing to a head the process being carried out for the last two years. Principal Secretaries of Finance and MA &UD participated.

Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu made a presentation on the project for which a detailed report had been submitted earlier. His presentation covered the plans for sewage treatment plant, its supply to industry, saving of water from regular supply, and environmental aspects. As of now, the city has two major STPs — 38 mld and 28 mld — on which Rs.1.75 crore is being spent for maintenance. With the approval now, the city will have sufficient water for 24 x 7 supply and an additional revenue of Rs.7.5 crore.

In course of time, treating 250 mld water through STPs would result in a revenue of Rs.25 crore to Rs.30 crore, Mr. Ramanjaneyulu projected in his presentation.

An official release said Visakhapatnam was the first city in the State to get the STP project. Sources in the GVMC said after the clearance by APIA, orders would be issued by the Municipal Administration and Urban Development Department paving the way for launching the project.

Eco-friendly project launched at VCTPL (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-andhrapradesh/article3575514.ece)

Kitchen grey water bio-treatment cum recovery unit was installed at Visakha Container Terminal Limited (VCTPL) on Tuesday on the occasion of its ninth anniversary.

The unit was installed by Greenfeathers Advisory Services along with technology partner Steps India Pvt. Ltd. The unique on-site unit follows a five-stage process that systematically allows for removal of food solids and grease found in kitchen grey water. The water is then made to slowly flow through proprietary ‘Stepsorb’ material and comes out ready for secondary use in greenery or industrial floor cleaning.

Stepsorb material allows growth of bio-film consisting of fast acting bacteria that quickly decompose organic matter and enrich nutrient content in the water making it ideal for greenery and kitchen gardens. As part of the anniversary, a blood donation camp was organised at the terminal. It was inaugurated by Chief Commissioner of Customs and Central Excise P.K. Jain.

VRT-77 constructs new building for VBV (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3583973.ece)

VRT-77 chairman Ameet Mirpuri said that the ground plus one storeyed building would have facilities to educate 400 under-privileged students of the school.

Vizag Round Table-77 has constructed a new building for the benefit of the students of Theosophical Society’s Vasantha Bala Vidyalaya (VBV) High School near Gurudwara.

The new building will be inaugurated by Minister for Infrastructure and Investments Ganta Srinivasa Rao on Saturday.

Giving details to the media on Thursday, VRT-77 chairman Ameet Mirpuri said that the ground plus one storeyed building would have facilities to educate 400 under-privileged students of the school. It was completed at a cost of Rs.40 lakhs.

The green building has been designed to provide optimum sunlight and fresh air to the students.

This was the fourth school building in the district constructed by VRT-77 since its establishment in 1983 under Round Table India (RTI) project of ‘freedom through education’.

There were four Round Tables in Visakhapatnam and together they had constructed 14 school buildings.

The Vasantha Bala Vidyalaya school building was constructed in a record four months time with Rs.10 lakhs given by the P & G Shiksha Foundation and the rest raised from donations from the public and contributions of the members.

Flyash bricks and flyash-based cement was used in the construction of the building to increase the durability of the building in the long run.

He said that Round Table India has so far built 4,000 classrooms at over 1,300 schools all over the country at a cost of over Rs.100 crores.

Round Table India provides a wide range of social and community service-related project through the fellowship of its members.

Apart from construction, the maintenance of the buildings would also be taken up by the Round Table India and the recurring needs of books and uniforms of underprivileged children would also be met as and when required.

ifc TO HELP GVMC DEVELOP VIZAG infrastructure (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/ifc-help-gvmc-develop-vizag-infrastructure-614)

The Greater Visakhapa-tnam Municipal Corpora-tion (GVMC) Commissi-oner B. Ramanjaneyulu has said that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has agreed to support infrastructure development in the city.

Ms Usha Rao Monari, the global head of Water and Waste Global Infrastruc-ture and Natural Resources, an IFC wing, would visit the city soon to study the need for IFC’s support to develop the city’s infrastructure, the GVMC chief said on Saturday.

The commissioner also made a presentation on Vizag at the valedictory ceremony of the Leaders in Urban Governance, a workshop held at Singapore.

Vizag cops to go hi-tech soon (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/vizag-cops-go-hi-tech-soon-160)

Vizag police stations will go hi-tech soon as the Crime Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS), Union government’s ambitious project to connect all police stations in the country through the internet and intranet, is moving on a fast track in the city and other parts in the district.

Around 50 police stations at various parts in the district will be able to access the CCTNS within a short period.

CCTNS aims at creating a national database of crime and criminals through their biometric profiles to enable easy sharing of information across police stations at the state and national levels. Photographs, fingerprints and other details of criminals would be fed into the CCTNS and will help identify a criminal wherever s/he commits a crime.

Speaking to this paper, superintendent of police G. Srinivas said that almost all police stations except for a few located in tribal pockets in the district, were computerised under the scheme and personnel there trained to update photographs and fingerprints of criminals.

Essar Steel begins work to reroute the longest slurry pipeline (http://business-standard.com/india/news/essar-steel-begins-work-to-reroutelongest-slurry-pipeline/480216/)

In a major risk mitigation step, Essar Steel has started surveying the areas through which it would reroute the Kirandul-Vizag pipeline, which transports iron ore in the form of slurry from Chhattisgarh to its pelletisation plant in Visakhapatnam.

At 267 km, the Kirandul-Vizag pipeline is the longest slurry pipeline in India, which runs through forest areas infested by Maoists.

Amit Agarwal, chief financial officer, Essar Steel, confirmed the rerouting has been approved and the company was currently scouting for a new path for the pipeline.
However, the rerouting will make the pipeline much longer as the company is trying to bypass as much of forest land as possible and be close to the state and national highways. Essar Steel did not disclose the amount it will spend on the new route as the project is currently being developed. However, the cost would be more than Rs 1,000 crore, the amount it spent on laying down the pipeline earlier. This is a risk mitigation step that the company has been planning for a while now. The timeline of the survey and the completion of the rerouting is currently in the works.

The Kirandul-Vizag pipeline was attacked by Maoists in October 2011, which left the operations at its pellet plant crippled. The company had chosen the particular 267-km route earlier as it was the shortest distance between the benefication plant in Kirandul, Chhattisgarh, to its pellet plant in Visakhapatnam. Therefore, the pipeline ran through forest areas and regions which were known to be Maoist-infested.

When it built another pipeline connecting Dabuna and Paradip in Odisha, Essar Steel laid it down near the highways to mitigate the red terror risks. Based on the same philosophy, the steelmaker is now rerouting the first pipeline along the highways to make it safer from unnatural disruptions.

The Visakhapatnam pellet plant has a capacity of 8 mt. The company gets iron ore from NMDC Ltd and feeds it to the benefication plant in Kirandul. Afterwards, the ore is sent to the pellet plant in Visakhapatnam via the pipeline. The ore will be converted into pellets at the plant and then shipped to Essar’s Hazira steel plant.

Essar recently expanded the capacity of its steel plant in Hazira, Gujarat, to 10 million tonnes (mt). It needs 20 mt of ore every year to feed the steel plant. Therefore, the functioning of the Kirandul-Vizag pipeline is crucial for the functioning of the steel plant in Hazira.

Essar Steel said the company was in talks with various companies for setting up the new pipeline but no decision has been taken yet. Agarwal said the contract hadn’t been awarded to anyone yet, as “we are still surveying the possible areas from the pipeline could be laid”.

Steel Exchange to set up Rs 200-cr pellets plant (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/steel-exchange-to-setrs-200-cr-pellets-plant/480888/)

Steel Exchange India Limited (SEIL) a Vizag-based listed company which is into steel production and steel trading business, is planning to set up a 300,000-tonne tonne capacity iron ore pellets manufacturing unit in Kottavalasa near Visakhapatnam with an investment of Rs 200 crore.

SEI had acquired the 250,000-tonne sponge iron mill of Gold Star Alloy India Limited for about Rs 150 crore two years ago and had converted it into a 300,000-million tonne integrated steel unit. The Board for Industrial and Financial Reconstruction (BIFR) has recently approved the merger of Gold Star Alloy with SEIL.

“Currently, we are producing 8-millimetre (mm) to 32-mm re-bars at the Kottavalasa unit by using iron ore. However, using pellets for making steel products will enrich quality as well as improve our margins. Hence, we have decided to set up the pellatisation plant,” B Suresh Kumar, joint managing director of SEIL, told Business Standard.
Of the Rs 200 crore, the promoters will pump in Rs 50 crore as equity while the remaining will be raised from banks and other financial institutions. SEIL is floating a separate company for the pellets plant, which will commence production in 2014, he said.

SEIL is also setting up a 60-Mw captive power plant with an investment of Rs 315 crore at the existing steel unit in Kottavalasa. Of the 60 Mw, 16 Mw will be generated using waste gases released from the steel mill, while 44 Mw will be generated using coal.

Kumar said that the current power cuts had been impacting the company's production by almost 40 per cent. “Our captive power generation will begin from next month, post which the unit will run with full capacity,” he said, adding that the existing 300,000-tonne capacity will need only 30 Mw, and the remaining will be sent to the power grid to earn additional revenues.

The company reported a turnover of Rs 1,300 crore last year, of which its steel trading business accounted for 40 per cent. However, the company will mainly focus on steel production in future, which will generate more margins, he said.

“We expect our turnover to cross Rs 1,500 crore this financial year,” Kumar said, adding that it was targeting to increase its steel production capacity to one million by 2020.

RINL plans Rs. 1,000-cr jetty near its Vizag plant (http://www.hindustantimes.com/business-news/CorporateNews/RINL-plans-Rs-1-000-cr-jetty-near-its-Vizag-plant/Article1-910827.aspx)

Steel-maker Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) plans to set up a Rs. 1,000-crore jetty for captive use along the Vizag coast to reduce cost and reliance on the nearby Gangavaram Port.

"RINL has already appointed consultancy firm RITES for doing the feasibility study a couple of months back. It has


also approached the Andhra Pradesh government for getting the required permissions," a steel ministry source told PTI.

State-run RITES provides engineering, consultancy and project management services in transport infrastructure sector under single roof.

Public sector company RINL depends on Gangavaram port for the movement of raw material and finished products. But, given the size it is attaining with the expansion of its lone facility at Vizag, it becomes imperative for the company to set up own jetty to ensure smooth movement, he said.

Gangavaram Port is located almost at the backyard of the company's Vizag facility. The proposed jetty will also come up just on the other side of the plant. RINL uses the Gangavaram Port to import coal and limestone and export its own finished products.

RINL is the second largest state-owned steel maker in the country producing three million tonnes per annum (mtpa) at its lone facility at Vizag. The capacity is being raised to 6.3 mtpa in the current fiscal. It has also prepared a feasibility report for enhancing the capacity further to 12 mtpa with an investment of Rs. 30,000 crore.

"RINL will initially invest Rs. 1,000 crore for setting up the jetty which will have 18 mtpa cargo handling capacity. The capacity of the jetty will be increased, depending upon the requirement," the source said.

The final decision on the proposed jetty would be taken once the company receives the RITES report and necessary nods from the state government, he said, adding this might come in 2-3 months from now.

Butterfly park to add attraction to Vizag (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-08-12/hyderabad/33167218_1_plain-tiger-enclosure-local-species)

VISAKHAPATNAM: A butterfly park, the first of its kind in the state, will soon be an additional attraction at Indira Gandhi Zoological gardens in Vizag. The enclosure, which would also function as a base lab and slated to be thrown open to the public in the next couple of months, would house about 20 to 50 species of butterflies and is being constructed at a cost of Rs 20 lakh.

Elaborating on the need for a butterfly enclosure, curator G Ramalingam said apart from being eye catchers, butterflies play a major role in establishing pollination patterns.

Moreover, he pointed out that the main reason for the enclosure was to enable study of the butterfly species native to the Eastern Ghats. The first such butterfly enclosure in India came up in Pune in 2006 and today, there are six other such enclosures in the country.

While the existing butterfly enclosures are on the west coast and the Himalayan region, the one at Vizag would be the only such center in the entire east coast. Three of the seven enclosures are situated on the west coast, in Goa, Thane and Pune while the others are situated in Simla, Bangalore, Chandigarh and Rangrang (Sikkim). Speaking on the concentration of enclosures in these areas, Dr Ramalingam noted, "It is believed that the Himalayan and Western Ghats region have a varied and larger range of butterflies. However, that does not mean that the Eastern Ghats should be neglected. It is precisely for this reason that the enclosure that is coming up would also function as a base research lab. The lab would help us catalogue and decipher the local species and also take note of any Diaspora and cross migration." While India is home to 1501 species of butterflies, 250 of these are found in the Eastern Ghats alone.

The enclosure on 500 square meters to begin with, would include butterfly species such as the Plain tiger, Blue tiger, Indian crow, striped tiger, Tawny Coster, Common Leopard, Indian Red Admiral, Swallow tails and Metal marks. The curator was of the view that the enclosure would attract one and all, from children to Lepidopterists.

Kerneos India awaits eco clearance for Vizag plant (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3758126.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, AUG. 12:
Kerneos India Aluminate Private Ltd (KIAPL), which is setting up a calcium aluminate cement production unit at Atchuyutapuram in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of Rs 100 crore, is awaiting ecological clearance for starting work on the project, according to Managing Director, Segi P. Idicula.

Idicula, here recently to participate in a conference on ceramics, said the facility would be 100 per cent import-substitute.

LAND ACQUISITION

Land acquisition has been completed for the project and the company is awaiting environmental clearance. It will be set up in 20 acres bought from the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC,) with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per annum.

He said the first phase would be completed in 2014. Later, the capacity would be doubled as part of expansion. At present, the product used for improving castable refractories is being imported from China, France and the United Kingdom.

He said calcium aluminate cement produced at the Visakhapatnam unit would help in reduction of freight, and production cost for clients in the eastern belt. Bauxite and lime are the raw materials used for its production. “Easy access to raw material and availability of land and manpower brought us to Visakhapatnam,” he said, and added that India would be the seventh country where Kerneos is establishing its facility. It has production units in China, France, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the US and Brazil.

STEEL PRODUCTION

He said with the projected growth of steel and refractories, the demand for castables with calcium aluminate cement would go up. Admitting that steel production which was 72 million tonne last year, remained two years behind schedule than the projected growth, he said the national steel policy envisaged achieving 220 million tonne by 2020.

Exclusive cyber crime PS proposed in Vizag (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Exclusive-cyber-crime-PS-proposed-in-Vizag/articleshow/15470405.cms)

The police department is planning to set up an exclusive cyber crime police station. The police commissioner J Poornachandra Rao sent a proposal to the government, in the wake of increasing rate of hi-tech crimes in the greater Visakhapatnam limits.tnn

Police commissioner J Poornachandra Rao said the city police commissionerate had already established a separate cyber crime cell two years ago. About 242 cases have been referred to the cyber crime cell, the commissioner said. Cyber crimes have been on the rise since 2010 when only 36 cases were reported. But by 2011, the number had gone up to 101. This year by August first week itself 101 cyber crime cases were reported, indicating a dangerous pattern.

A senior police official said that cyber crimes could lead to other thefts like frauds at ATM, online banking, blackmail, morphing and sending malicious messages through Internet or mobile to users.

Calcium aluminate cement plant coming up near city (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3762147.ece)

The facility will be 100 per cent import substitute’

Kerneos India Aluminate Private Limited (KIAPL) will set up calcium aluminate cement production unit at Atchutapuram with an investment of Rs.100 crore during the first phase.

KIAPL Managing Director Segi P. Idicula told The Hindu that this facility would be 100 per cent import substitute. Land acquisition is over and the company is awaiting environmental clearance to take up construction work.

During the first phase the unit will have a capacity to produce 30,000 tonnes per annum. It is the most vital component of a castable. Twenty acres have been bought from APIIC.

Mr. Idicula said the first phase would be completed in 2014. Later the capacity will be doubled as part of expansion. At present, the product used for improving castable refractories is being imported from China, France and United Kingdom.

With castables penetrating into steel, ceramic and other sectors, the demand is growing. Kerneos has global presence and its international arm is owned by Materis which has a turnover of over two billion euros.

To a question, he said calcium aluminate cement produced from their Visakhapatnam unit would help in reduction of freight as well as production cost for the clients in the eastern belt. Bauxite and lime are the raw materials, which are used for its production. “Easy access to raw material and availability of land and manpower brought us to Visakhapatnam to invest,” he said.

This will be the seventh country where Kerneos is establishing its facility.

It has production units in China, France, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States and Brazil. Mr. Idicula said with the projected growth of steel and refractories, the demand for castables with calcium aluminate cement would go up. Admitting that the steel production, which was 72 million tonnes last year, had remained two years behind schedule than the projected growth, he said the national steel policy envisaged achieving 220 million tonnes by 2020.

Expansion mode

It is expected that steel production will cross 100 million tonnes in next three years. Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, Steel Authority of India Limited and other steel producers are on an expansion mode.

“Even the infrastructure sector, which is facing ups and downs in past two to three years, is expected to be back on track within next six months,” he said. Hence, there is a good future for improving castable refractories with calcium aluminate cements.

Work begins on mechanised coal berth at Vizag port (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3770663.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/dynamic/01177/vizag_jpg_1177632f.jpg

VISAKHAPATNAM, AUG. 14:
A puja was performed on Monday at the east quay 1A berth of the Visakhapatnam port to begin work for building a fully mechanised coal berth, a port press release said. Port chairman Ajeya Kallam performed the bhoomi puja. It will be operational in 24 months and the estimated cost is Rs 390 crore.

SEW Vizag Coal Terminal Private Ltd signed a concession agreement with the Visakhapatnam port trust on February 3 to take up the design-build-finance-operate-transfer project for 30 years. The berth will be designed to handle 7.36 million tonnes of coal a year and will be of great use to thermal coal importers. The berth will have fully mechanised systems such as ship loaders, wagon-tippler stations, stacker reclaimers and conveyor systems. It will be built to global standards.

It will have a fire protection system, a water-and-sludge management system and a dedicated green belt to protect the environs.

Start-up S3V Vascular lines up expansion plans (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/start-up-s3v-vascular-linesexpansion-plans/483288/)

S3V Vascular Technologies, a start-up incubated by four graduates at the Indian School of Business (ISB), will be launching its first set of six innovative products under the cardiology and urology division by April next year.

“Once launched, the expected market value of these products will be Rs 170-200 crore in three years,” NG Badari Narayan, managing director, S3V Vascular Technologies, said.

The company was started by four friends NG Badari Narayan, Chava Satyanarayana, Aju Jacob and Ravi Prayaga of the founding class of PGPMAX (Post Graduate Programme in Management for Senior Executives), which was started by ISB in 2010.
It has launched its first prototype product 3V-Avatar, which it claims to be country’s first bioabsorbable endovascular drug coated stent, in the market.

“After the prototype launch, we are now in the evaluation stage. As far as the bioabsorbable endovascular drug coated stent is concerned, the development takes longer, including 18 months to dissolve and another 18 months to carry out tests,” he said.

The company expects to launch the product in the market by 2017.

The start-up also has plans to set up a Rs 20-crore R&D unit and a Rs 120-crore integrated manufacturing facility both in Mysore, and an assembly plant at Visakhapatnam.

“The R&D facility will manufacture products on a pilot basis for regulatory approvals from the DCGI, CE certificate for European markets and US FDA approval for the US market,” he said, adding Phase 1 was expected to complete by December.

The company recently tied up with high networth individuals to raise Rs 20 crore for the first phase of the R&D facility. The project has received nod from the Karnataka government.

Work on the Rs 120-crore facility is expected to start by April, once it gets the approvals from the Karnataka government. The 10-acre facility is wouldcome up in 15 months, he said.

The Vizag unit will be built in two phases - catering to India with the DCGI approval and to the US with USFDA approval, “We need two-three acres of land for the plant and the investment will be close to Rs 30 crore,” he said.

Narayan said there was a huge gap in Indian healthcare system. “ore than 90 per cent of the Indian market is untapped. We see a great opportunity in the domestic market,” he said.

S3V Vascular Technologies is working on 10-15 other products, which are in the R&D stage. It has a 15-member R&D team operating out of Hyderabad. “We will increase the number to 40 once we will shift to the Mysore facility,” he said.

The company aims to develop next-generation products in intervention cardiology, neurology, peripheral and endovascular treatments.

Vizag to get Rs 2K crore transport facility

Vishakhapatnam, August 15 : Tribal Welfare Minister P Balraj said that the Congress Government was taking the State on the growth path by implementing different schemes in the State.
Talking to media persons after hoisting the national flag at Police Parade Grounds of Vishakhapatnam district on the eve of 66th Independence Day here, Balraj said that the government would be spending Rs 2, 000 crore for the development of a new transport facility in the city. Proposals for diversion of 10 TMC water from Aleru Dam to Vishakapatnam are also under process, he informed.
Stating that proposal to construct a new irrigation project was in the pipeline, he said that government was also planning to take up plantation of 40 lakh siblings to curb pollution menace in the districts. Claiming that the government is concentrating to resolve the problems of the people in the State, he said that top priority would be accorded to develop Vishakhapatnam district further.
Meanwhile, on the occasion, the minister presented awards to 328 employees of different government departments for their meritorious works in their respective fields.
Government Whip D Srinivas, MLA I Vijaya Kumar, District Collector Luv Agarwal, Police Commissioner Poorna Chandra Rao and other officials and leaders were also present.

source:http://www.namasthetelangaana.com/EnglishNews/article.asp?category=27&subCategory=2&ContentId=140303

Excellent news Raju ^^

GVMC action plan to develop tourism (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/gvmc-action-plan-develop-tourism-631)

The GVMC, which is alw-ays busy with civic works like sanitation, drains and streetlights, etc. has now come up with a project on tourism development in city. Visakhapatnam Urb-an Development Authority, AP Tourism Development Corporation, etc. have earlier proposed many tourism projects for city development. In addition, the GVMC proposed a project at a cost of Rs.100 crore.

“This is under the Jawa-harlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) Plus. Actually, the GVMC planned it a few years ago, but designed the project following the commissioner’s recent visit to Singapore. The GVMC is awaiting the state and Central governments’ approval,” a GVMC official told this correspondent.

The project proposes that important places, junctions, heritage sites, parks, roads, city beaches, etc., get a facelift with minor development works. There are plans to create basic facilities and landscaping at a cost of Rs.1 crore at Kai-lasagiri and the Zoo park.

The APTDC has already proposed a Rs.300 crore project for improving the 30-km beach stretch between Bheemili and Vizag city.

Tourist-friendly projects like cruises from Vizag to destinations like the Anda-man and Nicobar Islands and upgradation of the narrow gauge train from Vizag to Araku Valley on the lines of trains plying in Darjeeling and Ooty, etc., are on the cards.

Besides, the APTDC also plans to set up model hotels and shopping complexes at Vizag airport.

Plan to revive Ceramic City at Kothavalasa (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3784562.ece)

he Ceramic City proposal, in the cold storage for several years, is being revived with the Indian Ceramic Society (InCerS) deciding to form a core committee to pursue it before the authorities. As a first step, a delegation led by former Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited Y. Siva Sagar Rao will meet Minister for Infrastructure and Investment Ganta Srinivasa Rao to prepare a roadmap to revive the dream of developing a cluster of ceramic industries – the first Ceramic City of South India near Visakhapatnam. After a survey by AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation, 150 to 200 acres of suitable land was identified at Kothavalasa, about 35 km from here in 2004. At that time, an investment of Rs.200 crore was mooted. As sourcing of raw material like clay, bauxite and limestone is easy, experts say a Ceramic City near Visakhapatnam will have a great future. Fly-ash and slag generated by Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited’s Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power Station and other local industries will also help produce wealth from waste by entrepreneurs setting up units in Ceramic City.“We want to replicate the success of Gujarat in promoting investments in ceramic sector. It has huge employment potential. First generation and MSME entrepreneurs will get a wonderful opportunity to invest,” Mr. Rao told The Hindu. InCerS has the technical know-how. It also wants to make use of expertise of Central Glass and Ceramics Research Institute (CGCRI) and start degree and post-graduate courses through Andhra University in ceramic technology – which have 100 per cent job opportunities.

Health project launched for tribal people (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3794775.ece)

National Agriculture Bank for Rural Development Chief General Manager P. Mohanaiah has launched the ‘Tribal Health Project’ covering a population of 25,000 in 100 tribal hamlets being implemented by an NGO, Green Vision at Dumbriguda village in the Visakha Agency on Saturday. Addressing Maa Thota farmers and representatives of NGO working with NABARD on the occasion, he said NABARD’s intervention on the health front was mainly to create awareness on several diseases, including malarial fevers confronting them during rainy season and provide first aid and referral services to the tribal people who come in contact with the health mission.

He also interacted with farmers of Maa Thota project who shared several success stories with him. The project was being implemented by Vikasa, another NGO which is successfully reaching out to the farmers through the novel scheme. Mr. Mohanaiah said the district occupied a pride of place in implementation of the horticulture project in the State. Earlier, president of Green Vision Prabhakar said his organisation would create awareness on malaria, tuberculosis, infant mortality and on the need for institutional delivery for effectively monitoring the health of the baby to be born.

Vikasa chairman P. Visvanatham said Maa Thota had been changing the economic landscape of farmers and their villages turning into ‘model villages’ triggering in a lot of economic activity and building leadership in the villages. Kovel Foundation chief executive officer V. Krishna Rao, who is also implementing multiple tribal welfare projects in the district, said NABARD gave leadership, direction, and impetus for tribal community development during the past couple of years.

Srujana secretary V. Haranath Mehar, Teri State coordinator V.V.K.B.N. Murthy, NABARD’s Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts Assistant General Managers E. Sreenivas and Prasad were present.

Road-map to complete projects: civic official (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3831201.ece)

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Assuring that the good work initiated by his predecessor would continue, M.V. Satyanarayana on Monday took over as Commissioner of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation.

In tune with the practice initiated by outgoing Municipal Commissioner B. Ramanjaneyulu that Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation officials should not use their cars as an environment-friendly measure, Mr. Satyanarayana came by a mini bus accompanied by some officials from the Port Guest House.

Mr. Ramanjaneyulu, as had been his practice for the past several months, came by bicycle to the office from his bungalow and after handing over charge pedalled his way back.

Mr. Satyanarayana told reporters that he would try his best to meet people’s expectations in providing all services and amenities from the corporation.

On pending projects taken up under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Mission, he said there were several problems including funds.

A road-map would be prepared, funds tapped and work would be completed in a reasonable timeframe continuously monitoring progress.

On the water supply situation, Mr. Satyanarayana said the per capita supply was a little less and steps would be taken after studying the levels in the reservoirs.

When asked whether he would face the same problem with regard to appointment of the new District Collector, his junior, as special officer, Mr. Ramanjaneyulu said the issue ended with him.

He thanked the people of Visakhapatnam for giving him an opportunity to serve them and hoped his successor, an experienced bureaucrat, would further develop the city. On his part, Mr. Satyanarayana said the feedback he received from people, the press and superiors was that Mr. Ramanjaneyulu had done good work and it would be continued.

Before his new assignment here, the 56-year-old Mr. Satyanarayana, a 1993 batch IAS officer, was Joint Collector, Srikakulam, and Collector, Karimnagar. He was Commissioner, Survey and Land Records Department, in Hyderabad, before his posting here.

VPT to finalise consultantfor satellite port at Bhimili (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3831258.ece)

Technical and financial bids to be opened on September 5

In a bid to decongest traffic at the main harbour and meet increasing demand from a vast hinterland, Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) is going ahead with its proposal to develop a satellite port at the 17 century Dutch township of Bheemunipatnam at an estimated cost of Rs.2,000 crore.

Technical and financial bids submitted by the interested parties will be opened on September 5 to finalise the consultant to conduct Detailed Project Report.

The consultant will be responsible for hydrological, topographical, and other relevant studies, getting clearances, finalising the funding pattern and forming a Special Purpose Vehicle to implement the project if the viability is established.

About a dozen firms, including internationally-acclaimed Scot Wilson, have responded to the global tender.

After issuing the Letter of Award, VPT will give six months to the consultant for submitting a comprehensive report.

VPT Chief Engineer K. Ramachandra Rao told The Hindu that the consultant would study the feasibility for a satellite port as well as a fishing harbour and prepare a blueprint with a harbour layout, funding pattern, and projected traffic for next two decades.

VPT owns 172 acres at Mulakedu near Bheemunipatnam with waterfront area of two km.

The land was allotted to it by the Revenue Department in lieu of 240 acres it surrendered for the expansion of INS Dega Airport.

Visakhapatnam Steel Plant is also planning to construct a captive port at Gangavaram, where there is already a minor port being operated by the D.V.S. Raju-led consortium under Public Private Partnership model.

Premier port

VPT is the country’s second largest public sector port after Kandla. It handled 67.42 million tonnes during 2011-12 as against 68.04 million tonnes last year.

As on August 14, VPT handled a throughput of 21 million tonnes as against 24 million tonnes during corresponding period last year.

By involving private partners under Develop, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer model, VPT board wants to develop it into a most-preferred port of South East Asia and fully automated port within a couple of years to handle 2,00,000 DWT vessels in the Outer Harbour.

Decks cleared for Silk Air flight to Singapore (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3831223.ece)

Airport will be operational for three hours more thrice a week, say Ministers

The decks have been cleared for operation of the Silk Air flight to Singapore with the Defence Ministry giving its nod for extension of watch hours at the Visakhapatnam airport.

Union Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju and Union Minister of State for HRD D. Purandeswari, who represents the Visakhapatnam constituency in the Lok Sabha, announced in Delhi on Monday that the airport would be operational for an additional three hours, from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. thrice a week. Defence Minister A.K. Antony conveyed this to Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.

The news comes as a great relief to air travellers, businessmen, the IT industry, investors and exporters.The issue has been pending for over two months even as Singapore Airlines announced its decision to operate Visakhapatnam-Singapore flight thrice a week from October 1.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the airport has to operate at least for half an hour after the last flight takes off, that is till around 11.30 p.m. This is because the flight may have to return to the airport, if it develops a technical problem.

Visakhapatnam Air Travellers Association executive board members Ch. Ramakotiah, P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, O. Naresh Kumar and K. Kumar Raja were optimistic that more airlines would begin operations due to extension of watch hours. They said officials of Silk Air and the Changi Airport would visit the city on September 11, 12 and 13 and conduct roadshows in Vizag and Kakinada.

The Prime Minister has in principle agreed to lift the ban on recruitment as a special case for the airport’s ATC to enable 24 X 7 operations, Air Travellers Association (India) president D. Varada Reddy said quoting Rajya Sabha Member T. Subbarami Reddy.

“We asked the Singapore Airlines officials to finalise the date of operation in a couple of days. They are expected to begin operations by the end of October,” Airport Director K. Srinivasa Rao said.

The Silk Air flight to Singapore thrice a week will be the second international flight from the city as Air India is already operating a flight to Dubai via. Hyderabad. The Singapore flight will be the first non-stop flight to a foreign destination.

Mr. Pallam Raju and Ms. Purandeswari said there would be a possibility of more international flights to Colombo, Kuala Lumpur, and Dubai in the days to come.

Mr. Subbarami Reddy told The Hindu that soon Air India would operate a direct flight to Singapore from Vizag. On August 9, he had arranged a meeting of top naval personnel with the Defence Secretary on allowing increased air control operations.

NTPC to supply addl 335 MW power from Simhadri plant to Andhra Pradesh (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3831380.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

HYDERABAD, AUG 28:
NTPC Ltd has assured the Andhra Pradesh Government of additional 335 MW power from its Simhadri plant located near Visakhapatnam.

Following efforts made by Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, NTPC Chairman Arup Roy Chowdary has given assurance for additional power supply, according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office.

Andhra Pradesh used to get 825 MW from Simhadri 1, 2 & 3 thermal power units till now against the original allocation of 1,200 MW. Following telephonic interaction, NTPC has assured a supply of about 1,160 MW.

The Chief Minister also spoke to Coal India Chairman S. Narsing Rao and requested the Government undertaking to supply more coal to Simhadri. Rao has agreed to facilitate additional coal supplies to Andhra Pradesh.

NTPC has been facing coal shortage for its super thermal power plant at Ramagundam and at Simhadri power projects in Andhra Pradesh. Power generated from these projects is supplied to southern States.

Enchanting ride to Araku on the cards (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3835273.ece)

Two tourist coaches proposed to be attached to Visakhapatnam-Kirandul passenger

Tourists travelling to Araku by train may soon find the journey more enjoyable and pleasant.

On a plea made by Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari, the Railway Ministry recently asked the Government of Andhra Pradesh to send a proposal on launching a tourist train from Visakhapatnam to Araku.

As a first step in this direction, two tourist coaches with chair car facility are proposed to be added to the Visakhapatnam — Kirandul passenger during the tourist season commencing Dasara and continuing up to March.

During the tourist season, all the coaches are generally full with hardly any space to sit.

The train passes through long tunnels along the hills and valleys, which gives an exhilarating experience to tourists.

But, passengers fail to enjoy the scenic beauty, as they hardly have space to sit properly in the overcrowded train. Many sit on the upper berth as the doorways and windows are full of ‘peeping passengers’.

This has been robbing passengers of the most delightful experience year after year.

“The 1 VK passenger runs with 11 coaches during normal time. But during the tourist season, additional coaches are augmented to meet the extra rush of passengers.

“The steep gradient, however, allows only a maximum of 14 coaches,” Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar told The Hindu on Tuesday. On the proposal to introduce vista dome coaches for the Araku train, he said such coaches had to be specially made and could take time.

“We are yet to receive any communication on the tourist train or the tourist coaches from the zonal headquarters,” he said.

Shortage of rakes

The Visakhapatnam — Sai Nagar Shirdi weekly express and the Visakhapatnam — Chennai weekly express trains, which were proposed to be operated as regular trains in the 2012-13 budget, couldn’t be launched so far due to non-availability of rakes, he said.

On diversion of through trains via Duvvada, Mr. Anil Kumar agreed with the view that there was no need for diversion as there were sufficient platforms at Visakhapatnam now.

Now, the deadline for flyover is Jan. (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3835376.ece)

The much-delayed Asilmetta flyover is now likely to be completed by January 2013. With the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation resolving the issues relating to structural compensation and land with the Railways, work is expected to progress.

New Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana, who took stock of the progress on Tuesday, told reporters that 10 per cent of the Rs.10 crore towards structural compensation to the Railways had been paid. Work on the 1.1-km flyover began in December 2008 and was scheduled to be completed in two years. The flyover and subway are part of the Rs.452-crore project that includes the Simhachalam and Pendurti corridors of the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). The flyover length has been extended by 0.5 km — from 1.1 km to 1.6 km — and the extension proposal itself took considerable time. The extended part has to be completed by January.

Besides, it has been decided to give 25 acres of land to the Railways in lieu of the six acres of land required for the flyover and corridors of Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).

Mr. Satyanaryana said though in lieu of six acres of land 12.25 acres had to be given in 1:2 ratio towards land of equitable value, the Railways had sought more citing other pieces of land given. Hence a total of 25 acres of land would be given at Mudasarlova.

Besides, 18 structures were involved of which four were settled. “The others will also be taken up and the progress monitored on a day-to-day basis so as to complete it by January,” the Commissioner said. The contractor would be given advance, if necessary.

BRTS tangle

The two BRTS corridors together have 1,566 structures and 1,198 have been removed. While 254 on which agreement has been reached have to be demolished, 348 more, including 80 pending in the court, have to be resolved. The GVMC plans to remove them by December to pave the way for progression of the project work. Funds are also a constraint as the GVMC has to bear the bill for structural compensation.

Orchid Chemicals sells penicillin, penem business to Hospira (http://www.newstrackindia.com/newsdetails/2012/08/29/355--Orchid-Chemicals-sells-penicillin-penem-business-to-Hospira-.html)

Chennai, Aug 29 (IANS) City-based cephalosporin bulk drug company Orchid Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Wednesday announced sale of its penicillin, penem API (active pharmaceutical ingredients) business and the API facilities in Maharashtra alongwith the R&D facilities here for around $200 million to Hospira, a global leader in injectibles space.
The proceeds from the deal will be utilised for de-leveraging Orchid's debt position and also pave the entry for the company's foray into newer product verticals, the company said in a statement.
The business transfer agreement includes transfer of the related penicillin and penem product portfolio and pipeline as well as 830 employees.
As some of Orchid's API requirements for the non-penicillin, non-penem, non-cephalosporin (NPNC) business were supplied by the Aurangabad facility, Hospira will supply such NPNC API to Orchid through a long-term agreement that both companies have entered into.
This agreement builds on the existing product development and commercialisation relationship between Hospira and Orchid.
Orchid would continue to supply its cephalosporin APIs to Hospira, according to the long-term supply contract.
"This business transfer agreement with Hospira will help us fast-track our future growth while maintaining a healthy debt profile in our balance sheet".
"Given the current scenario, it is a prudent decision for Orchid to monetise these verticals and bring in cash to de-leverage its debt position and fund newer growth horizons," K. Raghavendra Rao, chairman and managing director of Orchid, said in the statement.
"Our game plan is to develop speciality injectible business in antibiotics, oncology products (with joint venture with Cadilla Healthcare) and set up a unit in Visakhapatnam for small volume parentarals," C. Bhaktavatsala Rao, managing director of Hospira India, told IANS.
He added the acquisition demonstrates Hospira's continued dedication to the antibiotics space, enhancing cost-competitiveness and ensuring continuity of supply.
Informed sources said that Hospira was almost the sole customer for products made by Orchid at its Aurangabad facility.
According to Hospira, the proposed acquisition follows its 2010 purchase of Orchid's generic injectable finished-dosage from pharmaceuticals business.
The deal will enable Hospira to vertically integrate into certain critical beta-lactam antibiotic APIs (penems and penicillins), and is also expected to improve Hospira's standard cost position in this therapeutic space.
Orchid said the deal was approved by the boards of the two companies and the entire transaction was expected to be over in the third quarter of the current fiscal.

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Three more beaches to adorn Vizag (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Three-more-beaches-to-adorn-Vizag/articleshow/16256727.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: Three new beaches would be on the map of Visakha tourism by the end of this year as Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) is planning to develop the beaches on the Visakha- Bheemili stretch soon.

The beaches would be developed by adhering to the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zones) rules, Vuda officials said.

The Visakhapatnam urban development authority would provide basic infrastructure and facilities at the junction on the beach road at Rushikonda IT Park, Ramanaidu studio and the main entrance of Thotlakonda area.

The vice-chairman of the urban development authority and his team inspected these areas on Tuesday. They said that the designs and proposals for the development of all the three proposed beaches would be submitted in a week to the authorities concerned.

The municipal authorities would also provide parking and lighting facilities at these beaches and the beaches would be ready before the inauguration of the Visakha Utsav to be held in December this year.

NCC Urban-APSHB JV @ Madhuravada

Mixed Use Project on about 100 acres with a total of 8.6 Million sft

Source: http://www.nccurban.com/download/NCC_Urban_Presentation_2012.pdf
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/1453/madhuravadavizag2.jpg

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India revs up rare earth production to join big league (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_india-revs-up-rare-earth-production-to-join-big-league_1738207)

In a few months India will find its way back on the global rare earth (RE) production map when its 10,000 tonnes Monazite processing plant in Odisha commences production.

“If everything goes as planned, the Odisha plant will be commissioned by December. We will carry out dry runs, and hopefully, start production early next year,” said RN Patra, CMD, Indian Rare Earths Limited (IREL).

The plant — set up with an investment of Rs140 crore — is expected to produce 5,000 tonnes of RE oxides. “From nil production, we would be doing 4% of global production,” said Dr Patra. Around 2,250 tonnes of it will be separated at IREL’s Aluva facility in Kerala for domestic consumption and the rest will be exported.

But a major worry for IREL is competitive pricing. In 2004, cheap Chinese supply edged it out of the market. “The government realises this. Pricing is currently under discussion,” Dr Patra added.

Sources said there is steady progress on another 12,000 tonnes Monazite processing plant near Vizag, being set up with Toyota’s help. It is expected to yield high purity RE oxides, including Neodymium, that is used in permanent magnets.

Last month, China, for the first time since 2005, announced a 2.7% increase in its RE exports quota as compared to previous year, thus allowing a total of 30,996 metric tonnes in 2012. But, that may not make much difference since Chinese exporters haven’t anyway fully utilised export quotas in the past years — attributed to a slump in demand because of high prices, and smuggling of RE’s in China. Plus, global RE companies are now consciously reducing their dependence on Chinese RE’s.
US-based Molycorp Inc is reviving its Mountain Pass mine in California that shut down in 2002. The company’s projected production in 2012 is between ‘8,000 and 10,000 metric tonnes’. By the end of 2013, it expects to have a capacity of up to ‘40,000 metric tonnes per year’.

Lynas Corporation that owns the other big global RE asset — Mt Weld mine in Australia — is on the verge of starting production. Lynas has set up a RE separation facility in Gebeng, Malaysia. The plant is expected to supply 11,000 tonnes in its first year, with the target of reaching 22,000 tonnes. Its scheduled start has, however, been delayed because of opposition from political parties over radioactivity concerns.

RE production is also being revived in South Africa, Vietnam, Canada, Kazakhstan and Mongolia. Center for Techno-Economic Mineral Policy Options (C-TEMPO) — a think tank under the ministry of mines, says Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Norway, Greece, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Madagascar, Mozambique and Egypt — are also producing RE’s.

“Most recently, it was discovered that Afghanistan may have large deposits of RE, estimated to be worth $89 billion,” said C-TEMPO.
A few weeks back, the Canadian government made a proposal to a visiting Indian ministry of mines team for prospecting REs in Canada. The proposal is being examined by the Atomic Minerals Directorate.

IREL is reported to be under an agreement with Japan’s Toyota Tsusho to supply 6,000 tonnes of RE oxides. Japan’s JOGMEC is also learnt to be partnering with India to explore and process REs.
Following a meeting (New Delhi, 2011), the Indian and Japanese PMs had ‘decided’ that their enterprises would jointly undertake “production and export of REs.” Sources said, negotiations at the diplomatic level have picked up.

Japan has been one of the worst hit by China’s export restrictions. Masaru Sato, assistant secretary, Japan’s foreign ministry told DNA that in 2010, 82 per cent of Japan’s RE imports came from China.

Joint development of RE’s is a “win-win economic cooperation,” Sato said, indicating that Japan would contribute technology, and India would supply RE’s that will help Japan ‘diversify’ its RE sources and maintain a “stable long term supply.”

The EU may also be exploring its options with India. “As part of the Raw Materials initiative, the EU maintains dialogues with resource rich countries across the world. EU companies will be interested in purchasing supplies from a variety of countries. As regards India, the EU is currently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement with India, where rules on both imports and exports of goods are discussed,” John Clancy, EU’s trade spokesman, told DNA through e-mail.

Suchirindia to invest Rs 600 cr (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/suchirindia-to-invest-rs-600-cr/485855/)

Hyderabad-based Suchirindia is planning to invest about Rs 600 crore over the next three years, mainly in hospitality and entertainment sectors.

The real estate company is developing a four-star hotel with 208 rooms at Colombo in Sri Lanka with an investment of Rs 150 crore. The project would be ready by 2014, said Y Kiron, chief executive officer and managing director, Suchirindia.

This apart, the group has decided to set up budget hotels at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam and Mysore with an outlay of Rs 120-130 crore. These would be operational by 2014, he added.
At present, Suchirindia operates two resorts in Hyderabad and is now planning to expand its resorts business to pilgrimage centres like Tirupati, Shirdi, Srisailam and Khajuraho. At each place, the group would develop resorts with 25 to 70 rooms with Rs 45 crore over the next two years, he said.

Among others, it would set up 25 family entertainment centres with an investment of Rs 150 crore. These would come up mostly in AP, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Bihar. “We have also decided to build an adventure park in Hyderabad on 300 acres. The park will have a golf club, health city and other facilities. The group will spend Rs 150 crore on this,” he said.

Asilmetta flyover only by April next, says Ganta Srinivasa Rao (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/article3880552.ece)

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He declared the new deadline of April 2013 after a review on Sunday.

Minister for Infrastructure, Investments and Ports Ganta Srinivasa Rao set yet another date for the completion of the four-year-in-construction Asilmetta flyover in Vizag.

He declared the new deadline of April 2013 after a review with the officials of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation and Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority and the contractor handling the project in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. He said during the review he acquainted himself of the various issues plaguing the project and directed the officials to follow up the work on a war footing. A number of issues like shifting of electricity poles, neighbouring structures and land issues with railway had delayed the project, he added.

It may be recalled that on August 29, senior IAS officer M. V. Satyanarayana, after taking over as Commissioner of GVMC, had announced that the Asilmetta flyover would be completed by the year-end and that the officials had been directed to follow up the issues on a war-footing.

The Minister took the opportunity to announce that the foundation for the T. Subbarami Reddy Kalapeetham would be laid on September 17 to mark the birthday of the member of the Rajya Sabha. Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development M. Maheedhar Reddy and Rajya Sabha member Chiranjeevi are also expected to attend the function, he said.

Civic works

The various ongoing works of the VUDA and GVMC were followed up by the officials, he said. The civil works on the Telugu Museum were already completed and they were waiting for a convenient date from Prime Minister or President for its inauguration. It was likely to be inaugurated in December or January, he added.

A cultural complex was proposed at the beach near the Novotel hotel on the Beach Road, the Minster announced.

He also reviewed the progress of VUDA Children’s Theatre. A number of officials of the GVMC and VUDA were also present.

Cruise tourism in limbo (http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/cities/regions/visakhapatnam/cruise-tourism-limbo-595)

The tourism department’s efforts to make Vizag a sea cruise tourism hub in the state will not materialise soon, due to non-availability of a suitable place to develop a cruise terminal.

Of the available port area, only the present fishing harbour location is suitable. Though there was a proposal to shift the fishing harbour to Bheemili, it will at least take four years to do so.

Realising the potential, STAR cruise are approaching government for permission to start their cruise liners from Vizag to Port Blair; the tourism department plans to develop a cruise terminal at a cost of Rs.200 crore.

This cruise terminal will have a shopping mall, food courts, convention and business centre with first class amenities to attract foreign tourists too. “Though the waterfront at the Yerada Beach suits a terminal, backwaters there will not allow cruise liner vessels to be docked. There is a lot of pollution in the inner harbour. The fishing harbour is the ideal location with 12 feet draft depth to anchor the cruise, but the cruise terminal can come up only after the fishing harbour is shifted,” said Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) chairman Ajeya Kallam.

AMET Shipping which brought its cruise liner AMET Majesty to the city last August, also faced problems in berthing the vessel in the port.

Shifting the fishing harbour will take place as part of developing a satellite minor port at Bheemili, which the VPT will take up only after finishes its berth modernisation and mechanisation process that is underway at Vizag port.

“We will concentrate on Bheemili port development only after ongoing works of berth modernisation are completed. Later, we will appoint a consultant to prepare a detailed project report. It will take at least 12 to 16 months to get permissions from Mo-EF, and we expect a concrete shape to emerge some time during 2014 or 2015,” the VPT chairman said.

900-seat auditorium in Vizag (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/900-seat-auditorium-in-Vizag/articleshow/16375192.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: MP T Subbarami Reddy said that he would construct a 900-seat auditorium at MVP colony in the port city at a cost of Rs 10 crore, the foundation stone for which would be laid by Chiranjeevi. He said the auditorium, to be dedicated to Vizagites, would be completed in less than a year. He said the hall would come up on Vuda land. On international connectivity to Vizag,

Subbarami Reddy said Air India agreed to launch direct flights to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok , Colombo by January next year from Vizag airport.

Global watch major Timex Group India Limited, forayed into the steel city of Vishakhapatnam by launching its
first store, clearly signaling the corporate's intent to embrace the ongoing retail revolution. The spacious store houses an extensive collection of watches which includes Helix, Marc Ecko & Fossil along with Timex. The store was inaugurated by Angelique O' Brien, Head of Retail & Fashion Brands, Timex Group India Ltd.

With this launch, the total Time Factory outlets in the country stands at 105 which the company plans to take up to 140 by the end of this year. In the South alone, Timex has taken the store count to 31 indicating the company's bullishness on the Southern market and consumers growing appetite for indulging in premium personal accessories like watches.

The Time Factory concept is Timex's avant-garde multi-brand watch store and is a favored one-stop destination for mid-priced to premium international watch brands all over the country under one umbrella. In a short span of
time, Timex has strengthened its retail chain with over 100 stores across 45 cities facilitating easy access to a wide assortment of international and stylish watch brands under one roof.

Apart from the array of brands and collections, the design and feel of the store is truly international and promises an amazing shopping experience. With the unique signature signage of the Timex Flagship and stylish interiors, the store is warm, engaging and oozes style.

Speaking on the occasion Angelique O' Brien, Head of Retail & Fashion brands said, "It gives me immense pleasure to inaugurate this first TTF in Vizag. The store has a vibrant feel to it and truly reflects the key brand attributes of Timex- being sporty, fashionable and technologically advanced. The Time Factory offers a range of iconic international brand, offering contemporary designs in wrist-wear under one roof. The Time Factory stores fulfill the growing demand of our discerning customers and provide them with a delightful experience."

Timex is all set to leverage the untapped retail potential in tier-II and tier-III cities and is strengthening its retail presence in these towns. Timex is also strategically expanding its product portfolio with an array of stylish and technologically advanced collections across brands, targeted at the contemporary Indian consumer.

SOURCE: INDIAN RETAILER.COM

Hai, I am Dinesh lives in Hyderabad, Why don't vizag forum members create a thread for Retail and Entertainment sector. This will helps to know about the Vishakapatnam retail sector.

Vizag port’s upgraded coal berth ready to start operations (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3897367.ece?homepage=true&ref=wl_home)

VISAKHAPATNAM, SEPT 14:
The upgraded coal berth in the outer harbour at Visakhapatnam port, designed to handle 200,000 dwt (deadweight tonnage) vessels, is ready for commissioning anytime now, according to port chairman Ajeya Kallam.

He said in an interview that the project in the outer harbour was awarded to a consortium headed by Sterlite Industries Ltd, of the Vedanta group, with Leighton Welspun a partner.

“It is a major project which will not only substantially increase the capacity of the port but also reduce pollution to the minimum as well. Three ship unloaders have been installed as part of the project and the unloading capacity will be 70,000 tonnes a day ,” he said. The project can handle 10 million tonnes each year.

Kallam said many of the projects had been awarded to companies on a public-private partnership basis and “from now on, one project will be getting ready almost every three months.”

At present, he said, the total investment in different projects in execution at the port would be more than Rs 3,000 crore and the capacity of the port would go up to 110-115 million tonnes after their completion, probably by 2014.

Deepening of five of the existing berths in the inner harbour had been completed and two new 50-tonne tugs were received from the Hindustan Shipyard Ltd recently. With the ongoing projects, more than 85 per cent of the cargo-handling would be mechanised.

Dredging in the inner harbour had not yet been awarded as the security clearance is awaited.

Till the end of August, the Visakhapatnam port handled 25 million tonnes of cargo during the current financial year.

HPCL seeks land back to revive Vizag refinery plan (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/hpcl-seeks-land-back-to-revive-vizag-refinery-plan/486617/)

Public sector Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is looking at reviving its plan to set up a greenfield refinery plant in Visakhapatnam. The company already operates an 8.3-million tonne (mtpa) capacity refinery at the port city.

The plan remained only on paper after HPCL was allotted 1,500 acre land five years ago. The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) recently cancelled the allotment and also paid back the money, which it had received towards land.

“Petroleum Ministry officials have spoken to me on the revival of the refinery plans by the HPCL. The company is seeking to revive the project as it was not able to go for brownfield expansion at the existing refinery in Vizag,” BR Meena, vice chairman and managing director of APIIC, told Business Standard.
HPCL had approached the AP government for the land in 2005 and was subsequently chosen as an anchor client for the upcoming Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR). The company at that time was looking at setting up a 15-mtpa refinery with a consortium of five companies, including Mittal Energy and TOTAL of France, which had apparently backed out of the project.

“We wrote to the Andhra Pradesh government a couple of months back asking them to re-allocate the land to us. As and when we secure the land, we will look at reviving the project,” said a senior official from HPCL.

The company now proposes to set up a 9.5 mtpa refinery, which will cost around Rs 20,000 crore, according to the official.

However, APIIC now wants to tread cautiously. “We will consider reallotting the land once we receive a firm commitment along with the time lines on the execution of the project from HPCL,” Meena said. In recent times, the APIIC had cancelled land allotments made in favour of several private companies after they failed to implement their projects.

According to Meena, the company has informed it intends to implement the project mostly on its own.

“There are some pollution embargoes and land acquisition issues we are dealing with, with regard to our plans to put up greenfield refineries. As and when these issues are solved, we would be kicking off our plans,” the HPCL official said.

HPCL, which is planning to build a Rs 30,000-crore greenfield refinery at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, hit an environmental hurdle with the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel report, submitted by ecologist Madhav Gadgil last year.

The company needs 3,000 acres, which it has sought in Tavsal, Ratnagiri district for the project.

Tourism to get a boost in Vizag (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tourism-to-get-a-boost-in-vizag/293625-60-114.html)

The state government on Thursday appointed IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited as a consultant (transaction advisor) for the preparation of project reports and managing the bid process for identified tourist circuits in and around Visakhapatnam. The identified tourist circuits include the Tourism Park in Madhurawada, Arogyadham in Thotlakonda, Wonders of the World in Endada and International Convention Centre in Mudasarlova.
The Ministry of Tourism had earlier appointed IL&FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited as the national consultant for the identifcation of tourism circuits across the country. The consultant has so far identified 30 locations for the development of tourism and to improve facilities in Visakhapatnam and Srikakulam districts.

Vims to be developed into oncology centre (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Vims-to-be-developed-into-oncology-centre/articleshow/16562638.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (Vims), which has been left unused even after completion of the civil works around two years ago, will be developed into a 500-bed high-end oncology and traumatology centre to cater to patients from the coastal districts.

A proposal from AP government will also be sent to start a post-graduate institute on the lines of Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims) for which the Centre has volunteered to provide Rs 125 crore, said director of medical education Vishnu Prasad.

At present the hospital does not have any infrastructure or equipment, which will require at least another Rs 60 crore. Till funds flow in from the government, Vims, which was established during the tenure of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, is likely to meet the same fate as Nims-Bibinagar project, which hasn't been functioning even after completion of civil works years ago. An official in charge of the project said that around Rs 55 crore had been spent on the construction of the building on a picturesque 100-acre land adjacent to Hanumanthawaka junction, Visakhapatnam.

Prasad said an expert committee has been appointed to look into the pending Vims project and decide on the equipment required to start oncology (medical, radiation and surgical oncology) and traumatology units.

There is no advanced state-run oncology centre in the coastal districts and patients have to travel all the way to MNJ Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad. Also, Vims is situated on National Highway 5 and would be getting many accident cases. "Keeping these factors in mind, and to reduce the patient load on King George Hospital, we are soon going to take the project forward," the DME said. Union health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had promised to give Rs 125 crore if Vims was developed into a PG institute.

Vizag airport gets nod to operate 24x7 (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Vizag-airport-gets-nod-to-operate-24x7/articleshow/16580796.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: The dreams of north Andhra people for round-the-clock operations in Visakhapatnam airport would take wings in a couple of weeks with the Union finance ministry on Thursday giving the go-ahead. Sources said more manpower would be appointed and other facilities strengthened, which is mandatory to run the airport 24 hours a day.

According to sources, round-the-clock operations at the airport are likely to start from October 15. The Vizag airport, which was built during the second World War, was refurbished with a 10,000-ft runway, ILS and night landing facilities, besides a new terminal building. Presently, the airport operates 34 flight services a day and an international flight to Dubai. One more international service would be added to its fleet from October 28 with Silk Air operating a direct flight to Singapore.

Chairman of parliamentary committee on science and technology, environment and forests, T Subbaramireddy told TOI that the private airlines could now rework their winter schedules based on the 24-hour operations in Visakhapatnam airport. He also hoped that the people and industries in the region would immensely benefit from this development.

The MP said he told Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the need for additional manpower for INS Dega to enable the Indian Navy to operate the airport round the clock. Union finance minister Chidambaram approved the requirement of 228 personnel after modifying the rules of recruitment under the guidelines issued by the Prime Minister's office. The finance ministry forwarded the approval to the ministry of defence for issuance of the necessary orders to Indian Navy from thereon to Eastern Naval Command, which operates the INS Dega airport.

Round-the-clock operations at Vizag airport soon (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/roundtheclock-operations-at-vizag-airport-soon/article3945028.ece)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01221/THMNI_NEW_RUNWAY_A_1221322f.jpg

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram approving the recruitment of additional manpower

Round-the-clock operation of the Visakhapatnam airport will soon become a reality with Finance Minister P. Chidambaram approving the recruitment of additional manpower.

The Finance Minister, under the guidelines of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, modified the rules approving the manpower recruitment and forwarded the file to the Defence Minister on Thursday for issue of orders to the Indian Navy, according to a statement issued by the chief coordinator of TSR Seva Peetham D. Varada Reddy here.

Rajya Sabha Member T. Subbarami Reddy had convinced the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister of the need for sanctioning additional manpower for INS Dega to facilitate 24-hour operation of the airport.

Visakhapatnam Airport, which began as an airstrip during World War II, had developed gradually over the years.

The extension of the runway to 10,030 feet, provision of ILS (Instrument Landing System), wider aprons and other facilities were witnessed during 2009.

The launch of the international flight to Dubai in March this year and Silk Air announcing its schedule to operate direct flights to Singapore from October 28 have catapulted the airport into a higher plane.

Vizag airport to get cargo terminal soon (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/vizag-airport-to-get-cargo-terminal-soon/487949/)

Visakhapatnam airport would soon have a full-fledged cargo handling terminal.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has agreed to set up the terminal, which will be ready in about eight months, said KS Rao, airport director, AAI.

Giving a presentation on the facilities at Vizag airport in a ‘round table on exports by air’ organised by the Air Travellers Association of India recently, he said, “We expects good quantity of foreign-bound air cargo from this place, mostly seafood, flowers, pharma, once the terminal building ready.”
As of now, only domestic cargo is allowed from the airport. Last financial year, the airport handled 1,046 tonne cargo and this year till August, this stood at 724 tonnes, registering a growth of 38 per cent compared with the corresponding period last year.

From March, international flight services has started from Vizag and everyday there is scope to export two tonne international cargo from here. However, due to lack of facilities like a proper cargo terminal building, customs clearing and enough staff, foreign-bound cargo was not moving from here, he said.

With Silk Air also set to begin its services from next month and two other international airlines showing interest to start operations, the scope for air cargo movement would increase, he said.

Vizag port chairman Ajaya Kallam said the airport was ready to allot 10-15 acre of land close to the airport for setting up cold storage plants exclusively for air-bound cargo.

“In future, Vizag airport will become the hub for export of seafood products, pharma and agro-based products. We are negotiating with international air cargo flight owners to operate exclusive cargo flights from the airport,” said D Varada Reddy, president, Air Travellers Association of India.

380 Navy officers, sailors to be deployed at Vizag base (http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/380-navy-officers-sailors-to-be-deployed-at-vizag-base_802537.html)

New Delhi: Defence Ministry has approved the deployment of more than 380 officers and sailors of the Navy at its base in Vishakhapatnam for enabling round-the-clock operations at the military and civilian airport there.

"Defence Ministry has sanctioned additional manpower of 24 officers, 356 sailors and 27 civilians for INS Dega at Vishakhapatnam for ensuring that the airport is operational on a 24X7 basis," Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said here.

The airport, which is under the Navy, is operational only for 12-hours every day at present and there is an increasing demand for extending the flying hours in both civil and military spheres.



Recently, Minister of State for Defence MM Pallam Raju had said that his Ministry has given its nod for operation of international flights from the Vishakhapatanam airport which is under the control of the Navy.

He said the timing of flight operations has been extended by three hours and international flights will start operating from October 1.

Kar said with the increased number of flight operations from the city, it is expected that its connectivity with the rest of the world and the country would improve considerably.

India: Phase 3 of VCT Expansion Officially Inaugurated (http://www.dredgingtoday.com/2012/10/05/india-phase-3-of-vct-expansion-officially-inaugurated/)

http://d1j01gsz6hg963.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Phase-3-of-VCT-Expansion-Officially-Inaugurated.jpg?2bf7cb

Last month, the phase 3 of the Visakha Container Terminal (VCT) expansion project was officially inaugurated.
According to the Exim India, the newly procured two post-Panamax quay cranes and the four rubber-tyred gantry cranes (RTGCs) were inaugurated and christened on that day (September 21).
The Visakha Container Terminal (VCT) was set up under the aegis of Visakhapatnam Port Trust as a joint venture between DP World and United Liner Agencies of India (Private) Ltd and commenced operations on June 26, 2003.
Located on the center of the East Coast of India, VCT is ideally located to cater to its vast hinterland.
The inauguration ceremony was well attended by eminent personalities from the shipping and trade fraternity.

Digitisation of GVMC lands on the cards (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/digitisation-of-gvmc-lands-on-the-cards/article3964389.ece)

The open spaces, lands of the GVMC and those given by the government or VUDA to it would be identified, digitised and geo-references fixed

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation now plans to have a survey team on deputation for getting all its lands surveyed in an effort to protect them.

Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana has written to the government that an Assistant Director (Survey and Land Records) be sent on deputation for the purpose. He will be assisted by four surveyors.

The survey is expected to take six months.

The open spaces, lands of the GVMC and those given by the government or VUDA to it would be identified, digitised and geo-references fixed, Mr. Satyanarayana said.

In reply to a question, the Commissioner said a surveyor had been surrendered to the government on a specific complaint.

Two clear instances of misleading the corporation on land issues had come to light. In one instance, the width of road had been given wrongly and in another, urban ceiling land had been shown as private land.

Fever cases

The Commissioner said the number of fever cases had come down from 624 in August to 370 in September. There had been a dearth of doctors and the assistant medical officers (health) were working as doctors. Three AMO (H) posts were vacant. Mr. Satyanarayana said the Indian Medical Association had been requested to spare doctors for voluntary service at municipal dispensaries.

Private organisations had been requested to contribute medicines and help in repairing municipal hospitals.

JNNURM projects

He said all efforts were being made to complete seven ongoing projects taken up under the JNNURM.

The issue of Defence land required for the BRTS project that had gone for the Union Cabinet approval had been returned with some queries.

GVMC to pay Rs.2 crore to Railways (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/gvmc-to-pay-rs2-crore-to-railways/article3968233.ece)

GVMC will pay soon Rs.2 crore for taking up construction of compound wall at the DRM’s Office. The demolition of the old wall and construction of new wall is required for taking up work on the service roads near the DRM’s Office as a part of the Asilmetta flyover. The Rs.2 crore is part of the Rs.10 crore corporation had to pay towards structural compensation to the Railways. Earlier, the corporation paid Rs.11 lakh towards design work.

Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana on Thursday met Divisional Railway Manager Anil Kumar and discussed the bottlenecks in the flyover work and other issues related to Sevanagar and Omkarnagar. The two slums were vacated to hand over the land to the Railways.

An official statement said the DRM had assured to work in coordination with the GVMC to improve amenities in the city.

7 bids received for Vizag container terminal extension (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/logistics/article3981351.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, OCT. 9:
Seven bids were received in response to the global tender floated by Visakhapatnam Port Trust for extension of container terminal at an estimated cost of Rs 613.91 crore.

Sources said Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd (VCTPL), a joint venture between DP World and United Liner Agencies (Pvt) Ltd, is one among the bidders. VCTPL operates the terminal in the outer harbour.

Sources said bids were received from Simplex Infrastructures Ltd, Gammon Infra Projects Ltd., Gangavaram Port Ltd, Adani Port SEZ, Welspun Pvt Ltd and Navayuga Engineering Co.

HC orders removal of bore wells on beach road (http://www.thehansindia.info/News/Article.asp?category=5&subCategory=2&ContentId=92481)

Commercial establishments, hotels to be hit hard

The AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) earlier submitted its report informing the prohibition of drawal of ground water through bore wells within the limits of CRZ and also the requirement of obtaining clearance from the Coastal Zone Managing Authority for the purpose of constructions within CRZ-II as per CRZ Notification

Visakhapatnam: In a direction having far-reaching consequences, the High Court has ordered the district officials to remove all the bore wells located on the beach road falling under Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) area and the illegal constructions that have come up in the same area with immediate effect. This decision will have a strong impact on the commercial establishments and the hotels located on the beach road.

The court gave the direction on Monday following a public interest litigation filed by Kothapalle Venkataramana representing Jai Bheem organisation, environmentalist K Krishna and advocate SRP Darshak.
A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Pinaki Chandra Ghosh and Justice Vilas V Afzulpurkar issued the order.

The AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) earlier submitted its report informing the prohibition of drawal of ground water through bore wells within the limits of CRZ and also the requirement of obtaining clearance from the Coastal Zone Managing Authority for the purpose of constructions within CRZ-II as per CRZ Notification.

It was also informed through the report that the Collector and District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam, on May 22 last year constituted District Level Committee (DLC) for enforcing and monitoring of the CRZ Notification and to assist the AP Coastal Zone Management. On behalf of the petitioners, it was informed to the court about non-compliance of previous assurance made before the High Court in the previous writ petition filed by the fisherman community.

The court, upon hearing either side arguments, allowed the writ petition directing the District Collector, who is also chairman of District Level Committee, for effective implementation of CRZ Regulations and further directed the DLC to clear the complained CRZ violations.

The petitioners told this correspondent that if the district administration failed to implement the court order within 15 days, they would file a contempt petition in the court.

VUDA action plan to curb unauthorised layouts (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/vuda-action-plan-to-curb-unauthorised-layouts/article3994088.ece)

VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar has evolved a stringent action plan to curb development of unauthorised layouts and constructions in VUDA jurisdiction.

At a meeting with the Planning wing officials and District Panchayat Officers (DPOs) of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and East Godavari districts on Friday, he asked them to invoke provisions of AP Urban Areas (Development) Act 1975 to prevent buyers from falling prey to individuals and real estate firms developing unauthorised layouts.

Conducting intensive and continuous field inspections to detect all the unauthorised layouts involving Panchayat secretaries to DPOs, surveyors and planning officers from VUDA to identify unauthorized development, he suggested.

As per the provisions of the Act, heavy penalties should be levied and criminal action initiated, besides removal of all developments in such layouts, Mr. Sasidhar said.

So far, VUDA used to issue notices to those involved in unauthorized developments, but now severe action would be taken against those taking up layout development or constructions without obtaining proper approvals from VUDA.

The Vice-Chairman asked the Planning officials to identify all such layouts in VUDA purview with the support of Panchayat secretaries and district Panchayat officers and list them out within a week. They will be placed on the VUDA website cautioning the general public not to take up any transactions.

IT towers planned in Vizag, other AP towns (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/it-towers-planned-in-vizag-other-ap-towns/article3999355.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, OCT 15:
The Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) plans to construct IT incubation towers here and in other towns of the State such as Kakinada, Tirupati and Warangal to provide plug-and-play facilities for small entrepreneurs in these towns and to promote IT, according to sources.

It has been a long-pending demand to construct these IT towers in the towns, as IT has remained confined largely to Hyderabad, even though Visakhapatnam has made a little headway during the past decade or so.

The APIIC is planning to construct an IT tower at Gambheeram village in Visakhapatnam district, where an IT special economic zone is coming up, and also another one at Madhurawada near Visakhapatnam.

At a recent review meeting in Hyderabad on the issue, State Investment Minister G. Srinivasa Rao is reported to have suggested that it would be preferable to have one IT tower at Madhurawada and the second one within city limits, and not at Gambheeram village, as the village is far away.

The minister has suggested to the APIIC to take back one acre of undeveloped land lying with Wipro in the heart of the city at the TB hospital junction and use it for IT tower construction.

Alternatively, the APIIC can also seek one acre near the Waltair Club from the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) or get an acre from the district administration for the purpose. He prefers to have an IT incubation tower in the city for the benefit of entrepreneurs.

The IT towers in Visakhapatnam will have office space of 50,000 Sft apiece and those in the smaller towns 10,000 Sft. The APIIC has identified consultants for these towers in each town. They may be constructed within nine months or one year, it is said.

The APIIC has been advised to use green building concepts in constructing these towers. The district collector of Karimnagar has agreed to provide land for construction of IT park and incubation tower and the proposal is under consideration.

It is also proposed to have three major electronic hardware manufacturing clusters in the State, one of them at Parawada in Visakhapatnam district. A site of 100 acres has been identified at Parawada for the purpose.

It is hoped these steps will spur small entrepreneurs to set up IT units in these towns and provide jobs to the youth.

Stakeholders to meet on Vizag's development (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/stakeholders-to-meet-on-vizags-development/article4002045.ece)

Set aside politics till the election season, Ganta tells leaders

Minister for Infrastructure and Ports Ganta Srinivasa Rao has called upon people’s representatives, leaders of political parties and those concerned with the city development to set aside politics until the election season for evolving a strategy and a manifesto for the development of the City of Destiny.

Participating in the seminar on city development organized by the Vizag Journalists Forum (VJF) here on Monday, he revealed that a meeting for formulation of a city development programme would be organised soon involving all stakeholders. The Minister said that the city needed a convention centre and a stadium on the lines of Gachibowli stadium in Hyderabad. The city should be transformed into a slum-free city. He complimented the VJF for bringing all the men who matter to the round table on city development and hoped that every one would come up with constructive suggestions keeping the interests of people in mind.

CPI(M) district secretary Ch. Narsinga Rao spoke on imbalances in development on literacy, employment opportunities and on the drinking water front.

The scenario was different in the city, rural and tribal areas. He observed that during the past two decades not one MGD of water had been added to the present water resources. He described as colossal waste the GVMC’s efforts to lay a separate pipeline spending something like Rs.1900 crore from Yeleru canal to the city. Instead the semi-completed Yeleru left canal should be completed by spending another Rs.200 crore. He appealed to the District Collector to develop the Ravula Cheruvu near Kurmanapalem for supplying water to 1 lakh population in the area. While supporting industrialisation he said that the interests of the fishermen and the tribal community should not be ignored where ever projects are executed.

CPI leader J.V. Satyanarayana Murthy focussed on housing problem in the city and its suburbs.

Survey

The city according to a recent survey has 1.36 lakh homeless people. The housing problem should be addressed. Coal pollution is making countless lives miserable and many have developed respiratory diseases.

Former minister Bandaru Satyanarayana Murthy said that the city lacked a planned development. The Collectorate should be shifted from its present location and a decent building should be constructed. A circular train touching all the suburbs of the city should be introduced. The VUDA should include it in the master plan. A fly-over from Satyam centre to the airport should be undertaken apart from laying underground power cables and building of satellite townships with all amenities. A high level committee under the chairmanship of district collector should be formed to tackle environmental pollution and the industries that are responsible for the same.

Earlier VJF president Gantla Sreenu Babu welcoming the gathering said that the VJF had on its own taken up the demands of the local people with the Railway Minister regarding diversion of trains from Duvvada to the city and other issues relating to the city. District Collector V. Seshadri, GVMC commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana, VUDA vice-chairman K. Sashidhar and APEPDCL CMD Nadeem and MLA’s Dronamraju Srinivas and T. Vijaya Kumar were among those present.

A jewel in the crown for Telugus (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/a-jewel-in-the-crown-for-telugus/article4002051.ece)

VUDA has committed itself to spend Rs.4.5 crore on civil structures, and parking

Telugu Samskrutika Niketanam, reflecting Telugu culture and its history, atop Kailasagiri is expected to be ready by this year-end.

“All efforts will be made to mobilise the resources for the completion of the niketanam. We will seek an appointment with President Pranab Mukherjee and ask him whether he could come for the inauguration,” Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development D. Purandeswari told reporters on Monday evening after going around the museum along with A P Hindi Academy Chairman Y. Lakshmi Prasad, representing World Telugu Federation.

Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) has committed itself to spend Rs.4.5 crore on civil structures, parking, approach road and landscaping. World Telugu Federation proposed to spend Rs. 3 crore and has so far spent Rs.7.5 crore. Another Rs. 3 crore to Rs.4 crore is required for the completion.

Ms. Purandeswari said she would consider allotting funds from her MPLAD funds and also seek the support of public sector units towards corporate social responsibility.

WTF was launched by her father and late Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao in 1993 and he addressed its first meeting at Chennai as Chief Minister later.

WTF had decided to showcase Telugu culture by constructing a Niketanam with government participation. That’s how VUDA came to be associated with it.

Sound and light show

Dr. Lakshmi Prasad said VUDA participation had become a reality because of the late Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. Jananpith award winner C. Narayana Reddy and Potti Sriramulu Telugu University Vice-Chancellor Elluri Siva Reddy were leading a team to prepare the script on the 39 episodes on display being readied by noted art director Thota Tarani.

Actor Sai Kumar will lend his voice to an hour-long sound and light show.

For younger generation of Telugus or national and international tourists the visit to the cultural centre would help them understand the glory of Telugu culutre, Dr. Lakshmi Prasad added. Ms. Indira Dutt is the president of WTF. Exuding confidence that all work would be completed by the year-end, Mr. Sasidhar said a kuccha road would be provided to the centre with a view to develop it later as an alternative road to Kailasagiri, in case the present one could not be operated for some reason.

It was also proposed to provide a multi-lingual audio guide to visitors to the niketanam. VUDA Chief Engineer I. Viswanatha Rao was present.

10 cities are promising biz destinations: Report (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/10-cities-are-promising-biz-destinations-report/article4009598.ece?homepage=true)

NEW DELHI, OCT 18:
Ten Indian cities are being touted as the next most promising business destinations. They are Ahmedabad, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Coimbatore, Jaipur, Kochi, Indore, Nagpur, Vadodara and Visakhapatnam.

According to a Cushman & Wakefield report ‘Top 10 Emerging Business Destinations in India’, in the last two years the volume of investment by various companies in these 10 cities had increased by over seven times. Ahmedabad attracted nearly 39 per cent of the total investments announced for these cities since 2010, followed by Visakhapatnam at 32 per cent and Vadodara at 13.5 per cent. Ahmedabad saw approximate investment of Rs 71,270 crore, the majority of which was in the automobile and auto components sector, followed by telecom and real estate and infrastructure.

Visakhapatnam, with an investment of Rs 58,180 crore, has seen growth through metals and metal processing sectors, followed by petrochemicals. Vadodara, which also saw significant investment of Rs 24,720 crore saw investment from similar sectors, such as metals and metal processing, followed by real estate and engineering sectors.

Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director, Cushman & Wakefield India, said “These emerging locations represent the possible growth trajectory that India’s economy will follow in the next few years. The growth in these cities will be led by primary sectors such as metallurgy and power, though services and manufacturing will play a crucial role in creating a more holistic socio-economic environment in these cities.”

Among specific industries or sectors, the metals and metal products manufacturing companies announced the highest volume of investments, with 39 per cent share, followed by power production companies at around 16 per cent and chemical and petrochemical companies with approximately 11per cent share.

IT & ITeS have seen a growth in investment of 3 per cent. While the investment in this sector is relatively lower than other sectors, it has a higher contribution to GDP.

New, safe beach two years away (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/new-safe-beach-two-years-away/article4057771.ece)

With cases of death due to drowning continuing unabated the search for a safe beach has gained immediacy. But Vizagites will have to wait for at least for two years for a full-fledged safe beach at Lawson’s Bay Colony to be in place.

After the recent tragic death of six GITAM University students, Ramakrishna Beach and Rushikonda beach being considered unsafe led to a string of measures being initiated by the authorities. The best option, however, is offering people a safe beach since policing fun-loving visits to the beach is difficult.

The proposal for developing a beach at Lawson’s Bay colony, near Pedajalaripet, has been on the drawing board for nearly two years now. Successive commissioners since V.N. Vishnu have announced that the beach will be developed.

Development of the new beach costing Rs.13.3 crore will be funded by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust. It will be taken up by the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation with the 51 per cent cash component that is paid by the port towards taxes. The remaining is spent on works directly.

In a major step ahead, finally the design, in consultation with an architect, has been approved. VPT Chairman Ajeya Kallam who mooted the development of the beach nearly two years ago had also seen it and suggested some changes and finally the plan was approved, Municipal Commissioner M.V. Satyanarayana told The Hindu on Wednesday.

On the delay in taking up the project, he said a cremation ground nearby had to be modernised at a cost of Rs.60 lakh and a drain from MVP Colony that flows directly into the sea diverted to the 25 mld sewage treatment plant at Appughar.

The State Government had to approve the work that was estimated at Rs.6 crore.

“Since it will take two years for completion of the work, in the short-term we intend to plan a pathway for people to go to the beach, create some greenery and facilities to sit etc in three to four months,” Mr. Satyanarayana said.

IT incubation centres to be set up in Vizag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/it-incubation-centres-to-be-set-up-in-vizag/article4058192.ece)



VISAKHAPATNAM, NOV 2:
The Andhra Pradesh Government is concentrating on developing the IT industry in tier-two cities, as till now it has largely remained confined to the State Capital, and it is setting up two IT incubation centres at Gambhiram village near here for the purpose, according to State IT Minister P. Lakshmaiah.

The minister, along with IT Secretary Sanjay Jaju, participated in a seminar on promoting Telugu language through the Internet organised in Gitam University on Friday.

He later told reporters that Visakhapatnam had been identified as the most potential centre for development of IT industry after Hyderabad and all efforts would be made to promote the industry here and attract the bigger companies.

"Already a few big companies have arrived here, but it will be our endeavour to draw many more, highlighting the advantages of the place," he said.

He said the IT incubation centres would be set up in the IT special economic zone at Gambhiram village and the requisite infrastructure would be developed there. He said the centres would be of great use to the smaller IT companies and there should be no problem in commuting from the city to Gambhiram as the village was well-connected and very near to the city.

In response to a question on Wipro's operations in the city, the Minister said the company had recently started operations on a small scale, recruiting 100 employees or so, and it would gradually step up the business. "Our approach is industry-friendly. We will provide the facilities and sort out any infrastructural problems but we expect the industry to reciprocate and deliver on its promises," he said.

He said the problems at the two IT special economic zones at Rushikonda on the beach road would also be sorted out. "We have appointed a special nodal officer here for the purpose," he said.

Petronet zeroes in on Vizag for its project (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/petronet-zeroes-in-on-vizag-for-its-project/article4057781.ece)

Petronet LNG Limited (PLL) promoted by public sector giants BPCL, GAIL, IOC and ONGC and strategic partner GDF-Suez zeroed in on Visakhapatnam for locating its first LNG terminal in the East Coast after a thorough search of an ideal location.

The company, which imports a large quantity of LNG from Qatar, is proposing to invest Rs.4,500 crore for developing an LNG terminal at Gangavaram Port with a capacity of five million ton in the first phase. The capacity will be doubled in three to four years. Gangavaram Port Limited will get less than 10 per cent equity in the project leaving a part of it to a strategic partner from abroad for technical support. “Our holding will be not less than 70 per cent,” PLL Managing Director and CEO A.K. Balyan told this correspondent. He said after a detailed study of eight locations including Kakinada, Paradip and Dhimra, they came to the conclusion that Gangavaram was the best spot to locate LNG terminal in the East Coast.

Close proximity to the market and the proposal to develop Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR) between Visakhapatnam and Kakinada and the availability of a deep draft led to zeroing in on Gangavaram.

At present, India is the 13th largest gas consumer with an estimated consumption of 165 million ton. Dr. Balyan said LNG was a clean fuel and recognised world-wide as a safe fuel. It can be used for feedstock for petrochemicals, fuel for power generation, industrial captive use, cooking and heating purpose and automobiles.

Public hearing

As the public hearing for the project is scheduled to be held on November 9, there are certain objections to the project. Former Union Secretary E.A.S. Sarma questioned the MoU signed with GPL on transfer of land to LNG terminal. He said of 61 hectares required for the terminal, 35 hectares has to be reclaimed from the sea.

A spokesperson for GPL clarified that they could give land for LNG terminal on license basis as per rules and the total area required for the project was 120 acres including the land needed for reclaiming which falls in port boundaries/limits.

Rs 3600 cr worth JNNURM-II projects planned for Vizag (http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-28/hyderabad/34779823_1_jnnurm-gvmc-greater-visakhapatnam-municipal-corporation)

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has proposed various projects worth Rs 3,600 crore to develop the city under JNNURM-II. The corporation made the proposals following the recent instructions from the government suggesting the utilization of Centre's funds for development of the city and send the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) to the ministry concerned in the state for approval.

While disclosing the details of the development to the media here on Saturday, GVMC commissioner M V Satyanarayana said that they had already sent a file on the projects to be undertaken under the JNNURM-II which include construction of underground drainage between Gajuwaka and Malkapuram at an estimated cost of Rs 500 crore, another Rs 500 crore for developing 32 territorial areas of the city, modernisation of the existing canals at a cost of Rs 300 crore, construction of 10,000 houses for poor at Rs 500 crore and laying pipelines for Raiwada and Yeleru reservoirs at a cost of Rs 1,450 crore. The DPRs have already been sent, the civic chief said while adding that a World Bank team is coming to city to review the progress of the housing projects under RAY and JNNURM-I.

Kerneos India awaits eco clearance for Vizag plant (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/article3758126.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, AUG. 12:
Kerneos India Aluminate Private Ltd (KIAPL), which is setting up a calcium aluminate cement production unit at Atchuyutapuram in Visakhapatnam district at a cost of Rs 100 crore, is awaiting ecological clearance for starting work on the project, according to Managing Director, Segi P. Idicula.

Idicula, here recently to participate in a conference on ceramics, said the facility would be 100 per cent import-substitute.

LAND ACQUISITION

Land acquisition has been completed for the project and the company is awaiting environmental clearance. It will be set up in 20 acres bought from the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC,) with a capacity of 30,000 tonnes per annum.

He said the first phase would be completed in 2014. Later, the capacity would be doubled as part of expansion. At present, the product used for improving castable refractories is being imported from China, France and the United Kingdom.

He said calcium aluminate cement produced at the Visakhapatnam unit would help in reduction of freight, and production cost for clients in the eastern belt. Bauxite and lime are the raw materials used for its production. “Easy access to raw material and availability of land and manpower brought us to Visakhapatnam,” he said, and added that India would be the seventh country where Kerneos is establishing its facility. It has production units in China, France, South Africa, the United Kingdom, the US and Brazil.

STEEL PRODUCTION

He said with the projected growth of steel and refractories, the demand for castables with calcium aluminate cement would go up. Admitting that steel production which was 72 million tonne last year, remained two years behind schedule than the projected growth, he said the national steel policy envisaged achieving 220 million tonne by 2020.

NTPC plans another power plant near Vizag (http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/ntpc-plans-another-power-plant-near-vizag/article4060530.ece?textsize=large&test=1)

Talks on with APIIC to identify suitable site for the project
India’s major power producer National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has decided to launch a fresh initiative to speed up work for establishing 4,000 MW coal-fired Greenfield power project near Visakhapatnam.

Having completed the full design capacity of 2,000 MW with Unit 4 (500 MW) going commercial on September 30, NTPC Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant at Parawada has no space for further expansion. Hinduja National Power Company Ltd is in advanced stage of commissioning a 1,040 MW power plant at Palavalasa, close to Simhadri.

As the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) has declined to allot the site identified for the new project of 5x800 MW at Pudimadaka, NTPC is now scouting for alternative sites. “We held talks with the APIIC and we are keen to start the project once we get a suitable site,” NTPC General Manager and in-charge of Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant told The Hindu . Though the project was mooted nearly two years ago after signing a draft power purchase agreement with the Andhra Pradesh government, it has not moved forward after that. The project is expected to involve an investment of Rs. 24,000 crore. A source in APIIC said they were identifying a suitable site for allotment to NTPC.

NTPC plans to supply power generated from the new project to AP and Karnataka after signing agreements for coal linkage with Coal India Ltd. The land which was cancelled after allotment to the proposed 15 million tonne refinery by HPCL and other consortium partners at the Special Economic Zone, Atchutapuram is also under consideration for handing over to NTPC, sources said.

Based on the success story of NTPC Simhadri, blending will be done with the coal imported from Indonesia.

RINL plans to raise capacity to 20 mtpa by 2022-23 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods/svs/steel/rinl-plans-to-raise-capacity-to-20-mtpa-by-2022-23/articleshow/17085054.cms)

NEW DELHI: State-run Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (RINL) plans to increase capacity at its Vizag plant to 20 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) by 2022-23, making it the largest plant at a single location.

"RINL has chalked out its long-term directional plans to expand the capacity of liquid steel to 20 mtpa in phases by 2022-23 to maintain its position in the Indian steel market," the company has said in a recent presentation to a consultative committee.

"In line with the above plan, consultant has already been appointed for the next phase of expansion to 11 mtpa wherein the company will diversify its portfolio to flat products. The draft feasibility report has already been prepared and is under consideration for approval," it added.

RINL is in the process of adding steel-making capacity at its lone facility in Vizag through revamping its existing blast furnaces, converters, sinter plant and others to take its 2.9 mtpa existing capacity to 7.3 mtpa by 2014-15.

The existing Vizag facility is housed only on a fraction of the total 19,600 acres of land bank that the company owns. RINL would put up additional capacity in the same plant trying to cash in on its proximity to two ports, excellent road and rail linkages and international airport.

"It (the Vizag facility) has the potential to become the largest capacity single location plant in India," RINL said.

The state-run steel maker, however, did not mention the amount of investment it would have to make to reach to the 20 mtpa capacity. According to industry thumb-rule, it generally requires USD one billion investment.

RINL is now the second-largest state-run steel maker in the country following Steel Authority of India (SAIL)BSE 1.97 %.

SAIL is in the midst of expanding crude steel production capacity to 21.40 mtpa from 12.84 mtpa now with Rs 72,000 crore investment. On top of this, it plans to invest Rs 1.31 lakh crore to raise capacity from 21.4 mtpa to 45 mtpa.

SBI opens Kohinoor branch in Vizag (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/sbi-opens-kohinoor-branch-in-vizag/491966/)

Kohinoor caters to very high networth individuals, who have opening balance of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 cr

State Bank of India (SBI) opened its second Kohinoor premium banking centre at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.

The first centre was set up in Hyderabad a year and a half ago. Kohinoor caters to very high networth individuals, who have opening balance of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore.

“The SBI corporate office is also planning to start such special branches in all the metros in the coming days and we will set up our third such branch in Vijayawada in six to 12 months,” said Rakesh Sharma, chief general manager, SBI.
The Hyderabad centre has mobilised deposits worth Rs 500 crore in just 18 months. The bank expects the Vizag centre to see deposits worth Rs 100 crore by the fiscal end.

SBI has 1,302 branches in the state at present and has targeted to open 107 more this year. Of this, 28 branches have been opened so far and the remaining 79 will come up by the end of this fiscal.

3-tier system to be put in place to protect oil platforms: DGP (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/3-tier-system-to-be-put-in-place-to-protect-oil-platforms-dgp/articleshow/17121880.cms)

VISAKHAPATNAM: A three-tier security system will be put in place to safeguard oil platforms from any terrorist attack via sea, Andhra Pradesh DGP V Dinesh Reddy said today.

"A Marine Police Station will soon be set up on the premises of the Vizag steel plant which shares a 15-km coastal line and thus is vulnerable to a Mumbai-kind of terrorist attack," he said.

Reddy was addressing mediapersons on the sidelines of a function organised to felicitate community guards involved in flood rescue operations in the district.

"Fishermen and local people should be involved in the three-level security system. Their support is also necessary for land acquisition across the coastal line for any public purpose," the top cop said.

He distributed cash prizes to 18 swimmers, 35 community guards and 16 police constable who took part in the rescue operations.

Himalaya Opticals opens third showroom in Vizag (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/marketing/himalaya-opticals-opens-thirdshowroom-in-vizag/article4085130.ece)

VISAKHAPATNAM, NOV 10:
Himalaya Opticals, an eyewear retailer, opened its third store — and the 61st in the country — at NAD junction here on Saturday.

On the occasion, Managing Director Sarat Binani said the company had set up the first store here in 2007 and in five years it had made satisfactory progress by capturing 12 per cent of the organised market in the city. “We wish to take it to 18-20 per cent soon. We have all the major international brands with prices ranging from Rs 490 to Rs 10,000-15,000. The customer can browse and feel the products,” he said.

He said the eyecare industry in India was mostly in the unorganised sector. But, gradually, the percentage of the organised segment was rising. Himalaya Opticals would take the number of stores to 75 by 2015 and a hundred by 2018. “In Andhra Pradesh too, we will expand, but we will focus on the coastal districts first and then move to Hyderabad. We have no stores in Hyderabad right now,” he said. All the stores were owned by the company.

He said free digital testing facilities would be available in the store for some time as an inaugural offer. There would also be an inaugural discount of 10 per cent on Ray-Ban sunglasses. Contact lenses were also available, he added.

VUDA to start work on two new beaches (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/vuda-to-start-work-on-two-new-beaches/article4087683.ece)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/01266/11VZVISKCITYFRONTP_1266005f.jpg

Adding to the tourist attraction of the city, the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority will soon begin work on developing two new beaches.

The major project is developing the beach at Thotlakonda, close to the well-known Buddhist site. It will be a significant addition since the development is expected to be taken up on 17 acres by the VUDA and the Tourism Department.

“We plan to spend about Rs.10 crore on the development of the beach mainly raising greenery and providing amenities to tourists on the lines of Tenneti Park,” VUDA Vice-Chairman Kona Sasidhar told The Hindu.

The VUDA was awaiting final approval from the district administration for making use of the land for the park. Right now they were working on the design. Another proposal by Mahabodhi Society to develop a Buddhist theme park at Thotlakonda had been sent to the Government for approval.

The society wanted to develop a Buddhist research centre, theme park, meditation hall, research centre and library, among others, on around seven acres. Mr. Sasidhar said the beach at Rushikonda would also be developed on seven acres and the VUDA was planning to spend Rs.1.5 crore on it.

The two beaches can be developed only by the VUDA since the areas fall in the Coastal Regulatory Zone.

Green Visakha project comes in for praise (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/green-visakha-project-comes-in-for-praise/article4108194.ece)

The massive 40 lakh tree plantation programme – Green Visakha – taken up by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority has come in for praise.

Member-secretary of the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board Ravichandra, who reviewed the programme as chairman of the implementation committee here on Saturday, advised the participating corporates to select native species of plants in the plantation programme. As many as 22 public sector units and industrial units are participating in the programme being taken up by VUDA in coordination with the PCB, the GVMC and the district administration.

He advised the participating 22 public sector units and industrial units to plant saplings of 1.5-meter height to ensure better survival. A Project Monitoring Unit would be formed to monitor the implementation and extend necessary support to the Green Visakha Project, Mr Ravichandra said. The PMU would function from VUDA office as it had the required technical expertise, apart from manpower.

The district administration would earmark vacant lands, District Collector V Seshadri said describing the Green Visakha project as a nodal activity. He called upon the industries to diligently implement the project as it would have long-term benefits for all.

Colony associations would be involved in plantation activity to achieve targets and avenue plantation would be taken up on a large scale on all the roads within the GVMC limits, Commissioner of GVMC M V Satyanarayana said.

Stressing the issue of procurement of plants, Vice-Chairman of VUDA Kona Sasidhar suggested evolution of a policy of either developing own nurseries or engaging agencies in outsourcing for supply of saplings as the project required 40 lakh plants in five years. He urged the participating agencies to document the implementation of the project at all levels as there were many cities keen on learning from the experience of Green Visakha.

The meeting was attended by the District Collector, the GVMC Commissioner, the VUDA Vice Chairman, DFO of the VUDA BVA Krishna Murthy, officials of the Pollution Control Board and representatives of the participating industrial units.

The project spread over five years was mooted by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science, Environment and Forests headed by T Subbarami Reddy with the prime objective of bringing down pollution levels in the city.