Lavasa Hill City | 10,000 acre city [Archive]

leospyder

August 14th, 2006, 07:16 AM

couteousy of ESRI.com

Lavasa Corporation Limited was formed to undertake a large-scale lifestyle development in India. Based on new urbanism principles, and located near Pune, India, a township is being developed over a sprawling area of approximately 10,000 rolling acres. Lavasa is located on the backwaters of Warasgaon dam on the Western Ghats between Pune and Mumbai. The township is master planned with the objective of striking a balance between cosmopolitan architecture and environmentally friendly surroundings. With proximity of 90 minutes to Pune and 4 hours to Mumbai, Lavasa presents an attractive holiday location for urbanites. Tropical Lavasa has three main seasons: summer (March to May), monsoon (June to September), and winter (October to February).

The master plan for the Lavasa Project calls for a modern "hill town" in harmony with nature. This master plan won both the Award for Excellence 2005, given by the Congress for New Urbanism (USA) and the American Society of Landscape Architects Award—2005. The concept of a hill town (or hill station) dates from British colonial times and describes locations where British administrators fled to escape the worst tropical humidity and heat.

Lavasa will consist of diverse neighborhoods, focusing on upper middle class to affluent families. It will include business parks made up of employers, such as commercial, institutional, and information technology (IT) firms, as well as nonpolluting processing firms. Modes of commuting will vary from personal cars to ferry transport to ropeway (i.e., skyway or ski lift-type) traffic and, possibly, electric public buses.

Many corporate names are involved in the Lavasa Project, each with a stake in the synergies provided by the enterprise GIS. The architectural master plan is the work of HOK, USA. Accenture and ACNielsen conducted the project feasibility and research. Landor (Hong Kong) is handling branding and identity. Hindustan Construction Company—one of the largest private sector construction companies in India—is undertaking all construction activities. Hincon Techno Consultants is the primary engineering consultant.

Enterprise GIS and Lavasa's IT Vision
The developers of the Lavasa Project mandated high urban planning design standards with a robust IT that is able to make the city of Lavasa uniquely digitally enabled. The city has invested in ESRI-based GIS technologies—ArcGIS Desktop (ArcView, ArcEditor, and ArcInfo), ArcIMS, ArcSDE, ArcReader, ArcGIS Publisher, and more. In addition, it is using customer relationship management (CRM) systems, document management systems, and enterprise resource planning. GIS is being used at the earliest possible stages of design, planning, and construction. These investments in IT have the goal of providing a highly efficient city administration and e-governance for citizens. Lavasa's GIS will eventually be a central hub, providing information to municipal governance departments, citizens, prospects, service providers, and developers.

The geodatabase is on Microsoft SQL and is accessible via ArcSDE to Internet/intranet/LAN users. Web users can access ArcSDE data through a customized ArcIMS viewer. Editors access ArcSDE data either directly via ArcEditor or CAD clients. Off-site users can view the database through ArcReader.

Implementing GIS at Lavasa

An artist's impression of Dasve, the first town within Lavasa.
RMSI Private Limited, Business Partner of NIIT-GIS Ltd., ESRI's distributor in India, commenced work on Lavasa on December 6, 2004. RMSI's extensive experience in executing large GIS projects was a factor in its selection. The first step was a detailed user needs assessment during which requirements were documented. During this first phase of the project, RMSI—in consultation with project personnel—prepared a detailed road map report for project management, presenting systems and functionalities for each department.

For status monitoring, the GIS allows users to link and view pictures, documents, etc., thereby allowing a more visual status description.

3D Visualization and Survey Data—Lavasa is located on undulating terrain. This requires that the enterprise GIS be 3D enabled. To provide good access to 3D data, users are being provided 3D model visualization data—created with the ArcGIS 3D Analyst extension (which includes the ArcGlobe application)—that is published using the ArcGIS Publisher extension on their desktops. In addition, this data gives a three-dimensional insight to key stakeholders when discussing matters related to terrain. From a marketing perspective, the terrain plays a vital role for customers weighing which plot to purchase. Since not all customers can necessarily come to the construction site, the 3D GIS offers an inexpensive but effective selling option.

Lavasa Project's Planning Department is using slope maps, aspect maps, and digital elevation models for business uses, ranging from estimating sellable area in a plot to landfill site identification and security post location selection. The design team has used 3D visualization to analyze possible options of creating tunnel access along hills to shorten commute time to the city. Using the finished road levels, the GIS team did cut-fill analysis of road stretches. Such analysis results have increased confidence and faith in GIS among traditional CAD users. Three-dimensional GIS was also used to identify suitable locations for cellular phone towers.

GIS Database Model—The GIS database model has been developed to capture multiple aspects of the city, from utilities to environment, tourism, and land title information. The data model development over the last year has aimed at capturing as much variety in spatial features as possible. In the current phase, the focus is on increasing quality and coverage of attribute information. The ArcFM data model from ESRI Business Partner Miner and Miner, a Telvent company (Fort Collins, Colorado), for water and sewer was also studied in detail to assess what further attributes need to be part of the existing GIS model so that a later data migration exercise to ArcFM can happen with relative ease.

Symbology and View Standardization—From the outset, the GIS team realized that engineering data needed to be presented in a visually appealing manner. Then all interfaces to data needed to present the same visualization of the data. This prompted the team to select ArcGIS Desktop as the de facto data visualization interface. For Internet services, the mapping service used an application as the front end that was built using ArcIMS and Macromedia Flash. For LAN usage, especially for presentations, ArcGIS Desktop was directly used to access a personal geodatabase that was synchronized with the central ArcSDE database. For off-site field users, data was published from the same database using the ArcGIS Publisher extension.

Address and Asset Standardization—A new city development provides a unique opportunity to have the address database created for ideal GIS addressing standards. The building addressing standard implemented at Lavasa was developed by studying U.S. addressing standards, then customized according to Indian realities. A good addressing standard facilitates usage of industry-standard geocoding engines that, in turn, will help in the development of proper disaster management, utilities operation, and maintenance systems.

Environment, CRM, and Sales Monitoring Systems—The Lavasa Project has been designed in harmony with the area's rich natural beauty. One of the objectives of the GIS portion of the project is to integrate environment pollution monitoring with the enterprise GIS. Lavasa also has a CRM solution for sales management as part of its IT plan. Since "land" is the "product" of this CRM, GIS fits in as the natural technology to use in site location. Presently, the GIS team actively helps Sales Department staff monitor plot sales and decide on and mark out premium plots and enables them to help customers select their plots.

Metadata Management—With more than 125 feature classes in the ArcSDE database, rapidly changing data, and multiple sources of input data, metadata management and update are key activities. The GIS team is using the ArcGIS metadata update system to keep the metadata up to date. A periodic backup of metadata is performed to ensure that these critical details are preserved.

The Road Ahead
Incorporating state-of-the-art technology, such as enterprise GIS, into a large project is inevitably challenging. As proven again at Lavasa, ironically the largest challenges are rarely technical in nature. Instead, primary challenges tend to involve gaining support/acceptance from users coming from different domains. However, once users are able to see direct advantages filtering in by virtue of their work getting easier, more efficient, and more synergistic, these users will start embracing spatial technologies.

The various stakeholders of Lavasa can now clearly visualize what an enterprise GIS is capable of delivering. While there is still work to be done on the road to a fully articulated enterprise GIS implementation, the building blocks being placed "brick by brick" today will ensure that the vision of the GIS team will be met tomorrow.

More Information
For more information, contact Dr. G. S. Rao, head (GIS), Lavasa (e-mail: gsrao@lavasa.com); or Ajita Kini, consultant, Lavasa (e-mail: Ajita.kini@hccindia.co.in); or Rajesh Kalra, managing director, RMSI (e-mail: rajesh.kalra@rmsi.com); or Saumyajit Roy, project manager, RMSI (e-mail: saumyajit.roy@rmsi.com). ESRI India was actively involved in this project, providing technical training and consistent support to the Lavasa GIS team. Its technical staff's timely responses prevented unnecessary delays in implementation. For more information, contact Rajesh C. Mathur, managing director, ESRI India (e-mail: rajesh.mathur@niit-tech.com).

leospyder

August 14th, 2006, 07:17 AM

courteousy of ESRI
http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/summer06articles/summer06gifs/p15p2-lg.jpg

grimmm

August 14th, 2006, 07:27 AM

Looks intresting.
Any info on who the promoters are and is the website for this project available.

harsh1802

August 14th, 2006, 07:29 AM

^^
http://www.godrej.com/gstory/change/2005/novdec/greenworld.htm

This has some kinda info...

kronik

August 14th, 2006, 07:56 AM

State accords top priority to Lavasa City project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1371859.cms)

But what's equally conspicuous is the profile of the company's directors and shareholders. They include NCP president Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sadanand Sule and her husband Sadanand Bhalchandra Sule.

According to certified documents obtained by TOI from the Registrar of Companies (ROC) under provisions of the Companies Act, 1956, the young Sule couple, as of June 2004, jointly held 7.49 lakh shares of Lavasa corporation, in addition to 29.97 lakh 6% redeemable preferential shares in the company.

As of June 2004, Pawar's close associates in Pune, Vitthal Maniar and Aniruddha Deshpande, also owned substantial shares in the company.

t may be noted that TOI has not detected any illegalities in the project and all procedures and formalities have been fulfilled as per the law.

Another interesting aspect is the 30-year lease agreement reached between the Maharashtra Krishna Valley Development Corporation (MKVDC was then headed by NCP minister Ajit Pawar) and the Lake city corporation on September 23, 2002.

Details of the deals were provided by MKVDC under the Right to Information Act, 2005, to Pune city activist Maruti Sahebrao Bhapkar in December 2005.

leospyder

August 14th, 2006, 07:59 AM

The Hindustan Construction Company is overseeing construction but no information is yet forthcoming. I actually came across this project in a newsletter at work. It seems very ambitious. :)

cncity

August 14th, 2006, 08:05 AM

Pune: In an extraordinary real estate initiative, multiple ecological and technological challenges are being addressed in the construction of India’s first infotech-driven megacity, coming up 60 km west of Pune.

The widespread use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies in the planning and construction of the massive Lavasa Lake City has emerged as one of the key highlights of the new satellite township. GIS refers to powerful, infotech-based tools used for effective urban design and planning.

“It (Lavasa project) is one of the few examples in the world where GIS technologies are being used in raising an entire city from scratch,” Lavasa Corporation’s architect and urban designer Anubandh Hambarde told a gathering of IT professionals here on Wednesday.

At the same time, Hambarde acknowledged that the Lavasa planners needed to be extremely careful as they were making major modifications to the hilly terrain on which the township was based. Ensuring that Pune’s new satellite township with its projected lakhplus population does not pollute one of the main sources of water to Pune city (Warasgaon dam) is one of the major challenges facing planners, Hambarde said.
The thrust of his presentation at the Computer Society of India’s (Pune chapter) INCSights 2006 seminar was on the innovative use of GIS technologies in the planning and construction of Lavasa Lake City.
Planned on 4,000 hectares of hilly terrain, the Lake City is rapidly coming up as Pune’s satellite township in the Mulshi taluka of Pune district. Such is its scale that the city has been designed to have 22,000 properties, a residential population of 1.10 lakh, an anticipated annual tourist flow of four lakh people and a 15-20 km long lake.
Relaxing and energetic would be the character of the lake city, which would target property buyers from the aspirational middle class to the high income families. Properties would range from apartments to two-acre estate homes with adequate low-cost housing for housemaids and other service staff.

The lake city has already constructed its own mini-dam (Dasve), created out of the submergence of the Warasgaon dam — one of the sources of drinking water supply to Pune city. Hambarde said that ensuring the township does not pollute this source is among the major challenges facing planners. “We are imposing some kind of danger to the water supply of Pune. We have to be very sensitive to ensure that water purity for Pune city is maintained,” he said while acknowledging the ecological implications of the project.
Hambarde said Lavasa’s GIS team headed by G.S. Rao has created an infotech backbone for every aspect of the city’s planning and construction, ranging from e-governance, taxation, street naming and addressing system to preventive maintenance.

SATELLITE TOWNSHIP

•Location: 60 km west of Pune in Mulshi taluka

•Area: 4,000 hectares

• Size: 22,000 properties, 1.10 lakh residential population

•Anticipated annual tourist flow: 4 lakh

•Township to house hotels, retail malls, IT and BT parks

• 15-km long lake for captive water body

•Infotech-driven urban planning, systems

.

SilverSpear

October 11th, 2007, 10:28 AM

Any Updates? Pictures of the Project?

Suncity

October 11th, 2007, 03:42 PM

Any Updates? Pictures of the Project?

crossposting from the Pune thread

Lavasa project under construction

Some project info here (http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/jan/13spec.htm)

photo copyright Satish

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/4207/lavasacityconstructionskb9.jpg

cncity

October 12th, 2007, 04:25 AM

The huge 10000 acres, 150 million sq ft, $ 5 billion Lavasa project

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1184463279

mukeshworld

October 12th, 2007, 10:35 AM

^^
nice project and Thanks for the pics

cncity

October 17th, 2007, 09:12 PM

Five per cent for Rs 500 crore. That's what Ajit Gulabachand's hill station project near Pune, Lavasa has roped in from Deutsche bank.

While it does make the HCC the owners of one of the most expensive projects, it also holds some real benefits for shareholders of the listed company HCC.

Deutsche bank has signed a deal with Lavasa to pick up five per cent for Rs 500 crore, which values Lavasa at Rs 10,000 crore.

HCC Realty holds 65 per cent in Lavasa and HCC Realty is a wholly owned subsidiary of HCC.

This means, HCC shareholders have access to the value unlocking of Rs 6,500 crore which is HCC Realty's share of the Lavasa project.

The stock clearly saw the benefits of such valuations. Soon after NDTV broke the news it saw a 20 per cent intraday gain, HCC closed up 9 per cent with volumes of almost 5 million shares being traded on the BSE.

Some analysts have pegged stock at double after this 5 per cent deal.

But Lavasa is a very long-term project. Spread over 12,000 acres, it's going to be built in phases over the next 10-15 years.
However, Phase 1 is near completion and has already sold some residential plots, and tie ups have been announced with Accor for hotels and Apollo for hospitals.
Lavasa has now got the stamp of approval from a foreign institutional investor, which is a positive indicator of its intrinsic value but what's also important is the potential gain for HCC shareholders in the long term, who were not seeing any visible trigger for the company so far.

http://www.ndtvprofit.com/homepage/storybusinessnew.asp?id=41231&template=&cache=10/17/2007%209:25:25%20AM

vibs89

November 6th, 2007, 08:23 AM

The official site of Lavasa is www.lavasa.com Found it by stumbling across the website.

IndiansUnite

April 13th, 2008, 05:16 AM

Looks like Lavasa is ready. Here's an ad from TOI -

click to enlarge
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/663/ad0050013wp8iz2.png (http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5428/ad0050013jn2.png)

vibs89

April 13th, 2008, 08:42 AM

Looks like Lavasa is ready. Here's an ad from TOI -

click to enlarge
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/663/ad0050013wp8iz2.png (http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/5428/ad0050013jn2.png)

Nope Not yet but will be completed by June,2009. BTW here you can check out the pics (http://www.lavasa.com/MediaBuzz/current.html) of the construction and if visiting Lavasa here is Lodge called Ekant Retreat (http://www.lavasa.com/visiting_lavasa/visiting_lavasa.html) which is the only lodge you can stay.

IndiansUnite

April 13th, 2008, 06:39 PM

hmm..the downtown looks ready though. Anyways here are some pics of the Ekant resort taken in January.

Copyright VM2827

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Lavasa u/c
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cncity

June 22nd, 2008, 06:21 AM

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Map
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Route from Pune
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cncity

June 23rd, 2008, 03:28 AM

Entrance
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IndiansUnite

June 23rd, 2008, 04:52 AM

June 15
pics copyright Parikshit

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IndiansUnite

June 23rd, 2008, 04:56 AM

contd..

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/451/image024fk1.jpg

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bhopalus

June 23rd, 2008, 09:15 PM

so is the plan here to create cancun with glitzy buildings and nightlife and all or a more modest place for families and old people?

cncity

June 24th, 2008, 12:43 AM

so is the plan here to create cancun with glitzy buildings and nightlife and all or a more modest place for families and old people?

There are no highrise buildings here and nothing as glitzy as the Amby Valley. This township is for middle class families and not for the Rich - Flats costing from 25 Lacs onwards.. The rich usually go to another township near Pune called Amby Valley built by Sahara which is 90 mins from Pune.

ab041937

June 25th, 2008, 02:14 AM

Looks very much like a european style township.

Suncity

June 25th, 2008, 03:35 AM

photo copyright Rajiv

http://img53.imageshack.us/img53/9224/lavasalakerajivmg5.jpg

photo copyright Aditya

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/4372/lavasatowncentreadityavc6.jpg

globalthinker

June 26th, 2008, 12:57 AM

Does anyone know when Lavasa is opening up for sale again ? Any idea on villa and apartment price?

zhiemi

June 27th, 2008, 09:47 AM

Axis bank invests Rs 250 Crore in Lavasa at Rs. 10,000 Cr. Valuation (http://in.biz.yahoo.com/080626/139/6uyqe.html)

Axis Bank has invested Rs. 250 crores in Lavasa Corporation Limited (Lavasa), a subsidiary of HCC (Hindustan Construction Company Limited) in the form of Convertible Preference Shares and Convertible Debentures. sed on the above investment, the equity valuation of Lavasa works out to Rs. 10,000 crore.

"This investment by Axis Bank is an endorsement of our vision for Lavasa and the solid foundation we have already built. We are delighted to have Axis Bank as our investment partner," said Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman and Managing Director, HCC.

"Lavasa, based on the principles of New Urbanism, epitomizes the way cities will grow in the future. We believe our investment in Lavasa is an opportunity to participate in this growth with excellent prospects," said Mr. Siddharth Rath, Sr. Vice President and Head of Capital Markets, Axis Bank.

Lavasa hill station development is being led by HCC with 65 per cent stake, along with Avantha Group (LM Thapar Group) and Venkateshwara Hatcheries. Spread amidst 25000 acres of hill station area and a master plan of 12500 acres, the first phase is planned to be ready for occupation during 2009-10.

Some of the tie ups that have already been done include Said Business School, Oxford University (UK), Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne (Switzerland), GDST school (UK), Symbiosis Institute (Pune), Accor and ITC Hotels as well as Apollo Hospitals.

cncity

August 3rd, 2008, 10:34 PM

cncity

September 13th, 2008, 09:06 PM

Lavasa Corporation in collaboration with the National School of Hospitality Management (NSHM) Knowledge Campus, Kolkata, has plans to develop India’s first university focusing on retail training. This move has come about as an endeavor to provide the retail sector with its much needed trained professionals.

The university will take grounds in the country’s first planned hill station in Pune, also being developed by Lavasa which is a part of Hindustan Construction Company.

Academic session of the university is scheduled to commence from 2010 and will admit around 1,600 students every year in both graduate and post graduate courses. Duration for each of the courses on offer would span from 12 to 24 months.

While talking to media persons, Mr Rajgopal Nogja, President, Lavasa Corporation said, “The NSHM Knowledge Campus is expected to become a deemed university by 2010 under the UGC Act and we will affiliate it with various other universities of US and UK depending on the courses we offer. We are expecting international students to register as well.”

Expounding on the plethora of employment opportunities that the retail sector has in store, Mr Cecil Antony, Chief Mentor of NSHM cited a media report saying, “India’s retail sector has emerged as the fifth largest investment destination in the world. It has witnessed a growth of 25-28 per cent in 2007, and the entire retail industry is estimated to grow up to around US $365 billion in 2008 and around $440 billion by 2010, which will generate an employment outlook of 30 per cent in 2008.”

http://www.fibre2fashion.com/news/daily-textile-industries-news/newsdetails.aspx?news_id=63267

cncity

September 16th, 2008, 03:57 AM

cncity

September 28th, 2008, 05:30 PM

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cncity

September 28th, 2008, 05:32 PM

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globalthinker

September 29th, 2008, 06:20 AM

Beautiful pictures, thank you.Have they started seling the next lot of villas ?

cncity

October 4th, 2008, 12:28 AM

Dam

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cncity

October 5th, 2008, 06:39 AM

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cncity

October 11th, 2008, 06:08 PM

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cncity

October 11th, 2008, 06:10 PM

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cncity

October 11th, 2008, 06:13 PM

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cncity

October 11th, 2008, 06:16 PM

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Dubaiwala

December 8th, 2008, 05:03 AM

Hi, thanks for posting such beautiful pictures, Lavasa is indeed beautiful and holds so many promises.

Does anyone know the latest status of Lavasa, have they started pouring foundation for Bungalows yet?, I own a bungalow one level below Ekaant on a one third acre plot, and just wondering if the concrete foundations have started or if the plots have been cloeared yet for the phase zero.

I heard phase 1 lots and houses were sold out, does anyone out there have idea of pricing now.

cncity

January 1st, 2009, 09:54 PM

pic by photomukul
http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/2102/photomukulhg0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

desertmaster

January 14th, 2009, 10:57 AM

hello , it would be good that this thread comes in action .

some previous questions answered .

1) yes they have started selling in phase one (flats are all sold out ,they selling villas )

2) yes they have started building the villas

I was there in december and that place is heaven.

anyone else has questions pls shoot :)

Dubaiwala

January 19th, 2009, 09:32 PM

Thanks Desertmaster. I bought a third acre plot in Phase 0, Oct,07. During my last visit in July,08, Lavasa informed me that phase 1 had been opened and sold out. While my plot is below Ekaant, the phase 1 sold properties mainly looked at opposite side of the mountain. I agree Flats are sold out. We paid 10% during the booking, Lavasa is now asking for 10%+10% for the agreement and first installment. Do you know if people have started paying. This was if I pay now, 30% will be paid for. Yes, I agree with you, this place is like heaven, kudos to HCC for such a dream. Cannot wait for them to complete. However, I have to say that I visited the bungalows they have completed next to water, behind apartments, looks OK, I was expecting better construction quality, but not bad, maybe it is under works and not fully finished. The town hall and other hotel construction looks world class.

desertmaster

January 27th, 2009, 10:44 AM

Dubaiwala

January 28th, 2009, 05:17 PM

Thanks Desertmaster. I will plan trip to Lavasa as well to do this agreement. From what I know, almost 50% of owners have done this agreement and for those who have done agreement, Lavasa has started pouring foundation. e.g. My plot area has 6 plots, 3 of them have done agreement, once all 6 of us are done, Lavasa will start digging foundation and pour concrete and work begins.

Absolutely wonderful news on SPACEWORLD at LAVASA :banana:. I applaud HCC and Lavasa mgmt on grabbing this contract. With many Educational institutions, Hotels and Hospitality industry, plus Healthcare, Lavasa is poised to be a unique destination.

What sets Lavasa apart is the constant communications from Lavasa mgmt to owners, I wish Dubai and Nakheel could learn a little from Lavasa, where too much panick has set in and Nakheel is not helping by keeping quiet.

I encourage all owners to complete agreements and let this project begin. So far so good.

cncity

March 6th, 2009, 04:07 PM

New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) Construction major Lavasa Corp and ITC’s subsidiary Fortune Park Hotels Friday announced the opening of a 60-room upscale hotel, Dasve, in Maharashtra’s Lavasa township.
The Lavasa project, spread across 12,500 acres near Pune, is being developed by Lavasa Corp, a Hindustan Construction group company.

“The new ITC hotel is a key milestone and a first step towards setting up world-class hospitality facilities at Lavasa,” Lavasa Corp chairman Ajit Gulabchand said in a statement released here.

“The new property also enjoys green certification as we strongly believe in keeping environment foremost in mind on any construction activities that are carried out in Lavasa,” he added.

LTC senior executive vice-president Pawan Verma said the company would develop luxury hotels in India’s other major cities also.

“ITC also has plans to build and own landmark Fortune Hotels in the key gateway cities of Bengaluru, Kolkata and Coimbatore and subsequently in other key destinations,” Verma said

http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/itc-opens-60-room-upscale-hotel-in-lavasa_100163599.html

globalthinker

March 9th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Source: DNA India

Dasve, Lavasa: The Lavasa hill station project of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) is set for a private equity injection, according to people in the know.

Details of the investor or the quantum of investment could not be ascertained. However, a source said a group of investors were taken for a site visit to Lavasa over a week ago and the placement is expected by June.

HCC officials refused to comment on the private equity infusion.
However, they said a likely reason for private equity interest may be that work on the Lavasa project was running one year ahead of schedule at a time most other real estate companies were deferring their developments.

Somewhat ironically, they said easier availability of manpower and other resources, as the slowdown takes hold of the industry, which has helped HCC speed up work on the project.

In a recent interaction with this newspaper, Ajit Gulabchand, chairman and managing director of HCC said they were encouraged by sales during the last one year to advance the phase I completion target from 2022 to 2015. "By 2012, around 10,000 students and executives will be pursuing their studies at Lavasa. By the same time, there will be 1,000 hotel rooms across various categories.
Phase 1B and Phase II will begin parallel to each other. What we hoped to complete by 2030 will be completed by 2022," he said.

Developed by Lavasa Corporation, an HCC group company, Lavasa is positioned as Independent India's first and largest hill city, which can be reached in 3 hours by road from Mumbai and in 1 hour from Pune. Spread over 12,500 acres, the hill city is expected to house a number of global leaders in hospitality, tourism, education, healthcare, business research and industry.

chennaidesi

March 11th, 2009, 09:39 PM

Pune and Mumbai might still become hotter.

desertmaster

March 11th, 2009, 11:12 PM

Pune and Mumbai might still become hotter.

can you exapnd then what will happen to chennai ????

if you say deforestation then you dont know what lavasa is !!!!

it was inhabitated land !!

now hill station under the CONTREVERSAIL POLICY ......

YOUR INPUT IS APPRECIATED .....

zhiemi

March 17th, 2009, 10:05 AM

Ad on today's TOI. Amazing project this :cheers:

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/7609/getimagedllb.png

Euromast

March 23rd, 2009, 03:16 PM

Latest Updated vedio on NDTV (http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/video/video.aspx?id=63000)

ab041937

March 26th, 2009, 03:15 PM

25000 acres ~ 100 sq. km :eek2:

thats nearly as big as mid-sized city

mumbaiwala

April 7th, 2009, 07:11 PM

Thank you for all for your posts. I was thinking of booking a flat/villa at Lavasa. Do you know what the current rates are like?

Thanks

cncity

April 21st, 2009, 12:25 AM

copyright - vikassaher

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/5789/34586255340e06ff1435o.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=34586255340e06ff1435o.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/34586255340e06ff1435o.jpg/1/w1279.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img5/34586255340e06ff1435o.jpg/1/)

http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/9720/vikassaher.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vikassaher.jpg)
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/vikassaher.jpg/1/w1280.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img5/vikassaher.jpg/1/)

inus2663

April 21st, 2009, 02:43 AM

great shots!

BombayPG

June 16th, 2009, 01:25 PM

I e-mailed them. They are still selling villas and apartments.

globalthinker

June 17th, 2009, 05:20 AM

Marathaman

June 17th, 2009, 07:51 AM

Great - yet another way for the elites to insulate themselves from the great unwashed.

India101

June 17th, 2009, 02:24 PM

25000 acres ~ 100 sq. km

thats nearly as big as mid-sized city

Ya Kolkata is only 185 sq. km

BombayPG

June 19th, 2009, 02:24 PM

What is the current rate for Villas and Apts ?

Also, I read that they tied up with a prestigeous golfer to setup an 18 hole golf course. One more big name to add to the list of impressive brand names.

http://www.nickfaldo.com/archive/news/story/80

From the e-mail they sent me:

The villas are available in different sizes, (starting Saleable Area is from 2060sq.ft. to 4898sq.ft.) and the current price for the villa is Rs.3500/- per sq.ft. for constructed area and Rs.100/- per sq.ft. for the plot.

With regard to the apartments, (Studio Apartment, 1 &1/2 BHK, 2 BHK) the current price is Rs.3050/- per sq.ft. for valley facing apartments and Rs.3150/- per sq.ft. for front side apartments.

Great - yet another way for the elites to insulate themselves from the great unwashed.

The cheapest apartment they are selling is for under Rs. 20 lacs. They are trying to target the middle class and the rich. That's the only way a city of this size will succeed!

Marathaman

June 21st, 2009, 09:46 AM

The cheapest apartment they are selling is for under Rs. 20 lacs. They are trying to target the middle class and the rich. That's the only way a city of this size will succeed!

Hmmm...that's not bad, I presumed it would turn out to be something like Amby Valley, a kind of extra-large gated community for the uber-rich.

BombayPG

June 30th, 2009, 06:12 AM

Even the facilities will be offered at various different price points so they can cater to more people!

harsh1802

July 26th, 2009, 06:49 PM

Mahratta

July 26th, 2009, 07:04 PM

Good development - not a fan of the pseudo-European "lakeside apartments", though. There's plenty of old waterfront architecture in India to inspire them

Realvisionhomes.com

July 27th, 2009, 01:20 PM

A video from cellphone done last month (june 1st 2009) before the rains.
XbiB-Rt-cEg

BombayPG

September 21st, 2009, 02:36 PM

Some of the villas and apartments will be ready towards the end of next year.

rockss

October 3rd, 2009, 07:18 PM

Hi,

I am interested in buying 1/5 or 1/4 acre vila in lavasa. please contact me if you are a seller or a broker with pricing details

thanks

cncity

October 16th, 2009, 08:46 PM

copyright - Pranav Peshwe
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/8656/pranavpeshwe.jpg (http://img25.imageshack.us/i/pranavpeshwe.jpg/)http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/pranavpeshwe.jpg/1/w1024.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img25/pranavpeshwe.jpg/1/)

nicksolan

October 18th, 2009, 06:34 AM

Hi everyone, I am new to this forum.
Based on my survey in Lavasa, I have noticed they have been doing lots of construction around...
Though the issue here is that they always say they are sold out on almost all of phase 1.
They only showed me all highend properties!!
Another issue, I looked at their agreement.It has nothing in Favor of the owners of the villa. You own the villa building but the land it is on, is to be leased out from Lavasa corp for a period of 999 years I see a lots of controversies in this itself.On the agreement itself Lavasa corp owns the ;and , hence reserves the exclusive right to remove you from the property and kick you out, should you fail to pay the maintainence of Rs.3.00 per sq feet more than two times. also if any disputes, or anything arises and someone considers you a nuisance, they can ask you to get out of ur own property, in which Lavasa corp is the whole and sole owner of that piece of land.In short u will lose all rights. You own the structure, but u can't take that with you.. can you!!!!
They can offer to buy it back for 25% less than what u paid for it, or if they don't want to do that, they will ask u to demolish ur villa and remove all the debris.
I hope you all got what I am talking about.We all have to think of the future..
You donot know who ur neighbors are and what if they consider u a nuisance!!
I want everyone to participate in this..has anyone seen this agreement?
any experience ..any issues.Please do share as I wish to buy but am having second thoughts..

nicksolan

October 18th, 2009, 06:41 AM

p.raghavendra6

October 18th, 2009, 09:28 AM

been to Lavasa last weekend. By the time we reached there , it was late evening.

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/7982/pa100370.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/pa100370.jpg/)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/7721/pa100363.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/pa100363.jpg/)

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8152/pa100332.jpg (http://img196.imageshack.us/i/pa100332.jpg/)

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/3390/pa100318.jpg (http://img195.imageshack.us/i/pa100318.jpg/)

I like the road from Pune to Lavasa.

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7985/pa100317.jpg (http://img35.imageshack.us/i/pa100317.jpg/)

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/5996/pa100279.jpg (http://img38.imageshack.us/i/pa100279.jpg/)

OSI

November 9th, 2009, 07:11 AM

Hi NickSolan,
We have recently visited Lavasa and would like to buy some property there. Though your post puts a bit of a damper on our plans.

Can you tell me how you have managed to find the details of the eviction if cosidered nuisance. For that matter, does your survey specify what "nuisance" itself means? Would having a party on your lawns mean a nuisance? What if you get into a brawl because your neighbour's dog has pooped in your lawns. Who then is a nuisance - your neighbour, their dog or you? I don't intend to poke fun, but if you are able to shed some light on the 'nuisance' bit or its appropriate definition based on your survey, it would be most appreciated.

Secondly, if the non-payment of management fees would result in eviction, what clauses are applicable to the management itself for performing their duties. For instance, in your research, is there anything that says that if the corporation does not perform its actions such as building infrastructure, repairs or replacement of public amenities such as lights, water and roads even after the payment of the management fees what action can a resident take against them?

Have you seen the legal agreement? I am yet to pay the 10% + 10%. Am I allowed to see the agreement before I sign the deal? If they only release the agreements after deposit payment, can you recover the amount if you are not happy with the arrangement?

Appreciate your reponse.

desertmaster

November 9th, 2009, 07:45 AM

OSI

November 9th, 2009, 10:25 AM

desertmaster

November 9th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Hi DesertMaster,

Many thanks for your reply. It also gives us some assurance about the terms and conditions. I have requested to see the draft agreement and will pore over the details.

Could I know from you the size of property you have bought? If you don't wish to reveal that is perfectly understandable too. We have been told that the only properties that are available are the large ones, twin bunglows and a few 1/3 acre plots which are not accessible for viewing.

The Lavasa site states that no plots are available for sale at the moment. So they are selectively releasing the remaining plots. To what extent is their claim that all but few plots are sold believable? Sorry to sound so sceptical but I am familiar with the sale tactics of property sales persons and wanted to cross check with a buyer like you if you have been told the same.

Many thanks.

I have a twin bunglow ie 1/8th acre built up size around 2200 sq feet as per the design . Advisable you speak to the lavasa office in Mumbai to the correct person. If you need the details pls Private message me and i would give you the dirct contact of the concerned person who would help you with all your questions.

Everything has to be accesible for viewing how can someone say buy w/o seeing :ohno:

OSI

November 12th, 2009, 03:50 AM

Hi Nicksolan and Desertmaster,
After reading the draft agreement I will have to agree with Nicksolan. The terms and conditions are completely onerous on Lavasa and it does state the eviction if considered a nuisance. This is odd because I don't think they are constitutionally allowed to evict someone especially when this comes under police jurisprudence. What authority will the police have if Lavasa will meddle in personal matters. In fact the definition of nuisance itself is not stated.
Secondly, it also states that the resident can't dispute with Lavasa and there is no independant arbitration, instead Lavasa will allocate an arbiter. This makes it very lop-sided.
Thirdly, and which is quite odd it states that the management costs will be for the entire development and not for each phase. This can mean that if the machine for pumping water needs to be changed or if the golf grounds will be maintained or if the Ferrous Wheel has some technical problems it might be added to your management costs and you will not know what and where your management fees are being directed to. If they will be increased you are not allowed to dispute that or even seek the allocation.
I wonder what those people who bought the property previously thought or if they had their agreements reviewed by lawyers before signing.
I am having second thoughts too.

OSI

November 16th, 2009, 06:24 AM

Hi NickSolan,
Have you found any thing about the legalities of the clauses mentioned in the agreement? Have you decided to go ahead? Do you know of others who have gone ahead?

HAWK0110

December 8th, 2009, 09:25 PM

Hi NickSolan,
Have you found any thing about the legalities of the clauses mentioned in the agreement? Have you decided to go ahead? Do you know of others who have gone ahead?

i m new to dis whole lavasa thing and looked a lot on net also. im intrested in buying an apartment can any1 help me how to go about. r there any private builders also ?

darkhorses

December 11th, 2009, 04:59 PM

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/5030/dscn0791j.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1605/dscn0792j.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/i/dscn0792j.jpg/)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/7447/dscn0798j.jpg (http://img10.imageshack.us/i/dscn0798j.jpg/)

http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/2974/dscn0819.jpg (http://img515.imageshack.us/i/dscn0819.jpg/)

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1404/dscn0828e.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/dscn0828e.jpg/)

URL=http://img18.imageshack.us/i/dscn0830u.jpg/]http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/6798/dscn0830u.jpg[/URL]

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/9268/dscn0832a.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/dscn0832a.jpg/)

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9085/dscn0836.jpg (http://img684.imageshack.us/i/dscn0836.jpg/)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/6995/dscn0839v.jpg (http://img340.imageshack.us/i/dscn0839v.jpg/)

URL=http://img209.imageshack.us/i/dscn0838b.jpg/]http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1268/dscn0838b.jpg[/URL]

http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/1864/dscn0841a.jpg (http://img3.imageshack.us/i/dscn0841a.jpg/)

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/3228/dscn0842m.jpg (http://img691.imageshack.us/i/dscn0842m.jpg/)

ankit.pokes

December 11th, 2009, 06:23 PM

lavasa is awesome!!!!!!!!

achemsRaZor

December 13th, 2009, 01:59 PM

Awesome - did not think it would look so good. Although I agree with someone here who made that comment on pseudo european / mediterranean facades. But looking good. Anyone know what the permanent population of this township is now?

Lavasa Community

December 18th, 2009, 11:13 AM

I was very skeptical of this project when it started off but i must say it looks impressive (http://www.lavasa.com/current_status.aspx) with the current progress made.

I really hope they are going to maintain the ecology around the project.

Lavasa project is indeed very interesting and you'll be glad to know that we have planted over half a million of saplings in Dasve, Lavasa. For more updates & interesting facts join us:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/lavasacommunity?ref=ts

Twitter - http://twitter.com/lavasacommunity/

Orkut - http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=95488027

Looking forward to connect with you... :)

Lavasa Community

December 18th, 2009, 11:18 AM

Even the facilities will be offered at various different price points so they can cater to more people!

Lavasa takes care of all socioeconomic class... so it is planned accordingly.

For more updates you can join us:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/l...mmunity?ref=ts

Twitter - http://twitter.com/lavasacommunity/

Orkut - http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=95488027

Looking forward to connect with you... :)

Lavasa Community

December 18th, 2009, 11:25 AM

Check out some interesting pictures on our page:http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/lavasacommunity?ref=ts

If you want to upload your own pictures of Lavasa at our page or have some suggestions, you are always welcome...

Looking forward to connect with you... :)

Lavasa Community

December 18th, 2009, 11:29 AM

Lavasa is not just a place, its a dream land...For more updates, images & interesting facts join us:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/lavasacommunity?ref=ts

Twitter - http://twitter.com/lavasacommunity/

Orkut - http://www.orkut.co.in/Main#Community?cmm=95488027

Looking forward to connect with you... :)

mayekar

December 20th, 2009, 10:19 AM

Hi

I have query

I am planning to buy/invest in one of the retirmenet homes by Utsav in Davse lake

Current rate is 2900 per sq ft

it is 1BHK or 2 BHK

They said almost 40% construction is over

I am from east India so i am not sure if i will use these retirement homes.

So may be i have to resell them later after few years

Going by massive supply situation in Lavasa and their plan to build several hndred homes/ villas/apartments , i am not sure if i will be able to resell later

even so will it be at lower price than my cost or with very little appreciation in price

please guide as to your opinions

thansk
-Rahul

stinaikar

January 19th, 2010, 12:54 AM

If there are any 3BHK apartments close to the lakefront which are available, let me know. my email is

stinaikar@hotmail.com

Dubaiwala

April 16th, 2010, 07:08 PM

Of all the properties I have ( Dubai, Goa, US, Pune), this has done the best and survived the downturn last year and actually turned in profit. Lavasa developments have been actually on schedule. I was very pleased to received photos of my Bungalow with RCC all completed and walls are going in now. Looks fantastic. My father visited the Model Bungalow of exactly same plan as mine and he was very pleased with the construction Quality. ( I have a one third acre, 4000 ft2 SK downhill). Looks like I might indeed get possession in next 5-6 months.:banana:

It is also quite amazing the partnerships Lavasa has been able to form. Additionally, Lavasa has also made constant communications with us, wish I can say this for my other builders, but kudos Mrs. Paraskar.

Thanks Lavasa, please let us know when is the actual handover dates for the third acre villas and when does the town of Dasve formally open, please send invitations to the people who bought and believed in Lavasa model from early days of Phase 0 sell. We would love to attend the Dasve Opening ceremony and I will travel to India whenever that happens, please let us know when is the official Dasve opening ceremony. :cheers:

manoj0309

May 5th, 2010, 08:46 AM

Hi,

Has any1 bought property in this project of Lavasa?

Kindly PM me or reply on this forum...Its urgent

Thanks a lot...

manoj03

May 5th, 2010, 12:46 PM

Hi,

Has any1 bought property in this project of Lavasa?

Kindly PM me or reply on this forum...Its urgent

Thanks a lot...

Dubaiwala

May 5th, 2010, 06:38 PM

manoj03

May 6th, 2010, 06:17 AM

Manoj, I have bought a property in Lavasa which is close to handover, I can help you, but I do not know how to PM....how do you do that, can you PM me?. Can you PM me without me giving my email on the open forum?

Hi Sir,

You can definitely pm me and the message will not be visible on the open forum. Single click on my user name above and it shows an option called send a private message. You can write your email id there. It will be visible only to me and not in an open forum.

Let me know in case you still cant figure it out..

Regards,
Manoj

stinaikar

May 8th, 2010, 12:13 AM

If anyone is interested in selling an apartment in Lavasa (resale only), I may be interested. Please contact me at stinaikar@hotmail.com with asking price and property details. Thanks

Illusionist

May 8th, 2010, 03:11 AM

please people stop spamming this thread. it is not a real estate forum. if you have updates then please post them here.
btw all you guys work for lavasa? bad marketing man, these cheap tricks wont get you anything.

Effer

May 8th, 2010, 10:11 PM

It's pretty cool to see a new city pop up. I love what they're doing with Lavasa. :cheers:

gentem

July 8th, 2010, 05:57 AM

Cisco picks up stake in Lavasa-Wipro JV
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/infotech/hardware/Cisco-picks-up-stake-in-Lavasa-Wipro-JV/articleshow/6141483.cms

Lavasa, Cisco and Wipro Collaborate to Develop India's First Sustainable, Intelligent and Connected City
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lavasa-cisco-and-wipro-collaborate-to-develop-indias-first-sustainable-intelligent-and-connected-city-2010-07-07?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Lavasa ties-up with Cisco, Wipro
http://business.rediff.com/report/2010/jul/07/lavasa-ties-up-with-cisco-wipro.htm

The Jetsons Arrive in Lavasa, Near Pune
http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2010/07/08/the-jetsons-arrive-in-lavasa-near-pune/

ImBoredNow

July 9th, 2010, 04:59 AM

Interesting article on Sify.com
Reema Shah wakes up to a shrill alarm bell in the sylvan surroundings of the Sahyadri Hills.
Sleepily, she taps a button on a touch panel at her beside. As if by magic, the security system is switched off, the lights are turned on, and the window blinds move to allow sunlight into the room.

She freshens up and comes back to the room, switching on her TV to take online Yoga lessons.

After 30 minutes, she gets ready to leave with her husband for work.

Before leaving, they view all the rooms from a control panel on the wall and run a pre-programmed routine which switches off all non-essential electric appliances, while simultaneously electronically fortifying the house.

They are finally ready to go.

Reema is still unsure if she switched off the geyser.

She whips her cellphone from her purse to check the status.

And, leaves in peace

If the scenario appears too distant for Indian families to digest, this is precisely what Lavasa Corporation - along with tech majors Cisco and Wipro Technologies - is promising at India's largest hill city, spread over 20,000 acres of area.

Lavasa is set amid seven hills and 60 km of lakefront.

A three-hour drive from Mumbai and an hour's drive from Pune, the city is a fourth the size of Mumbai.

Touted as India's first e-city, MyCity Technology - a joint venture set-up by Lavasa Corporation and Wipro - has signed a definitive agreement for Cisco to participate in its development.

The company said the quantum of equity stake of each partner was yet to be finalised.

Lavasa Corporation has already invested Rs 4,500 crore in developing the hill city.

Company officials said by this time next year, the capital expenditure would have touched Rs 6,000 crore.

Lavasa is planned for a population of around 300,000 residents and a tourist inflow of around two million annually over the next 10 years.

The first of five towns, Dasve, is slated to be ready by 2010-11.

Lavasa Corporation is a subsidiary of Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC). HCC holds 65 per cent stake in the company, along with Avantha Group and Venkateshwara Hatcheries with 15 per cent and 12.5 per cent, respectively.

'Around 10 years back, this area was an ecological disaster,' says Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman of Lavasa Corporation, adding: 'When we started this project, I had around 12 per cent stake in the company.

'My initial partners did not believe in the potential and I had to buy their share and ended up with 65 per cent stake. Now, none of my current partners want to exit, since they believe in the project.'

Gulabchand recalls taking the help of consulting firm Accenture to narrow on the choice of a town planner.

'Accenture shortlisted six architects. We finally chose HOK - the world's largest architectural and engineering firm - which showed us what we could achieve,' he said.

Lavasa city's second town, Mugaon, will become the world's first region to draw inspiration from the concepts of biomimicry in design and architecture.

Biomimicry or biomimetics is the examination of nature, its models, systems, processes, and elements to emulate or take inspiration from in order to solve human problems.

The terms biomimicry and biomimetics come from the Greek words bios, meaning life, and mimesis, meaning to imitate.

'The idea,' explains Gulabchand, 'is to create communities with self-governance mechanisms.'

But the task was not easy.

'You just cannot create a city like this. I invited the Maharashtra chief minister and nearly half his cabinet to make them understand that if I were to get the required permissions, it would take me thousands of years.

'Even if I compromised my position in some cases, it would still take nearly 200 years. They understood my dilemma,' he says, after which Gulabchand managed to become the only private company to get a 'Special Planning Authority' status.

'We are no longer just a real-estate company. And, we cannot create a city without the help of partners and with the existing system. Hence, we plan to create a new model of public-private partnerships (PPPs) soon,' adds Gulabchand.

Cisco will be the preferred technology partner for ICT products and architecture and use its Smart+Connected Communities initiative and service delivery platform.

Wipro will provide its expertise in areas like city management services, e-governance, ICT infrastructure and value-added services, including proposing and implementing intelligent home solutions and digital lifestyles, according to Anurag Mehrotra, Vice President and Head Client Relationship Group, Wipro.

'Globally, 50 per cent of the population is urbanised; this will go up to 60 per cent. In India, this figure is 30 per cent.

'As cities continue to grow and expand, incorporating a smart city concept is a necessity. Cities and communities can be sustainable by embracing smart regulation and strategic public private partnerships, with technology as an enabler,' reasons Wim Elfrink, Chief Gloabalisation Officer and Executive Vice President, Cisco Services.

The potential is huge.

IT services alone in Lavasa are expected to be worth Rs 450 crore.

As part of the collaboration, for instance, Cisco will offer a digital experience delivered at residents at Lavasa, which will include internet services and email access on TV.

This will allow residents to use internet from their TV sets or to publish their classified ads on the Lavasa portal, if they wish to buy or sell anything.

Residents will be able to host such services under the Lavasa domain.

Digital experiences will allow residents to create their own media library - store music, family photos and videos.

Some of the key initiatives under MyCity are setting up the largest GPON-based network implementation in the country, providing e-governance and city management solutions, data centre, telecom infrastructure, high speed internet connectivity and Wi-Fi services.

It will also encompass services like electronic security and surveillance system, including ICT solutions for tourists, commercial and residential.

Lavasa has commitments from global players.

In the hospitality segment, Accor, ITC and Hilton have tied up with it.

In health and wellness, Apollo Hospitals has signed up.

In the education sector, Ecole Hoteliere de Lausanne-Switzerland has started its operations. While others like International Business Relations-Germany and NSHM Knowledge Park have tied up.

Lavasa will also have an out-of the world experience with SpaceWorld - a 65-acre edutainment park powered by technology from the USSRC (US Space and Rocket Centre) - offering a space-like experience to visitors.

Gulabchand hopes it will be operational soon.

'Managing such a city will be a humungous task,' says Gulabchand, adding: 'It's for this very purpose that we have created a 'City Management Office' with the help of Cisco and Wipro.

bluesapphire

September 9th, 2010, 11:58 AM

This Diwali we are planning to visit Lavasa for few days.
Can any one give me some details like what is there in Lavasa for tourism & how many days are sufficient. Also the tariffs of Hotels if possible & is there any restricted entry like Amby Valley only for owners or is it open for all.
I am also looking for some investment there.

Please help as soon as possible.
Thanks.

cncity

October 20th, 2010, 08:24 PM

MGM, Lavasa ink MoU to set up amusement park

The roaring lion â€” the legendary logo of global entertainment giant MGM â€” is entering Indiaâ€™s amusement park space for the first time. Mumbai-based Lavasa Corporation (a subsidiary of HCC Ltd) has inked a memorandum of understanding with MGM Studios to set up a theme park in Lonavala, 45 km from Pune. The project carries an investment tag of over $100 million (Rs 440 crore).

While the franchise agreement is for 25 years, Lavasa will have exclusive use of MGM properties across the country for a yet undisclosed period. Under the deal, the HCC subsidiary can set up theme parks based on over 450 properties owned by MGM, including the popular James Bond and Pink Panther.

The first park will be spread over 65-70 acres in Lavasa, which is being built as an alternate hill station. The company is planning to set up a special purpose vehicle and, if needed, will also rope in a financial partner to execute the project.

A spokesperson for Lavasa, when contacted, however, declined to comment on the tie-up or the companyâ€™s foray into amusement parks.

MGM has been in the theme park business for many years in a tie-up with Disney, which came to an end a few years ago. Apart from India, it has been concentrating on new markets like China, South Korea and West Asia to build its amusement park franchise business.

MGM has been present in the country through the distribution of its entertainment channels on television. It also used to own theatre houses, one of which was located in Kolkata.

The financially-strapped studio business of the MGM group, which has been looking for buyers, has invited interest from Indian players like Anil Ambaniâ€™s Reliance-ADAG and Subrata Royâ€™s Sahara group, which is believed to have made a $2-billion buyout offer.

MGM is currently controlled by creditors and hedge funds that bought the studioâ€™s $4-billion debt from banks for around $2.4 billion, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Lavasa has also tied up with US space research organisation Nasa and is setting up a space amusement centre at the same location.

http://sify.com/finance/mgm-lavasa-ink-mou-to-set-up-amusement-park-news-equity-kktbFjhdbgf.html

stpete

November 26th, 2010, 09:11 AM

The environ. min has put a stay order on work in Lavasa... Source: CNBC India

studdmanster

November 26th, 2010, 01:11 PM

^^why?...and that too after such a long time???...was Mr. Ramesh sleeping till date?

ab041937

November 27th, 2010, 06:43 AM

I am beginning to literally hate this A$$hole.

Lavasa gets Jairam Ramesh blow: All work in lake city illegal (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_lavasa-gets-jairam-ramesh-blow-all-work-in-lake-city-illegal_1472750)
Published: Saturday, Nov 27, 2010, 1:18 IST
By Harish Gupta | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA

In a major blow to the ambitious Lavasa lake city project near Pune, the Union environment ministry headed by Jairam Ramesh has termed all construction activities in the 25,000-hectare project illegal.

A show cause notice from the ministry deems all structures so far unauthorised as they have been built without any environment clearance under its notifications of 2004 and 2006.

The notice requires that the “status quo ante for construction and development as on date should be maintained” pending decision on the notice. It simply means that no further construction can be undertaken.

The Lavasa Corporation, a group company of Hindustan Construction Corporation (HCC), has also been asked why the unauthorised structures should not be demolished “in entirety”. It means that all big bungalows, villas and farm houses may face action now.

Ramesh told DNA that he had given 15 days to the state government and the promoters to respond, and halt all activity until a decision was taken in the matter.

Many influential politicians, bureaucrats and others have villas and plots in the Lavasa lake city. No action has yet been taken. Former revenue minister Narayan Rane had gone on record a few weeks ago saying that it was too late in the day to initiate any move since it had already come up.

He has suggested that the state should impose only compounding fee on the developers.

Of late, there has been a flood of petitions to prime minister Manmohan Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi complaining about how the entire forest land had been encroached upon, acquired and developed in violation of rules. Ramesh decided to act swiftly as the Maharashtra government had been dragging its feet.

The ministry’s notice has put the fate of the real estate firm’s proposed Rs2000-crore IPO in jeopardy. It was recently cleared by the Sebi. The notice came at a time when Lavasa Corporation is already in the thick of a bribery scam, and its offices have been raided by CBI.

A spokesperson of the Lavasa corporation said, “We are still to receive the notice. As and when such a notice is received we will respond after studying it.”

When asked why the firm figures on the list of recipients of loans from banks which have been under the CBI scanner in the loans kickback scam recently, and there’s a fear in the market that banks may review all the loans given to several companies, Ajit Gulabchand, chairman of HCC & Lavasa, defended the project.

“Lavasa is a project of great importance to the Maharashtra government’s policy of building a hill station. In this context, we had to raise money with the banks and all transactions have been very clear and syndicated without any special favours or anything at all.”

The show cause notice asks the developers to provide the status of the project “with photographs/satellite maps indicating the constructions as on 18.3.2004, 7.7.2004, 14.9.2006 and up to date”. It says that the developers had built over 1,000 metres above sea level on 47.3 hectares of land without obtaining prior clearance.

Marathaman

November 27th, 2010, 09:15 AM

mumbaiwala

November 27th, 2010, 02:07 PM

I am beginning to literally hate this A$$hole.

Why?? You invested in Lavasa??

Did you read this yet ....
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/22/stories/2010112256802000.htm

Dam the water that can be supplied to millions so that few can enjoy paddle boats...? :bash:

stpete

November 29th, 2010, 11:44 AM

Additionally, I don't mind ppl building and enjoying such facilities as long as evrything's clean and transparent.. we all know what sh** Lavasa is...

Why?? You invested in Lavasa??

Did you read this yet ....
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/22/stories/2010112256802000.htm

Dam the water that can be supplied to millions so that few can enjoy paddle boats...? :bash:

gentem

December 3rd, 2010, 07:02 PM

Why?? You invested in Lavasa??

Did you read this yet ....
http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/22/stories/2010112256802000.htm

Dam the water that can be supplied to millions so that few can enjoy paddle boats...? :bash:

dude paddle boat doesnt consume water.. get it??:bash:

shreyansh

December 15th, 2010, 06:15 PM

'Irregularities' in Lavasa project: Maharashtra government

Maharashtra government tonight alleged some irregularities had occurred in Lavasa hill city and assured the assembly to probe each and every aspect of the multi-crore project in Pune district.

There were some "irregularities," among other things, in the acquisition of tribal land but there was nothing improper in developing the hill city, revenue minister Balasaheb Thorat said replying to a short duration discussion in the assembly.

The government, he said, was willing to probe all alleged irregularities and there was no question of shielding anyone.

The opposition, not satisfied with the government's reply, staged a walkout, pressing for setting up a joint legislative committee (JLC) to probe the controversial plan.

Thorat denied any breach of norms in the allotment of 141 hectares of state-run Krishna Valley Corporation (KVC) land on lease for 30 years to Lavasa Corp which is constructing the private hill city. It was within the purview of KVC to develop, sell or give on lease its land.

He said that the government would probe whether permission was needed from the revenue department to allot the land.

Thorat said there was nothing improper in the meeting between the then chief minister (Vilasrao Deshmukh), Union agriculture minister (Sharad Pawar) and stakeholders at Lavasa guest house since the idea was to personally visit the project site and get first hand information.

Taking part in the debate, industries minister Narayan Rane said Lavasa was cleared during his tenure as revenue minister in the previous Vilasrao Deshmukh government.

Rane accused the opposition of trying to "create hurdles" in development activities.

He targeted former chief minister Manohar Joshi of Shiv Sena, saying the saffron combine-led government had sanctioned Sahara Group's Amby Valley, another controversial project in Pune district.

Incidentally, Rane was the revenue minister at that time also.

There were allegations of massive corruption in the Amby Valley deal, Rane, now in Congress, said.

He said Lavasa was not just a luxurious residential scheme but would have research and convention centres also.

Rane justified not inviting tenders for the lake city, saying the project was to come up on private land and the government had nothing to do with it.

Government cleared the project since it was aimed at boosting tourism in the state, he said.

NCP members Jitendra Aawhad and Shashikant Shinde defended government's clearance to the project which they said had attracted large investment.

Initiating the debate, Davendra Phadanvis (BJP) said Maharashtra was reeling under two scams - Adarsha Housing and Lavasa.

He alleged huge tracts of land for Lavasa were acquired by the stakeholders without prior permission from tribal-owners, which was mandatory in such cases.

scoobysaurus

December 18th, 2010, 07:18 PM

hey guys does anyone have an idea of how much a villa would cost in this thing? like the 1/2 acre or 1/3 acre.. oh yeah and how far is this from hyderabad? :S

sixsigma1978

December 20th, 2010, 03:11 PM

Why are people so enthusiastic about this project? It's nothing but a glorified gated community for the super-rich. It won't help India's economic development one bit. I don't mind that Env Ministry is putting the brakes on this. As it is the Western Ghats are disappearing thanks to deforestation, mining, quarrying, illegal developments....

In any case I hate the faux European architecture. If Mah. government is so keen for it they could have atleast promoted the local architecture.

I completely AGREE with ab041937!!

Lavasa will get clearance eventually - too much has been built - to be torn down! Besides, if Lavasa's existence is not justified - then neither should the existence of Ooty or Manali!! Just because they exist is no grounds for stopping on new ones. In India - getting a MASSIVE project off the ground is impossible without irregularities. When it gets off - we have too many cooks trying to milk it or get publicity.
I respect Jairam Ramesh's proactiveness - but he's getting too much into obstructionist mode - and it seems to be simply getting worse.

flyinfishjoe

December 20th, 2010, 10:24 PM

Besides, if Lavasa's existence is not justified - then neither should the existence of Ooty or Manali!!

So because we made mistakes in the past, we should keep making them? :shocked:

Suncity

December 21st, 2010, 03:51 AM

Most of Mumbai slums are illegal and are polluting Mumbai's environment. Let Mr Jayram Ramesh declare them illegal, stop all illegal construction activity and remove the slums. Then we will see if he really stands for the environment or is he just trying to impress a certain section of activist brigade.

SSCaddict

December 21st, 2010, 04:40 AM

^^ sun comm'on i didn't expect this from you it is jairam

Suncity

December 21st, 2010, 11:02 PM

^^ sun comm'on i didn't expect this from you it is jairam

he can be Jairam or Shreeram. But I don't necessarily trust a politician. What needs to be found is whether he is playing to a certain type of gallery with all this supposed "green activism". Maybe he will get an international award?

:lol:

SSCaddict

December 27th, 2010, 05:57 AM

:lol:

gentem

January 7th, 2011, 06:27 AM

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIBG/2011/01/07/3/Img/Ad0030008.png
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIBG/2011/01/07&PageLabel=3&ForceGif=true&EntityId=Ad00300&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

sixsigma1978

January 7th, 2011, 04:34 PM

No large-scale forest destruction at Lavasa: MoEF panel

PUNE: Wrapping up its three-day visit to the Lavasa Lake City near here, the Central team deputed to look into alleged violations in the project today said no large-scale destruction of forest had taken place at the controversial site.

"Prima facie there does not seem to be a large-scale destruction of forest," Ministry of Environment and Forest Committee Chairman Naresh Dayal told reporters at the end of the visit of the 11-member team to the site which has been in the eye of a controversy over violation of green norms.

In reply to a question, he also said there should not be any concerns over reduction in water supply to Pune city due to the project.

"There is no specific evidence of reduction in water supply to Pune," Dayal said.

He said the committee had received necessary documents from Leaves Corporation and Maharashtra government and had "seen" what it wanted to at the site.

The committee during its visit, heard the views of those for and against independent India's first planned hill city, including villagers and activists Medha Patkar and Anna Hazare, strident critics of the project for alleged violations of environmental norms.

The committee, which inspected the Lavasa site on directions from the Bombay High Court, is expected to submit its report to the MoEF, which has stayed the construction work on the project following environmental concerns, shortly.

Meanwhile, addressing a press conference, Ajit Gulabchand, Chairman of the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), which is executing the project, said the Lavasa Corporation was "open to necessary corrections" in case of any possible environmental violations in the Rs 4000-crore project provided it remained "viable" and not left in "limbo".

"We are not saying it is perfect. Improvement is possible," he said, adding that "objective and measurable standards are necessary for corrections".

Gulabchand said the Lavasa Corporation had answered all queries made by the committee which had come to inspect and study the site.

Source : Link (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/property-/-cstruction/no-large-scale-forest-destruction-at-lavasa-moef-panel/articleshow/7237175.cms)

^^ Means - We came! We saw! we've made our cut!! We weren't satisfied with what we'd got earlier! Now that are bellies are partly full - we can safely move to cause havoc in another large project!! YUM - Another one !! DB TOWER!! Its TOO high! It will cause pollution in the stratosphere!! Here we come!!!

tall_dreams

January 7th, 2011, 04:45 PM

So because we made mistakes in the past, we should keep making them? :shocked:

s ARE YOU SAYING THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY HILL STATIONS? People should not live in hilly picturesque areas?

Suncity

January 7th, 2011, 06:58 PM

Medha Patkar is a really busy activist. She seems to be all over the place - from Singur to Lavasa.

gentem

January 7th, 2011, 08:00 PM

Source : Link (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/property-/-cstruction/no-large-scale-forest-destruction-at-lavasa-moef-panel/articleshow/7237175.cms)

^^ Means - We came! We saw! we've made our cut!! We weren't satisfied with what we'd got earlier! Now that are bellies are partly full - we can safely move to cause havoc in another large project!! YUM - Another one !! DB TOWER!! Its TOO high! It will cause pollution in the stratosphere!! Here we come!!!

actually the picture of toi ad i posted shows 2007 and current comparison. lavasa is trying to prove green cover improved much..

sixsigma1978

January 7th, 2011, 10:09 PM

Medha Patkar is a really busy activist. She seems to be all over the place - from Singur to Lavasa.

She was in bangalore in the 90s protesting alongside KRRS chief Nanjundaswamy against KFC's entry into Karnataka!!!

bonoslack7

January 7th, 2011, 11:11 PM

sigh....gutter newspaper times of india owns a 0.81% share in lavasa. Once times of india gets banned, India would be a better place to live.

SSCaddict

January 8th, 2011, 05:23 AM

^^ it was in every newspaper from ET to hindustan times :lol:

stpete

January 8th, 2011, 06:08 AM

so says a paid advertisement by LAVASA :bash:

Can some1 pls come up w/ a business model of running a newspaper w/o ad-money....

actually the picture of toi ad i posted shows 2007 and current comparison. lavasa is trying to prove green cover improved much..

sumant

January 8th, 2011, 09:15 AM

^^ it was in every newspaper from ET to hindustan times :lol:

Doesnt hide the fact that TOI has been running a propoganda in favour of lavasa since the controversy broke out. when they were ordered stop wrk notices, every other newspapers headline read just "stop wrk order issued on lavasa" TOI's headline read "Many left unemployed because of stop work notice" with pictures of unemployed labourers.thats is how blatant they were.Besides they were running paid articles almost one day of the week abt the virtues of lavasa city.

flyinfishjoe

January 8th, 2011, 09:46 PM

s ARE YOU SAYING THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY HILL STATIONS? People should not live in hilly picturesque areas?

If the environmental and social impact outweighs the benefits (which are mostly only for a privileged few anyways), then no. No more hill stations should be built. Thousands of acres of natural vegetation were destroyed to make way for tea plantations in Munnar. The lives of the Toda people were destroyed when the British built Ooty. I think it is strange logic to suggest that just because we made mistakes in the past, we are therefore allowed to make them over and over again.

tall_dreams

January 8th, 2011, 10:07 PM

If the environmental and social impact outweighs the benefits (which are mostly only for a privileged few anyways), then no. No more hill stations should be built. Thousands of acres of natural vegetation were destroyed to make way for tea plantations in Munnar. The lives of the Toda people were destroyed when the British built Ooty. I think it is strange logic to suggest that just because we made mistakes in the past, we are therefore allowed to make them over and over again.

It does not look like huge amount of forests are being destroyed. We have to find a balance somewhere. I would like to have a bunglow there.

p2p4

January 9th, 2011, 02:31 AM

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Where is this picture taken from?
Is this area denuded of natural vegetation or ....

I hope this pic is not from Lavasa

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/4456/p7160017zq1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)[/QUOTE]

sumant

January 9th, 2011, 04:51 AM

No clean chit for Lavasa yet: Ramesh
HT Correspondent, Hindustan Times
Email Author
Mumbai, January 09, 2011First Published: 00:39 IST(9/1/2011)

Union environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Saturday, that Lavasa had still not been given a clean chit. The fate of Lavasa hill city, planned across 25,000 acres in Pune district, still depends on the Centre’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) panel report that will come to the Ministry of

Environment and Forests (MoEF) on January 10, Ramesh said while speaking to reporters.
On November 25, the MoEF had issued a stop-work notice for the Lavasa project saying it violated some environmental rules. It also asked the company why some structures built after 2004 shouldn’t be demolished.

The corporation then approached the Bombay high court, which instructed the ministry to send a team to the project site to find out whether environmental rules were violated.

Ramesh defended EAC chairperson Naresh Dayal, who while responding to the press in Pune on Friday, had said that prima facie there was no large-scale destruction of forest cover at Lavasa. He had also said it would not affect water supply to Pune city.

“ Dayal was particularly asked about forest violations and he said there weren’t any. But, the panel has gone to Lavasa to look at environmental violations, which the EAC panel will put in the report that will come to the MoEF on Monday. It will be in the public domain on Tuesday and we will take a final decision on January 17,” Ramesh said.

Dayal was heading the eight-member committee that was on a three-day site inspection of Lavasa, which had allegedly violated environmental norms.

The comments made by Dayal had come as a relief to Lavasa Corporation Ltd, which had got into trouble after Hindustan Times had first reported in its August 20, 2010, edition that the project had come under the scanner of the MoEF for allegedly violating environmental norms.

National Alliance of People’s Movement (NAPM) leader Medha Patkar had alleged that the project had led to destruction of forest cover in the region.

In fact, chief managing director of Lavasa Corporation Ltd, Ajit Gulabchand, had immediately taken a press conference on Friday after the panel had concluded its visit and admitted that the company was willing to rectify mistakes if any had occurred while implementing the hill city project, a first-of-its-kind in the country.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/No-clean-chit-for-Lavasa-yet-Ramesh/Article1-648050.aspx

sixsigma1978

January 9th, 2011, 05:20 AM

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 02:24 PM

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=146441972035229&set=a.146435795369180.27065.100000082800035

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 02:33 PM

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37684_146441972035229_100000082800035_415137_6969967_n.jpg

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 02:37 PM

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/37684_146441982035228_100000082800035_415140_7283316_n.jpg

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 02:38 PM

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/38963_146442062035220_100000082800035_415145_4649473_n.jpg

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 02:58 PM

ya... that pic is from lavasa.. also see post 131.. dat is lavasa during rainy season

prasad.sindol

February 14th, 2011, 03:04 PM

Marathaman

February 19th, 2011, 10:08 AM

^^ they will give it a clean chit - after seeing that really nothing awry went wrong - they'll have to squeak a few "we'll have to monitor reports.." or "we're going to implement a commission.." BS so as to not look like complete idiots (they ARE looking like partial idiots I guess they know that!!)

I don't think they should even allow any more new towns or cities in the Western Ghats. There is plenty of land all over the country to build new cities. There's no reason why such a precious natural reserve should be violated just because it looks pretty in pictures and rich people can invest their black money.

sixsigma1978

February 20th, 2011, 05:53 PM

I don't think they should even allow any more new towns or cities in the Western Ghats. There is plenty of land all over the country to build new cities. There's no reason why such a precious natural reserve should be violated just because it looks pretty in pictures and rich people can invest their black money.

well - in a HOT country like India - logic states that it has to be mostly in elevated locations - I guess the paradigm of ooty, mussorie, nainital, applies to any city that has in mind for the populace to escape or live in a relatively cooler climate!! I don't mind projects like Lavasa as long as they've done their dilligence with an impact to the fauna of the environment PLUS that they have to contribute to increasing the green cover which Lavasa, in fact, has done!!!

Plus -where is this "plenty of land" all over India? India is one of the few countries- with the exception of forests and deserts - has land ownership on literally every bigha of land!!!

mangy

March 3rd, 2011, 01:20 AM

The Politics of Sultani Farmaans
Medha Patkar's Baseless Targeting of Model Hill City, Lavasa ( Part One)

http://www.manushi.in/articles.php?articleId=1495&pgno=1

Interesting reading. Was sent to me by Lavasa News.

Dubaiwala

March 10th, 2011, 07:58 PM

I have been involved with LAVASA since 2007. I was one of the early buyers of Villa in Lavasa and I am not an Industrialist/Politician, just an ordinary citizen who believed in Lavasa model that India needs new well planned, Eco sensitive cities and was looking for Hillstation home close to Pune. Lavasa met all that and much more.

I have seen Hills actually improved since Lavasa came, More Greenery today than before, (check out Lavasa before and after images), I have seen Villagers settle into a Built Gaav for them, many working and earning a living. Lavasa design has earned accolades from World over and it will be India's finest, most well planned, Eco balanced cities.

All this until Politically motivated MoeF and Medha Patkar took over. Does Medha really want more crowded, traffic clogged cities like Mumbai and Pune?, Moef is punishing Lavasa for lack of their own regulations and do not know how to handle this situation, even Moef's own investigative panel gave clean chit to Lavasa, then why fine and stoppage of work.

Let us encourage more well planned cities that balance growth and environment. Lavasa is a role model. Maybe it was started from Political roots, but today it remains a Corporate world driven role model for future cities in India. India's future growth will be driven by Companies like Lavasa, we cannot depend on our ineffective government to build cities like this. Kudos to lavasa and hope you get out of this soon.

Marathaman

March 10th, 2011, 10:31 PM

You're not a citizen, but an expat with vested interests. You don't have any authority on the matter. Jairam Ramesh is one of India's best, most honest ministers. He has my full support. But unfortunately the corporate-run media is going after him hammer-and-tongs because he actually stood up for the Law unlike other corrupt a-holes before him.

mangy

March 15th, 2011, 03:53 AM

'Lost' Indian region to get city of future
NZ Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10711903

A 1600km stretch of high hills blanketed in forests near India's west coast is one of the most remote places in the world. There are at least 5000 types of flower. Elephants, snakes, tigers, and cave bats all live here. The mountainous territory is inhospitable. The second I cross into it, civilisation disappears. I can't get a mobile phone signal.

And yet here in the middle of the Western Ghats, I descend into a steep valley and find myself in what will soon be one of the most advanced cities on earth.

I first read about it in an advertisement in an inflight magazine, and became intrigued by visions of a metropolis governed mainly by machines. A central bank of computers will control everything from household security to the transport network.

It's a half-billion dollar project to build, from scratch, an urban dream in the middle of the mountains.

Dubaiwala

March 17th, 2011, 11:32 PM

Marathaman, OK, I respect your views, even if they differ from mine. If you call buying a house near my home city of Pune, to be able to dream to retire in one of the best planned projects in the World, where nature co-exists with development, a vested interest, then agree I have had vested interests.

All I am saying is Check documents, did Lavasa had them, yes, were they enough when construction was commenced, Yes. Did they have all Maharashtra govt approvals, yes. Does MoEF had guidelines against it then, NO. Do they have it now, YES.

So, yes by all means, put Lavasa under those guidelines for all future developments, and make them comply. I am not disputing the fact at all that development needs to balance with Environment.

What good does it do to punish Lavasa for regulations that you did not have. This is what I call politically motivated. Should a project of such magnitude be stopped at this time, when it was few months from official opening, NO.

Let us not be Environmentally negative, but Let us not be development negative as well. They need to co-exist. Where else we are going to put out forecasted growth, make cities more crowded than they are. We do need development model of planned cities. Maybe Lavasa is not perfect, but it is a good start of Eco-balance development and provides accomodation for super rich, just rich, middle class and working class too, with employment, recreation, education opportunities. And yes, by the way, Forest has not been destructed, MoEF's own panel concluded that.

If not such model, what is your counter-proposal. Do you have any argument, or you are only good for blaming others....I would rather hear plan from you about how to deal with this issue where neither Lavasa or MoEF can be entirely faulted. Focus on proposal, no point blaming others. SO, how will you resolve this issue?.

mangy

March 25th, 2011, 03:26 AM

Lavasa gets conditional nod to complete hill project
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/property-/-cstruction/lavasa-gets-conditional-nod-to-complete-hill-project/articleshow/7784049.cms

NEW DELHI: The Environment Ministry's expert appraisal committee has given conditional permission to Lavasa Corporation to complete pending construction work on 257 residential buildings in the 3,000-crore planned hill station township. The incomplete buildings are located in a 614 hectare area of the proposed hill town.

The committee has said that Lavasa needs to rework the planning and development of the entire project, including the environment impact assessment. It will have to submit a revised proposal. The recommendations have been accepted by the ministry. The Lavasa case comes up for hearing in the Bombay High Court on Friday.

sixsigma1978

June 10th, 2011, 10:24 PM

Great!! Just Great!!!
World One, India Tower, Singur, Jaitpur, Lavasa....
Its incomprehensible - it takes years and patience to get these amazing projects off the ground - but a quick swish of the wand to declare them "shut down!!!"

I think we should resign ourselves to third world vision for decades to come until a pogrom of these so-called moralistic cretins takes place!!!

Maharashtra govt gets MoEF order for action against Lavasa
n a major setback to Ajit Gulabchand’s ambitious hill city project, the Union environment ministry today asked the Maharashtra government to initiate action against Lavasa Corporation for violation of green norms. The notice came within hours of Gulabchand’s statement that an environment ministry committee has recommended conditional clearances for the first phase of the project.

Gulabchand, chairman of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), was talking to the media on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of his company this morning. By evening, the ministry stressed that part of the construction had been undertaken at the project site in Pune without obtaining a green nod.

The hill station township is being constructed by Lavasa Corporation, a subsidiary of HCC. The company has invested Rs 3,000 crore so far. But Lavasa has been caught up in the regulatory net for several months now.

The company has incurred losses of about Rs 300 crore so far due to the stop-work notice issued by environment minister Jairam Ramesh. The stop -work notice came late last year. The ministry is preparing to give its view on the phase-I of the controversial project on June 15, when the matter comes up in the Bombay High Court for hearing. On the fate of the project, Ramesh said whatever his ministry has to say will be presented in the court.

The Maharashtra government was quick to react to the Ministry of Environment and Forests' (MoEF) directive. A senior state government official told Business Standard that “according to the MoEF directive, a case will be filed before the chief judicial magistrate against Lavasa Corporation under the Environment Protection Act, 1986”.

In a letter to the government, the MoEF said the state should take necessary action against the Lavasa project.

The ministry said during an appraisal of request for green clearance for the development of the 2,000-hectare Hill Station Township "it was found that constructions/developments in a 681 hectare area was in progress without obtaining prior environmental clearance".

Noting that it had issued showcause notices on November 25 last year and final directions on January 17 this year, the ministry said the constructions and developments in the 681- hectare are violations of the 1986 Act. As many as 257 residential units on 681.3 hectares were under construction when Ramesh imposed a stop-work order.

Source : Link (http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/maharashtra-govt-gets-moef-order-for-action-against-lavasa/438696/)

Marathaman

June 11th, 2011, 04:02 PM

adam_india

June 12th, 2011, 09:04 AM

Lavasa = Sharad Pawar , he'll find a way out.

sixsigma1978

June 14th, 2011, 04:52 PM

The company violated laws and should be punished period. Sticking to the laws of the land is an indication of "first world" status, not some flashy looking multi-crore houses.

I dont agree!
I doubt there is a single "clean" project in India!! It just isn't possible with all the murkiness that surrounds out broken system. If we're looking at moral grounds for allowing any project - then i dont think ANY project will take off in the country!!! we may as well shut down all development and go back to the socialist dark days of hindu rate of growth that kept us morbidly ignorant of our place in the world and happy with the collapsing country all around us!!

I think this is simply a muscle-flexing by jairam - tell him to expel the 12000 hutments from the mangrove forests of greater mumbai - i bet my month's salary you won't hear a quack from him!!

but on accountable entities like lavasa - he KNOWS he can bully them around!!! And the first world class hill city since independence will die a slow death.

Dubaiwala

June 14th, 2011, 05:28 PM

Sixsigma....I agree with you. This is indeed unfortunate. If you visit Lavasa (which I have been since 2007), you see clear pictures of before anf after. The hills have better greenery than before, tonnes of trees have been planted, grass has been planted which has prevented from slopes erosion. Lavasa is one of the handful of pojects in India which has been built on principle of urbanism and buildings are Green code compliant. Lavasa exceeds the Indian Govt's own standards of Green buidlings by a huge margin.

Marathaman..get real. Would you rather see a project like Lavasa or a severely congested cities without any planning whatsoever. Stop saying Lavasa is for rich only, Lavasa is not Amby Valley, it is planned for Rich and middle class alike, with flats from even Rs 10-15 Lakhs planned. Where can you find flat even in nearby Pune city for this price. This is a full city, well planned and Green....

This is a battle between Pawar and Jairam Ramesh. Battle between NCP, Congress. India needs projects like Lavasa, not Dharavi. Get real.

Marathaman

June 14th, 2011, 05:48 PM

I dont agree!
I doubt there is a single "clean" project in India!! It just isn't possible with all the murkiness that surrounds out broken system. If we're looking at moral grounds for allowing any project - then i dont think ANY project will take off in the country!!! we may as well shut down all development and go back to the socialist dark days of hindu rate of growth that kept us morbidly ignorant of our place in the world and happy with the collapsing country all around us!!

I think this is simply a muscle-flexing by jairam - tell him to expel the 12000 hutments from the mangrove forests of greater mumbai - i bet my month's salary you won't hear a quack from him!!

but on accountable entities like lavasa - he KNOWS he can bully them around!!! And the first world class hill city since independence will die a slow death.

Then let them either change the system or not build anything.

This is not an essential piece of infrastructure. It's a vanity project for certain powerful people. It serves little or no purpose as far as overall human development of India is concerned. I don't care a bit what happens to it.

sixsigma1978

June 15th, 2011, 04:21 PM

Then let them either change the system or not build anything.

This is not an essential piece of infrastructure. It's a vanity project for certain powerful people. It serves little or no purpose as far as overall human development of India is concerned. I don't care a bit what happens to it.

Change the system? I think Lokpal's an attempt - the overall impact will take a couple of decades at least!!! Even then - I doubt we can expect Finland like government efficiency and morals!! So Are you suggesting we don't build anything until then?
No offense mate - but that's absolute idealism. If that ever happened - we'd be like Somalia - where they really DONT build anything. they haven't done much since their independence. I really don't fancy living in such a state!!

sixsigma1978

June 15th, 2011, 04:22 PM

No demolition of Lavasa: Maha govt

Mumbai, June 15 (IBNS) The Maharashtra government on Wednesday said it will take legal action against alleged illegal construction at real estate developer Lavasa Corporation Limited’s high profile township project near Pune.

However, Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan has ruled out the possibility of demolition of the project.

“Action against illegal construction does not always imply demolition. We are considering if the illegal construction can be regularised by paying penalty,” said Chavan.

Lavasa is already facing criticism from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) for its illegal constructions near Pune.
The MoEF has reportedly written to Maharashtra government to ‘initiate necessary action’ under the Environment Protection Act against the Lavasa project that has violated green laws.

"It was found that constructions/developments in 681 hectare area was in progress without obtaining prior environmental clearance," read MoEF’s letter to the state government.

However, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh refused to give details on the issue.

"Whatever we have to say will be presented in (Bombay) High Court on June 15," Ramesh reportedly told media.

Lavasa on Jan 27 sought more time from the Bombay High Court to answer the MoEF on its township project.

Lavasa told the court it needs six week’s time to submit all documents related to the project.

The court postponed the hearing till March 10.

Highly-placed sources said Lavasa even tried to reach an ‘amicable settlement’ with Ramesh.

Earlier, the MoEF ordered penalties for Lavasa Corporation Limited and maintained status quo to continue at the township project site.

While submitting its report at the Bombay High Court on Jan 18, the Ministry said the project violates Environmental Impact Assessment Notification of 1994.

The Ministry ruled against the project saying the construction is ‘unauthorised’ and ‘environmentally damaging’.

It also slapped substantial penalties on the company and ordered to maintain status quo at the site.

But Lavasa Corporation Limited hit out at the Ministry claiming that it does not have objective and measurable norms.

Earlier, on Dec 22, the high court backed the Ministry's stop-work notice on the high profile township project.

The Ministry had reinstated its stop-work notice on Dec. 14 after the Court had stayed it on Dec. 7, asking it to give a hearing to the Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) group-backed Lavasa Corporation.

The company had to stop work on its USD 31 billion township being developed 60 km from Pune after the Ministry of Environment and Forests had slammed it for not obtaining a clearance as per the Environment Protection Act.

In a showcause notice, dated Nov. 25, 2010, the Ministry had asked why certain structures built after 2004 should not be razed and had ordered a stay on all construction. Lavasa had challenged the notice and the stay order in the Bombay High Court.

Source : Link (http://www.indiablooms.com/NewsDetailsPage/newsDetails150611n.php)

Marathaman

June 15th, 2011, 08:26 PM

Change the system? I think Lokpal's an attempt - the overall impact will take a couple of decades at least!!! Even then - I doubt we can expect Finland like government efficiency and morals!! So Are you suggesting we don't build anything until then?
No offense mate - but that's absolute idealism. If that ever happened - we'd be like Somalia - where they really DONT build anything. they haven't done much since their independence. I really don't fancy living in such a state!!

That's because too many people in India don't care about the political process and choose to bypass the system rather than try to change it.

In the long run it will be better for them to stick to the rules, because these things cannot be kept secret any longer. The truth will come out sooner or later and their project will get stalled anyway.

SSCaddict

July 9th, 2011, 04:12 PM

Political pressure to go soft on Lavasa: Hazare (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2208593.ece)

Social activist Anna Hazare, in a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, has said that political pressure is compelling the Central and Maharashtra governments to go soft on the “irregularities” and “violations” in Lavasa's hill city project near Pune. Seeking her urgent intervention, he has called for directions to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the State to inquire into the “illegalities” and “corrupt” transactions related to the project.

“Following the people's andolan against Lavasa, many inquiries were conducted and much of the accusations of the protesters were proved to be true. However, bowing to political pressure, the Centre and the State are purposefully avoiding acting upon the information that has emerged from the inquiries. They are thus encouraging undemocratic and corrupt practices. Lavasa is an example of arbitrary and irresponsible exploitation of law, corruption, and political pressures that are aspects of the many scams in the country,” Mr. Hazare wrote in a letter dated June 27.

He demanded a “high-level” investigation into alleged irregularities by way of decision of the Special Planning Authority, which was set up to further the interests of Lavasa. He also criticised the role of the MoEF in dealing with the issue of environmental violations. He requested Ms. Gandhi to issue directions to the Ministry to initiate a judicial probe in the matter.

“While the Ministry approves of demolishing the unauthorised Adarsh building under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act 1986, [it] approves of Lavasa under the same Act. What kind of a law is this,” he asked. Hitting out at his critics, he said: “When we spoke of the Lokpal, we are asked if we wanted to insult the Constitution. However, the MoEF gave a nod to Lavasa through an office memorandum. Is the memorandum above the Act? Should we then assume that the United Progressive Alliance does not accord as much importance to upholding the Constitution as it does to political pressure and guarding the financial interests of private companies?”

Stating that Maharashtra had erred in appointing the Special Planning Authority, he said Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan had taken no decision on the call for revoking special rights given to Lavasa. He said there was a need to speed up the process to allotting adivasi lands held by Lavasa to the adivasis, which the State's Revenue Department had assured.

No nod for Lavasa yet, Jairam tells Hazare (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2211873.ece)

Reacting sharply to social activist Anna Hazare's letter addressed to Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Lavasa's hill city project near Pune, Union Minister for Environment and Forests (MoEF) Jairam Ramesh has shot off a reply to him saying the project has not received the Ministry's final approval yet.

Mr. Hazare urged Ms. Gandhi to issue directions to the MoEF to inquire into the infractions of law by Lavasa. Alleging that political pressure was preventing the government from acting against Lavasa, Mr. Hazare criticised the Ministry's handling of the environmental violations.

He said the MoE was set to approve the project based on an office memorandum issued on November 16, 2010.

Refuting Mr. Hazare's claims, Mr. Ramesh in a communication dated July 8 said: “I would like to highlight a few facts that may have escaped your attention. The MoEF has not given a nod to Lavasa through an Office Memorandum. Lavasa has not got the formal and final environmental clearances yet.”

The Ministry had written to Lavasa laying down “five pre-conditions to be fulfilled before the final environment clearance can be considered…” the letter states.

Mr. Ramesh said the Ministry's measure had been communicated to the Maharashtra government. “Action by State government is also a pre-condition before the final environmental clearance can be considered.”

On Mr. Hazare's allegation of double standards towards Lavasa, vis-à-vis the demolition notice to the Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society, Mr. Ramesh said, “The Adarsh and Lavasa are not comparable at all. Therefore, there is no question of double standards.

“The Adarsh is a Coastal Regulation Zone violation case. The CRZ clearance is for a specific site. The Lavasa is an environmental violation case.”

:bash:

why is he interfering here?

Suncity

July 17th, 2011, 11:15 PM

A Dec 2010 photograph

photo copyright Kamlesh GK (https://picasaweb.google.com/kamleshgk/11LavasaSneekPreview)

http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/4580/lavasaaerial.jpg (http://img600.imageshack.us/i/lavasaaerial.jpg/)

Suncity

July 17th, 2011, 11:19 PM

Political pressure to go soft on Lavasa: Hazare (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2208593.ece)

No nod for Lavasa yet, Jairam tells Hazare (http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2211873.ece)

:bash:

why is he interfering here?

Anyway Jairam has been given the boot.

Now Jayanthi Natarajan is in charge.

Growing population is one of the main reasons for environmental degradation. All these environmental activists would do better spreading the word of population control than just sitting in dharnas or TV studios and protesting only against the alleged big bad private sector corporations.

Dubaiwala

August 4th, 2011, 04:55 PM

Beautiful picture Suncity, thanks for posting this. This is a fantastic development and cant wait for this to be completed for us to move in. Does anyone know the status of the court decision, all I hear is first phase has been cleared and construction is only waiting for monsoon to be over. Is this true, what about phase 2,3,4,5. Does it make sense for HCC to build only phase 1 and be profitable.

IndiansUnite

August 25th, 2011, 01:56 AM

From MIPIM's 2011 catalog (http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1r9t1/MIPIMCatalogue2011/resources/1.htm), a hotel designed by Sanjay Puri:

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/92/lavasacourtyard.jpg

alain couttolenc

August 27th, 2011, 08:11 AM

very good

sixsigma1978

November 9th, 2011, 04:07 PM

Environment Ministry gives conditional clearance to Lavassa Hills project

The environment ministry today gave conditional clearance to the first phase of the 3,000 crore rupees Lavasa hill city project near Pune in Maharashtra.

Official sources said that the construction on nearly 257 housing units that had been stopped can now be completed. However, the court cases for alleged violation of the Environmental Protection Act against the Corporation will continue. Sources added that the approval has been given after the Lavassa management fulfilled all the necessary preconditions.

The preconditions included credible action by the Maharashtra government against the violation of environment laws, submission of a written commitment by the company that green violations shall not be repeated, and that the scale and intensity of development of the hill town shall be as per Hill Station Regulations.

The Maharashtra government had filed a criminal complaint against Lavasa Corporation, naming six officers and all nine directors of Lavasa. The ministry had last month denied environment clearance to the project on non-compliance of the preconditions.

Source : Link (http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=state&id=ST7815)

sixsigma1978

November 9th, 2011, 06:30 PM

The premier Anti-Development champion Medha Patkar at it again.
After almost scuttling Naramada, golibar, Jharkhand Urban Rejuvenation, she's training her
guns on Lavasa. I think this lady will be happiest to see all our cities, towns, hills and valleys covered in slums. She's really getting on my nerves.

Medha Patkar to move High Court against clearance to Lavasa
Social activist Medha Patkar, spearheading the anti-Lavasa agitation, Wednesday said she would continue her fight against the hill city project notwithstanding the clearance given by the union environment ministry for its first phase.

Reacting to the conditional clearance given by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to the controversial project, she said the Jana Andolan committee formed to oppose the project would persist with its legal battle in the Bombay High Court against it.

Demanding scrapping of the project, which she said had violated environmental norms and displaced tribals, Patkar appealed to all social organisations to condemn and rally against the hill city project.

Patkar, along with Anna Hazare, had earlier criticised Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan for adopting "double standards" by filing a criminal case against the promoters of Lavasa and at the same time seeking clearance for it from the Environment ministry.

Source : Link (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_medha-patkar-to-move-high-court-against-clearance-to-lavasa_1610167)

mooktada

November 9th, 2011, 09:21 PM

Source : Link (http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=state&id=ST7815)

I am starting to think that Jai Ram Ramesh and his cronies at the environmental Ministry are a bunch of limlight hoggers who like to inconvenience others just so that they can show that they are strongly for the environment. The funny thing is they don't seem to be. It's all about the appeareance.

The government should remove this Jai Ramesh and put someone who is less prone to to play games and hold up important jokes just for show. As for that old witch Medha Pathkar, someone should shove some raw meat down her throat and shut her up.

Dubaiwala

January 24th, 2012, 09:35 PM

I heard Construction has restarted again on Phase 1. Has anyone seen workers on site and can anyone comment on pace of construction activity. What is the schedule now for the Dasve opening.

Hope Dasve opens in next 6 months or so, constructions needs to pick up speed before Mansoon hits.

Someone please comment, this thread has been silent since Nov 9th when Lavasa got approval to restart. Happy new year all, hopefully this is our year to see this project go through without any more disruptions.

IndiansUnite

January 25th, 2012, 11:45 PM

These albums have many nice and new pictures:

https://plus.google.com/photos/106255508914380207242/albums/5700802730510507537

https://plus.google.com/photos/113817413749950511643/albums/posts

Preview:

http://img815.imageshack.us/img815/4963/64692413.jpg

http://img842.imageshack.us/img842/7098/93260324.jpg

http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/483/13240700.jpg

http://img545.imageshack.us/img545/8353/40700319.jpg

http://img24.imageshack.us/img24/7559/76448396.jpg

Check out the albums for more images

cncity

April 4th, 2012, 06:49 PM

cc - saurabh shah
http://i44.tinypic.com/23hr2md.jpg

cc- snappetite
http://i41.tinypic.com/sxeueu.jpg

Suncity

April 4th, 2012, 08:04 PM

Looks cool.

And the "environment" looks nice for a change.

cncity

April 5th, 2012, 07:15 PM

Yes and very green too
cc Sonal Rajore
http://i42.tinypic.com/25almao.jpg

cncity

April 5th, 2012, 07:21 PM

cc saurabh shah
http://i43.tinypic.com/2nw3a1i.jpg

cc Bhavesh Mehta
http://i43.tinypic.com/2mr8dg7.jpg

adam_india

April 8th, 2012, 02:44 AM

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5249/5373985681_6feb507052_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navdeep/5373985681/)
Sunny Day At Lavasa (http://www.flickr.com/photos/navdeep/5373985681/) by photofixation (http://www.flickr.com/people/navdeep/), on Flickr

tryindiffdrugsngirls

April 8th, 2012, 08:22 AM

^^ Did they get the clearanceÉ Is the work on the project going onÉ

IndiansUnite

April 9th, 2012, 11:36 PM

^ They received it last month:

March 25: Mugaon: 2nd township after Dasve launched in Lavasa (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/mugaon-2nd-township-after-dasve-launched-in-lavasa/928069/)

Lavasa Corporation Limited on Saturday announced the launch of Mugaon, the second town to be built at Lavasa after Dasve.
Mugaon will come up on an area of around 2,400 acres. The launch announcement was made by Rajgopal Nogja, group president, HCC in presence of finalists of Miss India pageant 2012. The finalists launched the Bellshore Apartments — the first in series of apartments up for sale at Mugaon. Nogja said, “The first two towns are part of the planned phase-1 development project, which has been cleared by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Dasve, the first town is sold out and for Mugaon we have a long waiting list.”

A residential, commercial, education and entertainment hub, Mugaon will have a 4 km long road stretch of a formal promenade. The town is designed on a theme inspired by the western coastal Indian architecture. A proposed exit from Mumbai-Pune Expressway via Lonavala and Tamhini (via tunnel) will reduce travel time between Mumbai and Lavasa by an hour.

Meanwhile, Lavasa Corporation has resumed its development activities post the environment clearance given by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

MYSTIC

April 27th, 2012, 02:43 PM

Is the exit via lonavala in progress? I remember going the site many years ago when they told me that the road will be ready in a few years. Still working on it I guess. What are the rates at the moment?

adam_india

June 11th, 2012, 10:39 PM

Green panel sees red, but state approves another hill city

The state government has cleared a Rs. 2,000-crore hill city project spread across seven villages in the Mulshi taluka of Pune district, not very far from where Lavasa hill city stands. The clearance comes barely two months after a Centre-appointed green panel raised concerns over the project, saying the area in which the hill city is to come up “is the last patch of biodiversity corridor between northern and southern eco-sensitive Western Ghats”.
The hill station, being developed by Maharashtra Valley View Pvt Ltd, falls within a 10-km radius of a major portion of the Pawna and Mulshi dams and the entire Saltar dam. It is also within a 10-km radius of three reserve forests, Salte, Barpe and Budhru.

At the time of granting approval to the proposal and delineating seven villages in the 5,914-acre area allotted for the project as a ‘hill station’, the state said the final nod was subject to clearance from the environment panel and that the project had not been granted a special planning authority status like the controversial Lavasa project.

The approval was granted through a notification on May 19 under the 1996 special regulations for tourism and township development in hill station-like areas.

On March 12, the state-level expert appraisal committee (SEAC) of the Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) had noted after a site visit that “this proposal appears to be in line with the earlier two projects in the region in the catchment area of major dams, such as Amby Valley and Lavasa. Both projects are (a) little controversial and are considered by environmental experts as direct threat to biodiversity and ecology. The same mistake should not be repeated in this project.”

The panel said the proposal over-emphasises planned development for the urban rich by development of golf courses and artificial water bodies, instead of giving attention to biodiversity, local social milieu and sustainable development.

After a hearing in May, the committee has kept its clearance to the project in abeyance, saying its members would consider it after referring to the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) report, which was recently made public by MoEF.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan said, “In the case of Amby Valley and Lavasa, certain environmental clearances were not taken. But this project will go through all requisite scrutiny.”

Voyants Solutions Pvt Ltd, consultants to M/s Maharashtra Valley View Pvt Ltd, which has mooted the proposal, did not respond to a detailed email sent by HT.

HT (http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Mumbai/Green-panel-sees-red-but-state-approves-another-hill-city/Article1-869787.aspx)

WorldVision

June 16th, 2012, 05:20 AM

LAVASA really a LAND SCAM ???? How many such land mass were taken forcefully ??? Without compensation ???? Is this Democratic India or some African country ruled by Idi Amins ??????

Lavasa land case: High Court gives Maharashtra government last chance to file reply
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court today gave an ultimatum to the Maharashtra government to file its reply in a petition by two tribal brothers alleging that their lands were usurped for constructing the Lavasa township near Pune.

A division bench headed by Justice D D Sinha has directed the government to file its affidavit within four weeks.

The court has since last year, time and again sought a reply in the case but the state government has failed to comply with the directions following which the High Court again issued orders by way of last chance.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Bandya and Babu Walhekar, residents of Mulshi Tehsil from Pune. The brothers have challenged the June 2008 notification conferring special powers upon Lavasa Corporation Limited to acquire land and act as a special planning authority for its hill station in Pune.

The petitioners have contended that such statutory powers like planning authority cannot be delegated to a private company registered under the Companies Act 1969.

According to the petition, the land was declared surplus under the Maharashtra State Land Ceiling Act and was allotted to them by the state government.

Walhekars moved the High Court after receiving a show cause notice from the Sub-Divisional Officer, Maval, in 2010 asking why action should not be initiated for dispossessing them from their property measuring about 10 hectares and 86 acres.

On inquiry, the revenue authorities informed them the land was transferred in the name of Lavasa Corporation.

Relying on the June 2008 notification, Lavasa was trying to dispossess them of the property, although they have never sold it, contends the petition.

They have also sought orders restraining Lavasa Corporation from dispossessing them, since the land was the only source of livelihood for their family.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics/nation/lavasa-land-case-high-court-gives-maharashtra-government-last-chance-to-file-reply/articleshow/14150803.cms (lavasa-land-case-high-court-gives-maharashtra-government-last-chance-to-file-reply)

kalkibhagwan

June 16th, 2012, 08:13 AM

WorldVision

June 17th, 2012, 03:21 PM

BombayPG

July 11th, 2012, 05:27 PM

They are currently selling apartments and villas between Rs. 3,500/sq ft - Rs. 4,000/sq ft.

Looks like they have permission for the first two phases

http://www.lavasa.com/high/pdfs/Lavasa_order_Ph_1.pdf

WorldVision

July 14th, 2012, 01:09 PM

woah!!! chill down buddy, this is not any scam, just a new propoganda to harasss Lavasa's builders. Read few weeks ago (unfortunately cannot find the link) that the original residents first happily took the money, but then started demanding more (reminds me of TATA's fiasco in WB :bash:) So please be objective before going crazy on words :)

Lavasa Corporation was yesterday ordered by Sanjay Patil, a high-ranking government official from Maval taluka, to return land belonging to two adivasis.
According to sources in the Maval subdivision office, Rayabhau Raikar and Shravan Bhiva Jadhav owned 5.66 hector each in Mugaon village in Maval taluka. Six months ago, nine adivasis had approached the subdivision office, demanding their lands back from the corporation.

“This is not enough, we want justice for all the 170 landholders, including adivasis. A total of 960 hector of land was given to Lavasa without completing legal formalities,” National Alliance of People’s Movement coordinator, Sunita Su Ra, said. “Krishna Valley Corporation had also given its 145 hector to Lavasa Corporation and also diverted drinking water from Pune city to Lavasa. We had pointed out these issues to the District Collector Vikas Deshmukh.” RTI activist Anup Avasthi said it was the step forward in winning the war against Lavasa Corporation.

Lavasa ordered to return land to two adivasis (http://www.mid-day.com/news/2012/jul/100712-Pune-Lavasa-ordered-to-return-land-to-two-adivasis.htm)

I dont think anyone is against development (whatever that may be).........but corruption at this scale......at this level...........involving high ranking politicians is absolute shame........

WorldVision

July 14th, 2012, 05:07 PM

WorldVision

July 25th, 2012, 03:58 PM

Came across an old report (from just few months back). A small snippet from it:

The project was then referred to in hush hush tones in private and government circles as “Sharad Pawar’s baby”. Villagers complained that revenue officials were forcing them to cooperate on the project by calling it a government initiative.

Full report can be found here. (http://www.firstpost.com/politics/lavasa-cag-indictment-brings-shame-to-sharad-pawar-279771.html)

One of the readers has put the following comment:

There is no shame for the shameless! The only treatment (not cure) is to strip these people of their power - using power of votes! Is it possible?

Such useless power hungry, corrupt politicos will never be for any development of a STATE, they will always be selfish making money for their own.

I was told, Maharashtra is not a developed state / province, and is plagued with corruption, corruption at all levels.

WorldVision

August 7th, 2012, 03:19 AM

http://ehitavada.com/News_Paper_Images/2012/08/05/news_images/news_145092.jpg

http://ehitavada.com/News_Paper_Images/2012/08/05/news_images/news_145107.jpg

WorldVision

August 17th, 2012, 05:50 AM

May be not relevant to this thread.....but never mind.....
Here you go....another Sharad Pawar man caught in SCAM......

Following is from Aug 17, 2012, TOI:

Praful Patel, aide sunk Air India, former Indian Airlines chief says (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Praful-Patel-aide-sunk-Air-India-former-Indian-Airlines-chief-says/articleshow/15525625.cms)

NEW DELHI: In an unprecedented whistleblowing act, former Indian Airlines chief Sunil Arora wrote to the then cabinet secretary B K Chaturvedi in May 2005 complaining that he and the IA board were being pressured by then civil aviation minister Praful Patel and his OSD to take financially damaging and commercially unviable decisions.

In his May 28, 2005, letter, Arora listed the decisions on which the board was overruled: purchasing more jets than required, disallowing IA to fly on viable routes to make way for other operators and, even "changing the seating configuration" to favour a particular aircraft manufacturer.

Two Lok Sabha MPs, Prabodh Panda (CPI) and Nishikant Dubey (BJP) have now approached the CVC for a probe into Arora's allegations, saying the government has failed to act.

"I would like to place before you a series of events and certain directions given to me by my immediate superior officer and the minister of civil aviation which have a vital bearing on certain critical decisions being taken in Indian Airlines and Air India... I have been constrained to write in detail to be able to explain the nuances of the verbal directions, the infirmities in the subsequent decisions taken and my consequent sense of unease in the matter," Arora wrote.

He also expressed apprehension over the consequence of his action. "Sir, kindly pardon my impertinence but I implore you to share the contents of this communication only with the Prime Minister... I would not have taken the liberty of making such a suggestion but for the fact that like every mortal, I fear for my personal and family safety."

Complaining of pressure, Arora said, "During the last one year, almost all board meetings of Air India, and even some board meetings of Airports Authority of India have become a farce. Instructions on key agenda items are communicated before hand on telephone or personally by minister, civil aviation, or by his OSD K N Choubey. No suggestions to the effect, that the issue in question requires a more detailed examination or that there are some implications are countenanced. The key word is 'immediate and unquestioned compliance'." Some of the most glaring instances are cited:

"AI discussed their dry leasing plans in 99th board meeting held in Mumbai on 17.7.04. Prior to this meeting, minister spoke to me... said since he and secretary, civil aviation, were satisfied about the correctness of the plans, it is expected that we should immediately endorse it during the board meeting. When I tried to tell him on telephone that the agenda item raises some issues, I was curtly asked to endorse the proposal and a counter question was posed on the telephone that when the minister and the secretary himself are satisfied, what more is there for us to see?"

Arora further wrote that the minister forced him to seek flight slots for IA to the UK and the US during the winter schedule instead of the profitable summer schedule even as private airlines were allowed to fly to these destinations in the summer.

"There is a clear mismatch between the reply given before the members of Parliament and the real facts. On 18.01.05, I got a message to immediately speak to the minister on telephone at his Mumbai landline... There was a conversation which went on for 15 to 20 minutes and minister civil aviation clearly told us not to file for flights to London, for the summer schedule 2005. He started by saying that since Indian Airlines does not have wide-bodied aircraft, it would not be advisable for Indian Airlines to apply for the slots at this stage.

I politely remonstrated that none of the other airlines, which have been permitted to go abroad viz Jet and Sahara, had wide-bodied aircraft till that time and if they can be considered for flights to London, Indian Airlines being the national carrier, should at least be given equal footing, if not precedence. The response on the other side was that, Indian Airlines should apply for flights to London or for other UK and US destinations only from the winter schedule."