Yet another huge megaproject bids for a World's Tallest Building (WTB) in India!

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2717/2007012602701301xs4.jpg
From The Hindu (http://www.blonnet.com/2007/01/26/stories/2007012602701300.htm) Caption: THE ANDHRA PRADESH Additional Secretary (Industries), Mr K.R.K. Reddy, with Mr Bob Sharpless, Managing Director of Springfield Corporation, Australia, after the official signing ceremony in Hyderabad on Thursday for Odyssey Science City to be set up in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, in the presence of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Enter the Odyssey Science City, a huge, ultra-modern, high-tech mega-'township' SEZ that will:
1. Employ over two million people
2. Already has full government backing and legal green lights
3. Funded by a very reputable foreign and domestic investors
4. Will be built by the designers of the most successful nodal city on the planet, Greater Springfield in Australia (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/), headed by a PIO
5. Will feature "Worlds Tallest Structures" (implying more than just one!)
6. And to top it off, it will all be built in one of the poorest, undeveloped parts of Andhra Pradesh! Leading to massive employment and educational opportunities to millions of India's poorest!

Talk about kick ass!

~~~~

High-tech science city to come up in Andhra (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1912234,0004.htm)
Indo-Asian News Service
Hyderabad, January 26, 2007

A state-of-the-art integrated science city will come up in Andhra Pradesh's drought-prone Anantapur district with an investment of $25 billion over 10 years by a consortium of four Australian and Singaporean companies.

The Odyssey Science City would come up on 65,000 acres of land between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in Anantapur, about 400 kms from Hyderabad.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for developing the city was signed in Hyderabad on Thursday between the state government and the consortium, which comprises Springfield Land Corporation and Macquarie Bank from Australia and Singapore's Juron International Group and Semb Corp Industries.

The consortium will invest about $3 billion in the next three years to build the ultra-modern integrated township on 10,000 acres.

The project envisages a self-contained, hi-tech complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure, including power, expressways, telecom networks, desalination plants, biotech parks, special economic zones, IT/biotech parks, industrial parks, hospitals, educational institutions, hotels and amusement parks.

It will become a national centre for IT and supercomputing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, high-tech manufacturing industries, export oriented centres, media and telecommunications, tourism and entertainment, medical and health and finance and banking.

The project will provide a platform to 500 companies to establish their branches in every field of manufacturing, travel, commerce, financial services, retailing and transportation.

According to Springfield Land Corporation Managing Director Bob Sharpless, the project would provide direct employment to 1.5 million people and indirect employment to another million. :eek:

Springfield is planning to replicate the Greater Springfield model of Australia, claimed to be world's only master planned edge city.

It would be financed entirely by the consortium and the government's support would be required in areas like provision of land and water on commercial terms.

"We are excited about the announcement of Odyssey Science City in an area that has been traditionally drought-prone and backward," said Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

Jurong Infrastructure (India) CEO Rao Munukutla said they planned to build world's tallest structures in the science city. :eek: :eek: He said proximity to the Karnataka capital Bangalore, about 200 kms away, was one reason for setting up the project in Anantapur district.

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

Some related links... note that the project doesn't yet have an official website. I'll be sure to add it (and renders!) when it becomes available.

Developers:
·Springfield Land Corporation (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/indexfl.php), Australia
-- The press release from their website: Springfield Land Corporation Signs New City Deal in India (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/medNewsDetail.php?ID=101)
·Wikipedia Entry on the Greater Springfield project (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_Springfield) in Australia, which Odyssey Science City will draw inspiration from (and surpass)
·Jurong International Group (http://www.jurong.com/), Singapore. (I'll bet first renders will come from them. Here is the JURON India (http://www.jurong.com/html/ps/ps_show6.html) section)


Cheers,
Jai

:banana:

^^ All that I can say is :omg:

Thnks for creating a new thread for this Jai.

Actually, i was planning to create one...but wasn't sure how accurate the report was and didn't have a clue abt the companies in the consortium.

But after seeing the greater Springfield's website, this might be a genuine project in the making. :cheers:

But once question remains........where are they gonna get the water from?

Does anyone have pics of this. I cant help but think with all this modernization india its losing its charm.

$25 bn Andhra science city to challenge Bangalore (http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1912449,000900020004.htm)
Ashok Das
Hyderabad, January 26, 2007

The name has changed from Bangalore to Bengaluru, and some big foreign investors are planning to challenge its reputation too.

India's Silicon Valley, groaning under infrastructural problems, should brace up for stiff competition. A consortium of four Australia and Singapore-based companies are planning to set up a state-of-the-art integrated science city, at Odicheruvu in Andhra Pradesh, barely 200 km, a three-hour-drive, from Bangalore to attract high technology industries with unprecedented facilities.

The investor consortium consists of Australia's Springfield Land Corporation and Macquarie Bank and Singapore's Jurong International Group and Semb Corp Industries. The city built over 10 years with a foreign direct investment of $25 billion provide a platform for 500 companies to establish their branches in every field of manufacturing, travel, commerce, financial services, retailing and transportation, Andhra officials said.

The Odyssey Science City, fashioned on the lines of Australia's Greater Springfield, would come up in an area of 65,000 acres spread over two revenue territories in Anantapur district. It will provide direct employment to 15 lakh people and indirect employment to another 10 lakh.

The first three years alone will see an investment of $3 billion.

An agreement to set up the venture was signed by KRK Reddy, Andhra Pradesh's Additional Secretary (Industries), on behalf of the state government and Bob Sharpless, managing director, Springfield Land Corporation, in the presence Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy in Hyderabad.

"We are all excited about the announcement of Odyssey Science City in an area that has been perennially drought-prone and most backward in the state," Reddy said and assured all assistance from the state government, besides facilitating clearances from the central government for the project.

Springfield's Sharpless said the project envisaged a self-contained, hi-tech complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure, including power, expressways, telecom networks, desalination plants, biotech parks, special economic zones (SEZs), IT/Biotech parks, industrial parks, hospitals, educational institutions, hotels and amusement parks.

"The Odyssey Science City intends to develop the Science City as a national centre for technology and innovations, information technology and supercomputing, hi-tech manufacturing industries, software development, biotechnology, bio-pharmaceuticals, advanced research and development, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, high-tech manufacturing industries, export-oriented centres, media and telecommunications, education, finance and banking, tourism and entertainment, fine arts, medical and healthcare services," Sharpless said.

The government will hand over 25,000 acres of land in the first phase and the remaining 40,000 acres in the second phase.

The government will also reserve a 10-km-stretch of green fields around the Science city and a 200-metre corridor on each side of the archway of the roads which are being built. The developers require 10 to 12 tmc (thousand million cubic) feet of water for the construction of the project in the first year which will subsequently be increased from the second year onwards.

The developers will also set up a power project for captive generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

Email Ashok Das: ashokdas2000@rediffmail.com

Thanks Jai. Here is some more news from Newindpress.com
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEU20070126012001&Page=U&Title=Hyderabad&Topic=0&
International science city to come up in Anantapur dist
Friday January 26 2007 11:41 IST
HYDERABAD: The hinterland of the most backward Anantapur district will witness a sea-change within a decade with a consortium of high profile companies from Australia and Singapore announcing its plans to establish Odyssey Science City.

An agreement to this effect was signed between the State Government and the consortia which include Macquarie Bank and Springfield Land Corporation of Australia and Jurang International group and Semb Corp of Singapore in the presence of Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy here on Thursday.

The Odyssey Science City intended to develop the Science City as a National center for information technology & supercomputing, biotechnology, advanced research and development, artificial intelligence, industrial robotics, high tech manufacturing industries, export oriented centers, media and tele-communication, tourism and entertainment, education, fine arts, medical and health care and finance & banking.

The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the project is expected to be to the tune of US $ 25 billion and would provide a platform for 500 companies to establish their branches in every field of manufacturing, travel, commerce, financial services, retailing transportation etc.

The project, which would come up on 65,000 acres in O D Cheruvu and Amadagur mandals of Anantapur district, is estimated to provide direct employment to about 15 lakh and indirect jobs to another 10 lakh people.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajasekhara Reddy assured the developers all assistance from the State Government besides facilitating clearances from the Centre. “We are all excited about the project, that too in an area which is perennially drought prone and most backward in the State,” he said.

According to the officials of the Industries department, the Government would hand-over 25,000 acres in the first phase and the balance land in second phase. The Government would also reserve a 10 km of green field around OSC and a 200 m corridor on each side of the archery of the road, which are being built.

The developers require 10 to 12 tmcft water for the construction of the project in the first year which will subsequently be increased from second year onwards. The developers will also set up a power project for captive generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.

The promoters have to finance, design and distribute telecommunications in the project area and the State Government will take up with the Centre the extension of broad gauge railway lines as required. The State Government will also request the Centre to extent all concessions and exemptions and duties that may be levied for import of plant machinery for the project. Jurong India CEO Rao Munukutla, Springfield Land Corporation managing director Bob Sharpless, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Queensland Government of Australia David Belham and others spoke.

* The project will come up on 65,000 acres in OD Cheruvu and Amadagur mandals of Anantapur district * FDI is expected to be to the tune of $ 25 billion and will provide a platform for 500 companies
* Estimated to provide direct employment to about 15 lakh and indirect jobs to another 10 lakh people.

w00t! 10,000 acre township! :rock:

Best part is the employment that will be generated

High-tech science city to come up in Andhra
IANS[ SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2007 02:17:22 AM] Economic Times

HYDERABAD: A state-of-the-art integrated science city will come up in Andhra Pradesh's drought-prone Anantapur district with an investment of $25 billion over 10 years by a consortium of four Australian and Singaporean companies.

The Odyssey Science City will come up on 65,000 acres between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in Anantapur, about 400 km from here.An MoU for developing the city was signed on Thursday between the state government and the consortium, which comprises Springfield Land Corporation and Macquarie Bank from Australia and Singapore's Juron International Group and Semb Corp Industries. The consortium will invest about $3 billion in the next three years to build the ultra-modern integrated township on 10,000 acres.

The project envisages a self-contained, hi-tech complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure, including power, expressways, telecom networks, desalination plants, biotech parks, special economic zones, IT/biotech parks, industrial parks, hospitals, educational institutions, hotels and amusement parks.

It will become a national centre for IT and supercomputing, biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, high-tech manufacturing industries, export oriented centres, media and telecommunications, tourism and entertainment, medical and health and finance and banking. The project will provide a platform to 500 companies to establish their branches in every field of manufacturing, travel, commerce, financial services, retailing and transportation.

According to Springfield Land MD Bob Sharpless, the project would provide direct employment to 1.5 million people and indirect employment to another million. Springfield is planning to replicate the Greater Springfield model of Australia, claimed to be world's only master planned edge city. It would be financed entirely by the consortium and the government's support would be required in areas like provision of land and water on commercial terms.

Jurong Infrastructure (India) CEO Rao Munukutla said they planned to build world's tallest structures in the science city. He said proximity to the Karnataka capital Bangalore, about 200 km away, was one reason for setting up the project in Anantapur district.

Friday, January 26, 2007
Odyssey Science City
A state-of-the-art integrated science city will come up in Andhra Pradesh's drought-prone Anantapur district with an investment of $25 billion over 10 years by a consortium of four Australian and Singaporean companies.

The consortium will invest about $3 billion in the next three years to build the ultra-modern integrated township on 10,000 acres.The Odyssey Science City would come up on 65,000 acres of land between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in Anantapur, about 400 km from here. He said proximity to the Karnataka capital Bangalore, about 200 km away, was one reason for setting up the project in Anantapur district...
Source: The Times of India
http://www.cyberabadtimes.net/2007/01/odyssey-science-city.asp

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/26/stories/2007012623220100.htm

1-lakh cr. Science City for Anantapur

HYDERABAD: A massive, state-of-the-art integrated ` Odyssey Science City' is proposed to be established in drought-prone Anantapur district with an investment of $ 25 billion (Rs. 1.1 lakh crores) over the next 10 years by a consortium of four Australia and Singapore-based companies.

The proposal for setting up the mega venture was signed by Additional Secretary (Industries) K. R. K. Reddy on behalf of the State Government and Bob Sharpless, Managing Director, Springfield Land Corporation, Australia, in the presence Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy here on Thursday. It would be coming up between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in Anantapur, a few hours' drive from Bangalore.

YSR promises support :Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy said: " We are excited about the announcement of Odyssey Science City in an area that has been traditionally drought-prone and backward." He assured full Government support for the project.
The consortium consists of Springfield Land Corporation, Macquarie Bank, Australia and Juron International Group, and Semb Corp Industries, both from Singapore...

Date:26/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/26/stories/2007012623220100.htm

I wish this project materialises. In the past many have hyped about their project to cheat the AP Govt.

Going by the past projects taken up by the sponsorers, it looks like a sound prospect.

...
4. Will be built by the designers of the most successful nodal city on the planet, Greater Springfield in Australia (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/), headed by a PIO

cross posting from India Economy thread...
I still do not understand their choice for the location.

Isn't Anantapur the district in which Puttaparthi is located?

Yes, it is. Puttaparthi is close to Dharmavaram, the nearest train station.

Some of the reasons for selection of location could be:


1. Proximity to Bangalore city (200km) and BIAL (160km)
2. Availability of hugh area of land at low cost (most parts of A'pur dist is draught hit)
3. Connectivity to NH7
4. Easy to obtain environmental and other clearances
5. Ppl would welcome such a project without any strings attached.
6. BG rail tracks are alredy available btn Hyd - Dharmavaram - A'pur - B'lore. Could be extended to this place.
7. GoAP and AAI are planning to expand airport at Puttaparthy. Could be connected by road to this place.
8. Easy access to Chennai port (NH4 and NH7).
9. Surrounded by backward dists (Kurnool,Cuddapa,Chittur (AP) and Kolar,Tumkur,Chitradurga and Bellary (KA).

Six new airports to come up in State

Source: The hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/18/stories/2007011819420100.htm)

... expansion of airports at Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Rajahmundry, Tirupati and Puttaparti will be taken up. Kingfisher Airlines will commence its operation to Puttaparti on January 22.

great goin andhra pradesh ,,,, any way from now onwards the govt should have the wil to execute a massive project like this.But i dont think they can easily buy 65000 acs of land eventhough it is goin to be in a village area . If we are able to execute these king of massive multi billion dollar projects in india in the near future ,,, i think we can easily overcome china within 25 to 30 years of time,,,, all the best

as much as i am not sure whether this project will go through or not, i still think there are good prospects for it to happen, bc of the credibility of the Investors involved in this project. Jurong from Singapore is a reputed firm and have seen reports that it has developed the layout for the Fabcity.



also, i increasingly think that India will take the path of other countries like US in developing tech corridors away from major Urban centers and capital cities. if this science park becomes reality, it will attract engineers and pros from AP, Karnataka, and TN. and is going to be in the middle of the Golden Triangle (Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad)

Hi,

I am the most happiest person on this earth.... if everything goes well....
since its my birth place where in we dont have minimum basic requirements... n i have seen most of the ppl migrating to Bangalore, chennai and Hyderabad to survive, eventhough having more acres say 50 to 60.... basically its really dry place... thanks to God... please make sure this should happen at any cost... unless our politics shouldn't ruin this great project.......I have read all thro about companies who are all involved and i guess, companies got good reputation and have successfully had already been executed projects earlier.... once again i wish should really happen....

Hi,

I am the most happiest person on this earth.... if everything goes well....
since its my birth place where in we dont have minimum basic requirements... n i have seen most of the ppl migrating to Bangalore, chennai and Hyderabad to survive, eventhough having more acres say 50 to 60.... basically its really dry place... thanks to God... please make sure this should happen at any cost... unless our politics shouldn't ruin this great project.......I have read all thro about companies who are all involved and i guess, companies got good reputation and have successfully had already been executed projects earlier.... once again i wish should really happen....

Welcome aboard Seshadri.
I would think it would happen too.
btw, could you update which Mandal these villages Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda come under...
Is this located towards South of Kadiri and North of Kolar Dist of KA...

http://i7.tinypic.com/2evexsj.jpg

State stops sale of lands in 2 mandals

Anantapur, Jan. 20: The State government on Monday issued orders stopping new land registrations in Odicheruvu and Amadagur mandals in the district where Odyssey Science City is proposed to be established.

It may be recalled that land prices rose sharply in the two mandals after the agreement reached on establishment of Science City. The government order put paid to the hopes of real estate traders, who want to purchase land in the two mandals. It is learnt that that already 15 registrations took place in the two mandals in the last four days.

Kadiri sub-registrar Kistappa said that the government orders stopping the land registrations in the two mandals reached the office. A board was also put up before the registrar office to this effect. Some buyers took back the advances paid to farmers.
http://www.deccan.com/Region/RegionNews.asp

Anatapur District

Mandal Code Name Mandal Code Name Mandal Code Name
-------------------- ------------------ -----------------
1 D.Hirchal --------22 Kunurpi -------43 Gandlapenta
2 Bommanahal -----23 Kalyandurg --- 44 Kadiri
3 Vidapanakal ----- 24 Atmakur ------45 Amadagur
4 Vajrakarur -------25 Anantapur ---46 Obuladevaracheruvu
5 Guntakal --------26 Bukkarayasamudram 47 Nallamada
6 Gooty ----------27 Narpala -------48 Gorantla
7 Peddavadugur -- 28 Putlur ---------49 Puttaparthi
8 Yadiki ----------29 Yellanur ------50 Bukkapatnam
9 Tadpatri -------30 Tadimarri ------51 Kothacheruvu
10 Peddapappur --31 Bathalapalle -- 52 Penu Konda
11 Singanamala --32 Raptadu ------53 Roddam
12 Pamidi --------33 Kanaganapalle 54 Somandepalle
13 Garladinne ----34 Kambadur ----55 Chilamathur
14 Kudair --------35 Ramagiri -----56 Lepakshi
15 Uravakonda ---36 Chenne Kothapalle 57 Hindupur
16 Beluguppa -- --37 Dharmavaram -58 Parigi
17 Kanekal ------38 Mudigubba ----59 Madakasira
18 Rayadurg ----39 Talupula ------60 Gudibanda
19 Gummagatta - 40 Nambulipulikunta 61 Amarapuram
20 Brahmasamudram 41 Tanakal -----62 Agali
21 Settur -------42 Nallacheruvu ----63 Rolla

Mandals in Anatapur District
http://i7.tinypic.com/4833vro.jpg

44 Kadiri 45 Amadagur 46 Obuladevaracheruvu

$25 bn Andhra science city to challenge Bangalore - Hindustan Times
3 days ago

India's Silicon Valley, groaning under infrastructural problems, should brace up for stiff competition. A consortium of four Australia and Singapore-based companies are planning to set up a state-of-the-art integrated science city, at Odicheruvu in Andhra Pradesh, barely 200 km, a three-hour-drive, from Bangalore to attract high technology industries with unprecedented facilities. The Odyssey Science City, fashioned on the lines of Australia's Greater Springfield, would come up in an area of 65,000 acres spread over two revenue territories in Anantapur district. It will provide direct employment to 15 lakh people and indirect employment to another 10 lakh. The first three years alone will see an investment of $3 billion.
http://news.sulekha.com/newsitemdisplay.aspx?cid=391637&cat=

C:\Documents and Settings\PalemS\My Documents\My Pictures\marked.jpg[QUOTE=Babji;11540537]Welcome aboard Seshadri.
I would think it would happen too.
btw, could you update which Mandal these villages Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda come under...
Is this located towards South of Kadiri and North of Kolar Dist of KA...

Hi Babji, i have marked two regions ODC & Amadaguru mandals and there is connectivity road to NH7 which will run down from Kadiri via ODC and there is one more way thro Amadaguru mandal where in it will connect to NH7 thro Bagepalle its Taluka head quarter of karnataka border region

Odyssey Science City: JVV appeals for transparency


Jana Vignana Vedika (JVV) has urged the State Government to implement the Odyssey Science City venture with transparency.

Welcoming the State Government's decision to set up the science city in O.D. Cheruvu and Amadaguru mandal in the district State vice-president of JVV M. Geyanand on Tuesday suggested that the Government make public the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with a consortium of four Singapore and Australian companies.

Such a move would enable the people of the district to debate the massive project objectively, he said. He felt the secrecy being maintained over the agreement was raising suspicion and creating confusion among the people in the district.

As per the information available to the public realisation of the project would make Anantapur district bear unprecedented social costs. The industries proposed in the science city would lead to environmental problems in the area. Thousands of families would be displaced.

Dr. Geyanand cautioned the Government against leading the project into the hands of realtors. He urged the Government to impose 33 per cent surcharge on land transactions related to the project. The amount could be spent on basic amenities such as drinking water, education, health and rural employment in the district.


http://www.hindu.com/2007/01/31/stories/2007013105640300.htm

yep.....there you go...it's only time before Medha & Co. turn up in AP.

C:\Documents and Settings\PalemS\My Documents\My Pictures\marked.jpg[QUOTE=Babji;11540537]Welcome aboard Seshadri.
I would think it would happen too.
btw, could you update which Mandal these villages Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda come under...
Is this located towards South of Kadiri and North of Kolar Dist of KA...

Hi Babji, i have marked two regions ODC & Amadaguru mandals and there is connectivity road to NH7 which will run down from Kadiri via ODC and there is one more way thro Amadaguru mandal where in it will connect to NH7 thro Bagepalle its Taluka head quarter of karnataka border region

Thanks for your efforts Seshadri. There are different ways to post pictures on forum threads.

Could someone provide the link for instruction "How to post pictures..." for Seshadri please. I looked around but couldn't locate one...

In order to post images, they must be located somewhere and then linked to in your post. There are a number of web sites where you can host your image and use the link in your post:

* http://www.imageshack.us
* http://www.tinypic.com
* http://www.pictiger.com
* http://www.theimagehosting.com
* http://www.image-upload.net
* http://www.coolimagehosting.com

In order to post images, they must be located somewhere and then linked to in your post. There are a number of web sites where you can host your image and use the link in your post:

* http://www.imageshack.us
* http://www.tinypic.com
* http://www.pictiger.com
* http://www.theimagehosting.com
* http://www.image-upload.net
* http://www.coolimagehosting.com

Thanks Anniyan.
Seshadri, Hope you would see the links above and try again to post your pic(s).

http://i7.tinypic.com/2n0owte.jpg


Kadiri - Bangalore: 140 km (approax)
Kadiri - Chennai : 260 km (approax). (NH 205).
Kadiri - Hyderabad: 370 km (approax)

So that means this project will be based relatively close to the three of the biggest Indian cities. With good roads, those distances aren't too long to cover. That would also mean that people from the three cities would not be too overawed to move here if they had to.

I would really like to see some good quality rail network on the three routes in addition to the roads. They should focus on making this an inclusive township with ample places to stay and ample things to do, just like any other city.

u r right Kronik. this place is accessible to the ppl of all the three neighbourhood cities.
it looks like a fair share of rail network is also in place. Kadiri is connected to Chennai via Chittoor.
it is also connected (via Dharmavaram) to B'lore on one side and Hyd on the other side.
I would think, providing drinking water could be one of the challenges!

http://i18.tinypic.com/349e6wx.jpg

Thnks for creating a new thread for this Jai.

Actually, i was planning to create one...but wasn't sure how accurate the report was and didn't have a clue abt the companies in the consortium.

But after seeing the greater Springfield's website, this might be a genuine project in the making. :cheers:

But once question remains........where are they gonna get the water from?

Don't worry - if Macquarie Bank is involved you can be sure this project is legitimate and will go ahead. They own half of Australia now and are close to the biggest company here. They are as rich as hell. Greater Springfield was a town they created out of nothing to service the huge inland mining communities that are fueling the resources boom here. I look forward to seeing the new Indian mega-city, should be awesome.

AP’s new $25bn science city will set realty record (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1076926)
Chitti Pantulu
Tuesday, January 30, 2007 01:16 IST

HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh government has envisaged a $25 billion project that could make the state the site of India’s most ambitious real estate development. Singapore realty giant Jurong International Group and Springfield Land Corp. of Australia are planning to set up the Odyssey Science City in the state. Macquaire Bank of Australia and Singapore’s Semb Corp Industries will participate in the project. The consortium and the state government signed a MoU last week to this effect.

The investment for the technopolis will be disbursed over the next 10 years to develop 65,000 acres of land between Odicheruvu and Ammadiguda in the drought-prone Anantpur district. The proposed technopolis will be 400 km from Hyderabad and just 200 km from the country’s IT capital Bangalore.

The project is based on AP Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s strategy to tap the business potential of neighbouring states. It envisions the transformation of border areas like Anantapur and Tada, which are close to Chennai, into major industrial hubs.

The focus of the Odyssey Science City will be to leverage Bangalore’s scientific and hi-tech branding by providing state-of-the-art infrastructure for technology-based industries and research organisations. The city’s target groups include IT, biotech, artificial intelligence, and bio-pharma sectors.

The city will be modelled on the Greater Springfield land parcel, in Australia’s Queensland, which is spread over 3,000 hectares and will house 60,000 people when complete. Greater Springfield initiative has been promoted by Maha Sinnathamby, an Australian entrepreneur of Indian origin, who launched the MUR group in 1976.

Odyssey will provide direct employment to 15 lakh people and indirect opportunities to 10 lakh. According to Bob Sharpless, MD, Springfield, landowners will be made stakeholders in the project. Rao Munukutla, the infrastructure CEO of Jurong, said the consortium will pump in about $3 billion over the next three years to build a modern integrated township on 10,000 acres at the location. To be funded entirely by the consortium, Odyssey will be a self-contained city with a captive civic infrastructure spanning roads, sewerage, expressways, telecom networks, desalination plants, and hospitals.
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8820/infaksmerkesmall1vi5.jpg

Is $25 billion American, Singapore, or Australian dollars?

Is $25 billion American, Singapore, or Australian dollars?

Indian.....:lol:

Cross posting here for future reference's sake

Four cities will appear on the Indian map
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4485/270320070010100111mn9.jpgForeign funds will pump in Rs2 lakh crore to create the ultra-chic cities

DNA India Epaper
27 Mar, 2007

On Republic Day this year, Macquarie Bank, Australia’s largest securities firm, announced that it will invest $25 billion along with three partners to create an ultramodern integrated township on 65,000 acres in Andhra Pradesh, just 170km off Bangalore.

Four weeks later, Tishman Speyer Properties LP, which owns New York’s famous Rockefeller Centre and Frankfurt’s MesseTurm, said it, along with ICICI Bank and Nagarjuna Construction Co, will build a $2 billion residential and commercial township for 30,000 people, spread over 400 acres near Hyderabad.

On Monday, or exactly another four weeks after the Tishman announcement, Al Nakheel LLC, an international property development firm owned by the Dubai government said it will, along with DLF Ltd, build two ‘Manhattans’ :cheers: near Mumbai and Gurgaon, spread over 20,000 acres each.

Each city will cost about $10 billion or Rs43,300 crore to construct, with the first phase, expected to be completed by 2010, seeing the partners investing $5 billion apiece.

In all, $47 billion or Rs203,000 crore of private money will be invested over the next couple of years to create four ultra modern cities from ground up.

The cities near Mumbai and Gurgaon will be three times as large as New York’s Manhattan Island, DLF said.

All the four cities will be world-class and self-contained, with wide, international-quality roads, telecom networks, educational institutions, industrial clusters, hospitals and amusement parks.


Cities near Mumbai, Delhi
Located on the outskirts of Mumbai and in Gurgaon, Haryana, spread across 20,000 acres each Investment of $10 billion in the first phase
Investor: Limitless LLC, a Dubai government firm, and DLF Ltd

Science city near Bangalore
About 400km from Hyderabad and 150km from Bangalore Investment of $25 bn, spread across 65,000 acres, over 10 years
Investors: Macquarie Bank, Australia, and Singapore’s Jurong Corp and Semb Corp

Mini city near Hyderabad
A 400 acre commercial and residential development on the outskirts of Charminar city Will house 30,000 people, shops, and cultural amenities
Investors: Tishman Speyer, ICICI Bank, Nagarjuna Construction Growth to boost need for homes Foreign funds are moving into real estate because the 9-10 per cent economic growth foreseen will explode demand for homes, commercial space.

House prices in Mumbai, Delhi, and Bangalore have more than tripled since 2004
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/1930/270320070010101ha9.th.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=270320070010101ha9.jpg)

When crossing from Karnataka to Andhra the land turns green to dry barren.
The area is one of the poorest in south and most of the young have left to the cities.
Industries need lots of water and getting any water will be a big challenge. There is no river to draw water and I guess they need most of 3000 hectares for rain water harvesting :ohno:
wait.. the school books say its a "rain shadow region"

i personally don't think Anantapur is a great choice...no offense. but i'm sure the builders and consultants, all of whom are reputed and famous, have/will do/done their homework.

65,000 acres of land is a big deal.
It is impossible to get such huge piece of land in a choice/ideal place.
If they can build a world class cities in the middle of deserts, why not Anathapur ...

Anantapur lies basically in the mid-point of a triangle with vertices as Blore, Hyd, and Chennai. it is a strategically sound location. but infra like water, roads, ambience, etc will be a huge challenge.....and unless the Govt gives full support, this project will be very hard to reach its full potential.

i have gone through the Greater Springfield project in Australia that one of the consultants is involved in, and by all means it's a huge project covering 7000 acres. now ofcourse, the one they are planning here is bigger by a multitude of 9 but seems like they have a very good experience of handling large scale projects. and Juron is an internationally reputed consulting company. they are involved in many designs for upcoming residential and commercial properties in India and have developed many landmark structures in China, Singapore, and East Asia. even the Fab City design is by them, i have ready several months ago.

so, these guys know what they are doing, and i am sure they are making all the required plans appropriately!

I couldn't find it before, but here is the official press release from Springfield Land Development Corp.'s website.

It mentions that villagers living in the Science City region would be given property, employment and be made stakeholders in the overall development.

They also say Science City is the "first of several projects several projects with Juron in India which have now come to fruition." I guess that means there are even more megacities in the lineup! :cheers:



Springfield Land Corporation Signs New City Deal in India (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/medNewsDetail.php?ID=101)
Date: 02-02-2007
Source: Springfield Land Corporation

Springfield Land Corporation has signed an historic agreement with a consortium to create one of India’s largest Greenfield cities, Odyssey Science City.

This multi-billion dollar city is being developed to create a new era of economic growth for not just the immediate area but for India as a whole. It is envisioned as a model for the future development of all other cities in India and the world. Its introduction of new environmentally sensitive design, high tech, knowledge and systems is intended to make Odyssey Science City the premier City of India.

The Odyssey Science City project involves the acquisition of up to 50,000 acres of land in a Greenfield site located approximately 40 kilometres north of the new Bangalore International Airport. The project will develop a planned city with a population of 3 million people in 15-20 years.

The consortium comprises of Springfield Land Corporation, Jurong International Group and Semb Corp Industries. In addition the consortium is supported by leading investment and asset management and asset servicing firms whose global client base consists of corporations and institutions.

Springfield Land Corporation Managing Director Robert Sharpless said Springfield Land Corporation’s investment in the creation of this new city is both financial and as a developer.

“Springfield Land Corporation has been actively looking at the growth of India for approximately two years; starting with the city of Bangalore because of its recognition as a high growth IT centre, “ said Mr Sharpless.

“In the early days we were very interested in seeing whether we could attract IT companies into the Greater Springfield project and also learn from some of the major IT parks that have been developed in Bangalore. Springfield Land Corporation was subsequently invited by Jurong to partner with them in large scale projects in India. This project represents the first of several projects which have now come to fruition.

“Certainly Springfield Land Corporation and its Greater Springfield project enjoy a very enviable reputation in Asia and we were identified as an ideal partner to carry out such an ambitious project.

The Queensland Government has also played a role in assisting the consortium to be selected to undertake the Odyssey Science City Project, through its Queensland Trade Office located in Bangalore.

“Springfield Land Corporation is grateful for the support it has received from the Queensland Government and believes that there are many more significant opportunities for Queensland companies to benefit from developing business in India,” said Mr Sharpless.

With expertise in developing Australia’s largest master planned city from a Greenfield site, Greater Springfield, we are providing both advice and financial support to help create a city twice its size,” said Mr Sharpless.

“As with Greater Springfield, the master plan for Odyssey Science City is focussed on creating a new economic base, with jobs, state-of-the-art educational and medical facilities and high quality recreational facilities,” he said.

The Odyssey Science City project will transform a region that is currently of low farming value and features little major infrastructure. There are currently 25,000 people living on the land in small villages, all of whom will be re-settled, offered employment and made stakeholders in the project. (Way to go! :cheers: :cheers: )

“We are planning to provide modern housing of superior quality, Vocational Training Institutes, Educational institutions and hospitals, all of which will contribute significantly to the proposed area of Rayalseema in rejuvenating its economy,” said Mr Sharpless.

A detailed development agreement has been signed with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and there are significant undertakings on behalf of the Government to support the project.

The Odyssey Consortium have conceptualised a proposal to establish a state of the art integrated science city. This project envisages a self contained modern hi-tech urban complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure:

• Power
• Water supply
• Expressways
• MRTS
• Telecommunications Networks
• Sewage and Waste disposal
• Desalination Plants
• SEZ’s IT
• Biotech Parks
• Industrial Parks
• Hospitals
• Educational Institutions
• Commercial and residential complexes
• Hotels
• Amusement Parks

The development will be financed entirely by the consortium with the Indian Government’s assistance and support in certain areas.

Odyssey Science City is being developed as a national centre for:
• Technology and innovation
• High-tech manufacturing industries
• Software development
• Information technology
• Biotechnology
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Research and development
• Telecommunications
• Supercomputing
• Artificial intelligence
• Industrial robotics
• Education

• Finance and banking
• Tourism and entertainment
• Fine arts
• Medical and healthcare services

About the Odyssey City Consortium
Springfield Land Corporation
Springfield Land Corporation is the master-planner of the $15 billion plus 2860 hectare Greater Springfield project. Acquired in 1992, Greater Springfield encompasses four suburbs and a CBD area. With $450+ million being spent annually on the Greater Springfield project, and three families moving to Greater Springfield every day, it is no wonder it is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. Additional information about Springfield Land Corporation and its Greater Springfield project is available at www.greaterspringfield.com.au

For more information contact:
Jodie Curtis
Marketing and Communications
Springfield Land Corporation
T: (07) 3819 9902
M: 0409 725 907
E: j.curtis@murgroup.com.a

Look's like their serious about building a world's tallest in Science City.

The City Development World Conference (http://www.terrapinn.com/2007/cdw_au/index.stm) to be held on 5 June 2007, in Sydney, Australia. Overview of the conference
City Development World 2007 brings together developers, institutional investors, government departments, urban designers and planners. The focus is on how best to balance the competing aims of ensuring sustainable development, attracting developers and infrastructure investors and providing an affordable, appealing urban environment with an enviable lifestyle.

Looks like there will be a presentation about Odyssey Science City. From their schedule (http://www.terrapinn.com/2007/cdw_au/confprog.stm)
...

CREATIVITY IN URBAN PLANNING
10.00 Presentation Using technology to create a smart/digital city

* Investing AU$32 billion into creating a high-tech city
* Transforming a traditionally drought prone and backward region
* Building the world’s tallest structures and Odyssey Science City’s own infrastructure - power, expressways, telecommunications networks, desalination plants, hospitals, schools, hotels and amusement parks
* The mechanics of a partnership with Singapore’s giant Jurong International Group and utilities group, SembCorp Industries


Bob Sharpless, Managing Director,
Springfield Land Corporation

...

This is **** is not near a ocean or a river, are they going to build pipes running from the ocean since they plan on ******** desalination plants?

Desalination plants for brackish ground water. Its cheaper than converting ocean water. The advantage is they can rely on solar power almost 360 days ;)

They maynot need that much water if its only research organisations.
The next question: Is there any professional from this forum willing to relocate to this area. Its hard for tier III cities in India to attract skilled labour.

Desalination plants for brackish ground water. Its cheaper than converting ocean water. The advantage is they can rely on solar power almost 360 days ;)

They maynot need that much water if its only research organisations.
The next question: Is there any professional from this forum willing to relocate to this area. Its hard for tier III cities in India to attract skilled labour.

Why not? If the money is there, the people will come. Plus nice housing and access to retail/healthcare/amusement are being taken care of. All it needs are some art galleries, parks, theatres and museums and we'll have a classy city on our hands!

Besides, its 200 km from Bangalore, and with a nice highway, that is not too intimidating a distance.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040308150500.htm
Centre grants 191 crores for drinking water scheme

ANANTAPUR: The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 191.55 crores to Anantapur district under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme in Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) for providing drinking water to Anantapur, Rayadurg and Kadiri towns and for roads and drainage in Tadipatri, Anantapur MP A. Venkatarami Reddy stated here on Monday.

Giving the details to newspersons, he said Rs. 153.24 crores of the total amount would be grant and the remaining Rs. 38.31 crores would be met by the State Government and the municipal bodies concerned equally. Under the scheme of the Urban Affairs Ministry, 80 per cent would be the grant and 10 per cent each would be borne by the State Government and civic bodies.

Great relief :Water schemes to be taken up under the UIDSSMT would meet the drinking water needs of Anantapur, Rayadurg and Kadiri for the next 15 years. For Anantapur, a pipeline would be laid from Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir, a storage reservoir would be constructed at Brahmanapalli and overhead tanks would be constructed in the town with a cost of Rs. 65 crores.

Similarly, water to Rayadurg would be taken through a pipeline from Kanekal tank with a cost of Rs. 42.39 crores. and pipeline to carry water from Chitravati Balancing Reservoir would be laid to Kadiri with a cost of Rs. 45.46 crores. Roads and drainages would be formed in Tadipatri with a cost of Rs. 38.7 crores under the Central Government scheme, the MP explained.

Schedule :Tenders for drinking water schemes and roads and drainages under the UIDSSMT scheme would be called within 15 days and they would be completed in about one-and-half years' time.
this would help as a good start-up to address the drinking water problem for the future mega city.
later, a branch of Telugu Ganaga canal which carries water to Chennai can also be developed to Kadiri.
and if necessary, a canal from Nagarjunasagar or a pipeline from the nearest sea point (like Krishnapatnam port) may be considered to feed to the deselination plant.
where there is a will (and money) there is a way!
http://www.andhraports.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penner_River
The Penner (also Pennar, Penna or Penneru) is a river of southern India. The Penner rises on the hill of Nandi Hills in Kolar District of Karnataka state, and runs 560 km (350 miles) north and east through the state of Andhra Pradesh to empty into the Bay of Bengal...

The Krishna River and its tributaries drain the Deccan plateau to the west and north of the Penner's watershed, and the low Erramala hills forms the northern divide of the Penner basin. The upper watershed of the Penner includes Cuddapah District, central and eastern Anantapur District, the southern part of Kurnool District, northwestern Chittoor District. The main tributaries of the Penner are the Jayamangali, Kunderu and Sagileru from the north, and the Chitravati, Papaghni and Cheyyeru from the south. The Penner then flows east through a gap in the Eastern Ghats ranges onto the plain of Coastal Andhra, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal 15 km east of Nellore at a place called Ootukuru...

The estuary of the Penner river extends 7km upstream from the Bay of Bengal. Tidal influence and salt water extends further upstream during the November to June dry season. Coastal dunes as high as 7 meters form around the river mouth. Upputeru tidal creek, 15km in length, and Isakapalli lagoon, separated from the Bay of Bengal by the Isakapalli barrier island, 180 m long and up to 3 m high, form the main coastal wetlands. The small boat port of Krishnapatnam lies on Upputeru creek, and is planned to be developed into a deep-water port by 2006. Buckingham Canal, a navigable man-made waterway that runs just behind the coast, allows small boats from the Penner to get to Chennai in the south and the Krishna River delta to the north.

River Pennar can also be deepened and developed to help as a water conduit/reservoir
The Krishna river can also be linked with the Pennar thru a tunnel across the Erramala hills

"The Odyssey Science City project involves the acquisition of up to 50,000 acres of land in a Greenfield site located approximately 40 kilometres north of the new Bangalore International Airport. The project will develop a planned city with a population of 3 million people in 15-20 years"

Great news but wondering its just 40Km from new airport and its in Anantapur??? Does anybody have map of Anantapur and located Ammadiguda and Odicheruvu and verify if its really that close to BIAL. I tried mapsofindia,mapmyindia but no luck :mad: Thanks.

I couldn't find it before, but here is the official press release from Springfield Land Development Corp.'s website.

It mentions that villagers living in the Science City region would be given property, employment and be made stakeholders in the overall development.

They also say Science City is the "first of several projects several projects with Juron in India which have now come to fruition." I guess that means there are even more megacities in the lineup! :cheers:



Springfield Land Corporation Signs New City Deal in India (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/medNewsDetail.php?ID=101)

http://i7.tinypic.com/2n0owte.jpg


The proposed site is near Kadiri town in Anathapur Dist.
Kadiri is North of Bangalore, 140 km (approax)

^^ Thanks Babji.

is it 140 kms or 40 kms. if 40 kms, then it makes perfect sense to me why they chose this location.

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/05/stories/2007040505420400.htm
State for converting 4,500-km roads into NH
HYDERABAD: Andhra Pradesh is staking its claim for conversion of an additional 4,590 km into National Highways in the State. A detailed proposal has been submitted to the Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways urging it to consider conversion and development of 17 roads in the State. In fact, the little known fact to the public is that the State already has 15 National Highways covering a distance of 4,648 km...

Proposed routes: The major routes proposed for conversion into NHs include:

Krishnapatnam Port-Nellore-Rayachoti-Kadiri-Hiriyur in Karnataka (470 km);
...

This road connects the Science City to the NH7 in one direction and to NH5 in the other direction.

is it 140 kms or 40 kms. if 40 kms, then it makes perfect sense to me why they chose this location.

The distance from Bangalore is probably 140 km.

The map above doesn't show it, but the Bangalore International Airport that is under construction is 40 km north of Bangalore in the one-horse town of Devanahalli. This would make it that much closer to the Andhra Pradesh and I suspect that's why the location of Kadiri was chosen.

Maybe they will build a high-speed train to Kadiri.

Another thing - what do you think they mean by the world's tallest structures? Do they mean skyscrapers? Or tall statues or antennas or something like that?

No idea... It also could mean a supertall with a spire or something that breaks some kind of record.

The distance from Bangalore is probably 140 km.

The map above doesn't show it, but the Bangalore International Airport that is under construction is 40 km north of Bangalore in the one-horse town of Devanahalli. This would make it that much closer to the Andhra Pradesh and I suspect that's why the location of Kadiri was chosen.

Maybe they will build a high-speed train to Kadiri.




they could always build a six-lane expressway. that'll prolly be cheaper than going for High-speed train. currently, such expressways are being built around Delhi. don't see much problem. will take some initiative by the state govts. but will KN govt be positive about it? b/c the project is bringing employment to other state and is essentially located in the other state and not in KN. but there will always be the fact that once such expressway comes up, the area around the expressway, from Blore to Kadiri, will be very much lucrative for development. so, KN govt too can make use of it and propose projects within KN boundaries surrounding the expressway.

From http://anantapur.ap.nic.in/

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/729/anantapurmaptd5.jpg

according to sources ...

The area of the Science City Project has been expanded 6 times to 60,000 acres.
At least one person from each of the effected families will be employed in Science City
CM has met the Science City Project consortia in Singapore on his way back from USA
GoAP would build a desalination plant near Nellore to supply 12 TMC water to Science City
Science City would have a captive power plant and draw some power from the National Grid
APIIC will aquire land and hand it over to the Science City Project Management
Science City Project Management will conduct an arial survey of the project area
A Private firm has been assigned to do the arial survey costing Rs. 11 crores
Project location is approx 75-100 km from BIAL
23 villages in 2 Mandals will be relocated

From Eenadu.

Render for Odyssey City
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/7759/25pan3ajh1.jpg

very nice....i hope they plan some tall ones and not just 5 to 10 floor concrete jungles. i keep my fingers crossed for this whole project to become true one day.

Interesting architecture. Maybe that's just an IT building, but the look particularly resembles the architecture of various IT software campuses coming up in the South designed by desi architects. Hopefully they will stick with the Indian architects and to the local architecture design rather than go for some bland this-could-be-anywhere-in-the-world look.

Thanks Luckystreak. Please continue to keep a watch on that newspaper for any other new renderings :cheers:

hmm....so this project is still very much alive ha......good then!

Hope to hear more on this ambitious project.

Greater Springfield Land Corp's bi-monthly magazine Big Picture (March/April 2007 ed), "The Odyssey Science City" [PDF] (http://www.greaterspringfield.com.au/FileLibrary/bigpicturemarchapril07.pdf) offers some tantalizing facts about this project, straight from the horse's mouth:
Springfield Land Corporation has signed an historic agreement with a consortium to create one of India’s largest greenfield cities, Odyssey Science City.

This multi-billion dollar city is being developed to create a new era of economic growth for not just the immediate area but for India as a whole. It is envisioned as a model for the future development of all other cities in India and the world. The introduction of new environmentally sensitive design, high tech, knowledge and systems is intended to make Odyssey Science City the premier City of India.

The Odyssey Science City project involves the acquisition of up to 50,000 acres of land in a Greenfield site located approximately 40 kilometres north of the new Bangalore International Airport. The project will develop a planned city with a population of 3 million people in 15-20 years.

The consortium comprises of Springfield Land Corporation, Jurong International Group and Semb Corp Industries. In addition the consortium is supported by leading investment and asset management and asset servicing firms whose global client base consists of corporations and institutions.

Springfield Land Corporation Managing Director Robert Sharpless said Springfield Land Corporation’s investment in the creation of this new city is both financial and as a developer.

“Springfield Land Corporation has been actively looking at the growth of India for approximately two years, starting with the city of Bangalore because of its recognition as a high growth IT centre,” said Mr Sharpless.

“In the early days we were very interested in seeing whether we could attract IT companies into the Greater Springfield project and also learn from some of the major IT parks that have been developed in Bangalore. Springfield Land Corporation was subsequently invited by Jurong to partner with them in large scale projects in India. This project represents the first of several projects which have now come to fruition.

“Certainly Springfield Land Corporation and its Greater Springfield project enjoy a very enviable reputation in Asia and we were identified as an ideal partner to carry out such an ambitious project,” said Mr Sharpless.

The Queensland Government has also played a role in assisting the consortium to be selected to undertake the Odyssey Science City Project, through its Queensland Trade Office located in Bangalore.

“Springfield Land Corporation is grateful for the support it has received from the Queensland Government and believes that there are many more significant opportunities for Queensland companies to benefit from developing business in India,” said Mr Sharpless. “With expertise in developing Australia’s largest master planned city from a greenfield site, Greater Springfield, we are providing both advice and financial support to help create a city twice its size,” said Mr Sharpless.

“As with Greater Springfield, the master plan for Odyssey Science City is focussed on creating a new economic base, with jobs, state-of-the-art educational and medical facilities and high quality recreational facilities,” he said.

The Odyssey Science City project will transform a region that is currently of low farming value and features little major infrastructure. There are currently 25,000 people living on the land in small villages, all of whom will be re-settled, offered employment and made stakeholders in the project.

“We are planning to provide modern housing of superior quality, vocational training institutes, educational institutions and hospitals, all of which will contribute significantly to the proposed area of Rayalseema in rejuvenating its economy,” said Mr Sharpless. A detailed development agreement has been signed with the Government of Andhra Pradesh and there are significant undertakings on behalf of the Government to support the project.

-----

The Odyssey Consortium have conceptualised a proposal to establish a state of the art integrated science city. This project envisages a self contained, modern, hi-tech urban complex with its own comprehensive infrastructure:
• Power
• Water supply
• Expressways
• MRTS
• Telecommunications Networks
• Sewage and Waste disposal
• Desalination Plants
• SEZ’s IT
• Biotech Parks
• Industrial Parks
• Hospitals
• Educational Institutions
• Commercial and residential complexes
• Hotels
• Amusement Parks

The development will be financed entirely by the consortium with the Indian Government’s assistance and support in certain areas. Odyssey Science City is being developed as a national centre for:
• Technology and innovation
• High-tech manufacturing industries
• Software development
• Information technology
• Biotechnology
• Biopharmaceuticals
• Research and development
• Telecommunications
• Supercomputing
• Artificial intelligence
• Industrial robotics
• Education
• Finance and banking
• Tourism and entertainment
• Fine arts
• Medical and healthcare services

^^^ The Odyssey Science City project involves the acquisition of up to 50,000 acres of land in a Greenfield site located approximately 40 kilometres north of the new Bangalore International Airport. The project will develop a planned city with a population of 3 million people in 15-20 years.

40KM north of Bangalore?? isn't comes under Karnataka? All websites including the promoters quote different distance w.r.t. BIAL. Any idea where exactly it's going to be?

It's probably a typo, they might have meant to say 400km.

http://i7.tinypic.com/2n0owte.jpg


Kadiri is the nearest town to the project
Kadiri - Bangalore: 140 km (approax)
Kadiri - Chennai : 260 km (approax). (NH 205).
Kadiri - Hyderabad: 370 km (approax)

Commence work on Science City, Jurong told

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on Saturday asked Jurong India to commence work on the proposed Science City in Anantapur district in accordance with the memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Reviewing the progress of the Science City, Dr. Reddy said that if work was not commenced immediately action would be initiated to cancel the MoU.

However, managing director of the company Rao Munukotla assured the Government that the work would be commenced very soon. Aerial survey of the areas had already begun.

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/07/15/stories/2007071557180400.htm)

^^ Not a lot of positive vibes. :ohno:

YSR has learnt his lesson. no freebies if no work is done!!! i see a lot of the upcoming big projects being warned that if they don't have a specific definite timeline for the project, their MoU will be cancelled.

As many of you are aware, several rumours that the Odyssey Science City project was proposed by certain top politicians with vested interests belonging to the Congress party with regards to real-estate in that region considering its close proximity to Bangalore, have been doing rounds since the beginning. I didn't pay much attention to any of it until recently when I came to know that the TDP had even sought a CBI probe into it.

Here's an old article (http://www.persquareyard.com/real-estate-news/136193.htm) that I found online -

TDP seeks CBI probe into Science City
Hyderabad - Feb 09, 2007

The Telugu Desam Party has demanded a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities in the Government-Jurong India MoU on the Rs. 1-lakh crore Odyssey Science City project in Anantapur district.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, party spokesman M.V. Mysoora Reddy said everything relating to the deal was suspicious. Right from the allottment of a massive 10,000 acres of land to the firm, whose credentials were not known, to signing of the MoU by the Additional Secretary belonging to the Indian Rail Traffic Service everything remains obscure.

Reddy went on to charge that the firm had "gifted" this land as quid pro quo for making a top Congress leader's relatives become partners in two of its projects in two large chunks of lands measuring 200 acres and 80 acres in Visakhapatnam.

"There is no science involved in the project and it is bound to end up as a huge real estate enclave, enabling a few people to make money, given the proximity to Bangalore," Reddy said.

He alleged that a special G.O. had been issued to enable the Additional Secretary to sign as Principal Secretary (Industries) while the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation Managing Director had refused to do the same. Reddy highlighted Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy distributing the land surrendered by him and his family members to the poor at Rajampet on Wednesday.

So, what's the deal?

i personally don't expect this Science City to go through. the project is too grandiose and virtually every damn piece of infra needs to be built from scratch at the proposed site. this requires thousands of crores by state/centre and several additional billions by the private contrantors.

they should scale down the size and relocate it nearer to a city.

It's good that they're lighting a fire under the developers.

Pding, dunno man, the developers are a pretty solid bunch, with pockets deeper than all but a handful of Indian real estate developers and quite literally the most experience in the world in developing megatownships.

It'll take time, sure, but I think that it will be built. Right now, like all other projects, there's wrangling over land appropriation. Its messy but once that's settled, its go time.

As Lanco Hills has shown, there is a huge demand for capital skyscraper projects

I think YSR is trying to avoid the mistakes of CBN.
Incase he doesnt come back to power, he doesnt want to the "fruits" to be enjoyed by the successor.

A project of that scale cannot be done without kickbacks in any country.


YSR has learnt his lesson. no freebies if no work is done!!! i see a lot of the upcoming big projects being warned that if they don't have a specific definite timeline for the project, their MoU will be cancelled.

i personally don't expect this Science City to go through. the project is too grandiose and virtually every damn piece of infra needs to be built from scratch at the proposed site. this requires thousands of crores by state/centre and several additional billions by the private contrantors.

they should scale down the size and relocate it nearer to a city.

The project will definitely go through....It might take a little more time but it'll go through ONLY on the Strength of BRAND BANGALORE.......

Dont you think there would be water problem for this project. Any one has info on from where water is planned? also please share compensation planned for the land.

Dont you think there would be water problem for this project. Any one has info on from where water is planned...

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040308150500.htm
Centre grants 191 crores for drinking water scheme

ANANTAPUR: The Centre has sanctioned Rs. 191.55 crores to Anantapur district under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme in Small and Medium Towns (UIDSSMT) for providing drinking water to Anantapur, Rayadurg and Kadiri towns and for roads and drainage in Tadipatri, Anantapur MP A. Venkatarami Reddy stated here on Monday.

Giving the details to newspersons, he said Rs. 153.24 crores of the total amount would be grant and the remaining Rs. 38.31 crores would be met by the State Government and the municipal bodies concerned equally. Under the scheme of the Urban Affairs Ministry, 80 per cent would be the grant and 10 per cent each would be borne by the State Government and civic bodies.

Great relief :Water schemes to be taken up under the UIDSSMT would meet the drinking water needs of Anantapur, Rayadurg and Kadiri for the next 15 years. For Anantapur, a pipeline would be laid from Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir, a storage reservoir would be constructed at Brahmanapalli and overhead tanks would be constructed in the town with a cost of Rs. 65 crores.

Similarly, water to Rayadurg would be taken through a pipeline from Kanekal tank with a cost of Rs. 42.39 crores. and pipeline to carry water from Chitravati Balancing Reservoir would be laid to Kadiri with a cost of Rs. 45.46 crores. Roads and drainages would be formed in Tadipatri with a cost of Rs. 38.7 crores under the Central Government scheme, the MP explained.

Schedule :Tenders for drinking water schemes and roads and drainages under the UIDSSMT scheme would be called within 15 days and they would be completed in about one-and-half years' time.
this would help as a good start-up to address the drinking water problem for the future mega city.
later, a branch of Telugu Ganaga canal which carries water to Chennai can also be developed to Kadiri.
and if necessary, a canal from Nagarjunasagar or a pipeline from the nearest sea point (like Krishnapatnam port) may be considered to feed to the deselination plant.
where there is a will (and money) there is a way!
http://www.andhraports.com/

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/03/stories/2007040308150500.htm

this would help as a good start-up to address the drinking water problem for the future mega city.
later, a branch of Telugu Ganaga canal which carries water to Chennai can also be developed to Kadiri.
and if necessary, a canal from Nagarjunasagar or a pipeline from the nearest sea point (like Krishnapatnam port) may be considered to feed to the deselination plant.
where there is a will (and money) there is a way!
http://www.andhraports.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any updates on the progress of this Project

Anybody has any updates on this project

Anybody has any updates on this project

YSR has asked the promoters to explain the delay and commence works soon. They were even warned of losing the offer in case they don't respond.

and the promoters responded that they have already commenced satillite imaging of the area and would commence works soon.

Science City promoters to buy land

HYDERABAD: Promoters of the Odyssey Science City in Anantapur district on Saturday assured Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy that land for the project will be directly purchased from farmers at market price.

Springfield Land Corporation Managing Director Bob Sharpeless, Queensland (Australia) Commissioner David Beckham, Jurong India CEO Rao Manukutla called on Dr. Reddy here.

Dr. Reddy expressed concern over the delay in grounding the project work of the proposed Science City. The promoters said land would be purchased directly, avoiding brokers and complaints, by negotiating with farmers.

Major Industries Minister J. Geetha Reddy, Agriculture Minister N. Raghuveera Reddy, Principal Secretary Sam Bob and others were present.

Source: the hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/19/stories/2007081953320400.htm)

URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/08/30/stories/2007083051110200.htm
Science City: 2,500 acres to be acquired from farmers directly
ANANTAPUR: The consortium of four Singapore and Australia-based companies planning to set up Odyssey Science City project in the district has decided to acquire about 2,500 acres required as part of the first phase of the project by September-end directly from the farmers. Farmers will be paid compensation agreed upon mutually by both sides.

Chief Executive Officer of Zurang India, Rao Munukutla, and Commissioner of Investments and Commerce of Queensland, Australia, David Belham, had a meeting with the district officials here on Wednesday seeking cooperation with regard to land acquisition. Collector N. Sridhar, Joint Collector T. Chiranjeevulu, Penukonda RDO S.V. Nageswara Rao, Tahsildars of Amadaguru and Obuladevara Chervu mandals and officials of the Registration Department attended the meeting. The Collector offered all cooperation required for realising the Science City project in one of the most backward areas of the country.

Details sought : He asked them to give village-wise details of the extent of land required. He suggested them to depute responsible officials to the district for the purpose of land acquisition. The revenue maps required, information in the form of compact discs and speedy registration would be offered by the district administration, the Collector said. He also told the representatives that farmers of the area had high hopes on the compensation and asked them to decide upon it on mutually agreeable terms.

Stating that land acquisition was difficult task the Collector asked the revenue officials to identify the 10,000 acres land required for the first phase of the project. He told them to prefer the farmers who were willing to dispose the land in large extent and also the ones without legal problems. He told the registration officials to prepare themselves with required staff and other infrastructure for speedy completion of the process likely to be taken up in September. He also told the consortium officials to set up their office Kadiri as early as possible with an able in-charge. Mr. Rao Munukuntla said they would send teams of officials and lawyers from Bangalore soon for initiating the process of land acquisition.

Groundwork: Later, speaking to mediapersons Mr. Rao said they would commence the groundwork from December and would also make arrangements for getting water from sea in Nellore district by setting up a desalination plant there. They would begin land acquisition in the thinly populated areas to begin with.

Mr Babji,

Thanks for the quick update, expecting your quick information like this in future aswell, could you let us know where is the source of information you are getting.

^^ :shocked:

Didn't u see the link above?

^^ :shocked:

Didn't u see the link above?

Yeah the difference is ur article says the Commissioner of Investments and Commerce of Queensland, Australia is...........DAVID BECKHAM.:lol:

Just kiddin, thanks for the update.

Deccan Chronicle
CM to launch Science City works
Kadiri (Anantapur), Sept. 12: Nallamada MLA K. Mohan Reddy said that Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and Queensland deputy Prime Minister John Anderson are likely to lay foundation stone for Science City to be constructed in Amadagur and Obuladevaracheruvu mandals in the district on December 5.

Speaking to newsmen here on Wednesday, he said that the Science City was a boon to Nallamada and Kadiri constituencies. Mr Mohan Reddy said that the companies would start Science City works by purchasing 2,500 acres in the first phase and subsequently they would acquire 10,000 acres.

Springfield Land Corporation of Andhra Pradesh and Jurong company would set up the Science City with the help of Queensland government. The companies entered into an agreement with the State government on January 24, 2007. The Nallamada MLA said that the State government would ensure that farmers get adequate price for the lands they would sell for the establishment of the Science City.

He said that Dr Rajasekhar Reddy had promised to ensure farmers get Rs 1.5 lakhs per acre for dry land and Rs 2 lakhs per acre for wet lands. Mr Mohan Reddy said that farmers who possessed the land and didn’t have pattadar passbooks would also be paid compensation

Science city ‘offer’ for ryots
Consortium of Singapore and Australia-based firms wants to buy more land from willing farmers
ANANTAPUR: The consortium of four Singapore and Australia-based companies is gearing up to commence land acquisition for its Odyssey Science City project in Amadaguru and Obuladevara Cheruvu mandals in the district in about a week.

According to officials, the consortium has expressed its willingness to acquire land directly from farmers by compensating them Rs. 1.50 lakh per acre of dry land and Rs. 2 lakh per acre for the land with irrigation source.

Though they are planning to acquire 2,500 acres of land immediately, they are ready to acquire more if the farmers were willing.

Chief Executive Officer of Zurang India company Rao Munukutla and Commissioner of Investments and Commerce of Queensland, Australia, David Belham, had a meeting with the Collector N. Sridhar, Nallamada legislator K. Mohan Reddy, Penukonda Revenue Divisional Officer S.V. Nageswara Rao and officials of the Registrations and Revenue Departments here earlier this week

Hike in compensation

The representatives of the Science City project told the district administration that their decision to hike the compensation for land acquisition by Rs. 50,000 per acre over the price proposed earlier would burden them by about Rs. 300 crores. They had planned earlier to pay Rs. One lakh per acre to dry land and Rs. 1.5 lakhs per acre to wet land.

The land acquisition would initially commence in Thummalakuntlapalli, Thangedukunta, Venkatapuram and Sunnapukuntapalle villages in Amadaguru mandal. The project officials have also engaged four lawyers to deal with legal problems.

Jobs for farmers

The land acquisition would not be restricted to just 2,500 acres but the project administration would acquire 60,000 acres if the farmers were willing to part with their land. Besides, the project officials were also learnt to have agreed to provide employment to the farmers families who would be losing their lands.

Source: The Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/10/07/stories/2007100757870400.htm)

Good to see that this one is a "real" project.

:)

Guys any released pictures of the project yet?

I dont see any progress on this, Forms were issued to farmers in two villages and after that no one turned up there. Anyone has any info on this.

I dont see any progress on this, Forms were issued to farmers in two villages and after that no one turned up there. Anyone has any info on this.

I Guess So the project is moving ahead but it's kept bit Confidential Donno Much Of that but i Heard It From the CM In a News Channel TV9

I think its far too early to expect renderings or plans until all the land is acquired and there are no roadblocks. They seem to want to keep that on the down low. Not surprising considering the land acquisition fiascoes of everything from Reliance's MahaMumbai SEZ to Lanco Hills Hyderabad to even the Maitreya Buddha Statue Project

Science City project reviewed (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112252582300.htm)



Hyderabad, Nov. 21

The State Government along with Jurong Infrastructure (India) Ltd today reviewed the progress of the implementation of Odyssey Science City project proposed for Anantapur. During discussions, it was decided to step up efforts to expedite land acquisition. As per plans, preliminary mapping through geographical information systems (GIS) for the entire 65,000 acres of land has been completed, according to a Government statement.

Science City project reviewed (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/11/22/stories/2007112252582300.htm)

Let the project come up quickly atleast it will change the most backward arid and faction fighting district in to a normal area.

^^
It would be rather better than a 'normal' area/ town I'd say...:)

Science city project in a quandary (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/11/stories/2007121160610500.htm)



ANANTAPUR: The row between the Department of Registrations and authorities of Odyssey Science City India Private Limited over the value of lands being mentioned in the registration documents is likely to hamper the process of land acquisition for the mega project.

Registration of lands taken up formally in Kadiri in the district on December 7 remained incomplete as officials of the Sub-Registrar’s office there refused to issue the authenticated documents for the lands acquired.

The registrations were kept pending after it was found that the value of the lands was shown as Rs. 25,000 per acre in the documents against a payment Rs. 1.5 lakhs per acre to farmers for their dry lands. Kadiri Sub-Registrar of the Registrations Department, Kistappa, stated that the registrations were kept pending seeking clarification from their higher-ups as the value of the land was shown as Rs. 25,000 per acre against the higher amount being paid to the farmers. Officials of project have already secured letters of willingness to dispose off their lands from about 1,200 farmers in Pulakuntapalli and Thummala gram panchayats for an extent of 4,050 acres. Besides, the project authorities have also not clarified on rehabilitation or employment to the farmers who have given their lands. The fate of beneficiaries of assigned lands was also in a quandary.

Revenue officials agreed to accept the registrations for Rs 50000, value.

Science City project lands in trouble (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Hyderabad/Science_City_project_lands_in_trouble/articleshow/2630030.cms)



ANANTAPUR: Uncertainty looms over the land acquisition process for the Science City project as the registration authorities have stopped registration of land due to less payment of stamp duty and other fees for the project in Kadiri of Anantapur district.

Though the authorities of Jurong India have begun purchasing land, only 3.16 acres has been registered so far as against the proposed acquisition of a total of 65,000 acres.

Sources told TOI that Jurong had offered Rs 1.5 lakh per acre of dry land and Rs 2 lakh for wet land. But the firm paid the stamp duty based on the value of land as per land revenue records. Official sources said the value of land per acre was fixed at Rs 25,000.

Registration authorities say the department will lose at least Rs 65 crore due to less payment of stamp duty by the company. In the light of this development, sub-registrars of Kadiri have stopped the registration of land pertaining to the Science City project.

"We have given a representation to the higher authorities seeking clarification over collection of stamp duty as the Science City representatives are not ready to pay stamp duty for the actual purchase amount of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per acre", Kadiri sub-registrar Kristappasaid. He said they would register the land only after clearance from the authorities.

However, Jurong representative Chandrasekhar Reddy said the company was paying stamp duty based on the value in the revenue records. "In addition to land value we are paying compensation to the farmers which could not be linked to stamp duty," he said.

Meanwhile, the real estate boom reached its peak with the price of land in several villages of OD Cheruvu, Tanakal and Amadagur reaching astronomical figures. A realtor said the price of an acre of land had reached Rs 20 lakh in mandal headquarters and Rs 15 lakh for those located beside the state highway between Kadiri and Gorantla.

Land acquisition resumes in Kadiri (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/23/stories/2007122354340500.htm)



ANANTAPUR: Registration of lands for the Odyssey Science City project was resumed in Kadiri on Saturday after a gap of about 15 days with three farmers from Karimireddypalli in Amadaguru mandal selling their 6.65 acres land to the project and getting cheques at the rate of Rs. 1.5 lakh an acre.

The officials did not issue registration documents to the project officials citing that the department would suffer heavy loss of revenue with undervaluation of land in documents. With 9.5 per cent stamp duty and service charges, the project had paid just Rs. 2,400 per acre to the department. The department was supposed to get Rs. 14,000 per acre if the amount paid to the farmers was mentioned in the documents.

Registration

After securing clarification from the Commissioner of Registrations earlier this week, it was decided to collect Rs. 4,800 per acre by showing the price of land at Rs. 50,000 per acre in the documents. Accordingly, the project officials paid the differential amount for the 3.16 acre registered on December 7 and secured the registration papers. Raghavender Reddy, Laxminarayanamma and Nagarjuna Reddy disposed their 6.65 acres to the project on Saturday and received cheques for appropriate amount at Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre and the lands were registered by collecting Rs. 4,800 fee per acre. The value of land was mentioned as Rs. 50,000 per acre in the documents.

Meanwhile, discontentment was growing in the farmers who dreamed of good value to their land as the project authorities could not procure even two acres of land so far out of 65,000 acres proposed for the project.

I am curious why farmers are eager to selloff the land. I know they dont grow much in the dry areas. With about 20 lakhs in hand, they want to migrate to city and become lower class people?

Land acquisition resumes in Kadiri (http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/23/stories/2007122354340500.htm)

Something is better than nothing. If they are not able to sell their lands now, no one can help. This is the life time opportunity anybody would get.

upendora,

The project envisages that displaced farmers will get jobs and free housing within the township

Now we have to really suspect about the so called Science City project, they were supposed to acquire 10,000 acres of lad by Dec 2007, it is funny to hear that they acquired only 3 acres.

Now we have to really suspect about the so called Science City project, they were supposed to acquire 10,000 acres of lad by Dec 2007, it is funny to hear that they acquired only 3 acres.

where did you get the information from????

Let us all hope that this project will start soon and the people of this region beneit from this mega project. I think the AP Govt and the promoters should be more active in the whole process. Do not understand why they are so casual about it.

Latest update by Dec 23, 2007

Registration for Odyssey project On

Land acquisition resumes in Kadiri



Staff Reporter



Registration for Odyssey project on





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

Three farmers sell 6.65 acres at Rs. 1.5 lakh an acre

Value of land put at Rs. 50,000 per acre in documents


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



ANANTAPUR: Registration of lands for the Odyssey Science City project was resumed in Kadiri on Saturday after a gap of about 15 days with three farmers from Karimireddypalli in Amadaguru mandal selling their 6.65 acres land to the project and getting cheques at the rate of Rs. 1.5 lakh an acre.

The officials did not issue registration documents to the project officials citing that the department would suffer heavy loss of revenue with undervaluation of land in documents. With 9.5 per cent stamp duty and service charges, the project had paid just Rs. 2,400 per acre to the department. The department was supposed to get Rs. 14,000 per acre if the amount paid to the farmers was mentioned in the documents.

Registration


After securing clarification from the Commissioner of Registrations earlier this week, it was decided to collect Rs. 4,800 per acre by showing the price of land at Rs. 50,000 per acre in the documents. Accordingly, the project officials paid the differential amount for the 3.16 acre registered on December 7 and secured the registration papers. Raghavender Reddy, Laxminarayanamma and Nagarjuna Reddy disposed their 6.65 acres to the project on Saturday and received cheques for appropriate amount at Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre and the lands were registered by collecting Rs. 4,800 fee per acre. The value of land was mentioned as Rs. 50,000 per acre in the documents.

^^ Hello Mr.Kamalakar I Think You Are New To This Forum Welcome.Before Posting News Please Provide Link So That It Would Be More Usefull & Valid To Understand.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/12/23/stories/2007122354340500.htm

Here is the link

APIIC to acquire land for Science City (http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/09/stories/2008010958760800.htm)



HYDERABAD: A major problem confronted by promoters of the Odyssey Science City proposed in Anantapur district was solved here on Tuesday with Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy entrusting land acquisition to the APIIC.

The Chief Minister handed over the job to the APIIC when the Odyssey Science City (India) Limited officials, led by Christopher John Baker, its senior vice-president, explained to him the various difficulties faced by them in acquiring land. Dr. Reddy asked the company to remit the cost of the land to APIIC at the rate of Rs. 1.5 lakh per acre for dry land and Rs. 2 lakh per acre for wet land. The company officials said they would do so in 10 days.

Problem Solved There Will Be No More Hurdles in Land Aquisitions.

Land identified for Science City (http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/07/stories/2008030752880300.htm)
Staff Reporter
APIIC likely to notify the land for acquisition

Revenue Department identifies 13,799 acres
The project requires about 65,000 acres of land

ANANTAPUR: The revenue department has identified 13,799 acres of land in five revenue villages of Amadaguru mandal in the district to facilitate its acquisition by the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) for the purpose of Odyssey Science City project.

The APIIC is likely notify the land for acquisition soon.

Management of the Science City project could acquire only 9.81 acres of land in a couple of village in December 2007 at Rs. 1.5 lakhs per acre for dry land and at Rs. 2 lakhs per acre for land with irrigation facility.

Unable to acquire land further the project management had requested the State Government to acquire the land on its behalf and accordingly deposited some amount with the APIIC.

The project requires about 65,000 acres land and it was decided to acquire the required land in Amadaguru and Obuladevara Cheruvu mandals in the district.

The project management has initially decided to acquire about 25,000 acres for launching the project.

Later, it was decided to acquire about 10,000 acres in the first phase.

The exercise to identify about 15,000 acres land was taken up by about 30 officials of the revenue department forming themselves into seven teams.

The teams visited Tummala, Lokojupalli, Pulakuntapalli, Dademvandlapalli and Karimireddypalli revenue villages for about a week in the last week of February and first week of March and identified about 13,799 acres of land.

Of the land identified for acquisition by the APIIC 2,105 acres was government land, 5,016 acres was assigned land and 6,678 acres was patta land belonging to 2,500 farmers.

According to Amadaguru Tehsildar G. Ramamurthy they would send the report to the government for further action.

^^ Good to see that....the project is still very much on the cards!

DC:
12,000 acres for Science City
Kadiri (Anantapur), March 15: The district collector, Mr N. Sridhar, said 12,000 acres would be acquired by the end of June this year for establishment of the Science City in Amadagur and Obuladevaracheruvu mandals.

Speaking to newsmen here on Saturday, he said that normally Special Economic Zone (SEZ) would be established in 2,500 acres land and added that Science City would be established 12,000 acres. He said 6,000 would be acquired by the end of March and another 6,000 acres would be acquired by the end of June. The collector said a compensation of Rs 1.5 lakh would be paid for dry lands and Rs 2 lakh for wet lands. Mr Sridhar said the Ananta Aanimutyalu programme launched to help the poor students evoked good response in the district.

He said so far donations amounting to Rs 1 crore were received and donations worth another Rs 2 crore are expected. The collector said under the programme 3,000 students, who showed merit in Class X, would be provided financial aid to pursue further studies. Mr Sridhar said 50 per cent aid would be provided to students belonging to SCs, STs and physically challenged. He said a society would be formed in the district-level to ensure that the programme would continue even when a new collector is appointed in the district.

Mr Sridhar said voluntary agencies like RDT and Aswametha were also extending their cooperation to the programme. He said a website would also be launched on the Ananta Aanimutyalu. Mr Sridhar said the district Budget would be around Rs 350 crore this year. He said the district stood second in the second phase of Indiramma scheme and in third place in family planning programme in the state. The collector said the 3K Run organised against corruption had evoked good response.

Answering a query, Mr Sridhar said officials of the Indira Kranthi Patham and other departments should compulsorily give information sought by citizens under the Right to Information Act.

EDIT

Odyssey in court wrangles.



INDIAN lawyers are seeking to derail a $60 billion new "science city" in India planned by a Queensland company and its two Singaporean partners.

The court challenge comes as the developer consortium -- Brisbane-based Springfield Land Corp, with Jurong International and SembCorp from Singapore -- prepares to hand over $54 million to the Andhra Pradesh Government for the 5260ha Odyssey City site.

The challenge to Andhra Pradesh's compulsory land acquisition for the ambitious development is due to be heard in a Bangalore court on Tuesday.

Since January, the state has been resuming land for the planned hi-tech metropolis of 3million people that will be built over two decades.

The development is modelled on Springfield, the satellite city developed from scratch in the past 15 years in Brisbane's southwest.

SLC managing director Bob Sharpless said yesterday he was confident, on legal advice, that the court action would come to an end next week.

The Government's Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure Investment Corp was expected to resume its acquisition program and meet the planned May 31 deadline for settlement of the land sale to the Odyssey City partners.

Master planning could then begin, and civil works and infrastructure construction was likely to begin within 12 months, Mr Sharpless said.

Certainty of title and clear boundary definitions were necessary before serious master planning could begin.

"It's not as easy to get reliable survey and mapping information over there," he said. "We've had to apply to the Indian military to get access to some of their information."

Jurong is fully owned by the Singapore Government, while SembCorp is listed on the Singapore stock exchange.

Mr Sharpless said earlier reports that Macquarie Bank was an Odyssey City partner were incorrect, but the bank had expressed interest in providing funding for the project.

When Queensland Premier Anna Bligh was in India last week, Jurong's chief executive briefed her on the Odyssey City project.

Meanwhile, a group of high-ranking officials from Andhra Pradesh -- planning an overhaul of the state's land register -- visited Brisbane and other parts of Australia and New Zealand this month to study land title systems.

Mr Sharpless said that on the Springfield model, the Odyssey City consortium would act as master developer and other companies would be brought in to develop smaller components of the scheme.

Odyssey City aimed to provide homes, schools, universities, hospitals and commercial premises for a science and technology-oriented community. The type of businesses attracted to such a development were highly dependent on reliable communications, electricity, water, roads and transport, Mr Sharpless said.

The site is about 140km from Bangalore, 260km from Chennai and 370km from Hyderabad.

It did not have reliable road or transport connections, and the city needed to be built from the ground up, Mr Sharpless said.

About 25,000 people were living on the land, all of whom needed to be resettled.

"The land there is very poor in terms of its ability to be cultivated -- it is very, very arid and it really doesn't have a lot of use," he said.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23551093-5006786,00.html

but of course - like any big project in the country, it has to go through the due process of public protests, courts cases and review committees.

Check this out! It was posted in my thread on the topic (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=125985) at skyscraperpage by pmoneyunit614:
:cool: LOOK.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/2120/0211ff0.jpg
The original image is at the chief minister of AP's website (http://203.199.178.89/cmsite/25jan07photo1.asp), with the caption:
"Chief Minister Dr.Y.S.Raja Sekhara Reddy Addressing After MOU with Odyssey Science City at Hyd on 25-01-07"

^^ Nice find....the skyscrapers behind are crazy.

Man...that would be awesome if they can materialize the project!

The designs are kind of odd, but these are just prerenderings/guesses and not a final plan. If you look at the original 'renderings' they had for Lanco Hills, GIFT City and even the Nanocity proposal, you can see how they just made up random buildings that shows the intent of the project.

What it does tell us is that they're pretty damn serious about creating a large number of skyscrapers and a CBD.

Looks like the Science City has spurred FDI in the district... it seems an "Education City" is going to complement the Science City :) Also, the article confirms that 2,500 acres has been acquired so far for Science City


Ras al-Khaimah plans Educational City in Anantapur (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/05/23/stories/2008052352432100.htm)
Proposed city will be spread over 10,000 acres

Phalguna Jandhyala

Hyderabad, May 22 Ras al-Khaimah proposes to set up an Educational City in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh.

The venture is likely to come up in the same area that was earlier earmarked for a science city which was supposed to have been built by a multi-national consortium comprising among others, Jurong International Group of Singapore.

Official sources in the Chief Minister’s Office told Business Line that officials from the Emirate met representatives in the Industries Department and a detailed project report is likely to be submitted in about a week.

“As per the initial plan, the proposed educational city will be spread over 10,000 acres in Anantapur. Apart from having educational and research centres, it will also house an IT and biotech park, an amusement park, hospitals among other facilities,” the source said.

In January 2007, the consortium signed a memorandum of understanding with the State Government for the Science City.

The investment projected then was $25 billion over 10 years.

The consortium also included Springfield Land Corp and Macquarie Bank (both from Australia), and Semb Corp Industries (Singapore). The science city was supposed to have facilities for hi-tech manufacturing, IT, biotech, bio-pharma and artificial intelligence industries.

“The company has already acquired about 1,000 acres in the area and the Government owns around 2,300 acres.

Also Jurong International has the consent from farmers for about 2,500 acres and we will now look at how to transfer this land also,” the source said.

Anrak of Ras al-Khaimah in September last year had applied for around 2,000 acres for setting up an aluminium plant entailing an investment of Rs 9,500 crore.

The proposed plant was supposed to have come up in Narsipatnam mandal of Visakhapatnam district.

The company has signed a pact with Jindal South West Steel Ltd which is setting up a similar project in the same district.

The designs are kind of odd, but these are just prerenderings/guesses and not a final plan. If you look at the original 'renderings' they had for Lanco Hills, GIFT City and even the Nanocity proposal, you can see how they just made up random buildings that shows the intent of the project.

What it does tell us is that they're pretty damn serious about creating a large number of skyscrapers and a CBD.

Yeah i agree. I was being kinda being generic in my response. I think there are strong indications that this is a serious project and will materialize in some form.

:)

The APIIC has done remarkable job by identifying over 13799 acres for the first phase 10000 acres for ultra modern city by the consortium. It should speed up the land acquisition work. No doubt the science city is backed up by the AP Govt. I would like to see if the project and /or MOU is implemented as planned.

Hi Jai thanks a lot for posting the phote via pmoneyunit614. Please let me know the latest info about the first phase of work by the consortium.

Hi Babji,

Thanks for updating us with the latest info on the Odyssey science city at kadiri. Please keep continue to post with latest goind forward.

Thanks
Venkat:banana:

CPI deplore lack of progress in Science City (http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=34422)

HYDERABAD : CPI state executive member and former MLA K Rama Krishna deplored that even after two years nothing was progressing with regard to promoting Science City in backward Anantapur district.

He asked the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, to implement his assurance to the people of the district, which is expected to generate about one lakh jobs and give hefty compensation to farmers for their lands.

Speaking at a meeting held to review the various promises made by the government to the district here on Sunday, Ramakrishna regretted that land acquisition had been progressing at a snail’s pace. He urged the government to exert pressure on the project promoters to speed up works or think of an alternative promoter.

He said that according to reliable information, the Jurang firm, which was the chief promoter, had failed to deposit Rs 200 crore for payment of compensation with the government. This raised doubts on the very project itself, he added.

This is FRUSTRATING to say the least.I hope these people realise that India will retain its edge over China(in services) only for another 7 to 10 years.Unless they build these megaprojects IMMEDIATELY, they will have to compete with China(better infrastucture,more engineers) for tenants and this alone is enough to keep me up at night.

HYDERABAD : CPI state executive member and former MLA K Rama Krishna deplored that even after two years nothing was progressing with regard to promoting Science City in backward Anantapur district.

He asked the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, to implement his assurance to the people of the district, which is expected to generate about one lakh jobs and give hefty compensation to farmers for their lands.

Speaking at a meeting held to review the various promises made by the government to the district here on Sunday, Ramakrishna regretted that land acquisition had been progressing at a snail’s pace. He urged the government to exert pressure on the project promoters to speed up works or think of an alternative promoter.

He said that according to reliable information, the Jurang firm, which was the chief promoter, had failed to deposit Rs 200 crore for payment of compensation with the government. This raised doubts on the very project itself, he added.

This is FRUSTRATING at the very least.I hope these people realise that India will retain its edge over China(in services) only for another 7 to 10 years.Unless they build these megaprojects IMMEDIATELY, they will have to compete with China(better infrastucture,more engineers) for tenants and this alone is enough to keep me up at night.
***************

Wow, you know things are going slow when even the commies are clamoring for progress

Wow, you know things are going slow when even the commies are clamoring for progress

Yeah. It looked like things were moving at a fast pace sometime back and then the news went blank on this.

:ohno:

http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#CM%20halts%20land%20acquisition


Wednesday, August 20, 2008




CM halts land acquisition


Hyderabad, Aug 19: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, on Tuesday directed officials not to acquire land for infrastructure projects unless there was dire need to do so. The Chief Minister instructed the East Godavari and Visakhapatnam district collectors to immediately withdraw prohibitory orders imposed on land transactions in several mandals falling in the proposed Petroleum, Chemicals and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR).



He said there was no need to issue such orders when the government was not acquiring land for the PCPIR. Dr Reddy is also believed to have asked officials to put on hold land acquisition for the Visakhapatnam international airport till defence authorities cleared the project. With regard to minor airports in the districts, he said a firm no to land acquisition at this stage.



The Chief Minister appeared to have decided not to risk poll prospects by aggressively acquiring land, which has become a contentious issue. He also wanted all infrastructure projects to be grounded immediately so as to gain electoral mileage out of creating employment opportunities on a large scale. In an unusual manner, the Chief Minister held a marathon district-wise review meeting on infrastructure projects being implemented or proposed. Senior officials, collectors of about 12 districts and the private developers of projects besides Mr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, former adviser (political) and the Chief Minister’s confidant, took part in the review.



Sources said the Chief Minister wanted the officials to follow up with Central authorities on a day-to-day basis and obtain necessary permissions instead of drafting letters seeking permission. He said the Gangavaram port should be put into operation by September at any cost while the Vadarevu Nizampatnam Port Industrial Corridor and Machilipatnam port should be grounded immediately.



With regard to Anantapur district, however, the Chief Minister asked the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation to continue with land acquisition in view of demand from locals and people’s representatives. The government had a bitter experience there with Jurong backing out from the 60,000-acre Odyssey Science City and farmers are pressuring the government to complete the acquisition process.




doesnt surprise me , it was expected allalong, is it confirmed than

http://www.deccan.com/home/homedetails.asp#CM%20halts%20land%20acquisition

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

CM halts land acquisition

Hyderabad, Aug 19: The Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy, on Tuesday directed officials not to acquire land for infrastructure projects unless there was dire need to do so.

The Chief Minister appeared to have decided not to risk poll prospects by aggressively acquiring land, which has become a contentious issue. He also wanted all infrastructure projects to be grounded immediately so as to gain electoral mileage out of creating employment opportunities on a large scale. In an unusual manner, the Chief Minister held a marathon district-wise review meeting on infrastructure projects being implemented or proposed. Senior officials, collectors of about 12 districts and the private developers of projects besides Mr K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao, former adviser (political) and the Chief Minister’s confidant, took part in the review.

With regard to Anantapur district, however, the Chief Minister asked the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation to continue with land acquisition in view of demand from locals and people’s representatives. The government had a bitter experience there with Jurong backing out from the 60,000-acre Odyssey Science City and farmers are pressuring the government to complete the acquisition process.

doesnt surprise me , it was expected allalong, is it confirmed than

truly said it would dampen his poll prospects especially after Chiru's political entry.

Beleive it or not!

According to GoAP sources - this project is still on.
APIIC has aquired about 236 acres on behalf of the developer so far...
The land owners have been compesated as promised.
The developer has completed digital mapping of the area and also made a deposit of Rs. 10 crorre with GoAP.

Major constraint: a PIL case pending in the court.
Once the case is cleared (don't know when), further land aquisition and dev works would commence ...

Jurong committed to Science City project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hyderabad/Jurong_committed_to_Science_City_project_/articleshow/3438953.cms)

Major industries minister J Geeta Reddy said that Jurong International Company had written to the government informing that it would take up the Odyssey Science City project in Anantapur district after the court dismissed public interest litigation (PIL) as per the agreement.
Replying to a query by P Raghunath Reddy of TDP, she said the company was keen on completing the project in 10 years. It stopped works after a PIL was filed against the project in the high court.
The company management communicated that it would resume works immediately once the case was dismissed. She said the company had already deposited Rs 10 crore in the account of APIIC, the nodal agency for Science City project. It would deposit the remaining Rs 40 crore after the PIL was dismissed, the company had said. TNN

:banana:Everything is falling in place for India...Gift,Nanocity,Vedanta University and now Odyssey Science City(though not as certain as the other three).

Hi 2paise,

Thanks for posting the latest info on the odyssey science city.

Venkat

Beleive it or not!

According to GoAP sources - this project is still on.
APIIC has aquired about 236 acres on behalf of the developer so far...
The land owners have been compesated as promised.
The developer has completed digital mapping of the area and also made a deposit of Rs. 10 crorre with GoAP.

Major constraint: a PIL case pending in the court.
Once the case is cleared (don't know when), further land aquisition and dev works would commence ...

Jurong committed to Science City project (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hyderabad/Jurong_committed_to_Science_City_project_/articleshow/3438953.cms)



:banana:Everything is falling in place for India...Gift,Nanocity,Vedanta University and now Odyssey Science City(though not as certain as the other three).

:cheers:

:shocked:10 000 acre township! and i didnt even no about it

Check this out! It was posted in my thread on the topic (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=125985) at skyscraperpage by pmoneyunit614:

The original image is at the chief minister of AP's website (http://203.199.178.89/cmsite/25jan07photo1.asp), with the caption:
"Chief Minister Dr.Y.S.Raja Sekhara Reddy Addressing After MOU with Odyssey Science City at Hyd on 25-01-07"

OMG that looks crazy.:nuts: looks likes the future!

Dear Friends,

Could any one please provide me the latest informations and development of the Odessey science city at Kadiri, anantapur.

Thanks
Venkat

Odyssey - AP's Proposed Science City Sinks

In January 2008 CM Rajashekar Reddy signed an MoU for Odyssey Science City Project. An year after that we are now being told that it has been shelved. Its MoU has been canceled. As envisioned earlier this project promised to turn the barren 65 thousands acres of Rayalaseema in to Green Belt with the desalinated sea water. Power Point presentation on Odyssey at Taj Krishna last year left the officials dumbstruck with the scope and reach of the project. There was a strong hope for the locals too that famine would leave them at last. But their dreams don't seem to have lasted for long. Ananthapur population is reportedly shocked with the sudden termination of the project. Blame game continues till today that the Investors have backed out, controversies are too many says the government. Dreams ran dry for the poor, but all those real estate people who made 'hay while sun shone' obviously made the best out of worst.
http://www.ruleandhra.blogspot.com/2009/02/odyssey-aps-proposed-science-city-sinks.html

Hopefully this source is fake...