:banana: GREAT NEWS for madurai towards industry front....


Hi-Tech Arai to set up Rs 25 cr plant in Madurai

BS Reporter / Chennai/ Trichy July 31, 2007



Madurai-based Hi-Tech Arai Ltd plans to set up a new plant to manufacture aluminum pressure di-casting items, a delicate automobile spare.

The plant, to come up on 18 acres near Madurai, will involve an investment of Rs 25 crore. BT Bangera, managing director, said work on the project would commence in another 8 months and the plant would be commissioned by mid 2008-09.

The oil seals and automobile components manufacturing company will set up the plant in collaboration with Arai Seisa Kusho of Japan.

The plant is expected to provide job opportunities to about 1,000 artisans/technicians and cater to companies like Maruti, Ford, Hyundai, and Honda. The company currently has an employee strength of about 800 people, Bangera told the media.

Hi-Tech Arai registered a turnover of Rs 190 crore and a profit before tax of Rs 30 crore for the year 2006-07. The company has projected a turnover of Rs 250 crore for the current fiscal and by the year 2010, it aims to touch Rs 600 crore.

Exports contributed Rs 15 crore to the business, he said, adding the company exported its products to countries including Thailand, Japan, China, Italy, France and the US. As an off-shoot of R&D, the company has also started exporting compound rubber in the last few months.



http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=292804

Decision on flying school soon: Minister

MADURAI: The decision on a flying school to be set up in Madurai will be taken very soon, the Minister for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel, has said.

In a letter written to the Madurai MP, P. Mohan, the Minister said that a private company had applied for permission to start the school here. Action on the issue would be taken soon, the Minister said. He has also promised to sanction a flight service to Tirupati from here, via Chennai, as sought by Mr. Mohan.

Meanwhile, the Airport Controller, M. Suresh, has given the consent to accommodate the proposed flying school on the airport premises. The Director General of Civil Aviation has to clear the proposal.

The Collector, S.S. Jawahar, who participated in the Airport Advisory Committee meeting held here on Saturday, said that ATMs, Internet browsing centre and touch screen kiosk for providing information on flight timings and important tourist spots would come up at the airport.

Mr. Suresh said that the proposal for an aircraft maintenance hanger and healthcare centre was under consideration.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/05/stories/2007080559200300.htm

Mohan MP has been instrumental in many of the development activities in Madurai and he has proved it once again. Though a flight to Tirupathi would only cater to the Tourism industry, routing it via Chennai will surely make economic sense. Indian Airlines(Indian) has rejected Madurai over the years except for the only flight which has been running for ages. I hope they start this service soon and if possible Madurai-Bangalore-Mumbai :).

^^

Flying school(probably Paramount's) and MRO possibilities are really good to hear. I think the minister must have promised a connection to Tirupati via Chennai using the current Madurai-Chennai-Mumbai flight. A Madurai-Tirupati flight otherwise will be a flop. But, another flight between Chennai-Madurai will be useful.

Sadly, there is no word on international airport status. Unless they expand the current 18 cities list for free rights to number of flights and include Madurai also, there is no positive thing on this front I guess.

Madurai Airport Controller, M. Suresh has said that the runway expansion will be completed in 3 months time:bash: . He said there was possibility of international flights after the runway expansion. The newly constructed third apron has been commisioned and work on the fourth apron was in final stages. The passenger traffic for the period April-June 2007 was 98,349, which means for June 2007 it was 31,040.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/05/004/05_08_2007_004_002.jpg

^^

Flying school(probably Paramount's) and MRO possibilities are really good to hear. I think the minister must have promised a connection to Tirupati via Chennai using the current Madurai-Chennai-Mumbai flight. A Madurai-Tirupati flight otherwise will be a flop. But, another flight between Chennai-Madurai will be useful.

Sadly, there is no word on international airport status. Unless they expand the current 18 cities list for free rights to number of flights and include Madurai also, there is no positive thing on this front I guess.

The flying school is by Rudradev Aviation... believe it is RR Industries Group..

http://www.outlookindia.com/pti_news.asp?id=493429

^^

Thanks for that clarification and the link Madhan. Any idea about the possible MRO?

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Hi madurai gilli, we appreciate your hard effort to collect news from madurai, as a task towards madurai metro. Definitely I hope all our madurai friends will give their opinion on your opinion for madurai city modenized. Me too in future posts. Hats off again.

1. Thiruparankundram – Nilayur – Airport west – Parambupatti – Kappalur ring road

A bit confusion between "Parambupatti – Kappalur", i think disordered??


Dear Madurai jawahar ,

My friend , Actually the road from thiruparankundram cuts the old nilayur road(existing) and reaches the western side of the airport near PREM NAGAR residential area.It'll not face the terminal building of the airport but the road planned from PALANGANATHAM - TVS NAGAR - AVANIYAPURAM - AIRPORT ENDS WITH THE TERMINAL BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT. This road will connect the airport in its western side and run through the newly formed PARAMBUPATTI village ( After the original PARAMBUPATTI was demolished for the expansion of the airport., and atlast ends with the RINGROAD I which is coming from maatuthavani to Kappalur - thirumangalam. Are you clear now ? It is planned as a 200 feet road but I am not sure whether it's four-lane or not but the road through avaniyapuram is four-laned 200 feet road , laid only for the airport. For this road , there will be no problem for the land acquisition from Avaniyapuram- Airport. But I don't know what they had planned to acquire enough spaces in the congested areas like Palanganatham, TVS NAGAR etc.,

Dear Madurai jawahar ,

My friend , Actually the road from thiruparankundram cuts the old nilayur road(existing) and reaches the western side of the airport near PREM NAGAR residential area.It'll not face the terminal building of the airport but the road planned from PALANGANATHAM - TVS NAGAR - AVANIYAPURAM - AIRPORT ENDS WITH THE TERMINAL BUILDING OF THE AIRPORT. This road will connect the airport in its western side and run through the newly formed PARAMBUPATTI village ( After the original PARAMBUPATTI was demolished for the expansion of the airport.,& a colony like village for the parambupatti residents were given by the central govt., ) and atlast ends with the RINGROAD I which is coming from maatuthavani to Kappalur - thirumangalam. Are you clear now ? It is planned as a 200 feet road but I am not sure whether it's four-lane or not but the road through avaniyapuram is four-laned 200 feet road , laid only for the airport. For this road , there will be no problem for the land acquisition from Avaniyapuram- Airport. But I don't know what they had planned to acquire enough spaces in the congested areas like Palanganatham, TVS NAGAR etc.,

The road from thiruparankundram will not merge directly with the airport but it touches the airport in its western side and run straight to join with the ringroad I.

madurai corporation in a trouble how to provide its share of 20% to materealise the JNURM projects . central & stat govt., in no doubt will give its share of 50% & 30% respectively. But corporation , already in a large debt condition of Rs.200 crores , will have to buy again a debt of nearly Rs.300 crores to realise the projects.....Any how...we, the madurai people can expect the additional burden package of TAXES soon.

madurai corporation in a trouble how to provide its share of 20% to materealise the JNURM projects . central & stat govt., in no doubt will give its share of 50% & 30% respectively. But corporation , already in a large debt condition of Rs.200 crores , will have to buy again a debt of nearly Rs.300 crores to realise the projects.....Any how...we, the madurai people can expect the additional burden package of TAXES soon.

Inorder to overcome the debt the State Government should realise the need for extending the present corporation area of 52 Sq.Kms. Local politicians of the Madurai neighborhood may create a hurdle in this regard, but the govt. should take iron hand steps in merging the adjacent out growths with Madurai Corporation. The Outgrowths namely the Municipalities of Anaiyur, Avaniyapuram, Tiruparankundram and Thirumangalam, the Town Panchayats of Thirunagar, Vilangudi, Paravai, Harveypatti and the Census Towns of Chinna Anupanadi, Perungudi, Vandiyur, Melamadai, Uthangudi, Othakadai, Naganakulam, Kannanendal, Samayanallur, Nagamalai pudukkottai and Vadapalanji shall yield a good revenue, since these areas are dominated by Middle and Upper Middle class people who pay their taxes regularly.

Thank You.

madurai corporation in a trouble how to provide its share of 20% to materealise the JNURM projects . central & stat govt., in no doubt will give its share of 50% & 30% respectively. But corporation , already in a large debt condition of Rs.200 crores , will have to buy again a debt of nearly Rs.300 crores to realise the projects.....Any how...we, the madurai people can expect the additional burden package of TAXES soon.

A small correction, under JNNURM the center's share will be 50%, state's share 20% and corporations share 30%. Im not sure about the debt figures you have given, actually TN government recently cancelled all the debts MDU corporation had to pay it. Ya, implementation of the JNNURM projects will certainly add burden to the corporation budget, and we should see some bold steps from the corporation and hopefully cooperation from the citzens.

Erode, Aug 5 : Union Textiles Minister E V K S Elangovan talking to newspersons, after inspecting the site for setting up an integrated textile park here, he said the Centre had so far sanctioned 30 integrated textile parks, out of which five would be set up in Tamil Nadu.

Tamil Nadu Handloom Minister N K K P Raja said in the first phase integrated textile parks would be set up at Madurai, Karur, Komarapalayam, Palladam and Andipatty.

http://www.newkerala.com/july.php?action=fullnews&id=51821

Good news that Andipatti has also been included lately. Two textile parks within a distance of 50 kms, will help in promoting textile industry in the region. Hope the projects start at the earliest.

Please give your own opinion on my opinion to improve our city MADURAI as a metro-politan :
1. I don’t like the introduction of Private services in the local city-bus service. Do you ?


yes i agree.Private services will not maintain its uniformity & neatness, mainly they dont follow rules-regulations, but in some extend we need private buses. bcas i suffered very much when i was at ellis nagar. people will be waiting for long time and they will use normal auto as share auto to go to periyaar. If thr private buses i hope they will take a route to service like via ellis nagar , periyaar to palanganatham or periyaar to kaalavaasal(but hope, after ellis bridge thr wont be problem for ellis nagar.) I hope private buses will give service for this kind of different routes. Now the small buses(sitrundu) are very much helpful for outer city people.



2. Our Integrated MAATUTHAVANI Bus-stand is not in the standard like Koyambedu in Chennai eventhough it was the first-constructed Asia’s biggest integrated bus-stand & now got ISO Certificate. .....


My last time visit, I felt very bad when reached maatu thavani bus stand. Definitely some action needed but seems to be nobody worrying for the following things...

*NO NEATNESS
*no chairs for sitting
*Unbearable smell of urine due to non-planned bathrooms
*At path, vendors are sitting down and spreading murukku, flower, etc around them, also occupied big space(same like old periyaar bus stand condition)...
* spitting on the walls
* No shelter for town bus waiting...also many more...

With all these things beautification works are going on.!!!!!:ohno:
No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....
yes, It needs a youthful team for its maintanence .



3. Inside the madurai city , One coming from out-station newly to madurai is trying hard to find the bus-stops & the routes. Because there are no proper bus-sheds/shelters or stops & there are no guidance-boards in the city-roads. ..........

Yes gilli.. the bus shelters and plot forms are very very bad condition in city. Corporation should learn from the 'neighbout city' about maintenance. 'That corporation' collecting advt from private, and arranging attractive city bus shelters and neat plotforms. They got very great city look and shining with colourful light at night time. Also in madurai, but very few. I think mdu corpn lacking of ideas. They think beautification means sticking marbles everywhere. Im sure there is no good plot form in the city, also both sides of roads are sandy. In my next visit, I will capture and post in madurai views. Good plot forms you can see only around gandhi museum.

Again i can say No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....

MADURAI: Efforts will be taken to establish a super speciality hospital on the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences here, Health Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran has said. He was talking to reporters here on Sunday. The matter would be discussed with the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, and steps initiated under his guidance.

Mr. Ramachandran was here to attend a consultative meeting with higher officials of the Corporation, the Government Rajaji Hospital and the Public Works Department regarding the proposed extension hospital works at the Anna Bus Stand.

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the construction works of the extension hospital would be held on August 22. The estimated cost of the project was Rs.22 crore and another Rs.10 crore had been allotted for buying equipment, he said.

The extension hospital would have five floors, including the ground floor, and care would be taken to provide facilities that matched with multi-speciality private hospitals,

Mr. Ramachandran said. Four elevators, including an exclusive one, would be installed. The construction work would be completed in 18 months, he said. The Government was even prepared to allocate more funds to the hospital based on outpatient and inpatient flow, he said.

The Government would ensure basic amenities at the hospital premises, he said and added that towards achieving that goal the State had taken steps to fill the vacancies for doctors and almost reached surplus in appointment of nurses, he said. The main focus of the department was on hospital maintenance and optimum use of machineries provided, he said.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/06/stories/2007080659070300.htm

The above proposed road starts from the bypass road in front of Aparna towers and goes along the side of Maadakulam tank and ends at Nagamalai pudhukottai. If this project takes off the distance between bypass road and proposed IT park at Vadapalanji will be 9 kms. The project is expected to begin after green signal from the state government.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=162340&code=18865

Two new TNEB branch offices established in Madurai

· TNEB formed two branch offices at Athikulam and Uranganpatti in the Madurai East Division.

Uranganpatti office

The Uranganpatti office will cover:

· Uranganpatti
· Kunnathur
· Kalimangalam
· Sakkudi
· Thachanenthal
· Varichiyur
· Sengottai (places which to date fell under Karuppayurani division).

· Anjayur
· Tirumanappathi
· Melavadakkur
· Keezhavadakkur
· Angadi Mangalam (places which to date fell under Melamadai division office).

· Payment of electricity bills in the old offices will continue for two months.
· All services, except payment of bills, will come under the jurisdiction of Assistant Engineer, Distribution, Uranganpatti.

Athikulam office

The Athikulam office will cover:

· Parusurampatti
· Indian Bank Colony
· Kurunji Nagar
· Mahalakshmi Nagar
· Athikulam
· Angayarkanni Colony
· Karpaga Vinayaka Temple
· Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board houses
· Narayanapuram, A Zone, B Zone, C Zone, D Zone (places which previously fell under Tiruppalai/Rural division).

· Pattimedu
· Suganthi Nagar
· Pallavi Nagar
· Kosakulam
· Kalai Nagar extension (places which previously fell under C zone of Aanayur division).

· K Zone, L Zone, M Zone
· Viswanathapuram
· Bharati Nagar
· VOC Street
· Maruthupandiyur Street
· Moovendar Nagar (places which previously fell under N Zone).

· Payment of electricity bills in the old offices will continue for two months.
· All services, except payment of bills, will come under the jurisdiction of Assistant Engineer, Distribution, at 8-6-14 Vaigai Nathi 2nd Street, Mahatma Gandhi Nagar, Athikulam.

Electricity connections in the following sections have been reallocated by the TNEB for administrative reasons:

· Sathyamoorthy Nagar
· Maruthupandiyan Nagar
· Bibikulam East and West (Places which so far came under the K.K. Nagar office).
· It has been reallocated to Anaiyur office.

· Power connections in Karpaga Nagar
· Ramavarma Nagar
· Saw Mill (Places which so far came under K. Pudur office).
· It has been reallocated to K.K. Nagar office.

· Service connections in Sathamangalam
· Sivaganga Main Road
· Muthaliar Road (Places which so far came under Anna Nagar office)
· It has also been reallocated to K.K. Nagar office.

· Consumers residing in these areas should approach the new office for all electricity-related services, other than payment of bills.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/06/stories/2007080659180300.htm

Hi friends,

Belated "Happy Friendship day" to all Madurai friends.

Clear my doubt, Where they were looking the site for setting up an Textile park in Madurai.

yes i agree.Private services will not maintain its uniformity & neatness, mainly they dont follow rules-regulations, but in some extend we need private buses. bcas i suffered very much when i was at ellis nagar. people will be waiting for long time and they will use normal auto as share auto to go to periyaar. If thr private buses i hope they will take a route to service like via ellis nagar , periyaar to palanganatham or periyaar to kaalavaasal(but hope, after ellis bridge thr wont be problem for ellis nagar.) I hope private buses will give service for this kind of different routes. Now the small buses(sitrundu) are very much helpful for outer city people.




My last time visit, I felt very bad when reached maatu thavani bus stand. Definitely some action needed but seems to be nobody worrying for the following things...

*NO NEATNESS
*no chairs for sitting
*Unbearable smell of urine due to non-planned bathrooms
*At path, vendors are sitting down and spreading murukku, flower, etc around them, also occupied big space(same like old periyaar bus stand condition)...
* spitting on the walls
* No shelter for town bus waiting...also many more...

With all these things beautification works are going on.!!!!!:ohno:
No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....
yes, It needs a youthful team for its maintanence .




Yes gilli.. the bus shelters and plot forms are very very bad condition in city. Corporation should learn from the 'neighbout city' about maintenance. 'That corporation' collecting advt from private, and arranging attractive city bus shelters and neat plotforms. They got very great city look and shining with colourful light at night time. Also in madurai, but very few. I think mdu corpn lacking of ideas. They think beautification means sticking marbles everywhere. Im sure there is no good plot form in the city, also both sides of roads are sandy. In my next visit, I will capture and post in madurai views. Good plot forms you can see only around gandhi museum.

Again i can say No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....


Surely my friend !! I can agree with your 2nd & 3rd opinions....But Regarding the private city bus services...I think it is not needed for a large city like madurai but It needs more & frequent city bus services & also the night-service city buses for full night.
In your area ELLIS NAGAR....I also had experienced the same problem for 5 years because I had studied in SIVAKASI NADARS MATRICULATION SCHOOL ONLY till my 12th. That too I am a resident of Avaniyapuram & I need to go by 2 buses to reach my school & again back to home everyday....I found it so difficult ....But , now there will be no problem for your area as a bridge from railway bridge , coming into the ELLIS NAGAR & You can expect more & more bus-services that side & also the share-autos because the bye-pass road is now turned as a mega-shopping road & also a register office & R.TO offfice is there...More people will utilize the newly laid road in ellis nagar to reach these places...The only thing is CORPORATION & Transport corporation has to take the necessary steps....Otherwise it'll be like a WHISTLE blown in the ears of a DEFF.

yes i agree.Private services will not maintain its uniformity & neatness, mainly they dont follow rules-regulations, but in some extend we need private buses. bcas i suffered very much when i was at ellis nagar. people will be waiting for long time and they will use normal auto as share auto to go to periyaar. If thr private buses i hope they will take a route to service like via ellis nagar , periyaar to palanganatham or periyaar to kaalavaasal(but hope, after ellis bridge thr wont be problem for ellis nagar.) I hope private buses will give service for this kind of different routes. Now the small buses(sitrundu) are very much helpful for outer city people.




My last time visit, I felt very bad when reached maatu thavani bus stand. Definitely some action needed but seems to be nobody worrying for the following things...

*NO NEATNESS
*no chairs for sitting
*Unbearable smell of urine due to non-planned bathrooms
*At path, vendors are sitting down and spreading murukku, flower, etc around them, also occupied big space(same like old periyaar bus stand condition)...
* spitting on the walls
* No shelter for town bus waiting...also many more...

With all these things beautification works are going on.!!!!!:ohno:
No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....
yes, It needs a youthful team for its maintanence .




Yes gilli.. the bus shelters and plot forms are very very bad condition in city. Corporation should learn from the 'neighbout city' about maintenance. 'That corporation' collecting advt from private, and arranging attractive city bus shelters and neat plotforms. They got very great city look and shining with colourful light at night time. Also in madurai, but very few. I think mdu corpn lacking of ideas. They think beautification means sticking marbles everywhere. Im sure there is no good plot form in the city, also both sides of roads are sandy. In my next visit, I will capture and post in madurai views. Good plot forms you can see only around gandhi museum.

Again i can say No need beautification, we need clean, neat and facilities.....


Surely my friend !! I can agree with your 2nd & 3rd opinions....But Regarding the private city bus services...I think it is not needed for a large city like madurai but It needs more & frequent city bus services & also the night-service city buses for full night.
In your area ELLIS NAGAR....I also had experienced the same problem for 5 years because I had studied in SIVAKASI NADARS MATRICULATION SCHOOL ONLY till my 12th. That too I am a resident of Avaniyapuram & I need to go by 2 buses to reach my school & again back to home everyday....I found it so difficult ....But , now there will be no problem for your area as a bridge from railway bridge , coming into the ELLIS NAGAR & You can expect more & more bus-services that side & also the share-autos because the bye-pass road is now turned as a mega-shopping road & also a register office & R.TO offfice is there...More people will utilize the newly laid road in ellis nagar to reach these places...The only thing is CORPORATION & Transport corporation has to take the necessary steps....Otherwise it'll be like a WHISTLE blown in the ears of a DEFF.

Regarding ou area AVANIYAPURAM , It needs the night-buses immediately because It's so sad to see the lot of working people's difficulties....More & more people of JAIHINDPURAM, VILLAPURAM, MEENEKSHI NAGAR , AVANIYAPURAM , MMC COLONY , JEEVA NAGAR etc., are working class & are some are going for their night-shifts , late night around 11'o clock & some working in TVS like companies , working in the 2nd shift ( 3:00 p.m to 11:00 p.m ) , coming home at nearly 1'o clock.Also more poor people of Perungudi , PARAMBUPATTI , VELLAKAL , VALAYANKULAM , SHOLANKURINI , KAARIYAPATTI , AAVIYOOR etc., are using the CENTRAL MARKETS & FLOWER MARKETS & they are coming to the market in last day's late night or very early morning. All are suffering due to the lack of night-shift buses.Atleast the corporation should consider the matter & give permission for atleast 1 bus till kaariyapatti / valayankulam / perungudi / airport /or atleast till avaniyapuram because the people from kaariyapatti/valayankulam are having moffusil buses in the route to aruppukottai/tutucorin etc., they will use it. But it's very very difficult for the working classes of Avaniyapuram/perungudi etc., They are coming by buses till SOUTH GATE & walking from south-gate to their home.It's very sad to see because they worked in machines(heat) for some 8-9hours & walking for nearly 5 kms to reach their home @ night & the next day , they have to continue the same , even without the FULL-SLEEP. I , on behalf of them , beg the corporation to please consider this route for night-shift buses.......not only this route but also other sub-urban routes which had more night-shift workers.

Any updates on :

RR Industries IT SEZ @ Sholankurini

RR Aviation academy @ Madurai

METCALFE Township in madurai

PENTASOFT'S SPORT THEME PARK In madurai

ETL SHOPPIN CUM CONVENTION MALL

KSHITJI SHOPPING MALL

KAMARAJ MEMORIAL MEDICAL COLLEGE

MADURAI AIRPORT/RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT

JNNURM PROJECTS

STAR HOTELS / RESORTS

INDUSTRIES

etc.,

Please update the above ::nuts:

Picture showing entrance of Tallakulam PRS at Madurai, courtesy Dinamalar.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Photographs/2007/08/06/104/06_08_2007_104_009_001.jpg

Related news,

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/06/104/06_08_2007_104_008.jpg

As per the officials, preliminary work is going on at the new location for the Tallakulam PRS. Actual work will be started soon.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Photographs/2007/08/06/102/06_08_2007_102_015_001.jpg

AC Rooms are being constructed on the 1st floor at Madurai junction. Picture, courtesy Dinamalar.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Photographs/2007/08/06/103/06_08_2007_103_015_001.jpg

Girders being placed at the Melur-Sivaganga road as part of the four laning work.

Picture and news, courtesy Dinamalar.

Madurai to become slum-free city by 2012





MADURAI: With an ambitious plan of becoming a slum-free city by 2011-12, the Madurai Corporation will construct 30,951 houses and improve infrastructure in 208 slum areas for the benefit of the poor in the next five years.



http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/07/stories/2007080766370100.htm

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=162553&code=17117

Mariamman theppakulam, pudhu mandapam, townhall road theppakulam, are among the 14 sites to be developed under JNNURM at the cost of Rs.117 crores. The surroundings of Nayakkar Mahal will also be cleaned..

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6505/05082007dknmdu15mdu2lh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Courtesy : Dinakaran

Two more bye-passes are going to be formed in the existing ringroad.
The kappalur - uthangudi ringroad is going to be converted into 4 lane. On this road, there are going to be 2 bye passes branching out and merging in.
one will branch out at 12th km from uthangudi and joing the ringroad again @ 20th km. another one will branch out at 16th km and join again @ 20th Km.

A new road from thirunagar to Airport via Nilayur is being planned.
Jaihindipuram road will be joined with alagappan nagar road and a road will be formed along thiruparankundram. Then the same road will be extended via avaniyapuram to Airport.

Highways department has studied regarding thess projects and has sent the proposals.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=162549&code=16010

Bye-pass road will be converted to 6 lane..

The bye-pass road, currently with NHAI, will be handed over to tamilnadu highways, and then they will convert it to 6 lanes model road.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=162549&code=15936



I am not clear on how the bolded project is going to be executed.
Also, i am not sure on what is there on 12th, 16th, 20th kms on ringroad, and for what areas those roads will act as bye-passes
If the bye-passes in ringroad are executed, the 20th km should be a very junction.


Regarding the six-laning of bye-pass, i believe NHAI is ready to handover the road to TN, as NHAI is executing the samayanallur - thoppur bye-pass..

A review meeting headed by Collector has been held for the JNNURM road development projects.
They are planning a elevated highway along the veli streets, starting from St.marys church, covering east veli, north veli and west veli street.
Also 5 flyovers are being planned at hyedkhan road, yaanaikal, kamarajar saalai, kaalavasal, goripalayam..

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=162930&code=17219

Also, i am not sure on what is there on 12th, 16th, 20th kms on ringroad, and for what areas those roads will act as bye-passes
If the bye-passes in ringroad are executed, the 20th km should be a very junction.

Regarding the six-laning of bye-pass, i believe NHAI is ready to handover the road to TN, as NHAI is executing the samayanallur - thoppur bye-pass..

Dinakaran paper is just confusing things up. NHAI has got no other go but to 4 lane ring road between Pandi Koil and airport in oder to link NH 45B between Trichy-Madurai with Madurai-Tuticorin. So from Pandikoil they will 4 lane until 12th km of the ring road(from Uthangudi). Then NHAI will build a 4 lane road on a different alignment to meet Tuticorin road, so that it does not cause any hindrance to airport expansion.

I hope State highways soon takes control of the bypass and implements the 50 crore 6 laning project.

A related news on the road improvements in Madurai from Dinamalar.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/07/012/07_08_2007_012_025.jpg

Emphasis is made on banning lorries from various places into the city, to build more flyovers and parking lots to handle the ever growing vehicle traffic.

Rs.2.77 Cr sanctioned for improving the Planetarium at MKU. Also, Madurai MP Mohan has allocated Rs.10 Lakhs for the childrens' science park.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/07/101/07_08_2007_101_019.jpg

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

Hope to see the planetarium opened in the near future.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6505/05082007dknmdu15mdu2lh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Courtesy : Dinakaran

Looks good :). What happened to the plans for Hospital of Thoracic Medicine at Madurai. This project was announced with much fanfare. Hopefully they take up this along with the GH extension works.

Madurai, August 6: A super-speciality hospital on the lines of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences at Delhi would be established near this city, Tamil Nadu Health Minister K K S S R Ramachandran has said.

The Minister, who attended the consultative committee meeting with the higher officials of the Corporation last night, said discussions were on regarding the hospital and the Chief Minister would be consulted and his guidance sought before establishing it.

He also discussed the Government Rajaji Hospital's extension. The foundation stone-laying ceremony for the extension of the GRH would be held here on August 22. The total cost for extension including equipment was Rs 32 crore.

The five-storey extension hospital would be similar to any multi-speciality private hospital, he said.

The government would also allocate more funds for the hospitals which were getting more patients. While there was surplus of nurses, vacancies of doctors were being filled, the minister said. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7BF372C25B-1C0D-480B-B58E-A50B8AADFAB7%7D&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA

Sonia to flag off train service on August 12


Special Correspondent




CHENNAI: Rameswaram will be put on the broad gauge map of the Railways on August 12, when the newly laid line between Rameswaram and Manamadurai will be opened for traffic.


Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, the ruling coalition at the Centre, will dedicate the line to the nation at a function in Rameswaram.

She will also flag off the first train between Rameswaram and Chennai Egmore in the presence of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and Minister of State for Railways R. Velu will also participate in the function.

The inaugural special will leave Rameswaram at 4.30 p.m. on August 12 and reach Egmore at 7.15 a.m. the next day. Reservation is available.

The regular service between Chennai Egmore and Rameswaram will begin on August 13. No. 6713 will leave Egmore at 5 p.m. and reach Rameswaram at 5.15 a.m. the next day.

No. 6714 will depart from Rameswaram at 10.30 p.m. and reach Egmore at 11.15 a.m. the next day, says a Southern Railway release.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080853980500.htm

Now Madurai to RMM line will get importance.

SR should think about linking MDU and RMM with Gujarat and Rajasthan immediately!

MADURAI: The Madurai Corporation has proposed to shift vegetable market, foodgrain market and building material shops outside the city to decongest vehicular traffic.

At a consultative meeting on traffic and transportation improvement project under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission chaired by the Collector, S.S. Jawahar, held here on Monday, a private consultant appointed by the Corporation said that shifting of those trade establishments would reduce 20 per cent of total vehicular movement.

S. Rethinavelu, president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, wanted the Government to set a deadline for each sector of business to shift its establishments.

By-pass roads

Besides, the consultant has proposed laying of by-pass roads to prevent “through traffic” entering the city connecting the Melur, Natham and Dindigul roads. “We have prepared a comprehensive plan, which will concentrate on free movement of people rather than just free flow of vehicles,” said the consultant.

Uniform pedestrian platforms

Among the proposals are wider and uniform pedestrian platforms, pedestrian underpass, elevated roads, flyovers and optimum utilisation of parking space. The consultant has also proposed a ban on vehicular movement around the temple. Instead, shuttle services of mini bus around the temple connecting a few important spots have been suggested.

For tourists

Improved signage and a simple tourist map with an information system that will enable tourists to have a straight and short cut visit to tourist spots has been proposed.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080861180300.htm

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6505/05082007dknmdu15mdu2lh2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Courtesy : Dinakaran

Looks like G+5 floors, wasn't it earlier planned for G+6 floors ?. The GH extension building is coming in such a prime spot and i hope they wisely use the area.

Road and traffic improvement projects to the tune of 1257 crore Rs. under JNNURM

Salient features :

1. 15 flyovers and 14 subways

2. 2 tier flyover between St.Mary's JN and Madura college bridge via East veli st, Annadurai statue, Yanaikal JN, North veli st, West veli st, Kattabomman statue.

Link to source

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/101/08_08_2007_101_008.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/104/08_08_2007_104_005.jpg

List of flyovers and subways

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/101/08_08_2007_101_010.jpg

The 70 crore Rs. radial project under which 123 kms of roads around Madurai were to be integreted and developed has finally commensed. The highways department has planned to complete this project by the end of March 2008.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/102/08_08_2007_102_011.jpg

Road and traffic improvement projects to the tune of 1257 crore Rs. under JNNURM

Salient features :

1. 15 flyovers and 14 subways

2. 2 tier flyover between St.Mary's JN and Madura college bridge via East veli st, Annadurai statue, Yanaikal JN, North veli st, West veli st, Kattabomman statue.

Link to source

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/101/08_08_2007_101_008.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/104/08_08_2007_104_005.jpg

List of flyovers and subways

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/08/101/08_08_2007_101_010.jpg

I believe the 2 tier flyover would be an elevated highway for heavy vehicles..
The existing east, north and west veli streets would be used for lighter vehicles.. similar to the bridge across vaigai..

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080850200100.htm

It would be great if he could also expedite the infrastructural projects (bridges u/c, airport expansion..) as well and also if he could take care of removal of encroachments and maintaining the city pretty neat..

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080850200100.htm

It would be great if he could also expedite the infrastructural projects (bridges u/c, airport expansion..) as well and also if he could take care of removal of encroachments and maintaining the city pretty neat..

Well Said madhan! Removal of encroachments and city neatness will give good image to the city and peaceful life....

Surely my friend !! I can agree with your 2nd & 3rd opinions....But Regarding the private city bus services...I think it is not needed for a large city like madurai but It needs more & frequent city bus services & also the night-service city buses for full night.......
.

I took ellis nagar for a example only... I too cried for outer city area people transport facilities... Any how the mega project Rudradev township is near to you... also scope of so many govt projects around avaniapuram... in future Avaniapuram will be a compulsary accessing point....

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR COLLECTOR MR. SS JAWAHAR.....

we salutes you for your sincere effort and hard work....

MADURAI: Expeditious disposal of petitions, coupled with constant monitoring and a positive approach, has won Madurai the top slot in the State with regard to redressal of public petitions referred by the Chief Minister’s cell.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/images/2007080850200101.jpg

The Collector, S.S. Jawahar, received the award for excellence from the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, in Chennai on July 31 for effective disposal of petitions in terms of quality and quantity.

A large number of petitions are received by the CM’s cell at the Secretariat which are forwarded to the respective Collectors for disposal. An online mechanism has been created where details of the action taken and disposal are entered on a regular basis.

Considering various parameters for petition disposal, Madurai was adjudged the best while Vellore and Cuddalore districts took the next two places.

“Sincere efforts are taken when it comes to disposal of petitions. Even if there is the slightest possibility of redressing a petitioner’s grievance, we do it. A majority of the grievances pertains to old age pension, free house site pattas and relief under various welfare schemes. There is positive action in at least 40 per cent of the petitions,” Mr. Jawahar told ‘The Hindu’ here on Tuesday.

A team led by a Special Deputy Collector handles petitions received at the weekly grievance day meeting every Monday. A mass contact programme is also held in one village every month where the Collector and department heads take on the spot action on petitions.

“It is like taking the Collectorate to the village doorstep. There is a time-bound disposal of petitions and every petitioner is informed of the action taken at different stages,” Mr. Jawahar added.

The district administration now plans to establish a video-conferencing system using ‘wi-fi’ technology for online redressal of grievances of villagers in remote areas.


http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080850200100.htm

MADURAI: The State Government has allotted 100 new high speed personal computers to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court as part of total computerisation programme of the judiciary. The new Intel Pentium D processor-based computers will be in addition to the 140 existing Celeron-based computers. The new PCs procured through the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu contain two full processing cores, which help in running multiple applications at ease.


http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080854250600.htm

MADURAI: The State Government has allotted 100 new high speed personal computers to the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court as part of total computerisation programme of the judiciary. The new Intel Pentium D processor-based computers will be in addition to the 140 existing Celeron-based computers. The new PCs procured through the Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu contain two full processing cores, which help in running multiple applications at ease.


http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/08/stories/2007080854250600.htm

But do they have new energetic people to operate it?

With the Govt. employees we have, even a super computer will bite the dust!

MADURAI: For decades , Madurai has played a pivotal role in the retail trading activities of southern Tamil Nadu. It serves as a hub from where agricultural produce and other commodities from the southern hinterland are brought and despatched to various markets.

All these may change in the near future with foreign direct investment and entry of major industrial houses into the retail sector which, at present, remains largely a traditional business performed by families, generation after generation.

Many have expressed apprehension that thousands of small roadside traders and neighbourhood retailers will not be able to withstand the onslaught of big players. With information technology parks coming up in at least three locations in and around the city, the ‘mall culture’ cannot be far behind.

Says A.G. Singaravel, a general merchant on East Masi Street: “The big players first undercut the trade by selling below the market price and getrid of competition. Once they gain monopoly, what they fix is the market price. They also indulge in unfair trade practices.”

Though the entry of big players in the retail market would improve the supply chain through introduction of new technologies, losses outweigh potential gains, says V. Neethi Mohan, vice-president, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Their entry into this “sensitive sector” will terribly affect those at the lowest rung of business, he says, adding that the huge malls should be confined to metros.

“The chamber is opposed to the entry of conglomerates into retail sector as it will lead to loss of employment,” opines Mr. Neethi Mohan.

“Small traders can stand up to these malls by providing better service. The Government should also come out with a strategy to ensure that small players do not suffer,” says P.T. Krishnamoorthy, president, Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association.

Traders in Chennai’s Koyambedu Market have seen their turnover decline between 20 and 50 per cent in the past few months since the entry of a mega mall, according to media reports.

Madurai might not be far behind with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) promising protests. Says N. Nanmaran, MLA, Madurai East: “Lakhs will become jobless. If these malls come to Madurai, our party will join hands with retailers and protest.”

“Anything new catches the eye of the public who will welcome it initially. As far as Madurai is concerned, they will be unsustainable in the long run,” feels Mr. Singaravel.

Will Madurai, a traditional trade centre, succumb to the lure of big players?

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/09/stories/2007080959910300.htm

A report about the changing face of Madurai city,

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/09/101/09_08_2007_101_015.jpg

The report mentions about the improving road, rail and air infrastructure. Airport work expected to finish by October. Four laning work in progress around the city. Doubling is being done on the rail front. International flights are possible after the airport extension work is done. Kingfisher flight to Chennai is still possible, as per this report.

The event is an exclusive Interaction session with Infosys Chief Mentor, by the students of Thiagarajar School of Management. It will be conducted for one hour from 2.00pm to 3.00pm on August 10, 2007. It will be an interactive session, coordinated by Shri. M.R.G. Apparao.

http://www.pagalguy.com/index.php?categoryid=44&p2_articleid=879

Hope he makes some announcement on plans for Madurai.

The inauguration function of the newly converted Broad Gauge section between the pilgrim town of Rameswaram and Manamadurai by UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on August 12 would be held at Madurai instead of Rameswaram in view of anticipated rush of pilgrims on the occasion of 'Adi Amavasai'.


A Southern Railway release quoting Minister of State for Railways R Velu said the day (August 12) being 'Adi Amavasai', thousands of pilgrims would be visiting Rameswaram to take a holy dip in the 'Agni Theertham' in the island.


Hence, considering the convenience and safety of pilgrims and the public who would be attending the railway function, it had been decided to hold it at Madurai Medical College Grounds, Velu said.


With the inauguration of the line, Rameswaram would have direct connectivity from all over the country.


The gauge conversion included converting the existing Metre Guage line on the 6,776 feet 93-year-old bridge, constructed across the Palk Straits, connecting the mainland Mandapam with Rameswaram Island. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B783D058F-15AA-4FF0-8953-EEBF98E68A9B%7D&CATEGORYNAME=CHN

^^ Please dont post such trivial news. Allergan is opening the research centre in Bangalore, and only the clinical trials will be conducted in Madurai.

“Madurai can become part of hi-tech India” (http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/11/stories/2007081155650800.htm)


Efforts to put Madurai on the IT map received further impetus with the Infosys chief mentor, N.R. Narayana Murthy, endorsing the credentials of the city to become a technology centre.

“This city is a combination of historic significance and modern outlook. It became an important centre and can certainly become part of hi-tech India,” Mr. Murthy said here on Friday.

He was here to take part in a function at Thiagarajar School of Management (TSM) where he interacted with students and faculty members.

On IT initiatives undertaken in Madurai, Mr. Murthy said he was aware that the place had vast number of ‘hi-tech’ institutions and many qualified graduates were passing out.

“I find that several candidates from this area are working at the Infosys centres in Chennai, Mysore and Bangalore. When it is such an important centre, it can be a destination,” he said.

Stating that he was visiting the city after several years, the co-founder of Infosys described Madurai as a citadel of Tamil literature that also had a modern outlook. On whether Infosys would consider any projects particularly for Madurai, he refused to comment, saying, “I will not pre-empt what my board members think.”Earlier, he spent more than an hour interacting with students, coordinated by the institution’s director, M.R.G. Apparao.

“Getting a day out of his calendar for Madurai is a proud moment and students are lucky,” Mr. Apparao said.

Among those present at the question-answer session were Manikam Ramaswami, TSM correspondent, and B.T. Bangera, Managing Director, Hi-Tech Arai.

It is really bad that AAI doesn't keep people informed of the various projects being carried out. When it comes to non metro airports the situation is still worse. Why hasn't AAI still released the design of the new terminal building ?. EOI for Architectural Design were received and evaluated way back in Jan 2006. Then there was news in mid 2006 that a design has been approved, and 6 months back tenders were invited for the above project. After all these progress still we dont have the design of the integrated terminal building. :bash:

Incase any of the forumers come across the design, please post it here.

It is really bad that AAI doesn't keep people informed of the various projects being carried out. When it comes to non metro airports the situation is still worse. Why hasn't AAI still released the design of the new terminal building ?. EOI for Architectural Design were received and evaluated way back in Jan 2006. Then there was news in mid 2006 that a design has been approved, and 6 months back tenders were invited for the above project. After all these progress still we dont have the design of the integrated terminal building. :bash:

Incase any of the forumers come across the design, please post it here.

The new Madurai airport terminal is designed by Frederic Schwartz, the same company that has won the bid to design Chennai airport.

^^ Thanx Anniyan, i have mailed the company and hope they would reply me with the design of the new terminal.

deleted

MADURAI: A state-of-the-art monitoring system is to be set up in four major cities of Tamil Nadu, including this temple city, to regulate the ever increasing vehicular traffic.

The system would be implemented within the next few months in the cities of Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai and Coimbatore at a cost of Rs four crore, police said here.

The state government has already given the sanction for the project, under which high resolution monitoring cameras would be installed at important junctions.

Micro-chips would be used to monitor patrol vehicles and satellite global positioning systems would be utilised to control movement of police officials, they said.

The system would have TV monitors linked to cameras. The traffic police would be able to know the situation in various junctions by monitoring the same and also advice the people on the alternative routes in case of traffic jam on a particular road.

Traffic violators could also be monitored using the cameras and notices would be sent to their homes, they said.

It would also help monitor the movement of anti-social elements.

Police would have the fingerprints of the criminals on their computer along with their photographs and if they were spotted by the cameras, they could be rounded up.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Traffic_monitoring_system_for_TN_cities/articleshow/2273439.cms

Pamban bridge set to start a new innings


S. Vijay Kumar and C. Jaishankar


Renovated structure will be dedicated to nation today







witness to history: A view of the Pamban bridge, one of the oldest sea bridges in the world.

MADURAI/RAMANATHAPURAM: Rameswaram will be linked to the rest of the country by the broad gauge railway network on Sunday.

The Pamban Bridge, one of the oldest sea bridges in the world, will start a new innings on its strengthened structure. When it comes to rail connectivity, Rameswaram has a history. Prior to train services, boats were the only mode of transport to link this island with the mainland.

Going by official records, the decision to build a viaduct across Palk Strait and to run a ferry service between Dhanushkodi and Talaimannar (in Sri Lanka) was taken at a meeting at Dhanushkodi on November 25, 1908, which was attended by Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of Madras, Sir Henry McCallum, Governor of Ceylon, and Trevredyn Wynne, President of the Railway Board. On February 24, 1914, the train-cum-ferry service was flagged off, thereby establishing what was known as the ‘Indo-Ceylon connection.’

Built in three years, the 2.06-km Pamban bridge was unique as it could open up and allow vessels to pass through. The movable span was designed by the Scherzer Rolling Lift Bridge Company, Chicago. While passengers were transported from Chennai Egmore to Dhanushkodi in Boat Mail, steamers ferried them from there to Talaimannar.

According to information available at the Madurai Division of the Southern Railway, this link to Sri Lanka was cut off on December 22, 1964, when a cyclone destroyed the railway system beyond Rameswaram. The turbulent sea and high tides also had their impact on the Pamban bridge. On the fateful night, Train No. 653 Pamban-Dhanushkodi passenger left Pamban at 11.55 p.m. with 110 passengers, including a group of school students, on board.

A few metres ahead of Dhanushkodi, the signal failed. With pitch darkness around and no indication of the signal being restored , the driver blew a long whistle and decided to take the risk.

Minutes after the train started rolling along the sea, a huge wave smashed it submerging all the six coaches under deep water. The tragedy that left no survivors came to light only after 48 hours when the railway headquarters issued a bulletin based on the information given by Marine Superintendent, Mandapam.

The renovated Pamban railway bridge and the broad gauge line connecting the island will be dedicated to the nation by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at a function to be held here on Sunday.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/12/stories/2007081259650500.htm

The new Madurai airport terminal is designed by Frederic Schwartz, the same company that has won the bid to design Chennai airport.

^^ Thanx Anniyan, i have mailed the company and hope they would reply me with the design of the new terminal.

Anniyan, are you sure that the design of Frederic Schwartz company has been selected ?. If yes, please provide me the link to that information. Here is the reply i got from the company,

thank you for your email
may I ask where you heard about our selection?
I will ask the authority if we have permission to release a rendering at this time

Hi Madurai Veeran,
From that contents of that reply in your post, it is all but confirmed that it's this company which is doing it as they mentioned that they will ask the authorities if they can provide that info. So, Anniyan's message is pretty much confirmed. However, if the source is known, it might be useful for you to get a response. I am also looking forward to seeing the new model.

Two tier bridge near Simmakal connecting Simmakal Road, Vakil New street, Girder bridge road, Tamil Sangam Road and North Veli Street as part of JNNURM. Picture and related news from Dinamalar.


http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Photographs/2007/08/13/101/13_08_2007_101_002_001.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/13/101/13_08_2007_101_006.jpg

Two tier bridge near Simmakal connecting Simmakal Road, Vakil New street, Girder bridge road, Tamil Sangam Road and North Veli Street as part of JNNURM. Picture and related news from Dinamalar.


http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Photographs/2007/08/13/101/13_08_2007_101_002_001.jpg

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/13/101/13_08_2007_101_006.jpg

I think the bridge would look gigantic with five arms..

^^
Yeah, and also it will be really helpful in reducing the traffic congestion. If the markets in that place are gone in the future, it will be nice to drive on this road.

Madurai district will have these constituencies after reorg.
Melur, Madurai East,Sholavandan, Madurai North, Madurai South, Madurai Central, Madurai West, Tirupparankundram, Tirumangalam and Usilampatti.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/1482007/DIPR%201321%20-%2050%20x%208%20(Page-12).jpg

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

Good to see that the city will have many representations unlike in the past. Apart from Melur and Usilampatti, other constituencies fall within the main city area. Though Tirumangalam is far and covers rural areas, it is the southern end of the city.

Frederic Schwartz Architects have been selected to lead a neighborhood and district planning team for the City of New Orleans and to design affordable, sustainable, quality housing in the historic Lower Ninth Ward.

Frederic Schwartz is currently a finalist in four international competitions -- the Global Green affordable, sustainable housing initiative in New Orleans; a new airport terminal in Madurai, India; the New Silk Road Project in Xi'an, China (with CED alumni and THINK team member William Morrish); and the Paterson New Jersey Master Plan. His winning designs (national competition entries selected unanimously by 9/11 family members) for two memorials are now being realized. The Westchester 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated on September 11th, 2006, and the New Jersey State 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated on September 11th, 2007. As the winner of a New York metro area architect/developer competition, the new 500,000 sf "Kalahari"-- the largest affordable, sustainable, quality housing project in Harlem--is now under construction. After teaching a Fall 2005 design studio "Cities in Crisis: New Orleans" at Harvard Graduate School of Design, he was invited to chair an international conference in Basel, Switzerland, give five lectures in India and at Berkeley and Harvard on post-Katrina and post-9/11 planning initiatives.

This is the link containing confermation about Frederic Schwartz design in madurai.


http://thinknola.com/wiki/Frederic_Schwartz

-deleted-

Frederic Schwartz Architects have been selected to lead a neighborhood and district planning team for the City of New Orleans and to design affordable, sustainable, quality housing in the historic Lower Ninth Ward.

Frederic Schwartz is currently a finalist in four international competitions -- the Global Green affordable, sustainable housing initiative in New Orleans; a new airport terminal in Madurai, India; the New Silk Road Project in Xi'an, China (with CED alumni and THINK team member William Morrish); and the Paterson New Jersey Master Plan. His winning designs (national competition entries selected unanimously by 9/11 family members) for two memorials are now being realized. The Westchester 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated on September 11th, 2006, and the New Jersey State 9/11 Memorial will be dedicated on September 11th, 2007. As the winner of a New York metro area architect/developer competition, the new 500,000 sf "Kalahari"-- the largest affordable, sustainable, quality housing project in Harlem--is now under construction. After teaching a Fall 2005 design studio "Cities in Crisis: New Orleans" at Harvard Graduate School of Design, he was invited to chair an international conference in Basel, Switzerland, give five lectures in India and at Berkeley and Harvard on post-Katrina and post-9/11 planning initiatives.

This is the link containing confermation about Frederic Schwartz design in madurai.


http://thinknola.com/wiki/Frederic_Schwartz

it says finalist in 4 international competitions...

^^
Nice to note that such a high profile company is in the short list of companies vying for Madurai Airport terminal. I hope the terminal comes out to be grand with good elevation and not like a portico of a big house.

Mr.SURESH , of Madurai airport had disclosed the matter today to the media that Our Madurai airport was sanctioned a Rs.88 crore New terminal building which is a one-storey building , constructed in a 17,000+some sq.feet spaces . The terminal building will have 5 Escalators , 3 lifts and 3 Aero-bridges. He also said that it will have all the passenger needs such as a large waiting hall , restaurants , bathrooms & letrienes, bookshops , bakeries , tea-coffee shops, Browsing cyber-cafes etc.Also it will have the capacity to handle 500 passengers into the airport & 500 passengers out of the airport at the simultaneous time. The airport will have the capacity to park 6 flights at a time.

He also confirmed the KINGFISHER AIRLINES introduction to madurai. He said that it's in progress & we soon expect the KINGFISHER AIRLINES operations to madurai ( May be after OCTOBER 2007) .

Also He confirmed that AIR DRAVIDA had sent a proposal to start operations from madurai. It will sure be accepted & we soon expect the 2 new airlines to madurai.

Our old GANESH Theatre near theppakulam was bought by the ADLABS ( Reliance-Ambhani groups ) ....

They are going to build a multiplex there .....Please refer to the last AUGUST 9th or 10th " THE HINDU " Paper....They had posted an advertisement that the MANAGERS , OPERATORS , EDITORS , DISTRIBUTORS, LABOURS etc., having the capacity/experience in handling a multiplex complex theatres can contact them at ganesh theatre.

What about the GV fil-studio city in madurai in the place of old thangam theatre?

Mr.SURESH , of Madurai airport had disclosed the matter today to the media that Our Madurai airport was sanctioned a Rs.88 crore New terminal building which is a one-storey building , constructed in a 17,000+some sq.feet spaces . The terminal building will have 5 Escalators , 3 lifts and 3 Aero-bridges. He also said that it will have all the passenger needs such as a large waiting hall , restaurants , bathrooms & letrienes, bookshops , bakeries , tea-coffee shops, Browsing cyber-cafes etc.Also it will have the capacity to handle 500 passengers into the airport & 500 passengers out of the airport at the simultaneous time. The airport will have the capacity to park 6 flights at a time.

He also confirmed the KINGFISHER AIRLINES introduction to madurai. He said that it's in progress & we soon expect the KINGFISHER AIRLINES operations to madurai ( May be after OCTOBER 2007) .

Also He confirmed that AIR DRAVIDA had sent a proposal to start operations from madurai. It will sure be accepted & we soon expect the 2 new airlines to madurai.

The ANNIYAN - said company to design the madurai new terminal building is 100% true.....But it's not confirmed there ....it is there that it's now competing with others to win the bid....the link is working ....please check it !!

Our old GANESH Theatre near theppakulam was bought by the ADLABS ( Reliance-Ambhani groups ) ....They are going to build a multiplex there.

What about the GV film-studio city in madurai in the place of old thangam theatre?

Where did you get this news from ?. I am not sure wheather there will be enough space to build a multiplex with adequate parking facilities there. The location though would be ideal.

No news yet on the GV Studio City yet.

MADURAI: Overhead electrical lines hanging around Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple here will soon be a thing of the past with the work of taking them below the ground currently in progress. The State Government has evolved a policy of putting in place underground electrical cables in all the six Corporations. Accordingly, the work in Madurai is being taken up first around the temple, given its heritage status.

The Madurai Regional Office of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board has sent a detailed project report, putting the total cost at Rs. 106 crore, to Chennai. Loan would be sought from Power Finance Corporation for this purpose, according to G.V. Ramaswamy, Chief Engineer (Distribution), Madurai Region.

PFC, a financial institution, is dedicated to power sector financing and committed to the integrated development of power and associated sectors.“At present, the Madurai Corporation is laying ducts around the temple. Once completed, we will commence the work of laying cables. The project is progressing in the right direction and as per schedule,” he said.

The Corporation is also laying ducts that could be used by other service providers such as Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. The TNEB will be laying totally 3 km of 11 KW lines around the temple. Once the works around temple is completed, a review would be undertaken, underground. “It is in the agenda of the TNEB to implement underground cables in the entire Madurai Corporation limits at the earliest. It will be done in a phased manner.”

The cost of laying underground cables throughout the Corporation has been tentatively put at Rs. 800 crore. According to R. Sakthivel, Superintending Engineer, Madurai Corporation, work of laying ducts around the temple (four Chithrai Streets) will be completed by December.

Looks like Madurai has taken a lead in implementing the above project.

Mr.SURESH , of Madurai airport had disclosed the matter today to the media that Our Madurai airport was sanctioned a Rs.88 crore New terminal building which is a one-storey building , constructed in a 17,000+some sq.feet spaces . The terminal building will have 5 Escalators , 3 lifts and 3 Aero-bridges. He also said that it will have all the passenger needs such as a large waiting hall , restaurants , bathrooms & letrienes, bookshops , bakeries , tea-coffee shops, Browsing cyber-cafes etc.Also it will have the capacity to handle 500 passengers into the airport & 500 passengers out of the airport at the simultaneous time. The airport will have the capacity to park 6 flights at a time.

He also confirmed the KINGFISHER AIRLINES introduction to madurai. He said that it's in progress & we soon expect the KINGFISHER AIRLINES operations to madurai ( May be after OCTOBER 2007) .

Also He confirmed that AIR DRAVIDA had sent a proposal to start operations from madurai. It will sure be accepted & we soon expect the 2 new airlines to madurai.

The ANNIYAN - said company to design the madurai new terminal building is 100% true.....But it's not confirmed there ....it is there that it's now competing with others to win the bid....the link is working ....please check it !!

Where you present when M.Suresh, Madurai Airport Controller had a briefing with the press ?. No news on the above mentioned once by you have come in todays newspapers. Anyway its good to know that Kingfisher and Air Dravida airlines are interested in operating from Madurai.

Picture showing four laning work near Aviyur.

http://www.dinamalar.com/2007aug15/photos/madurai_top.jpg

Madurai-Tuticorin NH 45B four laning work expected to be complete by 2010.

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

Good to see some news on this project atlast.

Look at the 12th item in this link.

http://www.dinamalar.com/2007aug15/district/madurai.asp

A Multi Color display board is fixed at the Madurai Junction at Rs.30 Lakhs. This will have the information about trains and a similar screen was used during Manamadurai-Rameswaram BG line inauguration.

Look at the 12th item in this link.

http://www.dinamalar.com/2007aug15/district/madurai.asp

A Multi Color display board is fixed at the Madurai Junction at Rs.30 Lakhs. This will have the information about trains and a similar screen was used during Manamadurai-Rameswaram BG line inauguration.

The same link shows, Chennai Mylapore Academy selected Madurai Railway Station to award for good maintenance.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/showxml.aspx?id=165372&code=19604

The Central Market near Meenakshi Amman temple is being moved out in the next 3 months. Since the new market near Mattuthavani could take 3 years to be constructed, the current market is being planned to be shifted to a temporary place of 12 acres near KK Nagar.

-------------------------------------------------------
I hope this gets completed in 3 months.

Mr.SURESH , of Madurai airport had disclosed the matter today to the media that Our Madurai airport was sanctioned a Rs.88 crore New terminal building which is a one-storey building , constructed in a 17,000+some sq.feet spaces . The terminal building will have 5 Escalators , 3 lifts and 3 Aero-bridges. He also said that it will have all the passenger needs such as a large waiting hall , restaurants , bathrooms & letrienes, bookshops , bakeries , tea-coffee shops, Browsing cyber-cafes etc.Also it will have the capacity to handle 500 passengers into the airport & 500 passengers out of the airport at the simultaneous time. The airport will have the capacity to park 6 flights at a time.

He also confirmed the KINGFISHER AIRLINES introduction to madurai. He said that it's in progress & we soon expect the KINGFISHER AIRLINES operations to madurai ( May be after OCTOBER 2007) .

Also He confirmed that AIR DRAVIDA had sent a proposal to start operations from madurai. It will sure be accepted & we soon expect the 2 new airlines to madurai.

The ANNIYAN - said company to design the madurai new terminal building is 100% true.....But it's not confirmed there ....it is there that it's now competing with others to win the bid....the link is working ....please check it !!


Here is the news article in Dinamalar related to this..
You could go to www.dinamalar.com and go to "varthaga seidhigal" to view this. It came on aug 14, 2007 edition..

மதுரை விமான நிலையம் சர்வதேச தரத்திற்கு உயர்த்தப்படுகிறது : ரூ.88 கோடி செலவில் புது டெர்மினல் கட்டிடம்
ஆகஸ்ட் 14,2007,12:07




மதுரை : மதுரை விமான நிலையம் சர்வதேச தரத்திற்கு உயர்த்தப்பட்டு வருகிறது. இதன் ஒரு பகுதியாக ரூ.88 கோடி செலவில் புது டெர்மினல் கட்டப்பட உள்ளதாக மதுரை விமான நிலைய கட்டுப்பாட்டு அதிகாரி சுரேஷ் தெரிவித்தார். மதுரை விமான நிலைய ஓடுதளம் மேம்படுத்தப்பட்டுள்ளது. 6 ஆயிரம் அடி நீள ஓடுதளம் அமைக்கும் பணி முடிவடைந்து விட்டது. தற்போது மேலும் ஆயிரத்து 500 அடி நீள ஓடுதளம் அமைக்கும் பணி நடந்து வருகிறது. இந்த பணி அக்டோபர் மாதத்தில் முடிவடைந்து விடும். அதே போல் ஏர்பஸ் 300 ரக விமானம் மூன்றும், ஏர்பஸ் 320 ரக விமானம் ஒன்றும் ஒரே நேரத்தில் நிறுத்தி வைக்க வசதியாக தளம் அமைக்கப்பட்டு வருகிறது. அந்த தளத்தை பலப்படுத்தும் வேலை நடந்து வருகிறது. அந்த பணி முடிவடைந்ததும் வெளிநாட்டு விமானங்களும் இங்கு வந்து செல்லலாம். அதே போல் ஒருங்கிணைந்த பயணிகள் டெர்மினல் கட்டிடம் கட்டப்பட இருக்கிறது. ஒரு மாடியுடன் கட்டப்படும் இந்த புதிய டெர்மினல் கட்டிடம், 17 ஆயிரம் சதுர மீட்டர் பரப்பளவில் முழுவதும் ஏர் கண்டிசன் செய்யப்பட்டிருக்கும். அதி நவீன ஏழு லிப்டுகளும் 5 நகரும் படிக்கட்டுகளும் அதில் அமைக்கப்பட்டிருக்கும். விமான பயணிகள், லிப்டுகள் மற்றும் நகரும் படிக்கட்டுகள் மூலமாக நேரடியாக விமானத்திற்குள் செல்ல வசதியாக 3 ஏரோ பிரிட்ஜ்கள் அமைக்கப்படும். அதில் ஒரே நேரத்தில் 500 பயணிகள் செல்லவும் 500 பயணிகள் வரவும் வசதி இருக்கும். இது தவிர நவீன எக்ஸ்ரே மற்றும் ஸ்கேனிங் கருவிகள், பாதுகாப்பு அறைகள் அமைக்கப்படும். மேலும் சிற்றுண்டி ஸ்டால், இண்டர்நெட் பிரவுசிங் சென்டர், ஹெல்த் கேர் மையங்கள் அமைக்கப்படுகிறது. ரூ.88 கோடி செலவில் கட்டப்பட இருக்கும் இந்த புதிய டெர்மினல் கட்டிடத்திற்கான அடிக்கல் நாட்டு விழா அக்டோபர் மாதத்தில் நடக்கலாம். கட்டிட வேலைகள் 15 மாதங்களில் முடிக்கப்பட்டு, 2009ல் அது ஒரு நவீன விமான நிலையமாக மாறிவிடும். தற்போது மதுரை விமான நிலையத்திற்கு 10 முறை விமானங்கள் வந்து செல்கின்றன. விரைவில் கிங்ஃபிஷர் நிறுவனம் தனது சேவையை தொடங்க உள்ளது. அதே போல் ஏர்திராவிடா என்ற புதிய விமான நிறுவனமும் மதுரையில் இருந்து விமான சேவையை தொடங்க அனுமதி கேட்டுள்ளது. இவ்வாறு சுரேஷ் தெரிவித்தார்.

One correction is that.. it is going to have 7 lifts and 5 escalators on a 17000 sq.m building..

One more related news to Airport development is the calling out for tender by AAI for ILS and garden..
ILS..
http://www.aai.aero/tenders/ils.doc

Garden..
http://www.aai.aero/tenders/EOI_Garden_for__Web.doc

The garden at front of building is going to be at 1300 sq.m.
on city facing approach road at 2300 sq.m.
and also in residential colony

http://www.dinamalar.com/2007aug14/district/trichy.asp

I believe they are really buoyed by the success in India's second largest bullion Market, in just over one year.. with plans of Kalyan, Khazana jewellers entering the market.. it is really a thriving market.

There is a print n pack 2007 exhibition coming up on august 23..

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/15/007/15_08_2007_007_002.jpg

Now that there are regular exhibitions going on Tamukkam grounds anually(which is invariably busy every month), It is high time that someone came up with a good convention center...

to name a few big regularites.:
Trade fair by TNCCI
Ideal Home exhibition by Maditssia
Chithirai Exhibition by Govt
Hindu Metroplus lifestyle show
print n pack
Madurai book festival
new entrant this year is dinamalar smart shoppe (it would be an annual event)..

There are occasional exhibitions too..

^^ You are right, Madurai badly needs a convention center. What happened to ETL Infrastructures plan for a Convention center cum Mall at a cost of 100 crore Rs ?.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today sought the support from all sections of people for the successful implementation of schemes formulated by his government.

Hoisting the tri-colour at the historic St George Fort to celebrate the 61st Independence Day, he said the schemes were being implemented right from the day he took charge as Chief Minister, 'so that the fruits of freedom are enjoyed by all."

He said the DMK government had paved the way for the setting up 11 new factories at a cost of Rs 11,083 crore, which would provide employment to 1,25,000 youths. steps were being taken to develop IT industries in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tiruchi and Salem since the sector provides large-scale employment, he said.

The Sethu Samudra Canal Scheme at a cost of Rs 2427 crore, declaration of Tamil as classical language, setting up of a National Vehicle Research Centre at Orgadam near Chennai at an investment of Rs 500 crore, upgrading of Salem iron factory at an investment of Rs 1,553 were all good signs of Centre-State relationship, he said.

He said 1,01,623 acres of land had been given to 91,576 landless agricultural labourers. The government was continuing the free gas connection and free colour TV schemes, besides providing rice at Rs two per kg in PDS shops. "The government schemes are aimed at providing infrastructure for villages which are the backbone of the country," he added.

He also presented awards for the best social activists and social organisations working for the welfare of the disabled and women.

A Coimbatore report said that District Collector Neeraj Mittal unfurled the tricolour at a function at the VOC grounds to mark the Independence day celebrations in the district.

After receiving the salute at the police parade, he distributed welfare measures worth about rs 22 lakh from various departments to 143 beneficiaries.

A few freedom fighters were honoured during the occasion by adorning them with shawls.

Security was tight in and around the city, particulary at VOC Park Grounds. Vehicle checks were intenfisied at the district borders.

The Mayor R Venkatachalam hoisted the National Flag at the City Corporation premises.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200708151221.htm

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today sought the support from all sections of people for the successful implementation of schemes formulated by his government.

Hoisting the tri-colour at the historic St George Fort to celebrate the 61st Independence Day, he said the schemes were being implemented right from the day he took charge as Chief Minister, 'so that the fruits of freedom are enjoyed by all."

He said the DMK government had paved the way for the setting up 11 new factories at a cost of Rs 11,083 crore, which would provide employment to 1,25,000 youths. steps were being taken to develop IT industries in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Tiruchi and Salem since the sector provides large-scale employment, he said.

The Sethu Samudra Canal Scheme at a cost of Rs 2427 crore, declaration of Tamil as classical language, setting up of a National Vehicle Research Centre at Orgadam near Chennai at an investment of Rs 500 crore, upgrading of Salem iron factory at an investment of Rs 1,553 were all good signs of Centre-State relationship, he said.

He said 1,01,623 acres of land had been given to 91,576 landless agricultural labourers. The government was continuing the free gas connection and free colour TV schemes, besides providing rice at Rs two per kg in PDS shops. "The government schemes are aimed at providing infrastructure for villages which are the backbone of the country," he added.

He also presented awards for the best social activists and social organisations working for the welfare of the disabled and women.

A Coimbatore report said that District Collector Neeraj Mittal unfurled the tricolour at a function at the VOC grounds to mark the Independence day celebrations in the district.

After receiving the salute at the police parade, he distributed welfare measures worth about rs 22 lakh from various departments to 143 beneficiaries.

A few freedom fighters were honoured during the occasion by adorning them with shawls.

Security was tight in and around the city, particulary at VOC Park Grounds. Vehicle checks were intenfisied at the district borders.

The Mayor R Venkatachalam hoisted the National Flag at the City Corporation premises.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/401200708151221.htm

In this case, the words speak far far more than the action.
in case of chennai.. it is the other way around..
yet, atleast this govt. is taking some initiatives.

The government will set up 6,000 new quality schools, eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), seven Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), five Indian Institutes of Science, Education and Research and 20 Indian Institutes of Information Technology across the country.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Govt_to_open_1600_new_ITIs_8_IITs_and_7_IIMs/articleshow/2282716.cms

There is greater chance for TN to get an IIM, IIIT and IISER since at present we dont have any of them. The question is will TN government come forward to propose Madurai as the location for atleast one of the above. Madurai has simply been avoided by both central and state government on the educational front. I hope the elected representatives from the south raise their voice to get on of these projects.

One correction is that.. it is going to have 7 lifts and 5 escalators on a 17000 sq.m building..


17,000 sq m makes sense and with those lifts, escalators and aero bridges it should be really wonderful. I hope as per the report we have the foundation laying ceremony in October, so that we can realise the dream of Internation airport by March 2009.

Any news on when Air Dravida is planning to enter the aviation sector ?. When they commense its highly likely that Madurai would be linked to Chennai. I read a news that Kingfisher and Air Deccan will together restructure their flight schedules during the winter season. So we can very well see, Kingfisher flight out of Madurai this winter.

^^

Good to see more news on the Airport terminal project. Also, nice to hear that Kingfisher's plan is still alive. But, if Kingfisher and Air Deccan goes in for a consolidation, they may not go for a newer flight.
I feel that Madurai needs connectivity to Mumbai and Bangalore badly, compared to Chennai. Madurai-Chennai needs upgradation of flights from ATRs to Boeing 737s or Airbus 320s.

Alukkas Jewellery has set a turnover target of Rs 650 crore for the current fiscal and planned to open more retail outlets in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the next two months.

Stating this, Managing Director of Alukkas Jewellery John Alukka told reporters here that the turnover of the group in 2006-07 was Rs 450 crore and in the previous year Rs 200 crore.

He said the firm would open showrooms in Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Mysore.

Besides, outlets would be set up in Mangalore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai in 2008-09, Alukka here on Sunday said. He said the group was also expanding its capacity at the production centres in Thrissur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Fashion__CosmeticsJewellery/Alukkas_eyes_Rs_650_cr_turnover_in_2007-08/articleshow/2288680.cms

Alukkas Jewellery has set a turnover target of Rs 650 crore for the current fiscal and planned to open more retail outlets in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the next two months.

Stating this, Managing Director of Alukkas Jewellery John Alukka told reporters here that the turnover of the group in 2006-07 was Rs 450 crore and in the previous year Rs 200 crore.

He said the firm would open showrooms in Tirunelveli, Coimbatore and Mysore.

Besides, outlets would be set up in Mangalore, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram and Madurai in 2008-09, Alukka here on Sunday said. He said the group was also expanding its capacity at the production centres in Thrissur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Fashion__CosmeticsJewellery/Alukkas_eyes_Rs_650_cr_turnover_in_2007-08/articleshow/2288680.cms

^^ It is just over one year now, after they opened the showroom in madurai.. now they are planning for second in less than 3 years... they should be really doing a bustling business...

^^
Yes, their business seems to have picked up really great. I could see it during my visits also. It's no surprise to me that they are going for another one there.

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/1882007/1808siva10-clr.jpg

Picture, courtesy Dinakaran.

Though this report doesn't give a good impression about the progress of the bridge. Atleast, we have an idea of how the bridge would look like. It seems to be having an arch type similar to the Andalpuram ROB.

^^ It is just over one year now, after they opened the showroom in madurai.. now they are planning for second in less than 3 years... they should be really doing a bustling business...

I guess the one opened few years back was JoyAlukkas, and this one is from Jos Alukkas Group. Please clarify.

^^

Even I too had that doubt whether its Joy or Jos. But, Madurai has both already. Whichever comes will be the second one of their own.

Any news regarding IT sector in Madurai? Anyone pls tell me. No updation of developmental activities in Madurai for the past 2 weeks. why?

I guess the one opened few years back was JoyAlukkas, and this one is from Jos Alukkas Group. Please clarify.

Jos alukkas was started on March 2006.. They had an elaborate function to celebrate the first year... Joy alukkas was started on December 2006...
What i wanted to convey was, by 2009, the existing jos alukkas showroom would be 3 yrs old by then and they would have already started a 2nd showroom by then.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Govt_to_open_1600_new_ITIs_8_IITs_and_7_IIMs/articleshow/2282716.cms

There is greater chance for TN to get an IIM, IIIT and IISER since at present we dont have any of them. The question is will TN government come forward to propose Madurai as the location for atleast one of the above. Madurai has simply been avoided by both central and state government on the educational front. I hope the elected representatives from the south raise their voice to get on of these projects.

Karunanidhi requests PM to open IIT at Madurai

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today requested Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh to open an IIT at Madurai, Indian Institute of Science at Tiruchirapalli and an Indian Institute of Management at Coimbatore.

Karunanidhi shot off a letter to the Prime Minister in this regard today.

Congratulating the Prime Minister for his annoucement in the independence day address to the nation that Rs 25,000 crore would be invested in agriculture sector, Karunanidhi said the Science and Technology had emerged as major determinants of wealth and power of a nation.

'The need of the hour is to produce a large number of competent engineers, scientists and managers of international quality, who will take the nation ahead on the economic front. In this background, your announcement to establish new Indian institutes of Techonology, Indian institutes of Management, Indian institutes of Information techonology and Indian institutes of science, education and research is timely', he said in the letter.

Tamil Nadu had always given great emphasis to education, particularly to technical and professional education. The State had made consistent efforts to make colleges and polytechnics accessible and affordable to all, he said adding that availability of such skilled man power had enabled the state to attract huge investments in industry and business.

To sustain and give further fillip to these efforts, he requested the Prime Minister to open new institutions in Tamil Nadu.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200708181823.htm

We already have an IIT in TN and its highly unlikely that we would get another one. CM should have requested for an IIM or IIIT or IISER at Madurai. Its definitely a good step and hope we get atleast any one of the central government sponsored institutes.

Karunanidhi requests PM to open IIT at Madurai



http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200708181823.htm

We already have an IIT in TN and its highly unlikely that we would get another one. CM should have requested for an IIM or IIIT or IISER at Madurai. Its definitely a good step and hope we get atleast any one of the central government sponsored institutes.

Well Andra and Kerala are competing to get two IITs each, so its not unlikely.

Central govt will not give second IIT or IIM to any state.

So Mostly TN will get IIM only

Central govt will not give second IIT or IIM to any state.

So Mostly TN will get IIM only

IIM is already in TN's kitty. Last time when Arjun visited TN, it was discussed. However getting IIT is also very likely because of the new policies - to have more than 25 IIT's. Criteria is State should be a front line economically and socially. The chances of scoring a hattrick (havinh all 3 - IIT,IIM & IISc) is very high, if MK makes the right moves at Delhi.

Good to see such demands from TN CM to the PM. Hopefully all should get approved. An IIT at Madurai will be awesome.

IIM is already in TN's kitty. Last time when Arjun visited TN, it was discussed. However getting IIT is also very likely because of the new policies - to have more than 25 IIT's. Criteria is State should be a front line economically and socially. The chances of scoring a hattrick (havinh all 3 - IIT,IIM & IISc) is very high, if MK makes the right moves at Delhi.

Criteria you mentioned is not right.

IIT at Gauhathi and the proposed IIM at Shillong do not belong to the states of front line states economically and socially.

TN will not get second IIT as no state has got two IITs or two IIMs so far. Infact the only state which has both IIT and IIM at present is west bengal

Karnataka has IISC and IIM at Bangalore itself. I hope the TN CM succeeds in getting these three.

TN already has one IIT, and hence another IIT is most unlikely.
Trichy already has a central government institute in the form of NIT. So, I strongly object the move of bringing another central government technical institute in Trichy.

When another IIT in TN looks unlikely, the state government should have asked for the IISER or IIM at Madurai.

I feel IIM at CBE is more apt as CBE has lot of industries connections and entrprenaures.

IISER at Madurai would be better as Madurai does not have any cenral govt institution so far.

Even the recent new Anna university will have it at Tirunelveli

........... .................

IISER at Madurai would be better as Madurai does not have any cenral govt institution so far.

School of Biotechnology, Center for Bioinformatics and many other centres in SBT at MKU are central govt. institutions directly under DBT, India.
http://www.mkuniversity.org/biotech_school.htm

But having IIT or IIM will be great. Why dont they first give the Aviation univ. as suggested earlier!

School of Biotechnology, Center for Bioinformatics and many other centres in SBT at MKU are central govt. institutions directly under DBT, India.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology at Thiruvananthapuram has virtually lost the 100 crore central government funding to make it a centre of excellence. Will one of the two premier bio-tech institutes namely School of Biotechnology of the Madurai Kamaraj University or the department of plant molecular biology of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University get the funding this time?.

Biotechnology proves to be the next upcoming field next only to IT field. Will TN use this opportunity to lobby for this 1 BN Rs. project. Will the TN government act early this time unlike loosing the early days of IT boom to Karnataka?

The controversy surrounding the RGCB can be found at the following link

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=130441&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology at Thiruvananthapuram has virtually lost the 100 crore central government funding to make it a centre of excellence. Will one of the two premier bio-tech institutes namely School of Biotechnology of the Madurai Kamaraj University or the department of plant molecular biology of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University get the funding this time?.
Biotechnology proves to be the next upcoming field next only to IT field. Will TN use this opportunity to lobby for this 1 BN Rs. project. Will the TN government act early this time unlike loosing the early days of IT boom to Karnataka?
The controversy surrounding the RGCB can be found at the following link
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=130441&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22
If the project is given according the merit record, MKU will get it. The politics will have a big role in this decision i guess. But Kerala will not be a competitor as far as the academic infrastructure is concerned, may be Bangalore might. MKU ranks no.2 in India next to JNU in Biotech, so MKU might get it easier if the politician stay away.
But an important thing about Biotech, unlike IT, is that it gives fruit in a while. The time factor is hard for Indian condition ex. recently biofuel project funding in US got 100 billion dollars, from Energy dept. and British petroleum, for 20 years and the outcome will be in only after 20 to 30 yrs.

I feel that IIM can be built at Madurai too. If lack of industries is a reason, it will go back to the same old cycle like what we had seen in the Rail and Air infrastructure in this city. Due to the lack of infrastructure, industries didn't come up. Due to lack of industries, upgradation of infrastructure took a beating. So, let that not be a reason for shooting down IIM at Madurai. But, I will be happy if any of the three institutes come up at Madurai. Infact, Madurai should get the first priority as it got neglected in getting the Anna University also.

Yet another picture on the construction of Ellis Nagar ROB, this time from The Hindu.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/21/images/2007082159880303.jpg

Related news and also about the need for better Overbridges at Madurai under JNNURM.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/21/stories/2007082159880300.htm

MADURAI: Now that the dust has settled on the certainty of materialisation of the eternally progressing Ellis Nagar railway overbridge project, the buzz is now on flyovers and subways planned all over the place to rid the city of traffic snarls.

It is quite a relief to hear these plans, all thanks to Madurai coming under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission’s scheme of things. But it is pertinent to know whether the finished products will match the crores-guzzling grandiose plans (15 flyovers and 14 subways).

Narrow roads

Because, bearing in mind the narrow roads in this old city, we should not be saddled with the likes of narrower bridges near Madura Coats and Villapuram, residents feel.

The automobile boom-fuelled ‘bridge culture’ has alienated pedestrians and cyclists, the mainstay of this largely blue collar-worker city, IT-boom or not.

And about the proposed flyovers, will they be built for the long run? On the lines of the ones we find at three-road intersections in the metros, where vehicles from one direction take the elevated part while those going on the opposite direction go on the ground level, to optimise cost and available road space? Or, still grander, grade separators like the ones coming up at Kathipara Junction and Padi in Chennai.

The four-road intersections at Goripalayam, Kalavasal, Palanganatham and near Fatima College would need just that some years hence, and have the space and scope too.

The authorities must see to that the new facilities do not end up the way of the never-used and stinking foot overbridge near Periyar bus stand and rarely patronised and sickening subway opposite the Government Rajaji Hospital, they point out.

For this, informed locals’ view must be elicited for all these projects before the first brick is laid.

Aesthetics

And they can also do well to ensure that aesthetics is not given the go-by in the overall design of these structures. Some of the flyovers in Chennai, even while easing traffic snarls to a great extent, are pleasing to the smarting eyes as well.

The otherwise concrete monsters are presentable thanks to the soothing green shades of the modernistic pillars with real greenery thrown in for good measure, giving no space for poster-boys to mar the beauty.

Here, the scene is different. This city is ‘politically vibrant’ all the time and home to fanatic fans of film stars. Besides, there are people who publicly celebrate and grieve through posters.

Hence, the proposed bridges /subways must be built in such a way to thwart the sinister designs of these people.

Railings

According to R. Ramamurthy, an engineering consultant, the proposed bridges must have railings so that posters cannot be pasted, and importantly expansion joints should be made properly for a jolt-free ride.

And there should be slip lanes on T-junctions near the bridges (unlike the one west of Madura Coats bridge) to make the turning smoother.

First make the approach roads wider before building the bridges; otherwise, the very purpose of easing traffic congestion will be defeated, says T.V. Swaminathan, Chief Commercial Clerk, Southern Railway. It is time we stopped making do with whatever ill-conceived public utilities thrown at us, with warts and all. And demand and get functional and aesthetic infrastructure, so that the city could attract information technology majors and multi-national companies on its own right without any State support.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/21/stories/2007082159880300.htm

Criteria you mentioned is not right.

IIT at Gauhathi and the proposed IIM at Shillong do not belong to the states of front line states economically and socially.

TN will not get second IIT as no state has got two IITs or two IIMs so far. Infact the only state which has both IIT and IIM at present is west bengal

Check out Business Standard article. There are no hard rules. Persons with political clout in Delhi can get whatever they want. Look at AP. Every month a new central institute is being opened. Yesterday news BARC at Vizag(2000 crore project). Today petroleum insitute at some othe place opened by Kapi Sibal.


So Hopefully....Madurai may get it, If MK has his way.

TN already has one IIT, and hence another IIT is most unlikely.
Trichy already has a central government institute in the form of NIT. So, I strongly object the move of bringing another central government technical institute in Trichy.

When another IIT in TN looks unlikely, the state government should have asked for the IISER or IIM at Madurai.



Hope you are not a member of PMK.:)

Check out Business Standard article. There are no hard rules. Persons with political clout in Delhi can get whatever they want. Look at AP. Every month a new central institute is being opened. Yesterday news BARC at Vizag(2000 crore project). Today petroleum insitute at some othe place opened by Kapi Sibal.


So Hopefully....Madurai may get it, If MK has his way.

I am talking of two IITs or two IIMs at any one state.

Not talking about no. of different types of central institutes under different ministries in any one state.

Central Rice research institute and NIT may be in one state but never it is going to be 2 IITs or 2 IIMs in one state when many states do not have even one

It is an old story now, recently Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Bio Technology was handed over to the Central Government.

Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology at Thiruvananthapuram has virtually lost the 100 crore central government funding to make it a centre of excellence. Will one of the two premier bio-tech institutes namely School of Biotechnology of the Madurai Kamaraj University or the department of plant molecular biology of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University get the funding this time?.

Biotechnology proves to be the next upcoming field next only to IT field. Will TN use this opportunity to lobby for this 1 BN Rs. project. Will the TN government act early this time unlike loosing the early days of IT boom to Karnataka?

The controversy surrounding the RGCB can be found at the following link

http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=130441&version=1&template_id=40&parent_id=22

:banana: HP Invent , famous for the PRINTERS & Computer accessories , is going to open commercial trade center & retail outlet in madurai.

:ohno: I am also a native of madurai but I doubt whether madurai need the METRO position in future !

Yes ! Still now MADURAI is the land of poors , best for its RETAIL market , Low cost of living , good hospitality , cultural heritage etc.,

With more than 25,000 crores INVESTMENT , attracted by Madurai & a Royal IT Townships & bungalows coming ahead - change in the culture like a MEGA SHOPPING MALL , MULTIPLEX will occur !

Can the MADURAI poor people compete with the GAINTS , entering in the retail sales like RELIANCE FRESH , RELIANCE MART , VAAL MART , ETL SHOPPING MALL etc.,

Really they will wash away the millions of retail poor sellers from the market & enjoy the million people's PROFIT in one hand !! Thinking it deeply , MADURAI will lost all its cultural fames , & names such as " LAND OF BLUE-COLLARED WORKING CLASSES " , CITY with Low cost-of-living etc.,

WE NEED THE BEAUTIFICATION IN THE CITY , NEATNESS IN THE CITY But not without the poors & by not demolishing the HUTS of poor !!

No need LIBERALISATION
No need PRIVATISATION
No need GLOBALISATION
We need all from Indian Government - Government is for the people , by the people & to the people.

Trichy already has a central government institute in the form of NIT. So, I strongly object the move of bringing another central government technical institute in Trichy.

When another IIT in TN looks unlikely, the state government should have asked for the IISER or IIM at Madurai.



NIT is in the process of upgradation process in to IIT..

Just refer the linked article...

PROF. M. S. ANANTH, DIRECTOR, IIT-MADRAS -Interview published ealier than PM declaration in Independance day speech

"I pointed this out a long time ago and the Minister (HRD) also caught up with it. That’s why the NITs (National Institute of Technology) were created; the idea was to convert NITs into IITs. But you can’t do it overnight and the Minister also realised that.

We suggested that you fund these NITs well and when they reach a level of performance, that is about one-third of an existing IIT, boost them a little more by injecting funds and try and make them into IIT. But they have to get to that minimal level before they can be converted."

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/15/stories/2007081550770900.htm

Also Trichy has recognized B-School...
Bharathidasan Institute of Managemet (BIM)- Ranked best in Tamil nadu & one of the top 20 B-Schools in India

http://www.bim.edu
http://www.bim.edu/rated_top.html
http://top-b-schools.4gmat.com/india.shtml

Since central part is having NIT(In future may upgrade in to IIT..take 5 years or even 10 Years or more...) & B-School (BIM), pointless to ask for IIT or IIM for Trichy. So,Trichy is deserve to get IISER to serve majority of Tamilian(N-E-W-S)....

CM will get IIT for Madurai..Hopefully, he will not make any regional politics like others have done earlier in railway projects & health care....to reduce the importance of the central & south region...Cheers....

TVS Tyres embarks upon expansion plan of Rs 35 crore

TVS Tyres, the Madurai-based tyre manufacturer for two and three-wheelers would soon be undertaking expansion of its manufacturing plant in Madurai by investing close to Rs 35 crore to increase the production capacity of tyres and tubes by around 12 per cent.

The expansion is expected to supplement the company’s focus on South East Asia for exports of tyres and tubes for the present financial year. The company presently has the capacity to manufacture 11 million tyres a year and a similar amount of tubes per year. It sources most of its materials from Kerala and with the rubber prices showing stability, the company is confident of touching a turnover of Rs 1,000 crore from the present Rs 468 crore by 2009-10.

TVS tyres is targeting exports to the Europe, West Asia and South East Asian nations like Singapore and Jakarta for the fiscal 2007-08. For two-wheelers, it is looking at Western African nations like Rwanda and Congo.

It is expecting to see the export of tyres and tubes to go up from Rs 75 crore in 2006-2007 to Rs 100 crore in 2007-08. About 16 per cent of the company’s revenues come from exports to over 60 countries including the US, the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Hungary, Turkey, Morocco among others.

For more : http://www.business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu1&subLeft=1&autono=295348&tab=r

As per the Dinamalar report,

Work is expected to be over by March 2008. It is planned to do it in 2 phases. First phase will be between Dindigul and Kodai Road. The second phase will be between Kodai Road and Madurai. The Vaigai bridge work in Madurai is going on in full swing.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/22/014/22_08_2007_014_004.jpg

As per the picture and news in this Dinamalar report, this new GRH extension building is going to be of G+3 floors.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/22/101/22_08_2007_101_009.jpg

As per the picture and news in this Dinamalar report, this new GRH extension building is going to be of G+3 floors.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/22/101/22_08_2007_101_009.jpg

I am really disappointed on this.. they first said it to be a G + 6 building.. then the earlier rendering showed it to be a G+ 5 building (though the corresponding article said it to be a G + 4 building..).. Now it is only a G + 3 building..
I hope they dont reduce the no. of beds and facilities...

Me too Madhan. I am also not worried about the floors. But, going by the reduction of the floors in every subsequent report, it looks like the facilities would have gone down too. Instead of utilizing the prime land to build a sophisticated hospital with more beds and facilities, they are going to do a name sake extension I guess.

Ellis Nagar ROB work in good progress, as per Dinakaran daily.

Here is a picture,

http://www.dinakaran.co.in/epaperdinakaran/2282007/2208uma05%20-%20clr.jpg

Baesd on th BS article the chances of getting another IIT is very slim...but with the political clout it is still possible.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?autono=295327&leftnm=6&subLeft=0&chkFlg=

Govt shortlists states to set up IITs, IIMs

Kalpana Pathak / Mumbai August 22, 2007



Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan and Mizoram top Centre's list for establishing centres of excellence.

The eight new Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and seven new Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs), which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has announced, are likely to come up in the states of Orissa, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland.

Today evening magazine maalaimalar published that the government hospital is to be a G+6 floor building please verify this site

www.maalaimalar.com/asp/news/dis_news_article.asp?artid=220331

Staff Reporter

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

To come up on an outlay of Rs.130 crore: Minister

On the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences


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


MADURAI: A healthcare institution on the lines of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has been planned for Madurai on an outlay of Rs.130 crore.

“The Chief Minister is making efforts to get Centre’s concurrence for the benefit of providing good medical care in various specialities to the people of southern districts,” the Health Minister, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, said here on Wednesday.

He was speaking at a function to lay the foundation stone for the Rs.22-crore extension building of the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) coming up at the Anna Bus Stand. The Local Administration Minister, M. K. Stalin, laid the foundation stone and launched other projects, besides distributing welfare assistance to women.

Mr. Ramachandran said that the State Government was planning to allocate Rs.30 crore for the proposed AIIMS in Madurai and get the remaining Rs.100 crore from the Centre.

Earlier, P. Mohan, Madurai MP, said that the AIIMS was a long-pending proposal for Madurai city and hoped that it would take shape soon. Mr. Mohan said that getting land for the medical institution should not be difficult and the authorities could even consider the 350-acre vacant land available at Austinpatti near here.

The GRH extension wing, construction of which will be completed in one-and-a-half years, will have trauma care, orthopaedic, neuro and head injury ward facilities.

Mr. Stalin distributed welfare assistance to beneficiaries, inaugurated the Koodal Nagar overbridge and a synthetic athletic track, all constructed on a total outlay of Rs.42.75 crore.

The Health Secretary, V. K. Subburaj, and the GRH Dean in-charge, S.M. Sivakumar, were among those who spoke.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082358730600.htm

....
Apart from Chennai and Coimbatore, the company would enter the real estate markets in Bangalore and Madurai this year. He expected the turnover of the group to be around Rs 450 crore during the current fiscal, up from Rs 100 crore turnover during last year.
.....

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082350872100.htm


good to see many real estate players eyeing on madurai

Staff Reporter

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

To come up on an outlay of Rs.130 crore: Minister

On the lines of All India Institute of Medical Sciences


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


MADURAI: A healthcare institution on the lines of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, has been planned for Madurai on an outlay of Rs.130 crore.

“The Chief Minister is making efforts to get Centre’s concurrence for the benefit of providing good medical care in various specialities to the people of southern districts,” the Health Minister, K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, said here on Wednesday.

He was speaking at a function to lay the foundation stone for the Rs.22-crore extension building of the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) coming up at the Anna Bus Stand. The Local Administration Minister, M. K. Stalin, laid the foundation stone and launched other projects, besides distributing welfare assistance to women.

Mr. Ramachandran said that the State Government was planning to allocate Rs.30 crore for the proposed AIIMS in Madurai and get the remaining Rs.100 crore from the Centre.

Earlier, P. Mohan, Madurai MP, said that the AIIMS was a long-pending proposal for Madurai city and hoped that it would take shape soon. Mr. Mohan said that getting land for the medical institution should not be difficult and the authorities could even consider the 350-acre vacant land available at Austinpatti near here.

The GRH extension wing, construction of which will be completed in one-and-a-half years, will have trauma care, orthopaedic, neuro and head injury ward facilities.

Mr. Stalin distributed welfare assistance to beneficiaries, inaugurated the Koodal Nagar overbridge and a synthetic athletic track, all constructed on a total outlay of Rs.42.75 crore.

The Health Secretary, V. K. Subburaj, and the GRH Dean in-charge, S.M. Sivakumar, were among those who spoke.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/23/stories/2007082358730600.htm

Rs. 30 Crore Cancer Treatment Center in Madurai..
A Dental College is also in the offing..

http://www.dinamalar.com/2007aug23/district/madurai.asp

----

Where is going to setup a TEXTILE Park in Madurai. If anyone knows, convey the views.

MADURAI: With the active implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Madurai city will become another Singapore in three years, claimed Minister for Local Administration M K Stalin here on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 22 crore extension wing of the Government Rajaji Hospital, Stalin said that the Central Government had approved Rs 2,361 crore for implementing the JNNURM in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore Corporations in the first phase.

He had requested Central Government to extend the Mission to Tiruchy, Tirunelveli and Salem corporations.

‘‘I personally met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister P Chidambaram while I was in New Delhi attending the panchayat development conference recently and requested them to extend the JNNURM to the other three major corporations,” he said.


http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20070823015619&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0

Research activities are going on at the Madurai Kamaraj University on biodiesel production and application.

http://www.hindu.com/seta/2007/08/23/stories/2007082350121600.htm

Chennai, Aug 23: The Tamil Nadu government is taking special efforts to strengthen the infrastructure in tier-II cities like Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Trichy and Tirunelveli to attract more IT investments, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said today.

Addressing the first meeting of the Information Technology Task Force here, Mr Karunanidhi said Tamil Nadu was the first state in India to bring out a comprehensive IT policy under the DMK rule in 1997.

He said software exports from the state had crossed Rs 20,000 crore in the financial year 2006-07.

Stating that Tamil Nadu had emerged as a front runner in both hardware manufacturing as well as software exports, he said a number of major electronic hardware manufacturers had evinced interest in setting up plants in the state.

http://www.newkerala.com/july.php?action=fullnews&id=55586

He said the government would invite valuable suggestions from the industry doyens while formulating policies for the development of the Information Communication Tecnology (ICT) sector.

MADURAI: With the active implementation of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), Madurai city will become another Singapore in three years, claimed Minister for Local Administration M K Stalin here on Wednesday.

Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone for the Rs 22 crore extension wing of the Government Rajaji Hospital, Stalin said that the Central Government had approved Rs 2,361 crore for implementing the JNNURM in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore Corporations in the first phase.

He had requested Central Government to extend the Mission to Tiruchy, Tirunelveli and Salem corporations.

‘‘I personally met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Finance Minister P Chidambaram while I was in New Delhi attending the panchayat development conference recently and requested them to extend the JNNURM to the other three major corporations,” he said.


http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IET20070823015619&Page=T&Title=Southern+News+-+Tamil+Nadu&Topic=0


He is full of BS... On what basis he makes these comments. No Plans, No vision ..just making statements...piece of shit. :)

The Railway Board has fixed March 31, 2009, as the target for completing the electrification of Villupuram–Tiruchi broad gauge line.

The project was scheduled to be completed by the current financial year end. An official of the Centre for Railway Electrification (CORE), which is executing the project, told The Hindu that the work, which was started in Ma y this year, was scheduled to be completed in one year and become operational from April 1 next year. But the Board had fixed March 31, 2009, as the target date. The official said though the target date had been fixed, CORE was confident of completing the project well ahead of the schedule. Wiring for 55 km from Villupuram to Vriddhachalam had been completed. Another 130 km was to be wired. As part of the project, three sub-stations would be constructed one each at Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur and Tiruchi.

There was no need for a separate electric locomotive shed at Tiruchi as Chennai shed would cater for the need.

So far Rs. 10 crore had been allotted for the project, including Rs. 5 crore in the current year’s budget, as against the total cost of Rs. 96 crore.

Meanwhile, preliminary works for electrification of Tiruchi to Madurai have begun and tenders are floated for the project. The Board has fixed March 2010 as the target date for completing the project. Southern Railway had already sent proposals for doubling and electrification of the Chennai–Villupuram –Tiruchi–Madurai–Tuticorin broad gauge section.



http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/24/stories/2007082460400800.htm

Honeywell to execute its “critical projects” from Madurai centre


Shastry V Mallady


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

It plans further expansion

Looking for another location for its operation


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MADURAI: Global technology supplier, Honeywell, will execute some of its “critical projects” from its Madurai centre.

It is also contemplating further expansion of its operations here both in terms of infrastructure and projects.

The multinational, through its Madurai unit, will carry out fresh research and product development activities in the fields of aerospace/ automation and control, Krishna Mikkilineni, Vice-President and Managing Director of Honeywell Technology Solutions Lab, Bangalore, told The Hindu here on Friday.

He also indicated that Honeywell would have to scout for an additional location in the city for its operations since the existing campus was fully occupied.

The head of Honeywell’s Madurai unit, V. Raghuram Reddy, said that the present headcount of employees stood at 340.

Earlier, talking to reporters at the Honeywell Lab about the company’s association with Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE), Mr. Krishna said that the collaboration with the college was very successful and unique.

“Our relationship with the TCE is not just for recruitment and hiring of the best students. It has led to research in key areas like wireless technologies,” he said. The college would now focus on creating technology products in the area of indoor wireless.

The vice-chairman and correspondent of TCE, Karumuttu T. Kannan, said that the collaboration was a true example of sustainable and win-win association that helped in innovation.

“Honeywell is the first multi-national company to come to Madurai. Our association is for the past five years,” Mr. Kannan said.

According to V. Abhaikumar, Principal, the collaboration helped in research, faculty training and offering customised courses.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/25/stories/2007082559210100.htm

Fenner plans major expansion


Adopts a three-pronged approach

MADURAI: Fenner India, part of the JK Group and a maker of v-belts, oil seals and power transmission products for industrial and automotive sectors, has earmarked about Rs. 100 crore for some major initiatives to triple its turnover in three years.

“The company is adopting a three-pronged approach of bringing in cutting edge technology for new plants, upgrading existing plants and diversifying into new products for which acquisitions, both domestic and global, are being looked into,” L. Ramkumar, President and Director, Fenner India, told a press conference here recently.

Research and development would be the key for the company’s future plans, V. Abraham, senior vice-president (technology and development), said. R&D centres would be established in Chennai and Madurai.

The company’s turnover as of March 2007 was Rs. 340 crore and hoped to touch Rs. 1,000 crore in three years, he added.


http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/25/stories/2007082555821800.htm

The Railway Board has fixed March 31, 2009, as the target for completing the electrification of Villupuram–Tiruchi broad gauge line.

The project was scheduled to be completed by the current financial year end. An official of the Centre for Railway Electrification (CORE), which is executing the project, told The Hindu that the work, which was started in Ma y this year, was scheduled to be completed in one year and become operational from April 1 next year. But the Board had fixed March 31, 2009, as the target date. The official said though the target date had been fixed, CORE was confident of completing the project well ahead of the schedule. Wiring for 55 km from Villupuram to Vriddhachalam had been completed. Another 130 km was to be wired. As part of the project, three sub-stations would be constructed one each at Vriddhachalam, Ariyalur and Tiruchi.

There was no need for a separate electric locomotive shed at Tiruchi as Chennai shed would cater for the need.

So far Rs. 10 crore had been allotted for the project, including Rs. 5 crore in the current year’s budget, as against the total cost of Rs. 96 crore.

Meanwhile, preliminary works for electrification of Tiruchi to Madurai have begun and tenders are floated for the project. The Board has fixed March 2010 as the target date for completing the project. Southern Railway had already sent proposals for doubling and electrification of the Chennai–Villupuram –Tiruchi–Madurai–Tuticorin broad gauge section.



http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/24/stories/2007082460400800.htm

This news comes as a shocker to me.. They were earlier telling the villupuram - trichy section will be electrified by march 2008 and Madurai - trichi will be taken up by this year itself.
I wonder how they were claiming with only 10 crores being allocated to the project.
These people allocate money in bits and pieces for each project for many years and execute it in a slow manner and final cost would be very much higher than the initially planned...

Hi-Tech Arai to set up Rs 25 cr plant in Madurai

TVS Tyres embarks upon expansion plan of Rs 35 crore

Honeywell to execute its “critical projects” from Madurai centre

Fenner plans major expansion

Great news in the past few weeks. Good to see that all the above companies are expanding their operations in Madurai.

Fortune Park Hotels, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ITC, is expanding with new strategies based on a new set of categories. While its 'Fortune Highway' focuses on road travel, 'Fortune Inns' include smaller hotels conveniently located in mini metros.

According to Suresh Kumar, president of Fortune Park Hotels, with eight and six-lane highways connecting metros and the promise of improved roads in mini metros, road travel is likely to become an important segment. Beginning with Fortune Klassic Ludhiana in Punjab, the chain plans to follow the route of the Grand Trunk Road and locate suitable properties to facilitate road travel. In addition, the Bangalore-Mysore-Ooty route is also being explored. Fortune already has Fortune Sullivan Court in Ooty and Fortune Trinity underway at Whitefield, Bangalore.

Fortune Inns are another category, where smaller hotels are conveniently located at mini metros. Fortune Inn Riviera with its 58 rooms opened in Jammu in January 2007. It offers features that are first-of-its-kind in the city of Jammu such as Wi-Fi connectivity and LCD televisions. The next one to open shortly is Fortune Inn Jukaso, located at Pune's IT hub Viman Nagar. The hotel will open with 44 standard rooms and one suite, each equipped with internet facility and large flat TV screens.

Its third category - 'Fortune Faith' - planned for pilgrim destinations all over India currently includes two properties at Shirdi that are being readied. These will add approximately 200 more rooms to the chain's capacity. Other hotels in the category include Fortune Kences at Tirupati with 128 rooms and Fortune Pandiyan at Madurai with 57 rooms.


http://www.expresshospitality.com/20070831/market16.shtml

They are adding 200 rooms in fortune pandiyan.its cool to here.

After making 106.4, Hello FM’s frequency, the right number in Chennai, the FM station is expected to say `Hello’ to Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tuticorin, Tirunelveli and Pondicherry soon.

http://www.exchange4media.com/e4m/news/newfullstory.asp?section_id=1&news_id=27397&tag=22299&pict=14

its good to see that private fm radio is coming to madurai soon

They are adding 200 rooms in fortune pandiyan.its cool to here.

They are not adding 200 rooms to Fortune Pandyan.. it is to the chain's overall room count..

This news comes as a shocker to me.. They were earlier telling the villupuram - trichy section will be electrified by march 2008 and Madurai - trichi will be taken up by this year itself.
I wonder how they were claiming with only 10 crores being allocated to the project.
These people allocate money in bits and pieces for each project for many years and execute it in a slow manner and final cost would be very much higher than the initially planned...

This is unfortunate that the project is delaying. Eventhough we are having a Union Minister for Railways from Tamilnadu, the major project is delaying. If not the project is progressing then ha ha ha.. the elections are nearing....

The projects which were discussed and instructions issued to expedite them were launching of Heli-tourism with the help of Pawan Hans helicopter services connecting Madurai and Coimbatore and Coimbatore and Udhagamandalam tourist spots.

In this regard, the land belonging to Animal Husbandry Department at Udhagamandalam had been found suitable for creating a helipad. It also took stock of the introduction of ropeway in the hill resorts of Udhagamandalam and Kodaikanal besides Kanyakumari

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/25/stories/2007082554000800.htm

Temple city spreads wings

Madurai, a tier-two city in southern Tamil Nadu, best known for its temple and jasmine flowers, is expanding on all sides, thanks to height restrictions on buildings within the city, growing wealth, increasing availability of facilities such as mini-bus services to suburbs, and anticipation of investments especially in the IT and BPO sectors.

Thanks to Madurai’s heritage town status, the state government had passed a regulation restricting the height of buildings to nine meters within one kilometer radius from Meenakshi Amman temple, and to 15 meters up to the city limit.

Developers in the city say while the height restrictions are justifiable in areas near the temple, it doesn’t make sense in other parts of the city. However, as is the case with 25 odd heritage towns in the state, these vertical caps remain. The result: it has had an adverse effect on the development of tall appartments, and the city has been going horizontally instead of vertically.

Today, Madurai suburbs are where all the action takes place, as the city spreads out rapidly. Tall coconut trees and paddy fields are making way for residential plots and gated communities as “mini buses” permitted by government reach out to far flung areas and transport people at low cost.

The northern suburbs of the city has seen most action as a branch of the Tamil Nadu High court has been set up there to serve the southern cities. The real estate prices which doubled as soon as this announcement was made a couple of years back, is continuing its upward journey, thanks to investments in infrastructure and IT.

A state government sponsored IT park is also in the vicinity, and a couple of other IT park developers are looking at this location. Moreover, the proposed four way road connecting the state capital Chennai to the southern tip Kanyakumari is set to pass through this area. It also houses a modern bus station. As a result, prices in the area have risen eight fold to Rs 1 crore an acre in the last four years.

The southern side of the city, which houses the Madurai Kamaraj University, is witnessing frenzied activity as the state government is to set up an IT park there. Large swings in real estate prices have taken place in the area as it is very underdeveloped currently.

The broader reason behind the price movements is the expectation that more investments would flow into the city, driven by its low cost and relatively low real estate costs. Madurai houses a large number of arts, science and engineering colleges. The region, including other southern states, produce 15,000 engineering graduates annually, with over 6,000 of them going to Bangalore and Chennai for employment.

The city centre, with many areas around the Meenakshi temple, which are a few centuries old, continues to be the nerve centre for economic activity especially for small business. Real estate rentals in the inner city limits hover around Rs 50 per sq ft.

On the residential side, good quality constructions range from Rs 1,000 a sq ft to Rs 2,000 a sq ft in up market areas, while residential rentals vary greatly based on location. Sahara City Homes is setting up a huge project in the suburbs. Local players such as Visvas Promoters and Sashwath Constructions have a good number of residential projects under development.

Organised retail is just beginning to get a toe hold in the city and the real estate valuations are largely built on the hope of IT majors setting shop in the city in the next few years.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Features/The_Sunday_ET/Temple_city_spreads_wings/articleshow/2311224.cms

A positive report on the real estate scenario in Madurai. The height restriction should be relaxed for buildings within the city limit at a distance of more than 1 km from the Meenakshi temple.

The 350 crore Rs. Dindigul-Palani-Pollachi-Palaghat gauge conversion works is to be taken up shortly.

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Madurai/Article/2007/08/26/016/26_08_2007_016_001.jpg

Will they start the conversion from Dindigul and proceed to Palaghat or the other way round. I hope its from Dindigul, as it would form the continuation of the Madurai-Dindigul gauge conversion works. This project would be vital for Madurai as it would provide better and faster connectivity to western TN, northern Kerala and south western Karnataka.

Hope they take up Madurai-Bodi gauge conversion also soon.

The Railways has completed 90 per cent of gauge conversion work in Tamil Nadu and the remaining portion would also be converted in one or two years, Minister of State for Railways R Velu said today.

Speaking after flagging off a new daily express train from Mayiladuthurai and Tiruchirapalli jointly with Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Mani Shankar Aiyar at Mayiladuthurai, near here, in Nagapattinam district, he said the Railways had allocated Rs 3,000 crore in the last three years for various projects, including modernisation of railway stations in the state.

He said six new railway projects were now being implemented in Tamil Nadu this year.

On the contentious new Salem Division, Velu said it would not affect Kerala in any way.

The Mayiladuturai-Villupuram and Tiruvarur-Nagore broad gauge conversion works would be completed by the end of March next year. The electrification of the line between Villupuram and Tiruchirapalli was progressing and would also be completed by March next year.

The electrification of Tiruchirapalli-Madurai section would be completed by March 2009. Gauge conversion of the Mayiladuturai-Tiruvarur-Vedaranyam line via Thirukkuvalai, Ettukudi and Agasthiampalli would be done in a phased manner.

The new train would leave Mayiladuthurai everyday at 8 a.m. And will reach Tiruchirapalli at 10.45 a.m. In the return direction, it would leave Tiruchirapalli at 1.05 p.m and arrive at Mayiladuthurai at 3.45 p.m.

The train will stop at Kuttalam, Aduthrai, Kumbakonam, Papanasam and Thanjavur, he said. (Agencies)

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B672EF70C-2D54-4DEA-A250-63569B79D0A3%7D&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA

Temple city spreads wings



http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Features/The_Sunday_ET/Temple_city_spreads_wings/articleshow/2311224.cms

A positive report on the real estate scenario in Madurai. The height restriction should be relaxed for buildings within the city limit at a distance of more than 1 km from the Meenakshi temple.

Good report. Let us hope that the industries develop to sustain the forecast of the real estate boom.

Temple city spreads wings



http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ET_Features/The_Sunday_ET/Temple_city_spreads_wings/articleshow/2311224.cms

A positive report on the real estate scenario in Madurai. The height restriction should be relaxed for buildings within the city limit at a distance of more than 1 km from the Meenakshi temple.

Good to see a report from a standard news agency. This would definitely reach all corners of India.. I had lately been thinking Madurai was not getting any such reports from any National news agency as do coimbatore, mysore, nagpur, vizag (other tier 2 cities in India) get.. Thanks to Economic Times for taking the initiative..

Passport offices for Madurai, Coimbatore by year-end


Special Correspondent


Pranab Mukherjee opens MEA branch secretariat





— Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

PRESSING THE BUTTON: External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee and Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurating the branch office of the External Affairs Ministry in Chennai, on Saturday. Union Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed (right) is in the picture.

CHENNAI: Passport Offices will be opened at Madurai and Coimbatore by the year-end to expand passport services in Tamil Nadu, the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, said on Saturday.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/08/26/stor...2652530300.htm
__________________

http://www.asianage.com/presentation/leftnavigation/news/business/us-tech-to-invest-$130m-in-india.aspx

Chennai, Aug. 26: US Technology has lined up $130 million for developing new centres at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Tier II cities in Tamil Nadu. It will also increase its headcount by five times to 25,000 by 2010.

The California-based company is setting up a 850,000 sq. ft. software development centre at Thiruvananthapuram with an investment of $70 million. The first phase of this centre will be ready by the third quarter of 2008. When the project is completed it can house 12,000 IT professionals.

In addition, the company’s Kochi centre, an SEZ, is expected to be ready by October. It already has centres at Chennai, Bangalore and Thiruvananthapuram.

"We are one of the pioneers in exploring Tier II cities. We will continue to grow from Tier II cities. We will also spread to cities like Madurai, Salem and Erode," said Mr Sajan Pillai, chief operating officer of US Technology.