Gujarat - Projects and Development [Archive]

IndiansUnite

February 10th, 2007, 12:54 AM

Hotels to put Rs 10,635 cr in Gujarat (http://www.expresshospitality.com/20070215/market13.shtml)

Tourism in Gujarat is attracting dozens of hoteliers, with more than 30 players signing MoUs with the state government for setting up hotels, resorts and tourism projects. As per government officials, the proposed 32 projects would bring in an investment of Rs 10,635 crore, providing employment to close to 26,370 people. The MoUs were signed at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investor’s Summit held last month in Ahmedabad.

Interestingly, this time it is not only Ahmedabad that has caught the fancy of hoteliers, but also cities like Surat, Morbi and Kutch region. Gujarat Heritage has proposed an investment of Rs 327.50 crore for setting up beach and heritage hotels in Kutch and Morbi. For a five-star hotel, Hotel Crown will invest Rs 325 crore, while Divisions DLF will infuse Rs 250 crore for business hotels at four locations. Royal Manor Hotel plans to expand Taj Umed hotel and set up another five-start hotel in the state. New Jersey-based Apex Hospitality and Mohit Industry propose to invest Rs 100 crore each for five-star hotels in Gujarat, while the latter also has similar plans for Surat. Florida Metal Trading has also entered into a MoU to set up golf hotels and village hotels in Surat at a cost of Rs 355 crore. In addition to this, Bangalore-based Itina Filmcity plans to invest Rs 2,240 crore for setting up a film city, while Pleasure Park will infuse Rs 330 core for an entertainment park in the state.

First private sector textile park to come up near Ahmedabad (http://yarnsandfibers.com/news/index_fullstory.php3?id=11420&p_type=General)

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Pradip Overseas Ltd, an exporter of household linen, will establish India's first private sector integrated textile park. The park, to be called `Greenfield Textile Park', will be set up on a 115-hectare plot near Ahmedabad with an investment of Rs1,200 crore over 2008-2012.

The park, when fully operational, will have a capacity to produce five lakh metres of cloth per day and facilities for spinning, weaving, processing, stitching, packaging and dispatching.

Pradip Overseas will finance the project with a debt-equity ratio of 60:40 and proposes to raise 20 percent of the funds through a public issue in 2007. The park is expected to generate employment opportunities for 20,000 people, when fully operational.

k4ran

February 10th, 2007, 02:19 PM

Rs 2,000 cr. Mundra port expansion starts in 2008

In the light of National Maritime Development Programme, Mundra Port & SEZ Ltd (promoted by Adani group) has announced capacity augmentation. The project would cost nearly Rs. 2,000 crore. The port is handling 25 millions tonnes of traffic, and the company's target is to handle traffic of 50 million tonnes in 2010 and 100 million tonnes by 2015.
"The expansion plan includes development of 15 berths which will have draft of 17.5 meters to 18 meters to handle cape size vessels," said an official at Mundra Port & SEZ Ltd. "Gujarat is seeing a lot of investment in the state, and with ultra mega power projects coming up at Mundra we expect enough traffic at our port," he added.
For handling UMPP requirements the company plans two dedicated coal jetties. The total capacity of the two coal jetties would be 1.2 lakh tonnes a day. It is estimated that annual coal requirement for UMPP will be around 20 million tonnes which will be imported through Mundra Port. A preliminary survey on the projects is in progress. Work is likely to start early next year after obtaining necessary clearance.

http://203.124.230.145/admin/editor_images/msez1.jpg

http://www.ihcholland.com/t/ihcholland_com/4_projects/b08.10_land_reclamation/images/b08.10_port_mundra_05.jpg

k4ran

February 10th, 2007, 02:32 PM

Gujarat wants greenfield airport for Ahmedabad

he rush for new international airports in India continues. After Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra, it is now Gujarat's turn to push for a greenfield international airport on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

The state government wants a state-of-the-art international airport, on the lines of Singapore's Changi airport, in proximity of its commercial capital. And unlike West Bengal, Gujarat has no problems if the airport were to be privately built.

With non-resident Gujaratis settled all around the world, cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, and even Bhuj witness a huge traffic of expatriates who come home every year or two on holidays. Many international airlines have their offices in Ahmedabad and other cities, and there have been calls for a modern international airport for the city.

The state government is now looking at the possibility of a greenfield airport, costing around Rs8,000 crore on 4,000 hectares of land, in Mehmedabad, Dholera, or Sanand, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad.

The central government had earlier turned down a proposal for an international airport near Ahmedabad, as the site was not found favourable. The Airport Authority of India has proposed a Rs300 crore modernisation of the existing airport in Ahmedabad. But the state government feels there is not much scope for expansion at the present site.

With the federal government having succeeded in getting the privatisation and modernisation of Mumbai and Delhi international airports, there is growing demand for similar projects elsewhere in the country. Both the Tamil Nadu and West Bengal governments are keen that the Chennai and Kolkata airports be modernised.

The Maharashtra government is also pushing for a new greenfield project in Navi Mumbai. Bangalore and Hyderabad are also send this article to a friendgetting new greenfield projects, while Kerala - the state with a large number of international airports - is also expecting a lot of investments in airport infrastructure.

Source http://www.domain-b.com/industry/aviation/20061229_greenfield.htm

kronik

February 15th, 2007, 07:53 AM

Transport nagar planned in Ahmedabad (http://business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=274448&subLeft=1&leftnm=3)

In what would be a first of its initiative in Gujarat, the Bhavnagar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is reviewing a proposal of building a unique ‘Transport Nagar’ on the outskirts of the city.

The corporation is also close to signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a private organisation for providing 30 million litres of water per day (MLD).

Officials from the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) along with BMC recently made a presentation on the feasibility of the project and have received positive feedback from various private players in the state to collaborate with the government for the same. Land for the project has already been earmarked at a site owned by the Bhavnagar Area Development Authority (BADA).

However, the corporation is looking at three to four other sites on the outskirts of the city. The transport nagar is also being supported by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other commerce associations in the state. The project is likely to commence after one year.

“Alang is situated around 55 km from Bhavnagar and the continuous vehicular traffic has led us to contemplate the creation of a transport nagar, which will function on a build to operate basis,” said S J Haider, municipal commissioner, BMC.

After the success of the city’s first private-public partnership in 1996 with urban transport, BMC is planning an overhaul of its current fleet of buses.

A new fleet of CNG buses will slowly start replacing the buses running at present in phases starting from the end of this year and will take further two years to be completely implemented.

Also in the pipeline is a gems and jewellery park in the city on 67,000 square mtres of land, which is likely to be commissioned this year and will encourage traditional gems and jewellery traders who had left Bhavnagar for Surat to come back and set shop.

Last year saw a slew of initiatives being undertaken by BMC, which saw the addition of a 15-MLD water treatment park as well as a Lok Darbar for House Tax, which is a single window clearance drive aimed at recovering outstanding house tax and other dues.

The initiative brought in a sum of Rs 8 crore and is prompting the corporation to conduct more of such Lok Darbars in 2007. For better roadways, a ring road on the lines of the Sardar Patel Ring Road in Ahmedabad is also being planned in the coming months.

pding

February 15th, 2007, 11:07 PM

Gujarat wants greenfield airport for Ahmedabad

Source http://www.domain-b.com/industry/aviation/20061229_greenfield.htm

Centre's not gonna help Modi, espcially since it is Modi who is the CM of Gujarat. but Gujarat already has a lot of muscle that other states don't. HIAL is costing around 2500 crores. for Ahmedabad, since the passenger traffic estimates are much less than those for Hyd, i would say a new airport can be built with about 2000 crores. but Gujarat being Gujarat and if Modi figures he will prove that Gujaratis can build an aiport without centre's support, he'll prolly go for a fantasy airport that the Chinese commies would build for a city like Ahmedabad with about 4000 crores budget. and if this all becomes true, it will be a slap on the face of UPA and Congress and more importantly the Leftists. but it is still quite some time to go before Modi would do something like that.

cbeboy

February 25th, 2007, 05:37 AM

Rs 13,500-cr Reliance cracker unit to come up at Jamnagar (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/02/25/stories/2007022502440100.htm)

The board of Reliance Industries Ltd on Saturday approved a $3-billion (Rs 13,500-crore) cracker project in Jamnagar

kronik

April 3rd, 2007, 06:46 AM

Privatisation of TCGL to start soon (http://business-standard.com/compindustry/storypage.php?tab=r&autono=279792&subLeft=1&leftnm=1)

Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL), a public sector company of the state government, is finally opening its doors for privatisation of its property spread across the state.

There are 18 hotels and five cafeterias in the state belonging to TCGL under the brand name ‘Toran.’ The process of privatisation is expected to start this week.

According to a highly-placed TCGL official, the government had been busy giving final touches to TCGL’s privatisation plan, which was incurring losses in its hospitality business for more than six years.

The official said that the decision to privatise the corporation property was taken during 2006.

“Ever since the government’s decision was announced, the corporation has been receiving many offers from private players to acquire its properties. These players will soon get a chance to bid officially,” the official added.

The properties of TCGL that will go under the hammer include Toran Resort at Sputter, Hotel Sumeru at Palitana, among others.

Palace Beach Resort at Chorwad, the Ubhrat Holiday Camp and Nargol Beach Resort at Valsad, Dakor Yatri Niwas in Kheda, Ankleshwar Motel, the Sasan Gir Forest Lodge in Junagadh district and Ahmedpur-Mandvi Beach Resort and five Toran cafeterias.

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 09:36 PM

Please post any articles related to Gujarat Economy and Infrastructure here.

I'm aware of the mediocre coverage of Gujarat by the English dailies, but given Gujarat's progress in the last few years it definitely warrants a thread of its own.

There still are many old and new articles out there as well as those contradicting each other. The English media seems to be fairly anti - Modi and though this thread is not meant to be a Modi propaganda machine by any means, one can't help but admire how far Gujarat has travelled over the last few years, owe it to whoever you like.

Here are a few Gujarat links to check out:

Gujarat Government - http://www.gujaratindia.com/
Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) - http://www.gidb.org/
Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) - http://www.gidc.gov.in/
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) - http://www.gujaratsrtc.com/
Kalpasar Project - http://www.kalpasar.gujarat.gov.in/
Industrial Extension Bureau - http://www.indextb.com/index.html

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 09:41 PM

One of the biggest achievements for Gujarat has been the turnaround of its major PSUs (public sector units). Whenever I've been to Gujarat, my cousins have immediately attributed it to Modi. However, I've not found a single article attributing the succeess directly to Modi. Though, there have some indirect and direct references to the Gujarat government's policies in helping in turning these sick units around. One of the policies is to try to get the sick units profitable and if not possible by the government, then to sell them.

Here's an article that talks of the tremendous recovery (and how it was done) by the Gujarat Electricity Board. Good case study..

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/06/13/stories/2006061303680300.htm

Ahmedabad , June 12

The Gujarat Government has successfully turned around the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) which was about to go sick five years ago, to enable the latter to earn a net profit of nearly Rs 200 crore. And that too, without raising power tariffs, the Minister of State for Energy and Petrochemicals, Mr Saurabh Patel, told Business Line.

Financial prudence, economy measures with increasing revenue and reducing expenditure, and some really tough and politically-sensitive steps, such as completely ignoring the pleas of politicians, including those of the ruling BJP, have paid handsome dividends to GEB.

The Board has seen one of the most talked-about turnaround in recent times with this year's profit of Rs 200 crore replacing the whopping cumulative loss of Rs 2,542 crore in fiscal 2000-01. Mr Patel credited this turnaround to the "political will" of the Gujarat administration . . The Board officials were directed to deal sternly with cases of power theft and non-payment of bills either by individuals or by companies.

Action against violators

He said the State Government set up five regional special police stations to deal with such cases and punished the violators.

Interestingly, it even appointed 500 retired army personnel to keep the power offenders in check. Thousands of theft cases were detected and disconnected; they were reconnected only after the violators, including companies, paid their arrears. A number of violators were convicted by the courts. Only recently, a woman in a North Gujarat district was also convicted with a year's imprisonment. The GEB appointed managers with accountability clearly given to them. As a result, nearly 20 lakh connections were checked and rechecked annually.

The GEB officials, accompanied by police, went from village to village and town to town at night to check power theft, braved the irate people who attacked them at several places and protested in all possible manners. Once, an official was even kidnapped and kept in bondage until rescued by the police. Despite these, the Board went ahead with stern steps, Mr Patel pointed out, in accordance with the provisions of the New Electricity Act that empowered the authorities to lodge criminal cases against power thieves.

The Board itself was split into four regional power generation companies, four regional distribution companies, one transmission company and one parent company.

Besides, the power purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers (IPPs) were re-negotiated to the benefit of the State. Under this policy, adopted in 2003-04, the Government renegotiated PPAs with two private and two State-owned power producers.

As a result, a total of Rs 559 crore was saved on this score alone and all outstanding dues were wiped out.

Additionally, GEB also succeeded in restructuring loans worth Rs 4,130 crore and persuaded lenders to reduce interest rates from 9.51 per cent in 2003-04 to 8.6 per cent in 2005. With this measure, it managed to save Rs 270 crore on interest payments annually.

In some cases, even the quality of fuel was experimented with. In the power generating stations, GEB reduced input costs by using washed coal or the one imported from Indonesia.

Together, these measures saved nearly Rs 160 crore. In view of these power reforms, turnaround and timely payment of pending power purchase bills, the National Thermal Power Corporation gave an incentive to the tune of Rs 312 crore to GEB whose revenues began to grow by leaps and bounds.

From Rs 786 crore in 2004, it grew to Rs 1,029 crore in 2005 and Rs 1,300 crore in 2006.

According to the Central Electricity Authority, the per capita consumption of power in Gujarat was 1,321 units in the financial year 2004-05, which was double the national average.

Mr Patel also claimed that Gujarat was the only State in the country in which all 18,000-odd villages were connected to a 24-hour power supply with no load-shedding anywhere. In Ahmedabad and Surat, power generation and supply had long been privatised.

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 09:48 PM

Here's an article that highlights how Gujarat achieved 24-hour electricty for all of its 18000 villages.

http://intellibriefs.blogspot.com/2006/12/narendra-modis-shining-gujarat.html

Narendra Modi's Shining Gujarat
Shining Gujarat

Author: Shrikant Modak
Publication: Business India
Date: December 17, 2006

Introduction: Deftly managing its resources, Gujarat's apex power body has overcome power shortages and losses

Gujarat's glowing. The state's apex power utility has not only staged a recovery, it's now the only one in India to guarantee three phase 24 hours electricity supply to the rural households and eight hours uninterrupted supply to agricultural consumers. Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB), which had been reporting losses until 2004, came to black last year. The board's financial losses were Rs. 1,900 crore in 2003-04. In 2004-05 these were down to Rs. 935 crore.

In April 2005 the state unbundled its electricity sector with that GEB became Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), a holding company with six unbundled companies under its umbrella (generation and transmission companies and four distribution companies). The improvements in the utility continued even under this new avatar. GUVNL posted Rs. 187 crore profits in 2005-06. If this year's projections are to be believed it will report even better profits around Rs. 400 crore.

The entire process, "Started five years back," says Saurabh Patel, Gujarat's energy minister of state with the independent charge. "Then we were placed seventh in the power sector rankings of utilities in India and now we are second, behind Andhra Pradesh, "says Viiaylaxmi joshi, CMD Of GUVNL. What's contributed to this success? There are several factors in fact. "One that stands out most recently is the state's Gujarat Jyotigram Yojna that assures 24 hours three phase power supply to the rural residential consumers and eight hours guaranteed supply to the agricultural consumers," claims a GUVNL official.

The state very recently announced the completion of this Yojna (covering 18,000 villages and 9,700 hamlets) at a function attended by President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, near the heritage site of Chapaner town. Its impact! "A fact that more than 1,50,000 rural public came for the event will have obviously boosted Modi's political image," say chief minister, Narendra Modi's, admirers. But, in more mundane economic terms, "its impact on technical parameters like the T&D losses has been large," say GUVNL officials.

At a demographic level, a survey carried out by IRMA at the behest of CII (Confederation of Indian Industries) reveals a reduction in rural to urban migration. "The assured availability of electricity has opened up income earning avenues to the rural public that weren't there earlier," explains Patel. Even consumer durable companies have felt its impact. For example, John Verghese, proprietor of Ahmedabad-based consumer durable retail chain, Sales India, says, "There has been a significant increase of rural consumers to our showrooms in the last year." Haier regional manager, Sanjay Ghadial affirms a similar trend. "Our sales to rural areas have gone up significantly," he says.

Political opportunity
Patel says, "Wherever we toured in the rural areas, people were demanding 24 hours electricity supply." He adds, "The question before us was then how to provide this? A simple answer, since agriculture consumers were subject to load shedding, was to separate the residential consumers by putting them on separate feeder. However, sceptics within the administration dismissed this as unfeasible. But Modi having spotted a political opportunity wasn't the one to let it go. A sample of 50 villages was chosen to test the viability of the proposal.

Its success eventually convinced everyone that this was the only way to assure 24-hour power supply to the rural households. In a short period of two-and-a-half years, the state spent Rs. 1,000 crore to erect 12 lakh poles to connect rural household to a separate feeder. Modi, avers, "jyotigram is the only solution for the survival of rural India. It can create millions of jobs." Though his detractors dismiss this as a political-speak the scheme itself has proved a blessing to the state's electricity board. Joshi says, "By shifting power supply to the agriculture, which constitutes 40 per cent of the state's load, from peak to the off-peak hours, the state's power supply scenario has changed significantly." Among its several benign effects, the most important is the end to load shedding in the state in the last couple of years.

No power thefts
Earlier there was only one feeder catering to both rural residential and agricultural consumers. Since agricultural tariffs were subsidised there was a general tendency to draw electricity from the same connection even for residential usage. Separating the feeder lines and restricting supply to the agriculture to the off-peak hours has not only reduced this, it has, in fact, done much more. "When there is no current in the lines not only can there be no thefts but also no line losses," says a GUVNL official. While theft may not have gone away entirely, the incentive to steal power has diminished. Further, all the feeders now have electronic meters, which makes it possible to attribute losses more accurately to the theft and deal with it.

As for the agriculturist electricity is guaranteed for eight hours at a fixed time of the day in each area. Since supply hours are restricted, many have gone for drip irrigation wherever agricultural pattern has suited them. Rural revenues have gone up not only because rural residential consumers now pay for what they consume but also because they pay the same tariff as the urban consumers. 'There has been an increase of 13 per cent in the total revenue of GUVNL, although the total demand itself has gone up only by 7 per cent in the last two years," according to a GUVNL official.

However, there are other factors, which too have contributed to the reduction in the sector's losses. For example, on the central side GEB took its issues with NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) to CERC (Central Electricity Regulatory Authority) and got it to streamline the former's cost structure. It also negotiated with the IPPs (Independent Power Projects) and got them to streamline their cost structure.

As far as its own cost reductions initiatives are concerned, as said earlier, it reduced T&D losses by 9 per cent; cost of finance by 2 per cent (from 10.67 per cent to 8.6 per cent by substituting costlier loans with the cheaper loans); improved PLF by 3.44 per cent (to 72.28 per cent); and brought down auxiliary consumption at its generating stations by 4.84 per cent, adopting efficiency improvement measures. It also got Rs.231 crore and Rs. 148 crore in incentives from the Union power ministry respectively in 2003-04 and 2005-06 for reducing its balance sheet losses. Similarly, improved load management left it with a surplus, which it sold in the interstate market at higher rates.

A misfortune of being successful is that the Union power ministry soon diverted Gujarat's 200 mw power share in the central power utilities to the neighbouring Maharashtra that's been reeling under power shortages since last year. The total financial implication of this to GUVNL in the current year will be Rs. 562 crore, as the state's own demand has grown and it now has to buy power from the market at Rs. 6.6 per unit against Rs. 3 earlier. Though the decision to transfer power was meant to be ad hoc the state officials fear that this may acquire permanent status.

Whatever, a remarkable aspect of GUVNL'S turnaround is that it has achieved what it has without any general tariff increase in the last six years. Moreover, improvements have come while preparations were on for unbundling in the latter phase of the recovery. Unlike neighbouring Maharashtra, unbundling went through smoothly with complete cooperation from the unions.

So far the state has managed its power scenario by judiciously balancing its resources. But, as demand's growing, these options will soon run out. "To maintain the tempo of economic development we are planning to make Gujarat power surplus," says Patel. How? Additional 11,563 MW generation capacity addition is being planned over and above the 9,000 MW currently available to it from its own, NTPC and IPP sources in the next five years (Gujarat State Electricity Corporation and the state PSUS together will add, 4,000 MW; IPPS, 4,900 MW; wind power, 500 MW; and NTPC the rest).

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 09:53 PM

http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2207/stories/20050408003012200.htm

Environment and industry

IT is the largest producer of caustic soda in India, and also one of the biggest turnaround stories in the public sector. And, despite being in the chemicals industry, it is a company that carries its passion for protecting the environment o its sleeve.

Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL), a Gujarat government-promoted company, has shown the way to the highly polluting chemicals industry that it is a sector where money can be made and the environment spared the damage caused by pollution. Today, if one travels to the company's complex on the outskirts of Vadodara, one would not be blamed for thinking that it is a brand-new facility. The spanking-clean complex represents the style of functioning that has been adopted by the company in recent years. Not long ago, a heavy stench of chemicals used to hang around the complex and litter used to be strewn along the road. Today, the stench is gone and the campus is spotlessly clean. The large number of trees at the plant highlights the company's credo, "Ours is green attitude".

The same is true of the company's performance; Its fortunes took a nose-dive in the mid-1990s, and it slipped into the red in 1998-99. After bleeding for four years, GACL came back into the black in 2002-03, with a modest profit after tax of Rs.28 crores on a turnover exceeding Rs.1,000 crores. The next year, the company consolidated its position and the profit rose to Rs.63 crores. Aided by an increase in the demand for caustic soda, GACL has been growing and its balance sheet looks much healthier now.

But the management of GACL, led by its Managing Director P.K. Taneja, is not one to rest on the comfort of having the company running in the black. As a forward-looking company, GACL has chalked out modest expansion and product diversification plans to continue on the growth path with sufficient muscle to insulate it from future shocks. "The company was set up in 1973. Thirty years is a long time, long enough to test the character of any organisation. Be it recession, inflation, increased competition or changing governments, we have lived it all. And for sure, all the turbulence has made GACL a stronger and progressive company," said Taneja, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service.

From an initial capacity of 37,425 tonnes per annum (TPA) of caustic soda, GACL has grown to be the largest producer in India, with a capacity of 2,70,000 TPA. The company is spread over two complexes, at Vadodara and Dahej. Its turnover stood at Rs.1,075 crores in 2003-04 and it is likely to move up to Rs.1,200 crores in 2004-05.

Knowing that in the future there may be new hurdles to cross, GACL has started to diversify and expand its existing infrastructure to consolidate its supremacy in chlor-alkali and other integrated downstream products. "All our plans have been chalked out with the objective of becoming a fully integrated player in the chlor-alkali segment. Expanding capacities will enhance GACL in our chosen basket of products and give the company the capability to make speciality chemicals to insulate it from the vagaries of industry cycles," said Taneja.

The plans include an evaporation unit of 240 tonnes per day (TPD) at a cost of Rs.70 crores at Dahej, to increase the caustic soda production from the existing 240 TPD to 436 TPD. A 12,000 TPA hydrogen peroxide plant is also being set up at Dahej to utilise the surplus hydrogen generated during the production of caustic soda. This project involves an investment of Rs.100 crores and will go on stream by October 2006. The hydrogen peroxide plant is expected to start paying back to the company in five years.

The company's projects on hand include a 100 TPD caustic soda flaking capacity to convert liquid lye to solid flakes that can be easily transported, and poly aluminium chloride to insulate the company against market fluctuations with respect to chlorine and hydrochloric acid. The production of caustic soda lye at Vadodara will increase by 40 TPD and a new 200 TPD capacity will be added at Dahej. GACL is also exploring opportunities in the agro-chemical industry.

As GACL treads the growth path, technology upgradation and achieving greater efficiencies is a constant effort. While the capacity utilisation is about 70 per cent in the caustic soda industry, GACL's plants are working at almost 100 per cent capacity, thereby utilising their assets to the fullest extent.

GACL's commitment towards the environment is undying. The company feels that its credo of a green attitude is not a mere slogan. A dedicated senior executive heads the Safety and Environment Department to ensure high standards of safety and to maintain a harmonious relationship between the environment and technology. The company has planted more than 27,000 trees, which are taken care of regularly. Over 1,000 saplings are planted every year. Rainwater harvesting and collection is a part of routine activity at GACL. This water is used to maintain the green belts. GACL has been a pioneer in adopting environment-friendly and energy-efficient technologies. It converted to membrane cell technology from mercury cell technology way back in 1989, and since 1994 all the plants have been running on mercury-free membrane cell technology. For the disposal of solid waste, GACL has secured a dedicated landfill site conforming to the Hazardous Waste Management Act. Being a member of the Effluent Channel Project, it releases its liquid effluents in this channel only after ensuring that the necessary parameters specified by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board are met.

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 09:57 PM

Here are more turnaround stories talking about:

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals (GSFC)
Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC)
Gujarat Industries Power Co Ltd (GIPCL)
Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Limited (GACL)

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1620101.cms?epaper

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/909099.cms

Indias_finest

April 8th, 2007, 10:55 PM

very good initiative

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 11:39 PM

^^ Thanks. Was a long time coming..

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 11:40 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/NEWS/Cities/Gujarat_powers_to_12_growth/RssArticleShow/articleshow/1853048.cms

AHMEDABAD: If India's economy is expanding at over eight per cent, it is probably because the economic powerhouse of Gujarat has ended 2006-07 with a growth rate of more than 12 per cent.

The state government has claimed that this healthy increase in the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has drawn praise from even Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Statistics show that Gujarat — where enterprise runs in the veins of people — is where the India story is really unfolding.

Boosted by a good monsoon last year, the agriculture sector has posted a robust 10.2 per cent growth, taking the overall economic growth of the state to 12.17 per cent in the last financial year, a Gujarat government press release said.

A senior economist, however, told TOI that since Gujarat's inflation is higher than the national average, which is hovering around 6.5 per cent, it is necessary to deduct the rate of inflation in order to arrive at the real growth rate.

The state, which incurred an expenditure 22 per cent higher than the original outlay in 2006-07, has been allocated Rs 16,000 crore for this fiscal — an increase of 25 per cent than the approved Plan outlay of last fiscal.

At a meeting held with Gujarat officials in New Delhi on Monday, Ahluwalia complimented the state for economic reforms and for working toward creating an investor-friendly environment, the press release said.

State government figures show Gujarat has grown at 10.6 per cent in the past four years. From a revenue deficit of Rs 6,731.54 crore in 2001-02, it recorded a surplus of Rs 1,802.85 crore in 2006-07.

In the Plan, allocation for the social sector increased 41 per cent to Rs 6,265.05 crore from Rs 4,426.24 crore last year.

IndiaRocks

April 8th, 2007, 11:42 PM

^^ Or did it??? Tabloid of India..I mean Times of India contradicting itself and at its anti-Modi best..

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1858701.cms

Why is Modi misquoting growth figures?

GANDINAGAR: Playing politics with growth rates appears to have become a favourite pastime with the establishment in Gujarat.

Earlier this week, Chief Minister Narendra Modi declared that the state's economy grew by 12.17 per cent in 2006-07, indicating how this was 3 per cent higher than the national average.

First it is necessary to put the record straight. The growth rate of 12.17 per cent quoted by Modi is for fiscal 2005-06, not 2006-07.

The 'Socio-Economic Review, Gujarat State, 2006-07' released by the government recently mentions this in black and white. Latest calculations by the Directorate of Economics and Statistics, government of Gujarat, which have not yet been made public, suggest that the growth rate of the state's economy in 2006-07 was just 8.11 per cent far away from the much tom-tommed "double digit growth".

In fact, this is 1 per cent less than the estimated national average! This is not the first time these statistics have been misrepresented. In 2003-04, early estimates said the state's growth rate was 15.4 per cent. However, the final figure for 2003-04 turned out to be lower — 14.77 per cent.

A year later, in 2004-05, the growth rate plunged to 7.38 per cent, less than the national average of 7.5. After meeting with the Planning Commission in New Delhi on Monday, Modi also said Gujarat's agriculture was growing at the rate of 10.2 per cent. Again, the figure he quoted was for 2005-06.

Is the Modi regime juggling with figures all because of the elections?

GJ10

April 9th, 2007, 04:31 PM

Latest news from Feb 07
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=222953

(poor picture, but its the only one I could find)
http://im.rediff.com/money/2004/mar/06chart.jpg

For anyone not familiar with it, the idea is to create a massive Dam on the Gulf of Khambhat/Cambay to act as a reservoir for fresh water, as well as acting as a Hydro-electric Dam and a Road/Rail link from Saurashtra to the South Gujarat region.

There aren't many articles about it on the net from the Indian press, but then again, its a Gujarati project so what do you expect!

I hope this project doesnt suffer any more setbacks, I think its a ridiculous situation that a project first thought of in 1975 is only scheduled to start in 2010!

Modi thinks it will take 10years to build, other estimates say 20!

So thats potentially 55years after conceptualisation. :bash:

superdesi2100

April 9th, 2007, 05:52 PM

There aren't many articles about it on the net from the Indian press, but then again, its a Gujarati project so what do you expect!

I hope this project doesnt suffer any more setbacks, I think its a ridiculous situation that a project first thought of in 1975 is only scheduled to start in 2010!:bash:

Study on dams was my final semester project in Civil Engineering in Gujarat. Although my main focus was Sardar Sarovar, Ukai and Dharoi; I did do a lot of reading on Kalpsar. Then I inquired (pre Modi era in 2000) with the engineers at Sardar Sarovar as to why Kalpsar project didn't get off the ground. Simple reason:

Gujarat government's finances were already stretched in Sardar Sarovar. Government was almost bankrupt up until 2000-2001 (effect of 5th pay commission in 1996). Additionally, fear of environmentalists was way too big to ignore. Government just couldn't afford to open another front. Now since most of Sardar Sarovar dam is complete (last 10 meters left), government is moving ahead on this. Plus government's finances are in a good shape and Gujarat's international credit rating is better now too. Unless there is a regime change in Gujarat later this year, this project should start in couple of years.

GJ10

April 9th, 2007, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the info! Seeing as regime change unlikely, thats really good news for the execution of this important project!

pding

April 9th, 2007, 06:22 PM

Study on dams was my final semester project in Civil Engineering in Gujarat. Although my main focus was Sardar Sarovar, Ukai and Dharoi; I did do a lot of reading on Kalpsar. Then I inquired (pre Modi era in 2000) with the engineers at Sardar Sarovar as to why Kalpsar project didn't get off the ground. Simple reason:

Gujarat government's finances were already stretched in Sardar Sarovar. Government was almost bankrupt up until 2000-2001 (effect of 5th pay commission in 1996). Additionally, fear of environmentalists was way too big to ignore. Government just couldn't afford to open another front. Now since most of Sardar Sarovar dam is complete (last 10 meters left), government is moving ahead on this. Plus government's finances are in a good shape and Gujarat's international credit rating is better now too. Unless there is a regime change in Gujarat later this year, this project should start in couple of years.

don't think there will be a regime change. but there will def be the Patkar challenge for Modi!!! and the Leftists will prolly shamelessly side with Patkar again even after the embarrassment they got in WB...

IndiaRocks

April 10th, 2007, 01:51 AM

^^ Apparently there's a whole website dedicated to the Kalpasar project :)

http://www.kalpasar.gujarat.gov.in/

If it is to be believed, the dam will be 64kms long!

IndiaRocks

April 10th, 2007, 03:09 AM

Red Carpet NOT Red Tape in Gujarat: Modi

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Red_carpet_not_red_tape_in_Gujarat/articleshow/1590356.cms

Highlights of Modi's February speech:
-Gujarat aiming to surpass China in ceramics
-Modi urging Gujaratis to learn Chinese and requesting language experts from China
-Aiming for a transparent administration

superdesi2100

April 10th, 2007, 01:22 PM

ToI Ahmedabad April 10, 2007.

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4227/gtcldisinvestmentdu2.jpg

superdesi2100

April 10th, 2007, 01:27 PM

ToI Ahmedabad April 10, 2007.

http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/3173/relianceretailahmedabadve0.jpg

superdesi2100

April 10th, 2007, 01:51 PM

Economic Times - April 10, 2007.

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/8308/gujarateprocurementjj6.jpg

superdesi2100

April 10th, 2007, 05:00 PM

Growth rate: Gujarat leads rest of India (http://ia.rediff.com/money/2007/apr/04guj.htm)

It is a record growth rate that any Indian state would love to boast of. Western Indian state of Gujarat, headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi has recorded the highest growth rate - 12 per cent - among the Indian states.

While India's economy is expanding at over 8 per cent, Gujarat has ended 2006-07 with a growth rate of more than 12 per cent.

Agriculture sector posted a robust 10.2 per cent growth, taking the overall economic growth of the state to 12.17 per cent in the last financial year, a Gujarat government press statement said here.

The state, which incurred 22 per cent higher expenditure than the original outlay in 2006-07, has been allocated Rs 16,000 crore (Rs 160 billion) for this fiscal. This is an increase of 25 per cent than the approved plan outlay of last fiscal.

Accolades for achieving the sterling growth rate has come for Gujarat from Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia.

Ahluwalia complimented the state for the bold economic reforms and for working towards creating an investor friendly environment. He appreciated the revenue surplus budget of the state even after giving tax sops of Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion).

Gujarat Chief Minister Modi said the state has grown at 10.6 per cent for the last four years. From a revenue deficit of Rs 6,731.54 crore (Rs 67.32 billion) in 2001-02, the state recorded a surplus of Rs 1,802.85 crore (Rs 18.03 billion) in 2006-07, the chief minister pointed out.

In the state plan period, a relief of Rs 400 crore (Rs 4 billion) was granted in taxes for the current year. Allocation for the social sector increased by 41 per cent to Rs 6,265.05 crore (Rs 62.65 billion) from Rs 4,426.24 crore (Rs 44.26 billion).

IndiaRocks

April 11th, 2007, 03:31 AM

http://www.baroda.com/glimpses.html#Narmada

Narmada Water For Saurashtra: Five pumping stations will lift 630,000 litres of water per second from the Narmada canal and release it into the Saurashtra branch canal. The first pumping station is now functional. This pumping station will deliver Narmada water to about 5000 villages of Ahmedabad and the Saurashtra region and irrigate 540,000 hectares of land. Set up by Pune's Kirloskar Brothers Ltd. for the Sardar Sarovar Nigam Ltd., it is claimed that this is the largest pumping station in the world. Pumps have to be used to lift the water because the Narmada canal is at a lower level than the Saurashtra region. The Saurashtra Branch Canal (SBC) has a length of 104.46 kms and is the largest branch of the Sardar Sarovar Project canal system. The SBC, designed to carry 424 cubic meters of water per second, will provide water to 4877 villages and 90 cities and towns in seven districts of Saurashtra.

IndiaRocks

April 11th, 2007, 03:33 AM

http://www.baroda.com/glimpses.html#Franchise

Franchise Post Offices: India's first franchise post office has been opened at Ahmedabad in Gujarat. The Department of Posts will open 10 such outlets in the state by the end of March. The franchise post offices will help to service those urban areas where post offices are not available within a short distance. These outlets will offer only booking services; delivery and transmission facilities will remain with the Postal Department. The ten outlets in Gujarat will be located at Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara and Ahmedabad.

Anybody got pictures?

GJ10

April 11th, 2007, 04:31 AM

Parvasnath signs MoU to develop projects in Gujarat

Real estate company Parsvnath Developers Ltd., has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gujarat government to develop projects at an investment of Rs 1600 crore over a period of 2-3 years.

The company would develop townships, group housing, commercial complexes, IT parks at Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Vadodra, Surat, Jamnagar and other districts in Gujarat, it said in a statement.

The MoU was signed by GUDC Managing Director K Srinivas and Parsvnath Vice President (Gujarat and Strategic Planning) Ashim Gandhi.

Gujarat had invited investments from real estate developers to set up townships, participate in construction and management of utilities in the state and facilitate implementation of such projects.

Source : The Hindu (PTI)

http://newsbuzz.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/02/parsvnath-signs-mou-with-gujarat-govt-to-develop.htm

superdesi2100

April 11th, 2007, 01:06 PM

Economic Times - April 11, 2007

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/2253/kandlaporttrustwu7.jpg

superdesi2100

April 11th, 2007, 01:08 PM

Economic Times - April 11, 2007

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/5619/ioctf1.jpg

superdesi2100

April 11th, 2007, 01:09 PM

End to traffic snarls? Modi to inaugurate 2-lane stretch (http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=231180)

If State’s riding the ‘industrial boom’, then traffic snarls can’t come a cropper! And hence, Chief Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the two-laned 76-km-long stretch of the ring road, from Vaishnodevi to Bakrol on Wednesday, which is touted to ease traffic on the outskirts of the city in a big way.

With 25,000 per car unit of traffic diverted to this stretch, bottlenecks may no longer trouble people, it is said.

The CM will also lay the foundation stone for four-laning of the road in view of the expected increase of traffic due to fast industrial growth in the region. Though a big portion of it was completed about a year ago and traffic was also allowed on some parts, major stretch of the road remained unused due to non-completion of two railway underpasses.

The railway underpasses_ one at Vatva measuring around 13.5 m and another at Tragad measuring one km_ were completed recently. Tragad railway underpass is reported to be the biggest railway underpass in the country, in terms of length.

Built by AUDA, construction of the two-laned ring road, which is 60 m wide, had begun in 2002 and completed recently at a total cost of Rs 230 crore. The ring road hits Ahmedabad-Vadodara NH-8 at eight different places and State Highway at 13 places.

Keeping in view the expected increase in traffic movement AUDA has decided on four-laning of the road at an estimated cost of Rs 380 crore. AUDA CEO J G Pandya said the CM will lay the foundation stone of the four-laning project on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis on Wednesday.

“The project will be completed within one and a half years,’’ said Pandya.

GJ10

April 11th, 2007, 01:52 PM

For anyone interested in what is (meant to be) going on in Gujarati cities, in terms of City planning, here are some links to official City Planning documents. All come from the official Municipal Corporation websites of the relevant cities.

Ahmedabad

City Redevelopment 6 Year Plan pdf file (180 pages)
http://www.egovamc.com/cdp/AMC_CDP.pdf

Slum Development pdf file (38 pages)
http://www.egovamc.com/snp/snp.pdf

BRTS Main Page - Lots of pdf files about various parts of the project
http://www.egovamc.com/BRTS/BRTS.ASP

Street Development - Choice of ppt or zip file
http://www.egovamc.com/ISDP/int_str_dev.asp

Kankaria Lake Development Main Page - Various information
http://www.egovamc.com/kankaria/KANKARIA.asp

Surat

City Development 6 Year Plan - Zip file, contains 180 page pdf
http://www.suratmunicipal.gov.in/content/downloads/citydevelopmentplan/main.shtml

Vadodara

City Development Plan - Split into many pdf files.
http://www.vadodaracity.com/cdp_report.htm

Rajkot
City Development Plan - Split into many pdf files.
http://www.rmc.gov.in/html/jnnurmpro1.html

Jamnagar

Some documents in Gujarati*
http://www.mcjamnagar.com/other_info.asp

*Includes peculiar document that lists the name and address of every building that is 5storeys or above (all 145 of them!!!) :nuts:

pding

April 11th, 2007, 11:29 PM

GJ10

April 11th, 2007, 11:53 PM

It really just depends on how up to date the city's municipal corporation website is, some are really amateurly done and never updated.

Randomly searched a few cities

Pune
http://www.egovpmc.com/tp/cdp.asp

Indore - Pretty amateur site, couldnt find anything, but it might be there, only some of the site doesnt show up for me as I dont have Hindi fonts installed.
http://indore.nic.in/glance.htm

Bhopal
http://www.bhopalmunicipal.com/Bhopal_CDP.pdf

Chandigarh
http://mcchandigarh.gov.in/cdp.pdf

Mangalore - Couldnt find anything
http://www.mangalorecity.gov.in/

Vizag - Page times out
http://202.153.45.201/onlinequeries/townplanning.asp

Its a bit hit and miss really. If theres any particular city you are looking for, just type the name followed by "municipal corporation" in google, and hopefully there will be a website. If there is, theres likely to be a "projects" section.

Hope that helps.

superdesi2100

April 12th, 2007, 01:05 PM

Economic Times. April 12, 2007.

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/6560/sterlingsezvw0.jpg

superdesi2100

April 12th, 2007, 01:09 PM

Ahmedabad plays perfect host to corporate culture

AHMEDABAD is playing host to the corporate house culture. As the city increasingly catches the attention of the leading corporates across the country, the players are fast dotting the city with their independent corporate set-ups. Reliance Industries Ltd, Reliance ADAG, Sanghi Industries, Gujarat Ambuja Cement, L&T and United Phosphorus among others have either zeroed in on properties or are contemplating to have their own corporate offices in the city.

If the owners of Wagh Bakri tea Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Ltd did it in 2006, the Essar Group has just began operations from its new regional headquarters. Call it a trend, or a pressing need to stand tall among the rest, corporates are preferring to create their own set-ups rather than housing themselves in rented establishments. As rentals have nearly doubled in prime areas, companies believe that having their own space makes economic sense as well helping them to create an identity of their own.

Alok Sanghi of Sanghi Cement, who wants to shift his office from Ambavadi and is looking out for a plot near Parimal Gardens, reasons, “Apart from being economical, an independent setup helps in building a brand image and promote the organisational culture.”

The Ambani brothers, RADAG and Reliance Industries, are both planning their corporate offices in Ahmedabad. Sources say that RIL wants around 40,000-60,000 square feet for its corporate house. Pharma firm Dishman already owns a piece of land in Ambli and has plans to set up its corporate office there once the floor space index is raised.

Professor of marketing at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, Abraham Koshy says that an independent set up represents a company’s brand and helps a company to nurture its own culture and have a better control system in place.

United Phosphorous has also sought a sizeable plot from the Gujarat government for its corporate office in Gandhinagar. “We are tired of renting office space for ourselves and it makes business sense to have a place of your own,” said Raju Shroff, the chairman and managing director of UPL. Currently, the group operates from a small office in Ankleshwar.

Ahmedabad-based ISP IceNet’s CEO Chirag Mehta, too, is keen to move out from their rented office on the CG Road to 200 feet Ring Road. According to him, it has become embarassing to have foreign delegates visiting the office in commercial establishments littered with paan spits. “We have almost zeroed in on a plot of land and are in the process of negotiating the land prices,” he said.

Projects head at Claris, Pankaj Patel, recollected that they packed their bags from a commercial building off CG Road for an independent set-up near Parimal Gardens in 1996. “Apart from being noticed now, we are able to manage our employees and treat our guests the way we want to,” he said.

“Office rentals have shot up. Apart from big corporates, even smaller companies which are expanding operations are going for independent setups,” said managing director of Navratna Organisers and Developers Ltd Pranav Shah.

The land rate in Ahmedabad is around Rs 70,000-Rs 80,000 per square feet on CG road and Rs 50,000-70,000 per square yard on SG road. The commercial space rentals on ground floor are around 12,000- 14,000 per square feet and around Rs 6000-Rs 8000 per square feet on the first floor.

FACT FILE

As rentals have almost doubled in prime areas, companies prefer having owned space

Apart from being economical, an independent set-up helps building a brand image

The land rate in Ahmedabad is around Rs 70,000-Rs 80,000 per sq ft on CG road & Rs 50,000 to Rs 70,000 per sq yard on SG road

Economic Times. April 12, 2007.

GJ10

April 13th, 2007, 02:50 PM

Jamnagar Farmers strike Gold in SEZ

JAMNAGAR: West Bengal may have lost its Nandigram SEZ to protesting landowners, but smart Gujarat farmers are raking in the moolah thanks to the deals struck with SEZ developers.

Nowhere have farmers had it so good as Jamnagar where many have fixed deals for as high as Rs 3.09 lakh per 2.5 acre for non-irrigated land and Rs 4.06 lakh per 2.5 acre for irrigated land with Reliance Infrastructure Limited (RIL).

Revenue records show the same land was valued anywhere between Rs 17,000 to Rs 1.84 lakh per 2.5 acres. "Farmers here have managed good bargains compared to the productivity of the land. Selling off the land at these prices was a better option for them,"says resident deputy collector Himanshu Patel.

RIL has picked up n e a r l y 8,000 acres in villages like Nava g a m , Kanalus, Kanach -hikari Padana and Derachhikari.

"Nearly 3,000 acres of this 8,000 acres was wasteland and we got it after panchayats passed resolutions. We are acquiring another 3,000 acres of private land,"says RIL group president (corporate affairs) Parimal Nathwani.

RIL officials point out that the Supreme Court had recently ruled in their favour after 55 farmers protested against land acquisition, paving the way for future acquisitions.

Now the smarter among these farmers are pumping the compensation amount into buying huge tracts of land around the new SEZ limits, to cash in on future expansions of SEZ.

Others have bought light commercial vehicles, dumpers, JCBs and taxis and have leased them out to RIL for transporting men and material.

Today a chunk of the 2100 vehicle fleet engaged with Reliance is owned by farmers who sold their land to the company.

"In the last six months we have sold 665 LCVs and heavy vehicles," says Cargo Motors manager Haresh Oza happily.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Jamnagar_farmers_strike_gold_in_SEZ/articleshow/1835439.cms

GJ10

April 13th, 2007, 02:58 PM

CNG Cogen will fuel Guj Gas Power Play

MUMBAI: Gujarat Gas Company Ltd (GGCL) will ramp up its cogeneration (cogen) business to achieve the targeted 100 mw by 2012, envisaging a CAGR of 37%.

The Rs 700-crore Ahmedabad-based company plans to spend Rs 50 crore to expand the cogen business and expects it to turn profitable during this calendar year.

The company’s cogeneration divison is engaged in providing financing and maintenance services to industrial units which plan to convert their captive naphtha-powered power plants to combined heat and power units using natural gas.

Gujarat Gas has also been aggressively boosting its CNG business — expanding its CNG infrastructure from 2 stations in 2002 to 20 in 2006. In 2007, it is expected to add 8 more stations and has earmarked Rs 60 crore for the same.

The company plans to incur an additional capex of Rs 115 crore for 2008 as well, which would be financed through internal accruals.

GGCL, the biggest gas player in Gujarat, expects its Vapi and Jhagadia units to start contributing to the topline this year and become profitable by next year. The company will continue to focus on higher margin retail industrial and CNG segments.

Talking to DNA Money, Mehul Thanawala, manager-corporate affairs, GGCL, said, “Apart from expanding our cogen business, we will ramp up our CNG business . Currently CNG contributes 5% to sales.”

Experts said GGCL operates in one of the most industrialised states — Gujarat, which accounts for 35% of the total natural gas consumed in the country.The demand in Gujarat could jump to 94.5 million metric standard cubic meter per day (mmscmd) in 2010 from 54.1 (mmscmd) in 2005. Surat, Vapi will be the major demand centres. This augurs well for GGCL as it has a strong foothold in Surat, Bharuch and Ankleshwar.

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation’s (GSRTC) move to convert its fleet to CNG is also a potential windfall for GGCL. Analysts said the new moves are likely to boost CNG volumes and improve GGCL’s margins going forward. However, as some of its gas supplies are denominated in dollars, any weakening of the rupee could hurt bottomline, they added.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1090503

GJ10

April 13th, 2007, 03:04 PM

State to train unemployed youths to work in malls, hotels

Vadodara, April 9: TO tackle urban unemployment, the state government now has a training scheme wherein youths are guaranteed employment in city malls, multiplexes, departmental stores and the hotel industry courtesy. As a run-up to the Assembly elections, the government had launched yet another scheme. Umeed (Hope), an-employment oriented training programme in Gujarat, made its debut in Vadodara on Monday. The scheme to be undertaken by a government-NGO partnership aims at providing training to 500 unemployed urban youths in the city. Surveying the market needs in Vadodara city, the youths will be trained for entry-level jobs in logistics, information technology, hospitality and customer relations and sales.

Umeed is an undertaking of the Gujarat Urban Development Mission (GUDM), an urban development state ministry undertaking, which plans to tackle urban unemployment, with an ambitious target to provide training and guaranteed employment to 1,500 youths per city in three years. The scheme which is being launched on a pilot basis in Vadodara, has a three-pronged partnership with the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), NGO Jan Vikas and GUDM. Youths eligibile for the scheme should have studied up til standard eight at least, and should be in the age category of 18-30 years. They will be given a three-month training in four different course modules for a course fee of Rs 500, the rest being subsidised by GUDM, Vadodara Municipal Corporation(VMC) and the NGO.

"We will also give them training in spoken English, personality development and 80 per cent will be practical,'' said Mayuri Trivedi, of Jan Vikas, announcing cent per cent guarantee of getting a job to those who opt for the training.

Those trained under the scheme will work as front office receptionists, data entry operators or hotel stewards, having been exposed to basics of the industry requirement. Mahendra Raj Singh, VMC project officer, said that the need for the programme was assessed by the NGO, which carried out a market scan in five days for Vadodara's human resources demand.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=230898

IndiaRocks

April 14th, 2007, 02:19 AM

Courts have been working two shifts to go through the pile of cases that have built up over the years...

http://www.gujaratindia.com/media/newsdetail.aspx?News_id=1012

IndiaRocks

April 14th, 2007, 02:23 AM

Gujarat to promote heritage tourism

http://www.gujaratindia.com/media/newsdetail.aspx?News_id=1010

superdesi2100

April 14th, 2007, 04:02 PM

Nabard on a new high in Gujarat

NATIONAL Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development’s (Nabard) assistance in Gujarat has reached a new high during the year 2006-07. Total sanctions under various activities aggregated Rs 2,234 crore, reflecting a growth of 11.3% over the previous year’s Rs 2,177 crore.
Nabard has been providing loans to the state government for rural infrastructure projects under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF). During 2006-07, Gujarat availed of maximum assistance among all other states as sanctions and disbursements aggregated Rs 987.6 crore and Rs 879 crore, respectively. Cumulatively, loans aggregating Rs 5,682 crore were sanctioned for implementation of 31,604 projects (including 24,174 check dams) and so far, government of Gujarat has availed of loans amounting to Rs 3,682 crore. In consonance with its policy to promote income and employment generation in rural areas, number of initiatives aggregating Rs 80 lakh were taken under non-farm sector.
Thirty-five rural entrepreneurship development programmes with a grant amount of Rs 26.99 lakh were sanctioned to 911 trainees. Skill development initiative programmes were also sanctioned for Rs 4.45 lakh benefiting 308 rural youths. The first rural haat in the state with Nabard assistance of Rs 2.40 lakh was sanctioned to Virpur Gram Panchayat in Jetpur block of Rajkot district says a Nabard release. Meanwhile Nabard has posted district development managers in 19 districts of Gujarat with the opening of new office at Anand during the last year, the release added.

Economic Times. April 14, 2007.

IndiaRocks

April 15th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Miscellaneous March News from http://www.indextb.com/news.html

Dahej SEZ attracts major companies for investment

While the nation debates over the feasibility of SEZ, Gujarat is all set to go ahead with its plans to set up as may SEZs as possible. A case in point is that of Dahej SEZ being jointly developed by State infrastructure development agency - Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation and ONGC over a chunk of land admeasuring an area of 1500 acres mainly for chemical and petrochemical industries. The players who are likely to set up their operations in this SEZ include big companies like Godrej & Boyce, ABG Shipyard, Gujarat Flurochemcials, Dorf Ketal, Saraswati Syndicate and Sajjan India Ltd. Put together, these companies are going to invest over Rs 8000 million in their respective projects. This will be over and above Rs.135,000 million being invested by ONGC which is planning to set up a C2C3 extraction plant and a large petrochemical complex.

Gujarat preparing to fly high with FDI

Gujarat may soon get its first foreign direct investment in the aviation sector. The investments will come up in the form of joint ventures with Ahmedabad-based The Ahmedabad Aviation and Aeronautics (AAA), a subsidiary of Electrotherm India, who plan to set up facilities for developing human resources, maintenance, repairs and overhaul and later aircraft manufacturing also. This company is already in dialogue with aviation players in Canada, US, Europe and Israel to form multiple joint ventures for separate projects. The company has already signed an agreement with the Canadian Aviation Institute at Georgia College to offer courses in airline operations, airport planning and operations and aviation law from June 2007. These projects are a part of Rs.50,000 million worth of MOU signed between AAA and Government of Gujarat during the recently concluded Vibrant Gujarat : Global Investors’ Summit. Under the agreement, the company plans to set up an Aviation City in next five years’ time.

Longest aerial ropeway in the country at Grinar

A 3 km long ropeway at the Girnar mountain in Junagadh District said to be the longest in the country, is to start operations soon. A leading company in this sector, Usha Breco engaged in the manufacture of aerial passenger ropeways will commission and maintain this ropeway at an estimated cost of Rs. 1,000 million. This ropeway will have a capacity to transport about 800 pilgrims from the place of origin to destination within 15-20 minutes time. With the commissioning of this ropeway, buoyancy is expected to be witnessed in the tourist flow in Gujarat.

Gujarat implementing the concept of country-specific SEZs

From that of product specific SEZs, Gujarat is now moving on to setting up country specific SEZs. Such an SEZ will have companies from that particular country and accordingly the facilities like schools, cultural centers, religious places and even exclusive food restaurant would be set up to make the foreign investors feel at home. To start with, proposals are on anvil to set up such SEZs for countries like Japan and Korea. For the purpose, high-level delegations led by the Chief Minister Shri Narendra Modi comprising senior bureaucrats and industrialists from the state are likely to visit Japan in April and Korea in May this year.

GSPC planning to develop Bhavnagar port

The state owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC) had opened dialogue with an oil and gas exploration service provider - Arya offshore based in Mumbai, to develop Bhavnagar port. GSPC and Arya will look at technology sharing for various upstream and gas services. They are exploring possibilities to float a joint venture service company. With an investment of Rs.2000 million for privatization project, GSPC proposes to develop the region as a hub for its exploration and production activities. During the recently concluded Global Investors Summit, GSPC had signed an MOU or setting up such a facility including the development of Bhavnagar Port. This port is considered to be an ideal location for advanced oil exploration base in terms of providing logistic supports to supply vessels. The port is well connected with the State Highway as well as with Bhavnagar city, located at a distance of 10 km, with broad gauge railway line and airport facilities.

IndiaRocks

April 18th, 2007, 03:51 AM

New Flyover Plan cleared

http://www.baroda.com/diary.html#Flyover

Jetalpur Flyover Plans Cleared: One obstacle to the construction of the Jetalpur flyover near the railway station in Sayajigunj has been eliminated with the Gujarat High Court vacating the stay on encroachment removal. The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has now initiated the process of land acquisition to build the approach road to the flyover. The project will cost Rs. 90 million, and the civic body has already paid Rs. 31.6 million to the railway authorities towards the construction expenses. The railway authorities will construct the larger portion of the flyover, the portion over the railway tracks, and VMC will build the approach roads from both sides. It will be 750 metres long and 8.40 metres wide.

New Railway Platform in the works

http://www.baroda.com/diary.html#One

One More Railway Platform: Now that the sixth platform is ready at the Vadodara railway station, plans have been made to develop a seventh platform to decongest railway traffic. The Indian Railways Board has sanctioned Rs. 150 million to build the platform. The seventh platform will be able to handle 26-coach trains. The facilities will be the same as the ones on platform number one.

superdesi2100

April 18th, 2007, 09:09 PM

Jobless in Gujarat? No longer

WITH huge industrial investments expected to flow into the state in the coming years, the Gujarat government has set a target of providing jobs to over 1.25 lakh persons during 2007-08 as against 1.11 lakh placed successfully in 2006-07.

Enthused by 363 fresh memorandum of understandings (MoUs) worth Rs 4.61 lakh crore signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Investors’ Summit in January 2007, the employment and training department has set this higher target. There were 8.03 lakh job seekers on the live register on all the 23 employment exchanges in the state as of December 2006 end, according to official sources.

There were 88.29% skilled and semi-skilled persons on the live register. The state has made innovative efforts in finding jobs for them in the private sector by means of industrial and ‘army bharti melas’ (recruitment fairs) and job centres. Besides, these employment exchanges also helped in providing guidance to unemployed candidates to undergo various types of training like air-hostesses, stewards, gas mechanics, call centre assistants and BPO centre assistants. The annual development plan has accorded high priority for employment generation through various state and centrally sponsored schemes. The emphasis would be placed on self employment schemes in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development, village and small industries and allied activities. High priority is accorded to maximise employment with special emphasis on agrobased rural industries.

The centrally and state sponsored employment generation schemes include rural development, cottage industries, Gujarat Municipal Finance Board, Gujarat Minority Finance and Development Corporation, Water Development (Irrigation), major and medium irrigation projects, command area development and flood control. Over and above the completion of the multicrore and multi-purpose Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL), which is considered to be the lifeline of the state, it is likely to generate large scale employment due to transformation of the agrobased economy of Gujarat.

YOU’RE HIRED

The dept has been enthused by 363 fresh MoUs worth Rs 4.61 lakh crore signed during the Vibrant Gujarat Investors’ Summit
The state has searched for private sector jobs through industrial, Army bharti melas and job centres
Employment exchanges
have guided candidates with training for air-hostesses, stewards, gas mechanics, call centre assistants and BPO assistants
Emphasis will be on self employment schemes in agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy development, village and small industries and allied activities

Economic Times Epaper April 18, 2007

superdesi2100

April 18th, 2007, 09:16 PM

Economic Times epaper. April 18, 2007.

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/9950/et0418071jw5.jpg

superdesi2100

April 18th, 2007, 09:22 PM

Economic Times epaper. April 18, 2007.

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/9163/et0418072iu9.jpg

GJ10

April 21st, 2007, 01:45 PM

Ahmedabad will be world’s best city by 2020 :lol:

Well, no, it wont! Nonetheless, there are some of decent proposals that IK Jadeja talks about, even if he seems to never have seen a city outside of India based on his "Worlds best" claim :bash:

Express News Service

Ahmedabad, April 19: STATE Urban Development Minister I K Jadeja, who performed bhoomipujan ceremony for the first phase of the Rs 250 crore storm water drainage line in Amraiwadi area on Thursday, said that by year 2020, Ahmedabad would become the best city in the world. He said that this would be made possible with the creation of modern infrastructure.

He also performed bhoomipujan for a Rs one-crore project for construction of a community hall in Naroda Muthiya area. Jadeja said that the concept of private-public partnership initiated by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation had caught imagination of the whole country. The carpet area-based property tax collection system had also become very popular.

The Minister claimed that the advanced planning on the part of the State Government during the Urban Development Year 2005, proved to be a major facilitator in submitting project proposals under Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which led to Ahmedabad getting highest amount cleared for its projects.

On this occasion, Mayor Amit Shah said that capital projects worth Rs 1,300 crore are being implemented in the city for the past 15 months, of which 13 projects of road paving costing Rs 80 crore and 12 under pass projects costing Rs 180 crore were going on in full swing. He said care was taken so that eastern parts of the city were also developed along with the western side.

Municipal Commissioner I P Gautam said that 70 per cent of projects mentioned in the current year’s budget were already cleared and work started on them. Several elected wing members, officials and local MLAs were present on this occasion.

In another function in Vasna area, State Revenue Minister Kaushik Patel commended AMC for the successful completion of a water distribution station and a skating rink which where dedicated to people by the Mayor. Patel said that the Government had also launched 30 websites for the benefit people.

Amit Shah, who represents Vasna ward in AMC, said that the city was progressing toward achieving lower pollution levels by introducing more and more CNG-run buses. He said that Vasna ward had the highest number of gardens among all other city wards. Deputy Municipal Commissioner D B Makwana welcomed the guests, who included local MLA Bhavin Sheth and civic councillors.

http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=232513

GJ10

April 21st, 2007, 01:50 PM

Mundra Port in Gujarat Handles Record Cargo

Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd has achieved a new peak in cargo handling volumes by handing 13.5 million MT of dry, liquid and crude oil cargo for 2006-07. This is 66 percent more than 8.1 million MT of the last FY.

The total volume including the container cargo stand at 19.7 million MT for 2006-07 against 11.7 for 05-06, showing 68 percent increase in overall volume. The port has efficient utilization and optimal scheduling of logistics related infrastructure, specifically availability of rail rakes for evacuation, mechanical bagging of fertilizer and wheat and increase in warehouse capacity. The handling equipment at the port has been upgraded.

Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Ltd. promoted by the Adani group has been operational for commercial use since 2001.

http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=2742&cattype=NEWS

GJ10

April 21st, 2007, 01:54 PM

Petronet to Invest $150 million in Gujarat :cheers:

NEW DELHI: Petronet LNG Ltd, India's largest liquefied natural gas importer, plans to invest about 150 million dollars to build a second jetty at its Dahej LNG import terminal in Gujarat.

"The company's existing 11.5 million tonnes a year jetty at Dahej can receive one LNG tanker every alternate day. But to avoid disruption due to outage or mishap, a second jetty is being considered," an industry source said.

Petronet is raising the Dahej terminal capacity to 12.5 million tonnes from current 6.5 million tonnes and needs another jetty to increase operational flexibility, safety and security.

It has commissioned UK-based consultant HR Wallingford to carry out marine impact studies for the jetty.

Another jetty for the Dahej solid cargo port would be constructed one-km north of Petronet LNG's present jetty. The new LNG jetty is likely to come up south of the existing one.

Meanwhile, the company is also planning to set up a shipping subsidiary to help transport LNG to its expanding network of receiving terminals.

Petronet wants to hold 49 per cent stake in the shipping joint venture while the remaining 51 per cent would be offered to shipowners and operators of vessels.

Sources said the shipping arm would take stakes in around 10 LNG carriers that would be required to ship the fuel.

Petronet already has three LNG carriers - 1,38,000 cubic metre Disha and Raahi are shipping LNG from Qatar to Dahej import terminal in Gujarat while the third is on order at Samsung Heavy Industries in Korea for develiery in 2009.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Oil__Gas/Petronet_to_invest_150_mn_oin_Gujarat/articleshow/1928948.cms

GJ10

April 21st, 2007, 02:24 PM

RIL Strikes Gas in Block off Saurashtra

Reliance Industries Ltd, the country's largest private sector company, has discovered "significant" amounts of gas in an offshore block in Saurashtra.

Reliance has intimated the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) about the discovery, a source told Business Standard. V K Sibal, director general of hydrocarbons, could not be reached for comment.

Reliance is the operator of the block with a 70 per cent stake, while Oil India Ltd has the remaining 30 per cent stake. The consortium won the block under the New Exploration and Licensing Policy.

Reliance is already a gas-rich company, sitting on an estimated 11.2 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of reserves in the Krishna-Godavari (K-G) basin, discovered in 2002. "The gas discovery in the Saurashtra block is not as big as the K-G basin one. However, initial studies show it has good potential," the source said.

Reliance officials declined to comment on the issue.

Gas production from the K-G basin is likely to start in June 2008 and reach a peak output of 80 million cubic metres per day (mscmd) by July 2009. The company has also discovered gas in a coal block in Madhya Pradesh, with estimated reserves of 3.76 tcf.

The Mukesh Ambani-led company also holds a 30 per cent stake in the Panna-Mukta-Tapti gas fields in the western offshore region. The field, in which Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) holds a 40 per cent stake and British Gas 30 per cent, currently produces 13 mscmd of gas, besides 29,000 barrels of oil per day.

In all, Reliance has a stake in 34 exploration blocks in the country.

Besides Reliance's K-G basin discovery, ONGC and Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation have discovered gas on the east coast.

The government estimates a doubling of gas demand in the country from 195 mscmd to 391 mscmd by 2025. Analysts expect almost 30 per cent of liquid fuels like petrol, diesel and LPG to be replaced by gas over the next five years.

http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2007/apr/19gas.htm

superdesi2100

April 25th, 2007, 09:18 PM

RPL's Jamnagar refinery to be commissioned by Dec'08
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/$All/4D5FA21A53B741A4652572C800563783?OpenDocument

Reliance Petroleum today said the progress of the export oriented refinery at Jamnagar Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is satisfactory and is expected to be commissioned by December 2008.

The board of directors at its meeting today said the status of the export oriented 580,000 barrel/day refinery at Jamnagar SEZ as on March 31, is in accordance with the milestones stated in the prospectus dated April 26, 2006, Reliance Petroleum informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The fast track implementation efforts of the company have resulted in achievement of significant progress on the ground, with overall project progress nearing 50 per cent, in just 15 months since commencement of the project, the company added.

"The substantial progress achieved so far gives me confidence that the project is well on track for completion by December 2008. RPL is thus poised to benefit from emerging opportunities in the sector and create superior value for its shareholders," RPL Chairman Mukesh Ambani said.

As on March 31, the company has utilised Rs 18,939 crore for the Jamnagar project against a projected utilisation of funds of Rs 11,591 crore.

The variation is mainly due to payments in advance under project contracts for continued efficient and speedy implementation of the said project, Reliance Petroleum said.

RPL has achieved 80 per cent completion of detailed engineering work, besides the procurement and contracting efforts has nearly completed.

superdesi2100

April 25th, 2007, 09:24 PM

Marine SEZ mooted in Gujarat
http://in.rediff.com/money/2007/apr/24sez.htm

Gujarat has the largest coastline in India but still seafood is a rarity in the coastal areas because of the vegetarianism that people of Gujarat practice.

But the state is one of the largest exporter of marine food with almost all the coastal towns boasting of processing units catering export orders for rare species of sea food.

And now the state government is exploring the possibility of setting up a Special Economic Zone for marine food. Here is why:

According to the fisheries department total marine food production in Gujarat is around 6.6 lakh (660,000) metric tonne, which also includes 0.70 lakh (70,000) metric tonne of inland production. 1.34 lakh (134,000) metric tonne out of this is earmarked for exports. Last year total marine sector exports from the state stood at Rs 950 crore (Rs 9.50 billion).

"We have looked at some of the locations, which include Veraval, Porbandar and Mangrol, for setting up this SEZ," said Kishore Rao, secretary, agriculture, co-operative and fisheries, Gujarat government.

The whole idea is to make a hub of activities for marine exports. The proposed SEZ will have various facilities including processing centers and cold storage and other critical infrastructure facilities required for marine food exports.

The Gujarat government has also informally asked IL&FS to study the possibility of setting up such SEZs and global tenders would also be floated global tenders to seek private partnership.

However, sources in fisheries department of Gujarat said that the Gujarat government has identified 250 hectares of land near Veraval to develop fish processing plant, cold storage and ice factory.

superdesi2100

April 27th, 2007, 02:32 PM

Economic Times Ahmedabad 04/27/07.

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/3677/alanghj4.jpg

superdesi2100

April 27th, 2007, 02:34 PM

Economic Times Ahmedabad 04/27/07

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/8489/sezsg7.jpg

superdesi2100

April 27th, 2007, 02:35 PM

Economic Times Ahmedabad 04/27/07

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/237/gsplbq4.jpg

superdesi2100

April 27th, 2007, 02:45 PM

Clean sweep? Gujarat ranks third in country
http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=233524#

The State Government's efforts behind launching the 'Nirmal Gujarat' drive has borne fruit as Gujarat ranks third among all states in the country under the Centre-sponsored 'Sampurna Swachhata Abhiyan'. With as many as 1,956 clean villages, Maharashtra ranked first while Uttar Pradesh ranked second with 475 villages.

The Centre identified 381 villages in the State under the campaign. Gujarat Minister of State for Rural Development Bharat Barot told mediapersons on Thursday that he would lead a group of sarpanchs of all 381 villages to Delhi on May 4 to attend a function. At the function, village heads from across the country will be given awards for their achievement under the Centre-sponsored sanitation programme. The national-level function will be attended by President AP J Abdul Kalam, among others.

Barot said all the 381 village panchayats in the State had achieved cent-per-cent target in 2006-07 as per the various parameters set by the Union Rural Development Ministry to claim the "Nirmal Gam Award" floated by the Ministry. The panchayats had covered all families and schools under the sanitation programme in their respective villages. Besides, each of these villages ensured that no person defecates in the open and the carrying of night soil.

In 2004-05, only one village - Rajasmadhiyala in Rajkot - from Gujarat had qualified for the Nirmal Gam Award, and four other villages the following year.

"It's due to the concentrated efforts launched by our department last year that as many as 381 villages have qualified for the award", the minister said. Among the districts, Bhavnagar tops the list of maximum 97 villages having total sanitation, followed by Vadodara (39), the Panchmahals (38), Surendranagar (32), Dahod (25), Patan (23) and Anand (21). Interestingly, not a single village in Ahmedabad district has qualified for the Nirmal Gam Award.

The State Government also needs to carry on with the campaign as another 17,619 villages remain to made "nirmal".

vibs89

June 16th, 2007, 04:25 AM

Below is the link of how Rajkot improvement, development and etc. Can anyone upload over here I mean like in other thread you don't have to visit the site instead you watch it here. Thanks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1M8IDduNXA

Suncity

June 16th, 2007, 05:42 AM

vibs89

June 16th, 2007, 06:48 AM

Thanks Suncity

IndiaRocks

June 16th, 2007, 07:18 PM

Couldn't find a better thread to post this. Since most of the cities mentioned are in Gujarat, I'm posting this here.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Six_cities_to_have_full_water_supply/articleshow/2128363.cms

NEW DELHI: The Centre, on Saturday, said that Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam would now have 100 per cent water supply as part of its flagship urban renewal programme.

Union Urban Development Minister S Jaipal Reddy also informed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat and Vijayawada would be fully covered by modern sewerage system.

Besides, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Indore, Pune, Thane and Vijayawada will have improved bus rapid transit system, Reddy informed the Prime Minister, who reviewed the progress on the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

Singh spoke about the need for greater attention by state governments to modernisation of urban infrastructure with a special focus on the poor living in cities, an official statement said.

During the meeting, he was also informed about waste transport and disposal plans for Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow and Rajkot.

Eleven cities have achieved 85 per cent coverage efficiency in property tax collection while eight have achieved 90 per cent, the statement said.

IndiaRocks

June 16th, 2007, 08:08 PM

http://news.oneindia.in/2007/06/15/modi-inaugurates-sujalam-sufalam-spreading-canal-project-1181851548.html

Patan, Gujarat, June 15: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today inaugurated 'Sujalam Sufalam Spreading Canal Project' by opening the gates of Kadana Dam at Balisana village of Patan taluka in this district.

''With this project, the parched lands of Gujarat will become lush green and the income of farmers will double by 2010,'' Mr Modi said while addressing a large gathering of farmers.

Criticising the Congress-led UPA government, he said ''Then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee had assured Rs 6000 crore to spreading canal project. However, when the Congress-led UPA government took over, it did not provide any assistance despite repeated requests.

The state government took up the project and completed it within 1000 days.'' ''While Sardar Sarovar Project has linked nine rivers, the Sujalam Sufalam Project has linked 21 rivers. While the work on 450 km-long Narmada canal could not be accomplished in the past 35 years, our government has finished the 337-km-long long Sujalam Sufalam Spreading Canal Project within just 1000 days,'' Mr Modi said.

Accusing the UPA government of depriving Gujarat farmers of their right to electricity, the Chief Minister said ''The present government has snatched 200 mega watt electricity from them.

Moreover, it has reduced the grant of Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme from 70 to 30 per cent.'' The canal originates from Kadana Dam across river Mahi and runs up to Rel River in Banaskantha district. It has a capacity of 2,000 cusecs and passes through 232 villages in seven districts. It crosses 21 rivers, two national highways, 27 state highways, seven railway lines and several village roads and drains. The ground water will be recharged by the canal and will prove beneficial for irrigation.

UNI

IndiaRocks

June 18th, 2007, 01:42 AM

Big news on the business front in Gujarat...

http://www.baroda.com/diary.html#Octroi

The Gujarat government proposes to abolish octroi from all of the state's seven municipal corporations - Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh - with effect from November 15 (Labh Pancham). It will in the mean time study viable alternative to octroi. In the previous financial year, the total income from octroi in the seven municipal corporation areas was about Rs. 18 billion; of this amount, Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat accounted for Rs. 16 billion. In the case of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, 62 percent of its total income was from octroi, and 1,500 employees work in its Octroi Department.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060704241000.htm

Gandhinagar June 6 The Gujarat Government today took an in-principle decision to abolish octroi from seven larger municipal corporation limits in the State from November and said it would make efforts to find out by then the alternatives to compensate the Rs 1,800-crore loss to be incurred by civic bodies due to the abolition.

Welcoming the move in Ahmedabad, Mr Pankaj Patel, President of the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), said the body would assist the State Government in finding alternatives to octroi to help civic bodies retain their revenues for public welfare and development works. A delegation of GCCI had met the State Government representatives on Tuesday seeking immediate abolition of octroi.

Justifying the five-month period between now and November, he said the State Government needs time to put a new regime in place.

Currently, octroi rates vary, with a minimum of three per cent of the price of the commodity. Now, to abolish octroi, the State Government would have to amend the Municipal Act and related laws, presumably in the Monsoon Session of the Vidhan Sabha in September, sources said.

Briefing presspersons after the weekly Cabinet meeting here, the Urban Development Minister, Mr I.K. Jadeja, and the Minister of State for Energy, Mr Saurabh Patel, said the Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, took the decision after considering the viewpoints of the sub-committee formed for the purpose. The seven municipal corporations from where octroi is proposed to be abolished from November 15 are: Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, Surat, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Junagarh. The Finance Minister, Mr Vajubhai Vala, had chaired the sub-committee.

In 2001, former Chief Minister, Mr Keshubhai Patel, had scrapped octroi from municipal limits of 141 smaller towns and civic areas in Gujarat.

Currently, Octroi revenues in the seven municipal corporations amount to nearly Rs 1,800 crore with an approximate increase of 20 per cent per annum.

Traders and business community had been agitating against octroi for years, particularly after levying of Value-Added Tax in the different States.

IndiaRocks

June 23rd, 2007, 12:42 AM

http://www.baroda.com/glimpses.html#Bus

Bus Timings On Mobile Phones: The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has started an SMS based service which gives the timings of express and luxury buses. Local buses will also be covered soon. The timings are also available on the GSRTC website www.gujaratsrtc.com. Available round the clock, the service will provide the timings of 4,000 trips from 122 places and 12,629 points.

Check out the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation Website. It isn't too bad..i.e the look and feel of the website..

www.gujaratsrtc.com

superdesi2100

June 28th, 2007, 03:19 PM

Modi's 'GIFT' can rival Mumbai

Call this Ahmedabad's reply to Mumbai or Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's repartee to his Maharashtrian counterpart Vilasrao Deshmukh's promise of a global financial hub.

Ahmedabad's Tagore Hall, popularly called Town Hall, witnessed inauguration of a plan to develop a financial services city consisting of an international financial city segment, domestic finance city sector, a technology park and an integrated township on Thursday. The project's foundation stone was laid by Modi in Gandhinagar on early Thursday morning marked by a bhoomi puja.

Right after Modi lit the project's inaugural lamp, IL&FS signed several memoranda with principle investors in the projects like Kotak Mahindra (committed to develop 300 acres of land), Chest Core (to design 2 million square foot of space), Punj Lyod (set to design 1 milion square foot of built-up space), and Fairwood Associates (to deal with 1 million square foot area), to name a few.

GIFT enjoys significant locational advantages in being situated near the capital city of Gandhinagar and in being only 12 km away from the international airport of Ahmedabad. Moreover, the flying time from India's commercial capital of Mumbai to Ahmedabad is just an hour.

In this project, worth Rs 3,000 crores (Rs 30 billion), Gujarat Urban Development Company Limited on behalf of the government of Gujarat is partnering with Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited. GUDC and IL&FS are promoting the project in public-private partnership mode through the joint venture company Gujarat Finance City Development Company Limited.

The project, with a built-up area of up to 25 million square foot will consist of offices (to take up 60 per cent of total space), residences (25 per cent of the total area), commercial buildings (11 per cent) and services sector (4 per cent).

The city promises to be equipped with an efficient transportation system besides possessing a fully integrated technology centre. As a financial hub, the city will target international financial services, which include offshore banking units, international financial services firms and back office processing centres.

In the domestic segment, the city plans to work in tandem with financial institutions, capital and commodity market players, investor organisations and associates and regulatory bodies.

The city's technology park hopes to see participation from ITes, BPOs, KPOs as well as educational support service providers.

"This financial hub will make Gujarat a combination of New York and California and will earn for itself the status of 'Chicago of Gujarat'", said Modi while delivering his keynote address at the Tagore Hall.

"This is a GIFT Gujarat wants to share with the rest of India," the chief minister said, adding, "The scheduled time of completion of the project's first phase (2010) appropriately coincides with the Golden Jubilee year of the state of Gujarat. Our state will show to the rest of India a new way of finance and living."

East China Architectural Development Institute (Ecadi) will undertake designing and developing GIFT. Ecadi is famous for developing the Chinese city of Shanghai.

http://in.rediff.com/money/2007/jun/28gift.htm

superdesi2100

June 28th, 2007, 03:24 PM

Gujarat goes the Dubai way

Come 2010, Aapnu Amdavad, Vadodara and Surat may well be flaunting 'shopping festivals' of their own a la Dubai and Singapore.

That is if Prozone Liberty International Ltd (PLIL) — a joint venture between UKbased retail real estate player Liberty International Plc (25%) and Provogue India Limited (75%), has its way and the Gujarat government plays a
willing ally.

PLIL is drawing up plans to pump in Rs 2,000 crore to develop 'Festival Cities', which will be retail-led tourism destinations attracting foreign and domestic tourists.

And all this could happen pretty soon with Liberty International CEO David Fischel and senior director John Abel trooping into town on Wednesday to hold detailed discussions with Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

According to sources, Fischel had already made his maiden visit to Gujarat prior to the Vibrant Gujarat summit in January and had been impressed with the infrastructure development in the state.

Local company officials have had preliminary meetings last week with Modi, who was learnt to be keen on the projects.

Interestingly, something similar to which is also proposed for Jaipur and Indore.

To be spread over 50-100 acres, each of these cities will boast of modern large-format retail spread over at least 1 million sq ft in addition to ethnic street retail zone, a la Law Garden, a convention centre, a five-star hotel, multiplex, entertainment zone as well as ethnic culture display centre.

While the Ahmedabad Festival City is proposed to be spread across at least 100 acres, Vadodara and Surat may get
smaller festival cities of 50 acres each, PLIL director Nigam Patel told TOI.

"We are planning a 1.2 million sq ft mall in Ahmedabad on the lines of the ethnic Covent Gardens in London that
plays host to modern as well as ethnic retail and cultural events. It will be a place where modern and ethnic retailers co-exist," Patel explained.

According to sources, the company has already sought land from the state government close to the upcoming SP Ring Road in Ahmedabad for the project and has sought viable locations in Vadodara and Surat.

PLIL has already signed up projects worth Rs 1,500 crore in India and is now looking at other destinations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/rssarticleshow/msid-2152050,prtpage-1.cms

superdesi2100

June 28th, 2007, 08:42 PM

Updates from Economic Times Ahmedabad 06/28/07.

Small Investors Ride Winds Of Change

IF YOU thought investing in power sector was the fiefdom of large corporates alone, think again. Investors with not-so-deep pockets are now exploring wind power sector in their own little way. Reason: Attractive prices per unit being offered by various states for power purchase from private, rather small investors in wind energy.
Sample this: In the past three months, Gujarat signed 90 agreements to buy power from private investors in wind energy aggregating to 226 mw. Officials say, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL) is expecting to close this fiscal with total agreements for about 700 mw.
Increasing interests of small investors in power sector has come as a respite for state electricity bodies. Demand for power has increased dramatically in recent past with heavy industrialisation, urbanisation and rural electrification projects.
Only eight investors in Gujarat have committed projects with capacity of over 5 mw. About 35 projects will have capacity between 1 mw to 5 mw and 47 are for below 1 mw.
It is estimated that Gujarat alone attracted investments worth over Rs 1,000 crore through 90 agreements and about 2,000 crore more is expected to come by this fiscal end.
“We are being flooded with inquiries from all over the country by interested investors, mostly smaller players, thanks to the recent revision in tariff, which is now Rs 3.37 a unit against the previous Rs 2.60 a unit. Investments in wind power also spells tax relief for investors as they become entitled for 100% depreciation of wind turbine generators and sales tax benefits,” a top GUVNL official told ET.
It may be mentioned here that out of total 90 agreements, only 20 investors are from Gujarat and rest 70 are from other parts of the country.
Investors from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh are venturing into Gujarat with small investments in wind energy.

SEPPL to pump Rs 30 cr in waste disposal project

SURAT-BASED Saurashtra Enviro Projects (SEPPL) is setting up a Rs 30-crore Treatment Storage Disposal Facility (TSDF) project in Kutch. The company, which is promoted by environment consultants de Tox Corporation has already acquired over 50 acres in the fastgrowing Kutch region to set up the plant.
Estimates suggest that total waste generated by industries in Kutch and Saurashtra is over 50,000 tonnes per annum. In addition to this, 35,000 tonnes per annum of waste was generated by new industries that came up recently. The rapidly-growing Kutch and Saurashtra regions lack a disposal facility. Industry sources say, presently the hazardous waste generated from industries located in these areas is transported to sites operative in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Ankleshwar, Surat and Vapi. This results in high cost, spillage and in some cases, even illegal dumping.
SEPPL had submitted an expression of interest to Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) to
establish a Composite Common Treatment Storage Disposal Facility in Kutch, which will also be utilised by industries located in districts of Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagadh and Bhavnagar.
GPCB granted an ‘in principle’ approval to SEPPL for developing the Composite Common Treatment Storage Disposal Facility in line with the provided guidelines of GPCB. Currently, there are only six operational sites in Gujarat to treat hazardous waste like chemical sludge, distillation residue, sludge, process sludge, heavy metal bearing waste, solvents, fibre and organic waste amongst others.
Districts like Kutch, Jamnagar, Rajkot, Porbandar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar and Surendranagar however don’t have an Integrated Common Hazardous Waste Management Facility. “We will be developing the facility, which will be equipped to treat waste generated by industries in the region,” says Chetan Contractor, principle promoter of de Tox Corporation and CMD of SEPPL.

vibs89

July 13th, 2007, 08:46 AM

Ahmedabad: The State is turning into a biotech hub. While big pharma companies such as Zydus Healthcare plans to focus on biotech in a big way, more pharma companies are mulling a foray into the sector.

What’s more, a large number of smaller players have emerged in the state — including some shifting base from centres like Hyderabad. The Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission (GSBTM) believes the number of biotech companies has shot up by 50% in the past three years.

If earlier, biotechnology was mostly confined to a few national research laboratories and universities, recently there has been a substantial rise in the biotech investment in Gujarat.

The GSBTM now plans to undertake a study of the new companies dealing in biotechnology which have come up in the state after 2004. “We had undertaken a study to analyse companies as well as the activities they carry out in 2004. Our results showed there were about 30 companies then. Now, our intelligence suggests there are over 45 companies dealing in biotechnology. Also, a lot of existing players have increased their capacities,” says a senior government official.

“Stepping out of the laboratories, biotechnology has shown tremendous potential of industrialisation. The state’s approach to biotech development is reflected from the fact that the new Biotechnology Policy has major focus on promoting biotech research and extending support in the form of incentives, concessions and benefits to new players,” says Mani Iyer, director of Intas Biopharmaceuticals (IBPL), an Ahmedabad-based fully integrated biopharmaceutical company, which is currently expanding its research and development (R&D) facility at Moraiya plant that will enable the company to undertake 10-12 projects at a time.

As many as 15 companies, including home-grown pharma major Zydus Cadila group, have pledged a total investment of Rs 1,541 crore over the next few years. Zydus is investing Rs 100 crore in a large manufacturing and scale-up facility for recombinant biological therapeutics. A senior Zydus official said the group is looking at biotechnology in a big way.

“The state has everything going for it. Places like Hyderabad and Bangalore have a few big players whereas Gujarat has a lot of good companies, which are doing very well,” says Concord MD Biotech Sudhir Vaid.

Industry sources say on the biotechnology front, Gujarat offers lot of scope and potential in areas of agricultural BT, pharma and healthcare BT, animal BT, environment BT and marine BT. “Government has addressed the concerns of each of these areas by encouraging the development of dedicated biotech clusters and biotech parks. Additionally, Gujarat has BT policy and Gujarat Industrial Policy to facilitate development of small, medium and large-scale industries,” says Mr Iyer.

Such is the lure of the state that companies such as Hyderabad-based Vaishnavi Biotech have started moving to Gujarat. The Hyderabad-based company is setting up a project in Bhavnagar.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Gujarat_next_biotech_hub/articleshow/2199280.cms

vibs89

July 27th, 2007, 07:13 AM

Ahmedabad July 27, 2007: Real estate major DLF Ltd will be investing over Rs 6,000 crore in Gujarat in next 2-3 years.

The Delhi-based company would be taking projects like IT parks, residential, retail and other projects through this investment. It is already investing Rs 3,000 crore of these for setting up three IT Parks, one each in Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Vadodara.

Moreover, the company is interested in investing for port, airport and other infrastructure projects in the state. DLF is eyeing major cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot for these projects.

“We are launching our first IT Park in Gujarat at Gandhinagar and will be building another two in Ahmedabad and Vadodara at a total investment of Rs 3,000 crore. We are also interested in building at least one airport at an investment of roughly Rs 5,000 crore as well as a greenfield port at an investment of again Rs 4,000-5,000 crore,” said Rajiv Singh, Vice Chairman, DLF Ltd, adding that the company has responded to EoIs to the government of Gujarat.

Spread across an area of 25 acres, the IT Park at Gandhinagar is expected to be completed in 18 months, with the first phase to be completed in nine months.

To be built at an investment of over Rs 800 crore, the IT Park has received a formal status of a special economic zone (SEZ) and is expected to generate employment for around 30,000 persons.

Singh informed that the company will also be setting up around 6-7 hotels under a joint venture (JV) with Hilton Group of Hotels. The JV would be setting up 70-100 hotels across the country in the next 5-7 years.

“According to a recent Nasscom report, the IT-ITES exports of India, which was $26 billion, will be $60 billion by 2010. Therefore, there is still a lot of scope for the business and Gujarat seems to be an emerging IT hub after Bangalore and Pune,” added Singh.

Meanwhile, Singh said that the company’s subsidiary, DLF Assets will be raising a couple of billion dollars and may possibly raise it through an IPO in a year or two.

The real estate company earned a turnover of around Rs 3,000 crore in the 1st quarter and is expecting to grow by over 20 per cent.

With diversification in mind, DLF has recently entered into a JV with USA-based Prudential Insurance for introducing several financial products including life insurance.

The company, with a stake of 74 per cent in the JV, has applied to IRDA and is expecting a license soon in the current fiscal, said Singh.

- The Business Standard
Source:http://www.projectswire.com/news/newsdetails.aspx

Finally I'm happy as I am Guju I'm happy that something is going to change in Gujarat even though I'm originally from Mumbai. Huge investment in every category like IT, Retail and Blah Blah. The reason why many people not investing in Gujarat due to riots in 2002 between Hindus-Muslim that's why big companies fear and so as NRI that something might not be good to them or could prove big loss to them. Otherwise if the riot didn't take place then Gujurat must have been booming of investment and it could be posibly all companies out there as of my opinion.

IndiansUnite

August 3rd, 2007, 12:13 AM

Finally I'm happy as I am Guju I'm happy that something is going to change in Gujarat even though I'm originally from Mumbai. Huge investment in every category like IT, Retail and Blah Blah. The reason why many people not investing in Gujarat due to riots in 2002 between Hindus-Muslim that's why big companies fear and so as NRI that something might not be good to them or could prove big loss to them. Otherwise if the riot didn't take place then Gujurat must have been booming of investment and it could be posibly all companies out there as of my opinion.

If I am not wrong, Gujarat still attracts more investment than any other state. Anyone got a breakdown of FDI?

____

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/7695/pvrgujka3.jpg

________

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9472/gujhotelcr6.jpg

From construction update

wcgokul

August 3rd, 2007, 08:25 AM

If I am not wrong, Gujarat still attracts more investment than any other state. Anyone got a breakdown of FDI?

____

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/7695/pvrgujka3.jpg

________

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9472/gujhotelcr6.jpg

From construction update

there you go dude.....

http://dipp.nic.in/fdi_statistics/india_fdi_index.htm

http://dipp.nic.in/fdi_statistics/india_fdi_april2007.pdf

irutavias

August 3rd, 2007, 04:02 PM

Gujarat is improving rapidly! The greenfield ports and the new infrastructure! Narendra Modi is on the right track...(except for his hardline view).

IndiansUnite

August 5th, 2007, 06:38 AM

Another Gujarat growth story -

Gujarat's agri productivity increases from Rs 9,000 crore in 2001-02 to Rs 34,000 crore in 2006-07 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Indicators/Gujarats_agri_productivity_up_Rs_34000_cr/articleshow/2253095.cms)

Agricultural production in Gujarat increased four times from Rs 9,000 crore in 2001-02 to Rs 34,000 crore in 2006-07 following the introduction of 'Krishi Mahotsav', the state's Minister of State for Agriculture Dilipkumar Thakor said on Friday.

Considering the plight of farmers in Gujarat, Chief Minister Narendra Modi drew up the Krishi Mahotsav programme to enhance their income. Scientists and officials went to villages and advised farmers on the use of fertilizers, pesticides and pattern of crops, Thakor said.

The initiative proved successful and farmers are a happy lot now due to increased productivity and income from agriculture, horticulture and animal husbandry, Thakor said while interacting with scientists of the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University here.

About 700 scientists and officials visited over 18,600 villages and met nearly one lakh farmers. The Gujarat government wanted to see the income of the farmers doubled in five years, he said.

The main aim was to restructure the system and reframe agriculture policy by strengthening research and links between scientists and farmers and to bring about a change in the attitude of farmers, Thakor said.

Later, talking to reporters, Thakor said Gujarat and its agricultural universities are exploring the possibility of entering into collaborations in various fields of agriculture and horticulture.

cbeboy

August 8th, 2007, 09:05 PM

Bombardier setting up metro coach factory in Vadodara (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/09/stories/2007080952561000.htm)

In a multinationals’ first foreign direct investment in the metro coach manufacturing sector, Canadian firm Bombardier Transportation plans to set up the country’s first metro coach factory in Vadodara by May-June 2008.

Bombardier will manufacture coach shells and bogies in the new factory and expand its existing factory (which manufactures converters for Indian Railways’ locomotives) to make propulsion equipment for metro coaches.

Investment

He added that factory would also integrate the coaches and test them.

“The company would invest upwards of €25 million for the facility,” Mr Rajeev Jyoti, Managing Director, Bombardier Transportation India, told Business Line.

About 500-550 workers would be hired for the factory, comprising about 450 blue-collar workers and 100 supervisors and engineers.

Ready by ‘08

Construction work for the factory would start by September-end this year and the factory is expected to be ready by May-June 2008. “By end-2008 or early-2009, we expect to roll out the first metro coaches,” Mr Jyoti said.

Bombardiers’ decision to set up this factory was driven by a $590-million tender to supply 340 metro coaches to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. The factory would be a wholly owned subsidiary of Bombardier.

The factory would have a capacity to roll out 40 coaches per month at peak performance and 24 coaches per month usually. It can manufacture both broad gauge and standard gauge rolling stock. The facility would have access to Bombardier Transportations’ latest technology in the sector.

Apart from the metro rail market in India, Bombardier is likely to serve the South Asian countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia from this facility. Bombardiers’ European facilities serve the business in these countries at present.

In India, apart from Delhi, other cities like Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad have plans to implement metro rail systems. In China, Bombardier has set up factories through joint ventures, which are likely to serve the Chinese market only.

Bombardier would source inputs like cabling systems, doors, air conditioners, seating and braking systems, from its recognised global vendors — preferably with local presence in India.

Incidentally, Bombardier was contemplating setting up factories in either Hyderabad or Vadodara. It has an engineering facility in Hyderabad and a converter (for locomotives of Indian Railways) manufacturing facility in Vadodara. However, it chose Vadodara for various reasons like the factory being located near a rail-link and several supporting companies’ presence in the region.

cbeboy

August 29th, 2007, 08:07 AM

Essar setting up power plant in Gujarat
(http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/29/stories/2007082952680100.htm)

Essar Group said on Tuesday that it would be setting up a 1,200-MW plant at Jamnagar in Gujarat at an estimated cost of Rs 4,800 crore.

Essar Power (Gujarat) Ltd (EPGL) has entered into a 25-year power purchase agreement with the Gujarat Government for supplying 1,000 MW at Rs 2.40 per unit, the company said in a press release.

cbeboy

September 18th, 2007, 09:24 PM

SEZ proposals in Gujarat cleared (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/09/19/stories/2007091952431000.htm)

In-principle approval for a textile SEZ by Jindal Worldwide Ltd in Gujarat and formal approvals for an information technology/IT enabled services SEZ by Tata Consultancy Services Ltd in Gujarat were among the 10 formal approvals and two in-principle approvals granted by the Board of Approval for SEZs at its meeting held here today. The Board of Approval, headed by the Commerce Secretary, Mr Gopal K. Pillai, considered 19 applications for setting up of SEZs and with today&# 8217;s decision, the number of formal approvals for SEZs goes to 386 out of which 149 have been notified. Mr Pillai told newspersons that Rs 47,732 crore has been invested in these notified SEZs and that they were providing direct employment to over 40,729 persons. Besides an SEZ for TCS, three IT/ITES SEZ by Navi Mumbai SEZ Pvt Ltd in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, and an IT/ITES SEZ by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation, Gujarat, also were other prominent SEZs that got formal approval today.

cbeboy

October 1st, 2007, 06:37 AM

Gujarat plans to develop ‘marine shipbuilding parks’ (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/10/01/stories/2007100150240500.htm)

Gujarat is planning to develop nearly 100 “Marine Shipbuilding Parks” along its 1,600-km-long coastline, each with 10 to 15 shipyards to produce a whole range of ships, which is expected to create a market worth $30 billion for the State by 2020.

With the aim of making Gujarat the shipbuilding hub of India and a global destination in this sector, these yards would be developed in private sector with FDI, with a capacity to build 0.3 to 0.6 million dwt per annum each, the Gujarat Chief Minister, Mr Narendra Modi, told a two-day International Seminar on Shipbuilding Opportunities that began under the aegis of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) at Science City near here on Saturday.

GMB has identified 10 clusters comprising 100 shipyards with an investment of Rs 50,000 crore. More than 20 companies have evinced interest in shipbuilding with an investment of Rs 11,000 crore generating employment potential of one lakh jobs. Six companies are in the process of developing full-fledged yards and seven others have been given in-principle approval.

Former President Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, who inaugurated the event, advised the State Government to create infrastructure for designing ship-building in a big way. A multipurpose shipping industry can be developed by an all-round strategy so that India, which occupies 43rd place in this sector, could come up as a major shipbuilder.

IndiansUnite

November 18th, 2007, 03:12 AM

An article from TOI(Ahmedabad) comparing the ports of Gujarat to those of Mumbai -

Gulf of Kutch: The real Gateway Of India

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6317/gujcoastalprojectsac1.jpg

Ahmedabad: If magnate Mukesh Ambani is today breathing down the neck of Microsoft’s Bill Gates in the global richie list, he owes it in a large part to these waters of Gujarat.

And if the Ruias of Essar are zooming up the billionaire charts and Amdavad got its first Forbes billionaire in Gautam Adani, it’s all thanks to this Gulf of Kutch.

A belt that is now earning the nickname of the ‘Gulf of Riches’ thanks to the moolah it’s raking in for investors who have put their money at the right waterfront.

Already investments worth Rs 1.40 lakh crores have been lined up along the 700-km shoreline by four of India’s billionaires — Mukesh Ambani, Shashi Ruia, Ratan Tatas and Gautam Adani.

This even as other corporates have poured in investments worth over Rs 13,000 crore after the 2001 earthquake with another Rs 80,000 crore investments in the pipeline.

Ten special economic zones (SEZs), including that of Reliance and Essar near Jamnagar, Tatas’ 4000-MW ultra mega power project, five private shipyards, a slew of captive jetties and massive expansions by existing Mundra and Kandla ports are coming up.

Considering 54MT petroleum cargo volume of Reliance and nearly 63 MT of cargo handled by Kandla and Mundra alone, ports in the Gulf alone have surpassed Mumbai’s two ports — Mumbai Port Trust and JNPT — which handled nearly 95 MT during 2006-2007. Both Reliance and Essar are now expanding their refining capacity.

“Besides the geographical locational advantage over Mumbai, Kutch has intermodal transport system of highways and broad-guage connecting it to northern hinterland in place already,” says Vallabh Shah, former vice-chairman of Gujarat Maritime Board and one of the key persons in drafting the present port privatisation policy. Adds Jayesh Buch, regional director, Essar, “We are pumping in additional investment of Rs 24,000 crore in our refinery business.”

In fact, as many as 2,100 vessels would move in and out of the Gulf every year in the next five years, and of these 476 would be very large crude carriers (VLCCs) alone berthing at Kandla and RIL and Essar’s ports.

But then, this Gulf has always been the hub of maritime trade since ancient times with an over 4,000 year history of sea trade along its strategically located ports of Mandvi, Mundra, Okha, Koteshwar, Lakhpat and Jakhau.

As business historian Dwijendra Tripathi points out: “Ports like Okha were thriving ports in medieval times exporting textiles, spices and gems and jewellery to the Persia and Red Sea region in the Mughal era, much before Mumbai port came into existence.”

So history has come full circle. Let Mumbai bask in the past glory.

ajay_ijn

November 18th, 2007, 02:23 PM

good better infrastructure like ports, roads, power means excellent opportunity for manufacturing. Estimated that india needs 1.5 trillion dollars infrastructure investments in a decade.

Arul Murugan

November 18th, 2007, 05:02 PM

Good article.

Gujarat: The most indutrialised state in India.

It will be better if railways convert all existing MG and NG tracks to BG. It will improve the conectivity in th state.

ajay_ijn

November 18th, 2007, 05:35 PM

ajay_ijn

November 18th, 2007, 05:41 PM

An article from TOI(Ahmedabad) comparing the ports of Gujarat to those of Mumbai -

Gulf of Kutch: The real Gateway Of India

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6317/gujcoastalprojectsac1.jpg
in port sector, they might have compete Orissa too. Massive Steel Plants will be come up there in future and for that them ports would be must. likely that every steel giant tatas, POSCO, mittal, Essar etc will plan a dedicated port.

ab041937

November 19th, 2007, 03:46 AM

in port sector, they might have compete Orissa too. Massive Steel Plants will be come up there in future and for that them ports would be must. likely that every steel giant tatas, POSCO, mittal, Essar etc will plan a dedicated port.

Gujrat will have one benefit over Orissa that most of the refineries are going to come up there.

ajay_ijn

November 19th, 2007, 04:22 PM

Gujrat will have one benefit over Orissa that most of the refineries are going to come up there.
on related note i heard that Reliance Jamnagar Plant will refine 1.5 to 2 barrels out of every 100 in the world. later when i checked the figures of all refinery expansion plans- found that by 2012, India will refine 5 barrels out of every 100 & will export atleast 40% of that.

ab041937

November 19th, 2007, 04:51 PM

on related note i heard that Reliance Jamnagar Plant will refine 1.5 to 2 barrels out of every 100 in the world. later when i checked the figures of all refinery expansion plans- found that by 2012, India will refine 5 barrels out of every 100 & will export atleast 40% of that.

Essar Gujrat has their refinery next to Reliance's in Jamnagar. They are planning to increase their capacity from 10.5 million tonnes per annum to 37 million tonnes by 2010. I heard Reliance also plans to double their refining capacity. There was this report from Assocham which was highly disputed by some members here. It said India's Petro exports would reach $500 billion by 2012. So you could be right.

ajay_ijn

November 19th, 2007, 06:17 PM

Here is some info.
---------------
India Refining Capacity in 2007 is 2.9 million barrels per day. By 2012, targeting 5 million barrels per day. world oil consumption is estimated to reach 95 million barrels per day by 2012

bpd- barrels per day

Expansion & Construction of New Plants.

Indian Oil (Present Capacity: 1.2 million barrels per day)
300,000 bpd Paradip
60,000 bpd Expansion panipat
50,000 bpd Expansion Haldia

Reliance (Present Capacity: 660,000 BPD)
580,000 bpd Jamnagar

Hindustan Petroleum (Present Capacity: 260,000 BPD)
180,000 bpd Bhatinda
48,000 bpd Expansion Mumbai
150,000 bpd Expansion Vizag
300,000 bpd Vizag Proposed

Essar (Present Capacity 150,000 BPD)
360,000 bpd Vadinar (completed by 2010)
170,000 bpd Expansion Vadinar

ONGC (240,000 BPD)
60,000 bpd expansion Mangalore
300,000 bpd Kakinada, proposed

Bharat Petroleum (Present Capacity: 450,000 BPD)
150,000 bpd Kochi
120,000 bpd Bina, MP

Nagarjuna
120,000 bpd Chennai
--------------
Indian Oil will continue to be largest oil refiner in India while jamnagar will be single largest refinery complex in the world.

It said India's Petro exports would reach $500 billion by 2012. So you could be right.
doubt that figure, because estimated quantity being exported will increase between 4 to 5 times by 2012. Considering present exports stands at 20 billion USD, 2012 figure might stand at approx 100 billion USD but that figure doesn't consider the rising oil prices & weakening of dollar.

GJ10

December 1st, 2007, 05:26 PM

Mitsui & Co picks 20% equity stake in ISC (http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/mitsuico-picks-20-equity-stakeisc/18/10/314834)

Japanese major, Mitsui & Co. signed a joint venture agreement with Ruchi Group, India to increase its present equity stake of 10% to 20% for the expansion of Indian Steel Corporation Limited (ISC) to manufacture Cold Rolled Steel / Galvanized and Color Coated Steel products. The project is located near Kandla, in the state of Gujarat.

The present designed production capacity of ISC is 200,000 Mton / year for the cold rolled steel and 120,000 Mton / year for galvanized products. With the expansion, ISC would be adding capacity of more than 400,000 MT of cold rolling and coated products. The expansion is expected to reach full operation by the year 2009. The total project cost would be approx. Rs. 1250 crores. The project would target the booming Construction and Auto sectors in India, which is witnessing robust growth.

Mitsui & Co. Limited, is one of the Japan's largest trading companies with total revenues of more than USD 32.95 Billion and variety of business interests such as Metal products and minerals, Machinery, Electronics, Chemical, Energy, Consumer Product and Services, Logistics and Financial Markets. They have presence in 91 countries through their 175 offices.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Kiyotaka Watanabe, Executive Managing officer - Iron and Steel Products Business Unit said that this is Mitsui's first ever equity investment in the Indian steel Products sector. He also added that India has best potential for future growth among most Asian countries.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Kailash Chandra Shahra, Chairman, Indian Steel Corporation Limited said, "We are delighted to have Mitsui as an equity partner in our new project. This investment reflects Mitsui's confidence in Ruchi as well as in Indian Steel sector."

Mr. Umesh Shahra, Managing Director of Indian Steel Corporation Limited quoted " ISC`s products have been highly appreciated by our numerous esteemed end-customers in terms of both, quality and cost. With such encouraging response from our customers and their firm confidence in our capabilities, we are motivated to go for expansion of the project. The expansion would reflect the state-of-art technology for production of cold rolled, ZN-Al coated and colour coated material".

After completion of the project, the Ruchi Group will add a fresh capacity of approximately half a million tones to its existing steel processing capacity. "With increasing activity in the Indian construction and sustained buoyancy in the construction segment, we are bullish on the domestic demand", confers Mr. Umesh Shahra, Managing Director, Indian Steel Corporation.

GJ10

December 1st, 2007, 05:33 PM

IFC may invest in Tata Power's Mundra project (http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14569021)

Mumbai: International Finance Corporation will consider a loan of up to $450 million (Rs 1,800 crore) and an equity investment of up to $ 50 million (Rs 200 crore) for Tata Power's Ultra Mega Power Project at Mundra in Gujarat, the institution's web site said.

IFC, the private investment arm of the World Bank, said this would be its first financing of a supercritical plant anywhere in the world.

Additionally, IFC and Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd (the subsidiary of TPC which will handle the project) are exploring the possibility of syndicating up to $300 million in loans, according to the IFC web site.

IFC will consider these proposed investments at its board meeting, tentatively scheduled for March 27 next year.

Tata Power has earlier mentioned IFC among the several multilateral institutions from which it is seeking loans for the project.

Sify Finance

Euromast

December 4th, 2007, 02:01 PM

Germany’s Lanxess ABS plans to invest Rs 800 crore to set up a greenfield chemical facility in Gujarat. The company has already acquired 40 acres of land near Jhagadia to set up the ion exchange resin plant, which will come up in the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) estate.

Confirming the development, a senior government official told Business Standard that the company is looking at manufacturing NAOH and HCL gas among other chemicals.

Lanxess, which has interests in performance chemicals, chemicals intermediates, engineering plastics and performance rubber already has manufacturing facilities at Nandesari, Katol and Moxi in south and central Gujarat. Lanxess also has a research and development centre at Moxi

Source (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=30869)

GJ10

December 8th, 2007, 06:46 PM

Gujarat and its ports al-Hind (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Gujarat-and-its-ports-alHind/247868/1)

It is so easy, and symptomatic of all that is wrong with the Indian media-political circus, to forget the real growth indicators in Gujarat. What both sides of the Indian democracy coin neglect is the state’s amazing infrastructure story. One reason could be that it is easier to pretend that there are two homogeneous masses—Hindus and Muslims—doing nothing but playing games against each other, and set out mathematical models accordingly. But the bigger reason perhaps is that not too many of us are getting down to the real commerce story being played out on the hard ground of road and rail networks (or shipping lines and cargo air freight routes) for a closer look at the realities.

Sitting behind a windscreen in a car or on an airplane seat does not count. One such success story that cuts across all lines has to do with the way seaports and support systems, as well as coastal and inland linkages for handling huge ocean-going ships, are springing up—again—all over the coast of Gujarat. Notice the emphasis on “again”.

These were ports that have existed from Biblical and Mughal times, Hazira/Surat being just one example that finds historical references in sealogs around the world. Okha/Porbandar/Dwarka is another. And then they withered away. Because shipping grew, while these ports didn’t.

The port that grew at their cost was Front Bay. Legit and otherwise, everything started flowed through BomBahia. And with draughts of upto 10 metres, as well as brilliant road and rail linkages for the day, Bombay emerged as the trade fulcrum of India. But then the whole BPT, Pir Pau, Butcher Island, JNPT and environs, including Sahar/CST, stagnated, and those who rule Mumbai forgot that to remain a financial centre, they would need to let the physical part of the port operations move out, as is the trend worldwide. London moved to Thamesport, New York moved to Norfolk, San Francisco moved to Oakland and Tokyo moved to Yokohama when they realised that bringing deep-draught ocean going ships drawing 15-20 metres draught with multi-million tonne cargo linkages through the centre of their cities was not their cup of oil-spill. Maharashtra’s problems, as evident in the current war between the Central and state governments over Mumbai’s ports, has been Gujarat’s gain. It doesn’t help either that the coast south of Mumbai gets a heavy monsoon lashing.

Gujarat is aware of its advantages. This is evident in the “gulf revival”—of Kutch and Khambat. But. Till as recently as the early 1980s, even the emergence of Kandla was resisted by coastline equivalents of the Bombay Club. As a result, the age-old maritime tradition of Gujarat had been reduced to minor fishing and major smuggling. Rail links were absent or metre gauge, and the west coast of India meant Bombay for all shipping purposes. Liberalisation changed all that. Today’s Kandla numbers speak for themselves. This port beats all Mumbai ports put together. Hollow.

Now take an even closer look at every new port on the Gujarat coast. If you can’t go there, then use satellite photos. Small fishing hamlets of a few decades ago have become seaports again, whether with berths alongside or safe anchorages. Listing them all is difficult, because there are over three dozen ports in Gujarat now that can accept deep-draught foreign going ships, and scores more which handle coastal shipping as well as medium sized ships catering to points as far as Singapore on one side and the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Horn, East and South Africa on the other. They have also breached the Suez, and small ships of assorted flags are reaching into the Levant and the rest of the Med.

And that’s just the legit cargo. For narcotics, arms and flesh, Karachi and Mumbai have long lost their status as trade points. Ask around in the Khandwa region, for example, and learn about the routes in use now.

Gujarat’s re-emergence should be no surprise. Till about 150 years ago, when the British firmed up their subcontinental influence, Gujarat’s ports were bustling with small-draught sail ships. After the industrial revolution, mechanised ships—with draughts of around 5-10 metres—switched to Bombay. Gujarat ports have now jumped technologies, making way for draughts of 12-20 metres.

The difference is vast. Till not too long ago, the India’s west coast would shut down for almost half the year during the monsoons. Even now, new ports along the Maharashtra coast are vulnerable to the rains. Add the perils of “global wierding”, and it is clear why Gujarat is stealing ahead.

And so, where does the Gujarat election fit in here? Whatever the communal configuration, the seaports, airports, railways and roads in Gujarat are fact. And, as always, commerce prevails over religion. The seaports in Gujarat are truly symbolic of this. Yes, the traditional “control” that seafaring Muslims had in the state seems to be giving way. But then, with the commercial stakes so huge, that was not entirely unexpected

Financial Express

GJ10

December 8th, 2007, 09:18 PM

Kalpasar Project back on!?!?!?

This is a project that really deserves to be implemented...

According to the website of the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), the perpetually delayed Kalpasar Project has apparently been approved as of 20th June 2007!

PDF File from NEERI (http://www.neeri.res.in/contracted_project_file/1184821266KalpasarProject.pdf)

For those who are unaware of the project, it is a multi-purpose plan to provide Fresh Water and Hydro-Electric Energy by building a Dam across the Gulf of Khambhat, from Bhavnagar District to Bharuch District, collecting water from many of the rivers that drain into the Gulf, including the Narmada and Sabarmati.

Road and Rail lines on the Dam will also improve connectivity between the Southern region of the Kathiawad peninsula and the Bharuch/Surat region of Gujarat, vastly cutting travelling times between the areas.

Diagram of Kalpasar Plan:
http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/7162/kalpasarxj4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

1) Road and Rail Lines
2) Hydro-Electric Turbines
3) Ship Lock
4) Spillways

Hopefully it actually comes to fruition!

GJ10

December 16th, 2007, 01:54 AM

Ok, I can answer my own question...

Looks like the Kalpasar Project is back with a vengeance... and a video! :cheers:

HE9k3qKiRHA

Its in Gujarati, but it pretty much speaks for itself

Suncity

December 16th, 2007, 03:51 AM

OMG has Medha been notified yet? She and her friends will surely find some problems. If nothing else then at least some "environmental" issues?

kronik

December 23rd, 2007, 06:34 PM

Congratulations to Narendra Modi
Now we can expect most of these big Gujarat projects to gather steam.

Arul Murugan

December 24th, 2007, 12:25 AM

This is one of the great projects for SOurahtra region. The journey time will come down by 7to 8hrs from Mumbai to Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar cities of Gujarat!

Hope it will come true.

dreadathecontrols

January 30th, 2008, 08:19 AM

we may or may not agree with modi but he has got the economy growing at more than 10%.what he is doing in that regard other CM should emulate.
(To put it in perspective some southern c****e states have in the past acheived 16 % growth , some cities 22%. Phenominal)
he has also delevered some social improvement projects , i think.
good for gurgurat.

shivy

February 3rd, 2008, 10:20 AM

Gandhinagar all set to get a ‘vibrant’ trade centre

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Gandhinagar-all-set-to-get-a-vibrant-trade-centre/268502/

Gandhinagar, February 2 In a bid to add an element of corporate culture to the state capital, the Narendra Modi Government has mooted a proposal to create a distinct "Vibrant Gujarat Trade Centre" in Gandhinagar, under which leading industrial houses will be allotted plots of land to construct corporate offices.

In fact, some of the major corporate houses, including Adani Group, Essar, DLF, Reliance, Rahejas and Torrent have already expressed willingness to open their offices at the proposed Centre in Sector 11, a senior official in the State Industries department told Express Newsline on Saturday. The government is developing the area into a commercial zone where at least half-a-dozen business and commercial complexes have already come up.

According to a Government Resolution (GR) issued by the Roads and Building department, the industrial houses wanting to set up their offices at the proposed trade centre will have to form their own society registered under the Registration Act. This society having members from corporate houses will be handed over plots at the prevailing market prices. The government has fixed 1,000 square metres as a minimum ceiling of a plot, and maximum of 10,000 square metres for prospective clients.

The society to be formed by corporate houses will have to create and maintain all necessary infrastructure and common facilities like roads, water, drainage and parking and club house at the proposed trade centre on their own, as the government will not bear any expenditure on this. The land on which this infrastructure is to be created will be in the possession of the Roads and Building department, said the resolution.

A senior official said that the government had set up a three-member committee comprising Secretaries of the Finance, Urban Development and R & B departments to decide market prices of the land to be allotted for the purpose.

This could mean another supertall near the Diamond tower

bhargavsura

February 4th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Does any one have details about the Sabarmati Riverfront development project???

IndiansUnite

February 4th, 2008, 11:25 PM

^
Clicky (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=11461773&postcount=18)

bhargavsura

February 6th, 2008, 06:38 PM

^^^
Thanks for the link!!!

superdesi2100

February 12th, 2008, 03:16 AM

Gujarat no. 1 in country in terms of infrastructure projects under PPP model

Gujarat is the leader in the country in terms of infrastructure projects to be carried out under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model. Part of the Prime Minister’s Committee on Infrastructure compilation, this bit of information is a boost for the bureaucrats busy refurnishing the Vision-2020 document for the state.

Of the Rs 51,820 crore worth of projects in the infrastructure sector getting implemented through the PPP model across major states, over a third, worth Rs 18,251 crore are getting done in Gujarat. Of this, the ports sector takes the lion’s share at Rs 11,730 crore.

Maharashtra comes second with allocations of Rs 12,498 crore, followed by Andhra Pradesh. Of the PPP projects in the infrastructure sector that are in the pipeline, Gujarat has cornered as many as 30 of them worth Rs 12,314 crore. The total stands at Rs 34,724 crore.

Officials say the figures would help create a favourable image of the government before groups who are ready to invest in the sector. The state is aiming at 15,000 megawatts of new power capacity addition over the next five years, apart from developing at least 10 new ports in the private sector.

“We are also in the process reviewing the Vision-2020 document and this would help us in gauging how the infrastructure would pan out over the next few years. The revision is basically being done in the light of fresh investment pipeline that we have succeeded in attracting through the Vibrant Gujarat summits during the last few years,” says an industry bureaucrat.

Other sectors that have attracted these projects include roads, urban infrastructure, power, airports and railways.

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Gujarat-no.-1-in-country-in-terms-of-infrastructure-projects-under-PPP-model/271998/

bhargavsura

February 12th, 2008, 05:48 AM

undoubtedly!!!!

k4ran

February 14th, 2008, 11:52 AM

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/A_Little_Japan_on_100_sq_km_in_Gujarat/articleshow/2780918.cms)

A 'mini-Japan' may take shape in Gujarat soon. A high-level business delegation from the Japanese External Trade Organisation (JETRO), which visited Gujarat last week, has asked the state government to provide a vast area of 100 square kilometres, where the Japanese could build their own township.

The land has been sought along the ambitious Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor which the Japanese government is helping to build.

"We have given them maps of the areas we can offer, so that they can have a closer look," a senior government official said after a meeting with nearly 40 top business executives who formed part of the delegation looking for opportunities along the DMIC.

The request to provide land for an exclusive Japanese industrial township came from JETRO vice-executive chairman Sunichi Yamamoto. The idea first cropped up during Chief Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in April 2007.

Now, it has been left to the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) to work out details of the township with JETRO. The Japanese will return soon with a finalised location. Major industries keen to set up their offices in the township include Toshiba, Sumitomo, Chisso, Fujitrans.

The township will be primarily industrial and complete with residential complexes, medical, health and recreation facilities, restaurants, educational institutions. "Japanese companies will set up base here and will build the required infrastructure as per Japanese standards and requirements," the official said.

The official further said there is a tendency among Japanese to live in a cluster and feel at home wherever they are in the world. A similar project had been taken up in Thailand which has proved to be a successful model. The aim would be to give families of Japanese executives and workers a distinct flavour so that they don’t miss the environment back home.

The township will come up in any of the special investment regions' (SIRs) corridors proposed for development in the DMIC - Ahmedabad-Dholera, Ankleshwar-Vadodara, Dahej-Bharuch and Mehsana-Palanpur.

bhargavsura

February 14th, 2008, 07:06 PM

Either Ankleshwar Vadora or Ahmedabad Dholera corridor is a good choice. Bharuch-Dahej and Mehsana-Palanpur I am not sure. But its a good initiative by the government. Let's see if it comes up. Will boost up employment and infrastructure in the state of Gujarat on the arrival of Japanese-type township!!! We need more of these township from the Americans and the Australians too. They have a good organization for Apartment complexes and Metro-suburb connections!!! Increased Foreign investments and introduction of foreign type infrastructure will make take Gujarat on the top if all goes well within the next 5 years!!!

bhopalus

March 20th, 2008, 12:47 AM

Minimum government,
maximum governance
The Gujarat model of governance holds lessons for the rest of India (http://pragati.nationalinterest.in/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/pragati-issue12-march2008-communityed.pdf)

A really long excellent article (look on page 11 to page 14)

bhargavsura

April 3rd, 2008, 08:38 PM

So any updates on Kalpasar Project yet?

bhargavsura

April 6th, 2008, 03:53 PM

Z0bBQwYL2iU

gradybush

April 6th, 2008, 06:12 PM

^^

its ironical that IK Jadeja, the minister who was responsible for such great progress in infrastructure lost the recently concluded assembly elections.

k4ran

April 7th, 2008, 10:22 AM

Gujarat has made very good progress in the last 5 years or so. :)

IndiansUnite

April 27th, 2008, 09:01 PM

from the energy thread:

Tata Power subsidiary gets $450m loan approval to set up 4000Mw powerplant in Mundra (http://www.topnews.in/tata-power-subsidiary-gets-loan-approval-adb-gujarat-power-plant-238249)

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a loan amounting to $450 million (Rs 1,808 crore) to Coastal Gujarat Power Limited (CGPL), a subsidiary of the Tata Power Company Limited for the setup of a 4,000-megawatt energy-efficient coal power plant in Indian state of Gujarat.

The project consists of 5 units, each of 800 MW, which will generate saleable power of 3,800 MW to be supplied to five states namely Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab.

The cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 17,000 crore with the first of the five units to be commissioned in September 2011. The entire plant is expected to be commissioned by end of 2012.

Euromast

May 3rd, 2008, 11:23 AM

Gujarat emerging as export hub for auto majors

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is poised to become a major auto export hub in the country with several vehicle manufacturers coming to the state to invest in its ports to set up automobile-handling terminals.

The Mundra port, developed by the Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ), will have a car export terminal operational by the first quarter of 2009, a top official of the company, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told reporters.

The terminal, exclusively for Maruti Suzuki India cars, is being built at an investment of Rs 100 crore ($25 million), said Sandeep Mehta, chief executive of the port.

This will be India's first dedicated car export terminal, he added. The terminal will be able to handle 250,000 units of Maruti cars a year. The capacity would be raised by an additional 400,000 units by 2010, Mehta said.

Currently, Mumbai and Chennai are the major ports that handle auto exports. Tata Motors, Maruti Suzuki, Ashok Leyland and Eicher Motors depend on the Mumbai facilities, owing to the proximity to their production centres

Hyundai and Ford, thanks to their south Indian manufacturing facilities, export cars through Chennai Port

Mitsubishi Motors is another global major which is looking for port facilities on the west coast. The company is considering locations like Vansi Borsi Port and Maroli Port in Gujarat to set up a car-handling terminal, sources said.

The sources added that Mitsubishi was also exploring options for setting up exclusive terminals at existing ports like Mundra, Pipavav, Okha or Kandla

cncity

May 7th, 2008, 12:31 AM

AHMEDABAD: Mundra, the country's biggest private port, is all set to stamp its presence on the global aviation map. This location in the Gulf of Kutch could well be the first private international airport in the country.

Adani Group, the promoter of Mundra port, has firmed up plans to build an international airport by converting its existing air-strip in the SEZ. On Monday, civil aviation minister Praful Patel had detailed discussions about the project with Adanis on a visit Mundra.

Patel is believed to have come quite close to the Adanis who have also proposed to set up a 1980 MW thermal power plant in his Lok Sabha constituency of Gondia in Maharashtra. Patel has already reciprocated by chosing Federa, located close to the Dholera port and SEZ being developed by the Adanis, as the location for the new international airport for Ahmedabad.

The group has prepared the blueprint for converting the 1,700 metres long airstrip, which is currently being used for private purpose, into a full-fledged airport for passenger as well as cargo traffic.

The Adani plan come on the heels of cabinet's approving the civil aviation ministry proposal to allow private airports. Adanis will be submitting a formal proposal to the ministry very soon.

Mundra SEZ has close to 16,000 acres of land in its possession while 16,000 acres more is being acquired.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Adani_plans_international_airport/articleshow/3016649.cms

Jai

May 15th, 2008, 11:12 AM

Check this out:

From an article from last month...
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/20/stories/2008042055811300.htm

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi said here on Saturday that his government is building a nano-city and the Gujarat International Financial Tax city (GIFT) at Gandhinagar while going ahead with its plans to connect all its villages with broadband facilities in the next two months.

Inaugurating the Assocham organized Gujarat Summit here Mr. Modi said that the hundred-storied nano city would have ultra modern facilities from human resources development to process houses for which the process for construction could shortly commence.

Likewise, the proposed GIFT would be built by one company that created Shanghai in China for which necessary formalities were being completed, he said.

Mr. Modi refused to give further details for the proposed nano city and GIFT. However, he said since Gujarat had become number one IT power in entire Asia and number two in the world, it was committed to provide broadband facilities to all its villages in the next 65 days.
I can't find any other info on Gujarat's upcoming Nano city anywhere...

Anyway, while a supertall would seem to defy the idea of anything nano, keep in mind that Gujarat has already approved the 80(+?) story Diamond Tower and the two 60+ story Gateway Towers in GIFT, so unless Modi was misquoted, this may be a rather interesting development.

Honestly, of all the states whose governments are foot dragging all the supertall projects (Andhra, Maharashtra, NCR metro, etc.) my bet's on Gujarat to pull this off superquick

bhargavsura

May 15th, 2008, 04:26 PM

Modi's the man....

TdotTdot

May 15th, 2008, 05:29 PM

WAakaka Since when did Gujarat become no. 1 IT power in Asia? I always thought Bangalore was India's IT capital :bash:

bhopalus

May 16th, 2008, 01:55 AM

Check this out:

From an article from last month...
http://www.hindu.com/2008/04/20/stories/2008042055811300.htm

I can't find any other info on Gujarat's upcoming Nano city anywhere...

Anyway, while a supertall would seem to defy the idea of anything nano, keep in mind that Gujarat has already approved the 80(+?) story Diamond Tower and the two 60+ story Gateway Towers in GIFT, so unless Modi was misquoted, this may be a rather interesting development.

Honestly, of all the states whose governments are foot dragging all the supertall projects (Andhra, Maharashtra, NCR metro, etc.) my bet's on Gujarat to pull this off superquick

I'm pretty sure Modi was either misquoted or Modi meant 100 stories total (as in 10 buildings, each 10 stories). Why would he build a random 100 story tower in a state that doesn't have any buildings taller than 15 stories? Unless this tower is part of GIFT (which is probably not the case), it'd be random and stupid to have such an enormous structure in a place that still needs to work on basic infrastructure. Gujarat is on the right track, but it's still not ready yet for such a structure.

And forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is a "nano city"?

Jai

May 17th, 2008, 12:57 AM

Well, from what I remember from news articles from several months ago, Nano city is supposed to be another CBD development for nanotechnology and related industries, like GIFT is for finance and banking.

If it is a GIFT-like development, a 100 story tower is not out of the question. God knows, there apparently is the demand for it, with GIFT real estate almost if not totally sold out to the final phase before even groundbreaking.

If that is the case, a 100 story tower can be a signature tower in such a greenfield city, which would, like GIFT, come with the requisite supportable infrastructure. I don't see why Modi would say 100 stories total (no developer talks about total stories in a project spanning several buildings.)

But all of this, your opinion and mine, is speculation. Until more info comes out, its just something to look forward to.

-Jai

IndiansUnite

May 18th, 2008, 07:05 PM

edit: wrong thread

IndiansUnite

May 20th, 2008, 03:43 AM

another Gujarat growth story -

In a first, Gujarat to connect all villages via satellite
Each panchayat will have its own e-mail address and more than 13,000 of them will be hosted on the state-owned data centre. The project will be connected through very small aperture terminals, which bounce data from one location to another via satellites

Regina Anthony
New Delhi, May19

Gujarat will be the first state in India to provide high-speed connectivity through satellite-based data connections to all its 13,693 gram panchayats, as village administrative councils are commonly called, by July this year, enabling video, voice and data offerings in the areas of e-governance, distance education, tele-medicine, agriculture and interactive advisory and counselling services.

Each panchayat will have its own e-mail address and more than 13,000 of them will be hosted on the state-owned data centre. The project will be connected through so-called very small aperture terminals or VSATs, which bounce data signals from one location to another via satellites, routing these signals through small dish antennas.

The project will cost Rs 200-300 crore, a senior Gujarat government official said. "While a majority of the funds come from the state government, some capacity of between Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore comes from the Central government," said Varesh Sinha, principal secretary of panchayats in the state.

The build-operate-transfer project, announced by the state government in September, has India's largest mobile phone services firm, Bharti Airtel Ltd, which also runs a broadband business, as the implementing agency. Bharti Airtel, which began work on the project in January, plans to connect the with panchayats broadband connectivity at speeds of 2mbps.

"One of the best things about Gujarat is that there is a lot of great digitisation that has happened in the state than anywhere else. This will be further fuelled by the panchayat connectivity," said T.R. Madan Mohan, managing partner at management consultancy firm Browne and Mohan.

Chris Tobit, Bharti Airtel's director, sales and operations for enterprise services, said the project was on track for completion in July. The New Delhi based firm won the contract in October.

Gujarat is moving fast in taking information technology or IT to the village level, said an expert overseeing the Centre's common services centres project that aims to roll out some 100,000 computer kiosks countrywide.

[HT]

cncity

May 20th, 2008, 03:51 AM

In what could be another big-ticket investment in Gujarat's port sector, Dubai's Emirates Trading Agency (ETA), the flagship business of ETA-Ascon and the Star Group, has written to the state government evincing interest in setting up a shipbuilding yard and a port along the state's coastline. This is apart from other investments in the state's maritime infrastructure.

While the investment details are not known, state government sources say the amount could be huge. "We have had preliminary meetings with ETA officials regarding their plans for Gujarat. We have invited them to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit early next year," said Capt SC Mathur, chief nautical officer of Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), the state's shipping regulator.

Currently, Maersk, Shell Hazira and DP World have operations in the state. While Maersk manages the Pipavav port, Shell Hazira runs an LNG terminal in Hazira. DP World operates a container terminal in Mundra.

With the state government encouraging private participation in ports, a number of big foreign players have shown interest in investing in the state.

The ETA-Ascon group is engaged in diversified business activities and represents some of the world's leading manufacturers and service providers such as Japan's Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy, Italy's Klimak, Germany's GE-AEG, Titan, and Giordano International.

The group manages and operates Ajman port and container terminal and recently acquired a shipyard in China with a capacity of 80,000 DWT (deadweight tonnage) vessels, which it will upgrade to 120,000 DWT.

Gujarat has been emerging as a major shipbuilding destination. At the global investors' summit last year, leading logistics and shipping companies in the port sector had signed MoUs worth Rs 13,500 crore.

The state, which aims to account for 50 per cent of the nation's shipbuilding activity, has decided to come up with a shipbuilding policy.

Gujarat handles 11.5 per cent of the total cargo traffic among India's major ports and 71.5 per cent of the total cargo handled by the non-major ports. The state's non-major ports handled 132.44 million tonnes (mt) in 2006-2007, an increase of 22 per cent over the previous year. The total port capacity of Gujarat grew more than three times, from 45 mt in 1995 to 197 mt, in 2006-07.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=3&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=323511&tab=r

Jai

May 24th, 2008, 08:48 PM

~~~~~

5 Star Hotel, Surat, designed by Mandviwala Qutub & Associates
http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6607/sur5stbw5.jpg

~~~~~

bobbie501

May 25th, 2008, 06:45 AM

deleted....

IndiansUnite

May 28th, 2008, 01:22 AM

Gujarat chosen as site for new Ceat radial plant (http://www.reifenpresse.de/CDML007/en/gast/detail.php?t=akt&tk=1845856&RecID=16041)

India’s Ceat Ltd has chosen the state of Gujarat for the location of its long anticipated greenfield radial facility. The RS 5 to 6 billion (£60 to 70 million) plant was first announced over a year ago and several locations throughout India were short listed as possible sites – the company reportedly selecting Gujarat for its infrastructure, proximity to a port and ‘work culture.’ In addition to the production of passenger car tyres, the facility will also be home to a pilot facility for the manufacture of 250,000 TBR tyres per annum.

Ecotourism to come up in Gujarat (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=38271)

Three sanctuaries and a national park in Gujarat have been identified as sites for Ecotourism development, a forest authority said today.

"A basic low cost and low impact Ecotourisum facility will be developed under the Japanese aid project with the full involvement of the local communities in Gujarat," Jagdish Prasad, conservator of the forest of the Gujarat Government Forest Department said.

Ecotourism will be developed at 91 villages in all of the seven protected areas, including Shoolpaneswar sanctuary, Ratanmahal sanctuary, Jessor sloth bear sanctuary and Vansda national park, he said adding that the wildlife wing of the Gujarat forest department will have the overall responsibility for the implementation of the ecotourism development.

The site development includes construction and management of eco-lodge, provision for furnishing of the eco-lodge, development of nature trails, construction and management of information centre com gift shop, audio-visual equipment and brochures, Prasad said.

Also support from the Gujarat government's tourism department and Gujarat State Tourism Development Corporation will be sought to market the sites to potential tourists, in addition to making business relation with private tour operators, the conservator said.

"The Eco-development activities will consist of helping the forest department in conserving the protected area concerned through awarness building and overseeing community members to ensure they do not encroach, tresspass, graze, steal,light fires or hunt, creation of community assets and household livelihood improvementy," Prasad added.

bhargavsura

May 28th, 2008, 11:35 PM

Cement Exports Allowed through Gujarat Ports

Cement FactoryCement industry is one of the main beneficiaries of the infrastructure boom. While on the one hand several big and small cement companies are actively considering expansion plans in anticipation of further growth in demand for cement, on the other, a phase of acquisitions and mergers among the existing players is also not being ruled out in the immediate future

The Government has eased the ban on cement exports from the ports in Gujarat. Gujarat accounts for almost 90 per cent of the country’s cement exports.

The Director-General of Foreign Trade has also issued a notification to give effect to the Government decision.

“The existing ban on export of cement and cement clinkers shall not be applicable to export of cement from ports of Gujarat,” the DGFT notification said.

The major cement manufacturers in the State include Gujarat Ambuja, Binani Industries, Ultratech, Sanghi Cement and Gujarat Siddhee. There are also around 90 operational mini cement plants in the State.

Government bans cement exports to stem price rise

Earlier the Central government on April 11, 2008, decided to ban cement exports from the country in an apparent attempt to improve supplies in the domestic market and stem cement price rise during the coming months.

“We have decided to ban cement exports. The order would be issued today. April-June is a period when demand for cement in quite high.

“This move would improve availability of cement,” Mr Kamal Nath, Union Commerce and Industry Minister, told reporters soon after he announced the annual supplement to the foreign trade policy.

Official sources said that the Government was, through this move, trying to send a signal that it would step in to address inflationary concerns.

Domestic prices unlikely to be impacted

However, analysts contend that the ban on cement exports was unlikely to have any major impact on the domestic prices as the industry’s annual export was not more than two per cent of total production.

It was felt that companies need not reduce price at all as domestic demand was quite strong.

“Cement production in fiscal 2008 was about 166 million tonnes, while all the cement companies put together would have exported just four million tonnes for the entire fiscal,” said an analyst.

The high price realisation in the domestic markets had forced many companies to curb exports on their own.

“The average domestic prices are hovering above Rs 3,200 a tonne whereas in the exports market it is around Rs 2,200 a tonne,” said a cement company official.

Duty scrapped

To ease supply constraints and facilitate imports the government in January 2007, scrapped duties on cement imports and followed it up by abolishing the 16 per cent countervailing duty.

To discourage cement exports, the government had recently withdrawn Duty Entailment Pass Book benefit on cement.

Lean monsoon season

Speaking to reporters on 27 May, 2008, the Commerce Secretary, Mr G. K. Pillai, said that as domestic demand for cement is usually low during the monsoon season owing to slowing down of construction activities, exports have been permitted.

“During the monsoon months of June and July, very few people construct houses and the demand will come down. That also helps to keep the market going,” he said.

The Government had banned cement export in its bid to rein in rising inflation.

Cement companies exporting from Gujarat ports traditionally cater to the Middle-East market, he said and added that approximately two million tonnes of cement are exported annually from Gujarat.

‘This is the Right time’

Stating that the Government decision has come at the right time, the President of the Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA), Mr H. M .Bangur, said “We have enough cement to cater to the domestic requirement.” “Even after exports, we will have surplus cement,” he said.

India exported 3.33 million tonnes of cement during April-February 2007-08 down 38.78 per cent over the corresponding period last year, according to CMA data. The major cement exporters include Ambuja Cements and Aditya Birla group’s Ultratech. The annual production was around 170 million tonnes last fiscal, while the installed capacity reached 196.22 million tonnes as on April 30, 2008.

IndiansUnite

May 30th, 2008, 11:20 PM

Savli's biotech park to attract investment of Rs 4,000 cr (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Savlis_biotech_park_to_attract_investment_of_Rs_4000_cr/articleshow/3086609.cms)

VADODARA: Western India's first ever largest bio-tech park, which is being established in Savli town near here, will attract an investment of Rs 4,000 crore in next five years, an industry official said.

The biotech park, spread over 700 acre of land, would offer job opportunities to the youths in the state, A N Bhadalkar, sector specialist (Industry), Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission said during an interactive session organised by the Federation of Gujarat Industries (FGI) in collaboration with the Gujarat government here yesterday.

FGI President Ashok Patel said that the Gujarat state having realised its significance, has made it a thrust area for industries growth by giving due emphasis and priority to biotech industry.

The experts at the session held the view that major breakthroughs in developing drugs for chronic diseases like leukaemia, asthma and allergies and AIDS would be from this sector.

IndiansUnite

May 30th, 2008, 11:23 PM

Gujarat to have second ultra mega power project (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/gujarat-to-have-second-ultra-mega-power-project_10054808.html)

Ahmedabad, May 30 (IANS) The central government has sanctioned a second ultra mega power project (UMPP) of 4,000 MW for Gujarat. Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde announced this Friday in New Delhi while addressing an interactive session on power organised by the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham). Besides Gujarat, one UMPP each has been approved for Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.

The project will be based on imported coal, official sources told IANS here. However, the exact location for the project is yet to be decided.

kronik

June 1st, 2008, 07:55 PM

this should pi$$ the pseudo-seculars off.

First 24x7 electricity, now 24x7 water (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/First_24x7_electricity_now_24x7_water/articleshow/3089463.cms)

Imagine 24X7 drinking water supply in all households of urban Gujarat! The unthinkable in this semi-arid state will start at Morbi, a water-starved Saurashtra town, where 34,000 metered connections will start providing round-the-clock drinking water to the entire town in two years. Gandhinagar town, which already has good pipelines, may be even quicker.

After the state government has made 24-hour electricity supply possible in Gujarat villages, it is now planning an encore in the water supply front also.

Round-the-clock electricity supply in the state was made possible because of some bold power reforms initiated by Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

Studies for implementing 24x7 water supply have also been completed for Mehsana, Anand, Bharuch and Amreli. The study was sponsored by the Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board and done by two agencies — Feedback Ventures and Ernst & Young.

"If pilot projects in Morbi and Gandhinagar are successful, there is an ambitious plan to cover all the towns and cities of Gujarat," a senior official said.

If the Morbi project will be initiated by the Infrastructure Finance Development Company (IDFC) and Feedback Ventures, a World Bank-sponsored study by Jacobs for Gandhinagar says, there is "enough support" for implementing the scheme.

To be based on public-private partnership (PPP) model, private agencies will be selected both for Morbi and Gandhinagar to supply water.

Officials said a PPP model for 24x7 metered water supply is one of the requirements to get urban infrastructure funding under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

The cost of water will be decided by the private party in consultation with the government. Morbi was an obvious choice because new pipelines were laid down after the 2001 earthquake at a cost of Rs 28.65 crore.

The reports suggest that people would accept metered supply as it would save on power cost and underground tanks. The IDFC and the World Bank are expected to provide technical support for the entire project.

IndiansUnite

June 2nd, 2008, 06:55 AM

Gujarat: 3 power projects on the anvil (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/3-power-projects-on-the-anvil/317374/)
By 2009, the power generation capacity in Gujarat will increase from 9,600 to 11,040 MW

Vadodara, June 01: The Centre will commission three new power projects, two lignite-based and one gas-based, in Gujarat this year, said Union Minister of State for Power Jairam Ramesh on Sunday.

The new projects will take the state’s total installed power generation capacity from the current 9,600 MW to 11,040 MW, Ramesh said after a high-level meeting with the top brass of the Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) here.
......
....
Talks on the proposed 1,000 MW lignite-based plant under a joint venture between the GIPCL and the Centre-owned Neyveli Lignite Corporation are also in an advanced stage, he said. “I will personally see that the agreement is completed in the next three months,” Ramesh said.

He said that negotiations for another JV with BHEL and GSECL is underway for a coal-based 800 MW power plant at Vanakbori. The minister was here to attend the 50th annual day function of the Baroda Management Association.

Plants to be commissioned in future
* Kutch: 75 MW plant (lignite) July ‘08
* Surat: 240 MW plant (lignite) Dec ‘08
* Torrent 3x376 MW plant (gas) Dec ‘08
* Ultra mega power project 5x800 MW (by Tata at Mundra) March 2011
* Ukai: 500 MW plant by March 2012

added by IU: New projects announced/deal yet to be signed
* 1,000 MW plant (lignite) - unknown location/deadline
* Vanakbori: 800MW plant (coal) - unknown deadline
* 4000 MW plant (coal) - unknown location/deadline

ankushgupta

June 2nd, 2008, 06:08 PM

bhargavsura

June 2nd, 2008, 06:16 PM

why has every single thing to be done involve politics?

TdotTdot

June 3rd, 2008, 07:27 AM

cncity

June 6th, 2008, 02:02 AM

bhopalus

June 6th, 2008, 06:47 AM

Seriously sometimes I feel the whole party system should be abolished. One government rule and no more parties vying and lying and decieving the people. I know it will never happen, but its just a thought.

lol yes, what we need is for one party to lie to us and deceive us and for us to have no option but to stick to that party so that they can keep lying to and deceiving us over and over again

kronik

June 11th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Seriously sometimes I feel the whole party system should be abolished. One government rule and no more parties vying and lying and decieving the people. I know it will never happen, but its just a thought.

yeah dude, thats exactly how communist countries work. Trust me, this is bad, but you wouldn't want that. what we need is a system which bars political parties with extreme religious and caste polarization.

meanwhile....

Vibrant Gujarat '09 to revolve around employment: Modi (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?tab=r&autono=325812&subLeft=1&leftnm=3)

In a marked shift from the previous Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summits (VGGIS), which revolved around investments, the focus of next year's summit will be employment generation.

Giving clear indications that the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors Summit 2009 will not revolve around just Memoranda of Understanding (MoU)s and investment figures, chief minister Narendra Modi said the summit, which saw a pledged investment of Rs 4.66 lakh crore in 2007, will focus on employment generation and Human Development Index (HDI).

The previous three VGGIS held in 2003, 2005 and 2007 have seen MoUs worth Rs 6.34 lakh crore. "Our focus now is to generate employment. This cannot be done without investment inflow. But we want to implement the projects where MoUs have been signed till date. Also, we want to create social infrastructure to cope up with the investment inflow," he said.

The government has focused on creating social infrastructure—healthcare, education, drinking water.

"This is directly related to economic development. The Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor too shall help the state in a big way. While 40 per cent of the geographical area of Gujarat falls under the project, we intend to cover an additional 150 kms. This means around 60 per cent of the project falls under the DMIC," he said adding that these areas will see infrastructure upgradation matching global standards.

The region will have logistics hubs, Special Investment Regions and Special Economic Zones. "New labour-intensive industries such as logistics will thrive along the corridor," he said.

mailabode

June 13th, 2008, 03:30 PM

WAakaka Since when did Gujarat become no. 1 IT power in Asia? I always thought Bangalore was India's IT capital :bash:

The perspective there was 'Use of IT' (information technology put to use) and not 'software development capital', widespread use of IT everywhere including villages and in all possible walks of life. We used the pharase before that could have other connotations.

GJ10

June 15th, 2008, 10:02 AM

2 Recent articles related to the expansion of the existing RPL refinery at Jamnagar

Hindu Article - June 13 (http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/13/stories/2008061356601500.htm)

Reliance Industries is now on the verge of a quantum leap in one of its several growth platforms, energy, Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said here on Thursday.

“Two large projects, founded on the energy growth platform, will be commissioned in the second half of this financial year. They will mark a historic milestone in Reliance’s leap to global heights,” said Mr. Ambani while addressing the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) here. According to him, the Jamnagar refinery will create the largest refining site in the world. Commissioning of oil and gas production systems will make Reliance one of the largest deep-water international oil and gas companies in the world. In addition, the East-West pipeline gas transmission system, built by Reliance Gas Transportation Infrastructure Limited, will connect Indian towns and cities with its gas resources.

Mr. Ambani said, “gas sales, which will commence this year, will be at a wellhead price equivalent to $25.2 per barrel of crude oil as compared to the current market price of $135 a barrel of crude oil.”

Four years ago, Reliance embarked on setting up petroleum retail outlets all across the country. And it garnered a 14 per cent share of the diesel market in India in a short time.

“However, as crude oil prices began to rise dramatically to a record high, the Union Government decided to provide subsidies only to the public sector petroleum retailing companies. Absence of a level playing field between private and public sector petroleum retailing companies gave rise to an unviable situation. Therefore, Reliance had no alternative but to suspend sales of petrol and diesel from its retail outlets, especially because of the high price environment,” Mr. Ambani said.

However, he stated that, Reliance remains committed to the long-term potential of the petroleum retail business, both in India and overseas.

Economic Times Article - Jun 11 (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Oil__Gas/Reliance_Jamnagar_refinery_will_cost_half_that_of_others/articleshow/3120293.cms)

The export-oriented Rs.270 bn (over $6.3 bn) refinery that Reliance Petroleum Ltd (RPL) is setting up in Jamnagar will incur half the cost of a similar Greenfield plant anywhere in the world, the company said in its 2007-08 annual report.

The report said the Paris-based International Energy Agency estimated the capital cost for new refinery projects to be "well in excess of $20,000 (per barrel) per day".

In contrast, the Mukesh Ambani-headed RPL noted, the Jamnagar plant would incur a capital cost of less than $10,000 per barrel per day, or about half of what's being spent to set up new refineries globally.

RPL said the refinery would be "one of most complex in the world", implying it would be able to process almost all varieties of crude. To put it simply, the plant can process cheap, low-grade crude into petrol and diesel.

When adjusted for this complexity, RPL adds, the refinery "fares ever better"."Its capital cost of $665 per complexity barrel per day is much lower than the average capital cost of $2,600 per complexity barrel per day for new refinery projects globally," the report said.

"This is a significant competitive advantage in the current industry landscape of increasingly heavy and sour new crude finds, which have led to wide light heavy differentials," the report adds.

The greenfield refinery, with a daily production capacity of 580,000 barrels, is coming up adjacent to the existing refinery and petrochemicals complex of Reliance Industries Ltd. Full production will begin in December, ahead of schedule, RPL chairman Ambani has said in a letter to shareholders.

The refinery, together with the petrochemical complex, will constitute the Reliance group's special economic zone in Jamnagar. The petrochemical plant will produce 900,000 tonnes of polypropylene annually.

Jai

June 20th, 2008, 11:10 PM

Sumeet1981

June 21st, 2008, 11:25 PM

Jai,

I may be able to go to Chicago show and get all information. Need to get more details about it though so that I can make travel plans.

vibs89

June 22nd, 2008, 03:12 AM

Same here Jai, I'll definitely will be going and can't miss the property show. So don't worry leave it on me to get info, rendering, brochures and etc.

IndiansUnite

June 22nd, 2008, 06:35 PM

Sandesara group mulls Rs 200cr hotel project with Hyatt Regency in Vadodara (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=326458&tab=r)

Vadodara-based Rs 23,000 crore Sandesara group is all set to foray into the hospitality business. The group which controls Sterling Biotech among other companies is in advanced talks with Hyatt group for a five star hotel project in Vadodara.

"The cost of the project will be about Rs 150-200 crore. We are in the process of finalising a tie-up with Hyatt Regency," Chetan Sandesara, one of the promoters of the group told Business Standard.

The project will come up over 85,000 sq ft land. The hotel will house 200-225 rooms and will come up in posh Old Padra area of Vadodara. A part of the land for the project was under dispute and it took some time before the issue was settled. "We have got the required landbank," Sandesara said. Asked if they were planning to set up hotels across the country he said that as of now they are concentrating only on this single project.

phaedrus

June 23rd, 2008, 06:36 PM

Gujarat farmers shift from cotton to oilseed crops

Cotton cultivation is likely to decline across the Gujarat state in the current season. On the other hand, the state government, and traders alike, forsee a surge in cultivation of groundnut and other oilseeds.

As per an estimate of the state government, there will be a decrease of 10% in cotton acreage this year and against this, there will be an increase of 10% in the cultivation of oilseeds. Traders, however, see a decline of 20% in cotton cultivation.

The past kharif season witnessed 25.2 lakh hectares of area under cultivation for cotton in the state whereas for oilseeds, the area was 24.3 lakh hectares. Compared to this, the area under cultivation for cotton and oilseeds this kharif season is likely to be 22.4 lakh hectares and 27.2 lakh hectares, respectively.

High prices of oilseeds have been the primary reason for this shift. However, increasing incidents of disease spreading in the cotton crop in the last two years is also seen as a major reason for the shift from cotton to oilseeds cultivation.

“It is expected that this year there will be a change in the crop pattern. Prevailing high prices of groundnut have made the crop an obvious choice among farmers and may reflect in the decrease in area under cultivation for cotton,” said joint secretary of state agriculture department PM Ansari.

“It is obvious that farmers will go for the crop that will reap maximum benefit for them. Prices of castor seeds are also high and this might be instrumental in encouraging farmers to opt for castor crop,” he added.

Currently, groundnut is priced at Rs 550 per 20 kg whereas castor seed is priced at Rs 545 per 20 kg. A boom in international oilseed market has naturally reflected in the domestic market, which is at its peak right now.

Soyabean too is witnessing a growth in acreage. As per estimates made by the state agriculture department, groundnut, as compared to previous year’s kharif cultivation across 16.6 lakh hectares, may see a surge up to 18.5 lakh hectares this year.

Production of groundnut is likely to increase from 20 lakh tonne last year to 25 lakh tonne this year. Sources in the traders’ lobby confirm that groundnut production is likely to witness an increase of 15-20% to 19 lakh hectare, as compared to the last season.

Even sesame, which is sown in a limited area, is estimated to see a rise from 3 lakh hectare to 3.9 lakh hectare, according to a government estimate.

Rajkot-based Govind Patel of Deepak Enterprises agrees, “Cultivation of cotton will see a decline of 15-20% and this could be balanced by increase in cultivation of groundnut. Rise in groundnut sowing could be attributed to high prices of groundnut which is supported by the problem of prevailing diseases in the cotton crop.

Cotton production has halved since past year. As compared to earlier times, when the production was 1,200-1,400 kg per acre, last year the production was mere 700-800 kg per acre.” Groundnut cultivation allows farmers to go for a second crop in the rabi season, which is another big advantage for farmers. The cotton crop does not allow this advantage.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Agriculture/Gujarat_farmers_shift_from_cotton_to_oilseed_crops/articleshow/3147042.cms)

GJ10

June 24th, 2008, 01:58 PM

Seven more SBMs to dot Gujarat Coast (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=1&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=326910&tab=r)

With Gujarat turning into refinery of the world, the number of single bouy moorings (SBMs) along the state's coast is likely to double over the next four years. With groups like Reliance and Adani planning more projects, the number of SBMs is likely to double from the existing seven.

Large oil importers like Reliance, Adani, Essar, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Oman Refinery among others are increasingly relying on bigger tankers to move their crude cargo to achieve economies of scale.

Gujarat is fast-emerging as a key location for companies for oil exploration and production.

In order to facilitate import through very large crude carriers (VLCC), several petroleum companies are now planning to install Single Bouy Mooring (SBM), a kind of unloading platform in the ocean (around 3-4 km off the coast) where oil tankers can unload their crude, which is then transpored to the coast through an under-sea pipeline and to the refinery through a land pipeline.

It is generally used in areas where the ports do not have sufficiently large enough draft to allow very large crude tankers to come in--if smaller tankers are used to carry crude, the costs rises dramatically.

Government officials say there will be an additional seven SBMs installed along Gujarat's coast. At present, seven SBM pipelines are already operational in the state.

Of these Reliance manages two at Sikka port and one at Hazira, Reliance has proposed to set up four more SBMs, which include three at Sikka and one at Hazira. Reliance plans to start one SBM at by the end of this month.

The company is investing close to Rs 1200 crore in Sikka and Rs 300 crore at Hazira. The handling capacity of the crude oil per SBM pipeline is around 10 million tonnes per anum (mtpa)--the current handling capacity is 40 to 50 mtpa of crude.

Adani group has one SBM at Mundra port. The Ahmedabad-based group has proposed two more SBM projects, which is estimated to cost around Rs.1000 crores.

Among the other existing SBMs, two are set up by IOC and one is being operated by Essar. Bharat Oman Refinery too has proposed to set up one at Vadinar with an investment of Rs.500 crores. The proposed SBM projects are expected to be completed within 4 to 5 years.

GJ10

June 24th, 2008, 02:37 PM

Work begins on Cairn's 600km Pipeline (http://sify.com/finance/equity/fullstory.php?id=14701403)

Jaipur: The Indian arm of British hydrocarbons exploration major Cairn Tuesday began work on a 600-km pipeline to transport crude oil and gas from Barmer district in Rajasthan to the coastal district of Jamnagar in Gujarat.

"The 600-km pipeline is the first heated and insulated pipeline in the country," said David Nisbet, director of Cairn India's corporate communications unit.

"It will transport crude from the country's biggest onshore oil field to refineries across India," Nisbet said at an event to commence the construction work at Bevta in Banaskantha district near the Gujarat-Rajasthan border.

At their peak, Cairn India's three major oil fields - Mangala, Bhagyam and Aishwariya - in Barmer would produce 175,000 barrels of oil a day and push up India's domestic crude production by approximately 20 percent.

In April, the petroleum and natural gas ministry had shifted the delivery point for crude produced in Rajasthan from Barmer to Salaya at the Gujarat coast.

According to Nisbet, the oil field development work in Rajasthan is proceeding on schedule. The integrated upstream and the pipeline development is on course to produce oil from Mangala in the second half of 2009.

The pipeline is designed to access an extensive existing pipeline infrastructure and refinery network, with a final coastal delivery point providing access to the majority of India's refining capacity, he said.

Apart from the crude, natural gas from the Raageshwari gas field will also run through this pipeline, he said. At least 32 intermediate power feeding and heating stations will be built along the length of the pipeline to help maintain the required temperature inside.

^^ For the benefit of people unfamiliar with the area, Salaya port is on the South side of the Gulf of Kutch and is in the immediate vicinity of both the Essar and Reliance refineries to the west of Jamnagar.

Jai

June 25th, 2008, 07:54 AM

Jai,

I may be able to go to Chicago show and get all information. Need to get more details about it though so that I can make travel plans.

Awesome! Between this thread and the one I posted in the Gujarat thread, we'll have 3 members possibly attending! :cheers:

vibs89 in New Jersey

and

IndiansUnite and Sumeet1981 in Chicago!

You last two should get a hold of each other and coordinate. I have no idea about venues, but I'm sure as it gets closer we'll here more and more about it. We just need to keep our ears on the ground

phaedrus

June 25th, 2008, 12:05 PM

cross posting from the seaport and shipping thread

Jindal Saw plans ship-building hub in Gujarat

In a major diversification drive, Jindal Saw (JSL), part of the $10-billion OP Jindal Group plans to set up the country’s first ship-building and repair hub in Gujarat with an investment of over $2 billion.

The hub will be a part of the proposed India Maritime Technology Park, being developed by the company and would cater to the requirements of both domestic and overseas customers. It would also produce various equipment for ships, shipyards, and ports and terminals in association with overseas partners.

This initiative would be undertaken by a newly set up company Jindal Shipyards that is part of infrastructure holding arm of JSL, Jindal Infrastructure Transportation and Fabrication (JITF). The first vessel from the facility is expected to roll out in the last quarter of 2010. The company has already roped in CSE Dastec, part of China’s largest ship building organisation CSE for design and production process support. China’s leading shipyard design institute NRDI has provided the masterplan for IMTP.

“We want to become a complete integrated logistics solution provider which not only offers services but also possesses assets enabling a better delivery. In this regard, a ship-building facility is being considered at our proposed IMTP near Dahej in Gujarat. While this would be a commercial facility for customers outside the JSL, it would also support the group’s waterway activities under which six vessels are already offering their services to customers,” JSL managing director Indresh Batra told the media.

As per the plan, the facility would be developed in three phases. The first phase would involve an investment of about Rs 2,000 crore and creation of facilities to build 15 vessels of 15,000 tonne capacity and 10 vessels of 5,000 tonne capacity.

Panamax vessels (85,000 tonnes) would be made at the facility in the third phase. The entire activity is expected to be completed in seven years’ time.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Indl_Goods__Svs/Steel/Jindal_Saw_plans_ship-building_hub_in_Gujarat/articleshow/3161239.cms)

GJ10

June 26th, 2008, 01:58 PM

Over 40 sites in Gujarat to be developed as eco-tourism destinations (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Over-40-sites-in-Gujarat-to-be-developed-as-ecotourism-destinations/327726/)

The sites showcase wildlife and bird sanctuaries, pristine forests of eastern hilly terrain among others

In an effort to boost eco-tourism and promote nature-based non-consumptive tourism activities in Gujarat, the government has identified as many as 42 sites across the state to be developed as eco-tourism destinations.

The sites include wildlife and bird sanctuaries, pristine forests of the eastern hilly terrain, diverse landscapes and ecological niches among others. The state Tourism Department has entrusted the task to the Forest Department.

Tourism Minister Jay Narayan Vyas said that besides providing a unique experience to foreign as well as domestic tourists, the move will also improve the economic well-being of the local community by involving them in the project.

“The current pace of urbanisation should be an eye opener for all of us. This alarming trend has been gradually alienating the youth from nature and environment,” he added.

The Tourism Department also plans to form eco-tourism committees comprising members of the local community. The committees will manage services related to catering, accommodation and local transport for tourists. They will also be trained as tourist guides and will be involved in the upkeep of the camp sites and interpretation centres.

Vyas told Newsline on Tuesday that the government is committed to implement its new eco-tourism policy. Of the total 42 sites, work at over 30 places has already been completed by the Forest Department, he said.

Chief Conservator of Forests, Rajeeva said: “The department has already spent over Rs 19 crore on developing these sites.

Budget provisions for an additional Rs 1 crore has been made in the current year for such facilities at another 10 eco-tourism sites, including the famous Sasan-Gir lion sanctuary, Velavadar blackbuck sanctuary in Bhavnagar and Kadiya Dungar in Narmada.”

Rajeeva added that various facilities like accommodation and lodging for prospective tourists, camping sites, adventure activities, interpretation centres, and cafeteria among others are also being created at these sites.

GJ10

June 26th, 2008, 02:04 PM

cross posted in Energy Thread

CEA asks Gujarat to identify mega power project site (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/uncategorized/cea-asks-gujarat-to-identify-mega-power-project-site_10064805.html)

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has asked the Gujarat government to identify probable sites for the proposed second Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) in the state. “We have written to the government of Gujarat to indicate its choice of locations for the project. Once we receive the communication, we will study the feasibility of these sites,” CEA member-thermal R. Dahiya told IANS.

The second UMPP, like the first one at Mundra, will have an installed capacity of 4,000 megawatt, split into five units of 800 megawatt each.

Tata Power is implementing the Mundra project through a special purpose vehicle called Coastal Gujarat Power Ltd.

With Gujarat, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu also have been sanctioned UMPPs.

But officials said the state was yet to receive any formal communication from the centre on the matter, though it is now nearly a month since Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde announced at a function here that Gujarat would get a second UMPP.

When asked about the possible location for the project, Gujarat’s Minister of State for Energy Saurabh Patel told IANS: “Nothing has been decided. We are discussing the matter.”

As a UMPP is based on imported coal, the project site has to be close to a port. In that case, it will likely be located in the coastal region in Saurashtra or South Gujarat.

GJ10

June 26th, 2008, 02:24 PM

cross posted in "Indian Monument Restoration and Protection"

Soon, Heritage Society for structures outside of ASI's purview (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Soon-Heritage-Society-for-structures-out-of-ASIs-purview/327730/)

The heritage structures in Gujarat, which are not protected either by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) or the state Archaeological Department, are all set to get some cover. Gujarat is on the way to become the first Indian state with its own heritage policy.

A three-member State Heritage Committee formed under the state’s Urban Development Ministry held its first meeting on Wednesday here and decided to set up a State Heritage Society.

The society will be formed shortly under the chairpersonship of the chief secretary and enlist all such neglected sites across the state, which otherwise remain targets of property developers or deteriorate due to sheer neglect.

Retired IAS officer P K Ghosh, also the convenor of the Gujarat INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage), said, “We have begun the process for seeking wider public consensus on the issue and also seek people’s participation.

“Similar discussions will be held at 10 other places across the state to prepare the final version of the policy,” he said.

Ghosh heads the committee. Rajkot Municipal Commissioner Dinesh Brahmbhatt and Ahmedabad Joint Commissioner of Police Ajay Chowdhary are the two other members of the committee.

According to Ghosh, detailed surveys and research of the existing heritage structures will be conducted to begin with a continuous conservation programme.

Under the plan, the Karansinhji School in Rajkot, where Mahatma Gandhi did his primary schooling, the Lakota Lake in Jamnagar, Uper Kot in Junagadh, the Royal Palace at Lathi in Amreli district and many such ancient properties will soon see conservation or a facelift.

Across Gujarat, 316 buildings are looked after by the state Archaeological Department, and approximately 200 are protected by the ASI.

Incidentally, the heritage society will also cover properties which are currently in use. In Rajkot city alone, 13 properties have been short-listed that could be covered under the policy. The funds will come from various sources, including the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Development Renewal Mission (JNURM), the state government and even the corporate groups.

Rajkot received a grant of Rs 19.5 crore on submission of the city conservation plan at the JNURM.

A need for such policy was felt by the state government following constant erosion of heritage due to the fast pace of urban development. This, coupled with a definite lack of system, procedures and delineated responsibilities for heritage conservation for most of the places, only made the situation more worse.

At today’s meeting, leading architects from Saurashtra, academicians, journalists, representatives of various government agencies, including all the four municipal corporations - Rajkot, Jamnagar, Junagadh and Bhavnagar - and officials of the state Archaeological Department were present among others.

^^ This is just as important all the "modern" development, in my opinion.

Great News. :cheers:

IndiansUnite

June 27th, 2008, 06:16 AM

Essar plans 1230 mw power plant in Vadinar worth Rs 4,800 cr (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?autono=327208&leftnm=1&subLeft=0&chkFlg=)

Ruias-promoted Essar Power is setting up a 1,200 mw co-generation power plant at an investment of Rs 4,800 crore. The captive plant for Essar Oil's refinery will come up in Vadinar, Gujarat.

The company is planning to expand the refining capacity of the refinery to 34 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) from the current 10.5 mtpa.

"The order for equipments has already been placed and the work has started," said Arun K Srivastava, managing director, Essar Power. The refinery, which started commercial production in May this year, already has a 120 mw power plant for captive use.

The new power plant will have both coal-based boiler and gas turbine for power generation. "Coal for the plant will be imported, which will also cater to the needs of the company's other upcoming project in Gujarat," said Srivastava.

The company signed a power purchase agreement with Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam and is in the process of setting up a 1,200 mw coal-based power plant close to Vadinar at Salaya. The Salaya plant is expected to be commissioned by 2012.

The Vadinar plant will be completed in two phases. In the first phase, a 330 mw plant will be commissioned by September 2009. While in the second phase, a 900 mw plant will be commissioned by December 2010.

GJ10

July 2nd, 2008, 03:34 PM

SC Stays Construction on Mundra SEZ (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?autono=327602&leftnm=3&subLeft=0&chkFlg=)

The Supreme Court today stayed work on Adani Group's Rs 7,400-crore multi-product Special Economic Zone in Gujarat, on a plea by fishermen that the project would affect their livelihood and flora and fauna in the region.

A bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir, while issuing notice to the ministries of commerce, and environment and forest, the Gujarat government, Mundra Ports and Special Economic Zone, the Adani group and others also directed the parties to maintain status quo on all activities taking place in the area.

Mundra SEZ is proposed to come up in about 6,000 acres of land with a total investment of Rs 7,400 crore.

The Centre and the Gujarat government had accorded approval to the Adani Group to develop, operate and maintain an SEZ at Mundra in Gujarat on February 12, 2004.

The SEZ is proposed to provide integrated infrastructure encompassing all infrastructure relating to business, living, learning, as well as recreation facilities so as to make the zone self-sufficient.

The PIL moved by a group of seven fishermen has alleged threat to their livelihood and damage to the flora and fauna of the region due to the project.

They said that permission given by the Central government without clearance under the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) notifications for the SEZ was illegal and violative of the Section 5 of the Environment Protection Act as well as of Right to Life of the petitioners under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution.

"In sanctioning the scheme, the central government has not only failed to consider the land put in for SEZ purpose but also the fact that no EIA clearance was obtained from the Ministry of Environment and Forest on lands having thousands of mangroves amd miles of forest area," the petition stated.

Besides, the government had also failed to access the impact of the scheme on the livelihood of thousands of fishermen living in the area, it said, while seeking to appoint a committee of eminent environmentalists to ascertain the damage done to the coastal zone of Mundra taluka villages.

Senior counsel Rakesh Khanna and Shakil Ahmad Syed, appearing for the fishermen, argued that the state government had allotted its entire environmental treasure -- marshy and Gavchar land, salt land, big and small creeks and even notified forest area - to this big industrial house.

While stating that they had no option but to approach the apex court, the fishermen said that "the Adani group is so rich and powerful that administrative officials turn a blind eye towards their action" and they should be asked not to harass fishermen.

They also alleged that some unidentified people were threatening them to leave the place and the SEZ's permanent boundary wall had restricted them from accessing the sea, thus badly affecting their livelihood.

The fishermen also stated that work on the SEZ had started in June 2006 by cutting mangrove trees and filling of creek areas and till now a major portion of reserved forest areas and mangrove trees have been cut without taking the necessary clearance from the authorities concerned.

To develop SEZ, Adani had started cutting mangroves and filling creeks, thus disturbing environmental conditions, the petition said, adding that the Fisheries Act, 2003 of the state government bans destruction or collection of mangroves.

If 7 fishermen can halt a project like this, the largest SEZ in India, there is really no hope for progress, everyone is going to have a problem with everything (whether the reasons are genuine or not)

What do these people want? The poorest country in the world, but with the most Mangroves? Fair enough, there have to be some environmental considerations, but to halt this project... in KUTCH of all places for environmental reasons is just ridiculous when millions of square feet of green land are being developed on all over the country...

As for the Fishermen's argument, would they prefer that the likes of Mumbai and Chennai would still be Fishing Villages now?

:bash:

Hopefully this is just a ploy for money by the fishermen, in which case it probably won't take that long to sort out.

But if this is Left Sponsored Sabotage, it could take a lot longer. The reason I even consider it, is that it seems very convenient for this to happen in the same week as the current Govt of Gujarat signed a deal with Adani for Long-Term Fixed Price Electricity.

Reason for this? (http://www.topnews.in/gujarat-government-signs-3000-mw-power-deal-adani-essar-250487)

bhopalus

July 2nd, 2008, 10:01 PM

seven?!?! lololol

mihir1310

July 5th, 2008, 03:46 AM

So what if only 7 ???? If they believe they have a problem they have the complete right to seek justice. If they are indeed blocking the project due to flimsy reasons the court will tell them so . But if their grievance is genuine enough , they willl get justice.

Well guys isnt this the democratic way to progress that we have been proud of all this time?? When comparing ourselves with China , dint we always say the same thiing " Oh , China isnt democratic , that the communists have snatched land from peasants forcefully , & that our democracy will never allow such thing in India :cool: & blah blah " .

Well men if all were to be skeptic of these 7 ordinary fishermen , a time MAY come when one of us may in the similar situation & there will be a thread on SSC like " One idiot stopping a project "

GJ10

July 5th, 2008, 01:17 PM

mihir1310

July 5th, 2008, 07:28 PM

i agree. i am very well aware the games these Commies play everywhere. BUt then as I said , if they are fraud , then their argument will be squashed with no takers.

about the project being beneficial to all locals , well we cannot assume that in any case. A change in traditional lifestyle & occupation is often received with hostility . It isnt easy for people who have spent their generations farming &/or fishing to suddenly give up their lands & take up factory jobs. Partly because their skills are not necessarliy meant for that & maybe because being self-employed gives them a pride , which is lost even if they receive a slightly more income from the new occupation...

Besides in many cases it has happened that the locals sell off their land for millions to the developers gladly in return for huge amount of money enough to feed their future generations. This has a negative impact in that , the people prefer NOT to work & laze around as they find no need for occupation.

phaedrus

July 5th, 2008, 09:00 PM

Narmada district reaps a rich banana harvest

AT A time when horticulture is witnessing a boom in Gujarat, Narmada district is leading from the front. In the past few years, the district has seen a significant rise in banana cultivation and production along with the rise in production of vegetables and spices. Nandod taluka in Narmada district has witnessed maximum cultivation of bananas — becoming the singlelargest banana producing taluka in the state.
In the past four years, Narmada has seen a threefold increase in banana production, from 99,000 tonnes in 2002-03 to an estimated 3 lakh tonnes in 2007-08. In terms of productivity also, the district has achieved the highest rate of growth at 61.5 tonne per hectare.
Increase in the area of cultivation notwithstanding, implementation of new technology in banana farming is the main reason for the steep rise in production. As compared to 3,679 hectares under banana cultivation in 2002-03, the area is estimated to be 4,900 hectares in 2007-08.
“The use of tissue culture technology is the major reason behind the increase in banana production. Compared to conventional technology, the yield and production in tissue culture technology is almost 2 times more. While cultivation through conventional technology on one hectare yields 40 tonnes, the use of tissue culture technology yields 90-110 tonnes,” said deputy director (horticulture) of Narmada district, Anil Patel. “Banana from Narmada district is not just supplied to major Indian cities but is also exported,” Mr Patel added. Tissue culture technology is applied over nearly 3,000 hectares in the district under banana cultivation. Of the total area of 50,000 hectares under banana cultivation in Gujarat, 4,700 hectares is used only in Nandod taluka of Narmada district, making it a major pocket for banana production in Gujarat.
Of the total area in the district, almost 50% has access to irrigation facility, which is reflected in the growing production figures of fruit trees and vegetables, added Patel. Narmada district has 1.30 lakh hectares, which is ideal for cultivation. Of this, 65,464 hectares has facilities for irrigation.

source economictimes epaper

Suncity

July 5th, 2008, 09:18 PM

If this is all genuine, then I'll be the first one to regret my original cynicism.

But I just feel that it's suspicious that the Adani Group signed a deal with Govt of Gujarat (BJP). Then within days, the Adani Group's SEZ gets halted, with Govt of India (Congress) departments coming in to assess and survey etc which will throw the whole project off by months (at least)

With progress, there will always be winners and losers, but the way I see it, it's about getting the balance right. So if the largest SEZ in India, which will benefit so many people, is going to be halted for the sake of 7 fishermen, who probably only represent 100-150 at most, it just doesn't make any sense to me.

If I was in their position, I would ask myself if the SEZ coming would bring better possibilities to my children, based on that, I would have no problem with it, even if it meant that things would get a bit worse on a personal level before they got better.

But to be honest, if this was actually that bad, then I'm sure we would have seen scenes similar to Nandigram or various places in Orissa, well before construction started, rather than now.

The original article you posted seems to suggest that the Central Government cleared the project. Also the court case is actually against the Central Government, the State Government and the Adani Group.

Going to the courts is a good thing because while it may take long due to tardy processes, it is a peaceful way. Also it may be one person or a thousand. If someone feels that something is wrong and goes to court, it is for the courts to decide the case. However courts need to fast track these petitions to the extent possible without impacting deliverence of justice.

Not that it always helps. The petitioners in Singur (West Bengal) lost the case in Calcutta High Court when the land aquistion was declared legal by the courts. They and their supporters are still indulging in violence and calling the land aquistion as illegal. Normally they should have gone to the Supreme Court but violence is the easy way to publicity in today's world of 24X7 cable news.

Similarly the violence in Nandigram happened much after all plans for land aquistion were dropped. It basically is a turf battle between CPM goons and goons of the Maoist-Mamata-Jamaat combine. Yet the media continues to portray it as some sort of people's struggle against land aquistion. The poor people are just the cannon fodder here for the devious political parties and groups.

GJ10

July 6th, 2008, 04:50 AM

In response to Mihir1310:

You are completely right about there being a difference between people actively seeking to change their way of life vs those who have this sort of "development" just dumped on their doorstep whether they want it or not.

Like I said earlier, there will be people who will find that industrialisation/modernisation has really done nothing for them, but I feel we should consider the long term advantages, in terms of the numbers that will benefit vs the numbers who will lose out. There may only be one or two generations of a small section of society who will miss out. But whether that is because of lack of skills, or lack of effort, its an almost Darwinian inevitability. I realise that what I just said sounds almost heartless, but, I say it on the basis that throughout history, development has always been this way. There must be families that generations ago were fishermen, currently living in every large Coastal City in the world.

Its just our human nature that we get nostalgic about things like this, focussing on preserving the present status quo, without realising that the dilemmas faced by the fishermen in Mundra today are the same as the ones faced by those of Madras or Bombay many many years ago. Is this sort of nostalgia really worth sacrificing development? Is the inconvenience of the few more important than the future of many?

Maybe I'm being harsh, but my answer to both of those would be "no".

In response to Suncity:

Yes, I think that the gist of it is, that the Adani Group did originally get various clearances, but not any sort of Environmental Clearance, so, as you say, its really a case of Central Govt Depts fighting amongst themselves.

Court Cases are obviously better than violence, but I really don't think this ever would have gotten to that. I think the damage done in terms of image is actually the main problem, even greater than the delay on this particular project.

Pretty much the sole piece of positive news about Gujarat in the past few years was that the state was a good place to invest and that SEZs in the state were going through very smoothly.

So even if this PIL is rejected, that image has been tarnished. Unsurprisingly, media across the border are already trying to play this as a story of Hindu Company vs Muslim Fishermen, which is complete rubbish, but, I wouldn't be surprised if the Indian media follows suit very soon.

Apologies for my ignorance about the Nandigram issue, it's really useful to hear a non-partisan account, which is something the media seem unprepared to give, regardless of which side of the political spectrum they are aiming their pens at. But I guess that Singur is probably a better comparison, insofar as to say that in my opinion, there is unlikely to be any sort of violence in Mundra if the PIL is rejected.

2Paise

July 6th, 2008, 10:47 AM

SC Stays Construction on Mundra SEZ (http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?autono=327602&leftnm=3&subLeft=0&chkFlg=)

If 7 fishermen can halt a project like this, the largest SEZ in India, there is really no hope for progress, everyone is going to have a problem with everything (whether the reasons are genuine or not)

What do these people want? The poorest country in the world, but with the most Mangroves?

You are absolutely right

'If no agri-land is involved SEZ should'nt be opposed' (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/If_no_agri-land_is_involved_SEZ_shouldnt_be_opposed/articleshow/3175877.cms)

CANACONA (GOA): The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) promoters across the country feel that there should not be any opposition to the industrial enclaves if there is no issue of agricultural land and if the zones are promoted in the healthy way.

"There is no reason for any opposition for SEZs if promoters want to do it in a healthy way," Parsvnath SEZ Ltd, Director S N Sharma said.

"There is already legislation banning taking over of agricultural land for SEZs. That is being followed very strictly," Sharma said.

"We really need to sit and discuss on why there is opposition to SEZs. If ten hectare land can employ 15,000 locals, I fail to understand why this opposition," Marathon Group, Managing Director Mayur Shah said.

mihir1310

July 6th, 2008, 09:36 PM

[QUOTE=GJ10;22263620]In response to Mihir1310:

You are completely right about there being a difference between people actively seeking ....................

Yeah , this is how the natural order of things takes shape [the phrase is wrong, pardon my poor grammar] . See the group may have genuine good intentions behind the project. At least we can rely on the good decision making power of Sri NM who has proven his credibility by architect of various social sector schemes & movements . His commitment to the welfare of the commonest of all people is redoubtable. BUT we cannot decide how a person should do progress. People have their own definition of welfare. Some want material wealth , others want peaceful life. BTw have you visited any colonies of the natives of mumbai viz. East Indians, Kolis etc?? They still rue the loss of their sylvan life where they weren't reliant on anyone else for their income.

NOW about the Mundra case, as i said the law will take its own course .i m not a legal expert , but i know that the law has provisions to deal with cases where a few people have objections to a project . I suppose IF the jury believes that majority of the people want this project then these 7 people wont be allowed to stall the project PROVIDED adequate compensation is given to them !!!!!! As i said earlier, Gujarat's record in dealing with land acquisition has been very impressive with almost no untoward incident . So lets be optimistic

GJ10

July 7th, 2008, 10:56 AM

^^ True, all we can do is be positive! So hopefully you are right and this all gets sorted out as soon as possible!

Anyway, away from the Mundra case, but staying in Kutch:

---------

Govt has a new year gift for Kutch: Water (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Govt-has-a-new-year-gift-for-Kutch-water/332306/)

Bhuj, July 06 The state government has announced water-related projects for the border district of Kutch on the occasion of Ashaadhi Beej, the Kutchi New Year.

A Rs 28-crore project for the construction of a balancing water reservoir near Malia to store 1,920 million litres of water and a Rs 21-crore grant for construction of new check dams in the district, have been announced. The plan for the Malia reservoir has been made keeping in the mind the water problem in the district. The reservoir will store water to last more than a week if there is a supply problem in the Narmada canal.

Two years ago, the government had officially celebrated Ashaadhi Beej with the participation of Chief Minister Narendra Modi in the festivities.

This time also the Chief Minister made his presence felt at the Swaranim Jyoti Rath Yatra that arrived at the eastern taluka headquarters of Rapar, some 150 kilometres away, on Friday. Though he gave the function a miss, he sent his message to the people and highlighted how this once backward district has now become a role model for progress and prosperity for the country.

A full page advertisement in a prominent local daily carried a picture of the Chief Minister adorned in a Kutchi headgear, congratulating the people on their new year. The ad also highlighted the developments in Kutch during Modi's tenure.

At Friday's function, songs in praise of Modi rent the air. The entire district administration apart, ministers Narottam Patel, district in-charge minister, and Vasan Gopal Ahir, the only Kutchi minister, were present here on the occasion along with all the legislators, including Babubhai Meghaji Shah from the Congress.

Both Patel and Ahir said the border district was now faster on its path to progress, adding that by 2010 development will reach its full potential here.

While Patel said money was no problem for the rapid development of Kutch, Ahir said he wanted to grace next year's New Year celebrations as he had done two years ago.

GJ10

July 8th, 2008, 01:04 AM

Suzlon set to study feasibility of wind power generation along Gulf of Cambay (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/Suzlon-set-to-study-feasibility-of-wind-power-generation-along-Gulf-of-Cambay/332307/)

Moving ahead with its plan to incorporate wind energy in place of tidal power, the Kalpasar project is set to rope in home-grown wind major Suzlon Energy. The company will be entrusted with the task of coming out with a feasibility report on the generation of power using wind along the Gulf of Cambay.

This follows a decision by the Experts Advisory Group – a high-level committee on the project – scrapping the tidal power component in April this year.

Suzlon Energy will be asked to set up monitoring high masts to gauge wind direction, speed and other conditions to see if a capacity of 3,000 Mega Watts (MW) is created in the Gulf of Cambay. Sources in the Kalpasar department informed that a memorandum of understanding to this effect will be signed soon.

The project envisages creating a sweet water lake in the Gulf of Cambay by damming the gulf and store waters of seven rivers, including Sabarmati, Narmada, Mahi, and Dhadhar.

The National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) is also carrying out an independent study on how to control the quality of water in the lake that would be created under the project.

Officials inform that once all feasibility and commercial viability reports are completed and permissions put in place, the project would take between six and eight years to be upstream.

The group headed by the Chief Minister's Advisor on Water issues, Babubhai Navlawala, had found the tidal power produced with available technologies as commercially unviable at over Rs 12 per unit.

The decision was, however, seen as a blessing in disguise, as it cut the cost of the much delayed project by about half from over Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore – on account of saving on capital costs of the tidal power generation equipment.

If this is what it takes to finally get this thing moving, then I guess that's the way it's going to be!

Formation of Khambhat/Cambay Water Reservoir and the vastly improved Connectivity between Saurashtra & Gujarat are unaffected by the change. Even if there was no power generation function, this would still be the most important infrastructural undertaking in Gujarat since the Narmada Dam.

I do have a couple of concerns though. Reading the plans for the DMIC, there seem to be a lot of plans to develop a Greenfield port at Dholera, seemingly to serve Ahmedabad, however, Dholera, would lie deep within the Reservoir, which doesn't seem like the greatest planning, especially when other existing ports in the Gulf of Kutch are only slightly further away from Ahmedabad than Dholera is.

The other concern is the fact that Dahej would also lie just within the Reservoir area too. The idea of a SEZ specialising in Petroleum and Industrial Chemicals being within a Drinking Water reservoir just doesn't seem to be very clever.

However, if the Kalpasar Dam was shifted Northwards to exclude Dahej, the reservoir would then miss out on water from the Narmada River, but then again, maybe that would be worthy sacrifice?

I wonder how this will play out, especially as in my opinion, it doesn't seem as though the DMIC is being planned with any consideration for this project whatsoever, most probably due to to the decades of delays.

Suncity

July 9th, 2008, 09:43 PM

Supreme Court lifts curbs on Mundra port project

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Supreme_Court_lifts_curbs_on_Mundra_port_project/articleshow/3215395.cms

The Supreme Court on Wednesday lifted its temporary curbs, imposed early this month, on development of the Rs.74 billion Mundra port project in Gujarat.

A bench of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan was responding to a plea by the Adani group, which bagged the Gujarat government contract in 2001 to develop the port along with a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) around it, comprising several projects OF public importance, including power plants.

The bench of the chief justice, while allowing the Adani group to continue with the developmental work at the Mundra port project, also ordered it to guard against filling and eliminating the natural Navinal Creek in the area.
The bench, which also included Justices P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal, also asked the Adani group to guard against damaging the widespread mangroves in the area.
It granted relief to the Adani group after it pointed out to the court that rather than filling or damaging the creek, as alleged by the fishermen, it has developed it as one of the best natural harbours with 17.5-metre depth, required for anchoring and servicing of biggest vessels.

Appearing for the Adani group, senior counsel Harish Salve refuted the allegations that the ongoing work at the Mundra port had destroyed the mangroves.
He said the mangroves, instead, had grown by nearly three percent due to the ongoing works on the project.
Denying the allegations that the Adani group was indulging in land grabbing and evicting the fishermen from the area, Salve said the company had acquired the land strictly in accordance with law after paying compensation and premium for rehabilitation of fishermen.

The Mundra SEZ project, established under the SEZ Act of 2005, is proposed to come up on about 6,000 acres of land with a total investment of Rs.74 billion.
The Adani group also pointed out in its application that the Mundra port is a running port since 1998 and all loading and unloading activities, which require constant maintenance and upgrading, were being undertaken in accordance with law and after obtaining necessary permission and environmental clearances.

The application added that the group has already invested over Rs.35 billion in development of the port and planned to invest Rs.40 billion more in phases. Besides, the projected total investment in the port, the SEZ and power plants were worth Rs.500 billion.

GJ10

July 10th, 2008, 06:32 PM

^^

All that excitement for nothing! :lol:

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

Cross posted in the Energy Thread

Gujarat's Samana set to become wind power hub (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Gujarats_Samana_set_to_become_wind_power_hub/articleshow/3217219.cms)

Samana in Gujarat's Rajkot district is set to become a major hub of wind power energy in the country as energy companies like China Light Power (CLP) and Tata Power have pledged to invest up to Rs.8.15 billion ($189.5 million) in different projects in the area.

CLP, through its India subsidiary CLP India, is investing close to Rs.5 billion for installing 126 wind turbines in Samana that will generate 100.8 MW power.
Tata Power has installed wind turbines in the same area for generating 50 MW power at a cost of Rs.3.15 billion.

Both projects are expected to become operational by early next year, according to government sources.

The Gujarat government, which is banking heavily on wind power, has identified Samana as an ideal location for installation of 450 turbines that can generate a total of 360 MW.

To encourage investment in wind energy development in the state, the government has introduced a raft of incentives including a higher wind energy tariff.

Sources in Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA) confirmed that Samana is the location for both CLP and Tata Power projects. Samana is a large area and could accommodate more than one project, the sources said.
Samana has a high tension transmission grid and electricity generated by wind turbines can be fed into it. For this purpose, a substation at Sadodar has been installed.

Both projects are being executed by Enercon Ltd, a joint venture between Enercon of Germany and Mumbai-based Mehra group.

Both CLP and Tata Power are also setting up wind power projects in Karnataka. While the CLP is putting up a project at Saundatti, Tata Power's project will come up at Gadag, about 80 km from Hubli.

phaedrus

July 11th, 2008, 02:49 PM

Diamond glitters again in Bhavnagar

THE diamond hub of Saurashtra in Bhavnagar on Thursday limped back to normalcy with diamond cutting and polishing units reopening under police vigil. In the neighbouring Amreli district situation worsened with stone pelting reported in the region prompting diamond unit owners to announce wage hikes from Friday.
In Bhavnagar, close to 15% labourers returned to work on Thursday after the management of the diamond units agreed to hike wages by 5-15% thus, ending the imbroglio over wages that left one dead and some injured. During the day, the diamond unit owners negotiated the percentage of wage hike with the workers and informed them that wage hike will be implemented with immediate effect. Unit owners expect others to resume soon.
“Workers to our units come from nearby villages. In the wake of violence here and closure of units, they left for their villages. They would return soon,” said a diamond unit owner in Bhavnagar.
Meanwhile, the government has provided required security in diamond manufacturing areas to maintain peace. After a series of meetings since Monday, the 15-member committee of the Shri Bhavnagar Zilla Diamond Association decided to hike wages by 5-15% to the workers on Wednesday. Close to 75% of the industry is unorganised while 700 units are registered with the association. With the government assuring adequate security, diamond unit owners had taken decision on Wednesday to reopen facilities on Thursday. More than 2.5 lakh workers engaged in cutting and polishing of diamond in Bhavnagar district, on an average processes 2000 carat diamond everyday. Meanwhile, in Amreli, where around 6,000-7,000 workers are engaged in 80 diamond units, the situation worsened when a mob of 200 workers started stone pelting on diamond units on Thursday. Police resorted to lathi charge to control the mob. Sensing trouble, diamond unit owners decided to hike wages by 50 paise to Rs 1.15. The units are likely to resume functioning from Friday.
“The district collector and superintendent of police held a meeting with the unit owners to decide upon the wages and have decided to reopen the units from Friday,” a government official told ET. Until now, the wages have been decided internally through negotiation among the owner and workers depending on the quantity of work that varies from season to season. On an average salary in diamond industry get fluctuated by 5-10% depending on the season.

source economictimes epaper

GJ10

July 15th, 2008, 06:38 PM

Piped Gas for Small-Town Gujarat (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Piped_gas_for_small-town_Gujarat/articleshow/3234151.cms)

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat is often referred to as the ‘gas capital' of the country. And, it is finally happening. GSPC Gas, a subsidiary of Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, has unveiled a massive plan to lay down an elaborate pipeline network that will connect two million homes across the state with piped cooking gas.

While natural gas will be supplied as domestic fuel to all the 180 taluka headquarters across 26 districts of the state, the same grid will be used to open compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles in all these centres.

Industries in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) estates will also be covered under the plan.

The seven-year plan, estimated to cost a whopping Rs 8,000 crore, has been submitted to the Gujarat government which is now poised to approach the Union ministry of petroleum for seeking necessary clearances. State government sources said one crore population in Gujarat, which is one-fifth of the state, would be covered under the plan.

Apart from these 180 towns, all villages falling on the way, which have a population of more than 10,000, will also be extended the facility. An estimated 5.5 million cubic metres per day (MMCD) will be required, which will be sourced from the GSPC's gas-fields in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin. GSPC Gas will lay a pipeline network of 1 lakh km for this project. It has already laid down 1,500 km pipeline network covering more than 12 places.

GSPC has already struck a deal with Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) for bringing the gas from Kankinada to Hazira through the under-construction Reliance pipeline.

Reliance, in turn, will be using the GSPC network within Gujarat for gas transportation for its own use. Gujarat's minister of state for energy and petroleum Saurabh Patel said: "The plan would result in a saving of Rs 2,000 crore worth of central subsidy given on petrol, diesel and LPG."

At present, Adani Energy has been granted licence for city gas distribution in Ahmedabad and Vadodara while Gujarat Gas does the same in Surat.

phaedrus

July 15th, 2008, 07:12 PM

Gujarat goes exotic with cherry tomato

A motley group of farmers in Bharuch district of south Gujarat are attempting to grow “colourful” Israeli varieties of cherry tomato and capsicum for the first time in the state, with an eye on the growing number of national and international retail chains. These farmers — under the banner of ‘Creative Farmers Club’ — are trying to market these visually attractive varieties in national and international retail chains.

Freshness, longer shelf-life and higher returns from these premium vegetables have encouraged farmers.
For the first time, farmers in Chapra village of Bharuch are trying to grow the Israeli variety of cherry tomato in the state. “We have planted 100 saplings of cherry tomato on an experimental basis and so far we have been successful. For the past month, we have harvested about 15 kg of this vegetable,” said farmer and club president Harnish Z Patel. The club has attempted to grow the veggie in attractive golden and red colours. “Though this is the first time we are growing this vegetable, retails chains like Reliance Fresh and Magnet have already expressed interest in buying the produce. Reliance has asked us if we could supply about 200 boxes of cherry tomatoes to there stores in Surat daily,” said Mr Patel. He added that farmers had planned to expand the area of plantation next year to meet the growing demands from retail chains.

Explaining this exotic vegetable, Mr Patel said: “A cherry tomato is a smaller garden variety of tomato. It is marketed at a premium to ordinary tomatoes and is popular as a snack and in salads.” Farmers will be packing these tomatoes in 150 gm transparent boxes, which are suited for display on shelves in retail outlets. These premium tomatoes will fetch Rs 60-80 for a kg.

Similarly, in another first for the state, this group of farmers has set up special net houses (which keeps away insect vectors from destroying the crop) in Keshar, Bharadiya and Raima villages to grow exotic varieties of capsicums in red, violet, yellow and green colours. “This year, we have been able to harvest only 500-600 kg of capsicum of different colours. However, from the next year, we are targeting a yield of at least 30 tonne per acre,” said another farmer from Kesar village, Jayesh Patel, adding that farmers are extensively using drip irrigation for growing vegetables. “We have already erected 4-5 acres of net houses for growing capsicum,” he said.

A kg of capsicum fetches about Rs 20. “Unlike domestic varieties, these veggies shine, have a longer shelf life and remain fresh for days together. These characteristics make them suited to be sold in retail outlets in urban centres,” said Mr Patel.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Agriculture/Gujarat_goes_exotic_with_cherry_tomato/articleshow/3234200.cms)

phaedrus

July 15th, 2008, 07:13 PM

Farmers roast fruits of cashew cultivation

Already a leader in groundnut, Gujarat is now getting into ‘niche’ cashewnut cultivation. Farmers in Valsad and Dang districts are now challenging Goa in cashewnuts that not just look better but are also superior in terms of taste, whiteness and crunchiness.

“About 6,000 hectare of land across Valsad and Dangs districts, considered socio-economically backward pockets of the state, have produced a record 14,000 tonne cashewnut this season. And this is just the labour of the last 3-4 years,” says senior officer of horticulture department of Valsad, SS Gamit.

In neighbouring Surat too, around 100 hectare of land has been brought under cashewnut cultivation. The production, however, rose only a couple of years back. According to the local horticulture expert Hasmukh Karecha, pockets like Kaparda, Dharampur, Vansda, and Songarh in South Gujarat are some of the suitable areas for cashew nut farming.

“Cashewnut produced in Gujarat is better in terms of taste, whiteness and crunchiness compared with fruits from Goa. However, size of Goan cashewnut is bigger than those produced in Gujarat. After commissioning of processing units in Dang and Valsad, farmers have started getting attractive returns. It is expected that the production will grow with increase in demand,” says Mr Karecha.

Meanwhile, farmers of Pavi Jetpur area in Central Gujarat have also started taking interest in cashew nut farming. Tribal in Dang and Valsad districts get employment with the arrival of cashew nut roasting and other processing facilities.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Agriculture/Farmers_roast_fruits_of_cashew_cultivation/articleshow/3225201.cms)

phaedrus

July 20th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Power shortage in Gujarat: industries asked to have 2 day off

Due to power shortage in the state, the non continuous processing industries across Gujarat have been asked to observe weekly off on two consecutive days, beginning Monday, Gujarat Energy minister Saurabh Patel said on Saturday.

Talking over phone, Patel said non availability of gas to gas based power stations located across the state, has reduced power generation by 500 mega watt and the gap in demand and supply has increased to 1,000 MW.

The demand of power from the farm sector has been going up due to erratic monsoon and for diverting more power to the farmers, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL) has taken the decision, Patel said.

Meanwhile, official sources said GUVNL has stopped getting 500MW of power from the various players who said they are not in a position to supply power to GUVNL.

Sources said GUVNL was also not in a position to get hydro power from its two hydro based power stations located in Kadana and Ukai as water level in the reservoirs is low and not in a position to generate 540 mw of power.

Gujarat's allocated share of power from the 1450 mw hydro power station at Sardar Sarovar dam across Narmada river is also affected due to restriction on release of water from the dam on account of low level of water there.

GUVNL is compelled to impose two days weekly off on the over two lakh non continuous processing industrial units across the state, he added.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Power_shortage_in_Gujarat_industries_asked_to_have_2_day_off_/articleshow/3254152.cms)

phaedrus

July 22nd, 2008, 03:54 PM

cross posting from the energy thread

Gujarat takes a big biofuel leap

At a time when there is growing global concern over greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, Gujarat’s tryst with biofuel as an alternative to petrol and diesel has proved a promising starter. It was the first state that started growing ratanjyot (jatropha curcus), from which biofuel could be produced. States like Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh followed suit.

The state’s tryst with biofuel began in 2005, when Dharmendra Parekh, owner of Aaditya Aromedic & Bio-energies, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the state government in a small village of Tarsad in Navsari district. His biofuel unit, which was set up at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, today produces 1,000 litres of oil per day and sells it at Rs 39 per litre.

Parekh says he started his research back in 1992. It took nearly 12 years of research for him to send his first biofuel oil tanker to the market. “Currently, 85 BPL (below poverty line) families are cultivating ratanjyot vanaspati in 2,000 hectares in south Gujarat alone,” Parekh claimed.

Use of biofuel saves foreign exchange needed for oil purchase. Regular diesel comes from a non-renewable source, while biofuel is a renewable energy and the Planning Commission has approved projects to boost biofuel production. The first ever research in this area was undertaken by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard). Top agricultural scientists in the world, including those from the Science and Technology Department of China, have conducted research on this plant.

Biofuel production can also help India increase its leverage in the international alternative fuel market. Besides ratanjyot, there are other plants in India like pongamia, sal, mahua, kokum, pilu, phulwara, dhupa, neem, mango, kusum, karanja, jatropha,tumba, jojoba, simarouba, from which alternative fuel could be produced. All this has a potential of generating 20 million tonnes of biofuel annually.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Gujarat_takes_a_big_biofuel_leap/articleshow/3261281.cms)

phaedrus

July 22nd, 2008, 04:26 PM

cross posting from the energy thread

RPL Jamnagar refinery to be completed before time

Mukesh Ambani group firm Reliance Petroleum Ltd today said work at its Jamnagar refinery in the Special Economic Zone of Gujarat has achieved 94 per cent overall progress and will be completed ahead of its initial schedule of December this year.

"I would like to complement the RPL team on the remarkable progress made so far and the rapid but smooth transition to pre-commissioning. The team is fully geared and motivated to commission the refinery ahead of its initial schedule of December 2008," RPL Chairman Mukesh D Ambani said.
RPL has achieved 94 per cent overall progress with rapid advancement on implementation fronts of the refinery and expects to complete the refinery ahead of schedule, the company said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The project engineering, procurement and contracting activities have been completed and construction activities are progressing rapidly to meet pre-commissioning requirements.

Elaborating further, the company said planning for the project start-up is completed and pre-commissioning activities are proceeding at a hectic pace.

RPL has mobilised sufficient resources to sustain pre-commissioning and commissioning activities on fast track, RPL added.

Deliveries of equipments are nearly complete, civil construction is complete, all major equipments including several super heavy equipments have been installed, structural steel erection are at an advanced stage and hydro-testing activities are in full swing, the company said.

source business standard (http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=42857)

phaedrus

July 23rd, 2008, 11:30 PM

cross posting from the energy thread

RPG-group company to set up plants in Gujrat

RPG group company Philips Carbon Black Ltd (PCBL) has proposed to set up new plants at Mundra in Gujrat and Vietnam, and expand capacity of its Kochi-based plant, at a total investment of Rs 650 crore.

"The company plans to set up new plants at Mundra with a capacity of 80,000 tons which is likely to be commissioned by March next year," company's Kochi unit Chief of Operations S K Ghosh said, adding the Vietnam plant with a capacity of one lakh tons would be ready by December 2009.

Talking to reporters here, he said, the capacity of the Kochi plant would be increased from existing 40,000 tonnes to 90,000 tons at a cost of Rs 160 crore and added that additional 50,000 tons soft black carbon would also be produce.

Work will commence in June 2009 and be completed by September. The existing capacity of 125 tonne a day will be increased to 280 tonnes a day after the expansion.

The capacity of the its power plant at Kochi will also be enhanced from 2.5 MW to 14 MW. The company needs only 4 MW and the rest would be sold to the Kerala state grid, Ghosh said.

The company has introduced various pollution control methods, including providing four modules for primary and additional secondary bag filters to arrest dust at a cost of Rs one crore each, he said.

The expansion would also provide employment opportunities to 250 persons. There are at present 350 employees working with the company.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/RPG-group_company_to_set_up_plants_in_Gujrat_Vietnam/articleshow/3270867.cms)

phaedrus

July 23rd, 2008, 11:30 PM

Godrej group plans to enter oil & gas equipment business

Acquires land at Dahej in Gujarat to implement its plans.

The Godrej group plans to make equipment for the oil and gas sector. The plans will be executed through Godrej & Boyce, an engineering company. The initial investment for the project is pegged at Rs 150 crore. The company has already acquired land at Dahej in Gujarat to implement its plans.

The process equipment division (PED) of Godrej fabricates equipment for process industries. The PED division manufactures custom-built critical process equipment for end-users in core sectors like refineries, petrochemicals, fertilisers, oil & gas, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and power.

“In order to take advantage of opportunities opened up by a surge in the number of global energy majors getting into offshore exploration our company is now entering offshore segment,” a senior company official said. The company will first make parts of offshore platforms and subsequently enter into the rig manufacturing segment, added the official. The company will start its new venture within the next six months. At present, the company is negotiating with various global oil & gas majors, added a source. He said that national oil companies based in the Middle East and global oil giant were likely buyers.

“We already have manpower which will enable us to fabricate offshore platforms and rigs. Our existing fabrication unit will cater to the regional and international offshore supply markets,” added an official. There is a huge worldwide shortage for exploration equipment. At present, the day rate for deep water rigs has gone up from $1,00,000 to over $7,00,000 in the last couple of years, added the officials. Industry analysts suggest most heavy engineering companies are investing in this segment in order to meet the rising demand from oil & gas firms.

Currently, the global market is one of the most developed when it comes to offshore oil and gas equipment. “The next boom is in the construction and assembly group stimulated by the large orders for ships and platforms. But all the sectors in the production chain will benefit subsequently,” added an analyst.

The cost of a jack-up rig in the international market is estimated to be about $350 million. The cost of a semi-submersible is about $400 million.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Oil__Gas/Godrej_group_plans__to_enter_oil__gas_equipment_business/articleshow/3271534.cms)

phaedrus

August 1st, 2008, 05:27 PM

cross posting from the agriculture thread

Gujarat eyes better crop as rains cheer

Heavy rains, which lashed Ahmedabad and parts of Gujarat during the last 36 hours, have come as a life-saver for the farmers. Groundnut and cotton growers are expected to clock lesser losses after significant amount of rainfall was recorded in different parts of the state.

A comparatively good rainfall during the second round of monsoon within last two days across the state during this season, seems to be a boon for the power sector too.

According to agriculture experts, the latest spell has brought a sigh of relief for farmers in the state as now they can expect at least an adequate return against a total loss in absence of scanty rainfall.

During the second spell, the state recorded rains ranging between one inch and six inches. The districts, which have been benefited most include Ahmedabad, Kheda, Banaskantha, Bharuch, Surat, Gandhinagar, Navsari, Narmada, Panchmalahs, Sabarkantha, Vadodara and Tapi.

The gap between the first and second spell was very wide leading to worries among the farmers and the state government.

Crop failure was widely predicted as till July 7 only 35 lakh hectares was brought under cultivation this year as against 49 lakh hectares last year. While foodgrains covered 17%, cereals covered 21%.

However, the latest rainfalls will not just benefit the overall cultivation but also the standing crop. The yield in groundnut, cotton and cereals will witness remarkable increase, said Dr S R Chaudhary, director, agriculture, government of Gujarat.

Though Patan, Banaskantha and Kutch have so far not received adequate rainfall, it is expected that these districts too would get good rainfall. Castor cultivation would start soon in north Gujarat, he added.

Experts, however, fear a 25-30% deficit in groundnut and cotton production this year. For paddy, the state has so far not received adequate rains although timely rainfall has saved the crop, said Agriculture University, Junagadh, vice-chancellor BK Kikani.

Till July 7, the state has witnessed 86% sowing of groundnut and 52% sowing of cotton.

Now, the state will get increased quantum of cultivation of soybean, cereals and castor. The food grain cultivation is also good, Kikani added.

According to weather department officials, the state will get more rains. Even on Tuesday, the rains will continue in the state, said the state meteorological department director Dr Kamaljit Ray.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Agriculture/Gujarat_eyes_better_crop_as_rains_cheer/articleshow/3303257.cms)

IndiansUnite

August 2nd, 2008, 04:35 PM

Rs 30K-cr Fab City plan for Prantij

Gandhinagar: Gujarat could well give Andhra Pradesh a run for its money as India’s fab capital with Hindustan Semiconductor & Manufacturing Company (HSMC), a consortium of NRIs based out of Silicon Valley, eyeing a Rs 30,000-crore Fab City project spread over 700 acres for manufacturing semi-conductors in the state.

According to top Gujarat government (GoG) officials, HSMC has evinced keenness on setting up the megaproject at Prantij, nearly 60 km north of Ahmedabad.

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7224/pc0012200kf2.jpg

While HSMC chairman Deven Verma is learnt to have met Chief Minister Narendra Modi in April 2008, senior HSMC executives made a detailed presentation on Fab City to principal secretary (industries) Gauri Kumar in early July 2008. HSMC already has an MoU with Infrastructure Lease & Finance Service (IL&FS) for providing necessary infrastructure logistics.

Interestingly, HSMC’s Fab City is understood to be one of the biggest projects being lined up for signing at the upcoming Vibrant Gujarat summit in January next year.

While a detailed submission is awaited, officials said HSMC had been assured of the government’s support, including policy changes if required, and urged them to apply to GoI.

“We have shown them two sites — Prantij in Sabarkantha district and Vasad in Vadodara district. They finalize one of them after soil testing,” said a senior state government official, adding HSMC was keen on Prantij, given its proximity (40 minute drive) to Ahmedabad international airport and easy availability of water as the project would require nearly three million gallons per day.

According to officials, if the project comes to Gujarat, it would create a boom of downstream IT projects, providing jobs to thousands of technical graduates in the state. HSMC has also been looking at other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

Semi-conductors or silicon chips find applications in computers, TVs, mobile phones and telephones, SIM and I-cards, credit cards as well as the automotive sector.
[TOI]

bhargavsura

August 2nd, 2008, 04:45 PM

Yeah

That would be great if the project comes to Gujarat. Another IT boom in India!!!

phaedrus

August 4th, 2008, 03:17 PM

Tenders invited for Ankleshwar-Rajpipla line gauge conversion

Tenders for Ankleshwar-Rajpipla line gauge conversion have been invited for undertaking works on the Rs 196.97 crore project, railway official sources said.

The sources said here on Monday that the gauge conversion project will connect the stations on Ankleshwar-Jhagadia-Rajpipla to the mainstream of the national rail network.

It was Maharana Chhatrasinhji, the 35th Gohil Raja of Rajpipla who after coming to power in 1897 built a small narrow guage line, about 62.89 km from Ankleshwar to Rajpipla and opened it for railway traffic in 1899.

For construction of the railway line, it is said, about Rs 14 lakh was spent in those days.

The princely state of Rajpipla is situated on the foot of the Satpura range hills, between Narmada river and the Tapti river.

The builder of modern Rajpipla was his son Maharana Vijaysinhji, who came to power in 1915 and proved to be a great administrator.

During foundation stone laying ceremony of Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada river at Kevadiya about 15 km from Rajpipla on April 5 in 1961, the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru visited Rajpipla and had lunch with the Maharana Rajendrasinhji, son of Vijaysinhji at his royal palace in Rajpipla, which was organised by Deelip Pandya, a freedom fighter.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Railways/Tenders_invited_for_Ankleshwar-Rajpipla_line_gauge_conversion/articleshow/3324643.cms)

phaedrus

August 4th, 2008, 03:37 PM

Gujarat wants centre to bend rules on power allocation

The Gujarat government has asked for all the power from the proposed 1,000 MW project in a joint venture with the state-run Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) in Tamil Nadu, though the norms are that at least 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be fed to the national grid.
"We have already written to the central government asking for the entire power for consumption in our state. We are waiting for a response," a Gujarat government official who requested anonymity said on phone from Gandhinagar.
NLC too has written a letter to the centre expressing the Gujarat government's desire.
The lignite-fuelled power plant is proposed at Valia in Gujarat where the state-run Tamil Nadu-based NLC has been roped in as 74 per cent partner. The rest of the equity in the Rs.51.4 billion project will be held by the Gujarat Power Corp.
The pact between NLC and Gujarat government was signed two years ago to mine 12 million tonnes of lignite per annum and set up a 1,500 MW power project in two phases.
The first phase proposes to mine eight million tonnes of lignite and build a 1,000 MW power plant.
A senior NLC official explained that by a formula that has been in force for more than two decades, any joint venture with a state-run power company requires 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be supplied to the national grid.
The official, however, cited the case of a similar project between the Andhra Pradesh government and the state-run National Thermal Power Corp in Simhadri where the state was allowed to utilise the entire 1,000 MW generated.
He said even NLC, which is setting up a 250 MW power project in Rajasthan, will supply the entire output to the state, adding that the Gujarat government has the option of roping in the private sector as a partner if its demands were not met.
"The reason why they want to come to us is because we have much better experience in mining and handling lignite-fired power plants," the official said, adding that NLC had a mining capacity of 24 million tonnes per annum and an installed capacity of 2,490 MW.
A joint venture company will be formed once the power allocation issue is sorted out, the official added

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Power/Gujarat_wants_centre_to_bend_rules_on_power_allocation/articleshow/3317867.cms)

IndiansUnite

August 6th, 2008, 06:18 AM

Investments worth Rs 40K cr lined up for Vibrant Gujarat 09

Gandhinagar: The next Vibrant Gujarat global investors’ summit, scheduled to be held on January 12 and 13, 2009, may still be five months away from now, but the Gujarat government is already working overtime to drum up investment proposals to be inked at the big-ticket meet.

According to well-placed Sachivalaya sources, proposals of nearly 13 major projects from domestic as well as foreign investors worth over Rs 40,000 crore have already been lined for the Vibrant Gujarat hoopla.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7361/pc0071000mh2.jpg

These include investments in manufacturing of sectors like chemicals, electronics, engineering, automotive, cement as well as real estate projects by investors like Hindustan Semiconductors & Manufacturing Co, Dow Chemicals, Hindustan Zinc Ltd, SRF Ltd, SKF Technologies, Ashland India and Ceat Ltd among others.

Of course, the Rs 30,000 crore Fab City being mooted by Hindustan Semiconductors & Manufacturing Co for the manufacture of semiconductors on a 700-acre land near Prantij is expected to be among the biggest projects to be inked at the upcoming summit.

“Of the 13 major projects lined up for MoU signing at the summit, five of them are from foreign investors,” a source said, adding that the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation has already initiated the process of acquiring land for projects that have sought land from the government.
[TOI]

Vibrant Gujarat's website--> http://www.vibrantgujarat.com
http://img371.imageshack.us/img371/159/vglr8.jpg

IndiansUnite

August 8th, 2008, 04:40 AM

ABG Shipyard to invest 8-10 bln rupees in new ship buildingproject (http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBOM5996820080730?sp=true)

MUMBAI, July 30 (Reuters) - Shipbuilder ABG Shipyard Ltd (ABGS.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) has firmed up plans to build a new shipyard in the western state of Gujarat, a top official said, even as the stock market plunged and interest rates are headed higher.

The company, India's largest private shipbuilder, plans an investment of 8-10 billion rupees in its third shipyard, Chief Financial Officer Dhananjay Datar told Reuters on Wednesday.

"We are looking at 2-3 locations in Gujarat," Datar said. "The investment would be mostly through internal accruals and a mix of debt." ABG has a debt-equity ratio of 0.7, which gives it the option to borrow funds, he said.

ABG's new 6.75-billion-rupee rig building yard is also coming up in Gujarat for which finances have already been tied up. Datar expects an average revenue of 8-9 billion rupees in the next 3-½ years.

phaedrus

August 10th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Ahmedabad riding clean fuel wave to healthier future

THANKS to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Gujarat’s commercial capital is now the 50th most polluted city in India, down from fourth.
Just a couple of years ago, few residents of Ahmedabad knew the acronym. But now every child knows he can breathe easier because 37,733 auto rickshaws have converted from petrol to CNG.
“Ahmedabad provides the ideal model of how use of clean fuels can make life more healthy,” says Sanjiv Tyagi, an Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer who is the member-secretary of the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) and one of those responsible for bringing “hill station quality” air to this city.
One of the most positive fallouts of the conversion by auto rickshaws has been on the grading of Ahmedabad on the National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP) of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) that monitors the ambient air quality in 85 cities.
In 2001, Ahmedabad was India’s fourth most polluted city with 198 micrograms of RSPM (respirable suspended particulate matter) in every cubic metre of air.
In 2002, the RSPM came down to 166 micrograms per cubic metre, in 2003 to 136. By 2006, it had come down to 96, by 2007 to 82. “We are targeting the standard of 60 RSPM. I am not making any predictions but trends till May 2008 suggest that we may be on target,” Tyagi says.
As elsewhere, it was not easy to convince the auto rickshaw drivers to make the change. A state-government incentive of Rs.10,000 helped. That was the carrot. The stick was the threat by the regional transport officer that no petrol-driven auto rickshaw would be allowed on the streets after Jan 1, 2007. All this, plus the fact that CNG is much cheaper than petrol did the trick.
Now other cities want to follow the Ahmedabad model. Two delegations are expected from Andhra Pradesh, one from Chennai. After the auto rickshaws, it was the turn of the buses. The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) has converedt 610 of its 1,010-strong fleet from diesel to CNG while the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has converted all the 155 it runs in Ahmedabad.
One of the biggest problems faced in New Delhi - the first city in India where all public transport switched over to CNG - is the lack of fuel, leading to hour-long queues. Ahmedabad has tried to solve that by setting up 46 CNG stations already. AMTS has five CNG pumps of its own, while GSRTC has three. Auto rickshaws used to carry goods are next in the conversion queue, says Tyagi.

source economictimes epaper

bhopalus

August 10th, 2008, 04:51 PM

Land-filling and reclamation inflate cost of Dholera SIR

9 Aug 2008, 0446 hrs IST, Rajiv Shah ,TNN

GANDHINAGAR: One of the biggest challenges before Gujarat government in developing the Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) is the task of filling up and reclaiming nearly 40 percent of the approximately 360 square kilometres (sq km) area. The area is low lying and is prone to floods will have to be levelled up for industrial use.

A senior official said that the total investment on developing infrastructure for Dholera SIR would be a whopping Rs 35,000 crore. Top consultants Infrastructure Lease & Financial Services (IL&FS ) believe that the amount is high on account of the landfilling cost.

In comparison, infrastructure for the other SIR at Dahej to come up in Gujarat during DMIC's first phase would cost Rs 20,000 crore, as estimated by top consultants Mott McDonald. It is proposed to be built on a 295 sq km area, without any reclamation required.

Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board (GIDB) has prepared a project on the areas of Dholera SIR that would need to be filled up and reclaimed . A top official said, "A large number of cities have been built by reclaiming land, including Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore. Here, we don't have to reclaim much land. We only need to fill up certain areas, providing drainage facilities to ensure there is no flooding."

Other infrastructure facilities proposed for Dholera SIR include a container depot, a cold storage chain, and a rail-and-road link for the proposed airport at Federa and the Dholera port from Ahmedabad, apart from power, water, recreation zone, and plotting for housing and social facilities for those working in the SIR.

Nearly one-fourth of the Dholera SIR land belongs to the government, while the rest will have to be acquired. The SIR is scheduled to start operating by 2013.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Land-filling_and_reclamation_inflate_cost_of_Dholera_SIR_/articleshow/3344407.cms

phaedrus

August 12th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Wagh Bakri enters retail franchise format with tea lounges

Ahmedabad-based Gujarat Tea Processors and Packers Ltd, which markets tea under the Wagh Bakri brand, has entered the retail franchise format with the unveiling of ‘Wagh Bakri Tea Lounge’ in Mumbai. Gujarat Tea Processors is the third largest tea packaging company in the domestic market with annual distribution of 23 million kg of tea.

The group’s first tea lounge was inaugurated on Sunday at Vile Parle (East) in Mumbai by the former Lok Sabha Speaker, Mr Manohar Joshi, in the presence of Mr Piyush Desai, Chairman, Wagh Bakri Group, marking a milestone in its 100-year-old legacy, the company said here on Monday. The company also plans to roll out a chain of tea parlours in the next one year.

Choices aplenty

The lounge would offer its consumers tea as per their choice and with snacks. Tea enthusiasts can experiment with a variety of tea that will allow them to mix-and-match their choice of blend from amongst the strong Assam tea, organic tea, green tea, Darjeeling tea, the South Indian tea and flavoured tea.

Wagh Bakri adds value to the lounge by offering consumers a chance to taste their tea before purchase.

More flavours

Mr Desai said that Wagh Bakri also intends to bring tea flavours from other countries such as China, Kenya and Sri Lanka. The company has partnered with Radha Krishna Hospitality Services Pvt Ltd to manage the operations of the parlour.

source businessline (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081250302100.htm)

phaedrus

August 12th, 2008, 01:37 PM

Indian Aura bullish on medical tourism

Indian Aura, a new venture of Airline Travel & Tours Centre, plans to make Gujarat the medical tourism destination of Asia. Speaking to press persons, Mr I.J. Patel, Chairman, said, “Of the total number of non-resident Indians, 59 per cent are Gujaratis and we hope to tap this segment to bring them to India for medical treatment and recuperation and hardsell Gujarat for the same.”

Tie-up

The company has tied up with HRH Group of Hotels, Grand Intercontinental Group, Columbia Asia Hospitals, Wockhardt Hospitals and is in talks with the Taj Group of hotels as service providers.

Indian Aura will be the marketing agency for the spas, hospitals and palaces of these organisations, facilitating services for mainly the NRI populace.

In Gujarat, the company has tie-ups with Bhailal Amin Hospital, Baroda, SAL and Shalby Hospitals in Ahmedabad.

The company also hopes that by tying up with the hotel groups, they will be able to convince them to set shop in Gujarat, where, currently, very few national five-star hotel chains are present.

The company is in talks with the HRH group to start operations in Gujarat, said Mr Patel.

The company, however, intends setting up and managing around five to seven spas under its brand, three of which will be in Gujarat.

Investment

It will invest Rs 10 crore in three years, out of its own funds and expects a turnover of Rs 9 crore by end of 2009, said Mr Vinod Kumar, consultant to the company.

The spas will provide Mediterranean, Indian and Oriental systems of medicines with Naturopathy, Allopathy and Ayurveda treatments.

The company will tap its network of Indian embassies, and NRI associations abroad to market Indian Aura and sees retired pensioners, senior citizens, single women and professionals as potential customers.

According to a recent CII/McKenzie report, the medical tourism industry in India is expected to reach Rs 12,000 crore by 2012, becoming the second highest export earner after the IT industry.

source businessline (http://www.blonnet.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080852432100.htm)

Jai

August 29th, 2008, 10:44 AM

Apparently the designs for India's first true commercial CBD, the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City, will be making a major overseas debut in New Jersey and Chicago.

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/400/01gi8ii6.jpg

Hoping to woo rich desis to invest, Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIHED) are attending property roadshows in a big way.

From this article (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Now_city_realtors_go_for_Chicago/articleshow/3118401.cms):

With scant information for all of these projects on the net -- especially the Sabarmati riverfront development -- we could surely use someone local to go document the exhibits there. Hopefully, they'll bring models and new renderings of the projects to distribute.

Can anyone make it?

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/9144/tempdr8gf1.jpg (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552518&page=9)

With the GIFT upscale and redesign to 40+ towers above 50 storeys tall (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552518&page=9), there's even more impetus to go and find out what you all can!

Posted by IU:
Originally Posted by IndiansUnite http://www.skyscrapercity.com/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=23637494#post23637494)
Sweet Jebus! All the more reason to check out the event organized by GIHED in Chicago now. The locations and dates for the events are also out-

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/8493/bannercf8gy3.jpg

Sumeet and I spoke with each other yesterday and have planned to attend the Chicago event on September 6 (Saturday). If anyone would like to join us, then post a message here or PM either one of us.

So that is Aug 29-31 at the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, Raritan Center, Edison, New Jersey. (http://www.njexpocenter.com/)

and

Sept 06-07 at The Meadows Club Chicago, Rolling Meadows, Illinois (http://www.themeadowsclub.com/location.htm)

All yall gujjus post up!

Guys! The New Jersey show starts tomorrow! Local guys, please try to make it and post pics! :D

See if you can find out
- any more official building roof heights and floor heights, especially for GIFT
- estimated project start, completion times for any projects, especially for GIFT
- any confirmation on the number of above-50-floor towers planned for the entire project
- whether more new skyscraper designs will be announced in the project
- whether any more skyscrapers will be planed in the future outside the current GIFT 500 acre location
- any information and where this proposed 'GIFT 2' is supposed to come up
- whether GIFT will be an independent city or will fall within (and be governed by) Gandhinagar
- whether skyscrapers will be built in the Riverfront project, and the designs of those

Try to take as many pictures as you possibly can. For anyone who can take pics I can arrange some free webhosting for from a friend where you can upload as many images as you want in full size. I'm sure they'll have huge pictures of the GIFT skyline on the walls, like they had in the 'Vibrant Gujarat' thing they had in India.

The more pictures you take of any projects and the more swag (free stuff, like broceuures, CDs, literature, etc.) you can get your hands on the better.

This goes for anyone attending :cheers1:

ajithv

September 18th, 2008, 03:33 AM

In a move which will boost road connectivity in Gujarat, which already boasts of a good road network, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) on Wednesday signed a concession agreement worth Rs 4,308 crore with Gujarat Road Development Corporation to convert three two-lane roads into four-lane highways.

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/3_more_4-lane_highways_in_Gujarat/articleshow/3495707.cms)

ajithv

September 19th, 2008, 03:39 PM

ONGC Ltd has commissioned its first wind power project. The 51-mw project is located at Motisindholi in Kutch district of Gujarat. ONGC had placed the EPC order on Suzlon Energy in January, for setting up the wind farm comprising 34 turbines of 1.5-mw each.
Work on the project had begun in February this year, and it is learnt that the first three turbines had begun production within 43 days of starting construction work. Power from this Rs 308-crore captive wind farm will be wheeled to the Gujarat state grid for onward use by ONGC at its Ankleshwar, Ahmedabad, Mehsana and Vadodara centres.
ONGC has targeted to develop a captive wind power capacity of around 200 mw in the next two years. The petroleum major has also planned a 50-mw farm in Andhra Pradesh.

Source (http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=16975)

GJ10

October 2nd, 2008, 10:05 PM

GCCI signs co-op pact with Malawi and Belarus (http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=336064)

The Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) today entered into an co-operation pact with High Commission of Republic of Malawi and Belarus.

An agreement of cooperation in the field of business and industry was signed today between the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce & Industry and the High Commission of the Republic of Malawi and Belarus in India today.

“This has been the first ever agreement between a chamber and High Commissions of foreign countries in India in the history of the chamber,” said a GCCI source.

Under the seven point agreement, both the parties have pledged to increase liaison and cooperation between the two countries in the field of export-import, investment, business information and other commerce oriented activities for the benefit of the business community of both the countries.

Moreover, the two countries have also been urged to give due consideration and weightage to the recommendation of GCCI for granting visas to its members.

The agreement of cooperation with Belarus and Malawi was signed today at a function in Ahmedabad in the presence of Ambassadors/High Commissioners of 15 countries in India.

Those who were present included Japanese ambassador Naoki Ito, Chinese ambassador Zang Yan, Sri Lanka's High Commissioner C. R. Jaysinghe and Nepal’s ambassador Durgesh Mansingh. Ambassadors/High Commissioners of Ukraine, Belarus, Peru, Russia, Kyrgyz, Senegal, Gambia, Montenegro, Nicaragua, Malawi and Laos were also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion China’s Ambassador to India, Shri Zang Yan said there was bright scope to increase trade between China and Gujarat.

He emphasised the need for increased exchange programmes between businessmen and industrialists of Gujarat and China.

He said he was quite impressed by the high growth rate and rapid industrial development of Gujarat. Referring to the speedily expanding bi-lateral relations between India and China he said that the scope for increased cooperation in the field of business, investment and other sectors was extremely bright.

bhargavsura

October 3rd, 2008, 01:10 AM

He said he was quite impressed by the high growth rate and rapid industrial development of Gujarat. Referring to the speedily expanding bi-lateral relations between India and China he said that the scope for increased cooperation in the field of business, investment and other sectors was extremely bright.

Nothing's growing in Gujarat. My friend just came back from Gujarat visiting many different places. I saw the videos of a lot of roads. It absolutely was the worst ever sight. There was no development in Ahemdabad. There was kichhad on the road (agreed that it was raining), the traffic was just a joke... and many more things will continue. I will see if I can get those videos posted on youtube and post them here.

He did tell me that there were some huge malls, tall buildings, and some clean places in many areas. But the rest of the Ahmedabad is still very under developed!!!

bhopalus

October 3rd, 2008, 02:43 AM

growING

it's in the process of growing, at some 10-11 percent per year (GDP)

come back in 20 years and compare ahmedabad with any other city in india and you'll see...

GJ10

October 3rd, 2008, 06:21 PM

superdesi2100

October 3rd, 2008, 08:55 PM

Nothing's growing in Gujarat. My friend just came back from Gujarat visiting many different places. I saw the videos of a lot of roads. It absolutely was the worst ever sight. There was no development in Ahemdabad. There was kichhad on the road (agreed that it was raining), the traffic was just a joke... and many more things will continue. I will see if I can get those videos posted on youtube and post them here.

He did tell me that there were some huge malls, tall buildings, and some clean places in many areas. But the rest of the Ahmedabad is still very under developed!!!

My perception is exactly opposite. I currently live in US. When I made a trip to India in 2002, my native village had no roads, no electricity. Water would come 3 times a week. During my trip to India 2007, the same village had asphalt roads leading up to it from nearest towns. Nearly every household had 24 hours electricity. All farmers had 3-phase power available for farming. Many houses had satellite dishes and they were watching cable. Narmada's water has reached there now. Water is available twice a day.

Agreed, there is not much progress visible in Ahmedabad, but that is the case in most Indian cities. Indian cities are so chronically crowded that is very very difficult to develop infrastructure at a visible rapid pace.

Another example - I made a trip to Rajkot from Ahmedabad. It took me 6 hours in 2002 - took me 4 hours in 2007. Trip from Ahmedabad to Udaipur was 7 hours in 2002, was 5 hours in 2007. There were only 3 major hospitals in Ahmedabad in 2000. Now there are several. The Sardar Patel Ahmedabad Bypass has now become a well developed SG Highway and government has had to build an entirely new Ahmedabad bypass to bypass the old bypass.

Sabarmati river, which used to remain dry for 10 out of 12 months, now remains full of water all year round - courtesy Narmada water. Pollution has come down to the extent that Ahmedabad is now considered one of the least polluted big cities of India.

There are just some of the examples - there is a lot that has happened. Swanky roads and towering buildings are not the only signs of growth and progress...

bhopalus

October 4th, 2008, 08:23 PM

There are just some of the examples - there is a lot that has happened. Swanky roads and towering buildings are not the only signs of growth and progress...

exactly. if towering buiildings are your measure of development, then malaysia and china should be way, way more developed than California which obviously isnt true

superdesi2100

October 7th, 2008, 12:41 AM

Tata’s Nano set to get new home: Modi’s Gujarat

Source
(http://www.indianexpress.com/news/tatas-nano-set-to-get-new-home-modis-gujarat/370282/)
The Nano will roll out of Gujarat as the state Government gets ready with the red carpet for Tata Motors.

Tata Group chairman Ratan Tata is expected to arrive here tomorrow and make a joint announcement to this effect with Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

The project is expected to come up near Sanand in Ahmedabad district where the state government is said to have completed all groundwork relating to concessions and land-acquisition for construction the approach road to the plant site.

Chief Secretary D Rajgopalan and Industries Minister Minister Saurabh Patel are likely to be present at the joint press conference. Principal Secretary (Industries) Gauri Kumar is learnt to have met top Tata Motors executives last week.

State Revenue Minister Anandiben Patel said: “A proper person (read Modi) will make an announcement at the proper time on whether the Tatas will relocate their small car project in Gujarat”. Asked if her department had offered over 1,000 acres to Tata Motors at Chharodi and Charal in Sanand, she said: “You will come to know about all this at proper time.” Incidentally, a third of the spare parts/components required for the Nano are produced by auto ancillary units in Rajkot.

Finally, Nano all set to drive into Gujarat

Source (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Finally_Nano_all_set_to_drive_into_Gujarat/articleshow/3567686.cms)

There could be a huge gift in store for Narendra Modi as he completes seven years in office as Gujarat chief minister on Tuesday. The a
ir is thick with anticipation as top Tata Motors honchos flew down from Mumbai late on Monday evening to take one final look at the site near Sanand, 25 kms from the western fringes of Ahmedabad, which has been identified for relocation of the Nano plant. Tata chief Ratan Tata is also expected to arrive on Tuesday.

Sources said the decks have been cleared for transfer of 1,000 acres of land to the Tatas. Modi's council of ministers will meet at 10 am before the Tata team arrives. The land which the Tatas have to finally select is located within a 2200-acre campus owned by the Anand Agriculture University which serves as a cattle and seed farm.

The university has already transferred 1,000 acres back to the government which went into an overdrive to woo Tata Motors ever since the situation started worsening at Singur in West Bengal. Government officials were hopeful that the deal will be clinched on Tuesday, after a final round of negotiations on the concessions Tata Motors will be seeking.

While Modi has been personally averse to giving concessions to industry, on the ground that such concessions given in the past had led to a huge loss of revenue to the exchequer, there is willingness to make an exception in the case of the Nano project.

"We had to relax our rigid stand considering the fact that other state governments were going all out to roll the red carpet for the Nano plant. Losses due to concessions would be offset by the immense positivity created around the investment climate in Gujarat," a senior official of the industries department said, while admitting that there could be a tough last round of negotiations.

While Tata Motors' scouts were scouring sites in Karnataka, AP and Maharashtra over the last two days, there was an air of tentativeness in the Sachivalaya at Gandhinagar, even as officials went about clearing all the documents to transfer 1,000 acres in one go. "Our biggest advantage is that we can hand over the land to Tata Motors on Tuesday itself," a source said.

bhargavsura

October 7th, 2008, 01:45 AM

^^^^
Cool!!

zenith_suv

October 7th, 2008, 06:59 AM

Congrats to Gujrat on getting the project - it will futhur propel the growth of an already booming state.

ajithv

October 7th, 2008, 04:16 PM

Its official now. Four days after formally withdrawing from Singur (West Bengal), citing relentless violence and agitation, Tata Motors (http://www.tatamotors.com/) on Tuesday signed an agreement with the government of Gujarat for building the Nano car plant in the western state.

The agreement was signed with the Gujarat government in Gandhinagar today in the presence of state chief minister Narendra Modi, and Tata Group (http://www.tata.com//) chairman Ratan Tata.

Tata Motors (http://www.tatamotors.com/) had received offers from several other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra after announcing its pullout on Oct. 3 from West Bengal, where local farmers not happy with the compensation forced the company to halt work on the Nano plant.

Tata Motors (http://www.tatamotors.com/) has identified a site at Sanand, about 30 kms away from Ahmedabad, where the state government will give the company 1,100 acres from the Anand Agricultural University (http://www.aau.in/) for housing the Nano car project.

Tata Motors (http://www.tatamotors.com/) will invest about Rs20bn on the Nano mother plant at Sanand. Initially, the plant will roll out 250,000 units of the Nano. This can be scaled up to 500,000 units once the entire plant is up and running. The project will generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/news/innernews.asp?storyId=81068&lmn=1&cat=6)

sakrishna

October 7th, 2008, 04:25 PM

bhargavsura

October 7th, 2008, 06:05 PM

:cheers:

GJ10

October 7th, 2008, 06:41 PM

Great news for Gujarat and for TATA Motors! :rock:

Cant help but love the irony of a BJP-led state profiting from all this backwards leftist BS

This will be yet another big message to all potential investors, be they from India or Abroad, that if you want to get things done, you can't do much better than to invest in Gujarat!

I could go on, but I think Ratan Tata himself summed it up when he famously said about Businesses Investing in Gujarat:

"You're stupid if you're not here!"

:cheers1:

GJ10

October 7th, 2008, 07:27 PM

India Inc Happy over Nano finding Home in Gujarat (http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/001200810072112.htm)

New Delhi (PTI): A relieved India Inc on Tuesday said the Tatas moving to Gujarat for its iconic Nano car project will end the phase of negative investment sentiment in the country.

Hailing Gujarat as an investor-friendly state, apex business chambers said that a new atmosphere has emerged with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi welcoming the Tatas.

"Nano has found a home at last in Gujarat. We see a new atmosphere where the chief minsters across the political parties have begun to exhibit healthy competition for major investments," Ficci Secretary General Amit Mitra said.

He hoped that Nano would come out at the earliest and meet global expectations of a resurgent India.

CII Secretary General Chandrajit Banerjee described Gujarat as "one of the most investor friendly states with an impeccable record of industrial relations."

Assocham said the Tatas' decision to move to Gujarat puts the Singur controversy behind and makes the Indian industry a relieved lot. "A healthy competition between the states augurs well for the country," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said.

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) said the Gujarat deal has reinforced confidence among the industry. "Gujarat is seen as the next global destination for automobile manufacturers," SIAM Director General Dilip Chenoy said.

He said the agreement would change the negative sentiment in the industry.

The Indian industry was quite sharp in its criticism of the Singur violent incidents which led to the Tatas pulling out of West Bengal for its prestigious project.

Gujarat Euphoric over Nano Relocation (http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080068001)

Farmers at Sanand village in Gujarat burst crackers and distributed sweets on Tuesday evening, welcoming the Tata Motors' decision to relocate the Rs 15-billion Nano car project to the state.

Alongside, corporate Gujarat also rejoiced.

"It is a matter of great pleasure that Mr Ratan Tata's prestigious Nano car will roll out from Gujarat," said Parimal Nathwani, Reliance Industries Ltd president for corporate affairs and Rajya Sabha member.

"It is a decisive stamp on Gujarat's overall image of a vibrant and investor-friendly state," he said in an official statement here.

He also said the Tatas and Gujarat were inseparable because of the group's presence in Mithapur, near Dwarka in Gujarat, for several decades through a Tata Chemicals plant there.

Added Vinai Saxena, director at Dholera Port and SEZ Ltd: "The pullout of the Nano project from Bengal proves that Gujarat is in a state of democratic harmony, industrial peace and development. The Mamata (Banerjee) and Medha (Patkar) factors that irresponsibly affect national development do not affect Gujarat."

Similarly, Sunil Parekh, advisor to Zydus Cadilla Group, said he was "truly euphoric".

"The project will add 10,000 additional jobs with Tata himself investing Rs.2,000 crore (Rs.20 billion). It will benefit other vendors too. It will give huge boost to ancillaries industry," Parekh said.

According to him, the Nano project would put Ahmedabad on the world map. "Foreigners will say, 'Oh, you come from where Nano is manufactured?'," Parekh said. "Gujarat's bureaucracy is well tuned to business development."

YK Alagh, former central minister and chairman of Institute of Rural Management at Anand, said both north and central Gujarat would progress. "This will bring in technological innovations as Nano is a new technological project," he said.

Rajkot Engineering Association president Bhavesh Patel also welcomed the development, saying the near 2,000 big and 7,000 small casting and machining industries in Rajkot and Saurashtra would benefit.

"It is a day of rejoicing for trade circles," added Hitesh Baghdai, president of the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Why TATA chose Gujarat for Nano (http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080067985&ch=633590159822708750)

Tata Motors opted for Gujarat over several other states for its Nano project because of the speed at which the state acted after the auto major pulled out of Singur in West Bengal, company chairman Ratan Tata said in Gandhinagar on Friday.

"We have selected Gujarat over other states because of the speed in which it acted," Tata said at a press conference, which was also addressed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.

"The site in Gujarat, already under the possession of the state government, will help Tata Motors establish a new dedicated mother plant with the shortest possible time lag and least possible incremental project cost," Tata said.

He said the infrastructure available in the state, as well as the spirit and enterprise of the people of Gujarat and the state government led by Modi also made the choice compelling in the best interest of the project.

Company officials said the strategic location of Sanand, some 30 km from Ahmedabad and its proximity to the Ahmedabad-Rajkot highway made the new site attractive.

The plant will be spread over about 1,100 acres, and will have an initial capacity of 250,000 units, which can be expanded to 500,000 cars annually.

The project, including Tata Motors' plant, vendor facilities and units for service providers, will together generate over 10,000 direct and indirect jobs, Tata Motors said in a statement.

Apart from Gujarat, states such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Orissa, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand had tried to wangle the project, which was moved out of Singur, West bengal, after wallowing in controversy for over two years since its inception.

GJ10

October 7th, 2008, 07:45 PM

An poignant article:

For TATAs, I could give my land for free! (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/For_Tatas_I_could_give_my_land_free_says_farmer/articleshow/3569561.cms)

Farmer-turned-industrialist Ravubha Vaghela was a very happy man on Monday after selling his entire 30 acres of land at Khoda and Naranpura villages to Gujarat government.

He only hoped Tatas would bring their prestigious Nano project to the chosen site. Vaghela had earmarked this land for expansion of his firm, Raviraj Foils Limited.

But the minute he was approached by state government officials, he willingly sold the land for building approach road from Sanand-Viramgam highway to Anand Agriculture University cattle farm that will hopefully be Nanos new home.

Vaghela says he sold the land for Rs 15 crore at Rs 1,000 per square metre, despite the going market rate of Rs 2,500 per sq mt. Vaghela says he could have haggled for a better price or even gone to court.

"But this would have delayed the process and Nano plant could have gone out of Gujarats hands. I was glad to make the sacrifice. For Tata project I could have given my land for free. I am a proud Rajput today that I will be instrumental in bringing Nano project to Gujarat," said Vaghela, who feels its time for him to repay a debt to Tatas.

"During the great famine of 1900 Jamshetji Tata rescued the Kankrej cows being bred at the farm by making a donation of Rs 1,000," he explains, adding that his move symbolises the difference in the outlook of farmers in Gujarat and West Bengal.

Whats more, Vaghela also played a role in convincing other farmers to hand over their land to government. All of them sold their land to government on Monday. Of the nearly 2.05 lakh sq mt private land that Gujarat government has acquired for building the road leading to the site identified for Nano plant, almost two-thirds belong to Vaghela.

sakrishna

October 7th, 2008, 08:45 PM

In no way, this project should bring a rivalry b/w the two sates, viz. Gujarat and WB. hopefully, the common man won't do that. We should not lose the INDIAN identity drom us.
All selfish politicians in our country should be taught a lesson and this applies to Mamata Banerjee also, if she was really concerned about the farmers or wanted to take a political revenge.This doesn't mean that i'm a supporter of Commies, I'm not and proud to say that. And i just expressed my opinion and am not intended to create a debate or contoversy over this issue.

GJ10

October 10th, 2008, 02:16 AM

TATA move kindles investment interest (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Tata_move_kindles_investment_interest/articleshow/3578132.cms)

AHMEDABAD: On Thursday morning, Kaushal Mehta, the CEO of Ahmedabad-based Motif, woke up to a mail from a foreign business associate. The question
was never put to him before despite his average six trips abroad every year.

His US-based associate learnt about the relocation of the world’s cheapest car in Gujarat and was wondering if the state was the right choice for his proposed $100-million semi-conductor plant. The successful entrepreneur and a venture capitalist from the Silicon Valley was earlier toying with other states for his proposed plant. But now, the American seems to have made up his mind.

Tata’s small car has indeed turned out to be a mega ambassador for Gujarat in 48 hours flat. Ever since Ratan Tata announced the relocation of Nano, a host of industrialists from the state received passionate enquiries from their business partners abroad looking for investment in India. Mukesh Bhandari, the chairman of Ahmedabad-based Electrotherm India, which gave country’s first e-bike, YoBykes, said within 24 hours of the Nano announcement, a French electric vehicle player approached him to discuss about the state of Gujarat and the prospects of investment here.

Textile major Chiripal Industries, too, has already received enquiries from a domestic player seeking investment in Gujarat. “The company intends to diversify and bring technical textiles under its ambit. It is in talks with us to set up its manufacturing facility around Ahmedabad,” director of the company, Vishal Chiripal told ET. “Nano has created industrial goodwill all around. It was a high-voltage event that charged up everyone. Our overseas buyers are enthusiastic about the developments and have been inquiring about the $2,500 car and investment climate in Gujarat. Textile players from Dubai and France, keen on investing in India, are asking about the infrastructure of the state and the administration.”

Another state-based leading homelinen exporter which recently acquired an international brand received enquiries from a US-based technical textile player willing to set up shop near Ahmedabad. “With Gujarat emerging victorious, the state is being perceived as a top investment destination,” said Mr Mehta. Nano's international fame for being the cheapest car has suddenly put it on the world map. Only today I received a mail from a US-based company interested in setting up a $100-million plant, asking me how I could help them in facilitating the investment,” said Mr Mehta.

“Nano's presence has clearly brought us recognition from international quarters. For those in the know of things, Nano will reaffirm their belief in the state. Investors will come in flocks now,” said Mr Bhandari.

phaedrus

October 10th, 2008, 04:45 PM

Nano project to boost car components industry in Gujarat

Tata's Nano Car Project coming to Gujarat will boost the small scale industrial units engaged in manufacturing car components here, indust
ry experts feel.

Various engineering units engaged in supplying parts like castings, forging, bearing and other auto components to Nano, said its arrival in the state will give much needed boost to the automobile units operational in the state.
"We expect that the coming of Tata project here will change the scenario of automobile components making industry in the state. Car components making units working in other states will also come to Ahmedabad or Rajkot," President of Rajkot Engineering Association Bhavesh Patel said.

Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Gujarat Government for relocation of Nano Car Project to Sanand on the outskirts of Ahmedabad from Singur in West Bengal.

Automobile component major Kadvani Forging Director Jayant Jamuara said local units here will save around Rs 16 lakh per month as transportation charges earlier paid to send components to Tata's Nano project in Singur.

Either supplier or receiver had to bear the transportation charge of nearly 400 tonnes of spare parts being dispatched from here every month to Singur. The expenses will come down since the project will be in Sanand now, said Jamaura.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/Nano_project_to_boost_car_components_industry_in_Gujarat_/articleshow/3575151.cms)

bhargavsura

October 11th, 2008, 01:34 AM

Yeah... but now it faces some obstacles from some farmers in couple of places over Land Compensation....

click here (http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/oct/11tata.htm)

phaedrus

October 11th, 2008, 03:51 PM

aah well, seems like trouble is following the Nano where ever it goes.

anyway, some more good news for Gujarat

Infrastructure draws corporates to Gujarat

When it comes to a ready infrastructure including manpower, electricity and water supply, then Gujarat has an upper hand. The state ha
s been taking several initiatives over the last few years that ensure a robust infrastructure in place.

Apart from top engineering institutes, the state also has 165 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), of which 60 have facility for a two-year course for motor mechanic vehicle, training 2,912 youths. Another one-year course of motor mechanics trains 3,568 youths through 87 centres across the state. Youths undertaking the two courses will be useful for the Nano plant.

This apart, Toyota, Eicher and General Motors have signed agreements to set up centre of excellence to cater to their own requirements. Besides, GM has signed an agreement to set up centre of excellence in Vadodara with a capacity of 40 students, to cater to their own requirements.

AK Mehta, assistant director, directorate of employment and training, Gujarat, said: “We have got sufficient capacity to meet the requirements with a scope to further expand the seat capacity at ITIs if so required.”

In terms of power availability, the state government’s pledge to make Gujarat a power surplus state is an encouraging
news for the industry setting up shop here, and Tata will certainly benefit from this.

Recently, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL) inked power purchase agreements for over 3,200 mw with private developers and is in the process of signing more such long-term power supply contracts for 2,000 mw.

Further, the state will generate 8,200 mw electricity through at least two ultra mega-power plants, one each by Tata and Adani. Torrent is also considering one such plant.

Gujarat, one of the few states that maintains the 24-hour uninterrupted power supply to its major cities, towns and villages, has also managed to make round-the-clock electricity supply to as many as 18,000 villages.

Several electricity reforms initiated by the government has help reduce power thefts. Under the ambitious Jyoti Gram Yojana, the state saw an investment of Rs 1,500 crore to set up power infrastructure.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Infrastructure/Infrastructure_draws_corporates_to_Gujarat/articleshow/3568011.cms)

ankushgupta

October 15th, 2008, 04:25 AM

GANDHINAGAR: The location couldn't have been better, with an international airport on one side and a sea-port on the other. The Gujarat government ha
s closed in on 100 sq km of land between Federa and Dholera for the proposed 'Mini-Japan' township.

The location, approximately 90 km south of Ahmedabad, is said to be ideal because it falls between Federa, the site for a new international airport, and Dholera, where the Adani group plans to build a port and SEZ.

The location has been identified and will be shown to top Japanese corporate houses, which have already evinced interest in setting up a 'Mini-Japan' township along the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) in Gujarat.

The land falls along the Ahmedabad-Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR) proposed by Gujarat along the DMIC, which is being funded by Japanese government.

Within a week, this is the second big news for Gujarat, and Ahmedabad in particular, after Tatas announced on October 7 that they were parking Nano plant near Sanand. Officials said this was the "best possible location" out of three options — one between Mehsana and Palanpur and the other between Bharuch and Dahej — that were considered.

Gujarat expects many Japanese auto giants to set up shop in the township which will virtually turn Gujarat into the biggest auto hub in the country, taking advantage of ports to export small cars to western markets.

The process was started in April 2007 when a huge business delegation from Gujarat led by Chief Minister Narendra Modi visited Japan. The Japanese External Trade Organisation responded with a visit to Gujarat earlier this year.

Now, the issue is likely to be clinched when a delegation, led by Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation managing director Maheshwar Sahu, visits Japan in mid-November. Talks with auto giants like Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Suzuki have been lined up.

Since the location chosen for 'Mini-Japan' is water-logged during the monsoon, Gujarat Disaster Management Authority has been asked to commission a study on how to prepare a drainage plan for the SIR.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Mini-Japan_between_Federa_Dholera/articleshow/3596980.cms

bhargavsura

October 15th, 2008, 04:32 AM

What about Toyota? Yeh Na Insaafi hai. Most of the Desis in US drive Japanese cars. Yeh Bahut naa insaafi hai!! :lol:

India101

October 16th, 2008, 07:04 AM

I was just gonna post that artical about the mini Japan.

GJ10

October 16th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Rallis opens Gujarat plant to build polymer for aerospace industry (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Garments__Textiles/Rallis_opens_Gujarat_plant_to_build_polymer_for_aerospace_industry/articleshow/3600348.cms)

ANKLESHWAR: Gujarat will now house the world’s only facility to produce poly ether ketone ketone (PEKK), a high-end application polymer used in th
e aerospace industry.

Rallis India has set up the facility in Ankleshwar to produce advanced composites for US-based Cytec Engineered Material, which will move further into new-age aircraft making.

Rallis, the Rs 760-crore agrochemical leader, has invested about Rs 10 crore in the 1,00,00 kg PEKK production facility, and aims to achieve exports worth Rs 400 crore over five years.

Rallis chairman R Gopalakrishnan inaugurated the plant at Ankleshwar on Monday. Talking to ET, Mr Gopalakrishnan said, “After posting a Rs 100-crore loss in FY 2002-03, Rallis is now back in the black. The company has increased profit and capacity to invest in new factories. The new facil-ity highlights the company’s strong international alliances in contract manufacturing and its commitment to expand in new fields.”

GJ10

October 16th, 2008, 11:59 AM

cross posted in Seaports/Shippinh thread

KPT unveils plans to develop maritime logistics hub at Vadinar (http://www.yourindustrynews.com/news_item.php?newsID=12873)

Project Today reported that Kandla Port Trust is planning to develop integrated port facilities at Vadinar, near Jamnagar in Gujarat through a PPP model to become maritime logistics hub.The facilities will include offshore berthing facilities at Vadinar, dry bulk cargo handling facilities, liquid bulk terminal, bunkering complex, ship building and ship repair facilities. It will also set up a single point mooring and allied facilities at Vadinar in the Gulf of Kachch. The company has invited global invitation for EoIs for development of port facilities at Vadinar. The tender will be opened on November 26.

There are plans to set up a port based SEZ at Kandla on the west of dry cargo berths at New Kandla and at the proposed Tuna Port. Various port-based industries such as transshipment terminal, international bunkering terminal, ship repair facilities, LNG terminal, wood products terminal, etc will be included in the SEZ. Ministry of commerce & industries has accorded formal approval for setting up a port-based multi product SEZ over 5,000 hectares.

GJ10

October 16th, 2008, 12:19 PM

cross posted in Auto Industry thread

A car that could give Nano competition (http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080068549)

Oreva Super, an electric car which could just be the country's first one lakh car, made by the Ajanta Group, a Saurashtra-based clockmaker, is planning to give serious competition to the Tata Nano.

Though the Oreva Super was in the pipeline for a while, sources say production at its plant in Kutch recently moved into top gear.

As the Nano shifted from Bengal to Gujarat last week, the Oreva Super was heading for a showroom in Rajkot under wraps last week.

Company officials refused to speak on camera but the Rajkot dealer is enthusiastic.

"This is the first model out on display. I can't share any more details about it as we have been asked to be tight-lipped for sometime. It is just a fabulous car and very economic in these days of rocketing fuel prices," said Yogesh Tank, Oreva Automobiles, Rajkot.

"Obviously, it's pricing is so strategic that it will compete with Tata's Nano," he added.

Not surprisingly, the Oreva is already generating plenty of interest even though a commercial rollout, first in Gujarat and then across the country, is at least two months away.

"I just tried my hands on this car. It gives great feel and it is adequate for a family like mine, two adults and two kids can be easily accommodated," said Vijay Nathwani, corporate executive, Rajkot.

"People like us now can really afford to buy a car and whether Nano comes or not and whenever, this car is ready. I am just waiting to buy it the day the start sales," Nathwani added.

Even before Ratan Tata has set up the Nano shop in Rajkot, he already seems to have competition.

Oreva Super: Another one-lakh car on the hunt (http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=144425)

Ajanta Group, a Saurashtra-based clockmaker, plans to throw a challenge to the Nano project through its landmark car Oreva Super. The same will be priced between Rs 85,000 - Rs 1 lakh, thereby making it the cheapest small car in India..

We are all thinking about Nano, dreaming about Nano - the first car in India, which would be available for just one lakh rupees. Tata Motors is about to fulfill the long cherished dream of the Indian middle class by introducing a car withing their budget. But a challenger is waiting in the wings.

Oreva Super, an electric car could be India’s first car to be available within one lakh rupees. Ajanta Group, a Saurashtra-based clockmaker, plans to throw a challenge to the Nano project through its landmark Oreva Super project. The same will be priced between Rs 85,000 - Rs 1 lakh, thereby making it the cheapest small car in India. While the non-AC version is likely to be priced at Rs 85,000, the air conditioned one will be priced over one lakh rupees.

While speaking to the media, the officials of the Ajanta Group said that the production at its plant in Kutch is running successfully to meet the goal within time. The recent shifting of Tata’s Nano project from Singur, West Bengal to Sanand, Gujarat last week has influenced the Ajanta officials to shift their Oreva Super’s showroom to Rajkot.

A demo model of the Oreva Super is already on display at a Rajkot showroom. The same was manufactured at Ajanta’s Samakhiyali unit in Kutch district of Gujarat.

The company plans to launch its first lot in January-February, 2009.

A fabulous economic car in the days of rocketing fuel prices, Oreva Super can certainly give Tata’s Nano stiff competition in all aspects. Oreva is planned to be rolled out first in Gujarat and then in the entire country. Two adults and two kids can be easily accommodated in an Oreva. With the rising demand for cars, Oreva Super or Nano would grab the market easily. So, a tough competition is expected. Perhaps, a sizable chunk of the motor cycle market would be overshadowed by Oreva Super.

Rather than having lead-acid, the Oreva Super electric car will have a NiMH or lithium battery. In 2001, another electric car ’Reva’ was launched in India by a Bangalore-based automobile company. But the car is priced at Rs 4,00,000, four times costlier than the projected cost of the Oreva Super electric car. Oreva Super, remarkably similar to China’s Flybo in look, has the technology of Jinan Flybo Motors, a China based automobile company.

Just a pic of the Jinan Flybo which the Oreva Super is said to resemble:

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/9025/jinanflyboxfd6000zknf9.jpg

Also a short video on the Oreva, if anyone knows how to directly link to the video, please do so!

Ajanta Oreva Video (http://deshgujarat.com/2008/10/14/made-in-gujaratajantas-battery-operated-oreva-carvideo/)

GJ10

October 16th, 2008, 12:44 PM

Skywalk to ease traffic flow at railway station (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Skywalk-to-ease-traffic-flow-at-railway-station/374018)

Vadodara, October 15 The city is all set to get its first skywalk to ease the traffic congestion at the Vadodara railway station area. The project is the result of a joint effort by the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC), Western Railway, the City Police Department and the Traffic Police.

But the VMC will not have to incur any cost at all. Municipal Commissioner M K Das said: “This will completely be on a BOD (Build-Operate and Transfer) basis and the contractor will incur the cost involved in the construction which they will recover from advertisements. The VMC will monitor the safety aspect of the structure.”

The process of clearing out the traffic had already started at the railway station as part of the safety measures after the Ahmedabad bomb blasts. The skywalk will be an extension to decongest the traffic. The structure will connect the railway station to the VTCOS bus stand, passing over the road.

Das said: “This is a kind of pilot project that we are doing. If it is successful in bringing down the traffic in the area, we plan to put up more such skywalks in other areas as well.” He said the VMC has also invited tenders for the same.

Meanwhile, the entry and exit points at the railway station have already been altered to ease off the traffic coming from Alkapuri.

“As per the direction of the city police, we have also introduced the stop and go system for vehicles at the station. All vehicles are now parked 50 metres away from the premises. Passengers from the railway station take a public transport that is on the other side of the road. So, the skywalk will enable the people to reach the place without having to face the traffic,” said Suhas Kumar, DRM.

Along with the skywalk, the road at the area will also be widened to facilitate the free flow of traffic for which the garden in the railway station premises will be cut down.

“Now with the stop and go system, the garden will be made smaller by giving away a part of the parking area. Dividers and railings on the road will be constructed and the area will be broadened to decongest the traffic,” said Kumar.

GJ10

October 27th, 2008, 02:30 AM

Cross Posted in DMIC Thread

Railways to acquire land in Gujarat for freight corridor (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Railways_to_acquire_land_in_Gujarat_for_freight_corridor/articleshow/3642925.cms)

VADODARA: The Railway Ministry has issued a notification for acquisition of land from 59 villages in Bharuch and Vadodara districts in Gujarat fo
r a Rs 22,000-crore Delhi-Mumbai dedicated freight corridor project.

The notification, while announcing the State's intention of acquiring the land, said those interested in the land may raise objection to its acquisition and use, in writing, within thirty days of the publication of the notification in the official gazette.

Land from 31 villages of Karjan, Padra, Vadodara talukas in the district and of 28 villages from Ankleshwar, Bharuch and Amod talukas in Bharuch district are to be required for execution of this project, it said.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Japan last week is understood to have been assured of financial assistance for the project from the Japanese government.

Another project, the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, to be developed through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will be developed simultaneously along with the freight corridor, Minister of State for Railways Naranbhai Rathwa told media.

A special purpose vehicle, Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor Development Corporation, has been set up and an international consultant has already been appointed to carry out a pre-feasibility study for the project, he said.

Both the freight corridor and the industrial corridor covering Delhi, National Capital Region (NCR), Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra, are expected to be completed by 2013, Rathwa said.

Meanwhile, farmers in Bhrauch and Vadodara, whose lands are to be acquired have opposed the move and are demanding more compensation.

Rasnaboy

November 3rd, 2008, 04:16 PM

MUMBAI: Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited, on Monday said it will invest an additional Rs 260 crore to dredge 14.5 metre draft and further improve accessibility to the port.

GPPL has entered into a contract with Zinkcon Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster to undertake capital dredging to increase the acceptance draught from 12.5m to 14.5m. It is scheduled to be completed by mid-2009, according to a company statement.

"We have presently undertaken construction of an additional container yard to support a container cargo volume of 6,00,000 TEUs (20-ft container equivalent) per year, expected to be completed by the year-end. We intend to construct container yards for supporting container cargo volume of additional 6,70,000 TEUs by December 31, 2009," Gujarat Pipavav Port's Managing Director, Philip Littlejohn, said here.

Port Pipavav is a preferred gateway to New Delhi and other markets in north-western India that allows shippers an alternative to the traditional routing via the congested infrastructure around Mumbai.

Littlejohn said with the deeper draft, Pipavav offers a safe port for even larger container vessels that cannot anchor at major ports in India.

The port has road and rail connectivity and the rail freight costs from our on-dock facility to the north Indian inland container depots (ICDs) are lower and the current maximum capacity of the rail link is 22 trains per day in each direction, he added.

Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Shipping__Transport/GPPL_to_invest_another_Rs_260_crore_in_Pipavav_Port/articleshow/3669492.cms

ankushgupta

November 4th, 2008, 05:36 AM

VADODARA: If Sanand promises to transform Gujarat’s manufacturing sector, Vallabh Vidhya Nagar may just have found an answer to the state’s

not-so-impressive report card on education. A 300-acre education zone with an estimated investment of Rs 600 crore in the middle of the proposed Special Investment Region (SIR) could change the face of Gujarat’s education sector.

Again, the special education zone is proposed to be a part of the ambitious knowledge corridor envisaged by state government.

Vallabh Vidyanagar-based education trust Charutar Vidya Mandal (CVM) has moved a proposal to acquire 300 acre land larger than the total area under the jurisdiction of Vadodaras MS University (272 acres) or Gujarat University in Ahmedabad (150 acres) to set up an education zone adjacent to its existing satellite campus New Vallabh Vidyanagar, which is presently spread over 100 acres.

CVM is willing to purchase the land from government at market rate. If cleared, it will be the biggest education zone in Gujarat housing over 15 degree colleges offering courses ranging from advanced engineering to social sciences in the initial phase. These IT-enabled campus will in turn be connected with a central robotic library worth Rs 30 crore and provide lodging and boarding to 6,000 students at a single place.

Although education town VV Nagar is presently spread across 600 acres of land, the educational institutes in the town are spread over just 200 acres of land while the rest of land is utilised in commercial and residential activities. CVM has investments worth over Rs 150 crore in VV Nagar. The trust has also set up a Rs 100-crore satellite campus called New VV Nagar some four kms away.

"We have proposed to acquire 300 acres land adjacent to our satellite campus in the revenue limits of Karamsad, Gana and Mogri villages," CVM chairman Dr C L Patel told TOI.There will be no residential or commercial activities here except a bank, Amul Dairys outlet, a saloon and a laundry for students without any provision of private stores.

CVM proposes to spend Rs 30 crore for a world-class central library similar to those in the US, where robots will pick up books from stacks and reach it to the readers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Ahmedabad/Dholera_SIR_gears_up_for_biggest_edu_zone/articleshow/3670041.cms

bhargavsura

November 4th, 2008, 05:44 AM

These things are definitely good. There are big projects and big money is involved. I would love to see the scenario of Gujarat change very soon.

Rasnaboy

November 4th, 2008, 03:56 PM

Kolkata, Nov. 3 Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd (GPPL), promoted by the Netherlands-based APM Terminals, on Monday announced it would invest an additional Rs 260 crore immediately to dredge to 14.5 metre draft to improve accessibility to the port, according to a press release issued by GPPL.

The company, it is indicated, has entered into a contract with Zincon Marine (Singapore) Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of Royal Boskalis Westminster, to undertake capital dredging to increase the draft from 12.5 to 14.5 metres and the job is to be completed by mid-2009.

Mr Philip Littlejohn, Managing Director of GPPL, in a statement, said, “We have presently undertaken construction of an additional container yard to support a container cargo volume of 600,000 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units) a year, expected to be completed by December 2008 and we intend to construct container yards for supporting container cargo volume of additional 670,000 TEUs by December 31, 2009.”

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/04/stories/2008110450922000.htm

Rasnaboy

November 5th, 2008, 02:48 AM

Kochi, Nov. 4 Pipavav Shipyard Ltd (PSL), the private sector shipyard in the country, is currently in the process of executing shipbuilding orders worth $1.2 billion for various ship owners abroad, Mr Debashis Bir, President, Shipbuilding, Pipavav Shipyard, has said.

The present order book position of the company included 22 Panamax carriers with 74,000 DWT each for Norwegian, Greek and French owners. All these ships will be ready for delivery in three years, he said.

Integrated facility

Mr Bir, who was here in connection with a function at the Euro Tech Maritime Academy, said that PSL is currently setting up an integrated shipbuilding facility, which upon completion will be the largest in India and among the largest in Asia. The first phase of the development of the yard will be completed by the end of December at an investment of Rs 2,135 crore.

The first phase included a 660-metre drydock, which is going to be the largest in the country. An equal amount will be invested by the company in the next phase of expansion, he added. It is planned that the first phase of the company’s expansion will be augmented with the addition of a ship lift facility with land berths which will cater to the construction of small to medium sized ships and heavy lift barges, both merchant and defence. This facility can also be used for ship repair, he said.

India being located close to the international maritime sea route offers immense potential for shipbuilding and repairs. The country is emerging as a good market and there are about 8 mega-size shipyards coming up in the private sector, Mr Bir said.

PSL, he said, is keen to participate in the tenders to be floated by the Indian Navy for the construction of defence ships, as the production of battle ships is likely to double in the next few years following the Government’s decision to enhance the defence capability.

Likewise, the size of Indian fleets is likely to triple in the next two years in view of the growth in cargo movement, which, at present, is 730 million tonnes.

He also pointed out that Indian ship owners are likely to invest $20 billion in the next five years for fleet expansion. To finance the activities, many foreign companies have set up offices in India. Given the situation, he said India should gear up to meet the emerging situation on account of its competitive edge in pricing, labour costs and engineering proficiency, he added.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/11/05/stories/2008110550282000.htm

Rasnaboy

November 5th, 2008, 07:28 PM

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd will commission its Rs 1,100-crore C2/C3 extraction unit at Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat by the end of 2008.

The company will extract C2-C3 compounds from natural gas and will sell them to Reliance Industries Ltd owned IPCL until its own plant to convert them into polymers comes up in early 2012.

Gail (India) Ltd has been offered 9 per cent equity in the project but the company wants a higher stake. The Gail board has recently approved the proposal to pick up to 19 per cent equity stake in the petrochemical plant. ONGC Petro-additions Ltd (OPaL), the special purpose vehicle formed by ONGC for setting up the petrochemical complex at Dahej SEZ. ONGC holds 26 per cent stake in OPaL and 5 per cent is with Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Companies like Petronet LNG and Japan's Mitsui Chemicals and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation are also likely to join the project to take the balance equity.

The debt-equity ratio of the petrochemical project is 2.55:1. The petrochemical complex will comprise a global scale cracker and downstream polymer plants. This complex will be integrated with ONGC's C2-C3 plant which is currently under execution (at Dahej) and Naphtha as feedstock from ONGC's operational units at Hazira and Uran. The complex comprises 1.1 million tpa of ethylene capacity dual feed cracker, along with associated units and polymer plants, to manufacture HDPE, LLDPE, PP and styrene butadiene rubber.

Source: http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=17285&secid=40

Rasnaboy

November 7th, 2008, 09:24 PM

The Northcot Farm in Sanand in Gujarat is abuzz with activities as Tata Motors has begun construction work for relocation of its mother plant of Nano car from Singur in West Bengal.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/08/stories/2008110855811800.htm

Rasnaboy

November 7th, 2008, 09:25 PM

bhargavsura

November 8th, 2008, 05:03 AM

Awesome man!!! Good news...

GJ10

November 8th, 2008, 11:11 AM

Now Salim Group moves to Gujarat (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Now_Salim_Group_moves_to_Gujarat/articleshow/3687579.cms)

KOLKATA: After wresting the much-touted Nano project from Bengal, Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi seems to be doing an encore by convincing
another industrial group favoured by the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee government — the Universal Success-Salim combine — to inject huge doses of cash in Gujarat.

On Monday, Singapore-based infrastructure and hospitality firm Universal Success Enterprises Ltd (USEL), promoted by NRI businessman Prasoon Mukherjee, will ink a deal with the Gujarat government to pump in Rs 1 lakh crore in a slew of projects ranging from power plants to SEZs and port development, in the presence of Modi. Indonesia-based Salim Group, too, would have limited equity exposure in these ventures.

Last month, Mukherjee had assured a Nano-devastated Bhattacharjee administration that the USEL-Salim combine would invest Rs 5 lakh crore in SEZs, housing, road, townships and power plants in Bengal. But since land acquisition is yet to start for many of these projects, the prospects of investments touching this magic figure appear very optimistic, to say the least.

However, no such doubts exist for the investments planned in Gujarat since the Modi government has already assured USEL of arranging the required land by January 2009. USEL proposes to set up a 12,000-MW power plant involving an outlay of Rs 65,000 crore at a coastal location in Gujarat. Besides, it intends to pump in Rs 10,000 crore on a port venture and the balance Rs 25,000 crore on a multi-product SEZ in Modi-land.

Out of 12,000 MW generated, 10,000 MW would be merchant power which would be sold to other companies and the balance 2,000 MW would be for captive use within the SEZ. USEL Energy would implement the power project. It is in the process of acquiring four coal blocks in Indonesia, Mongolia and China for the power ventures in India.

On his part, though, Bengal commerce and industries secretary Sabyasachi Sen tried to allay fears of capital flowing away from the state. "They are committed to invest in Bengal. The proposed investments in Gujarat will have no bearing on what is being planned here," Sen added.

USEL projects in Bengal include the SEZs, township and health city ventures being implemented by New Kolkata International Development (NKID), a consortium formed by USEL, Salim group and Unitech. Besides, USEL has started work on a convention centre, logistics project and a commercial realty project.

GJ10

November 8th, 2008, 11:22 AM

Modi Hard Sells Gujarat in Indias Tech Hub (http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=99985)

Bangalore, Nov 7: Firebrand Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi turned into a smart marketing executive to hard-sell his state in India's tech hub and lure investments from IT-savvy Karnataka.

Invited to inaugurate Asia's premier tech event BangaloreIT.biz by the first Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled government in the southern state, Modi took the opportunity to tell about 1,000 delegates from India and abroad that Gujarat was a land of opportunities, beckoning global investors to set shop and take advantage of its enterprising business community.

"You may be aware Gujaratis are an enterprising business community. About 30 percent of India's market capitalisation is owned or operated by Gujaratis. While Singapore, London, New York and Tokyo are the financial nerve centres of the world, there is nothing comparable in India. Hence, we have decided to set up a Gujarat international financial tech-city (GIFT) near the Ahmedabad international airport," Modi said in his inaugural address.

Riding high on the back of bagging the prestigious Nano project of Tatas recently, Modi said the deal had surprised even the most optimistic Indians that Guajrat could do it within a few weeks after the company pulled the project out of Singur in West Bengal over land-acquisition issue.

Touting Gujarat had emerged as the prime investment destination in the sub-continent, overtaking a dominant Maharashtra, Modi said his state was considered as the growth engine of India with an average state GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 10 percent over the past decade.

"Gujarat is known for its stable and business-friendly policies and a pro-active administration. We are committed to make Gujarat not only an ideal investment destination in the world, but also a coveted place to live and do business. We are working towards being India's hub of e-commerce supported by sound financial management, robust infrastructure, state-of-the-art communication, skilled manpower and our traditional entrepreneurial spirit," Modi said in chaste English.

Leading a high-level delegation of top officials, captains of industry and budding entrepreneurs from his 'prosperous' state, the three-time BJP chief minister took the opportunity to showcase 'It's Advantage Gujarat' agenda in the run-up to the fourth 'Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors' summit, slated to be held January 12-13, 2009 in Ahmedabad.

"We were able to attract a whopping $150-billion worth investment commitments in the 2007 summit. It is in the backdrop of this success, we are organising the summit in mid-January to explore investment opportunities and interact with our policy-makers and industry leaders, besides networking with investors from the world over," Modi affirmed.

Having impressed and wooed the head honchos of the IT sector, Modi lost no time in repeating the marketing exercise at a business meet with top industry leaders at a five-star hotel later in the day.

"If you decide to make Gujarat your next investment destination, I assure you of business friendly environment and real-time responses," Modi told about 100 industry leaders, flagging the success story of bagging the Nano project in quick time.

Modi woos the IT crowd (http://ibnlive.in.com/news/modi-woos-the-it-crowd-says-will-outdo-bangalore/77636-3.html?fads=ads)

Bangalore: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi is helping himself to a share in the Information Technology investment pie. Speaking at Bangalore's IT fest IT.biz he tried to woo the sector to move to Gujarat.

His grand promise - good infrastructure, as against Bangalore's bad traffic.

“Ahmedabad and Surat have a huge cost advantage of 32 to 38 per cent - as far as cost of operations is concerned. I agreed we're late starters in IT, but we're early starters in holistic e-governance,” he said.

Modi has already snatched away the Nano from Bengal and this time he's looking into Karnataka's kitty.

The IT fest has been held in Karnataka for the past 11 years but this is the first time the Gujarat CM has attended it. Modi made his presence felt by meeting with industry heads, hard-selling his State's new IT parks and IT policies.

While Karnataka's IT sector has so far been competing with Hyderabad and Chennai, this year's IT fest seems to have started off a new race.

“I'll also invite Gujaratis to come to Karnataka and participate and grow yourself,” said Karnataka IT Katta Subramanya Naidu.

Agreed Urban Development Minister, Suresh Kumar, “He's set a new challenge before us and Karnataka is ready to face that challenge”.

Karnataka has put off its global investors' meet indefinitely. Seizing the opportunity, Gujarat has gone ahead and called its very own global investors' meet in mid-January.

The Andhra government has been glorifying the path of Moditva for some time now. But it looks like this affinity between the saffron partners could backfire on the IT capital if we don't take care.

GJ10

November 8th, 2008, 11:32 AM

Water returns to Saurashtra, farmers follow (http://www.sindhtoday.net/south-asia/34495.htm)

Ahmedabad, Nov 8 (IANS) It’s a happy homecoming for the farmers of Saurashtra. Faced with scarcity of water they left their land and profession. But today, thanks to a new water management system employed by the state government, a reverse migration is in progress.

‘I left with my family for Surat in 2002. My land was fallow for lack of water. My two sons began earning Rs.15,000 at a diamond polishing factory. I returned early this year after seeing plenty of water in the check dams in the region,’ says Kanubahi Rambhai Suva, 62, of Khaki Jalia village.

He owns 15 bighas (about nine acres) of land in Upleta taluka (sub district) of Rajkot district in the parched Saurashtra region of Gujarat. Upleta is on the banks of the Moj river 300 km from here.

Today Suva has harvested 675 kg of genetically modified Bt cotton, fetching him Rs.15,000 per bigha. After cotton he plans to sow wheat. His earning works out to Rs.150,000 per annum.

Suva is one of the farmers who have set the trend of reverse migration.

Along with Suva, 25 families had left Khaki Jalia village. Except for five families all are back in their native village.

As a result of water management there has been a change in the lifestyle of the farmers, says Dhavnat K. Suva of Kakhi Jalia. ‘Today most of us have motorcycles and are prosperous. You can see the prosperity. I was cultivating sugarcane 20 years ago. Water scarcity made me venture into business. Now I am back to my old cultivation and am happy.’

There are 30,000 small check dams and 300 large ones built in Saurashtra.

Today there are 35 check dams, including a couple of large ones, on the Moj river’s 50 km stretch. Check dams store water throughout the year and help in irrigation when rains fail.

‘Earlier it was very difficult getting water for even one crop in a year. Now we have three crops,’ says farmer Maldebhai Bodar of Sevantara village who owns 50 bighas of land.

These check dams help irrigate 600 hectares directly and 1,000 hectares indirectly in a 4-km radius, Jayanti Patel of Kolki village of Upleta taluka said.

In 2001, 12,000 check dams were built in Gujarat. Today there are over 100,000 small and big check dams, with the irrigation department and other government agencies playing a major role in their construction.

Of 5,600 villages in Saurashtra, 3,000 villages have small and medium check dams while there are 300 large check dams in the region.

‘Three hundred more check dams will be built on big rivers in Saurashtra at a cost of Rs.15 million by 2009 end,’ said Irrigation and Urban Housing Minister Nitin Patel.

‘Work on 60 big check dams will begin after Diwali on 80:20 basis (80 percent cost to be incurred by the state government),’ Patel had told IANS.

Saurashtra has 70 rivers. In 30 of them check dams have been constructed. Now 3,000 villages have 30,000 check dams. Of the seven districts of Saurashtra, most check dams are in Jamnagar followed by Bhavnagar, Amreli, Junagadh, Rajkot and Porbandar.

Surendranagar is covered by the Sujalam Sufalam scheme that brings in water from the river Narmada. Yet, it has 71 check dams.

‘It is not enough if good rains are there. What is required is availability of water at the right time. During 1994-95 there was more rain than today, yet the crop output has gone up now,’ said former agriculture minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama during whose tenure the maximum check dams were built.

GJ10

November 8th, 2008, 11:51 AM

Cross Posted in Indian Aviation Thread

Central Team Conducts Feasibility Survey for Rajkot Airport Expansion (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/central-team-conducts-feasibility-survey-for-rajkot-airport-expansion/382813/)

Rajkot, November 7 A team of the Civil Aviation Department, Government of India, conducted a feasibility survey of three selected places for the proposed expansion of the Rajkot airport on Friday. The international standard airport is likely to be built on a Public-Private Partnership basis.

Rajkot District Collector H S Patel said, “A team led by the civil aviation director checked the feasibility of the project.” The three sties are Parapipaliya, Nakarwadi and a location near National Highway 8 B.

The expansion plan has been proposed in view of the future development of the city, as the existing airport on the Jamnagar Road can handle only one Airbus at a time.

Expansion of the same site has also been into consideration. For this purpose, the Civil Aviation Department will have to acquire land from the Indian Railways, which has its staff quarters there. The Indian Railways has shown willingness to transfer 21 acres of land provided it gets land for quarters at some other place.

At present, three flights — two by Jet Airways and one by Indian — operate from Rajkot. They are between Rajkot and Mumbai.

bhargavsura

November 8th, 2008, 04:30 PM

I am really hoping that Gujarat's IT sectors spurs up. Will be good to see the cities competing.

GJ10

November 8th, 2008, 07:39 PM

I am really hoping that Gujarat's IT sectors spurs up. Will be good to see the cities competing.

It's probably been said a million times before, but the basic infrastructure that is so lacking in the IT strongholds is already in place in Gujarat... AND improving fast.

The IT industry in the South has brought "Shaan" to the hometowns of Indian IT, but I can't help but feel like all the shiny campus type complexes and malls to cater for the techie-masses can't make up for the lack of adequate electricity/water/roads.

In strictly Business terms, it makes complete sense for foreign investors to bank on a state that can provide better infrastructure and better standard of living for its employees at a lower cost.

For the larger Indian firms, all the same points plus the close proximity and excellent connectivity to Mumbai may also be pluspoints for cities such as Vadodara and especially Surat.

Suncity

November 8th, 2008, 10:43 PM

Now Salim Group moves to Gujarat (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Now_Salim_Group_moves_to_Gujarat/articleshow/3687579.cms)

Though the TOI wants to make it sound as if this is a "move" from West Bengal to Gujarat like the Nano, I doubt it. I had read about USEL's proposal to invest in WB, Maharashtra and Gujarat (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1177618)quite some time back (July 2008). The proposed investments in each state are separate.

The figure of proposed 5 lakh crore investment in WB by USEL is just a positive spin. Do they really have that kind of money or ability to raise that much money under current scenario? In WB, the current projects under construction by USEL will be in the range of Rs 4000 crores.

GJ10

November 9th, 2008, 08:13 AM

Though the TOI wants to make it sound as if this is a "move" from West Bengal to Gujarat like the Nano, I doubt it. I had read about USEL's proposal to invest in WB, Maharashtra and Gujarat (http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1177618)quite some time back (July 2008). The proposed investments in each state are separate.

The figure of proposed 5 lakh crore investment in WB by USEL is just a positive spin. Do they really have that kind of money or ability to raise that much money under current scenario? In WB, the current projects under construction by USEL will be in the range of Rs 4000 crores.

Like you say, just a misleading title to grab attention, the article itself is pretty clear on the fact that the investment in WB is still ongoing.

More a case of "branching out to into Gujarat whilst also remaining in WB"

But thats just not as catchy!

SarafIndian

November 9th, 2008, 09:31 AM

From the beginning Salim's are telling that they will be invested heavily in WB, Gujarat and Maharashtra. I strongly believe Gujarat investment is a separate one and not anything pulling out of WB. Another misleading news heading from TOI. :ohno:

GJ10

November 9th, 2008, 04:56 PM

^^^

Ok seriously, the heading is misleading but if anyone actually read the article the truth is made VERY clear

They are still in WB, the article never claims otherwise, its just a tagline to grab attention, theres really no need to get so touchy about it

GJ10

November 9th, 2008, 05:07 PM

Land Sharks halt their hunt (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Ahmedabad/Land_sharks_halt_their_hunt/articleshow/3689987.cms)

Gandhinagar: In a major shocker for realtors sitting on huge parcels of land awaiting Gujarat governments township policies, the
government has decided to earmark areas where private townships can be put up.

Whats more, four top Indian infrastructure development firms will be roped in shortly as master developers
to chart out the roadmap for building these integrated private townships.

The process of earmarking 10 areas, each spread over nearly 100 sq km, for putting up clusters of private townships near Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Gandhinagar, Bharuch-Ankleshwar and Rajkot is underway.Each of these delineated areas would be an integrated mega-township, with a minimum population of 3.5 to 4 lakh and going up to 7 lakh. Ahmedabad would have two such areas in the east and west under a master developer each.

This means if you are lucky enough your land parcel would fall under one of these 10 delineated areas and your township would materialise. If not, your township may get stuck for want of special permissions promised by state government in Gujarat Integrated Township Policy (GITP).

Senior urban development officials said master developers would be responsible for developing infrastructure for integrated development of township clusters. Crucial issues like FSI will be decided based on recommendations of master developers.

"The need for master developers was felt to avoid haphazard development," a official said, adding, "master developers would be given rights to collect development charges from developers". The government would set up special purpose vehicles with master developers to oversee them.This change in plans already has realtors sweating. "If we knew this is what the state government had in mind, we would have waited before blocking funds in acquiring such huge tracts of land," said a realtor who has acquired over 100 acres of land on Ahmedabads outskirts.

GJ10

November 9th, 2008, 05:10 PM

Adani's first power plant to be operational in 2009 (http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?tp=on&autono=49219)

Adani Group today said its first power plant of 330 MW capacity is set to be commissioned in the first quarter of 2009 at Mundra.

"The first turbine of 330 MW will be commissioned in the first quarter of 2009 in Mundra power plant," Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said adding, "the entire 4,620 MW power plant will be complete in the end of 2010."

Adani Power, subsidiary of Adani Group, has already inked two power-purchase agreements (PPA) of 1,000 MW each with the state-owned power utility Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam (GUVNL), while another PPA of 1,450 MW has been signed with the Haryana state power utility.

"Of 4,620 MW to be generated from the Mundra plant, we have already tied up for supply of 3,450 MW power to the state utilities of Gujarat and Haryana through long-term PPA of 25 years," Adani told PTI.

He emphasised that despite turmoil in the financial market and liquidity crunch, there would not be delay in commissioning the power plant.

"We will be on scheduled and there will not be any delay as the company has already arranged necessary resources," Adani said.

He also said the first turbine of Tiroda power plant in Maharashtra will be commissioned in the first quarter of 2011.

"The 1,980 MW Tiroda power plant is also on scheduled and a PPA has also been inked with the Maharashtra govwernment for 1,320 MW," he added.

GJ10

November 9th, 2008, 05:16 PM

Information on your fingertips at Gujarat Bus Stations (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/information-on-your-fingertips-at-gujarat-bus-stations/383325/)

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) is all set to install Internet kiosks at every bus station across the state. After the installation of such kiosks in Ahmedabad a few months ago, the Corporation aims to install similar facilities for the public at the bus stands.

“We were approached by a few private companies to set up such kiosks at bus stands in Ahmedabad,but we decided not to restrict it to Ahmedabad, but instead spread it across the state," said GSRTC Secretary P D Patel.

GSRTC now aims to complete the installation across all the 245 bus stations in the state by March 2009.

“It comes completely free to us as the company will generate revenue from advertisements. We have just asked them to have a trained person at every kiosk to guide the people, and we hope to have this facility at all stations before the state celebrates Swarnim Gujarat,” said Patel.

The Internet kiosks will provide users with state and city-centric information. A special portal created for the purpose gives access to the Gujarat government website, education and employment related details, as well as schedule information on bus, railway, airport and other city-centric infrastructure.

“We are at par with the technology available anywhere in the world. We simply need to utilise the technology in a way that would help the society. The portal that we have made, has been created keeping in mind the kind of information the public needs on a daily basis,” said Parag Joshi from Namste Indya Communications Pvt Ltd (NICPL).

He said: “We have kept in mind every age group and every category. With the Tatas coming up with 5,000 new employments in the state, we also intend to advertise one eligible person on our portal every day.”

To cut the language barrier, the portal is available in both English and Gujarati. The company has estimated a budget of Rs 80 crore for the project.