Chennai Projects Update thread - III [Archive] - Page 10

comet

August 3rd, 2008, 07:26 PM

Our grand children to ponder ....

Every few weeks a news item about a new scheme will appear in The Hindu or another venerable news paper. It rarely gets picked up by other agencies and we rarely hear about it again.

When our grand children look up the news archives they will wonder what happened to these projects :

a. The Grand Chennai Satellite City : Feb 1 2008 The Hindu said " The master plan for this area measuring about 500 sq.km, about half the size of the present Chennai Metropolitan area, awaits government approval."

Article here : http://www.hindu.com/2008/02/01/stories/2008020157280100.htm

Ahem ahem ..... 500 sq km , yeah ? That is 125000 acres.

b. Jebal Ali Dubai & Tata Realty joint venture at Ennore ( JAFZA) Jebal Ali Free Trade Zone :

Oct 2007 The Hindu said "Two other SEZs that were given final clearances are a free trade warehousing zone SEZ spread over 136 hectares by Jafza Chennai Business Parks Pvt. Ltd. at Thiruvallur in Tamil Nadu and a biotechnology SEZ by Saloni Business Park Pvt. Ltd. at Thane in Maharashtra."

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/10/20/stories/2007102057211900.htm

Money control confirmed it : http://news.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/tata-realty-signs-jv-dubai-s-jafza-int/21/44/310769

c. Special Economic Zone India-Singapore
(JV with Ascendas of Singapore)
1200 hectares of International standard development in Tiruvallur District.
Work, Live, Play & Learn environment.
Segments - Electronic Hardware, IT & ITES, Manufacturing, Logistics & Warehousing.
Conveniences - Commercial, Retail, Residential, School, Hotel.
Infrastructure - High quality & Reliable Power, Telecom, Water, STP.

Ladies & Gentlemen , anyone heard of this project ? It should be at least 16 sq km ..... 4 km wide .... can't hide it that easily. Last heard it was coming up near Karanodai about 20 Km north of Anna Nagar.

Link here :
http://www.tidco.com/sez7.html

d. Taiwan Multi product SEZ at Chennai

Well , well ..... we didn't want the Taiwanese to feel left out. So our news paper reported "SEZ planned to woo Taiwanese entrepreneurs "

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/09/15/stories/2007091561471400.htm

but yet again looks like AP govt did a better job of roping the Taiwanese :

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/06/22/stories/2008062250910300.htm

Now Nellore & Chittor border towns is slated to have 6 industrial parks. Just 17 Km from Gummudippondi AP govt has the Apache SEZ, SRICITY sez, Capro SEZ, Sathyavedu Agri (Kissan) SEZ, Naidupet Industrial Park & Mas Holding SEZ.

The Taiwan companies say "Though technically, the plants will be located in AP, they can easily monitor and administer directly from Chennai for all their social and infrastructural needs, the officials pointed out. "

And who are these companies ? The same companies that were being wooed by T.N 12 months ago :

Mei Ta Machining, Streit Machining
WAY SIA Machining equipment
NWS Foundry and Machining
DSP Foundry and Machining
DALF Foundry and Machining

Still with me ? Okay ....then let us move on :

e. Chennai to Ennore Mega Terminal Link road

Due for completion in 2005 .... then 2006 , this vital link was needed to make the 3000 crore Chennai mega terminal set on 250 acres to hold 5 Million containers .... Maybe it got secretly completed. Any one noticed it ?

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/08/20/stories/2007082050400600.htm

f. Just when you would think the mega terminal and its link road news has been given a quiet burial it surfaces AGAIN ... today :) :

http://www.projectsmonitor.com/detailnews.asp?newsid=15901

Only the costs have gone up. If you read carefully it is the SAME project. And while we are at it "planning", AP (again the same suspect, LOL) has inaugurated the Krishnapatnam Port , siphoning away good amount of Chennai port traffic.

g. MAP : MAP – an acronym for Marakanam, Arakonam and Pulicat the areas to the south, west and north of Chennai at a distance of about 75-100 km from the city – is a proposal by the CII for the development of a planned urban belt around the city that will act as a ‘counter magnet’ that will ease the pressure on Chennai.

Mr Reddy said that MAP could replicate the success of the National Capital Region where Gurgaon and Noida are important centres of development that ease the pressure on Delhi.

Now to be fair , can't say the govt gave a nod to this project. But we haven't heard of MAP in a long while.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/12/19/stories/2007121951152300.htm

h. Hyundai reminds Tamilnadu of promised rail link
Our dear Korean brothers who bravely setup a car plant and brought chennai to the international auto industry map along with Ford have been crying hoarse for a dedicated railway line to the port. It was promised to them in .... ah well .... only in 2002 :

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=138453

i. A cruise Terminal for Chennai .....

This was on June 25th .... which year ? why does it matter now ? Does it matter whether it was promised by the Chola kings ? If you must know ... it is here :

http://www.andhranews.net/India/2008/June/25-Baalu-reviews-51222.asp

j. Eco-friendly toilet planned in every village in State

It uses urine and faeces as valuable resources
for recycling

http://www.hinduonnet.com/2006/02/20/stories/2006022015300600.htm

Forget the villages gentlemen. While you could get arrested for answering mother nature and fined to moot, let us for a moment ponder where you could honorably do it .... hold your horses ... I meant your bladder ... say you are driving on your bike from adyar and just crossed the bridge ... you are headed towards ... say Music Academy .... as fate would have it you trustingly ate that old Vada and now you got to do it. And boy is it urgent. Where can you go ....? Andhra Mahila Sabha ? Nah .... The MLA quarters ... nope there is no public facility there .... mmmm Boat Club ? not a member ? How about Madras Club ....? Nah ? Let us try Park Sheraton ... on a bike ? Forget it .....you get the drift ? There ARE 3 public latrines enroute to Music academy. I can give you the google links.. but I assure you you would rather die of Bladder Implosion than visit those joints.

Back to projects .. :

We have the ... um ... let us see :

k. Buckingham Water way project.

l. ECR scenic railway from Chennai to Puducheri

m.Chennai-Sriperumbudur-Ranipet Industrial Corridor of Excellence.

n. OMR road ... hey it is getting inaugurated you might say, but I say mate, where are the pavements ? And the storm water drains ? You call that a IT Highway ? If any one of you forgot it was to be delivered March 2005
Some one even published a hard bound book about the IT project in 2007 !!!

o. Call me a pessimist but I don't even want to begin mentioning the Circular corridor, the MRT , the Metro, the airport expansion & the greenfield airport.

If you are depressed , for more optimistic news read :
http://chennai.metblogs.com/2007/08/25/infrastructure-projects-in-chennai-picking-up/

vijayvmail

August 4th, 2008, 02:00 AM

Every now and then, we hear of some 'progress' in a few projects. Otherwise things are too slow.

While going through threads of other cities, I can see lots of mega projects, their construction photos. OF course, there are complaints about slow progress, improper planning etc. in those threads too. But in our thread, we don't even have any good construction photos to post. I've not seen any Mega project being completed and inaugarated in the city.

The situation is better than the previous decades. Few sewage projects, mini- flyovers, rain water harvesting, Tanks and pond reclamation etc. have taken place. But no large scale changes to make our city a better place.

I also notice that our government is very hesitant to actively involve Private sector in major infrastructure projects. Examples include the Airport expansion, IT corridor etc. These would have better management and implementation if it is entrusted to the private sector.

Rasnaboy

August 4th, 2008, 03:46 AM

CHENNAI: The State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) has identified four hot spots near Sriperumbudur for setting up country specific enclaves to attract fresh investments.

SIPCOT is in the process of acquiring 1,982.72 acres of land in Vadagal, Vallam, Sirukalathur and Budanur villages for distributing to investors from Japan, Korea, Finland, France and Germany. Some of these industrial estates would become a reality before March 2009.

Last week, SIPCOT chairman and managing director N. Govindan went to Japan and addressed the automobile players about the opportunities that awaited them in Tamil Nadu. A couple of investors from Japan and Korea recently met the SIPCOT officials to get basic details about the land that would be made available to them for setting up their units. Some 20 days ago, a delegation from France had lengthy discussions in this regard.

Talking to The Hindu, Mr. Govindan said SIPCOT was in the process of creating land bank with 25,000 acres spread over 14 centres for creation of industrial estates.

“We will earmark around 100 acres each for Japanese, Finnish and Korean companies,” he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/04/stories/2008080459410700.htm

ranga

August 4th, 2008, 12:57 PM

ranga

August 4th, 2008, 01:16 PM

ezhilan81

August 4th, 2008, 02:54 PM

^^I see some real unhappy people here..hmmm. Well the agony shown here is that there are so many projects discussed but none realised. First be happy that projects of this scale are at least being discussed, which shows they are having a vision now. Second, when i look at the other city threads I find Chennai has the most number of active threads, which itself shows lots of things are happening here compared to other cities. In Delhi, people are cribbing about development before Commonwealth games, In B'lore people crib about their airprot, in hyd its the new flyover and traffic chaos and bad roads. If you have a minute just check out the new flyover that has been built in hyd (Punjagutta flyover) in their thread. Man I wonder what kind of planning they did for that.:ohno: What am doing here is not comparing Chennai with other cities, but here even if things happen slow, when they are finished they become defining landmarks. Eg..MRTS project..Kathipara..IT corridor..and am sure others will follow soon with Metro..new airport terminal..new secreteriat..etc. If things are slow, it is not one person to be blamed for this, it is everbody...State govt, Central govt, caste based political parties, you..me..and each and every Chennaiite. Instead of cribbing, make a difference by contributing your views and comments to the relevant officials. Doesnt matter whether they respond or not, but atlleast you are making an effort to bring a change. Situation is now much better than how it was 10 years back...am sure 10 years later it will be much better. Its alright to wait a bit longer if proper planning is done with a vision ahead. You just got to be patient, because we Indians are known as tolerants:bash: So dont lose hope and be a bit more optimistic:cheers:

Rasnaboy

August 4th, 2008, 02:55 PM

TechCity

August 4th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Subra

August 4th, 2008, 04:33 PM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/ECR_land_deal_SC_orders_interim_status_quo/articleshow/3322901.cms

Chennai: Three days after the Tamil Nadu government won back possession of over 3,600 acres of land between East Coast Road (ECR) and Old Mahabalipuram (OMR), worth over Rs 7,000 crore, the Supreme Court has passed an interim order in favour of the private company.

"Status quo as on today shall be maintained till August 4," said a bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan , justice Dalveer Bhandari and justice Harjir Singh Bedi, on July 25. The bench passed the order after counsel for Shree Maruthi Marine Industries Limited mentioned the matter, challenging the July 22 order of a division bench of the high court.

The matter pertains to 3,611.99 acres of land leased to the company for 25 years, for manufacture of industrial grade salt. The vast tract of land, lying between the ECR and the OMR was part of the area identified for the administrative city project by former CM Jayalalithaa.

The land was leased out in 1974 for a period of 25 years. Even before expiry of the lease, the company approached the government for renewal for another 20 years. In July 2007, the government rejected the plea and said it wanted the land back for the development of the information technology sector and the extension of the metropolitan city.

On July 22, a division bench comprising justice K Raviraja Pandian and justice PPS Janarthana Raja dismissed the company's writ petition and appeal against the government decision, and said the government was not duty-bound to renew the lease.

The Supreme Court has posted the special leave petition of the company to August 4 for further proceedings.

dis.agree

August 4th, 2008, 05:34 PM

Hope the news will not remain as such like earlier project news.Just like caparo and Taiwenese who went round chennai neighbourhood and ultimately preferred to set up in A.P border towns these projects too may go there in the light of the TN govt finding difficult to acquire lands at the quoted govt price and the price of lands in the border places in A.P. are quite cheap for the investors.:lol:

i don't know what you find so funny.

first of all caparo has invested in chennai & they are i think already operational. some additional investments were announced in tada - these are still in initial stages. and tada should be thought as an extension of chennai. and chennai & tn have been able to attract more investments than any state in india. & that is the reason land is expensive - may be it is time chennai stops attracting such investments or such private companies pay the market rates.

dis.agree

August 4th, 2008, 05:43 PM

comet

August 4th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Bitching .... hardly son, I would say betting.

Bitching is a wrong word. Betting is more like it.

a. I bet , even while Kalam's 2020 vision is taking shape the administration of the city will not be able to provide a decent urinal every kilometer so that a woman can relieve herself with dignity.

b. I bet even by 2020 the Chennai new airport terminal will not be built.

c. I wager that the ECR scenic railway will not be built. It will not emerge out of Tambaram, or run along Buckingham canal or touch Mahabalipuram. Not by 2010 , not by 2020.

d. Internet posts don't die easily , so when in 2020 Skyscrapercity is searched , I wager Chennai will still not have an integrated waste management plan.

e. And I bet Caparo will never build in Chennai, though they have been allocated land and that they will still build only at Sulurpet.

f. And before 2012 I bet that all future planning of OMR IT highway would have gone to nought because it is NOT EVEN PLANNED for the present traffic. There will be traffic jams running for kilometers and you will wonder why you need to pay toll on a slow road.

g. No amount of bitching is going to change the fact that fast developing areas beyond Uthandi still don't have a masterplan and develeopers at Muttukadu are developing "islands" and selling plots for 40 lacs a ground with " panchayat building permission" while the CRZ zone is being debated and a CMZ zone is being mooted !

h. No amount of bitching will change the fact that in T.N you can register a land WITHOUT a patta whereas in AP and even Goa land records including patta are computerised and SRO will not register the land without Patta !

i. I also bitch and take a wager that the Coastal Power corporation will NOT be able to get their harbour approved at Cheyyur or Marakkanam, though the Cheyyur power plant needs it, because local land lords with political backing oppose it tooth and dagger.

It is not the government , DMK, ADMK, MDMK, or any other XYZMK that is at fault. I agree it is the people.... there are 247 architectural firms in Chennai. How many of them do you know will make a memorandum to the govt by giving a suggestion ?

The Adyar ecological poonga has the sanction and personal interest & blessing of the CM's son. He went out of the way to give a blanket sanction for the revival of the adyar sanctuary to Joss Brookes, a French eco consultant from auroville. But there is nary a movement there . Why ? Because the fishing hamlets there at foreshore estate have been feeling marginalized and THEY are the vote bank. NOT the 247 architects.

Listen, if Nokia, Ford, Hyundai, Komatsu and a hundred other firms come to chennai and are willing to drive through our pot holes and put up their plants ...... if Areva at Oragadam planned its Nuclear power plant switchgear plant well before the UPA CPM struggle ..... it is because THEY BELIEVE IN YOU AND ME ..... the people of India who will drive through cow dung and acid rain to work.

There is only one type of Indian ..... who cares for himself. In that there is no difference between you, me , the policeman who takes a small bribe, the politician who brings an SEZ. If India shines it is collateral benefit, while we are polishing ourselves crazy.

We as a society are inward looking , looking for realisation through the maya surrounding us. To hell with reality.

ImBoredNow

August 4th, 2008, 10:14 PM

:applause:^^Well said
COMETSTAR for CM. LOL

Subra

August 4th, 2008, 10:50 PM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080551340200.htm

Chennai, Aug. 4 Going by the rate at which its sales are growing – 40 per cent in the first four months of the current financial year – it is reasonable to assume that Hyundai Motor India Ltd will have started examining the need for fresh capacity additions. Indeed, a senior official of the company told Business Line recently, “We are working on it.”

Hyundai’s Korean parent has decided that India would be the global hub for small cars. The two units at Sriperumbudur together have a capacity to manufacture 6,00,000 cars. This, however, can be stretched a bit, to 6,30,000, by working an extra shift, according to Mr H.S. Lheem, Hyundai India’s Managing Director.

There is some space behind the second unit, where according to Mr Lheem, a body shop and paint shop could be put up and linked to the assembly line at Unit-II. This will give Hyundai another 1,00,000 in capacity.

But beyond 7,30,000, there is no room in Sriperumbudur.

Hyundai India has ambitions to go up to 1 million cars. The question therefore is, where will the company go for capacity beyond 7,30,000.

The official line, in the words of Mr Rajiv Mitra, Head – Corporate Communications, is: “We do not have any plans for any other manufacturing unit at this point of time and if demand grows to the extent that we need another facility we will take a call when we get to that point.”

But even employees of the company are not convinced. They point out that at the current rate of growth, the capacity of 7,30,000 will be hit in 2-3 years.

When Business Line caught up with Mr Ashok Jha, President, Hyundai Motor, on the sidelines of the recent launch of the Kappa engine, he said that it would not make sense for the company to go to another geography, say, North India. He pointed out that most of Hyundai’s vendors were close-by and the company would need to look for a location not too far from Sriperumbudur.

While Hyundai is said to be extremely comfortable with the Tamil Nadu gGvernment, it is unhappy about the way some labour issues have cropped up at Sriperumbudur. The Tamil Nadu Government has said it could do nothing to stop unionisation of workers.

So, Andhra Pradesh? The State has made overtures to Hyundai. According to Mr Sam Bob, Principal Secretary, Department of Industries and Commerce, Andhra Pradesh, a formal letter was written to Mr Ashok Jha a few months ago, inviting Hyundai to set up shop in the State.

Mr Bob told Business Line today that Mr Jha had replied saying that Hyundai would examine the option. “We have enough lands at the border with Tamil Nadu. We will extend all assistance to them,” Mr Bob said. :ohno:

From a location in Andhra Pradesh near the Tamil Nadu border, say Tada, it would be easy for Hyundai not only to have components delivered just-in-time, but also continue to use the Chennai port for exports. A Rs 45-crore Ro-Ro terminal plus a Rs 50-crore multi level car park is coming up at the port—infrastructure meant to make exports of passenger cars easy. Tada is also on the rail route, unlike Sriperumbudur.

Hyundai can be expected to weigh this option against what the Tamil Nadu Government may offer – locations such as Thiruvoykondigai and Soorapoondi villages in the Gummidipoondi taluk where the government has 971 acres and 506 acres respectively in its possession or Pillaipakkam near Irungattukottai, where the government is acquiring 1,000 acres.

barrykul

August 5th, 2008, 01:05 AM

Sometime ago, in a TIE conference in the US, the TamilNadu Govt came in and gave a pitch for the state and its role in industrialization of India. The group were Govt Big Shots like the chief secretary, industry secretary and so forth. TVS Venugopal moderated the discussions. During the presentation a lot of stats were provided and some testimony of the quickness of clearance was provided by actual people like Dell etc. The officials are a conscientious folk, who do a pretty good job. They understand the competitive nature of attracting investments and make sure that they do not place any impediments in the process. Quite remarkable considering the dorky political climate of India.

There were some lapses like referring TN as the Schenzen of China. First and foremost India is not China and the scale and scope are apples and oranges. We need to get away from odious comparisons, since the totality of scope is not under comprehension by many. India for the most part has just started to loosen up the economy and has miles to go before any comparisons can be made. What was glossed over were the infrastructure bottlenecks and the lack of development in these areas. Clearly, the people of TN are quite capable of matching if not exceeding world standards, but they need an environment to thrive including good infrastructure. The TN Govt made a monumental mistake in removing Maran from the center. He did a tremendously good job in making TN a destination for investments and understood how foreign businesses work. Given, the enormous numbers of projects and investments in the state, the Govt clearly lacks the understanding of the infrastructure needs for the same. Good infrastructure, is the key. Getting from point A to point B in the quickest and efficient manner keeps the economy rolling. Sadly all major projects are stalled for progress. The number of Govt people sitting on their duffs is amazing and idly watching others leapfrog like it is not their business. There are costs associated with delay and delay is the enemy of investments.

satsukhoi

August 5th, 2008, 06:38 AM

Chennai Aug. 4: The passenger patronage along the MRTS stretch has tripled in the last one year making the revenue receipts to more than double. The recent hike in fuel price and the prevailing traffic congestion in the city continue to force a large number of people to shift to the Mass Rapid Transit System. With the much-awaited MRTS stretch connecting Velachery and St Thomas Mount to be completed in next 18 months, railway officials predict further growth in number of passengers.

According to railway sources, around 6.25 lakh passengers boarded MRTS trains in June 2007. In June 2008, the number of passengers went up to around 19 lakh. It is evident that the passenger traffic has been growing over the last few months. The railway has requested the state government to construct a bus terminus in Velachery to ensure that an inter-mode connectivity is established between the EMU trains and Metro-politan transport corporation buses. A new railway station named ‘Munda Kanni Amman’ would be commissioned by next April. A senior railway official said currently piling works are underway along the inner ring road median in which two MRTS stations, Puzhudivakkam and Adambakkam, are to be constructed.

http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#MRTS%20chugs%20along%20popularity%20wave

Into_salem

August 5th, 2008, 08:53 AM

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

Apollo Tyres will invest a total $ 320 million on expansion by building plants in India as well as in South Africa.

This includes an investment of about $14 million (approx.Rs.56 crore) on two plants in South Africa to increase capacity to 270 tpd from the current 180 tpd. The company is also investing Rs.1,300 crore ($306 million) on expansion projects in India, including plants at Chennai and Baroda.

Through the domestic expansion, Apollo Tyres' passenger car radial tyres capacity will increase to 15,000 tyres per day from the current 10,000 tyres per day. Its truck and bus radial tyres capacity will reach 1,100 tyres per day from the current 300 tyres per day.

http://www.projectstoday.com/newsr.asp?newsid=22767

comet

August 5th, 2008, 09:01 AM

The number of Govt people sitting on their duffs is amazing and idly watching others leapfrog like it is not their business. There are costs associated with delay and delay is the enemy of investments.

The contrast is amazing isn't it ?
http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/152/dubaiomrrf5.jpg

Subra

August 5th, 2008, 12:39 PM

I understand your frustration with the delay but unfortunately we are a democratic nation. We cannot announce, plan and execute things like Dubai or China. The day a project is announced, hundreds of writ petitions will be filed on every possible factor - environment, land acquisition etc. Our courts are known for dragging things and by the time the government gets a favorable verdict (in most cases if it is for industrial and public purpose), opposition political parties will try to fish in troubled waters.
On top of this, our red-tapism and corruption will delay things as much as possible. China or Dubai can announce and execute projects fast as the rulers are not answerable to any one. They can evacuate thousands of families within few days of notice or demolish a city for building roads which is not a good thing and it is widely condemned by the west several times.

People in Dubai and China are lucky to an extent as their rulers are pro-development despite the democracy issues but I still support democracy. I am confident that India will march into the next century as a developed nation.

comet

August 5th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Subra , I appreciate your hope and patriotism. And I do wish you were right.

I took these pictures for you today coming back from work. It is Pallikarnai Marsh. You see garbage littered FROM the road all the way to the center of the lake. Far away you see Velachery obscured by noxious smoke. The forest dept has put feeble resistance .... the warning is swamped by litter too.

Is democracy an excuse for this ? You mean Canada, Japan, New Zealand. Australia ..... are less democratic ? You mean the squeaky clean kingdom of Bhutan is making a mistake embracing democracy.

Come on .... let us accept it .... we don't care . T.N is a great place , a seat of intellect, has fantastically brainy people .... but cleanliness ... organisation ? Forget it ! I have driven all over Kerala trying to get ONE picture of a malayalee urinating on the roadside...... not once did I manage that. http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/2463/pallidumpmy3.jpg

Subra

August 5th, 2008, 03:37 PM

Subra , I appreciate your hope and patriotism. And I do wish you were right.

I took these pictures for you today coming back from work. It is Pallikarnai Marsh. You see garbage littered FROM the road all the way to the center of the lake. Far away you see Velachery obscured by noxious smoke. The forest dept has put feeble resistance .... the warning is swamped by litter too.

Is democracy an excuse for this ? You mean Canada, Japan, New Zealand. Australia ..... are less democratic ? You mean the squeaky clean kingdom of Bhutan is making a mistake embracing democracy.

Come on .... let us accept it .... we don't care . T.N is a great place , a seat of intellect, has fantastically brainy people .... but cleanliness ... organisation ? Forget it ! I have driven all over Kerala trying to get ONE picture of a malayalee urinating on the roadside...... not once did I manage that.

I totally agree from a cleanliness perspective. It needs to be developed as part of our culture. As the literacy rate and living standards increases, I am sure people will be much more aware of their environment and surroundings.

dis.agree

August 5th, 2008, 03:51 PM

comet

August 5th, 2008, 04:14 PM

Well .... not in many countries can I get away with a post like that :)
In China , Russia, UAE and host of countries there will be the Internet police visiting my home . LOL

Democracy is nice. I agree. It tastes good. Doesn't always smells good, tho ! Jokes apart, I think T.N CMs starting from Anna Dorai, Kamaraj, Karunanidhi and Jayalalithaa all did more for the state than any CMs did for their states. Okay, maybe Gujarat is one exemption. But T.N has done better at health care, communal amity. controlling terrorism, fiscal compliance, aids control, birth control and what not.

It is just the gap between what can be and what should is so vast. Like Alice said in "Alice in Wonderland" , one has to keep running JUST to stay in the same place.

arshyam

August 5th, 2008, 05:23 PM

Subra , I appreciate your hope and patriotism. And I do wish you were right.

Is democracy an excuse for this ? You mean Canada, Japan, New Zealand. Australia ..... are less democratic ? You mean the squeaky clean kingdom of Bhutan is making a mistake embracing democracy.

Comet,

I appreciate your telling pictures that show our apathy. Like you said, education will solve many of these issues, for example, in Kerala.

One small point, however. You mentioned some developed 'western' nations. I cannot comment about these specific countries, but know for a fact that most of these 'developed' nations came a long way through dirt, pollution, corruption, and etc. to where they are now. This long way was around 150 years in the making. Education of the masses improved conditions there, and I am sure it will be the same in our country.

To begin with, we on this forum, can be conscientious about where we throw our litter, and follow road rules.

Democracy is slow and bad, but other systems of governance are worse. I quote a Rajini dialogue "Even if late, I will be the latest!".

ranga

August 5th, 2008, 05:46 PM

I totally agree from a cleanliness perspective. It needs to be developed as part of our culture. As the literacy rate and living standards increases, I am sure people will be much more aware of their environment and surroundings.

Even most literate Indians keep their surroundings dirty.If democracy of the sort practiced in India impedes progress and does not inculcate the people to lead a hygenic life and clean surroundings we can as well discard such a system.

ranga

August 5th, 2008, 05:51 PM

barrykul

August 5th, 2008, 05:55 PM

well i look at such issues differently and i am generally more forgiving...

india's tax to gdp ratio is still in single digits, so should we blame governments for that or people like us? it is simple for me. we are a poor country and if we manage to grow at 10% pa (i think 5-6% would be more like it for the next decade), it will be atleast a couple of decades before indians can expect a better life.

Actually the Tax to GDP ratio is 11-12%, still small compared to 18.8% in the US. I think the image of Poor India is a myth. India was traditionally a rich country by world standards (20-30% of world GDP) for centuries. After the British Onslaught, that number became almost zero. Getting back to the traditional number of 20% is the challenge, will not happen in our lifetimes but there is hope that one day that would become the case. Nevertheless, it is time that every Indian shed the image of the poor India, instead think of themselves with potential to change that mindset. Thinking you are poor is itself a psychological barrier and has all kind of connotations. There are poor in every country but they are small in numbers. I see no reason why India should remain poor forever. The British not only managed to loot the nation, they also managed to permanently damage the thinking of the people of India. It is time to shed the blinkers and move forward.

We cannot use the crutch of poverty as the excuse for inaction. In a democracy, there are ways and means to make things happen. The first task is for people to take ownership and pride. Take the DMRC. Suddenly people are complying with cleanliness. They are now queuing up instead of making a mad rush. Things are possible, all it takes is enlightened leadership and people doing their jobs. If all the police in India were to wake up one day and say to themselves that they would enforce the law to the letter, things will change overnight. Similarly, if all the Govt Officials, say that would consciously do their job, things would happen. It is a mindset, it is pride and responsibility. All of which can happen in a democracy too.

goodman

August 5th, 2008, 06:35 PM

Arasu

August 5th, 2008, 06:47 PM

Even most literate Indians keep their surroundings dirty.If democracy of the sort practiced in India impedes progress and does not inculcate the people to lead a hygenic life and clean surroundings we can as well discard such a system.

I doubt our unwillingness or inability to keep out surroundings clean has anything to with our democracy.

I would say it is more to do with our education system and culture.

ChennaiChap

August 5th, 2008, 08:07 PM

Fusionist

August 5th, 2008, 08:39 PM

Forget it ! I have driven all over Kerala trying to get ONE picture of a malayalee urinating on the roadside...... not once did I manage that

um, if it was me I would have been looking out for highrises, beaches and heritage sites to photograph, must admit we all have different taste :lol: ;)

Arasu

August 5th, 2008, 10:05 PM

I don't know if not being clean is directly related to education level. It's more like our lack of awareness. Also, our all-I-care-is-to-get-rid-of-my-shit attitude. Comet, you ran across some very valid arguments and facts! I never knew that Dubai changed by leaps and bounds in only 15 years.

It's true that we cannot compare India to China, or Dubai for that matter. However, when there is a delay in projects like IT expressway, I wonder why no one is held responsible! On a side note, I get annoyed when people tamper and damage public assets. We have to make people realize that it's their tax money. Oh wait, they don't really pay taxes....

I didn't mean the education level but defect in our primary education system that has failed to teach some fundamental aspects of living in a civilized society including respect for law and order, civic sense, etc.

I noticed that kids in the elementary schools in the US are taught about cleanliness, safety at home and outside, protecting themselves from germs and diseases, respect for law, respecting other people's rights, etc. I am not sure if the present day education has changed or not but when I went through primary school, it was all about learning alphabets, arithmetic, memorising rhymes.

The western education emphasises making a responsible citizen out of school kids and I wonder if there is any effort towards that end in the school system in India.

barrykul

August 6th, 2008, 12:27 AM

Don't want to turn this into cleanliness discussion but it has a bearing on the entire country. In general India needs to learn personal cleanliness and habits. It may be practiced within ones home but in public things are different. We see people carelessly tossing out garbage onto the streets after cleaning their homes. Now what sense does this make. This very topic of cleanliness and being religious about its implementation is what made McDonald Restaurant a success. Ray Kroc the founder used to insist on clean cooking areas, floors and toilets for every McDonald. A clean environment induces people to come to the place repeatedly.

I remember hosting a friend in Singapore from Chennai and he used to say this is a very clean place. He used to remark that he feels lost with the dust, dirt, crowds, garbage strewn on streets atmosphere of Chennai and all I could to do was to laugh at his sense of connectedness to the home. See how warped an existence that people actually feel lost given the alternate. I hope everyone realizes the situation and does something in their individual capacity. Insisting on clean environs could unleash a new awakening. If people stop patronizing unclean areas then businesses would get the clue. Similarly if people insist that their neighbour not toss garbage on to the streets that would make a difference.

Fusionist

August 6th, 2008, 12:39 AM

Discovering bin bags ( by the Municipality Councils ) would be a good start.. rather than giving long lecture to the people

http://www.newport.gov.uk/_dc/images/portfolio_previews/p0000001465.jpg

ramak27

August 6th, 2008, 01:07 AM

Kudos to Keeran for his constructive view on the Chennai Vision 2020. He should be made as the Commissioner of Chennai Corporation. Kudos to Comet for blasting the progress of project in TN. He should be made as the CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General).

In the past few weeks I am finding more and more people coming up with their vision for developing Chennai. I also came across a few posts where it was suggested that we take up the issues with the concerned authority. Although I am well aware that this forum is only for sharing information, a few forumers get really frenzy about some of the projects and wanted to contribute their might in the smallest extent.

In all the western democratic nations, the city council will hold regular town hall meetings about all the major projects even at the stage of conception and all the enthusiastic citizens would participate and offer their suggestions. Although India is a democratic country, participation from the local public is very minimal. I am well aware that in a corrupt India there is very little room for the public to expect the official machinery to act in a democratic fashion.

Given these facts there is only two options available for the responsible citizens (whose hearts bleed when a road is dug up, a week after being laid). First option is to remain as an individual and crib about the sheer wastage of public property and funds. Second option is to unite with others and fight against the deterioration.

When I landed up in skyscrapercity about 2 years back I was surprised to find the number of people who are deeply interested in their welfare of their home town. People who have been running the Chennai section & the Tamil Nadu section of this forum should really feel upbeat. They have been very active and have done a tremendous job making this forum as a success. I think there is an abundant availability of manpower in this forum itself. There might also be hundreds of passive users like me. With all these brains we should be able to act together as a team and bring in a difference in the projects implementated in our state.

I am not dreaming that based on our forum’s suggestion the administration is going to build a metro rail or an green field airport, but I am atleast expecting that we could change the way a small street is planned in our home town. Even if we could debate and discuss about a 500 meter pedestrian walkway along Ranganathan Street and make a report and pass it to the administration, I would treat it as an major achievement.

As everybody in this forum is aware, technical designs for a few flyover projects were exclusively designed by the academic heads of IIT-M and Anna University. If the administration is open for suggestions from these institutions, I am sure that an online forum too could offer their expertise to the administration. The people in this forum might not be the educationally qualified experts, but we are the ones with fire in the heart to bring in a Change in our administration.

I would also like to highlight that the people in the administration (political/official) are not aliens. I am sure every one of us might have a neighbor, relative or parent whose is part of our civic administration. So knocking at their doors shouldn’t be a difficult step. Instead of passing vague comments to them, if we could hand them over a draft plan, I am sure they will not hesitate to consider our suggestions.

If the mods permit, I would suggest that we should be pulling ourselves as a team and should attempt to take on our constructive suggestion to the concerned authorities.

Into_salem

August 6th, 2008, 01:32 AM

New structure

The ChPT will construct the breakwater costing around Rs 1,000 crore

The private operator will take care of landside investment on the berth

A new tender will be issued on August 15

T.E. Raja Simhan

Chennai, Aug. 5 There will be a fresh bidding process for the Rs 3,100-crore ‘Mega Container Terminal’ at the Chennai port with the Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) deciding to ‘review and modify’ the modality structure of the project. The project has just completed the RFQ (request for qualification) stage.

The project cost has also increased by 16 per cent to around Rs 3,600 crore with the share of the port trust to triple to around Rs 1,600 crore. The balance Rs 2,000 crore will be brought in by the private operator, according to the port trust Chairman, Mr K. Suresh.

In the new project structure, the ChPT will construct the breakwater costing around Rs 1,000 crore. This is in addition to the Rs 600 crore to be spent by the port trust on dredging, reclaiming of land and providing tugs.

The private operator will take care of landside investment on the berth like equipment, he told Business Line.

Mr Suresh said, in pre-bid meetings the bidders felt that it would be easy for the port trust to construct the breakwater and deal with issues such as quarry licence and transportation of stones.

A new tender will be issued on August 15 with necessary amendments in the new bidding process. “In a way, it is going to be a re-tender,” he said.
Opportunity for PSA

A re-tender means the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA) may get a chance to bid for the mega project. According to the government policy, PSA could not be considered in the present bid as it was the latest private operator to get a project – to run the second container terminal in the port.

Mr Suresh denied advertences to the effect that the re-bid was to accommodate PSA. “It is nothing like that. PSA had requested us that they should also be considered for the bid. We have asked them to approach the Centre,” he said. “If allowed by the Centre, PSA will bid along with existing companies who have been selected in the RFQ stage in the present bid,” he said.

The ChPT is constructing the mega container terminal to handle 4 million TEUs a year under build, operate and transfer basis. The Chennai port handled 11.28 lakh TEUs in 2007-08. DP World currently operates a private terminal, and PSA-Sical will run a competing terminal from mid-2009.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/06/stories/2008080650890700.htm

comet

August 6th, 2008, 06:03 AM

Pictures removed on request.

ranga

August 6th, 2008, 07:11 AM

Actually the Tax to GDP ratio is 11-12%, still small compared to 18.8% in the US. I think the image of Poor India is a myth. India was traditionally a rich country by world standards (20-30% of world GDP) for centuries. After the British Onslaught, that number became almost zero. Getting back to the traditional number of 20% is the challenge, will not happen in our lifetimes but there is hope that one day that would become the case. Nevertheless, it is time that every Indian shed the image of the poor India, instead think of themselves with potential to change that mindset. Thinking you are poor is itself a psychological barrier and has all kind of connotations. There are poor in every country but they are small in numbers. I see no reason why India should remain poor forever. The British not only managed to loot the nation, they also managed to permanently damage the thinking of the people of India. It is time to shed the blinkers and move forward.

We cannot use the crutch of poverty as the excuse for inaction. In a democracy, there are ways and means to make things happen. The first task is for people to take ownership and pride. Take the DMRC. Suddenly people are complying with cleanliness. They are now queuing up instead of making a mad rush. Things are possible, all it takes is enlightened leadership and people doing their jobs. If all the police in India were to wake up one day and say to themselves that they would enforce the law to the letter, things will change overnight. Similarly, if all the Govt Officials, say that would consciously do their job, things would happen. It is a mindset, it is pride and responsibility. All of which can happen in a democracy too.

People in North(of present India) say this part of the world was called "sone ki chidiya" means golden bird when they referred to wealth and the beauty of women.Many muslim invasions,plunder,destructions,rape ,loot and subsequent conquest and their rule over this land for over 500 years which subsequently amalgamated in to one British India bled these parts economically and huge human losses contributed to conversions and migrations.The present India which we are proud of is only due to the British Raj.There are also positives on account of British rule here for over 200 years we cannot forget that.

comet

August 6th, 2008, 10:24 AM

While T.N sleeps .... a blitzkrieg on the border

Subra in an earlier post referred to Hyundai seeking larger land parcel for expansion and to counter AP , tamil nadu offering Soorapalli & Thervoy Kandigai near Gummudipoondi areas.

If anyone of you have visited this area .... beyond padi , karanodai & arani to the west of kavarapettai lie well drained dry lands amounting to 1000's of hectares suitable for industry.

Well connected to the NH5 , with railway line passing through Gummudipoondi and easily accessible to our ports and airport, this would have been an ideal choice to setup a large industrial base.

But we did not. Instead it was A.P govt that did it. It was not done overnight, but by careful planning executed with military precision. Today they have land banks exceeding an astounding 28,000 acres or 112 sq km alloted for 6 Sez's.

These graphics are self explanatory on how we missed another bus.
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4660/sathyavedu1ha9.jpg
http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5586/aptnindwargd5.jpg

Read "An SEZ that will have the best of TN and AP " article from :
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2008/08/03/stories/2008080350881700.htm

Where the promoter of the Andhra SEZ says
"If for any reason TN loses an industry, it would be better to lose it to Tada than to far north."

SURYA

August 6th, 2008, 01:51 PM

One important point is that there are no farmers suicide in TN despite having no major rivers except the disputed cauvery.It is a good show when the states around TN were grappling with farmers suicide.

It is primarily because there are a lot of vibrant urban nodes in TN that provide employment to these farmers in their growing services sector beside employment hubs like tirupur/cbe/sivakasi and ofcourse chennai..There is an interesting world bank report on this unique trend in Tamil Nadu ...A good case study for economists

Sathisht77

August 6th, 2008, 02:54 PM

While T.N sleeps .... a Kargil on the border

." [/COLOR][/SIZE][/B]

I can see your enthusiasm in many of the threads where you have ripped apart the TN govt. Nice work and it shows your creative writing skills as well.
Be that as it may, to compare two states within India to Kargil is a bit too much.
Benefits are there for all to be had. People from TN will also benefit from this. So too will many from other parts of India.

comet

August 6th, 2008, 03:45 PM

Be that as it may, to compare two states within India to Kargil is a bit too much.
Benefits are there for all to be had. People from TN will also benefit from this. So too will many from other parts of India.

I agree ... thanks for your comment. I stand corrected. I have now called it a Bltizkrieg ... "lightning war" by which General Guderian - German Panzer General took France by surprise. The French were literally entrenched in their old ways. Hope you don't mind :)

arshyam

August 6th, 2008, 04:59 PM

In fact, I am happy to hear that Madras's proximity means so much for our neighbouring state! The region of AP we are talking about (Rayalseema) is barren, dry, and dirt poor. I guess it is a positive development for all (folks from G'poondi can commute across the border for work, and Rayalseema folks can get much needed employment).

Maybe we will hear of some residential projects around the traditionally industrial G'poondi belt to cater to this development. Maybe the (int'l) passenger traffic will further increase at MAA, which usually means more flights. Another spin off may be having four tracks and more suburban train services on the Central-G'poondi-Sulurpet-Gudur section. For these, I will not complain! :)

It certainly is no war, my friend. Anyway, it is matter of wording...

barrykul

August 6th, 2008, 06:19 PM

Folks, painting a neighboring state as a villain is dangerous while we are talking about India the nation of states. Certainly there are benefits to both states AP and TN. If the majority number of people who work in these areas come from TN, then TN benefits. Most of the people would earn wages and spend money in TN, maybe live in TN and pay taxes. Clearly the AP govt sees value in placing their development closer to TN, since the people that are needed may come from TN. For TN there are other projects and areas for development. Competition is good and reinvigorates the players to succeed, may also hasten development which is good for all.

Having the entire east coast as an economic corridor for India is a great idea and about time it happens. The Bay of Bengal corridor of economic activity has a nice ring to it. Prosperity for all is the goal.

comet

August 6th, 2008, 07:37 PM

Those well meaning folks among us welcome the AP SEZs on TN border as a harbinger of greater social development. Is that really true ?

Simple Urban Sprawl dynamics and economics will suggest otherwise. "Economics" by classical definition is "allocation of scarce resources".

The areas in AP bordering T.N, namely Uthukottai (A.P side) , Nagalapuram, Sathyavedu, Tada , Sulurpet and even Nellore do not have the urban infrastructure to support the 650,000 people A.P estimates will be benefited by the 6 SEZs.

In fact Sathyavedu receives it's vegetables from Koyambedu market. Instead of growing vegetables, the well drained belts between Sathyavedu, Palam, SS Puram, Pichatur grow cash crops like table roses, casuarinas & Eucalyptus.

For medical emergencies they still rush to Chennai. As foreign consultants, engineers and white collared workers swarm these areas, guess where their families will prefer to stay ? Pitchatoor ?No, I think they will prefer schools at Anna Nagar, Hospitals at Nungambakkam and stores at T.Nagar.

Rentals will be impacted, border areas will become built up, electricity will be drawn from Chennai grid for houses at Gummudipoondi .....Sricity SEZ already draws water from the Krishna water scheme.

A.P is doing the right thing for the betterment of its people . But does T.N have the industrial intelligence to counter this move ? When T.N govt charges "impact fee" on OMR developers, who will they charge impact fee on the consequences of these developments ?

The Sathyavedu development in time will be bigger, smarter & faster than Hosur ever was. Tada already employs 3000 people at the Apache SEZ and will hire 6000 more this year. Wages in the area have gone up to 350 rupees per day and while it is good for the families, it has its impact on local inflationary trends.

Scarce resources in an already strained city will be shared by a rapidly growing suburban neighbour.

So on Aug 8th when YSR inaugurates the SEZ whose 4 Km long high fence runs on TN border, will Mr Stalin or our industry minister be invited as a honourable guest ?

Sunny78

August 6th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Balas

August 7th, 2008, 03:32 AM

Did you take into consideration 7120 acres of land under TN government pocession in Ennore? Most of that land is still untapped. They have earmarked 3200 acres for Ennore TIDCO SEZ, 800 acres for Ennore port and another few thousand acres are still left unallocated.

Isnt it where L&T's ship yard is coming up?

Subra

August 7th, 2008, 03:35 AM

http://businesstoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6059&issueid=35

It could well be the most sought-after stretch of land in India. Five global car majors, two commercial vehicle companies, one tractor manufacturer, three earth moving equipment companies, a tyre major and over 100 auto parts producers have either made it their home or will do so soon. The 45-km-long corridor— from Tiruvallur, 44 km north-west of Chennai, to Maraimalainagar, 35 km south of the city—will, by 2012, see production of 1.28 million cars, 350,000 commercial vehicles and an unspecified number of tractors and earth moving equipment every year. Biggies like BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Renault-Nissan, Mitsubishi, Apollo Tyres, Caparo Group, Komatsu and Caterpillar all have a presence here. Little wonder then, the place has earned the sobriquet—Detroit of India.

An auto hub in the making: Land being levelled at the Renault-Nissan project siteIt is said that the pace of development along this stretch is so rapid that a completely distinct and altered landscape awaits you every time you drive through the corridor— even when your visits are within a gap of a few weeks.

We (photographer G. Keshav Raj and I) decided to check out the transformation first hand and chose the Oragadam stretch for two reasons. First, it is the “epicentre” of this corridor and secondly, it is here that most of the recent investments aggregating Rs 20,000 crore have ended up. The Renault-Nissan combine broke ground for their Rs 4,500-crore small car project spread over 640 acres a couple of weeks ago. UK-based Caparo Industries is investing Rs 300 crore in a car assembling unit; it will also manufacture some auto components here. Japanese earth moving equipment major, the $22-billion Komatsu, has already commenced production at its facility here. That apart, a lot of non-auto investment has come up here with companies like Moser Baer and Nokia-Siemens jumping onto the bandwagon.

Pointers to progress: Signboards at the Oragadam stretchWe leave Chennai a bit early to escape the morning traffic and reach Oragadam, 40-odd km away, in an hour’s time. An innovative direction mast greets us as we reach the “coot road”—a chaste Tamil translation of a four-road intersection.

The board, apart from showing the nearest towns, is a clear pointer of the commercial activity in this once sleepy, 100-plus-year-old village. Go west and you have Renault-Nissan; north, it’s Caparo and Komatsu. There is an IT SEZ in the east and NATRIP (National Automobile Testing and R&D Infrastructure Project) in the south. We decide to head to the west and come across a beehive of activity.

Ready mix concrete trucks crisscross the road. Land levelling is on at the Renault-Nissan site in full swing and the dust kicked up by the civil works hangs in the air. The people of the village, though amused by the sudden and feverish activity around them, have their share of concerns. One such worry is: will these investments accentuate their water problem? For starters though, the sharp increase in land prices, from Rs 8 lakh per acre four years ago to over Rs 50 lakh now, has made some landowners rich very fast. We also meet K. Sridhar, a local boy who has completed an Industrial Training Institute certification course. He has been unemployed for the past one year. Sridhar hopes these developments will ultimately land him a job.

As we drive north towards the temple town of Sriperumbudur, the large-scale transformation of parched, dry land into huge factories hits us. Hyundai, which set up its base here in mid-90s, has, since, more than doubled its capacity. Huge trucks wait outside the factory to cart the new cars across the country and so do the buses that ferry the staff from all over Chennai. Similar scenes greet us at Saint-Gobain’s world glass complex and Nokia’s SEZ.

Incidentally, Hyundai and Ford were the first global car makers to zero in on Chennai. The Korean company chose Sriperumbudur as its site while Ford opted for Maraimalainagar at the other end. The drive through the stretch reveals that the area connecting these two facilities is abuzz with auto projects and will, in due course, emerge as one mammoth automobile district.

Early entrant: Hyundai was one of the early companies to invest in the region“Our view is that the automobile corridor near Chennai has the potential to become one of the top 10 automobile centres in the world,” says M. Velmurugan, Director, Guidance Bureau, the single window facilitation office attached to the Industries Department, Government of Tamil Nadu.

While BMW has started work on its plant at the Mahindra World City not too far from Ford India, the Ashok Leyland-Nissan JV project, to manufacture light commercial vehicles and engines, is also slated to be a part of this corridor. “We are currently talking to over 20 investors, both in the auto and nonauto sectors, who are eager to invest in the corridor,” says Velmurugan, without divulging any names.

The prime reason why the auto sector is in top gear in the region is the readily available and skilled workforce. The other big attraction is, of course, the strong auto component base in and around Chennai. On our return journey to Chennai, we sight a few tracts of vacant land on both sides of the road. Their days are probably numbered. Foreign and Indian companies may soon find it easy and cheaper to get land in Detroit, US, than here.

Arul Murugan

August 7th, 2008, 03:48 AM

Comet,

You have already posted the IT corridor pictures in IT corridor thread, then why again you have pasted here?

It is better to take these discussion to CHENNAI DISCUSSION thread....

Let us post only the developments and projects news here.

vijayvmail

August 7th, 2008, 03:41 PM

India’s detroit - Nice article on Business Today
http://businesstoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6059&issueid=35

It is really nice to see Chennai, being repeatedly called as 'Detroit of India'. We're hosting lots of foreign companies. Of course, they're sourcing lots of local talent for their operations. But one thing I would like to see is the rise of many indegenous car manufacturers from chennai. That is one thing that was present in Detroit, but not yet in Chennai.

But as far as quality of life is concerned, Detroit is not a very great place. It witnessed a high degree of urban decay and witnessed mass exodus of people out of the city. Chennai should not become like that. It should have the highest standard of living of all major cities.

arshyam

August 7th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Vijayvmail,

I agree with your concern. I would not want to live in a city like Detroit. However, Chennai emerging as Detroit in all its forms is not probable...

Car making: Yes, there are a host of big car makers in Chennai today, and hopefully more in the future.

Crime: Chennai has always had a pretty safe environment, comparatively, quite unlike Detroit. In fact, I think I will correct in saying that Chennai is one of the safest metros in the country.

Urban decay: Though more people are settling down in suburbs, it is NOT at the expense of urban areas like Mylapore or Purasawalkam.

Transport: Detroit being the home of Big Auto, always relied on private (car) transport, so they never focussed much on public transport (and Big auto never allowed that). In good ol' Madras, we have excellent public transport connectivity, and more (hopefully soon) coming up. This is one big reason why Detroit's urban decay will not happen here.

Like you said, I wish we had more Indian car makers in the likes of Tata setting up base here...

dis.agree

August 7th, 2008, 06:51 PM

ChennaiChap

August 7th, 2008, 07:32 PM

Subra

August 7th, 2008, 09:30 PM

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/200808070850PR_NEWS_USPR_____CLTH058.htm

SOUTHFIELD, Mich., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Federal-Mogul Corporation (Nasdaq: FDML) today announced it is planning to build a new facility in Chennai, India, for the manufacture of friction components for Original Equipment and Aftermarket segments. The operation is scheduled to begin production of light vehicle brake and friction components, commercial vehicle and railway friction products by September 2009.

Federal-Mogul currently manufactures products at six operations in India, including pistons, rings, liners, bearings, ignition and sintered products for both OE and Aftermarket customers. The locations are in Bangalore, Bhiwadi (2), Khandsa, Parwanoo and Patiala. Federal-Mogul’s Ferodo(R) friction products have been manufactured in India since 1995, although the new friction facility will be the first in the Chennai region.

Federal-Mogul’s wholly-owned subsidiary in India recently signed a memorandum of understanding with New Chennai Township Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of MARG Ltd., a major Indian development company to buy 10 acres of land on which it will build the 6,000-square-meter facility. The plant will be built in three phases and will eventually total 15,000 square meters and create approximately 500 jobs.

"This new greenfield facility is another example of Federal-Mogul’s commitment to grow its manufacturing footprint in India," said Federal-Mogul President and Chief Executive Officer Jose Maria Alapont. "Products manufactured at the new facility will be for both local vehicle manufacturers and for export to the global automotive market."

"We are the leader in supplying Ferodo brand vehicle brake friction components and we continue to experience excellent opportunities for global growth. We are pleased to expand our presence in India, one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic economies. This new facility in Chennai is an investment to deepen and diversify our presence in India in support of market growth, and further demonstrates our commitment to our sustainable global profitable growth strategy," Alapont continued.

Federal-Mogul Vehicle Safety and Protection

Federal-Mogul supplies systems protection products and is one of the world’s largest suppliers of friction materials. Both the systems protection products and the friction products are used in the automotive, heavy-duty, motorcycle, railway and consumer products markets. The primary products include brake disc pads, brake shoes, brake linings and blocks. Federal-Mogul offers a portfolio of world-class brand names, including Abex(R), Beral(R), Ferodo(R), ThermoQuiet(R) and Wagner(R). Federal-Mogul supplies friction and systems protection products to all major customers in the light vehicle, commercial vehicle and railway sectors and is also a leading company in the aftermarket.

vijayvmail

August 8th, 2008, 12:44 AM

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080859260200.htm

A very nice initiative. Eager to see this soon. :)

comet

August 8th, 2008, 09:20 AM

Underwater Aquarium : Excellent idea indeed.

greatchennai

August 8th, 2008, 10:36 AM

It is really nice to see Chennai, being repeatedly called as 'Detroit of India'. We're hosting lots of foreign companies. Of course, they're sourcing lots of local talent for their operations. But one thing I would like to see is the rise of many indegenous car manufacturers from chennai. That is one thing that was present in Detroit, but not yet in Chennai.

But as far as quality of life is concerned, Detroit is not a very great place. It witnessed a high degree of urban decay and witnessed mass exodus of people out of the city. Chennai should not become like that. It should have the highest standard of living of all major cities.

====
Similar discussion from chennai II......

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=386617&page=36

Also could anyone give some insight on the Salary level for the Shop floor employees in these Auto industry....?

I just would like to extrapolate the affordablity for them to buy the exordous flats developed across the Sriperumbudhur area....which cost around 60+ Lacs......

EMI should be around 40-50K / Month for them...!!

greatchennai

August 8th, 2008, 10:38 AM

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/7B7DB7E000BC26626525749F00239A1C?OpenDocument

Chennai, Aug 7 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Government has cleared seven proposals for setting up new industrial projects in the state at an investment of more than Rs 10,000 crore, a top official said today.
The projects were cleared at a high-level meeting held here yesterday, Commercial Taxes Secretary and officer on special duty of the 13th Finance Commission Rajeev Ranjan said at a CII function on State of the Indian Economy.

Terming issues like the appreciation of Rupee as 'short term' he said, "the Indian economy at the market exchange rate has crossed USD one trillion and this is a major achivement." "Tamil Nadu is looking at 9-10 per cent growth and this is something which has been achieved in the recent past and infact one year back when the inflation was within 5 per cent we were looking at a double digit growth," he said.

For managing the growth momentum, he said "issues like managing the capital inflows, inflation, US-Sub Prime crisis, addressing supply chain challenges, infrastructure bottlenecks are some of the areas we have to focus." PTI

Any split up ? :ohno:

Into_salem

August 8th, 2008, 12:52 PM

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/497/2008080850832101if4.jpg

Chennai, Aug. 7 ETA Star Property Developers Ltd has announced plans to set up a residential complex, ‘ETA Star Rosedale,’ on the Old Mahabalipuram Road near here.

The project coming up at Padur, south of Chennai, will have a total built up area of over 6,50,000 sq ft with 444 apartment units, priced in the range of Rs 30-60 lakh a unit.

Rosedale targets NRIs, IT professionals and the upper middle class segment. It will offer all the modern amenities including retail space, entertainment and fitness facilities, landscaped area and party halls.
New feature

Addresssing the launch of the project, Mr P.H.M. Syed Ismail, Managing Director, ETA Star Property, said that a feature of the project would be the single bedroom apartments to suit the needs of a young, small family.

The single bedroom apartments would range in size from 784 sq ft to 905 sq ft; two-bedroom apartments would be of 1,190-1,278 sq ft; and the three-bedroom apartments of 1,545 to 1,753 sq ft with a price of about Rs 3,500 a sq ft.

The company plans to start delivering the apartments in 24 months.

ETA Star Property is part of the $6 billion ETA Star conglomerate based in Dubai.

Mr Ahamed Shakir, Director, ETA Star Property, said that the conglomerate has over 30 million sq ft of development happening across the world.

About a third of the developments are in India, where it has major projects in Chennai and Bangalore.

Mr Fayaz Ahmed, Director, ETA Star Property, said that the company has projects in residential, office, commercial segments and SEZs.
Township

Officials said that the company would soon start work on the 350-acre township in Sriperumbudur.

It would start with a 7.2 acre project with a hotel, office building and retail and multiplex.

This would be followed up with a 30-acre residential project in March 2009 and work on the township would continue in phases over the next eight years.

It has projects in various stages of development including a 4-million sq ft IT Park at Navalur on the OMR, a 4.5 acre residential project, Jasmine Court, in Porur, a suburb to the west of Chennai, plans to start work on an office complex on the arterial Anna Salai and another in a central business district.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/08/stories/2008080850832100.htm

ranga

August 9th, 2008, 12:37 PM

The following news bares TN supposed growth in IT

Wide gap between demand and supply

Nearly four million sq.ft of IT space is unused and many dedicated IT parks are vacant, writes Suresh Kuppuswamy

Queries persist: There are serious doubts about the projection and provision of incentives.

The Government of Tamil Nadu recently announced new ICT (Information and Communication Technology )policy 2008 that aims to achieve a growth of 525 % in three years time. This is expected to create additional direct employment opportunity to 8.3 lakh of IT professionals besides indirect employment to 22 lakh. If we translate the ICT policy 2008 in terms of building infrastructure, the total built up area required to accommodate the projected work force of 1.1million by 2011 would be around 83 million s.ft (calculated at the rate of 75 s.ft per person).

Assuming that all the IT parks so far cleared by ELCOT would be completed in the next three years, 55 million s.ft of space will soon be available. Then the additional built up area required would be 28 million s.ft. This seems possible to build. However all is not well with IT dependent real estate. There is a yawning gap between what is projected and what the city can actually absorb. Recently, the government entered into an agreement with a private developer, DLF to develop the Tidel Park II at Taramani in 26.64 acres of land at an investment of Rs.1500 crores. About 4.5 million sft. of IT space is to be built in two phases and the first phase with 2.5 million sft. is expected to be ready by 2009. The third Tidel Park is to come up at Taramani in a land of 25.27 acres at an estimated cost of Rs. 3000 crores which is a joint venture of TIDCO and Tata Realty. In this project, the total space would be 3.5 million sq.ft and the first phase with 2.1 million is expected to be ready by 2009. ELCOT is planning to set up a second IT park at Sholinganallur, Perumbakkam (IT corridor) through a private partner on a 199 acre site with 10 million sft accommodating 250 mid-size and 50 large companies.

If all these developments are realised there will be an additional 18 million sft. of built space in Chennai Metropolis alone. As per a recent report, CMDA plans to develop 1 lakh s.ft of commercial space for IT offices over the airspace at MRTS Stations at Taramani, Velachery and Perungundi. How much of built space can Chennai absorb?
IT parks vacant

In the last eight months, there have been many less enthusiastic reports regarding IT built spaces. A recent report reveals that nearly 4 million s.ft of IT space worth Rs. 1600 crores remain unused and many dedicated IT parks are vacant. It was also predicted that the vacancy level would soon reach 6 million sq.ft. Over supply and slow development of infrastructure are the reasons cited for this phenomenon. In addition, as the last quarter results of most IT majors have shown, the net profit margins are down confirming the predictions that IT-ITES sector will face a slow down on account of slump in US economy. Nasscom had forecast a drop in orders and profits as a short-term phenomenon whereas IT majors feel that only by early 2009 the upward trend may be discernable. IT companies now prefer to move to IT-SEZ to avail tax benefits. It is observed that of the total 59 SEZs cleared by the Central Government in Tamil Nadu, 37 relate to IT-SEZ and 12 are already operational. As of March 2009, the STPI incentive policy for IT parks and the associated tax benefits would cease to operate and IT_SEZ would then be the preferred option. Would a shift to IT-SEZs to avail tax benefits for the next 15 years create further vacancy? The developers who have invested in IT parks look at this scenario with gloom.

To add to the situation, the government is proactively promoting IT related developments in tier II cities. An IT – SEZ is being established at Coimbatore in a 29.08 acres plot. In Madurai an IT park is being planned in a 29 acres plot and the government plans to construct 1 million s.ft. Similarly in Tiruchi, about 135 acres has been alienated to ELCOT for developing an IT tower measuring 1 million sq.ft. In Salem also about 164.26 acres has been allotted in SIPCOT Industrial Estate for establishing an IT park.

The existing vacancy in IT buildings raises serious doubts about the projection as well as the continuation of incentives.

IT space: gap between demand and supply

It is pertinent to note that Planning Commission has cleared the proposal of the Central Government to create 43 new IT cities to be developed in the model of self- contained townships spread over 500 hectares with rentable office spaces, residences, education and health care facilities etc.

Each township is expected to generate employment for around 3.5 million by 2018. The government proposes to shift 40% of IT business to these New Towns.

Does this mean we are moving from Special Economic Zones to Special Economic Townships?

It is time for introspection and make course correction if needed as the large scale creation of IT built space is struggling to stay viable.

The demand to allow non-IT activities in IT buildings is not a simple matter that can be settled through some penalty charges as some demand. The state had volunteered to take additional burden on infrastructure only to promote IT industry and not to turn it to serve real estate interests. It is time that the other needs of employees of IT sector in terms of residential, commercial and social infrastructure like schools, hospitals are looked at by the IT parks and companies.

SURESH KUPPUSWAMY,

Professor of Architecture, School of architecture and planning , Anna University.

ranga

August 9th, 2008, 01:03 PM

Intake of office space positive

The first half of 2008 saw 2.7 million sft. taken up for office space, writes Ramesh Nair

The demand for office space in the first half remained reasonably strong. The first half of the year 2008 saw an absorption of 2.7 million sft in Chennai office space market.

Major transactions included Accenture and Satyam leasing space at Shriram Gateway, Shell and Caterpillar leasing space at RMZ Millenia, HP leasing space at TCG IT Park, Vestas leasing space in Tecci Park, Cap Gemini leasing space in ASV Suntec Park, Logica, Sony Ericsson and Citibank leasing space in DLF IT Park @ Chennai. Other transactions included Quintegra and Dassault leasing space at ASV Ramana Towers, Zee leasing space at Alpha Centre and IL&FS leasing space in Navin’s Presidium.

The vacant supply of IT Park space increased to 4 million sft. A number of IT Park developers have started offering aggressive terms such as lower deposits and more rent free periods to attract prospective tenants. The rentals of non-IT Grade A office space in central city locations have increased 15-20% in the last one year to touch Rs. 75 to Rs. 90 per sft per month.

Major IT SEZs such as DLF IT Park @ Chennai, Shriram The Gateway, ETA Techno Park and Ascendas at Mahindra City witnessed significant pre-leasing activity. Also other proposed SEZs such as SNP Infrastructure’s IT SEZ in Thoraipakkam Pallavaram Road and Tata Realty’s IT SEZ in Taramani are expected to see significant interest from occupiers.

Many Indian and multinational IT companies have not made significant fresh recruitments in the last few months. This could have a direct impact on the demand for office space in Chennai as IT and BPO sector contribute 90% - 95% of the space take up.

A number of developers have started attracting prospective tenants into their SEZs by offering plug and play incubation space in 2008. The oversupply situation of IT park space is seeing the self-correction phase and developers are slowing down their construction.

ranga

August 9th, 2008, 01:15 PM

While there is oversupply in IT space the demand for commercial office and retail space is tremendous
Unmet demand for retail space

Significant pre-leasing activity indicates the strong demand for retail space in Chennai, writes Ramesh Nair

A pointer: Pre-leasing to rental space has significantly increased in Chennai.

Chennai is fast catching up with other cities like Mumbai and Delhi from a retail perspective. Significant pre-leasing activity was witnessed in malls under construction, a clear pointer to the fact that there is still enough unmet demand for retail space in the city. The vacancy levels in high street were also at its lowest given the limited space availability.

Some of the major transactions in malls include Madura Garments and Pantaloon leasing space in Express Avenue, Future Group leasing space in G Square and Cottons by Century and Samsonite leasing space in Spencer Plaza. Some of the high street transactions include Puma leasing space in TTK road, Koutons leasing space in Nungambakkam High Road, Barista leasing space in Thirumalai Pillai Road, Mega Mart leasing space in Chromepet, Perambur, Mandaveli and Madipakkam, Hi-Style leasing space in Mogappair, Digital Shoppe leasing space in Anna Nagar 2nd Avenue, Titan leasing space in Adayar, Madura Garments and Rex fashions leasing space in Velachery and Europa leasing space on OMR.

Ampa Mall along Nelson Manickam Road, with built up area of 325,000 sq ft and G Square along Old Mahabalipuram Road with built up area of 34,000 sq ft, is expected to be operational before the end of 2008. The year has also seen the opening of the Prashant Real Gold Mall along North Usman Road in T Nagar with Joy Alukkas Group being the largest retail occupier.

Rentals have increased by 15% to 20% in the last one year given the short supply of retail mall and high street space in Chennai.

However, given the fact that nearly 8 million sft of mall space in under various stages of planning and construction, the rental values are expected to stabilise in the medium term.

A number of factors have contributed to the current mall boom in the city. Chennai has been the pioneer in organised retail from early 1990’s. The penetration of organised players especially in the food segment is quite high. Favourable demographics, rising disposable incomes, growing middle classes, rise of “super rich”, increased double income no kids (DINKs) families, returning NRIs, shift from “saving” to “spending” mentality, domestic retailers consolidating and aggressively expanding and new market entrants have all contributed to this growth.

phaedrus

August 9th, 2008, 04:53 PM

cross posting from the healthcare thread

Govt plans medical tech park in Chennai

THE government is setting up a medical technology park in Chennai soon to help cut costs of healthcare equipment and research for new vaccines. The park would include medical device manufacturing units, healthcare infrastructure and vaccine technology facilities.
“The medical park will enable us to manufacture cost-effective medical equipment for the country. The vaccine park will research on developing new vaccines,” drug controller general of India (DCGI) Surinder Singh said on the sidelines of a FICCI healthcare event here on Friday. However, details about financial benefits the government might give to companies are not known as the proposal is at a discussion level, Mr Singh said.
The DCGI said that while the work for setting up the vaccine park has already started, the ministry of health and family welfare will shortly invite private players to set up facilities in the park. The state government has already given 300 acres for the vaccine technology park at a concessional price. The park is expected to be in place within four years. State-owned Hindustan Latex will set up its facility in the vaccine centre.
According to industry estimates, 90% of the medical equipment used in India are imported. The medical technology park is likely to help tackle this situation as manufacturing products in India for domestic use would reduce the cost of equipment by 40%. The medical equipment market in India is estimated to be around a billion dollars.
The government plans to keep the park open to both national and international companies.

source economictimes epaper

R2IChennai

August 9th, 2008, 06:26 PM

Subra

August 10th, 2008, 01:48 AM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/10/stories/2008081051290600.htm

Chennai, Aug. 9 Elango Industries Ltd, a company listed with the Bombay Stock Exchange, plans to set up an 80 MW coal-based group captive power plant at Gummidipoondi, near Chennai. The plant is estimated to cost Rs 415 crore, of which the equity component works out to about Rs 125 crore and the balance will come through debt.

A group captive power plant is one where companies take up to 26 per cent equity stake and is assured of up to 51 per cent of the electricity generated from it.

Elango Industries was earlier into manufacturing steel ingots and wound this up in 2003 following the downturn in the steel processing sector. It set up a 7 MW gas-based group captive power plant at Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu, with GAIL supplying gas for this plant.

Picking stakes

Apart from Elango Industries, which set up the gas power plant through a special purpose vehicle Kaveri Gas Power Ltd, the other equity partners are some steel processing companies and textile mills in Tamil Nadu, which together hold 31 per cent of the project’s equity.

According to Mr S.A. Premkumar, a director of Elango Industries, some of the equity holders in Kaveri Gas Power Ltd are interested in picking up stake in the 80 MW coal-based project. Elango Industries is also in talks with other interested companies. It plans to add another 135 MW at Gummidipoondi

He said that Elango Industries had tied up with Coal and Oil Company of Dubai, which would supply Indonesian coal to the plant, and was trying to get domestic coal allocated for the plant. It hoped to achieve financial closure by December 2008.

Mr Premkumar said equipment suppliers such as BHEL, Thermax Ltd and Cethar Vessels, and four Chinese equipment suppliers, including Dongfang, were among those that had submitted bids for supplying boiler, turbine and generator for the plant.

Mr S. Elangovan, Managing Director of Elango Industries and Kaveri Gas Power Ltd, said that the company was in talks with some power traders, including PTC Ltd, to sell surplus power from the Gummidipoondi plant.

ChennaiChap

August 10th, 2008, 02:30 AM

chennaimetroblogs

August 10th, 2008, 04:07 AM

Ranga,
Can you always post news with links that seems to be the norm in this forum.

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/pp/2008/08/09/chenindx.htm

here we go. its property plus chennai edition this saturday

ranga

August 10th, 2008, 11:02 AM

Chennai metro rail work to begin this October
Sunday August 10 2008 10:15 IST
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080810101234&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&

NEW DELHI: Work on the much-awaited Chennai metro rail project is expected to begin by October this year with the Japanese government giving its nod for concessional assistance to build the transport system.

The Tamil Nadu government will sign the agreement with the Japanese government, which is providing Rs 852.69 crore for the prestigious project in September. "The Japanese government has agreed to extend more than Rs 800 crore for providing a better transport system to the city. This is just the first instalment and we will be signing an agreement with them sometime next month," Syed Munir Hoda, Chairman, Chennai Metro Rail Corporation, told PTI.

The total project cost is estimated at Rs 11,124 crore, while Japan will provide Rs 8,646 crore to establish a 45-km long mass rapid transport system in the form of metro and elevated railways. Both state government and the centre will share the remaining cost.

"We are pursuing the project on fast-track and we intend to start work on it by this October," chief secretary L K Tripathi said.

"The project is in pre-public investment board stage and once it is cleared by the board, then it will go for the cabinet approval," he said.

"Once the agreement is signed between the state government and the Japanese side, we will start the work on the project," Hoda said.

The Delhi Metro Corporation Limited, which is acting as the consultant for the Chennai metro has drawn up a detailed project and identified two corridors to implement the project.

"We have prepared a detailed report on the project and handed over it to the Tamil Nadu government. We are just consultants to the project and the execution will be done by them (Tamil Nadu)," a DMRC official said.

Hoda said that the government wants to finish the project in six years time and exuded confidence that it will succeed in doing so. The metro rail project is aimed at de-congesting the city’s crowded roads and offers the people of this metropolis a more environment and user-friendly mass transport system.

Chennai, which already has three modes of transport - bus, suburban train service and Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) - will be the first city in the country to have four modes of transport.

The first corridor will start from toll gate on the Thiruvottriyur high road to the airport in Meenambakam, while corridor two is from Fort station to Guindy in south Chennai.

Into_salem

August 11th, 2008, 03:34 PM

Chennai (PTI): Apollo Health Street (AHS), a flagship of the Apollo group and a leading health service management company, on Monday launched its Chennai branch as part of its expansion plan.

With over 100 US-based clients, the Chennai facility would be the 11th global delivery centre of AHS, Company Managing Director Sangita Reddy told reporters here.

"Our solutions encompass a comprehensive suite of platform enabled back-office services that span the hospital revenue cycle workflow from patient admission, charge capture, claims processing and receivables management", she said.

"Currently the Chennai centre will operate with 75 trained workers and gradually it will be increased to 500 in this fiscal", she added.

Sangita also stated that the company has also proposed to establish a high-tech facility at Siruseri near here with an investment of 20 million US Dollars.

"This facility would be commissioned in three phases within three years ", she added.

http://www.hinduonnet.com/holnus/004200808111656.htm

pdykid

August 11th, 2008, 04:02 PM

Chennai airport modernisation work to begin in Sept

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/Chennai_Kolkata_airports_modernisation_work_to_begin_in_Sept/articleshow/3352930.cms

Arasu

August 11th, 2008, 04:40 PM

ChennaiChap

August 11th, 2008, 06:28 PM

Into_salem

August 12th, 2008, 01:28 AM

N. Anand

CHENNAI: Ashok Leyland will locate its proposed joint venture project with Nissan Motor Company at Pillaipakkam in Sriperumbudur. The joint venture, Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles, will make light and heavy commercial vehicles.
Two more projects

Ashok Leyland officials met State government representatives last week to brief them about the project. They said they were launching two more projects with Nissan. While one will manufacture powertrain, the other is a technology development company.

The State Industrial Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) has offered 380 acres at Pillaipakkam and another 150 acres for the vendors park at Pillaipakkam and in nearby areas. A memorandum of understanding is likely to be signed soon.

The new project would provide employment to nearly 13,000 people. It start rolling out commercial vehicles by 2010-2011. The plant will manufacture two lakh light commercial vehicles and one lakh medium-heavy commercial vehicles, ranging from two tonnes to 7.5 tonnes. The total investment is more than Rs. 4,000 crore, and Ashok Leyland will have a majority stake in the company.
Big win

“This is a big win for us. 2010 will become a landmark year for the State, as the auto majors will produce 18 lakh units a year, including car, bus and trucks. This is not the end of it; we are going to announce some more projects in the automobile sector within the next few days, and that would take the total production capacity to 20 lakh units a year,” an Industry Department official told The Hindu.

Last week, the government cleared seven foreign direct investment plans, with an investment potential of Rs. 10,000 crore.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081254100500.htm

Rasnaboy

August 12th, 2008, 05:50 AM

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
It is the 11th global delivery centre

Staff strength of the facility will soon be increased
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: Apollo Health Street, the healthcare outsourcing unit of the Apollo Hospitals Group, launched its Chennai office at Nungambakkam on Monday.

Located in a 7000-square foot office space in a complex on Valluvar Kottam High Road, the unit is the 11th global delivery centre of Apollo Health Street, managing director Sangita Reddy told reporters. “This facility is the realisation of a long-due promise we made to the people of Chennai, who have made the Apollo group what it is today. It is the first step towards building a significant presence for AHS in Chennai,” she said.

100 clients in U.S.

The staff strength of the facility will soon be increased to 100 from the present 75, according to Divya Sehgal, Chief Operations Officer. The $100-million company had more than 100 clients, primarily in the United States. It was growing at the rate of 25 per cent a year.

It has grown to be one of the top five companies offering end-to-end revenue cycle management services in the U.S.

The revenue cycle for a hospital refers to a set of processes that begins from when a physician sees a patient to cash coming into the account of the physician, including payment from health insurance schemes.

Ms. Reddy said Apollo Health Street was constructing its own facility on five acres at Siruseri. It would be operational in the next 24-36 months.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/12/stories/2008081254300500.htm

seaaur

August 12th, 2008, 09:08 AM

ferrari_fan

August 12th, 2008, 12:09 PM

Chennai airport modernisation work to begin in Sept

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...ow/3352930.cms

Chennai metro rail work to begin this October
Sunday August 10 2008 10:15 IST
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems...ennai&Topic=0&

wow - that's 2 huge bits of good news!!

c'mon people - be more excited!! where's the old SSC-I enthusiasm?!

lol..

:)

Subra

August 12th, 2008, 12:24 PM

Will these vehicles will be brought in as CBU or will it be manufactured totally in chennai?

It is an end-to-end manufacturing facility with investment of over 4000 crores.

Kingmaker

August 12th, 2008, 12:39 PM

wow - that's 2 huge bits of good news!!

c'mon people - be more excited!! where's the old SSC-I enthusiasm?!

lol..

:)

For the last few years, I am reading the the same news 'airport expansion to start soon'. There is no work going on ground. IIRC, I dont think the total land acquisition (ca. 1000 acres) is over, to build the parallel runway. I have no clue of what they want to achieve with just the new terminal without the parallel runway.

Rasnaboy

August 12th, 2008, 01:40 PM

wow - that's 2 huge bits of good news!!

c'mon people - be more excited!! where's the old SSC-I enthusiasm?!

lol..

:)

:cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1: :cheers1:

:cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

:dance: :dance: :dance:

:banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana: :banana:

:cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

arshyam

August 12th, 2008, 03:18 PM

Rasnaboy seems to be happy enough for all of us combined :)

I would like to see the CCEA and any other approval that is reqd. before rejoicing. This govt. does not look as solid as it seemed before...

Keeping my fingers crossed

Into_salem

August 12th, 2008, 04:09 PM

Will these vehicles will be brought in as CBU or will it be manufactured totally in chennai?

There is no specific mention on CBU and assembling. But by the news items it is going to 13,000 employees and it is going to manufacured. So, let us hope the proposed plant manufactures instead of assembling.

Indian Sun

August 12th, 2008, 07:21 PM

when i used the domestic airport this July 31st i saw some buiding being constructed just adjacent to the domestic terminal....but didnt look like it was the new planned one...

Subra

August 12th, 2008, 07:36 PM

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200808122121.htm

Chennai (PTI): Appreciating the "foresight" of policymakers of Tamil Nadu, to make the state an Asian automotive hub, a top official of Hyundai Motor India on Tuesday said that it "stood up" to various business parameters a prospective investor looked for.

H S Lheem, managing director of Hyundai, told a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) convention here that his company drove into the south Indian state due to its economic and political stability among others, in the 90s.

"Once we were convinced of the market potential in the country, we started looking at other parameters like political and economic stability, besides skilled workforce. Among states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu stood at the top of these parameters," he said.

And then on, there has been no looking back as the company has only expanded its present unit at Sriperumbudur, located near the city.

"The policies here are conducive for growth, with ample foresight given into them, which has stood the test of time," he said in an apparent reference to the fast-growing automotive industry in the state, that also boasts of big names like Ford and Mahindra and Mahindra, among others.

"Today Tamil Nadu is the first name that comes to the mind of a prospective foreign investor," he said, adding more multinational corporations from different business segments were now setting up shop here.

The workforce here was also an advantage, he added.

However, Lheem called for strengthening the infrastructure and said Sriperumbudur should be connected to Chennai Port by rail.

Hyundai serves 5400 employees and 50000 families, he said.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow!! For a change, Hyundai is appreciating TN govt. :)
Hope we can build on top of this relationship and get their 3rd plant some where in Chennai.

ramvaradan

August 12th, 2008, 09:53 PM

Whats the alignment of the proposed ECR Rail project Perungudi to Pondy ? Does it run on the sea side of the ECR uptil Mahabs ?

Subra

August 13th, 2008, 01:42 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai/2_corporations_okayed_for_suburbs_/articleshow/3358593.cms

CHENNAI: If residents of Chennai's burgeoning suburbs feel that being outside the city corporation's purview is depriving them of facilities like flyovers, good roads, clean streets, adequate drinking water and underground sewerage, they need not despair.

A government committee has recommended a far-reaching proposal to establish two more corporations flanking the city, comprising the northern and southern suburbs.

In a proposal aimed at giving a much-needed fillip to infrastructure and urban amenities in suburban areas, the panel has suggested the creation of the Chennai South (or Chennai Tambaram) and Chennai North (or Chennai Ambattur) corporations.

Top sources said the committee had submitted its report recently after wider consultations with various stakeholders. "We had initially thought of having a Greater Chennai like Greater Bangalore and Hyderabad. But given our experience, small areas are always good for better governance and planning and we opted for the latter," said a senior official.
The blueprint envisages bringing outlying areas in Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts that are administered by various municipalities, town panchayats and village panchayats under two large corporations.

Speaking to The Times of India, local administration minister M K Stalin said the government was actively considering the proposals.

"There is a pertinent need to create two more Corporations as the suburbs are crying out for better amenities. Unless they are brought under a bigger civic body, it would be difficult to cope with the growing infrastructural needs for better living and smooth traffic flow," he said.

Stalin, who was instrumental in upgrading Tirupur, Erode, Vellore and Tuticorin from municipalities into corporations, said the CM would take an appropriate decision before the next local body polls.

Rasnaboy

August 13th, 2008, 04:27 AM

It will be modelled on the National Library in Singapore

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/images/2008081351140501.jpg
ABSOLUTELY MODERN: A visual of the modern State library complex to be constructed at Kotturpuram.

CHENNAI: A new chapter will be written in Tamil Nadu’s literary history this Saturday.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will lay the foundation for a modern State library complex coming up adjacent to the Government Data Centre at Kotturpuram. “We are very excited, as this is the first function organised by the School Education Department that the Chief Minister will attend in these two years,” School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu said. Speaking to The Hindu on Tuesday, he said the library, to be modelled on the National Library in Singapore, would be modern in every sense. “From the design of the building to the shelves, furniture and acoustics, we are taking great care to ensure all facilities are of very high quality,” he said.

The government has chosen C.R. Narayana Rao Architects and Consultants as the architectural consultant. The construction is expected to be completed in one-and-a-half years, he said.

The Government issued an order in September 2007 to build a State library with modern facilities. The Revenue Department transferred eight acres to the School Education Department. Several designs and proposals came in for the government’s perusal before the architectural consultant was finalised.

The Local Library Authority and the government will plough funds in the ratio of 80:20. The architectural consultant has estimated that the project will require Rs.120 crore, excluding the cost of furniture and fittings, the architect fee and books.

Mr. Thennarasu said the library would have eight floors and a plinth area of 3,33,140 square feet. The ground floor, spanning nearly 35,000 square feet, will house a lobby, reception, the Braille and talking book section, two conference halls, the administrative wing’s office, a cyber café, the deposit counter and the security room.

“The first floor will have the reference area, children’s section, newspapers and periodicals section and a reading hall,” he said. The second floor will be dedicated to Tamil books, with a spacious reading area, while the third floor will have English books and a reading area. The fourth, fifth and sixth floors would largely have books in other Indian languages, back issues of journals and periodicals and government documents. The seventh will house the audio-video section, besides rare books, and the eighth floor will include the photo and digital libraries.

“In addition to the conference halls and the auditorium, the building will have an amphitheatre on the terrace. This space will be totally novel and fascinating,” he said. Food courts and scholars hostels are among the other attractions proposed.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081351140500.htm

greatchennai

August 13th, 2008, 10:16 AM

BANGALORE, INDIA, Aug 12, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas) -- Siemens AG (Munich, Germany) is gearing up to begin manufacturing radioactive pharmaceuticals, also known as radiopharmaceuticals, in India. The company has established a production facility in Chennai and plans to set up four or five more manufacturing plants in the country over the next two years with investments of $3 million to $4 million for each facility.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/siemens-manufacture-radiopharmaceuticals-india-industrial/story.aspx?guid=%7B5CA128E7-13D5-4E39-9FD1-5E0AF2EEDE0E%7D&dist=hppr

Rasnaboy

August 13th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Guys,
Did anybody visit Minister Stalin's web site and email him about some grievences?
It would be nice if he is invited to visit the Skyscrapercity chennai forums to get a feel of how and what the citizens feel about chennai. He is the local administration minister and I think this idea will be useful in solving the dumpyard and pollution problem in perungudi and its surroundings.

Even I thought about this sometime back, and I wrote to Mr.Stalin regarding the healthy discussions going on in our SSC forums. Hope he would soon visit our forums. Who knows, he might be here this moment discussing with us under a different pseudonym.:lol:

Into_salem

August 13th, 2008, 03:12 PM

Written by Ganesh
Wednesday, 13 August 2008
Robert Bosch Electrical Drives Pvt. Ltd. was inaugurated at Chennai

Chennai, August 13, 2008: Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt. Ltd., a 51: 49 joint venture between Robert Bosch Investment Nederland B.V. and Igarashi Motors India Limited, with a planned annual capacity of 3 million DC motors, was inaugurated today at Chennai. The Commercial production of motors for wiper system and window lift system will commence from September ’08. Additionally manufacturing of motors for engine cooling systems for automotive applications will commence from December ’08.

Among several senior executives representing many important customers, the event was graced by Mr. V. K. Viswanathan, Managing Director - Bosch Limited, Mr. Manfred Baden, Executive Vice President (Sales) - Bosch Electrical Drives division at Robert Bosch GmbH; Mr. Guenther Gauss, Executive Vice President (Manufacturing) - Bosch Electrical Drives division at Robert Bosch GmbH,Mr. Mukund, Managing Director - Igarashi Motors India Limited (IMIL).

Mr. V K Viswanathan said: “the green field start up manufacturing facility has been launched in a record time of 6 months since the incorporation of Bosch Electrical Drives in India. Bosch technology and marketing excellence combined with IMIL’s manufacturing strengths will provide an unbeatable competitive advantage in the Indian market.Bosch Electrical Drives Division will further look at expanding its footprint in Tamilnadu in future.

Mr. Manfred Baden – Chairman of Bosch Electrical Drives, India said, “Keeping customers demanding requirements of rapid localization, the company with the support of customers and its partners in India, Bosch Electrical Drives is now looking to widen its product portfolio in India by offering state-of-the-art products from Electrical Drives Division to the growing and technology conscious Indian car makers and consumers.” He further added, “The team in India is prepared to meet the stringent timeline to launch its operations and will strive to reach the expected levels of technology, quality and cost levels of the OE customers”.

http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1553&Itemid=2

Into_salem

August 13th, 2008, 03:13 PM

Written by Viswanath
Wednesday, 13 August 2008

ElectroMech expands its presence in Southern India

Pune: ElectroMech, the leading crane manufacturer in India, today announced its plans to launch its second facility in Chennai. The plant will accrue an investment of Rs. 10 crore, with a capacity to manufacture 200 cranes per year which can be upgraded to manufacture 500 cranes per year.

With India’s largest crane manufacturing facility at Pirangut (Pune), ElectroMech’s current manufacturing capacity is 2000 cranes annually and will boost up to 2500 cranes with the new state-of-the-art facility in Chennai.

This facility will be will be built on an area of around 8000 sq.m with a built up area of around 4000 sq.m and will manufacture various industrial cranes like single girder, double girder, stacker and goliath cranes. The project is scheduled to be completed in February 2009.

Commenting on the new manufacturing facility in Chennai, Mr. Tushar Mehendale, Managing Director, ElectroMech said, “Southern India is known to be a very important hub for manufacturing industry in India. Being in the heavy engineering industry, transportation costs are a major component of the total costs. In order to be closer to our customers and provide a more cost effective solution, we decided that it makes strategic sense to have a manufacturing base in southern India.”

He further added, “This facility is in line with ElectroMech’s vision of being a “Total Solutions Provider” combining global technology with local application in a cost effective manner and help boost our capacity by almost 10%”.

Currently ElectroMech has a large number of installations in South India and particularly in Chennai. ElectroMech caters to a number of clients in various sectors ranging from automobile ancillary industries, companies engaged in power sector, etc. A few notable installations in this part are Saint Gobain Glass in Sriperumbudur, Hansen in Coimbatore, a whole host of Korean automobile ancillaries situated around Sriperumbudur.

ElectroMech is a leading brand in engineering, manufacturing, and servicing Industrial, Overhead Cranes, Gantry Cranes, Electric wire rope hoists and customized material handling solutions. ElectroMech consults clients in all aspects from structural design to special attachments to create well-engineered hoisting and moving solutions. ElectroMech is constantly engaged in innovations to upgrade their products in order to match the current world class standards. ElectroMech has a partnership with ABUS Kranesysteme, the leading crane manufacturing brand from Germany. Today, ElectroMech ranks amongst one of the premier manufacturers of crane & hoists in the Indian sub-continent. In terms of volumes of industrial cranes manufactured annually, ElectroMech is the leader.

http://machinist.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1551&Itemid=2

Sunny78

August 13th, 2008, 04:48 PM

ELCOT Chennai SEZ (377 Acres)

http://img365.imageshack.us/img365/4130/chennailayoutsez1gd8.jpg

Fusionist

August 13th, 2008, 05:09 PM

It will be modelled on the National Library in Singapore

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/images/2008081351140501.jpg
[B]ABSOLUTELY MODERN: A visual of the modern State library complex to be constructed at Kotturpuram.

yet another hideous design for an iconic cultural building :(

The national library in Singapore looks like this btw..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/National_Library,_Singapore.JPG/450px-National_Library,_Singapore.JPG

futurebiz1

August 13th, 2008, 05:42 PM

Any updates on this beautifully designed IT park (http://www.indialand.net/gallery.htm).
Harish Fabiani, chairman, Americorp Group had said that the first tower of the India Land Technology Park in suburban Ambattur, currently under construction, would be ready for occupation by July (http://yahoo.indiaproperty.com/propertybytes/?p=2054).I know that it was in advanced stages of construction.What happened? Any idea about the occupants of this IT park Guys??

futurebiz1

August 13th, 2008, 05:49 PM

It will be modelled on the National Library in Singapore

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/images/2008081351140501.jpg
ABSOLUTELY MODERN: A visual of the modern State library complex to be constructed at Kotturpuram.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081351140500.htm

yet another hideous design for an iconic cultural building :(

The national library in Singapore looks like this btw..

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/National_Library,_Singapore.JPG/450px-National_Library,_Singapore.JPG

I would say that going by our(Chennai) very high design standards, this Library does look good enough to me.
Anyway, the thing that would matter is the quality of the reading area and the books inside. It is indeed very thoughtful of TN govt to built a public library.Very unusual to see our politicians thinking of such good things.

Sunny78

August 13th, 2008, 07:22 PM

I would say that going by our(Chennai) very high design standards, this Library does look good enough to me.
Anyway, the thing that would matter is the quality of the reading area and the books inside. It is indeed very thoughtful of TN govt to built a public library.Very unusual to see our politicians thinking of such good things.

When I was a small kid, I used to regularly visit a local public library in my street. They had very good collection of books, mostly in tamil. During 1992 worldcup in Aus, I used to read various newspapers everyday to note down cricket scores. I think TN governments maintain all these public utilities very well.

Recently I went to my native village near Vellore, I was surprised at how neatly the primary health centers and government schools were maintained. They are all neatly white washed, clean looking and landscaped with greenary. I could even spot a decent looking school bus on my way. There were also painted messages everywhere in the village about cleanliness, hygiene, etc...

I think TN government schemes like "Anna marumalarchi thittam" and "namakku naamae" are very successful in grassroot levels. People living in Chennai and other big cities may not know about all these progressive works taking place in rural areas. You have to see for yourself to believe what I say.

Basically I'm suggesting that public utilities are not as bad as what we think.

Rasnaboy

August 13th, 2008, 08:32 PM

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/22/National_Library,_Singapore.JPG/450px-National_Library,_Singapore.JPGhttp://www.hindu.com/2008/08/13/images/2008081351140501.jpg

Comparing these two, our Chennai library looks so small and squeezed out... Just like a dead frog in a national highway crushed under a lorry tyre...:lol:

futurebiz1

August 13th, 2008, 08:43 PM

When I was a small kid, I used to regularly visit a local public library in my street. They had very good collection of books, mostly in tamil. During 1992 worldcup in Aus, I used to read various newspapers everyday to note down cricket scores. I think TN governments maintain all these public utilities very well.

Recently I went to my native village near Vellore, I was surprised at how neatly the primary health centers and government schools were maintained. They are all neatly white washed, clean looking and landscaped with greenary. I could even spot a decent looking school bus on my way. There were also painted messages everywhere in the village about cleanliness, hygiene, etc...

I think TN government schemes like "Anna marumalarchi thittam" and "namakku naamae" are very successful in grassroot levels. People living in Chennai and other big cities may not know about all these progressive works taking place in rural areas. You have to see for yourself to believe what I say.

Basically I'm suggesting that public utilities are not as bad as what we think.

Compared to other Indian states, Tamilnadu is very good in taking care of small towns and villages. Basic infra like roads, Power, hospitals in Tamilnadu villages is a lot better compared to that in villages in other Indian states. I really admire all the (past and present) TN Govts. for this.

Arasu

August 13th, 2008, 09:05 PM

I wish the government extended the library building scheme to all the districs and taluks - obviously not in the same scale but smaller versions of it. It will develop foster the knowledge society that the TN government is planning to foster.

I also remember reading a few Chandilyan's historic novels that my uncle used to borrow from our local library in my home town. That was housed in a small old building and was always crowded. If the government can build nice and big libraries in the district and taluk headquarters, it will go a long way in spreading education and information in the state.

I feel jealous when I look at nice libraries in small towns in the US. At one place, they even used to have a mobile library - a small bus - that would visiting every street to distribute books and collect them back.

Fusionist

August 13th, 2008, 09:52 PM

^^ thats an interesting view. Yes libraries need to be taken to the people. I would wish rapid digitalisation of literary work and moving into e-books would be a better idea. Libraries need to be built in each thaluk, but rather than investing lot on buying physical books, each of the town libraries should allocate atleast half the fund on creating an e-library section with about 20 computers each ? and an intra-net facility that allows visitors to read just about any book that is present in the Central Library in Chennai. This way there is cost reduction but at the same time people will have better accebility from thier own towns to get the facilities that are available in Chennai. Chennai library itself should link tup with other Indian and foreign libraries and have an network facility for people to access books from all across the world from the library's internet/network facilities.

Anyways, lets move away from such visions, as this thread is about projects... I still would think Chennai needed a better looking library. Libraries are cultural centres, places of art and history, along with learning... it needs some imaginative and abstract design, not a regular box. The present design looks like a squashed downIT firm, no imagination, cutural influence what so ever.

Here are some interesting iconic libraries from around the world..

royal Library of Denmark
http://jeremycripps.com/images/denmark2.jpg

seattle Public library
http://static.flickr.com/100/302291219_5ba65a9bec.jpg

Barcelona Library
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/120/291461984_e97c8f0df3.jpg?v=0

Salt Lake city
http://blog.aia.org/mt-static/plugins/Ajaxify/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/plugins/imagemanager/images/favorite_architecture_images/109_salt_lake_public_library_600_x_460.jpg

not sure wehre..
http://www.chicagoreader.com/features/blogs/pix/library.jpg

R2IChennai

August 13th, 2008, 10:55 PM

I totally agree fusionist, This building is not iconic for 25million$ can do better this

Subra

August 14th, 2008, 01:45 AM

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/14/stories/2008081457930100.htm

CHENNAI: Work on a multi-storied manufacturing complex for micro industries at Ekkattuthangal will start soon, according to chairman and managing director of the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO), D. Rajendran.

The ‘flatted complex,’ promised in the government’s Micro, Small, Medium Industries (MSMI) policy, will come up on 1.21 acres and consist of 240 built-up modules over four floors, according to a SIDCO proposal. Each module will have an area of 400-600 sqft, he said.

The project proposal, sent by the SIDCO for the government’s approval, is being looked at by the Small Industries and the Finance departments, said P. Selvam, secretary, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises department.

The final orders would be issued soon after working out details of the cost.

SIDCO has suggested a price of Rs.3,500 a sqft, which would amount to a considerable subsidy when compared to market prices, Mr. Rajendran said.

The flats would be offered on outright sale with loans made available through a consortium of banks, including the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), the Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment Corporation (TIIC) and others.

This move will come as a boon for the nearly 1,200 micro industries in Ekkattuthangal.

A survey by Tamil Nadu Small and Tiny Industries Association (TANSTIA) last year had found that 1,016 units were functioning from cramped quarters in an area of five acres.

“These units provide employment to over 5,000 people, but still they are neglected. The building of the flatted complex will act as a good first step in promoting the welfare of the micro industries sector,” A. Shanmugavelayuthan, president, TANSTIA, said.

As part of the MSMI policy, flatted complexes will also be taken up at Ambattur, Perungudi, Thirumazhisai etc.

Rasnaboy

August 14th, 2008, 04:19 AM

^^Statistics

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/14/images/2008081457930101.jpg

Into_salem

August 14th, 2008, 11:33 AM

Govt approves Chennai airport modernisation

NEW DELHI: The Government approves Rs 1,808 crore modernisation and expansion of Chennai airport. - PTI

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/blnus/09141420.htm

Modernisation of Kolkata, Chennai airports cleared

From PTI...

New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) The modernisation projects for airports at Chennai and Kolkata was approved by the government today at a cost of over Rs 3,750 crore and the work is likely to be completed within three years.
As desired by the state governments led by DMK in Tamil Nadu and the Left Front in West Bengal, the entire modernisation and expansion activities would be undertaken by state-run Airports Authority of India, which would also retain ownership of the two airports.

"The AAI can create these two airports into models and compete with the private sector to develop world-class airports. They can even compete in the international arena," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters here after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the projects.

While the Kolkata airport would be developed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,942.51 crore, the one at Chennai would cost Rs 1,808 crore. The Kolkata project would be completed in 30 months of the award of the contract and the one at Chennai within 26 months.

Both the projects envisage large investments and would be completed in a time-bound manner, Patel said, adding that the upgraded airports would cater to the needs of Kolkata and Chennai for the next two decades.

After completion, the two airports will be on par with those at Delhi and Mumbai. The issues of additional land for expansion plans of the two have been sorted out by both the state governments, he said. (More) PTI

http://www.ptinews.com/pti/ptisite.nsf/all/1A5655BEF0E9508C652574A500321EA5?Opendocument

ramvaradan

August 14th, 2008, 05:30 PM

Does the corp. merger announcement mean that DTCP for the Kovalam/Kelambakkam area would then come under the new Chennai South corporations rather than Chengelpet (Kanchipuram) DTCP ?

vijayvmail

August 14th, 2008, 07:09 PM

greatchennai

August 15th, 2008, 10:35 AM

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/india-jbm-auto-building-three/story.aspx?guid=%7BD58D2A44-E28B-4E70-B0D3-65CF0F6850F3%7D&dist=msr_1

JBM has also formed a joint venture with Ashok Leyland, India's second-biggest truck and bus maker by sales, to supply body panels for truck cabins.
The trucks will be introduced by the end of next year at a new factory by Ashok Leyland at Pantnagar, in the northern Uttarakhand state.
JBM will invest about INR650 million to build its facility. Construction of the plant will start by August and is expected to be completed within 15-18 months.
JBM will also set up a facility in the port city of Chennai to supply parts to the Renault-Nissan joint venture for their cars.
Construction of the plant will start by the end of this year and is expected to be completed in the next 15-18 months, the release said.
"Along with all the joint ventures, the revenue will cross INR10 billion in the next three years, but for only JBM Auto, we expect INR8 billion," said S. K. Arya, Chairman of JBM group.

arshyam

August 15th, 2008, 06:10 PM

Does the corp. merger announcement mean that DTCP for the Kovalam/Kelambakkam area would then come under the new Chennai South corporations rather than Chengelpet (Kanchipuram) DTCP ?

What is DTCP?

wcgokul

August 15th, 2008, 06:26 PM

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

ramvaradan

August 15th, 2008, 07:52 PM

What is DTCP?

Dept. of Town & Country Planning

Thats the authority that gives the planning approval for the building and the layout approvals.

Right now, all the areas uptil Uthandi on ECR come under CMDA Chennai.
But beyond Uthandi on ECR, the DTCP falls under the Kancheepuram District's Chengelpet DTCP authroity. They are pain in the bu*** to deal with. They have huge ledgers that they maintain and stare like deer on headlights if we ask any valid questions. They needed my family "background" to answer
questions.

arshyam

August 16th, 2008, 05:53 PM

Needless to say, they had cobwebs all over the office, and not a single modern computer? :lol:

Into_salem

August 17th, 2008, 02:26 AM

http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/6603/170804kz8.jpg

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 05:50 AM

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=432528&disdate=8/17/2008&advt=2

News says that Double decker Circular freeway bridges - two are going to be built in Chennai city to reduce traffice congestion.

Lower bridge - Light Vechicle movements

Upper bridge - Heavy vechicles

--------

First Bridge - Starting from Ennore -Manali - Vayasarbadi - Vepery - park town - triplicane - light house - santhome - adyar basin - adyar - ekkattuthangal - ramapuram - porur - chennai bypass - IRR - Manali

Second bridge -

Triplicane - mylapore - kotturpuram -saidapet - t nagar - nungambak - egmore - kathipara - koyambedu + other main places
---

Apart from these, there are 5 other circular flyover going to be built in chennai.

Built by NHAI, State highways, Urban development depts.
Happy to read this news, but it should be materilised..when n how?

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 05:58 AM

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=432557&disdate=8/17/2008&advt=2

India Largest Cinema Studio going to be built in Old Mahabs Road, Chennai.:banana::banana:

Cost : 100 crs

Area : 12 acres

With 14 big A/C halls.

construction start : next month - will be over in 8 months time period

Hi tech facilities:

massage parlours

Gym

restrautants

Settings

Dubbing theatres

250 seater mini theatre

70 make up rooms

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 06:13 AM

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/374/cm01az8.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5071/ms09pi9.jpg

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 06:47 AM

By Venkatachari Jagannathan, Chennai, Aug 16 : Sun Direct TV Pvt Ltd, a leading direct-to-home (DTH) service provider in south India, is set to replicate the success story in the other parts of the country.

"In 45 days, the company will start its service first in Assam, Orissa and West Bengal. We will then go to Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and others," Sun Direct chief operating officer Tony D'Silva told IANS.

At a time when DTH service rates were perched high, the 80:20 joint venture between the Kalanidhi Maran family and the Astro Group of Malaysia brought it down through innovative packaging in southern India.

In 200 days, Sun Direct zoomed to touch one million subscriber number offering a DTH connection for Rs.1,999 (Rs.1,000 one time installation charge and Rs.999 as annual subscription) for all popular channels.

It offered the set-top-box, dish antenna and other customer premise equipment free when its competitors sold or rented them.

Sun Direct also adopted the advanced MPEG4 technology offering better compression and signal quality while Tata Sky and Dish TV are still on MPEG2 technology.

"We add around 200,000 subscribers per month in the south and the target is three million by the end of this fiscal. Our customer-base is more than the combined numbers of Tata Sky and Dish TV in the south," D'Silva said.

"We hope to break even in four years subject to the changes in the regulations and the behaviour of US dollar as hardware are imported," he added.

Listing out Sun Direct's success elements D'Silva said: "Packaging, pricing and distribution are the three major challenges in this business. Cracking that will get you going."

The first two elements depend on understanding the viewer preferences.

"Nearly 70 percent of the television viewership is for regional content and Doordharshan is strong in many places. Secondly, the distributor should be near the customer. With 300 distributors in south our network is very intensive," he said.

Though he did not talk about the customer acquisition costs for the company - for Dish TV it is around Rs.2,600 - D'Silva said the model is viable as the company is a volume player.

"The average revenue per user (ARPU) is Rs.999 for us now as most of our subscribers are under the basic package. We expect 30-35 percent of the subscribers to opt for add on packages and when value-added services like movie on demand, gaming and others are offered the ARPU will go up," he said.

Though brand awareness may be lower for the company outside the southern states Sun Direct has a slight viewership advantage.

"There are more south Indians in north India than north Indians in the south," he remarked.

He hopes to get more bang for the Rs.1 billion that Sun Direct plans to spend on promotion.

Sun Direct is also in the process of setting up a call centre in Delhi to handle subscriber calls. It has a 400-seat call centre in Chennai.

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-12453.html

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 06:50 AM

CHENNAI: The city police is moving out of its red-walled stations to reach out to the public through mobile police stations.

The first such station, launched by city police commissioner R Sekar at Anna Nagar on Saturday, also aims at projecting a proactive image of the police force.

Henceforth, complainants do not need to go to the police stations with their grievances. Instead, the police will come to their doorstep.

Flagging off the novel venture, Sekar said all nine police districts in the city would soon have one mobile station each. They will go around and receive complaints from the public between 6 am and 8 pm.

Set up in a van, the station - with one sub-inspector and 10 policemen - will carry out all the functions of a conventional police station, and will be under the direct control of the Anna Nagar deputy commissioner of police.

The station has a computer, a fax machine, a printer and GPS. It will also provide paper and pen to complainants to write down their petitions.

"It will be especially useful to the elderly and women, who find it difficult to come to a police station. We will initiate immediate action on complaints received through the mobile stations," Sekar said.

Farida Begum, a resident of Arumbakkam, was the first complainant.

She said Suresh, a resident of Red Hills, had cheated her after taking Rs 50,000 for a land deal. Whenever she asked him for the money, he threatened her, she said. The complaint was immediately registered.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Anna_Nagar_gets_mobile_police_station_8_more_soon/articleshow/3372262.cms

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 06:52 AM

CHENNAI: The state government is said to be considering four-laning of the East Coast Road, besides taking other measures, following a study done by the highways department on the spate of accidents on the highway.

The widening is being seen as one way to bring down the number of fatal accidents that take place on the road almost on a regular basis. According to sources, the government is in the process of finding a consultant who would look into the feasibility of the widening project.

According to a senior highways department official, the government would accord due prominence to environmental concerns while taking up the project.

The study - commissioned by the government in 2006 when as many as 95 people were killed and 382 injured on this road that year - was carried out by the traffic laboratory of the Highway Research Station at a cost of Rs 15 lakh. In 2005, according to the study, as many as 311 accidents occurred between Thiruvanmiyur signal and Muttukkadu and 48 of them were fatal.

The study, which covered the stretch from Thiruvanmiyur to Kovalam, said over-speeding is the major reason behind the accidents on the median-less highway. The sharp and improper curves and lack of visibility are the other reasons for the high number of accidents. But it is the absence of a median that makes speeding vehicles prone to head-on collisions.

While varying width of the carriage-way is a major cause of accidents within city limits, lack of geometrical standards in the curves, which are sharp and acute, and drunken driving, bus stops without bays and intersections without proper sight distance are the reasons outside the city limits.

Straight stretches with unobstructed vision also contributed to accidents, so did the varying speed-limit boards along the stretch, the study said.

Recalling litigations in the Madras High Court over cutting of trees on the stretch for widening the road a decade ago, a senior highways department engineer said the sharp curves could have been avoided if the department had been allowed to proceed as per their plan as in the case of four-lane and six-lane projects taken up by NHAI in recent years.

The study has also blamed the sudden constriction of the carriage-way at major bridges, where the embankment of the approaches narrow down the road. It cited Muttukadu, Kovalam and Illayanarkuppam bridges as examples. It also said that within the city limits, bus stops at important locations lack bay provisions, resulting in the obstruction of the road, causing congestion.

The study recommends construction of medians at least on acute curves so that outgoing and oncoming traffic could be segregated. It also called for pruning of branches of trees at important curves such as Panaiyur and strict regulation of the speed of vehicles.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/ECR_may_be_widened_to_prevent_accidents/articleshow/3369830.cms

vijayvmail

August 17th, 2008, 04:02 PM

Raj_network

August 17th, 2008, 08:25 PM

^^

Read the news carefully, this is not link with brts. This is freeways..

vijayvmail

August 18th, 2008, 06:51 AM

^^

Read the news carefully, this is not link with brts. This is freeways..

The tamil news artcile sourced here just specifies the roads as "two levelled circular roads". I don't know how they will denote a freeway in Tamil.

This is also supposed to be on the banks of rivers and canals. The length is 120km which is the approximate length specified for BRTS also.

That's why I wondered if this is just another version of the BRTS plan.

Into_salem

August 18th, 2008, 08:13 AM

CHENNAI: Central railway station is bursting at its seams. The number of trains and passengers far exceeds the capacity of the building and also the railway lines.

Southern Railway has finalised an over Rs 600-crore expansion plan to build a separate terminal on the west side of the Moore Market Complex (MMC) and to realign the railway tracks which would prevent cross-movement of upcountry and suburban trains.

But now the project is mired in a legal tangle as the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA) have dragged the railways to court over its plan to redevelop railway stations across the country. The architects' grouse is that the project size is such that only foreign firms would be able to bid for it.

A writ petition filed by R Ramraj, the then chairman of IIA Tamil Nadu Chapter, has also stated that no architect other than those registered with the Council of Architecture should be allowed to practise the profession in India.

Ramaraj said that Southern Railway is yet to file a counter to the case. The case has been referred to the chief justice who should allot it to a judge.

"We decided to challenge the redevelopment of stations because the eligibility criteria set by railways cannot be met by any of the architects in the country. The norms say that the architect should already have done a Rs 100-crore railway project and also should have received Rs 1 crore as fee. But, the railways has never planned such a huge project anywhere and hence Indian architects cannot even apply. And foreign architects are not eligible to work in India if they are not registered with the Council of Architects," said Ramaraj.

Senior railway officials said that the Rs 600-crore plan got stalled because it got linked with a central plan to upgrade all major railway destinations, thereby increasing its budget. This means that passengers will have to wait further before they could get to experience world class facilities at Chennai Central.

Southern Railway had planned to retain the heritage structure and build a new complex to the west side of the existing MMC to receive mainline trains and suburban trains from the Arakonam and Gudur sections.

"The basic idea behind the grand plan that will be implemented in three phases, is to eliminate the crossing of trains. Usually, trains from Gudur side and mainline trains cross just after Basin Bridge train care centre. So we are planning to split the suburban lines and bring them to the two ends of the proposed new station. The line from Gudur will be realigned and brought to the east end of the terminal, while the line from Arakonam will be brought to the west end. The mainline will run in between the two dedicated suburban tracks," said a senior railway official.

This will make the current MMC the hub for passenger movement while the existing heritage station will be retained. "It will be used to receive long distance trains. But, at a later date there is also a plan to bring in all trains from Gudur into the existing station," the official added.

Southern Railway chief public relations officer Neenu Ittyerah said that the expansion plan will be on hold till the case is resolved.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Railway_expansion_plan_stuck_in_court/articleshow/3375005.cms

Tranquil

August 18th, 2008, 10:08 AM

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=432557&disdate=8/17/2008&advt=2
India Largest Cinema Studio going to be built in Old Mahabs Road, Chennai.:banana::banana:
Cost : 100 crs
Area : 12 acres
With 14 big A/C halls.
construction start : next month - will be over in 8 months time period
Hi tech facilities:
massage parlours
Gym
restrautants
Settings
Dubbing theatres
250 seater mini theatre
70 make up rooms

Do you have any idea as to where exactly the location is please ?
.
.

Raj_network

August 18th, 2008, 05:45 PM

^^^^
Cinematographer Nirav Shah who worked his magic in films like Arindhum Ariyamalum, Pattiyal, Billa, Pokkiri, Oram Po, Dhoom, and Dhoom 2 will soon build India’s biggest film studio. This film studio will be equipped with all available futuristic technologies. Nirav Shah has zeroed in on a 12-acre land off the Old Mahabalipuram Road. He also has plans to buy the nearby 8-acre plot when he expands this studio.

This state-of-the-art film studio will contain the following facilities:

Fourteen capacious A.C. halls: Film shootings held here will be saved from the hassles of providing lighting as the hall is equipped with necessary lighting paraphernalia, which will provide the desired lighting. And Nirav Shah is best-qualified to design this type of hall as he is one of the industry’s best cameramen. Any type of set may be erected here since the halls will be equipped with all that is needed for erecting sets or holding film shooting which involves cables. Of the 14 halls, two will be remarkably capacious with areas of 27,000 sq. ft and 13,000 sq. ft. All the 14 halls will have offices equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure for directors and producers.

Sound recording theatre: Extremely modern sound recording theatre equipped with imported futuristic sound recording and mixing apparatus, which will eliminate the need to go to foreign acoustic labs for such facilities.

Air-conditioning: The entire studio will be air-conditioned with state-of-the-art air conditioning machines, to ensure that not even a mote of dust enters the studio.

Makeup rooms: The studio will have 70 makeup rooms with excellent storage for makeup products and having all the latest facilities. Each makeup room will include a massage bench for tired stars to unwind.

Gym: A gym equipped with the best fitness equipment in the world for the actors to work out during their free time.

Dining hall: A large hall that can seat 500 people, which can be used by the film crew to dine. The same hall can also be used for holding parties, functions, movie launches, etc.

Theatre: A theatre with ultra-modern projector and sound system, with seating capacity for 250 people.

Laundry: A well-equipped and large laundry that can clean and ready overnight the costumes worn by the entire film crew.

Sanitation: The studio will be kept squeaky clean by the studio staff. The toilets of the studio, besides having auto-clean and auto-flush system, will also have automatic self-cleaning system that will operate every 10 minutes.

Security: A tight security system that cordons off the studio for outsiders will be provided by the studio.

There is no doubt that this studio, built at a cost of Rs. 100 crores, will become one of the best film studios in the world. The studio has been designed by Mr. Sasikanth of Space Scape. Construction work will begin next month and is to be completed in 8 months. The studio will be inaugurated in June 2009 and will be available for service from July 2009. This studio will definitely make Chennai the hub of filmmaking in India.

http://www.tamilmegatube.com/cinema/?p=4733

nsantha2

August 19th, 2008, 04:32 AM

greatchennai

August 19th, 2008, 10:43 AM

http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBOM2796020080819

PVP Ventures to invest 40 bln rupees in power projects
Tue Aug 19, 2008 1:11pm IST Email | Print | Share| Single Page[-] Text [+] MUMBAI, Aug 19 (Reuters) - PVP Ventures Ltd (PVPV.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) said it plans to invest 40 billion rupees to set up power projects in the next 12-18 months, with the proposed merger of Malaxmi Energy ventures with itself.

Malaxmi Energy owns 50 per cent in Navabharat Power Pvt Ltd and 26 per cent in Simhapuri Energy Pvt Ltd. With the merger, these power projects would come under a subsidiary, PVP Malaxmi Energy Ventures, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

PVP Malaxmi Energy would look at setting up power projects having a capacity of 8,000 Megawatts, to be implemented in the next 5-7 years.

PVP Ventures said it expects over 20 billion rupees in revenue over a period of 5 years from a 70-acre township it was implementing in Chennai, jointly with Arihant Foundations (ARFL.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) and Unitech (UNTE.BO: Quote, Profile, Research).

The firm plans to utilise this amount on the power projects.

Funds would also be sourced by special purpose vehicles and through strategic financing,it added. (Reporting by Aniruddha Basu; Editing by Prem Udayabhanu)

Subra

August 19th, 2008, 12:35 PM

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/technology/news/e3ie2e24571645310cba6f053c020f09570

Ken Creative Studio, the production arm of Bangalore-headquartered Ken Group, is the next studio with offices in the U.S. and India to be positioned for growth.

Jack Olesker, recently named president of the studio, is embarking on a plan to expand the business by developing original animated feature films and television series for distribution in the U.S. and internationally.

Ken Creative's base in Chennai, India, houses the company's animation unit, which employs 95 animators. Olesker expects that number to reach 200 by year's end.

Ken is in production on animated feature "Ninja Knights: When Warrior Worlds Collide," written, produced and directed by Olesker. The film is seeking a distributor. The studio also is in postproduction on TV pilot "Hip Hop Fables," which carries a $10 million budget.

Olesker's long-term plan includes the development of a stable of writers and directors in India.

Into_salem

August 19th, 2008, 12:59 PM

Government to take PPP route for cruise tourism

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

The Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways is planning to develop infrastructures at major ports for cruise shipping, through PPP mode. The decision comes in the wake of the Union Cabinet's approval of the Cruise Shipping Policy of India.

The policy, will not only boost infrastructure prospects but also have attractive tax concessions for cruise ship operators. To facilitate immigration, it will be ensured that immigration formalities are completed in less than an hour from cruise passengers disembarking from the ship. With these measures the government hopes to increase cruise passenger landings to one million by 2010 from under 1,00,000 currently.

As part of the cruise shipping development programme, the shipping ministry will develop Chennai, Mumbai, Goa and Cochin ports initially, followed by ports in New Mangalore, Marmugao, Kolkata, Andaman and Nicobar and Tuticorin in the next 3-4 years.

The Cabinet is also likely to approve three more waterways as national waterways, which will further boost cruise tourism. Currently there are three national waterways in the country.

http://www.projectstoday.com/newsr.asp?newsid=22992&dsp=ts

Keeran

August 20th, 2008, 03:04 AM

Into_salem

August 20th, 2008, 04:48 AM

“Chennai’s problems need holistic solution”

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A holistic solution is required to solve the problems Chennai will face in the future, G.R.K. Reddy, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry-Chennai zone, said on Tuesday.

A public-private partnership model is the only sustainable solution, he said.

Mr. Reddy released figures from a study on ‘Chennai Version 3.0,’ saying the key areas of focus would be reduction of population density, creation of skilled human capital, provision of hygienic living conditions and optimal management of wetland and dry land to develop both agriculture and infrastructure.

Chennai 3.0 would include an area of 5,000 sq. km. and would be a $150-billion self-sustaining economy by 2025, according to the plan. It would also require the participation of the public, policymakers, and the private sector, Gayathri Sriram, vice-chairperson, CII-Chennai Zone, said.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/20/stories/2008082060511200.htm

kannan infratech

August 20th, 2008, 09:53 AM

Into Salem’s post has alerted the forum to a disaster. What a dismal spectacle to see a wonderful project stalled. A separate terminal of Rs 6 billion, to benefit millions for a century or more stands stymied. By whom? An inveterate litigant. For what end? For the the dubious pleasure of negative achievement. Also to serve a particularist vested interest. How well Purananuru advised humanity-“Even if you can’t do good, refrain from doing evil.” “Nallavai seithal atteer aayinum allavai seithal ompumin”

The purported reason for legal action is to invoke judicial intervention to rule that only Indian architects can design for India. If there is merit in this stance, the client department would not have thought otherwise. Instead, the department in its wisdom decided that a project of this magnitude required foreign expertise. It’s right is inviolable.

No architect other than one registered with the IIA can practice the profession is the plea. This is a hangover from the license control raj which kept India in thrall. At a time of forward movement, the dynamics have changed. Swami Vivekananda said that India started degenerating when she coined the word milechcha to vilify foreigners as barbarians. It implied that a wise India had nothing to learn from foreigners. His message was that instead of being insular, India should get the best from any part of the world.

It is the duty of the court to interpret the law. It is the task of the government to change it.

Though I share the substance and agony with you, I want you to know the reality so that the issue is seen in a right perspective.

The Indian Institute of Architects (Archts Association) is an independent body and is authorised to conduct the entrance examns for the candidtaes who want to join any B.Arch course anywhere in India. This is on the lines of IIT JEE or CAT.

They are also authorised to conduct competitions for design for all public buildings in India. IIA is at par with Indian Medical Council in settling any technical disputes and is the supreme authority in matters concerning Architecture & design.

The above mentioned Railway project is a public project and was supposed to be routed through the global competition conducted by the IIA.

It has become a new practice by all the Govt depts to approach consultants and architects directly and the pre qualification norms are fixed to favour a chosen one.

As far as there is transparency and the selection is done on pure merit, there is no problem. But unfortunately, it is not there.

Subra

August 20th, 2008, 09:38 PM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=331988

Germany-based OBO Bettermann is planning to set up a manufacturing facility through its new subsidiary company OBO Bettermann India Private Limited in Chennai. The initial investment would be around Rs 15 crore. The company is into conducting electricity, routing data and controlling energy segments.

S Gopakumar, managing director, OBO Bettermann India, told reporters the company would commence production from its temporary facility in Velacherry early next month and soon move to the new facility around Sriperumandur.

To start with, the company will focus on lighting production, and under floor trucking. It is targeting a turnover of Rs 30 crore in the first year.

Subra

August 21st, 2008, 12:21 PM

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Healthcare__Biotech/Hindustan_Latex_to_manufacture_medical_devices/articleshow/3389460.cms

NEW DELHI: Condom major Hindustan Latex Limited (HLL) Thursday announced it will set up a MediPark near Chennai to manufacture diagnostic devices to boost the Rs.25 billion medical devices market. HLL, which operates under the health ministry, signed an agreement with Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) for the purpose. Health Secretary Naresh Dayal was present on the occasion.

The MediPark being set up by HLL will be a world-class production facility for the manufacture of medical devices, medical equipments and medical diagnostics spread over 330 acres at Chengalpet, near Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. It will comprise state-of-art infrastructure for the production of these devices, with a view to achieving self-reliance in the area of healthcare commodities.

The facility is conceived as a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) and would have common facilities such as sterilisation centre, testing and quality control facilities, waste disposal facility and logistics hub. The project outlay for infrastructure development alone is expected to be around Rs.1 billion.

HLL has appointed NNE Pharmaplan India Ltd, a leading engineering and consultancy service organization for biotechnology industries, as the Project Consultant for setting up the Integrated Vaccine Complex.

Dayal said growing demand from pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors in India, the medical devices and equipment industry is witnessing a vibrant growth with an estimated market turnover of Rs.25 billion and is projected to grow at 15 percent annually.

IL&FS, the project consultant for the project, is a leader in developing industrial clusters on public-private partnership. The company would identify the prospective investors, structure the project and provide engineering and financial services to the project.

Subra

August 21st, 2008, 09:03 PM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=332103

Chennai enjoys a leading position in the services industry today primarily by virtue of its services mindset. The city's vibrant entrepreneurial culture has been brilliantly complemented by an unrelenting focus on consistent quality, superior customer experience and sustainable operating models.

Chennai is an epitome of Tamil Nadu’s transformation from a primary-producing economy to a services behemoth, powered by software, entertainment, news and media, trucking, food services, banking, accounting, architecture, construction, industrial design, education, health care and organised retailing.

The other key strength of Chennai that has facilitated the growth of the services industry is the city’s evolved education infrastructure.

Apart from high-quality education, it has a good number of engineering, arts and science colleges, and polytechnics, and a high enrolment ratio in higher education.

The services sector here, much like the manufacturing sector, is not just attracting the best talent from around the country, but also drawing MNCs and investors on account of its large pool of educated and disciplined workforce.

Chennai also provides an expedient growth ecosystem. Like any other industry, the services industry too is not an island unto itself.

Blessed with the alignment of industries such as IT, automotive, healthcare, textile, financial services, leather, hardware, semiconductor and telecom, Chennai is well-poised to harness the heterogeneity that lends this growth ecosystem its value, and capitalise upon the power of synergy resulting in new ideas and innovative approaches.

A recent Nasscom-A T Kearney study on location road map for IT-BPO growth named Chennai a ‘Leader Location’. Interestingly, according to the same study, Tamil Nadu is the only state in the country that can boast of the maximum number of potential locations—Coimbatore, Trichy and Madurai named ‘Challenger’ locations and Salem a ‘Follower’ location.

Indeed, growth comes with its attendant challenges. Chennai needs proactive measures to manage growth effectively. One key risk posed by growth is that of an overstressed system. It is important for infrastructure growth to keep pace with the growth of the industry. Sustained investment in augmenting infrastructure such as roads, water, power and realty will help the industry to expand.

The city also needs to work more aggressively towards improving the quality of life, and increasing inclusivity to accommodate the demographic diversity that growth will accompany. People-dependent growth raises the risk of diluting service levels, culture and the appetite for taking risks.

Heady growth can force a compromise on long-term value creation for short-term gains. Growth needs to become a means to a larger end. It cannot afford to become an end in itself.

(The author is vice-chairman of Nasdaq-listed IT services company Cognizant Technology Solutions)

senthil2001msk

August 22nd, 2008, 04:23 PM

http://www.ibnlive.com/conversations/topic/71851-1-7

venkatm

August 22nd, 2008, 08:44 PM

A huge mall in Velachery.....

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082351820200.htm

chennaimetroblogs

August 22nd, 2008, 11:23 PM

A huge mall in Velachery.....

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082351820200.htm

I think this land is right at the bye pass junction opposite sai sanada.. any idea what is happening the RANE land which got sold for 55 Crores last year ???

chennaimetroblogs

August 22nd, 2008, 11:30 PM

http://www.thephoenixmills.com/retail-market-city-chennai-walk-through.asp

Market City , Chennai - located at Velachery with approximately 2.40 million square foot (including 0.45 million square foot of parking) of developable area.

In addition to the usual Market City components, Market City Chennai is expected to include an IT park.

Velachery is fast emerging as a commercial and retail destination owing to the proximity to the airport and established IT parks, like Tidal IT Park, Elnet Software Park etc

Catchment areas are old Mahabalipuram road (IT area), Guindy (IT sector and our site faces Guindy National Park, a tourist destination), race course, Adambakkam (residential), Mount Road, city centre (high street retail shops), Adyar (residential and upcoming retail zone, proximity to IT park), Koramangala Nungambakkam (up-market high street retail showroom). The hotel component on our development will attract corporate clientele visiting Chennai.

Market City Chennai will have additional special elements hence that will be highlight of our development. The strategy is to achieve maximum rental through placement of right zoning and right tenant mix. We have identified the space for every retailer based on their category and the size requirement. Thanks to the prime area and size, this site will truly become the complete destination and a must-visit on the tourist sightseeing agenda. We don't limit ourselves to the catchment of 5-10 km radius, because the endeavor is to make a ‘city within a city' and extend the catchment to the entire city.

http://www.thephoenixmills.com/retail-market-city-chennai-snap-shots.asp

Project Snapshot
Total Land Area 7,20,000 sft
Total Retail Area 6,30,000 sft
Office Area 4,30,000 sft
Hotel Room 264 nos 2,80,000 sft
Hotel Retail Area 1,200 sft
Entertainment Area 41,000 sft
F & B Area 84,000 sft
Multiplex 1,08,000 sft
Service Apartment 174 nos 1,00,000 sft
Night Club 8,000 sft
Parking Area for Main Mall (Mall+Hotel+S.A) 1,700 nos 6,35,000 sft

Nos of levels
Retail 5 lvls Lower ground, Ground, First, Second, Third (Multiplex & projection lvl.)
Parking (Mall) 12 lvls B2 (Full), B1& Mezzanine of MLCP, Ground + 8lvls of MLCP.
Hotel 11 lvls B2 +B1+ Ground + Lounge+ Service & BOH + 6 Flrs of Rooms
Service Apt 11 lvls B2 +B1+ Ground + Service+ 7 Flrs of Rooms
commercial/ IT Office 12 lvls (G+8 Flrs)B3, B2, B1, Ground + 8 flrs
Parking (office)a B3, B2, B1 & Ground

Subra

August 23rd, 2008, 04:36 AM

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/PPP-model-sought-in-futuristic-urban-infrastructure-projects/352460/

The coming together of corporate and community with government playing the role of facilitator in futuristic urban infrastructure projects was the message driven home at the meet on Chennai Version 3.0---a seminar on future growth of Chennai, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chennai zone.

Speaking about the successes of PPP (Public Private Partnership) in urban development and renovation projects, V Srinivasan, past president CII and chairman, WS Industries said Sabarmati development programme - a river rehabilitation project by the Gujarat government - is a standing testimony on how private and community initiative with the facilitation of the government can bring in lot of remarkable results in the restoration of deteriorating urban public assets like canals and waterways. " With Chennai identified as a key base in Asia for automobile and IT MNCs the city needs to strengthened in the areas of traffic management and public transportation," he said.

Calling for a monetisable independent clusters, Ravichandran, managing director of Feedback Ventures emphasized the need to evolve and integrate business centres with corresponding habitation centres with in such clusters. S Hariharan, vice-president, development projects, Larsen & Toubro Limited said the city, similar to Tokyo can emulate mobile street hawking model to eradicate traffic congestion caused by roadside hawking. The proposed greenfield world class airport at Sriperumbadur near Chennai should be complemented by a bullet train and dedicated express highway to have a hassle-free access between the airport and city, said Dinesh Kumar, director, Airport Authority of India, Chennai.

Divulging government's intention of a win-win deal in land acquisition for infrastructure and industrial development, S Ramasundaram, Chairman& Managing Director of TIDCO (Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation) referred to the promotion of investment regions against SEZs in the State awarding agreeable compensation and scope for future livelihood with in such regions to the land-owners. The share of public transportation should increase from current 35% to 65% by 2028 to prevent future chaos in urban traffic managment of Chennai, said T V Somanathan, secretary to chief minister, government of Tamil Nadu & managing director of Chennai Metrol Rail Limited. Kanimozhi, MP, DMK spoke on sustainable urban development with a humanistic face.

Raj_network

August 23rd, 2008, 11:02 PM

Chennai, Aug 22 : From California to Chennai, Steve Jobs's 3G iPhone's ringtones have made it to the young hearts of this conservative city with its launch at the stroke of midnight by leading GSM operators Bharti Airtel and Vodafone.

The response has sure been overwhelming. According to Bharti Airtel Mobile Service, Tamil Nadu, CEO Rajiv Rajagopal, nearly two lakh people across India had registered for iPhones, with more than 60 per cent from the metros, including Chennai.

For Vodafone, it made calls to the few first comers who registered for Job's 'Apple of the eye'.

The Rs 30,000-plus phone came in two models, with 8GB and 16GB storage. Its features include sleek looks, large touchscreen with very high resolution and multimedia applications.

GPS mapping, fast wireless access and a desktop class web browser promises to make the offer even more interesting.

But the flip side is India is yet to roll out its 3G network, a fact which most ignored when they booked for an iPhone.

Bharti Airtel made the launch memorable by inviting a host of celebrities for the occasion.

Crown Prince of Arcot Nawabzada Mohammed Asif Ali received the first iPhone from Playback Singer S P Balasubramaniam, Actor Prasanna and Mr Rajagopal.

The phone will be available in 84 stores across Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, promised Mr Rajagopal. For bookings, customers can SMS with keyword iphone to 54321 or log on to www.airtel.in/iphone3g/ to book the phone in advance.

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-13967.html

Raj_network

August 23rd, 2008, 11:06 PM

Chennai, Aug 21: Mephisto Make-up Academy, a German based professional make up training institute, today announced the launch of its training division Kryolan-Mephisto Professional Make Up Training Academy in association with Kryolan Cosmetics to bring the best professional training to the city.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Dominik Langer, Director Kryolan said the academy would offer one-year International certificate course in make-up, hairstyles and prosthetic techniques and short term certificate courses in specific areas at adavanced levels for existing professionals.

The academy is the first of its kind in the country and "for the first time, the art of make-up will be grounded on scientific principles and structured to emphasise both theory and extensive individual practice", he said.

The International certificate course, commencing in October, would have six modules in bridal make up, make up for cat walk and photo shoots, historical and contemporary styles, making up for super natural charecters.

Apart from International certificate courses, short term advanced courses on hair styling, cat walk shows, business and bridal hair styles, creating bald caps, wigs, goatees, moustaches and beards would be conducted as regular and week-end courses, he said.

Ms Vasanthi Sampath, Head, operations, Kryolan Training Academy said the fee structure for the International Certificate course would be Rs 1.5 lakhs. People trained in the academy would be able to serve anywhere in the world, she said.

Training in communication skill and presentation would be an integral part of the course. "A structured evaluation system and assessment by internationally reputed make-up artists ensure that the training imparted is of a high standard to help students create the type of make up seen in movies and provide them the skills to work internationally", she said.

Ms Sampath said make up industry in the country was witnessing an astounding growth, in direct proportion to the film industry. But we lag behind in international standards due to lack of quality training, skill and professionalism.

http://www.newkerala.com/topstory-fullnews-13761.html

Raj_network

August 23rd, 2008, 11:16 PM

Growth of Chennai should be planned carefully, says Kanimozhi ...:lol::lol:

CHENNAI: Chennai will grow whether people like it or not, so the sensible thing to do would be to plan that growth carefully, Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi said at a meet on Chennai Version 3.0 on Friday.

She said that development should take care of the majority of the population, and must be socially inclusive, without concentrating on the upper strata of society. She warned against the building of ‘ghettoes’ by segregating people along the lines of class, religion and other identities.

The meet, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), coinciding with Chennai’s Founding Day, was earlier addressed by Information Minister Parithi Illamvazhuthi.

He said that the government would work actively to position Chennai on a par with other international cities with high standard and affordable cost of living.

Elaborating on the government’s views, R. Sellamuthu, Principal Secretary, Housing and Urban Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, said that the public-private partnership was key for infrastructure development in the State.

Manikam Ramaswami, chairman, CII Tamil Nadu, said that the CII had chalked out a detailed vision for Tamil Nadu in sync with its National theme — India@75.

He said the Chennai zone had tremendous potential for growth in sectors such as automobile, electronics, healthcare and aviation leading to huge employment generation for both skilled and unskilled workers.

G.R.K. Reddy, chairman, CII Chennai Zone, in his theme address, said that Chennai Version 3.0 was aimed at developing Chennai into a new metropolis which was peaceful and safe, eco-sensitive and modern, yet culturally conscious. The ultimate goal was to create a “liveable, lovable and affordable Chennai” by the year 2025, he said.

Panel discussions

After the inauguration, panel discussions were held with speakers discussing challenges and solutions for infrastructure development, education and health sector improvements, and a discussion on the past, present and future of Chennai.

Government officials including S. Ramasundaram, chairman and managing director, Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, and T.V. Somanathan, managing director, Chennai Metro Rail, and Dinesh Kumar, director, Airports Authority of India, Chennai, said that the government recognised the need for private sector initiative to make Chennai version 3.0 a success. But they also urged the private sector to look at enforcement and policy implementation as a societal issue rather than as a governance issue.

Infrastructure

Dr. Somanathan said that development of infrastructure should go side by side with encouraging demand for the use of public transport to reduce problems with transportation in Chennai.

A film on Chennai 2025 was screened at the inaugural session, and a document “Chennai Version 3.0 — Moving forward from Vision to Mission” was released by the Information Minister.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/23/stories/2008082360841200.htm

Subra

August 24th, 2008, 01:59 AM

http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Ascendas-lines-up-Rs-3k-cr-for-two-projects-in-India/352647/

Ascendas, the Singapore government-owned industrial park developer, which has so far been focusing only on the IT sector in India, would soon invest a total of Rs 3,000 crore in two massive projects—one near Mumbai and another adjacent to Chennai—to develop townships, start high-value engineering and electronics industries as well as special economic zones (SEZ).

Speaking to FE on the sidelines of a conference here on Saturday, Pang Yee Ean, senior vice-president (India Operations), Ascendas, said, “At the Indian government's invitation, we are looking at investing Rs 1,500 crore each near Mumbai and Chennai. This initial investment will go into industrial development and creating townships. The sectors that we are looking at are high-value engineering and electronics. Some part of these projects will be in new SEZs.”

Ean said the Rs 3,000 crore investment is significant, as companies from Japan, Europe, Taiwan and China have evinced keen interest in being part of the projects. Without disclosing the names of the companies, Ean said, “these companies are quite optimistic about the Indian economy and are keen to tap the huge domestic market here.”

Into_salem

August 25th, 2008, 08:52 AM

Monday, August 25, 2008

Southern Railway is planning to invest around Rs.650 crore over the next 10 years in port connectivity projects at Chennai, Tuticorin, Mangalore, Ennore and Cochin.

Southern Railway and Chennai Port are developing a master plan to redesign the rail yard inside the port. The Chennai port had already planned for a 15 km elevated road corridor to improve rail connectivity.

Recently, two additional lines between Madras Beach and Attipattu, a 19 km stretch, which connects the Chennai port, were sanctioned by the railway to double the handling capacity in the next 10 years. Third line between Kurukkupet and Ennore is ready for commissioning and work is in progress on the line beyond Ennore. With the availability of four lines, the railway will be able to use the two lines exclusively for freight and the other two for passenger services.

The railway is also planning for a 88.3 km new line at an estimated cost of around Rs.445 crore, to be developed under PPP model with Ennore Port bearing 50 per cent of the cost.

In Cochin, a new 8.8 km line, funded by the Ministry of Shipping and being executed by the Rail Vikas Nigam, will be laid from Idapalli station at Ernakulam-Trivandrum connecting Vallarpadam, at an estimated cost of around Rs.245 crore.

http://www.projectstoday.com/newsr.asp?newsid=23069

Subra

August 25th, 2008, 12:09 PM

http://sify.com/finance/imagegallery/galleryDetail.php?hcategory=14728994&hgallery=14744016&vsv=mday

Into_salem

August 25th, 2008, 01:07 PM

http://sify.com/finance/imagegallery/galleryDetail.php?hcategory=14728994&hgallery=14744016&vsv=mday

Detroit might soon be called the US’ Chennai. I like that. Hope we come to that.

ezhilan81

August 25th, 2008, 02:48 PM

Rasnaboy

August 25th, 2008, 03:14 PM

chennai34

August 25th, 2008, 04:31 PM

I am actually surprised that TN is not bidding for Tata Nano project and I never came across even a single news article that lists TN as one of the states trying to woo Tata after they said they might pull out of WB. Any idea why TN is not showing interest in Tata Motors? Or is it all happening underground?

Look at this article on Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Tatas_now_a_front-runner_for_SEZ_in_TN_/articleshow/3401358.cms

Madras_Fan

August 25th, 2008, 05:08 PM

Where is the 88.3 km new line coming up at? Guess we haven't heard of it before.

This is New line announcement in the recent railway budget between Atthipattu and Puttur(AP) to cater the growing needs to Ennore Port. The surprising part is the line is approved as Double electrified Line. Alignment details are still going on (Most likely it will be parellel to NH 205)and land acquisition to follow. This project in all probability will be over in 5 years from now

Subra

August 25th, 2008, 07:29 PM

Look at this article on Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Tatas_now_a_front-runner_for_SEZ_in_TN_/articleshow/3401358.cms

This SEZ interest from TATAS is different from the nano project. This might be Tata Realty who is involved in a similar project in Chennai for an IT SEZ.
TN should move very aggressively like other states in terms of marketing and branding. We only talk when the investors approach us in most cases. Here is the example where we are waiting for TATAS to call us.

venkatm

August 25th, 2008, 07:53 PM

Not sure what kind of industries can come up near Virudhunagar. It is far away from all major markets. Hope some non-polluting industries do come up in this SEZ

ezhilan81

August 25th, 2008, 08:27 PM

Look at this article on Times of India:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Tatas_now_a_front-runner_for_SEZ_in_TN_/articleshow/3401358.cms

Thanks for the link dude.

Rasnaboy

August 25th, 2008, 09:01 PM

This is New line announcement in the recent railway budget between Atthipattu and Puttur(AP) to cater the growing needs to Ennore Port. The surprising part is the line is approved as Double electrified Line. Alignment details are still going on (Most likely it will be parellel to NH 205)and land acquisition to follow. This project in all probability will be over in 5 years from now

Oh! That's great. :)

Subra

August 25th, 2008, 11:53 PM

http://businesstoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=37&id=6848&sectionid=22&Itemid=1

The nondescript office in Chennai’s Egmore area that houses the Guidance Bureau, the single-window investment facilitation office of the Tamil Nadu government, has never seen as much activity since its inception in the early 1990s as it has over the last 26 months. During this period, foreign direct investment worth Rs 25,683 crore has found its way into Tamil Nadu (mostly in and around Chennai). That apart, projects worth Rs 16,000 crore have been finalised and are awaiting official announcements.

For M. Velmurugan, Director, Guidance Bureau, and his staff, it has been a period of extended office hours and lost weekends. “We close a minimum of one project worth at least Rs 400 crore every week,” says Velmurugan, who is also the point-person for hard-selling Tamil Nadu as an investment destination.

Among the big-ticket investments his department has bagged are the Rs 4,500-crore Renault-Nissan car project, the Rs 3,000-crore Daimler-Hero commercial vehicle facility, Hyundai’s Rs 4,000-crore second-phase expansion, Moser Baer’s Rs 2,000-crore photo voltaic manufacturing plant, Apollo Tyres’ Rs 500-crore radial tyre plant and Nokia-Siemens’ Rs 300-crore telecommunications equipment manufacturing facility.

But Velmurugan prefers to showcase the state of existing investments to highlight Chennai’s competitive edge. Nokia’s India operations, he says, began in January 2006 with just over 500 employees.

Fact file
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Area: 1,189 sq. km

Population: 7.5 million

Main industries: Information Technology, ITES, Auto, Telecom Hardware

Per capita income: Rs 21,885 per annum

Rents (commercial): RS 60-90 per sq. ft

Peak power demand: 9,267 MW

Peak power supply: 8,800 MW

Power deficit: 467 MW

Power tariffs domestic: Rs 1.85-2.90 per unit

Power tariffs commercial: Rs 5.05-6.00 per unit

Power tariffs industrial: Rs 3.30-4.05 per unit

Total water supply: 950 million litres per day

Per capita water supply (City): 147 litres per day

Public transport: Buses, Suburban Trains, Taxis and Autorickshaws
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Today, its staff strength is 8,000 (its vendors in the Nokia SEZ employ another 15,000 people). In fact, Nokia’s Chennai facility has overtaken the one in China and is now its largest manufacturing facility in the world in terms of volume.
Similarly, Hyundai, which started with a capacity of 100,000 cars in 1996, has expanded its output to 630,000 cars and has designated its Chennai plant its global small car hub. “These expansions are a clear indicator of the extent of competitiveness Chennai offers to investors,” he says with more than a hint of pride.

Inherent strengths

A strong educational system has been one of Tamil Nadu’s traditional strengths. There are, according to Velmurugan, 333 engineering colleges, 230 polytechnics and over 1,200 industrial training institutes churning out close to 300,000 technically qualified students every year. “Tamil Nadu produces 25 per cent of the country’s engineering graduates.

Moreover, the work culture is very attractive. People here are eager to learn and have a higher sense of loyalty,” says R. Chandrasekaran, Managing Director & President, Cognizant Technology Solutions, which houses about 35 per cent of its 59,000-strong workforce in Chennai.

Automotive hub: The BMW plant“Chennai’s other strength is its connectivity to all parts of the country not just by rail, road and air but also through two major ports, Chennai and Ennore. The former, in fact, is India’s secondbusiest container terminal. Also, undersea cables to Singapore (13.2 terabits capacity) connect us to our mainframes and servers around the world,” says Michael Boneham, President & Managing Director, Ford India.

Ford, which recently announced a $500-million (Rs 2,150 crore) programme to double its capacity and set up an engine manufacturing facility, was one of the first global automobile majors to zero in on Chennai.

The city’s other advantage is its low rentals. “Though nearly 16 million square feet (sq. ft) of office space has been absorbed in the city over the last three years, Grade A office rentals in the central business district is just Rs 60-90 per sq. ft compared to Rs 350-600 per sq. ft in Mumbai,’’ points out Ramesh Nair, Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, a real estate consulting firm.
Chennai scores on the “softer” side as well. “Our culture is more welcoming and people face fewer barriers when making friends,” says Ranjani Manian, Founder CEO, Global Adjustments, a relocation and cross-cultural training firm. “The city has excellent schools and medical facilities, the crime rate is low and there are no communal tensions,” she adds.

Chennai's strengths are its ports and connectivity to all parts of the country by rail, road and air - Michael Boneham, MD, Ford India

Tamil Nadu’s work culture is very attractive and people here are eager to learn - R. Chandrasekaran, MD & President, Cognizant Technologies

Our culture is more welcoming and people face fewer barriers when making friends - Ranjani Manian, Founder CEO, Global Adjustments

Most importantly, the state government is seen as investor-friendly and has been courting investments armed with a huge land bank in close proximity to Chennai.
The flip side of success

The massive inflow of investments and people has, however, begun to take a toll on Chennai’s infrastructure. Power consumption grew 16 per cent in 2007-08. This was accompanied by a fall in hydro-power generated by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). Result: a shortfall of about 467 MW. In 2008, for the first time in many years, the government announced power cuts for both residents and industries.

Low office rentals: Grade A office rentals in the city still come cheapThis “regulated loadshedding” and industrial holidays have taken the sheen off Tamil Nadu’s claim of being a power-surplus state. “The shortfall in power supply is a temporary phenomenon. Inconsistent rains in recent weeks have hit hydro-power generation. We are rapidly augmenting capacity and will add about 4,500 MW by 2011, making Chennai power-surplus once again,” says S. Kathiresan, Member, Accounts, TNEB.
The rain gods may have played truant in recent times, but they have been bountiful over the last couple of years. This has allowed the authorities to charge the reservoirs that currently supply 645 million litres of water a day. But experts warn that the situation could deteriorate rapidly if the monsoons fail. “No long-term solution to the city’s water problem has been found. A desalination plant is coming up, but that is a bad remedy. Interlinking rivers is a good option but it is far from being accepted conceptually. In a way, we are going in a blind alley and there are no plans to stop this march,” warns C.S. Kuppuraj, former Chief Engineer, Tamil Nadu Public Works Department.

Chennai’s infrastructure is also wilting. Traffic snarls are becoming more common despite the government investing heavily in widening roads and on building flyovers and bypass roads. “Infrastructure will always be a challenge though it is not as bad as in other cities. It will always be in catch-up mode,” points out Cognizant’s Chandrasekaran.
Also, residential rentals have steadily increased at 25 to 30 per cent per annum over the last three years blowing a gaping hole in the monthly budgets of middle class residents and forcing many to relocate to the suburbs.

Time for optimism
Adds S. Muthiah, noted journalist and historian: “The city’s population has grown three times over the last 10 years but we have failed to move the population out of the city. Attempts to build townships closer to industrial clusters such as Gummidipoondi and Maraimalainagar, near Chennai, have failed.”

The ever-increasing population puts enormous stress on roads, schools and the water and power infrastructure. In fact, he has a rather radical solution to decongest the city: move the political capital out of Chennai and turn the city into a business hub.

IT hub: Cognizant and other major IT powerhouses are located in the cityThe government, for its part, is now promoting Tier II cities such as Coimbatore and Madurai as investment destinations for IT and ITES projects in order to ease the pressure on the state capital and has even been partially successful in its endeavour.

But despite this, it is clear that Chennai’s infrastructure is starting to feel the pressure. Is there any danger, then, of the city going the Bangalore way? This is a genuine concern in the minds of many in Tamil Nadu. But people like Muthiah feel otherwise. “We are clearly heading that (Bangalore’s) way, but we may not actually get there as the state government is aware of the impending crisis. It has already initiated road, public transport and power projects to ensure that Chennai’s infrastructure at least keeps pace with requirements,” he says.

Given the projects on the ground and the stated aims of both the major political parties in the state, some of his optimism is, indeed, warranted.

vs007

August 26th, 2008, 12:29 AM

Chennai to get world's largest cricket stadium
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai_to_get_largest_cricket_stadium/articleshow/3405135.cms

Fusionist

August 26th, 2008, 01:10 AM

Chennai to get world's largest cricket stadium
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai_to_get_largest_cricket_stadium/articleshow/3405135.cms

25 km from the city :ohno:

Rasnaboy

August 26th, 2008, 03:37 AM

A centralised Diesel Training Centre would be established at Tondiarpet in Chennai to train diesel loco mechanics and technicians of the Southern Railway. Detailed estimates were being prepared for the establishment of the centre, which would be set up at a cost of Rs 12 crore, the Chief Mechanical Engineer, Southern Railway V. Carmelus, told presspersons here. The training centre would be established by an outside agency on a turnkey basis. The Railways would give 18 months time to set up the training centre.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/26/stories/2008082652242105.htm

Subra

August 26th, 2008, 03:47 AM

http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/6950/policymakerswt0.th.gif (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=policymakerswt0.gif)
http://img512.imageshack.us/img512/2531/ceosindusxy1.th.gif (http://img512.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ceosindusxy1.gif)

Chennai is rated no-1 in "Traffic and Commuting" category :cheers:

ramvaradan

August 26th, 2008, 06:05 AM

Chennai to get world's largest cricket stadium
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai_to_get_largest_cricket_stad
ium/articleshow/3405135.cms

That URL does'nt work. This one does.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai_set_to_get_largest_cricket_stadium/articleshow/3404957.cms

Is'nt that the classic example of "township sans townplanning", if there's a 30 acreage of land used for Cricket Stadium that could seat 100 k ... Where are the access routes and infrastructure that could handle all that ? Because the place is soon going to become a zone of itself with businesses brimming to full.

We are in a dangerous phase rife with ruthless, thoughtless construction without a paradigm or sense while the city is bursting at the seams.

The best place for building stadium in Chennai is off-shore .. let them light up the Bay Of Bengal, that way floodlights are already taken care of (Lighthouse)

Give Me A Break Please :bash:

bronx_bull

August 26th, 2008, 06:29 AM

dis.agree

August 26th, 2008, 07:03 AM

That URL does'nt work. This one does.

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Chennai_set_to_get_largest_cricket_stadium/articleshow/3404957.cms

Is'nt that the classic example of "township sans townplanning", if there's a 30 acreage of land used for Cricket Stadium that could seat 100 k ... Where are the access routes and infrastructure that could handle all that ? Because the place is soon going to become a zone of itself with businesses brimming to full.

We are in a dangerous phase rife with ruthless, thoughtless construction without a paradigm or sense while the city is bursting at the seams.

The best place for building stadium in Chennai is off-shore .. let them light up the Bay Of Bengal, that way floodlights are already taken care of (Lighthouse)

Give Me A Break Please :bash:

i think there is a common misconception about such sporting companies such as tnca, bcci. tnca is a private indian company that is affiliated to bcci another private indian company. they own a stadium in chennai and are now building a bigger one outside chennai. what they do is entirely upto their board & shareholders. cricket that we all watch on tv is a show organized by icc. tnca investing in this new stadia is similar to manufacturing company or a hotel investing in chennai.

futurebiz1

August 26th, 2008, 07:21 AM

Cross Posting my opinions from the other thread

Why am not in favour of such massive investments in a new stadium

1. Any major international venue in India gets not more than one test/ODI per year bcoz of rotation system followed by BCCI among the large no of indian venues.Having an extra stadium just doesn't make sense for this volume of Cricket.Besides,the Current ground is more than equipped to host any match from school level to the International level.

2. The existing Chepauk Stadium is good,conveniently located and is regarded as one of India's best venues for its usually sporting pitches(forget the last test here), good facilities and the most sporting crowd.It has a strong history and is located in the heart of Chennai's Cricket heartland (near Santhome and St.Bede's School and near many cricket academies)

3. No doubt, the existing Chepauk stadium needs renovation and this could be easily carried out.Some prominent stadiums which have been renovated recently incude --The MCG,Lords,Gabba(Brisbane).Infact, most of the English and Australian grounds undergo frequent renovation(since they are a century old).Even the present Mumbai stadium Wankhede is being reconstruced to host the 2011 world cup finals.I don't find a single reason for crores of money to be spent on a new stadium.

4. If the intention is to encourage sports, TNCA (Tamilnadu Cricket Assoc.)should construct hundreds of good Sport Grounds all over Tamilnadu instead of spending huge amounts on a single stadium.Tamilnadu, like the rest of India,needs investments in constructing hundreds of good quality sport Grounds, not one massive stadium way off the city centre.

I could go on and on abt this but i think that my point has been made.

futurebiz1

August 26th, 2008, 07:32 AM

i think there is a common misconception about such sporting companies such as tnca, bcci. tnca is a private indian company that is affiliated to bcci another private indian company. they own a stadium in chennai and are now building a bigger one outside chennai. what they do is entirely upto their board & shareholders. cricket that we all watch on tv is a show organized by icc. tnca investing in this new stadia is similar to manufacturing company or a hotel investing in chennai.

Though BCCI is not a government body, it does get most of its venues for very low lease rates from Governments. Though they will not be using Public money, Govt would be forced to address infra issues if such a massive facility comes up in the middle of nowhere.Chennai, a city with millions of poverty stricken people, cannot afford such expensive luxuries.

Also, my points in the previous post have explained why the idea of a new stadium is non-sensical.

greatchennai

August 26th, 2008, 10:48 AM

The latter.:nuts:

Oh...that g8....but it should be near chennai....or near port..

greatchennai

August 26th, 2008, 10:50 AM

[QUOTE=Subra;24465542]http://businesstoday.digitaltoday.in/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&issueid=37&id=6848&sectionid=22&Itemid=1

The nondescript office in Chennai’s Egmore area that houses the Guidance Bureau, the single-window investment facilitation office of the Tamil Nadu government, has never seen as much activity since its inception in the early 1990s as it has over the last 26 months. During this period, foreign direct investment worth Rs 25,683 crore has found its way into Tamil Nadu (mostly in and around Chennai). That apart, projects worth Rs 16,000 crore have been finalised and are awaiting official announcements.

....Here is the one article..that completly ignores chennai IT strength...sadly..

http://www.australianit.news.com.au/story/0,24897,24241177-15306,00.html

TWO Indian cities are emerging to challenge the traditional centres of Bangalore and Hyderabad as the country's information technology services grow at 20 per cent annually.

Chandigarh - home of India's first Olympics gold medal winner, Abhinav Bindram - and Coimbatore are fast attracting technology companies and workers as inadequate infrastructure cripples the southern centres of Bangalore and Hyderabad and India's financial hub, Mumbai.

Chandigarh, in India's north, was a planned city experiment started by India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, and is now attracting major IT groups, including Infosys.

It was known as one of the best experiments in urban planning and modern architecture in 20th century India.

Coimatore is at the other end of the country, south of the main southern city of Chennai, and is a traditional textile centre in the state of Tamil Nadu.

....

kannan infratech

August 26th, 2008, 11:05 AM

Not sure what kind of industries can come up near Virudhunagar. It is far away from all major markets. Hope some non-polluting industries do come up in this SEZ

With Tuticorin Port & Airport, Kovilpatti Airport and Madurai Airport all nearby and on a National Highway, the location selected is excellent.

The transport infrastructure like roads, port and airports are there but to lure the executives to Madurai and the township within the SEZ is a challenge. If TATA is able to recreate another Jamshedpur here (of course as a multi product SEZ), the Southern TN will treat Mr. Rattan Tata as God. Probably the best that can happen to this district.

I wish all the success for this project.

dis.agree

August 26th, 2008, 11:18 AM

Though BCCI is not a government body, it does get most of its venues for very low lease rates from Governments. Though they will not be using Public money, Govt would be forced to address infra issues if such a massive facility comes up in the middle of nowhere.Chennai, a city with millions of poverty stricken people, cannot afford such expensive luxuries.

what are these stadiums that bcci leases and how do you define very low lease rates? and do you mean some corruption kind of stuff whereby govt leases at low rates and bcci pays these politicians? could you explain this modus operandi?

Also, my points in the previous post have explained why the idea of a new stadium is non-sensical.
this is private affairs. taj can build a fisherman's cove hotel, dlf apartment complexes but if tnca builds it is non-sensical? how?

bcci has been so successful in selling this sport, we don't even know the boundaries between private & public.

futurebiz1

August 26th, 2008, 12:02 PM

what are these stadiums that bcci leases and how do you define very low lease rates? and do you mean some corruption kind of stuff whereby govt leases at low rates and bcci pays these politicians? could you explain this modus operandi?.

It is common knowledge that Govt leases space for not-for-profit organisations(BCCI is one) at token amounts.Some examples being schools,colleges,hospitals etc.This is done for the overall development of a community. These are commonly known facts.

I never mentioned corruption.

this is private affairs. taj can build a fisherman's cove hotel, dlf apartment complexes but if tnca builds it is non-sensical? how?

bcci has been so successful in selling this sport, we don't even know the boundaries between private & public.
Correct ur facts dis.agree
- BCCI is an autonomous body.It is not like an average Private organisation .For a Private Body,Profit is the motive.BCCI is a not-for-profit organisation (as are other Cricket boards) which is responsible for managing Cricket in India.Unlike a private organisation, BCCI does not have any owners/shareholders.DLF or TAJ, if it were to buy property would do so at market rates.These would be for private consumption.

Anyway, u seem to have missed by basic point which questioned the necessity of such massive investments in a new stadium.Renovations could do wonders to the existing Chepauk.

futurebiz1

August 26th, 2008, 12:12 PM

^^^^

I can go on and on with refernce to other India Sports,venues,Government Grants to other sports, How IPL works etc, but those discussions would digress from infra related issues.

TechCity

August 26th, 2008, 03:13 PM

Any update on Rs 470-crore Global Automotive Research Centre (G-ARC) at Oragadam?

Rasnaboy

August 26th, 2008, 03:31 PM

The latter.:nuts:

Great! :cheers: Any info about it?

Rasnaboy

August 26th, 2008, 03:54 PM

Rasnaboy

August 26th, 2008, 03:56 PM

Any update on Rs 470-crore Global Automotive Research Centre (G-ARC) at Oragadam?

Hope they've completed the pre-bid meeting yesterday per this tender detail page. http://microtechdirect.net/tendercontent.aspx?TenderNo=NAT/CWT/IND-CHN/08/102

(Pls. Beware! My antivirus software detected a threat while opening the above page...)

Madras_Fan

August 26th, 2008, 05:32 PM

Once again I could see the disappointments from members regarding the new cricket stadium. All that I can say is its an excellent plan. Still there are 3 good years and with the money they are having, its a cakewalk for BCCI to complete before 2011 world cup. Also remember that existing chepauk having very little parking space. But the new stadium will cover all such lapses. Remember Chepauk's lease is expiring on 2015 and after that I am sure the plans will be to build a fresh new stadium in chepauk after 2015 and this stadium can come in as handy till such time new facility is completed say between 2015 and 2018. Remember coimbatore will soon get Stadium for international matches(Which may host only ODIs)

Only thing is public transport needs to be improved to large extent. Extending MRTS along buckhingham canal is also an option.

But considering all aspects its a very good move.

Remember how SAF games in 1996 changed the surroundings in and around Koyambedu from no where to one of the costly localities in chennai. Such infrastructure will also see some other allied business coming along/near to it.

barrykul

August 26th, 2008, 07:27 PM

M. Velmurugan, Director, Guidance Bureau, and his staff, it has been a period of extended office hours and lost weekends. “We close a minimum of one project worth at least Rs 400 crore every week,” says Velmurugan, who is also the point-person for hard-selling Tamil Nadu as an investment destination.

I had a chance to see/hear Mr Velmurugan during the TiE Global Conference in USA recently. I must say he is an earnest person with the sole intent of making TN a destination of investment. Quite amazing to see bureaucrats in India with vision and single minded purpose, instead of the money crazy corrupt ones. Indeed it is a refreshing change and for once I feel that the state of TN is going places due to the dedication of these hard working individuals.

Mr Velmurugan was very straight forward in pitching the state and its attractive investment proposition. Dell Computers which has global experience in investments had a very positive opinion of TN. They claimed that the approvals were very quick and Dell was operational in TN the quickest in the world. Now that is something neat and to be proud of.

If every state had the calibre of a Mr. Velmurugan then India would develop very quickly. Kudos sir.

TechCity

August 27th, 2008, 08:34 AM

Hope they've completed the pre-bid meeting yesterday per this tender detail page. http://microtechdirect.net/tendercontent.aspx?TenderNo=NAT/CWT/IND-CHN/08/102

(Pls. Beware! My antivirus software detected a threat while opening the above page...)

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/11/05/stories/2006110504310300.htm

PM laid foundation for auto R&D centre in Nov 2006.The article says,The first phase will be ready for commissioning in September 2008 and the second phase in April 2011.

Bythistime,they should have been in advanced construction stage.

vijayvmail

August 27th, 2008, 05:17 PM

I had a chance to see/hear Mr Velmurugan during the TiE Global Conference in USA recently. I must say he is an earnest person with the sole intent of making TN a destination of investment. Quite amazing to see bureaucrats in India with vision and single minded purpose, instead of the money crazy corrupt ones. Indeed it is a refreshing change and for once I feel that the state of TN is going places due to the dedication of these hard working individuals.

Mr Velmurugan was very straight forward in pitching the state and its attractive investment proposition. Dell Computers which has global experience in investments had a very positive opinion of TN. They claimed that the approvals were very quick and Dell was operational in TN the quickest in the world. Now that is something neat and to be proud of.

If every state had the calibre of a Mr. Velmurugan then India would develop very quickly. Kudos sir.

Every now and then, we learn about such great individuals like Mr. Velmurugan, Mr.Sreedharan (DMRC) etc. I'm sure there are so many such people in our government agencies who are striving to make this country a better place.

Kudos to all such individuals and let us hope that we see more of them in future.

I personally feel that there should be some sort of performance review process in our government agencies with appropriate Rewards and recognition programs for those who perform exceedingly well. Motivation to perform is one important thing to ensure that these agencies operate properly.

barrykul

August 27th, 2008, 06:46 PM

I personally feel that there should be some sort of performance review process in our government agencies with appropriate Rewards and recognition programs for those who perform exceedingly well. Motivation to perform is one important thing to ensure that these agencies operate properly.

Yes Vijay, there are lots of individuals in Govt service who do an honest job and love their country. It is always the case that 80+% strive their best while the rotten ones spoil the good name. I know plenty of good honest officials who despite the poor working conditions, poor recognition and beastly odds try their level best to perform their duty, dharma to society and live for their children education/success.

The above reforms are what the Govt needs to bring forth swiftly in day to day administration. Having an archaic system, with no incentives, no metrics of measuring performance, no accountability is why the common man is disenchanted with the Govt mechanism. Instead a modern system with computers would mean a drastic reduction in the workforce of Govt employees and better efficiency. This is why socialist govt do not want reforms and the left opposes such moves. What makes obvious sense is anathema to these bandicoots in political power.

Imagine if you will that the govt comes up with a metric of performance like say 10 days for approval of investment projects. They have a modern work flow which measures time taken for each point in the decision making process amongst the various sundry govt depts. You would see a marked improvement in the efficiency of govt employees since they have a performance metric to match/beat. Similarly if their bonus is tied to matching / exceeding such metrics then people have the motivation to work hard and be rewarded. Peer recognition is a prime factor for human competitiveness.

Rasnaboy

August 28th, 2008, 05:16 AM

I am actually surprised that TN is not bidding for Tata Nano project and I never came across even a single news article that lists TN as one of the states trying to woo Tata after they said they might pull out of WB. Any idea why TN is not showing interest in Tata Motors? Or is it all happening underground?

Here's the great news:

CM urged to invite Ratan Tata for Nano car project

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082859050300.htm

Rasnaboy

August 28th, 2008, 05:36 AM

Plans to invest Rs. 1,100 cr. this fiscal in setting up centres

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chennai campuses have a headcount of 10,750

IT services business continue to grow
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/28/images/2008082856461701.jpg
HOLDS PROMISE: Sprawling Infosys campus at Mahindra City SEZ, Maraimalai Nagar, near Chennai.

CHENNAI: Infosys Technologies sees incremental growth from special economic zones (SEZs). In the last couple of years, the company has been setting up SEZs in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Mysore, and Pune and it has started construction in Mangalore and by April next year will set up one in Thiruvananthapuram.

The company plans to invest Rs. 1,100 crore in setting up centres across the country for the current fiscal and of which it will invest Rs. 1,000 crore in SEZs. Last year, it invested Rs. 400 crore in the SEZs out of the total investment of Rs. 1,150 crore, according to T. V. Mohandas, board member.

He said the company’s investment in SEZs had increased anticipating the removal of STPI (Software Technology Parks of India) norms by 2010. Among all the SEZ centres, Mahindra City, on the outskirts of Chennai, was considered to be the largest.

The total land taken up by Infosys was 129 acres, of which 2.1 million sq. ft. with 11,234-seat capacity had been built in the first phase.

Second phase

Work on the second phase would begin by next month. It will have two more buildings with a built-up area of 5.8 lakh sq. ft. and a seating capacity of 5,000. The planned investment for this project was Rs. 1,250 crore, of which Rs. 453 crore was invested in Phase-I.

The first phase consisted of six software development blocks. He said, when completed, the campus would have a built-up area of 3.5 million sq. ft. spread across 110.35 acres and a capacity to house 25,000 employees.

In Chennai, Infosys had two campuses — Mahindra City and Sholinganallur. The total headcount in the campuses stood at 10,750 as of June 30. Both these operations had together recorded exports of Rs. 2,072 crore for the 12 months ended June this year, he said.

On the industry, S. Gopalakrishnan (Kris), Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said though there was uncertainty in macro economy, IT services business would continue to grow. The opportunity for IT services among the industry, customer and geography-wise was enormous.

The new services, which were added in the recent past, had been contributing over 50 per cent of the total revenue, he added.

Regarding the acquisition of U.K-based consultancy company Axon, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said “We have quoted a fair price and we do not want it be a speculative one. We are confident about it since it is an ‘all cash deal’ and it will be an attractive proposition for Axon”.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082856461700.htm

vijayvmail

August 28th, 2008, 05:05 PM

Yes Vijay, there are lots of individuals in Govt service who do an honest job and love their country. It is always the case that 80+% strive their best while the rotten ones spoil the good name. I know plenty of good honest officials who despite the poor working conditions, poor recognition and beastly odds try their level best to perform their duty, dharma to society and live for their children education/success.

The above reforms are what the Govt needs to bring forth swiftly in day to day administration. Having an archaic system, with no incentives, no metrics of measuring performance, no accountability is why the common man is disenchanted with the Govt mechanism. Instead a modern system with computers would mean a drastic reduction in the workforce of Govt employees and better efficiency. This is why socialist govt do not want reforms and the left opposes such moves. What makes obvious sense is anathema to these bandicoots in political power.

Imagine if you will that the govt comes up with a metric of performance like say 10 days for approval of investment projects. They have a modern work flow which measures time taken for each point in the decision making process amongst the various sundry govt depts. You would see a marked improvement in the efficiency of govt employees since they have a performance metric to match/beat. Similarly if their bonus is tied to matching / exceeding such metrics then people have the motivation to work hard and be rewarded. Peer recognition is a prime factor for human competitiveness.

Exactly. Looking from the point of view of a government servant - Why would I even try to work hard and show very good results, opposing all the big shots while handling projects, tenders etc. Whatever happens, the salary is going to be the same, work environment is the same and I'm going to be promoted based on the seniority level irrespective of how I work.

Looking around, there are these young engineers and business graduates who are just out of college and earning salaries in the lakhs. But then, what is the motivation for a government servant to outperform?

slakhs

August 29th, 2008, 12:15 AM

Avalon Technologies, part of the Sienna Group, an electronic manufacturing services company, is expanding into a new facility at the Madras Export Processing Zone (MEPZ) at an investment of Rs 50 crore.

The proposed facility would double the company's production capacity to 350,000 CPH (components per hour) and would generate jobs for 1,000 people in Chennai, a company release said.

Avalon is also starting operations for the Indian market with the incorporation of its new company called Avalon Technologies & Services (P) Ltd. The 50,000 sft facility is located in the Sidco industrial estate here.....

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=332811

Raj_network

August 29th, 2008, 12:45 AM

Aerodrome

August 29th, 2008, 01:59 AM

Dinamalar Says that CII President Manikam Ramasamy infomed, Boeing to set up Aero Space Park at Chennai outskirts at 4 Million.

Can some one confirm this news?. Is boeing confirmed and finalished the location?. Is it 4 million or 4 billion?. I guess, news has some typo error.

http://district.dinamalar.com/districtnews_main.asp?ncat=Madurai&ncat_ta=மதுரை#67041

Please post with source.

See the 3rd bullet in the Highlights section.

Biztradeshows (http://www.biztradeshows.com/connect/)

It doesn't matter if it is 4 million or billion. If this comes true, it will be an excellent start.

Subra

August 29th, 2008, 03:23 AM

See the 3rd bullet in the Highlights section.

Biztradeshows (http://www.biztradeshows.com/connect/)

It doesn't matter if it is 4 million or billion. If this comes true, it will be an excellent start.

This was posted earlier in a news related to Connect 2008.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/19/stories/2008081959910700.htm

Aerospace Industries Association president and CEO John Douglas will deliver the keynote address

An announcement about Chennai Aero Park, distribution of export performance award for 2008, virtual launch of the ICT Academy of Tamil Nadu and distribution of e-governance award for 2008 will mark the launch of ‘Connect 2008.’

Tranquil

August 29th, 2008, 05:06 AM

Second master plan for city likely on Aug 30

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Second_master_plan_for_city_likely_on_Aug_30/articleshow/3414370.cms

The much-awaited second master plan for Chennai city is likely to be rolled out on August 30 after the cabinet gives its official stamp of approval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
.
.
.

saravananR

August 29th, 2008, 05:38 AM

good news for chennai

saravananR

August 29th, 2008, 05:45 AM

Hi guys,

sorry...

chennai has missed the videocon plasma project to Maharashtra

latest news

saravananR

August 29th, 2008, 05:51 AM

good news for chennai

for the Second master plan

nsantha2

August 29th, 2008, 06:19 AM

Hi guys,

sorry...

chennai has missed the videocon plasma project to Maharashtra

latest news

What's your source?

ezhilan81

August 29th, 2008, 07:28 AM

greatchennai

August 29th, 2008, 11:25 AM

Plans to invest Rs. 1,100 cr. this fiscal in setting up centres

In Chennai, Infosys had two campuses — Mahindra City and Sholinganallur. The total headcount in the campuses stood at 10,750 as of June 30. Both these operations had together recorded exports of Rs. 2,072 crore for the 12 months ended June this year, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/28/stories/2008082856461700.htm

Its bit of pathetic that out of total 90,000 resources only 10K is in chennai.....we should thrive to increase to same...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai_traffic_may_force_Wipro_out/articleshow/3419395.cms

Meanwhile both Wipro and Infosys reported the traffic problems in chennai...and warned that they would pull out if the issues are not resolved....

come on DMK/Stalin...its the wakeup call for you guys...

Subra

August 29th, 2008, 12:03 PM

What's your source?

This project is different from the consumer electronics plant. TN cabinet has cleared the project with an investment of 2000 crores and MOU need to be signed.
The plasma plant is different and Maharastra was a favorite from the beginning.

Raj_network

August 30th, 2008, 01:18 AM

http://www.dinamalar.com/business/

1. Sowcarpet, North madras - 6 threates

2. YMCA campus, royapet - 5 theatres

3. Near Siruseri IT park, OMR - 6 theatres ( Good to IT folks:))

Additionally, 1 Lakh 30K sq.ft shopping complex.

Rasnaboy

August 30th, 2008, 03:12 AM

Chennai, Aug. 29 Chennai is emerging as a key market for material handling equipment (MHE) with a spurt in the number of warehouses and container freight stations (CFS) in and around the city.

There are over 100 large warehouses and a few more are to come up in the next few months, according to sources in the industry.

There are around 15 CFS in and around the city and a few more are expected to come up with Chennai port emerging as a major container handling port. This will, in turn, boost the demand for MHE like fork lifts, pallet trucks, stackers, order picker and reach trucks, officials participating in the ICICI Bank SME Expo Logistics and Material Handling 2008 said.

The event, which ended today, is a two-day international logistics and material handling business expo organised by INIS Enterprises at the Chennai Trade Centre.

Running for the third consecutive year, nearly 50 companies, including Godrej & Boyce, Jost’s and Forklifters, participated in the expo to showcase creative material handling solutions, information of products and services by many MHE/service providers. With over 2,000 visitors, the event provided insights on the latest in-plant logistics and materials handling technologies.

The Indian MHE market has been pegged at over Rs 5,000 crore with Larsen & Toubro and Godrej as major players. There is no data on Chennai alone, the sources said.

The Indian MHE industry is expected to grow steadily. The improvement in the Indian economy will result in accelerated demand for goods movement and create opportunities for suppliers of goods-handling products and services of all types. The need for MHE is directly related to the amount of cargo and freight traffic. India will see a major pull in the demand for these equipments, says a report.

The MHEs help to have a better inventory control, faster throughput, less time for changeover, fewer defects during material handling and better utilisation of space, according to a Conference Paper on SMEs in Logistics: Bringing Value to the Changing Indian Landscape. The paper prepared by Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India Pvt Ltd was released at the expo.

Global market

The global MHE industry is estimated to be Rs 3.75 lakh crore in 2005 and projected to be Rs 4.68 lakh crore by 2010. The growth is being led by developing countries such as India, China, Turkey Mexico and Russia. While the US, Germany and Russia are world’s largest producers of MHE, Germany and Japan are exporters of MHE. China will become an important global supplier in coming years, the report says.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/30/stories/2008083052291000.htm

Raj_network

August 30th, 2008, 10:42 AM

CHENAI: Indra Air, a newly established airline that plans to introduce helicopter service to most popular holy places, will offer three-fold services - taxi, charter and leasing to pilgrims.

Taxi helicopters will basically be the ones with more seating capacity where an individual can buy a ticket and hop on for a ride to the set destination. Chartered helicopters could be booked choppers by individuals. Helicopters will also be available on lease based on individual requirements.

The airline is planning to operate five helicopters (from four-seater ones to 25-seater ones) this year and looking forward to increasing this fleet to 50 in two years.

Home baggage delivery will be another feature of their services. Baggage will be delivered on the doorstep of the travelers in cities where airports located in the far end.“The market for an ‘elite’ service like this is huge. NRIs could be a big market worth exploring for this service,” said KK Kohli, Indra Air president.

Sighting examples of the demand for similar services at the Vaishno Devi temple, Kohli said, “For instance, even if two per cent of the two lakh people visiting Tirupati everyday travel by plane, it gives me a customer base of 4,000 people. We can directly land people on devasthanams. People can have darshans and return in one day.” Based on the response it gets from these services, the company will also expand to emergency services like ambulance, rescue and evacuation, fire-fighting, police surveillance - the demand for which is huge in metros owing to need for increased security, Kohli said, adding “we want to provide support services to government, eventually”.

The Chennai-based company, which currently has night parking space in Chennai and Hosur, has outsourced its engineering and pilot requirements to the best helicopter company in India. While no names are being revealed now, a detailed report should follow when they launch.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?artid=KfIZ5B22UFs=&Title=Flying+taxis+for+the+pious&SectionID=lifojHIWDUU=&MainSectionID=wIcBMLGbUJI=&SectionName=rSY|6QYp3kQ=&SEO=

Subra

August 30th, 2008, 08:46 PM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083151080300.htm

Chennai, Aug. 30 The Tamil Nadu Cabinet approved over Rs 9,000 crore worth of investment proposals in automobile and engineering sectors.

Among the investment proposals is Rs 4,000 crore for a tyre manufacturing unit by Michelin of France.

According to an official press release, the State Government has also decided to change some of the structured incentives extended for the Rs 4,150-crore Ashok Leyland-Nissan automotive project. However, it does not provide the details of the change.

The Cabinet, which met on Saturday, approved a slew of investment proposals. These include: Rs 4,000-crore investment by Michelin, France, for a tyre manufacturing unit in Thiruvallur to the North of Chennai; Rs 2,512-crore investment by Cethar Vessels in Tiruchi to manufacture boiler components and electricity generation equipment; Rs 1,500-crore investment by Harsha Group for oil and gas engineering equipment; Rs 350-crore project by Doosan Infracore to set up a manufacturing unit for construction equipment and components at the SIPCOT industrial estate, Pillaipakkam, in Kanchipuram District; a Rs 250-crore manufacturing unit by Delphi, USA, for making automotive electronic components; and Rs 460 crore by DCW Group for an integrated facility for caustic soda other chemicals.

The State Government also took a number of policy decisions covering a range of subjects including administration, food subsidy and education.

These include a decision to do away with the provisions of land ceiling to enable industries and educational institutions to hold more than 15 Standard Acres.

Sections 37A and 37 B of the Land Ceiling Act would be amended to enable these entities to hold large areas of land.

The State Government also decided to bring down the price of rice sold through the public distribution system to Re 1 a kg from September15 against the prevailing Rs 2; it also decided to clear the second Master Plan for Chennai.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Michelin is a big win. They had almost decided on Maharastra. :cheers: Kudos to TN govt!!

Subra

August 30th, 2008, 10:12 PM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083151120300.htm

Chennai, Aug. 30 The Nissan-Renault joint venture has selected the Ennore Port over the Chennai Port to export the cars to be produced at its plant coming up in Oragadam, 50 km from Chennai. Both ports had been trying hard for the project.

According to Mr Rakesh Srivastava, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, an agreement is to be signed soon between Ennore Port Ltd (EPL) and the Nissan-Renault joint venture. EPL’s board cleared this proposal to create the necessary infrastructure to handle export cars.

EPL will invest Rs 110 crore on creating a multi-purpose berth to handle Nissan-Renault export cars and which can also be used as a general cargo berth, he said on the sidelines of the ICICI Bank SME Expo Logistics and Material Handling 2008.

The two-day event, which ended on Friday, was an international logistics and material handling business expo organised by INIS Enterprises at the Chennai Trade Centre.

Car plant

Automotive India Pvt Ltd, a joint venture of Renault and Nissan, will construct a car plant to annually produce 4 lakh cars. The plant, which is to start production in two years, is coming up at an investment of Rs 4,500 crore and will employ 4,000 people.

Mr S. Velumani, Chairman and Managing Director, EPL, said Nissan-Renault has committed to export 90,000 cars in 2010-11 from Ennore and gradually increase it to 1.80 lakh from the fourth year. The terminal will have a 250-meter length and a depth of 12 metres. A stack yard will be created to park 1.40 lakh cars, he told Business Line

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 05:07 AM

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=435555&disdate=8/31/2008&advt=1

Report says :

1. Height restriction has been removed outside Chennai Metro

2. New Industrial city will be developed outside Chennai City

3. Parking restriction has been removed:banana::banana:

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 05:13 AM

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/1965/ms07kh9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=435610&disdate=8/31/2008

300C Maritime University is old news

But 1000 C Maritime Campus in Chennai is NEW ONE!

:banana::banana::banana:

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 05:21 AM

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=435393&disdate=8/31/2008&advt=2

It says, Stalin personally keen on this project. Kudos to MKS!

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 05:41 AM

CHENNAI: The long-awaited second master plan for Chennai was approved by the Cabinet on Saturday.

According to a government press release, it was decided to approve the plan as the proposals would benefit all sections of the city.

The plan proposals are aimed at making Chennai a prime metropolis, which will be more liveable, economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable and will have better assets for the future generations.

Government sources say that some changes have been made to the draft plan that was circulated for public opinion.

The sources also say that minor changes have been made to Floor Space Index (FSI). In order to support investment in healthcare, higher FSI for hospital buildings has been sanctioned.

The new master plan envisions the growth of city till 2026. It has proposals that could accommodate a population of 126 lakhs by 2026 in the Chennai Metropolitan area.

The date for notifying the new master plan and the implementation of new building rules will be announced on Monday.

The Chennai first master plan was published in 1975. The second draft master plan was made public in April 2007. The suggestions made by the public and experts were cleared in November 2007 and the plan was submitted for final approval.

Since then the government has been deliberating on the various aspects of the plan and in particular the building rules. Many projects had been put on hold anticipating relaxation of building rules and higher FSI.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083156800100.htm

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 05:54 AM

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3394/baluzt7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

CHENNAI: A new National Maritime University along with a National Maritime Complex will come up at Chemmancherry on the city’s outskirts at a cost of Rs.1,300 crore, T.R.Baalu, Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, said here on Saturday.

Speaking at a function after laying the foundation stone for new hostel block, marine workshop building and additional lecture halls on the National Maritime Academy premises at Uthandi on East Coast Road, Mr. Baalu said the university would come up on a 106 acres and the complex would encompass 200 acres of land.

The Union Cabinet has approved the setting up of the university near Chennai and the Bill is before the Parliamentary Affairs Minister. Once the approval is given, the work will begin and will be completed within 18 months, Mr. Baalu said.

The complex project would be a public-private partnership one, and included an aquarium, art gallery, marine museum, seminar hall besides a marine food court.

Talking about training to marine engineering students, Mr. Baalu said his department would acquire five vessels from the Shipping Corporation of India to provide hands-on training. Each ship would provide training for 18 students at a time. Similarly, the duration of training for the marine students had been reduced from 18 months to 12 months.

Detailed project reports on creating fishing harbours in Thondi, Muthupet, Sethubhavasamuthram and Mookaiyur have been completed. The project report for a multi-purpose port at Rameswaram is in progress and tenders have been called for constructing a berthing jetty at Dhanushkodi, Mr. Baalu said.

A.P.V.N. Sarma, Secretary (Shipping), Government of India, said Rs.55,000 crore would be invested in the port sector and Rs.45,000 crore in the Shipping sector under the National Marine Development programme. The projects would be implemented with the participation of private and public sectors.

P. Vijayan, Director, National Maritime Academy, said the academy had signed a memorandum of understanding with Dalian University and Shanghai University, both in China, to conduct two MBA programmes - Port and Shipping Management and International Transportation and Logistics. The academy would also provide training to four batches of personnel from the Indian Economic Services from next month onwards. The academy would also conduct B.Sc (Nautical Sciences) course in association with Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 06:04 AM

CHENNAI: Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy on Saturday submitted Rs.33,200-crore project proposals for road and logistics development in Chennai at the Cabinet meeting here.

A Rs.2,422-crore project proposal for Coimbatore Corporation and Rs.1,671-crore proposal for Madurai Corporation were submitted by respective Commissioners for road and transport developments in their respective corporations.

Special Chief Secretary K.S. Sripathi and senior officials were present.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/08/31/stories/2008083158190300.htm

Raj_network

August 31st, 2008, 07:39 AM

Welcome here guys!

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=698434

futurebiz1

August 31st, 2008, 09:11 AM

Govt announces 90-min power cut for Chennai
Suburbs Face 3-Hour Outage; Mofussil Region Hit For 5 Hours
Vivek Narayanan | TNN

Chennai: Brace yourself for more power cuts. As the state reels under an acute electricity crisis, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) on Saturday announced a punishing increase in the duration of the scheduled daily power cuts from Monday.
Chennai residents will have to bear a 90-minute power cut each day at the very least, while those in the suburbs will have to go without power for two hours in the morning and one in the night. The mofussil areas will not have power for nearly five hours a day. In addition, the TNEB has announced a ban on the use of welding sets during peak hours and appealed to farmers not to run pump sets between 6 and 10 pm. The public and commercial establishments have also been asked to avoid use of decorative and neon lights.
The lack of any significant addition to installed power capacity in the last decade is the key reason for the unprecedented cuts. Earlier in July, the state faced a shortfall of 1,000 MW, mainly due to a steep drop in contribution from windmills and lack of adequate rainfall which hit hydel stations. Although the state and city had experienced shortages until then, this was the first time the TNEB had officially introduced a one-hour power cut for the city and a two-hour cut in the suburbs. With the rains continuing to ply truant and the catchment areas yet to be filled, the situation has taken a turn for the worse.
“The mofussil areas will have power cut for two hours in the morning, one hour in the evening and one hour in the night. In the suburbs, there will be no supply for two hours in the day and one hour in the night,” a TNEB official said. He said the timings for powercuts were increased according to the need in each area. “All HT (high tension) and LTCT (low-tension current transfer) consumers shall go off the TNEB grid power and utilize their captive generating sets during evening peak hours,” he said.
The distinctive feature of the latest announcement is that it does not spare the city, which until now had been relatively insulated from outages. The shortage is so severe at present that even the city will have to suffer.
“It is a medium to long term problem. Uniform power cuts are the only solution. The projects on way will take at least two years to be implemented, so long term solutions have to be looked at,” said Manikam Ramaswamy, chairman, Confederation of Indian Industries, Tamil Nadu.
Residents in the suburbs, however, fear an increase in thefts and accidents. They say the power cuts will only add to the frequent unscheduled ones, which are a regular feature. “If there is no power at night, burglaries will increase and as the roads are in a poor condition, there can be more accidents too. Apart from the twohour power cuts, we usually have to undergo three more hours without power,” said T Sadagopan, a consumer activist from Pattabiram.
Availability of power in TN over past 2 years: between 7,000 and 7,200 MW
Availability in 2008: 7,206 MW
Demand this year : 9,000 MW One-sixth of state’s power supply is consumed by Chennai
Chennai’s power demand, now about 1,800 MW, is likely to go up by about 200 MW every year PROJECTS IN THE OFFING 463 MW from the 1,000 MW plant at Koodankulam
92 MW from Vazhathur (Ramnad district) gas plant
120 MW from Hind Bharat (Tuticorin) private power plant
600 MW from second stage of North Chennai Thermal Power Plant
600 MW from additional unit of Ennore Thermal Power Station
Additional 600 MW from Mettur Thermal Power Plant
800 MW ultra mega project at Udangudi (Tuticorin)

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Client.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default&Enter=true&Skin=TOI&GZ=T&AW=1220166477453

bharathkasthuri

August 31st, 2008, 03:49 PM

Extract of yesterday times property write up:

Most preferred cities for NRI investment

CIty Category
Delhi Tier I
Mumbai Tier I
Bangalore Tier I
Hyderabad Tier II
Chennai Tier II
Kolkata Tier II
Pune Tier II
Chandigarh Tier II
Kochi Tier III
Coimbatore Tier III
Amritsar Tier III

Wonder how chennai comes under Tier II being a metro city (same as Kolkata).

Source: Janes Lang LaSalle Meghraj

wcgokul

August 31st, 2008, 08:43 PM

Raj_network

September 1st, 2008, 03:49 AM

CHENNAI: Local Administration and Rural Development Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday said people’s response to the announcement of rice at Re. 1 a kg was overwhelming and that no other State in the country had thought of such a scheme.

Speaking at a function at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park in Vandalur where he inaugurated facilities, including battery-operated vehicles, Elephant Safari and a Deer Park, Mr. Stalin said the government had not only fulfilled the promises it had made in the election manifesto but was also implementing several other welfare schemes that could not be witnessed anywhere else in the country.

Mr. Stalin said there were plans to acquire five more vehicles for the benefit of visitors to the Lion Safari at the Vandalur Zoo.

The Minister said Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi’s announcement that from September 15, rice would be available at Re. 1 a kg to coincide with the birth centenary of former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, was received well by people across the State.

Recalling his conversation with the Chief Minister, Mr. Stalin said: “I told him that instead of selling rice at Re. 1 a kg, it could even be distributed free of cost. But the Chief Minister replied that if that were to be done, farmers who cultivated paddy would not receive any value for their produce.”

Welfare works

Apart from executing various welfare works, the government was also implementing schemes assisted by the Central government promptly and receiving and disbursing funds to the people on time. He pointed out that among the States where National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme was on, Tamil Nadu was the leader, implementing schemes to the tune of Rs. 1,000 crore. On the occasion, Mr. Stalin distributed micro credit to members of 398 women Self-Help Groups from Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Villupuram under the Tamil Nadu Afforestation programme.

The scheme covered 2,167 villages all over the State and more than 6 lakh people were taking part in the programme. In those villages where this scheme was on, there were 6,638 SHGs with nearly one lakh women members and about 100 women were heading Village Forest Committees.

A sum of Rs. 69.82 crore was extended as small loans to those villages where TN Afforestation Programme was on, Mr. Stalin said.

N. Selvaraj, Forest Minister, delivered the presidential address. N. Sundaradevan, Principal Secretary, Environment and Forests Department, said a study had revealed that while there was an overall decrease in the forest cover in India, Tamil Nadu had witnessed an increase in forest cover by 41 square kilometres last year.

A press note said the Deer Park was spread over 30 hectares (about 75 acres) and visitors could see deer after visiting the Lion Safari. Visitors could utilise the Elephant Safari between 9.30 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. The five battery operated cars were purchased at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh to cater for the needs of the increasing number of visitors and also to avoid pollution. The zoo, the first of its kind in India, was originally functioning in Chennai city and was shifted to its present location in 1985. It is spread over 602 hectares (about 1,500 acres).

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/01/stories/2008090159390800.htm

Rasnaboy

September 1st, 2008, 03:56 AM

Avalon putting up new facility

Chennai, Aug. 31 Avalon Technologies, part of the US-based Sienna Group, a global electronic manufacturing services (EMS) company, is expanding its capacity with a new facility at the Madras Export Processing Zone.

This will double its production capacity to 3,50,000 CPH (components per hour). The investment in this second phase of expansion is Rs 50 crore. It will generate 1,000 jobs , says a company press release.

Avalon is also starting operations for the Indian market with the incorporation of its new company, Avalon Technologies & Services (P) Ltd with a 50,000 sq feet facility in the SIDCO Industrial Estate in Arumbakkam, Chennai.

The centre will offer printed circuit board assemblies, cable assemblies, mechanical products and turnkey products The new companies will generate revenues of around Rs 250 crores over the next three years, said Mr T.P. Imbichammad, Chairman and Managing Director, Avalon Technologies.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/09/01/stories/2008090151001500.htm

ImBoredNow

September 1st, 2008, 04:17 AM

Good to See great things happening in Chennai!
Also good to see the government willing to accept these changes and put fort effort to improve infrastructure and standard of living.
Imagine how many jobs these markets will create for Chennaites.
The last time I went to chennai in 2006 all around chennai as well as in a good stretch of NH 46, I saw those Nokia plant buses all over the place with workers in them.
These buses were seriously all over the place.
I expect much of the same from other plants that are being set up here.
Now chennai has to think about it's distant future because the present will soon become past for chennai.
We have to develop our infrastructure accordingly.
I believe we can do it!!!

ezhilan81

September 1st, 2008, 07:51 AM

greatchennai

September 1st, 2008, 10:36 AM

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/2800_acres_acquired_peacefully_in_TN/articleshow/3429390.cms

CHENNAI: The West Bengal government would do well to learn how to acquire land from the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation, Union IT and communications minister A Raja and Perambalur collector Anil Meshram.

Setting a record of sorts, they have helped the Hyderabad-based GVK group, promoters of the 3,000-acre Perambalur Special Economic Zone, acquire 2,800 acres of land from the villagers concerned without a single case of litigation.

The government, as per the rules, can acquire up to 30% land for an SEZ; in Perambalur government agencies are acquiring hardly 7% of the total land requirement from villagers. The rest has come through voluntary sale. The registration of land that started on November 2 last year is nearing completion, said sources in the TIDCO and the district administration.

The district administration has initiated proceedings to acquire another 208 acres whose owners are not known or couldn't be traced under the Industrial Purpose Act. Their price would be deposited with the court. A proposal has been sent to the government to hand over another 236 acres of poromboke land to the GVK Group. The firm has pumped in Rs 100 crore for the purchase of land and is expected to invest another Rs 800 crore for providing basic infrastructure.

"Land acquisition was a tedious process involving close to 2,000 owners but we succeeded because we took the owners along with us. The single largest owner held only 22 acres and there were close to 350 small players with just 1,200 sq ft each in their names.

After several rounds of negotiations involving the minister, land owners, GVK representatives, collector and TIDCO general manager B Elangovan, a consensus on a uniform price of Rs 3 lakh per acre was reached.

It was nearly six times the then market price. Also, the company promised the land owners preference during recruitment and free fully-developed residential sites in a 100-acre layout, carved out and kept outside the SEZ," said a TIDCO official.

A team of 60 TIDCO officials headed by a special DRO spent about six months preparing a database of the land owners and 14 lawyers representing the GVK Group scrutinized every land document. The site, covering five revenue villages, has about 2.5 km frontage on the NH-45.

The project had got in-principle clearance last year and is expected to be formally approved by the SEZ board in a month, said senior-level TIDCO sources. GVK Technical and Consultancy Services director P Srinivasulu Reddy, who represented the company in the land deal, said, "We have registered 1,259 documents so far. There were days when we registered 70 documents and I put thumb impressions on 630 sheets of documents.

Several companies have shown interest in setting up units in our SEZ. But we will start marketing the product only after fully developing it. We are also in talks with the Puducherry government to set up a dedicated power plant for the SEZ in Karaikal. It will have a 350 MW capacity."

Raj_network

September 1st, 2008, 11:20 AM

hesslei

September 1st, 2008, 12:32 PM

A mall in Chennai has been delayed for over a year. It’s not just shopping centers; almost 90% of the total construction in the city has been in limbo in spite of the projects being announced a year ago. The reason is that the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, the governing body for approvals, has been delaying the files for well over a year.

==============
hesslei...

opinion leader (http://www.drivenwide.com)

karoopan

September 1st, 2008, 02:23 PM

^^

Same time, I would like to mention few things, TN and WB are industry driven states. but in out TN, we have threatening politics, almost dictatorship in the name of democracy, this kind of Perambalur SEZ project is ONE man show like RAJA, some politicians are doing their pride, bcas no one should point them in next election that they didnt do anything for assembly or parli. seat,

hence they (like raja) r in position to make it done at any cost, they will use SAMA, BETHAm, thandam, in all directions. If some one not giving lands, obviously they do Katta panchayathu. This view must be very local, but this is one of the true fact.

Whereas in WB, they dont have hot and arrangance politics in their land, they will also do like other guys, but TN politics are different than any other state.

In addition these politicians and their henchman at village level do get back their pound through various contracts as security, earth moving, various subcontracts and ofcourse hard cash also. If businessperson proceeds on his own in settingup an industry by dealing with the stakeowners direct, then they face musclemen and protest organisers.

People who are in the know will definitely know how the first information technology company to comeup in Sholinganallur in IT Expressway got space for setting up their campus though under a long lease.

How about the Tata's Titanium Plant in southern Tamilnadu. It is an example of such things getting misfired.

The following link is an interesting viewpoint on this (It is not my view please)
http://www.cpiml.org/liberation/year_2007/September/titanium_in_tamilnadu.html

ranga

September 1st, 2008, 05:56 PM

Suncity

September 1st, 2008, 06:01 PM

Nature's Nest

http://www.srijanrealty.com/upcoming_projects.html

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/991/chennaisrijanuy6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Rasnaboy

September 1st, 2008, 07:49 PM

^^^^

PS Srijan group starts Chennai operations

CHENNAI: PS Srijan Group, a joint venture between PS Group and Srijan Group based in Kolkata, has announced the launch of its operations in Chennai and its plans to establish a world class shopping mall and a premium residential apartment block.

Shopping mall

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Pradip Chopra, Chairman, PS Group, said the project was coming up in Velachery. The shopping mall would be over 3 lakh sq.ft. and the residential apartment block 1 lakh sq. ft. The investment would be Rs. 125 crore.

Other projects

A few other projects had also been signed up in Chennai as joint ventures with respective land owners, Mr. Chopra said. These included a 9 lakh sq. ft. housing complex at Padur on the Old Mahabalipuram Road and a 5 lakh sq. ft. housing complex in Perumbakkam, next to the Tamil Nadu Infotech Park at Siruseri.

Besides the group was coming up with a 13.5 lakh sq. ft. shopping mall on Avanishi Road, in Coimbatore, Mr. Chopra said.

Mr. Chopra said the group had completed 80 landmark buildings in the last two decades and had entered into 100 property collaborations.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060555171600.htm

barrykul

September 1st, 2008, 11:46 PM

Here is another example of what is really wrong with Indian Administration. We have a central minister who is part of the ruling faction of the State and the funny thing is that they are squabbling over a project that would make sense for both the center and the state. Confused. I am. Sheer nonsense. Why does the public need to know about these tussles, just get the job done.

Central-Egmore link: Railways presses for NOC (http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/02/stories/2008090258150100.htm)

The Railway ministry has asked the Tamil Nadu government to reconsider its decision to deny ‘no objection certificate’ (NOC) to the project that would provide 2.5-km rail link between Chennai Central and Egmore railway stations in the city.

The link, on elevated structures, would save both passengers as well as the railways considerable amount of money, since South-bound trains from the North and vice-versa take a 11.2-km circuitous and congested route via Beach, Royapuram, Washermanpet and Basin Bridge stations to reach their destinations, said Union Minister of State for Railways R. Velu.

He told The Hindu that on his instructions the railway authorities in Chennai had once again written to Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary seeking NOC. “I am planning to pursue this project vigorously.”

He said the main contention of the government was that the elevated rail structure would obstruct the implementation of the proposed metro rail project and the Chennai Port-Maduravoyal elevated highway, which would pass through Central station. The railways have pointed out that the metro rail track is going to be laid underground; and to cross the expressway, the rail line could be laid either beneath or above the expressway. “In a number of places in Delhi, railway lines, metro lines and flyovers criss-cross without any hurdle. I hope the State government will give its nod this time,” Mr. Velu said.

Subra

September 2nd, 2008, 12:13 AM

http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=333248

German auto giant Mercedes-Benz is contemplating setting up a plant to manufacture engines, gearboxes and other components in India at a whopping investment of Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,000 crore. While plans are yet to be finalised, the lower cost of manufacturing in India has compelled the company to give a serious thought to the proposition, Harald Landmann, the bus business head for Mercedes-Benz said at the launch of the company’s intercity luxury bus in Pune.

While Landmann did not disclose the location to set up this unit, officials close to the development hinted at Pune or Chennai.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lets hope for the best. With Daimler setting up shop, TN should try for the sister concern Benz too.

Raj_network

September 2nd, 2008, 01:48 AM

MUMBAI: Tyremaker MRF Ltd plans to invest about 1.3 billion rupees on a project to supply tyres for aircraft in the defence sector, a senior official said.

"We got the approval (from the defence ministry) for the project about 3 weeks back. Now we are set to enter the stage of production," MRF executive vice president Koshy Varghese said on Monday.

The company is in discussions with the government to seek partial financing for the project, he said. MRF will start production at its Arakkonam facility in Tamil Nadu, and then set up a new line in Medak in Andhra Pradesh, he added.

Shares of MRF ended down 0.64 per cent at 3,536.75 rupees in the Mumbai market.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/MRF_to_invest_13_bn_rupees_on_defence_project/rssarticleshow/3432941.cms

Subra

September 2nd, 2008, 04:38 AM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/09/02/stories/2008090250281200.htm

Chennai, Sept. 1 The Ashok Leyland-Nissan joint venture has sought the Tamil Nadu Government’s permission to set up production facilities spread across a few locations, according to sources in the know.

The joint venture for manufacturing light commercial vehicles, drive trains and technology development initially envisaged two manufacturing locations both located in Kanchipuram district.

Subsequently, the company has decided to set up the facilities spread across three or four locations, according to sources in the know.

Senior officials in Ashok Leyland declined to comment stating that the partners had agreed to make only joint statements on the project.

Incentives package

Following a Cabinet meeting on Saturday, the State Government had said that it has approved ‘some changes’ in the structured package of incentives extended to the Ashok Leyland and Nissan projects.

The sources said that these changes relate to the number of locations where the project was to come up. Initially, two were approved to come up at the Pillaipakkam industrial estate near Sriperumbudur. But, now, the companies were seeking clearance to set up the manufacturing facilities in two more locations – possibly Hosur and Ennore.

Last August, Ashok Leyland and Nissan announced a tie-up to set up three joint venture projects to produce 200,000 light commercial vehicles a year, a power train manufacturing unit and a third for technology development, with a total investment of Rs 4,150 crore.

The State Government approved this project in February last. The production is expected to start in 2010-11.
------------------------------------------------------------------
I hope Ashok Leyland should look at some location in south like the upcoming Perambalur SEZ to trigger auto investments in that region.

Subra

September 2nd, 2008, 11:31 AM

http://www.tn.gov.in/pressrelease/pr020908/pr020908g.htm

An MoU was signed between the Government of Tamil Nadu and M/s Tata to set up Fisheries Institute of Technology at Muttukadu, Kancheepuram District in the presence of Hon'ble Chief Minister.

greatchennai

September 2nd, 2008, 05:17 PM

In addition these politicians and their henchman at village level do get back their pound through various contracts as security, earth moving, various subcontracts and ofcourse hard cash also. If businessperson proceeds on his own in settingup an industry by dealing with the stakeowners direct, then they face musclemen and protest organisers.

People who are in the know will definitely know how the first information technology company to comeup in Sholinganallur in IT Expressway got space for setting up their campus though under a long lease.

How about the Tata's Titanium Plant in southern Tamilnadu. It is an example of such things getting misfired.

The following link is an interesting viewpoint on this (It is not my view please)
http://www.cpiml.org/liberation/year_2007/September/titanium_in_tamilnadu.html

We cannot convince all the concerned while there is the development on any fields...probably as the thumb rule if the development payback 8 persons out of 10 then we could support the same.

And compare with other countries such as China, Middle- east and other countries which controlled by mostly by autocratic government, where public cannot express their reservations also for whatsoever grounds. So mix of such forces are acceptable provided there are no gross violations on the human rights......I think Perambalur is more of non-cultivated land mass and acquiring those won’t affect the lifeline of the agricultural community in contrast to Cavery delta region.

And particularly for the projects for other than Chennai, sure the development is must to decongest the capital and eventually that will benefit the tier 2 sites such as Trichy and Madurai etc.

Once India moved up into the value chain maybe we could suspend these polluting industries such as Titanium dioxide / Tyre industries etc. Also we have to understood that most of the developed countries might have come across these cycles of development and phased out gradually as they found more lucrative income than the polluting business...

Rasnaboy

September 3rd, 2008, 07:21 AM

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Tatas for setting up the Fisheries Institute of Technology and Training (FITT) and providing technical assistance in fishing, processing, marine aquaculture and sale.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi gave Rs.1 crore towards initial development of the institute, to be set up at Muttukadu in Kancheepuram district. The announcement about the FITT was made in the budget, and the government allotted 1.16 acres for the purpose.

A State government press release stated that the Tatas would evolve a scheme on marine aquaculture and other aspects in discussion with experts in India and abroad. It would set up fish breeders and hatcheries.

The Tatas would take care of the first six months of the project. It would pay rent for the office, meet transportation charges and the cost for providing training to Indian scientists abroad. “The assets created by the Tatas will be handed over to the government when the project is implemented,” the government said. Besides functioning as a coordinator between the Tatas, the State government and the Fisheries Department, the FITT would act as a facilitator for getting financial assistance and improving the infrastructure of fishing harbours. Central and State government organisations, non-governmental organisations and entrepreneurs in fisheries will be members of the FITT.

The State government said that it would help identify lands for coastal districts for training centres and provide adequate fund for their functioning.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/03/stories/2008090360080900.htm

PlaneMad

September 3rd, 2008, 09:29 AM

Subra

September 4th, 2008, 01:33 AM

http://www.bignews.biz/?id=786486&keys=Agriculture-dripirrigation-chennai-plant

Netafim, the world’s largest provider of smart water solutions for agriculture, inaugurates its second plant in Chennai, India.

As global warming and climate change increase, the chances of a water positive world are fast evaporating. As the world begins to grapple with the looming water and food crisis, one company has been working tirelessly to mitigate these threats for the past 40 years.

Netafim™, an Israel based Agri-Business pioneer and the world’s largest provider of smart water solutions for agriculture, has been delivering innovative solutions that increase crop yields and preserve water resources. Netafim™ is active in over 110 countries across 5 continents, employing over 2600 employees, has more than 35 subsidiaries and 13 manufacturing facilities in 11 countries.

On 22nd August, 2008, Netafim Irrigation India Private Limited, a subsidiary of
Netafim Ltd. Israel, commenced operations of its 2nd plant in India at Chennai.

Netafim enhanced its production capacity in India to cater to domestic as well as overseas markets. This state of art production facility will specially cater to the rising demand from Southern India.

Netafim first set foot on Indian soil through its manufacturing plant at Vadodara, Gujarat. Since then it has helped transform the agri-landscape of the country and enhance the lives of farmers through the implementation of turnkey projects in community irrigation, biofuel, agro development projects, irrigation projects based on waste water and development of greenhouses.

In its decade long presence in the country it has achieved market leadership in the Indian Drip Irrigation domain and has risen to rank among the top 10 subsidiaries of Netafim Israel.

The second plant at Chennai, spread over an area of four acres in the plush Mahindra World City, heralds a new chapter in its history. Established with an investment of over 20 crores, this is amongst the most sophisticated and modern plants Netafim has worldwide.

Besides generating employment opportunities for talents of south India, it will also open up growth avenues for vendors in surrounding areas.

This move is part of the strategic plan of the company to expand its footprint over the sub continent and beyond. This modern plant will play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life of millions of farmers. It will also act as a springboard for Netafim to cater to farmers across the Asia Pacific region.

The inauguration of the Second plant at Chennai was attended by Mr. Ofer Bloch, President & CEO, Mr. Rami Levy, Managing Director - Asia Pacific, Tzvika Barkai, VP Production, Mr. Randhir Chauhan, Managing Director Netafim India along with other dignitaries & large number of Netafim India employees.

futurebiz1

September 4th, 2008, 07:21 AM

this link is just a huge waste of money.

Planemad, I'm with you on this rail link.

kvijayasundaram

September 5th, 2008, 05:52 AM

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/09/05/stories/2008090551290300.htm

...
The company has a plant in Chennai to make expandable polystyrene, the primary raw material for foams. The company will use the space available at this plant to construct a brownfield facility at a cost of Rs 17 crore to make 1.5 lakh cu ft of extruded polystyrene per year.....

comet

September 5th, 2008, 03:57 PM

Anyone knows where Michelin is putting up the 4000 crore tyre factory ? It was announced recently. Some say it is off Chennai Nellore Highway, in Thervoy Kandigai ? The factory of such girth will need at least 200 acres ! While Thervoy location would be good for export through Ennore / Krishnapattinam port, one would reckon Michelin intends to supply the domestic OEM market. Our car factories are in Sriperumpudur, Orgadam & Maraimalainagar ..... a good 60 Km trek.

Subra

September 5th, 2008, 04:00 PM

comet

September 5th, 2008, 04:32 PM

A press article confirmed Thervoy Kandigai in Thiruvallur district.

Do you have an online link to that press article ? Thanks in advance.

Subra

September 5th, 2008, 05:52 PM

Do you have an online link to that press article ? Thanks in advance.

Navigate to the PDF document dated 30th August 2008 titled "Press Release No. 717 (Cabinet Meeting)". Item-3 officialy provides the location.

http://www.tn.gov.in - Go to Press Releases

comet

September 5th, 2008, 07:17 PM

Thanks , Subra. Here is a screen capture (courtesy Subra) :
http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/4193/michelinof6.jpg

At 4000 crores this project can employ more people than their poland factory (pictures below) which employs 3400 workers.

http://www.paiz.gov.pl/_img/_pictures/5663.jpg
http://www.paiz.gov.pl/_img/_pictures/6057.jpg

And the world's largest tyre on display at Michelin :
http://www.paiz.gov.pl/_img/_pictures/6058.jpg

All pictures courtesy : http://www.paiz.gov.pl/index/

futurebiz1

September 5th, 2008, 07:50 PM

Subra

September 5th, 2008, 08:31 PM

comet

September 5th, 2008, 08:52 PM

Where exactly in Thiruvallur district is Thervoy Kandigai located. Is it on NH-205(Chennai-Tirupathi H'way) or on the chennai-Calcutta highway(somewhere near gumoodipondi). Michelin in Chennai is big. :cheers::cheers:
Couldn't locate the place on Wikimapia

It is here :
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/632/michlocjp9.jpg

From Padi junction to Gummudipoondi Calcutta highway on 33rd KM is RMK Engineering college.
This is Kavarapettai junction. Proceeding further will take one to Gummduipoondi Industrial estate.
Take the westward Sathyavedu road will take one to Thervoy. It is about 14 Km from the National Highway.
It is a strategic move by the govt since AP is establishing many SEZs within 5 Km from the Sathyavedu - Kavarapettai Rd.

Subra

September 6th, 2008, 03:50 AM

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/06/stories/2008090656630500.htm

CHENNAI: Representatives of the automotive and auto component industry in Chennai met a French delegation to highlight opportunities for co-operation between India and France, especially for the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector here on Thursday.

“We have well-developed core competencies, and are looking at more technology transfer and co-operation with Indian industry. The SME sector is particularly interesting for us right now,” Christophe Collette, general manager, Rhone Alpes automotive cluster, one of the largest automotive clusters in the world, situated in Lyons, France, said.

The interaction was jointly organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Southern Region.

James Daniel Paul, senior expert, UNIDO, said though the Lyons cluster has an annual turnover of about 90 billion Euros, which is larger than the total turnover of the automotive sector in India, which is estimated to be 15 billion Euros, the mutual interaction would benefit both partners in the long run.

The automotive and auto components industry in India was projected to grow at a healthy rate of about 20 per cent in the next few years, S. Chandramohan, co-chairman, Task Force on International Business Promotion and Networking, CII, said. This meant that close interaction with a mature and developed market like France.

The French delegation would study the proposals and was open to tie-ups in the near future, Mr. Collette said. However this would take some time, he said.

Raj_network

September 6th, 2008, 04:07 AM

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNT20080905102044&Title=TamilNadu+Page&lTitle=R%AAZLm&Topic=0&ndate=9/6/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=0

futurebiz1

September 6th, 2008, 06:08 AM

It is here :
From Padi junction to Gummudipoondi Calcutta highway on 33rd KM is RMK Engineering college.
This is Kavarapettai junction. Proceeding further will take one to Gummduipoondi Industrial estate.
Take the westward Sathyavedu road will take one to Thervoy. It is about 14 Km from the National Highway.
It is a strategic move by the govt since AP is establishing many SEZs within 5 Km from the Sathyavedu - Kavarapettai Rd.

Thanks Comet

vijayvmail

September 6th, 2008, 04:23 PM

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNT20080905102044&Title=TamilNadu+Page&lTitle=R%AAZLm&Topic=0&ndate=9/6/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=0

I sincerely pray that this is approved and comes up ASAP. More than flyovers, parking lots are the ones that this place needs urgently. The multi-level car park proposed by the government seems to be a non-starter. They keep re-proposing it every few months.

Raj_network

September 7th, 2008, 03:39 AM

In full swing: Work in progress on one of the three culverts coming up on the Pallavaram - Thoraipakkam Radial Road.

TAMBARAM: The Chennai City Roads division of the State Highways Department has started building three culverts across the Pallavaram - Thoraipakkam Radial Road following an order of the Madras High Court passed last year.

The Exnora Innovators’ Club of Pallavaram had approached the High Court, pointing to incidents threatening the environment around the Pallavaram Lake or ‘Periya Eri.’

Once a sprawling water body, it had shrunk due to encroachments and the Radial Road had split the lake into two.

Being an elevated road, a huge quantity of mud was dumped when it was laid and facilities were not created for flow of water from one side to the other, going against the natural “water balance.”

The petition pointed to the dumping and burning of garbage, discharge of raw sewage into the lake and called for protecting this water body.

The High Court constituted an expert committee to study the lake and come up with remedial measures. Apart from suggesting the construction of culverts, the committee said garbage dumping and sewage discharge had to be stopped. Following the court orders, Pallavaram Municipality installed boards warning people not to dump garbage on road sides, especially near the lake.

Work orders sanctioned

But, the menace continued discreetly. Maintenance of this Radial Road, which was under the Saidapet Sub Division of Tiruvallur Division, was handed over to Chennai City Roads in May this year and during perusal of pending projects, officials noticed that culverts had to be built. Tenders were floated and work orders were sanctioned recently.

Officials said the road width was 22 metres, but they were constructing 45-metre-wide culverts as there was scope for road widening. The 6-metre high culverts were being built in 3 locations at a combined cost of Rs.30 lakh under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme.

Objective

The objective of the 10.2-km long road laid by the State Highways Department in 2000 at a cost of about Rs.12 crore was to link Grand Southern Trunk Road at Pallavaram with Rajiv Gandhi Salai (formerly Old Mamallapuram Road).

It attracted a lot of flak from environmentalists when it was laid, as apart from this lake, water bodies in Keelkattalai, Narayanapuram and Pallikaranai were virtually split into two.

Environmentalists said that instead of laying an elevated surface road, they could have constructed a bridge similar to the one on Chennai Bypass over the Porur Lake.

Officials said they expected to complete the work before monsoon and hoped that with the construction of the culverts, the fears of environmentalists would be allayed.

Three similar culverts at a cost of Rs.88 lakh each on this road between the Pallikaranai intersection and Thoraipakkam have been completed with financial assistance from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

Two culverts at a cost of Rs.2 crore each on Velachery Main Road near Pallikaranai have been sanctioned under CRIDP.

While work on one of them has started, a tender has been floated for the other, officials added.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090758900400.htm

Raj_network

September 7th, 2008, 03:42 AM

Chennai: Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin on Saturday inaugurated several projects, including parks, community halls and school buildings, developed at a cost of Rs.6.34 crore.

The Saidapet abattoir built at a cost of Rs.40 lakh, and the community hall constructed at a cost of Rs.92.7 lakh on Dr. Ambedkar Road in Kodambakkam, were the major projects inaugurated.

Twelve new/renovated parks in various parts of south Chennai were also opened. One of the new parks in MRC Nagar was developed through a public-private partnership on open space reservation land.

Mr. Stalin said the Corporation spent Rs.14.21 crore on renovation and development of parks in the last two years. Parks along roads and inside traffic islands would also be renovated.

He distributed financial aid of Rs.24 lakh to beneficiaries of the Muthulakshmi Reddy maternity assistance scheme, and Rs.11.25 lakh under the Moovalur Ramamirtham marriage assistance scheme.

Mr. Stalin said that 40 lakh colour television sets were to be given in the fourth round of distribution. All families in the State that did not have a colour TV would soon own one. The Minister will inaugurate parks and school buildings in north Chennai on Sunday.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090758130300.htm

Raj_network

September 7th, 2008, 04:04 AM

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNT20080906140808&Title=TamilNadu+Page&lTitle=R%AAZLm&Topic=0&ndate=9/7/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=0

senthil2001msk

September 7th, 2008, 04:30 AM

Industrial activity driving realty growth in Kanchi

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Features/The_Sunday_ET/Property/Industrial_activity_driving_realty_growth_in_Kanchi/articleshow/3453438.cms

Tamil Nadu’s major pilgrim centre Kanchipuram is among the first few industrial pockets of the state that attracted big-ticket investments from global giants such as Ford, Hyundai and Saint Gobain. Following the entry of MNCs, the investment flow into the district has totally changed its landscape.

If Sriperumbadur and Irrungatukottai were the growth centres in the corridor in the late 90s, Oragadam has now turned a hotspot for attracting big ticket investments. The highway corridor leading to Kanchi, has developed rapidly, thanks to the surge in industrial and economic activity.

If Kanchi districts tops the investment chart of Tamil Nadu, this corridor has attracted maximum number of projects in sectors like automobile, telecom, construction equipment and electronic hardware. Thousands of workforce are commuting from in and around Chennai to the corridor, which has attracted new players like Caparo, Samsung, Dell, Nokia, Motorolo, Foxconn, Apollo Tyres, Renault-Nissan, Ashok Leyland-Nissan and Natrip (auto testing centre).

Following the industrial boom, all the leading property developers have launched projects in the belt. Unlike Maramalainagar belt, there is no railway line in the corridor, though there is a railway line to Kanchi town. According to Cushman Wakefield industrial space report 2008, such areas have experienced heightened economic activities due to a combination of favourable government policies towards development and the resultant corporate interest as viable options for growth within India.

Apart from industrial sector, these locations are being preferred by services industries like IT/ITeS, research and development, bio-technology due to superior development and relatively affordable rental values (when compared to office rentals in a city), escalating the values in these industrial locations significantly.

Kanchipuram has the advantage of its proximity to Chennai airport (70 Km), two seaports of Chennai and Ennore, Chennai Central railway station and Koyambedu Bus terminus. It is also close to Madras special economic zone, housing a number of export units besides Kalpakkam Atomic power station.

As it is located midway between Chennai and Bangalore, Kanchi is seen as an ideal destination for residential purposes. ‘Walk to work’ concept could get a boost as there is a major chunk of employees of Nokia, Flextronics and Motorola, Dell, Samsung, (to name a few) in this district.

Four years ago, land costs in Kanchi were ruling at Rs 3 lakh per acre. If the costs shot up to Rs 10 lakh an acre a year ago, the prevailing rates are upwards of Rs 50 lakh per acre, according to industry sources.

The realty scene is bound to change, if the new airport and metro projects of the state government become a reality. Kanchi could become an alternative low cost destination. But, this requires developing social infrastructure like good schools, healthcare centres. This will only attract property developers to the town. The rentals are still lower, sources added.

The rapid pace of growth in Chennai city in the last few years have led to a conscious effort to de-congest the metro and develop alternate growth centres. Kanchi is one such location, that has retained its identity as a bastion of tradition even while boasting of an infrastructure that would ease the pressure on city.

With Chennai becoming a high cost metro for the middle-class and salaried class people, Kanchi is gaining importance as a weekend destination. Big realtors like ETA and DLF are still concentrating on the industrial corridors in and around Kanchi, which provides scope for small developers. Attempts are on to promote villas and green houses in this town, as people perceive it as a weekend and leisure destination.

Over a ten-year horizon, there is scope to develop Kanchi into a self-contained Vatican city and a fountainhead of knowledge. This could lead to creating a social eco-system that would focus on housing, education, tourism and temple renovation.

With a number of ‘pathasalas’ and ‘dharmasalas,’ it could be developed on the lines of Haridwar, which has 2,000 rooms/ cottages for pilgrims and 35 to 40 halls. According to official sources, the state government is keen on creating two new municipal corporations near Chennai and it is seriously considering Kanchi given the current the pace of infrastructure development in the corridor.