CHENNAI: With the economy back on track and growing at a steady pace, campuses are being flooded with head-hunters from a wide range of sectors like IT, finance, manufacturing, infrastructure and banking. Even new ventures are out to grab best minds from premier institutions.

The country's largest IT services provider, Tata Consultancy Services, announced recently its plans to recruit about 50,000 employees in 2011, the same as this year's. This fiscal their initial target was only 30,000, but they will end up hiring 50,000. Cognizant and HCL Technologies have also announced hiring in excess of 5,000 people in their latest quarterly results. "We are building up strength in view of the increase in businesses that we expect to handle in the coming future," says Vineet Nayar, managing director, HCL Technologies.

A lot of interest has been shown by finance, renewable and non-renewable energy and infrastructure sector companies in hiring students at IIT-Madras.

"Even among IT sector firms, a few have realised that students who come out of IITs are more suited for leadership roles, a position which they did not look for earlier. They are looking for those with analytical and communication skills who would be placed in some sort of fast track growth profiles," says Anurag Nallapati, student secretary (academic affairs) at IIT-Madras.

Last placement season, around 220 companies visited IIT-Madras, and this year already 210 companies have registered. At Anna University, several companies including dream companies and core engineering firms such as Microsoft, Amazon, Caterpillar, Google and CISCO have made their visits. The bulk recruiters, mostly software majors, will come during the final semester. For the first time, Facebook, the popular social networking site, is hunting for students who can work in the domains of web and content designing.

"An interesting trend is that several start-ups have come to our campus offering annual compensation packages up to Rs 7 lakh. They are looking at hiring five to six students each," said professor T Kalaichelvan, deputy director, Centre for University Industry Collaboration, Anna University.

"At one point, students were looking at the brand value of a company. Now we find they are exploring career opportunities in start-ups as they see scope for vertical growth and freedom to try out new things," says Kalaichelvan.

The increasing interest in start-ups could also be linked to the rising attrition at the entry level in IT companies. "Many students who joined IT companies quit and left for higher studies because they were not satisfied with the job profile," says S Gowri, registrar, Anna University of Technology (Chennai). While he welcomed the revived interest in hiring by IT companies, he suggests that the recruiters must look at giving the right profiles for students.

IT companies recruit hundreds of students from various engineering branches, rather than narrowing their choice to circuit engineering branch graduates. "This leads to lower satisfaction levels. IT companies should not seek to fit students of different engineering branches in the same job profile," says Gowri.


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/New-sectors-start-ups-rev-up-campus-placements/articleshow/6938373.cms

Hey what about these projects??

1.TEDA special economic zone for renewable SEZ in chengalpet district.
http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/energy_3.htm

2.Future Energy's renewable energy SEZ
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/28/stories/2007052802790300.htm

Can you give the list of companies in these SEZs??

Hey what about these projects??

1.TEDA special economic zone for renewable SEZ in chengalpet district.
http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/energy_3.htm

Can you give the list of companies in these SEZs??

Dude this project was announced 3.5 years ago..I think it is dropped..

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/ascendas-mizuho-and-jgc-ink-mou-to-facilitate-entry-of-japanese-companies-into-india-2010-11-17?reflink=MW_news_stmp

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between Asia's leading business space provider, Ascendas, and a Japan Consortium formed by top corporate finance provider, Mizuho Corporate Bank, and program management contractor & investment partner, JGC Corporation, to jointly explore opportunities for business partnership and collaboration in a large scale project to develop a world-class integrated township in Chennai, India, with eco-friendly infrastructure for industrial, business, commercial, residential, and lifestyle amenities with Ascendas as the Master Developer.

Under the MOU, Ascendas and the Japan consortium will share knowledge and experience in the areas of project financing, infrastructure technologies and industrial park development for the world class integrated township project to be located in Chennai, where many Japanese companies have already set up operations and more have shown strong interest to be there.

The partnership will also conduct feasibility studies and explore opportunities for financial participation and investment by Japanese consortium in the integrated township project, including equity investment, debt financing and other supporting financial services for Japanese companies locating to the township. In addition, the partnership will facilitate mutual consultation and explore opportunities for participation by Japan infrastructure players in areas such as master-planning, professional consultancy, development of infrastructure, and building of essential facilities in the integrated township.

Ms Chong Siak Ching, Ascendas' Group President and CEO, said, "Since its inception, Ascendas has been leading the entry into new markets like India and China. We aim to build stronger partnerships with key players in Asia through sharing our experience and expertise in these markets. We are privileged to be in this partnership and working with some of Japan's key corporate leaders such as Mizuho and JGC. For the purpose of this special partnership, we have identified Chennai for the development of a world class and eco-friendly integrated township with high quality infrastructure and facilities to cater to the growing demands of Japanese companies expanding into India through Chennai."

Over the years, Ascendas has established deep working relationships with many Japanese companies looking to expand into Asia's developing economies like China, India, and Vietnam. In particular, India has become a major investment destination for many Japanese companies looking to take advantage of its huge domestic market, low costs of production and high quality workforce.

The partnership between Ascendas and the Japan Consortium to develop a world class integrated township in Chennai is expected to be a win-win outcome for all involved, and will stand to become an important market entry platform for many Japanese companies looking to take advantage of a well-planned integrated township with high quality infrastructure, complimented with the conducive pro-business environment of Chennai.

Hey what about these projects??

1.TEDA special economic zone for renewable SEZ in chengalpet district.
http://www.tn.gov.in/policynotes/energy_3.htm

2.Future Energy's renewable energy SEZ
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/05/28/stories/2007052802790300.htm

Can you give the list of companies in these SEZs??

Hey nice find !!!! how to file rti ???? i saw the rti website confused how to take a dd for 10r.s !!

http://www.livemint.com/2010/11/17171738/DHL-to-expand-India-footprint.html

DHL Global Forwarding, the freight division of leading global logistics player DHL, on Wednesday said it plans to set up facilities in five free trade warehousing zones (FTWZ) in the country by 2013.

These will be in addition to the $10 million (about Rs. 45 crore) facility in the country’s first FTWZ in Chennai.

“We plan to set up facilities in five FTWZs here in next two to three years to cater to the growing need of the trade as well as expand our footprint,” chief executive officer, South Asia Pacific, DHL Global Amadou Diallo told PTI.

Asked about the proposed investment in the facilities, Diallo said it was yet to be decided. “The Tamil Nadu FTWZ will be operational in January 2011. We have invested $10 million in that,” he added.

He said DHL Global Forwarding will be the first global logistics company to operate a facility within the FTWZ that offers customers the benefits of a duty free zone with high quality infrastructure.

The new facility will be a one-stop-shop for all logistics requirement of customers, he said. DHL has such a facilities abroad, including Singapore, for customers for inbound and outbound logistics requirements.

FTWZs are zones to create trade related infrastructure to facilitate the import and export of goods and services.

On investments so far in India, Diallo said DHL Forwarding has so far invested around $315 million (about Rs. 15,000 crore) in India.

The logistics market in India is expected to grow to $120 billion (over Rs. 5.4 lakh crore) in 2014 from about 90 billion (over Rs. 4 lakh crore) at present.

“We are well positioned to capitalise on this fast growing market with India poised for a 9% growth,” Diallo added.

Also, the company is eying public-private-partnership projects in logistics space in the country.

Chennai cannot have an IIM as it has an IIT. That is why there are no talks of opening IIMs in Delhi, Mumbai too. The only states having both IIT and IIM are West Bengal and UP. Tamil Nadu will be the third.

Wish ISB opens up in Chennai. Heard they are starting a second center in Mohali after Hyderabad.

BLR has IIM as well IISc. AHD has IIM as well IIT (gandhi ngr). so there is no hard rule not to have tech & mgmnt indian insts in a city. but, yes IIs are started with the motto of regional balance spread across country rather just in main cities.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article892226.ece

The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority will revive its proposal of setting up multilevel vehicle parking facilities in joint venture with various land-owning government departments.

It will soon initiate discussion with the Metropolitan Transport Corporation to explore the possibility of establishing such a facility at the T.Nagar bus terminus.

The total area of the terminus is around 1.5 acre. The multilevel parking facility would be developed without disturbing the bus terminus.

Mecon Limited, a Government of India enterprise, was hired to prepare a feasibility report for developing multilevel car parking complexes at six locations, according to a CMDA brochure brought out four years ago. Land acquisition was scheduled to begin on completion of the study.

The six locations were a strip of land east of Panagal Park, Broadway Bus Stand, MUC Ground near Flower Bazaar, T. Nagar bus terminus, Government Estate on Anna Salai and MTC workshop site on Pattulous Road. The CMDA has now decided to revive some of these projects in consultation with the landowners. The facility at the Broadway bus stand is being taken up by the Chennai Corporation.

...

^^ In T.nagar terminuss , If multilevel parking is constructed .. LEt them leave two floors of it for MTC buses ...:nuts:
Clear the depot(present) integrate depot land into terminus ...And have a makeover ...

The buses themselves dont have place now ...!!! HAve the time they wait near the ^^Usman road jn and clog the traffic !!:bash::bash:

^^ In T.nagar terminuss , If multilevel parking is constructed .. LEt them leave two floors of it for MTC buses ...:nuts:
Clear the depot(present) integrate depot land into terminus ...And have a makeover ...

The buses themselves dont have place now ...!!! HAve the time they wait near the ^^Usman road jn and clog the traffic !!:bash::bash:

They should shift the Bus stand and convert the space into Multi Level Parking.

T Nagar can have pass through buses without a terminus, unless they can identify a suitable land for the same. They can plan terminating trips at T Nagar so that seats are available in the buses. FOr eg: The Bus from Anna Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur can have 2 phases - I phase Anna Nagar to T Nagar and II phase T Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur. The buses need not stop for more than a few minutes. The Bus Stops can be planned in such places, where Parking for 5 minutes will not be an issue.

They should shift the Bus stand and convert the space into Multi Level Parking.

T Nagar can have pass through buses without a terminus, unless they can identify a suitable land for the same. They can plan terminating trips at T Nagar so that seats are available in the buses. FOr eg: The Bus from Anna Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur can have 2 phases - I phase Anna Nagar to T Nagar and II phase T Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur. The buses need not stop for more than a few minutes. The Bus Stops can be planned in such places, where Parking for 5 minutes will not be an issue.


I dont think TNagar should not have a bustand,Mr.Kannan..it would be a disaster for citizens..all the people would folock on to the bustops and traffic would continue..

Instead of one terminus @ T.Nagar, MTC can follow Broadway/parry's/Highcourt terminus model like buses terminating @ Panagal park/T.nagarBS/Venkat narayana rd and introduce circular bus route cover all these terminus will avoid traffic congestin at one place.

hEY WHAT ABOUT FUTURE ENERGY sEZ...Any development in that SEZ???

They should shift the Bus stand and convert the space into Multi Level Parking.

T Nagar can have pass through buses without a terminus, unless they can identify a suitable land for the same. They can plan terminating trips at T Nagar so that seats are available in the buses. FOr eg: The Bus from Anna Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur can have 2 phases - I phase Anna Nagar to T Nagar and II phase T Nagar to Thiruvanmiyur. The buses need not stop for more than a few minutes. The Bus Stops can be planned in such places, where Parking for 5 minutes will not be an issue.

Kannan That would be disastrous to remove terminus from T.Nagar .. For West mambalam , CIT nagar and T.Nagar area it is the only terminus !!!

Already people fight for getting into the bus during peak hours ...!!! Making buses to pass by will be a nightmare :(

Only solution can be is to obtain that old building beside depot and building multilevel terminus ...

Or construct the same at some other place in t.nagar(Finding one will be very very difficult)

T.Nagar Bus Stand - Am thinking loud if a large underground or above ground bus terminus could be constructed. We sure do have the technology.

I am of the opinion that T.Nagar being such a central spot sure needs Terminus. I have seen places like Ambattur (OT) not only lose its eminence as a location due to lack of proper bus terminus, but also have hundreds and thousands suffer daily. The logic originally given was places like Avadi or Pudur will have more services so folks can get seats.. Trust me it never has worked nor ever will.

Breaking long distance bus routes is definitely very effective thats what happened to Ambattur OT - Tiruvanmiyur services, but how many services can be broken this way.

T Nagar bus terminus is a complex issue as it involves everything in great magnitude - larger crowds, dense commercial areas, dense residential areas, very costly to acquire lands etc. So we have to come with more innovative and visionary ideas.

Also concrete metro plans for T Nagar must be atleast announced now.

Also concrete metro plans for T Nagar must be atleast announced now.



Actually as u said underground is the only option .. I cant even think of a place in proper t.nagar which could be acquired for expansion of terminus or metro elevated station :( Even in West mambalam they will not find any !!!

One choice can be Brindavan street Housing board .. Developing a terminus and underground metro stn for west mambalam and T.nagar together at that place is possible ...but i dont know whether ppl will be willing to relocate :-|

I think there is govt LIG quarters nearby TNagar bus stand.. I don't remember it properly. If so, why cant the govt relocated those people to some other area and utilise that area for bus stand.?

But I think multi level bus stand will be the best solution. Two level + Surface level will be helpful for managing another 15-20 yrs.? Escalators/Ramps can be used in order for people to get up and down.

^^ No that is Police quarters ... and that one is newly built (relatively) :-/

Kannan That would be disastrous to remove terminus from T.Nagar .. For West mambalam , CIT nagar and T.Nagar area it is the only terminus !!!

Already people fight for getting into the bus during peak hours ...!!! Making buses to pass by will be a nightmare :(

Only solution can be is to obtain that old building beside depot and building multilevel terminus ...

Or construct the same at some other place in t.nagar(Finding one will be very very difficult)

The present location is THE reason for the traffic nightmare in the junction and all buses converging to that spot or starting from there is not ideal for future.

Ashok Nagar / KK Nagar can be thought of for a terminus, since Govt has land parcels. Shuttle services / mini buses can operate from Usman Raod / Panagal Park to this terminus.

T Nagar Usman Road and Panagal Park area should be made Traffic free and only Pedestrians should be allowed. This will be possible only when a vast or many parking lots is/are available nearby.

There is already a suggestion to decongest T Nagar by shifting the merchants to a new swanky area on GST road past the Airport. Like KPN et al running shuttle services between T Nagar and Koyambedu, Pothys, Nallis can operate similar services.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article898815.ece

With the demolition of over 100 encroachments on the Buckingham canal on Thursday by the Public Works Department, the work on construction of an 18-metre-wide road along the eastern side of the canal connecting Madhya Kailash area and Lattice Bridge in Thiruvanmiyur has gained momentum.

The four-lane road would support traffic in both directions.

According to an official of the Railways, the road would be completed in three months and serve the residents of localities on the eastern part of the Buckingham Canal. The work has been completed in some stretches and the demolition on Thursday cleared the way for construction of 750 metre of the stretch, according to the PWD. The road would be the proper approach road for the MRTS stations of Kasturbai Nagar, Indira Nagar and Tiruvanmiyur, said the official. “Incidentally, the road has the potential to reduce traffic congestion in nearby roads,” he added. Work on such approach roads from Taramani to Velachery is also under way. The residents affected by the demolition drive have been relocated in Okkiyam Thoraipakkam, said a PWD official. The road construction is part of the MRTS phase two project.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/air-force-station-enters-75-years-released-book-480

Chennai: Air Commodore Sanjay Sharma, Air Officer Commanding, Tambaram IAF Station, on Thursday released a Hindi magazine , Yantriki, on the occasion of the platinum jubilee celebration of the Mechanical Training Institute, Tambaram Air Force station.
Mr Sharma said that the magazine brings out the creative talent of the personnel of the training institute. The Air Commodore also honoured personnel, who contributed to the magazine through articles.

...

T Nagar Usman Road and Panagal Park area should be made Traffic free and only Pedestrians should be allowed. This will be possible only when a vast or many parking lots is/are available nearby.

There is already a suggestion to decongest T Nagar by shifting the merchants to a new swanky area on GST road past the Airport. Like KPN et al running shuttle services between T Nagar and Koyambedu, Pothys, Nallis can operate similar services.

This thing can be done ...Govt should acquire Udhayam Theatre complex and entire series of land upto that building near pillar jn.( donno its name ..i think it belongs to govt.)

And prepare a mega scale multistoried terminus with good passenger amenities and logistics ....

And if it is done ... Shuttle services can be provided for T.nagar area and west mambalam....While making core (usman road,Panagal park, pondy bazzar)T.nagar as completely automobile free and Other areas including west mambalam (traffic free except for resident vehicles )


BTW what happened to that study govt conducted to make t.nagar area as pedestrian paradise with elevated walkways etc., ????!

MOU signed to explore opportunities for collaboration

Japanese businesses are looking to expand their footprint in India, and are keen to bring to the subcontinent everything from sewing machines to industrial estates. In a bid to boost ties between the two Asian countries, property developer Ascendas Pte Ltd would be building an industrial township in Chennai, on the lines of its International Tech Park in Wakefield, Bangalore.

A consortium of Japanese businesses, led by the Mizuho Corporate Bank and engineering firm JGC Corporation, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Ascendas, a Singaporean developer, to build the technology park.

The tech park would be an eco-friendly integrated township. The consortium will explore business opportunities for Japanese companies in India and will explore investment opportunities for Japanese companies in the proposed township. The township would include commercial, residential and lifestyle amenities.

An Ascendas spokesperson declined to elaborate on the project saying, “The MoU is the first step. Under this, feasibility studies will be conducted to look into the details of the project and opportunities for collaboration will be explored.”

Incidentally, Chennai has long been home to Japanese electronic companies, including Panasonic Corporation, Onkyo Corporation and Olympus Corporation. Building an industrial township in the region would facilitate setting up more Indo-Japanese ventures.

On Wednesday, Indian sewing machine giant Usha International Ltd signed a 20-year cooperation agreement with Japan’s Janome Sewing Machine Company Ltd to sell Usha sewing machines across India and abroad, including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

The machines are driven by Janome’s technology. Usha hopes the marketing drive will help them sell more than 100,000 Usha Janome sewing machines, up from the 70,000 they expect to sell this year.

Source: http://www.tehelka.com/story_main47.asp?filename=Ws181110INTERNATIONAL.asp

Are they mentioning about the sales/operations office or those companies' plants in chennai? do those companies have plant in chennai?

^^ operations/head office......the press made up olympus though.

I wish more japanese electronic companies to set up their plants, r&d centres and HQ in chennai.. like nikon, hitachi, sharp, toshiba etc.. we can become a hub for domestic and export of all from cars, electronics, s/w etc due to man power and location advantage..

^^ i want even Toyota to have R n D centre in Chennai...... BTW Is Panasonic having plant in Chennai ??? :)

^^
Nippo/Novino Batteries and Rice Cooker by Panasonic are made in Chennai.(formerly Indo Matsuchita Ltd ?)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/greater-chennai-have-200-wards-845

Chennai, Nov. 19: The state government has notified the expansion of city corporation limits to 426 sq km from the existing 175 sq km by merging nine municipalities, eight town panchayats and 25 village panchayats adjacent to it.
Municipal administration department secretary K. Ashok Vardhan Shetty said in the gazette notification that territorial division of wards and zones would take place based on the inclusion of new areas before the local body polls.
“The greater corporation will have 200 ward councillors. We will notify the ward boundaries after consulting with local bodies soon,” Mr Shetty told DC. The wards in core Chennai will have more population and its periphery the number will be less. The merger of 42 local bodies requires total re-organisation of the civic body and involves lot of procedural works. “We have to convert the existing municipal and town panchayat offices as zonal offices of corporation or area offices of Metro Water board.”

...

IIM Trichy is already sanctioned and dragging for couple of years bcos of poor follow up from State Govt.
Hopefully should open next year.



out of 3 IIMs sactioned be centeral govt, 2 (in other states) will be operational from this year, except IIM proposed at trichy, may be due to slow attention

a month back, i heard FOTON is in fast pace on deciding plant in PUNE, no idea on current status

pegeot automobile may finalise AP, M&M tractors (earlier new was company exploring chennai, now heard going to AP)

Hundai is exploring their 3rd plant in Gujrat.due to better control of employee uniion in guj.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/EasyCabs-to-invest-Rs-150-cr-to-add-3500-taxis-over-2-years/articleshow/6963926.cms

Private cab services-provider, EasyCabs, plans to add around 3,500 new radio taxis at an investment of over Rs 150 crore in expanding its radio taxi operations pan-India over the next two years, a senior company official said.

The company, which launched a service from Mumbai Airport recently, currently operates its radio taxi service across four cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Hyderabad -- with a total fleet of 2,700.

"We plan to have a fleet-size of around 6,000 cabs by 2012 and it will require an investment of over Rs 150 crore," EasyCabs' chief operating officer, Vikas Marwah, said in Mumbai.

Radio taxi business is the business of the future and offers an immense potential which needs to be tapped aggressively, Marwah said.

"There are at least 22 cities across the country, mainly the state capitals, where such services are required," he said.

As a part of the company's network expansion plans, EasyCabs is all set to launch a radio taxi service in Chennai in December and in Pune by February next year, Marwah said, adding "we are in the process of securing the necessary approvals."

Marwah said that EasyCabs was evaluating its bidding options on the proposed auction of 4,000 new taxi permits by the Maharashtra state transport authorities but said that securing permits from the open market was a convenient option for it.

"We are evaluating all options but getting a permit from the open market is at times more convenient," he said.

Going forward, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Calicut, Trivandrum, Kochi, Lucknow, Nagpur, Jaipur and Chandigarh are some of the cities EasyCabs has placed on its radar for future operations, he said.

Can anyone tell me the rate of an easy cab and rate fixed for autos in tn?

a month back, i heard FOTON is in fast pace on deciding plant in PUNE, no idea on current status

pegeot automobile may finalise AP, M&M tractors (earlier new was company exploring chennai, now heard going to AP)

Hundai is exploring their 3rd plant in Gujrat.due to better control of employee uniion in guj.

Due to decling exports to countries in Europe Hyundai is concentrating on increasing domestic sales and keeping in view logistics and potential markets for passenger cars in western and northern parts of the country they are scounting for a place and may be they may opt Gujarat owing to congenial industrial climate and a proactive state govt.So contemplated expansion out of chennai is not only due to labour problems in their chennai plant.But this labour unrest prevailing in TN for the flimsiest of reasons does not augur well in the light of totally changed economic scenario post liberalisation.Old habit dies hard but can TN afford indisciplined workforce and yet conjure visions of rapid industrialisation?Now most of the car manufacturers are focussing on domestic market and in this endeavour both maruti and tata are well ahead.

Can anyone tell me the rate of an easy cab and rate fixed for autos in tn?

Meru cabs and Easy cabs charge Rs. 22 for the first km and Rs. 15 for every additional km.

The existing rates for radio cabs in Chennai are much higher. AFAIK Fast Track charges Rs. 100 for first 5 km and Rs 10 for every additional km for a non-AC cab and Rs. 120 for first 5 km and Rs 14 for every additional km for an AC cab.

Rate fixed for autos is Rs 14 for the first 2km and Rs 6 for every addnl km. It is way too low. Needs to be hiked if the govt has any intention of enforcing a meter for autos in Chennai.

http://www.crescentlakehomes.co.in/

:banana:...This should be good

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/fmcg/PG-plans-manufacturing-unit-in-Chennai/articleshow/6967155.cms

^^I know am thinking almost the impossible for now, but my view is similar to kannan. Make T.Nagar a pedestrian only zone for shoppers in Pondy Bazar, Panagal Park, Bazulla Road, Usman Road, till wherever you have high density of crowd. Build 4 multi level parking complexes on all four sides of T.nagar so that vehicles do not go beyond that point if you are a shopper. Connect all the four parking areas with a circular monorail/tram system that will stop at every important shopping jn. Build elevated roads in such a way they all end beyond the crowded areas and is dedicated only for moving traffic. Have a dedicated lane on the ground only for emergence services and fine heavily on any damn encroacher who flouts the rules.

I know for sure this is not going to happen...but who stops dreaming??:cheers:

I know for sure this is not going to happen...but who stops dreaming??:cheers:

I too feel (dream) that we should have monorail in select places - like ECR, T Nagar, Kamraj Salai along Marina etc etc...will continue to dream!!!

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Perungudi-waste-project-remains-a-non-starter/articleshow/6966562.cms

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation's integrated solid waste management project at the Perungudi dump site remauis a non-starter almost five months after the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board gave its nod. The National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA), which issued an interim stay on the project, is now defunct.

According to official sources, the National Green Tribunal set up to replace the NEAA, is yet to have a formal meeting to take up the cases transferred from the latter. The interim stay was granted following an appeal by the Save Pallikarnai Forum, a group of volunteers spearheading the campaign against dumping of tonnes of unsegregated waste in the marshland. The ecologically sensitive area, according to them, had suffered extensive damage.

The National Green Tribunal was officially notified by its chairperson, Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta on October 19. Hundreds of appeals pending with the NEAA, on various environmental concerns, have thus come to the Tribunal. "We are aware of the transfer of Perungudi case to the Tribunal. Till the tribunal has a formal sitting, the stay remains," corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan told TOI.Save Pallikarnai Marshland Forum, represented by V Srinivasan, in its prayer wanted the NEAA to stall the project since the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification of the Ministry of Environment and Forests, recommends central government clearance for projects proposed to be located within 10 km of the boundary of reserved forests, or a designated ecologically sensitive area, or within 25 km of the boundary of a national park or sanctuary.

...

:banana:...This should be good

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/fmcg/PG-plans-manufacturing-unit-in-Chennai/articleshow/6967155.cms

Is not Maggie a Nestle product??? But it is mentioned has P & G product. Correct me if I am wrong.

Is not Maggie a Nestle product??? But it is mentioned has P & G product. Correct me if I am wrong.

I dont think you need to be one to be corrected.

http://www.nestle.in/PreparedDishes_CookingAids.aspx?OB=3&id=31

Such a ridiculous mistake and if I were Nestle, I surely will sue Economic Times and we think this is a premier business paper. The correspondent and the editor are atleast two folks who need to post a clear apology to the public for being so careless.

When something is related to Times of India, verify or just take in the headlines.

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article900219.ece

Splashes of rich colour, pruned grass, a snaking rock waterfall that ends in a lily pond and artistically-bound bonsai are only a part of the six-and-a-half acres of land that have been converted into a botanical garden, the Semmozhi Poonga, on the fringes of Cathedral Road, at a location once better known as the Woodlands Drive-in.

At the entrance of the garden is a welcome mount, with Korean grass giving it a fresh green tinge, while the inside houses a vertical garden of over 200 plants of 35 varieties. The wall of shaded green is an interesting concept, and took about two weeks to set up. Walk a little ahead through the Palm Court and the first creeper-covered pergola (there are three in total) and you enter the garden, divided into 10 sections with different kinds of gardening concepts.

Concept gardens

“The idea was to maximise utilisation of space and so, the themes are all based on gardening concepts. They can be huge gardens on their own but we've fitted various garden themes into this area,” says B. Chandra Mohan, Director, Horticulture and Plantation Crops.

The 7.96-crore project has up to 300 different varieties of plants, a cascade waterfall, an amphitheatre and a sequence fountain. “The plants have been sourced from all over the country, and even from China. They were handpicked based on how they adapt to Chennai's climate,” he points out.

The golden garden is a short canopy of yellow flower and leaf plants after which comes the children's play area. There is a readymade gazebo put up at the corner and another one being constructed at the other end of the park.

As you pass the calming yellow shade, the perfume from the flowers in the aroma garden wafts through. Lavender, rose, gardenia and plumeria are a few of the scented plant varieties, including the night queen and day queen, in this space. The shade garden is home to varieties of indoor plants. “This is the first time such indoor potted plants will be showcased in open shade,” says Vijay Ram, the horticulture officer in-charge. The butterfly garden is a haven of netted plants with a small bunch of symbolic Oxalis triangularis , a plant that looks like a spread-winged butterfly from the top.

Walk further down the cobblestone pathway and you'll find the falls that opens into a big pond spread across the park. Hardy plants come up next to the falls. Cactii and pachipodium are varieties that don't need much water. The fern garden which houses non-flowering plants and an exotic garden with rare Indian plant species is up next. The herbal garden holds 25 varieties of herbal plants such as lemongrass, philanthus, gooseberries, vasambu and thulsi among others.

There is a theme garden that has about 14 varieties of bamboo. This leads straight to the pond garden, a melange of water plants and palms.

On the other side of the pond is a mural walk, a coarse pebble bed that branches out in the shape of a large tree. Then comes a spiral pathway with plants on either side. “This is a maze garden. These plants will grow and cover the entire space and people will be allowed in and asked to find their way out,” Vijay says.

The moss-covered swamp and the bonsai garden come next.

“The entire garden concept took about three months to decide upon. A garden is not like a building, which is complete when it has been inaugurated. Over time, the garden will grow to its glory and the ecosystem will flourish,” explains Chandra Mohan.

(The Semmozhi Poonga will open to the public from November 24).

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/5986/22mppoonga1291679f.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/4944/22mppoonga2291680a.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7009/22mppoonga3291681a.jpg

http://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/metroplus/article900219.ece

(The Semmozhi Poonga will open to the public from November 24).

Good to hear. But alas they don't maintain after doing it...state of Marina is a visible example. Many places rat holes have come up and grass has dried up..what is the use of spending money & creating such things when they cannot take care of it. Hope they realise.

what is the use of spending money & creating such things when they cannot take care of it. Hope they realise.

Enna kelvi idhu? Ofcourse, first families of those involved in the name of these kind of projects will benefit. Are they not tamilians? Why are you against their development? Hope you realise:)

Enna kelvi idhu? Ofcourse, first families of those involved in the name of these kind of projects will benefit. Are they not tamilians? Why are you against their development? Hope you realise:)

I believe Raji's intent was when we are spending so much, should we not take care of these crores of investment.

KT.. your usual Tamizhagam twist at play here ??!!!

^^ I said the samething when they spent money on various CBE roadside parks and poongas before the Tamil conference. I'll continue to say it because I understand the way these buggers at power operate.

Ivanuva 40 varushama purangaiya nakkuna thappanu kettukittae muzhu then bottle-layum lavatuvanugalam. 41-ravadhu varusham nanga optimistic-a ivanuga makkal seva seyyaravangannu nambanumam. Enna koduma sachi sir?:)

Bharati Shipyard has agreed to acquire 51 per cent equity stake in the Chennai-based Tebma Shipyard for Rs 75.75 crore.

With the deal, Bharati Shipyard will get management control in the South-based company. Currently, ICICI Venture holds a 53 per cent stake in the company, existing promoters hold 4.93 per cent while the rest is held by the public. Bharati Shipyard will be issued fresh equity at a price of Rs 19.20 a share. This will expand the post-issue equity capital base of Tebma to Rs 77.36 crore. The current equity capital of Tebma Shipyards is Rs 7.78 crore.

After the infusion, ICICI Venture's stake will come down to 44.28 per cent.

ABG Shipyard was also in the race to acquire the company.

Mr P.C. Kapoor, Managing Director, Bharati Shipyard, said that through the acquisition, Bharati Shipyard will get access to the Tebma's ready-made and modern shipyards in the South. Tebma has shipyards at Malpe in Karnataka, Kochi in Kerala and Chingleput in Tamil Nadu.

“The combined Bharati-Tebma entity, with a total of nine shipyards will now be in a formidable position to offer cost-effective solutions to their global and domestic customers,” he said.

Through this, Bharati will save costs for construction of such yard facilities. Tebma's strategic alliance with Cochin Shipyard will also be beneficial, the press release said.

Tebma has a current order book of approximately Rs 750 crore, which mainly consists of vessels required for the global exploration and production sector. On Monday, scrip of Bharati Shipyard ended at Rs 229.05 on the BSE, up 1.42 per cent from the previous close of Rs 225.85.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/23/stories/2010112351440300.htm

Good to hear. But alas they don't maintain after doing it...state of Marina is a visible example. Many places rat holes have come up and grass has dried up..what is the use of spending money & creating such things when they cannot take care of it. Hope they realise.

why only blame the govt for it? Our beloved citizens are equally responsible for the maintenance. Have they stopped littering? have they stopped walking on the grass? have they stopped spitting? have they stopped using plastic bags? have they stopped scribbling on the walls?????

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1469/88610439.png

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/366/33213535.png
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-10156-work-begins-on-chennai-hiv-clinic/

Construction is now underway on the Indian Institute of Advanced Nursing (IIAN) in Chennai, India - a comprehensive training facility specialised in the field of HIV prevention and care. Designed by John McAslan + Partners for the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the IIAN will be the first educational facility of its type in the country and aims to train 15,000 nurses over the next two years to treat the 2.31 million people currently living with HIV in India.

Comprised of two buildings - The Institute for teaching and The Hostel for student accommodation - the IIAN is spread over a five acre site, dotted with indigenous plants and local trees with medicinal properties. These structures are both anchored by individual courtyards and arranged around a collegiate square, with landscaping - also designed by JMP - connecting the campus with the local community.

Responding to the humid local climatic conditions, the project implements passive design strategies to regulate internal conditions and create comfortable working and residential spaces. The two main buildings incorporate a heavy external skin and make use of reflective materials that protect the internal environments from receiving direct solar gain. The buildings have also been orientated along the east-west axis, allowing the south and north sides to be shaded effectively.

Is it a building for Indian Institute of Advanced Nursing??????. You must be really kidding . I thought it was a ZOO comprising of rows of Shelters with hard iron railings for ANIMALS. Yet another ugly piece of design from another half baked Architect, to be added soon to Chennai. We already have enough eye sores in the name of buildings.

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/1469/88610439.png

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/366/33213535.png
http://www.constructionweekonline.com/article-10156-work-begins-on-chennai-hiv-clinic/

Construction is now underway on the Indian Institute of Advanced Nursing (IIAN) in Chennai, India - a comprehensive training facility specialised in the field of HIV prevention and care. Designed by John McAslan + Partners for the Clinton Health Access Initiative, the IIAN will be the first educational facility of its type in the country and aims to train 15,000 nurses over the next two years to treat the 2.31 million people currently living with HIV in India.

Comprised of two buildings - The Institute for teaching and The Hostel for student accommodation - the IIAN is spread over a five acre site, dotted with indigenous plants and local trees with medicinal properties. These structures are both anchored by individual courtyards and arranged around a collegiate square, with landscaping - also designed by JMP - connecting the campus with the local community.

Responding to the humid local climatic conditions, the project implements passive design strategies to regulate internal conditions and create comfortable working and residential spaces. The two main buildings incorporate a heavy external skin and make use of reflective materials that protect the internal environments from receiving direct solar gain. The buildings have also been orientated along the east-west axis, allowing the south and north sides to be shaded effectively.
.........................................................................................................
Is it a building for Indian Institute of Advanced Nursing??????. You must be really kidding . I thought it was a ZOO comprising of rows of Shelters with hard iron railings for ANIMALS. Yet another ugly piece of design from another half baked Architect, to be added soon to Chennai. We already have enough eye sores in the name of buildings. Using reflective materials to prevent heat is nothing new in the construction industry last 20 years. The building design is pretty basic that even any first year architecture student today will not attempt designing because, he knows if he does he'll fail his project work. They should have incorporated the Green Architectural elements in a more 21st century looking fascade.

why only blame the govt for it? Our beloved citizens are equally responsible for the maintenance. Have they stopped littering? have they stopped walking on the grass? have they stopped spitting? have they stopped using plastic bags? have they stopped scribbling on the walls?????

Oh Mr.Sridhar - you don't understand what I meant. Yes citizens also s***t the place. But Marina's grass drying, plants dying & rats holing are due to lack of maintanence. Don't invest, let it be as it is. It is nothing to do with the common people coming to beach & doing whatever you said. If people litter is government going to take revenge by not cleaning the place...if this is the attitude then the city will become a huge dustbin with cooum running all along. Levy heavy fines for littering, spitting & Urinating in public places. Basic Hygeine factors like cleaning, maintaining should always be done. Ignoring will not bring bliss but mess...

In India everything should carry a price tag then only people mind/care/value it.

why only blame the govt for it? Our beloved citizens are equally responsible for the maintenance. Have they stopped littering? have they stopped walking on the grass? have they stopped spitting? have they stopped using plastic bags? have they stopped scribbling on the walls?????

No point of blaming people for govt inability. First they provide all basic amenities in the park and have enough securities in place and keep it fresh for months then automatically everyone realise its importance and follow

Where is this IIANursing coming up?

Good to hear. But alas they don't maintain after doing it...state of Marina is a visible example. Many places rat holes have come up and grass has dried up..what is the use of spending money & creating such things when they cannot take care of it. Hope they realise.

Corporates should come forward and help maintain such public facilities for the benefit of the larger society.

Hope, tax laws allows exemptions for such contributions.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article906048.ece

Twenty five automatic weather stations will be set up across the city to develop an early warning system for flood monitoring. The data would be used to provide information about the areas that are likely to be inundated and help the authorities plan evacuation and rescue measures. Two control rooms would be set up – at the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna University and in Ripon Building - that would transmit data and deliver flood warning inputs such as extent of inundation according to increase in flow at waterways. The project would be taken up during the second phase of the study on flood risk mapping of Chennai and suburbs by the IRS. A total of 10 weather stations have been set up at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board's substations for data collection to study impact of rainfall in various areas. Twenty five more weather stations would be installed in various places, including Tondiarpet, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Velachery and Thirumangalam.

This was announced by IRS Director M.Ramalingam at a workshop on flood risk mapping using air-borne laser terrain technology here on Monday. The detailed terrain map and digital elevation model generated from high resolution contour map can be used to give warning about flooding in the next 12 or 24 hours in a particular area.

The workshop was organised to share the site specific recommendations of the study for 36 flood-prone localities in Chennai with various government agencies. The recommendations include removal of obstructions in rivers and drains and their restoration to full width, lowering river bed and restoration of dilapidated culverts in railway lines and road.

Chennai Corporation Commissioner D.Karthikeyan said the findings and maps would be incorporated in the micro and macro drainage improvement project being taken up by the civic body in association with the Public Works Department under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

D. Anbazhagan, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Organisation, PWD, Chennai region, said thematic and lithology maps generated from the study would be useful in designing and implementing artificial recharge and flood drainage projects. “We will start restoring 29 water bodies in the city once funds from World Bank are sought under IAMWARM project,” he said. M.Deenadalayan, senior consultant, IRS and D. Thirumalaivasan, Associate Professor, IRS spoke


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

This is a great move. Eventually I would dream of expanding the 25 to a bigger number as the metro grows. :)

Where is this IIANursing coming up?

Tambaram.. Btw the foundation was laid for this two years ago.. Source (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110254540500.htm)

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article906048.ece

Twenty five automatic weather stations will be set up across the city to develop an early warning system for flood monitoring. The data would be used to provide information about the areas that are likely to be inundated and help the authorities plan evacuation and rescue measures. Two control rooms would be set up – at the Institute of Remote Sensing (IRS), Anna University and in Ripon Building - that would transmit data and deliver flood warning inputs such as extent of inundation according to increase in flow at waterways. The project would be taken up during the second phase of the study on flood risk mapping of Chennai and suburbs by the IRS. A total of 10 weather stations have been set up at the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board's substations for data collection to study impact of rainfall in various areas. Twenty five more weather stations would be installed in various places, including Tondiarpet, Ambattur Industrial Estate, Velachery and Thirumangalam.

This was announced by IRS Director M.Ramalingam at a workshop on flood risk mapping using air-borne laser terrain technology here on Monday. The detailed terrain map and digital elevation model generated from high resolution contour map can be used to give warning about flooding in the next 12 or 24 hours in a particular area.

The workshop was organised to share the site specific recommendations of the study for 36 flood-prone localities in Chennai with various government agencies. The recommendations include removal of obstructions in rivers and drains and their restoration to full width, lowering river bed and restoration of dilapidated culverts in railway lines and road.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article908024.ece

A plan to decongest the Koyambedu area by shifting a section of mofussil buses there to terminus on the outskirts of the city is in the offing. However, the existing facilities in Koyambedu would be put to optimum use.

According to sources in the Housing and Urban Development Department, the plan is being considered following suggestions from commuters. The inter city terminals for mofussil buses that pass through Grand Southern Trunk Road towards the southern part of the State are likely to be located near Tambaram.

Two options - Sriperumbudur and Poonamallee - are being considered for locating the terminus for buses that pass through National Highway 4 towards the western parts of the State.

According to CMDA officials, the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is currently unable to handle the large number of mofussil buses from various parts of the State. The efforts towards creating adequate idle parking lots for mofussil buses are yet to be successful. As various government departments with land in the area not likely to part with their land for expansion of the terminus, the option of shifting a section of the buses to the outskirts has been under consideration.

...

^^ Why can't they build multi-level bus terminals and use the existing space? :bash:

India...its time to go vertical!!!!!!!!! Don't ask for acres and acres of land for these things!!!!!!!!!

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article908024.ece

A plan to decongest the Koyambedu area by shifting a section of mofussil buses there to terminus on the outskirts of the city is in the offing. However, the existing facilities in Koyambedu would be put to optimum use.

According to sources in the Housing and Urban Development Department, the plan is being considered following suggestions from commuters. The inter city terminals for mofussil buses that pass through Grand Southern Trunk Road towards the southern part of the State are likely to be located near Tambaram.

Two options - Sriperumbudur and Poonamallee - are being considered for locating the terminus for buses that pass through National Highway 4 towards the western parts of the State.

According to CMDA officials, the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is currently unable to handle the large number of mofussil buses from various parts of the State. The efforts towards creating adequate idle parking lots for mofussil buses are yet to be successful. As various government departments with land in the area not likely to part with their land for expansion of the terminus, the option of shifting a section of the buses to the outskirts has been under consideration.

...


All Moffusil buses travelling to south are departuring from Koyambedu bus terminal only.

Currently all are using the same route via Tambaram,Tiruchi & Madurai which is very congested one and takes about 2-3 hours to get out of Chennai city.

My suggestion is that set up one more terminal at Thiruvanmiyur to serve alternate route thru ECR.

There should be 2 bus terminals. Metro rail system should be connected to these terminals.

Diversion of Moffusil buses (vice versa) travelling to coastal region districts of Kanyakurmari District, Thirunelveli District, Tuticorin District & Ramanathapuram District should use ECR route fully rather using the existing route going via Madurai and Tiruchi to ease bottleneck traffic congestion in & out of Chennai.

This also providing an alternative route to reach the southern parts of the state.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/all-roads-lead-semmozhi-poonga-948

Nov. 23: As the deadline neared for the inauguration of the 20-acre botanical gardens on Cathedral Road that has been christened ‘Semmozhi Poonga’ by the chief minister, hundreds of workers, craftsmen and gardeners gave final touches to the piece of land that has always held a special place in the hearts of Chennaiites.
The park, which proudly boasts of a vertical garden with 35 species of plants, a herbal garden, water lilies from Thailand and several other rare plants from across the world used to be the famous Woodlands Drive-in restaurant where the city’s nature lovers preferred to sip their cup of coffee or a grab a bite of hot masala dosa sitting in their cars and two-wheelers.
The sprawling property that served as a lung space in the heart of the city was leased to the restaurant owners by the horticultural society several years ago and after years of litigations and counter-litigations, it was duly returned to the state government.

...

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/multi-level-parking-plan-stuck-919

Nov. 23: The proposal for constructing state-of-the-art, multi-level automatic parking complex in congested Broadway and Greams road continues to hang in the balance for the past four years. With the city witnessing a surge in the number of new vehicles, parking chaos coupled with ongoing Metro Rail works haunt motorists and the public.
The project, proposed on design, build, operate and transfer (DBOT) mode, has been without a major breakthrough for the past few years and the private contractors feel that the project with huge investment is not lucrative due the present conditions and norms prescribed by the civic body. Tenders have been called for at least half-a-dozen times, but the consensus between contractors and the corporation is yet to happen, Ripon Buildings sources said.

...

CHENNAI, India -- Procter & Gamble, makers of Maggi noodles and Ariel detergent, is planning to build a manufacturing plant in Chennai, which will be the world's largest consumer product company's hub for south India.
A delegation from the American multinational has held talks with government officials and the due diligence, or detailed evaluation of financial and other aspects, is done, people familiar with the development told ET.
While the investment into the venture is yet to be finalised, a company official said the plant will come up either at Cheyyar or Mahindra World City.
A P&G India spokesperson refused to comment: "As per company policy, we do not comment on speculation."
A couple of sources within the company, however, confirmed the news on condition of anonymity.
The facility will manufacture liquid detergent and will become an export hub to neighboring markets, they said.
This will make P&G the first company to manufacture liquid detergent in the country where the . 12,000-crore detergent market is equally split between washing powder and detergent bars.
P&G , which has only 15 percent share compared to Hindustan Unilever's 37 percent in the detergent market, is desperately trying to catch up. The company that entered the mass segment with Tide Naturals last year is set to become the first player in the niche liquid detergent.
During his visit to India two years ago, Bob McDonald, the global CEO of P&G , said the company is looking at setting up 19 manufacturing facilities globally including India, which has become one of the largest growth markets for international marketers across segments.
He had also said that P&G is looking to tap bottom and mid segment of the market for growth. The company is looking to flood Indian market with new products and penetrate into rural market, which has been traditionally dominated by its rival Hindustan Lever.
The company recently said that it is looking at tripling its revenues in India within the next three to four years.
P&G in India has a combined . 4,500-crore turnover between its three subsidiaries - Procter & Gamble Health & Hygiene, Procter & Gamble Home Products and Gillette India. It has seen 30 percent year on year growth in India. Its focus categories include household care, healthcare and beauty & grooming. :cheers:

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/pg_p-amp-g-plans-manufacturing-unit-in-chennai-1327738.html

St Thomas Mount is being planned as a major hub where you can switch over from Metro Rail trains to MRTS or suburban trains. To accommodate the three avatars of the rail transport, a huge multi-level station is being planned by the Metro Rail at St Thomas Mount.

The four-layered hub will help a smooth changeover for commuters from suburban trains to MRTS or Metro without much hassle. Suburban train commuters from Tambaram will be able to change over to MRTS to proceed to Velachery or Mylapore or hop on to Metro to travel to Koyambedu without getting out of the station complex. The MRTS line from Velachery to St Thomas Mount, Metro line from Central to St Thomas Mount via Koyambedu and the Tambaram-Beach suburban line will converge at St Thomas Mount.

As per the design, the elevated station will have a Metro Rail station on the top floor, followed by an MRTS station a level below and then a vast concourse area for commuters to switch over to these two modes or to step down to the ground level, which will house suburban trains.

The state government is also planning to build a bus terminus near the proposed Metro Rail station complex for commuters who wish to travel by bus to other parts of the city. "A bus terminus is being planned so that commuters can also travel to places not connected by rail-based mass rapid transit system," said an official.

Suburban commuters are waiting for the Metro Rail project the get over so that they could enjoy a hassle-free travel to commercial districts in Anna Salai and Nungambakkam High Road. "I will be able to take a Metro train from Central to reach LIC," said K Ramakrishnan, who currently boards a train from Avadi, gets down at Central and boards a bus to reach his work place on Anna Salai.

With Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority Bill being okayed in the state legislature, the government is working towards bring in place a common ticketing system for suburban trains, Metro, MRTS and buses.

Other locations that Metro will integrate with either suburban trains or buses are Washermenpet, Fort, Central, Egmore, Chindadripet, Guindy, Koyambedu and Vadapalani.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Three-avatars-of-rail-services-under-one-house/articleshow/6978476.cms#ixzz16A5WkT1E

CHENNAI, India -- Procter & Gamble, makers of Maggi noodles and Ariel detergent, is planning to build a manufacturing plant in Chennai, which will be the world's largest consumer product company's hub for south India.
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/pg_p-amp-g-plans-manufacturing-unit-in-chennai-1327738.html

News already publisehd in this thread....even dicussion of their adding Maggie, a Nestle product as P & G product is highlighted....

^^ Why can't they build multi-level bus terminals and use the existing space? :bash:

India...its time to go vertical!!!!!!!!! Don't ask for acres and acres of land for these things!!!!!!!!!

Multi level bus terminals are very much required in CMBT. Govt should start this project as pilot project and convert all busy terminals later.
Parallely can develop new bus terminus @ Irumbuliyur & Poonamalee(NH4 & ORR Jn) and start day time moffusil buses from there.

News already publisehd in this thread....even dicussion of their adding Maggie, a Nestle product as P & G product is highlighted....

I didnt notice the original post.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article908024.ece

A plan to decongest the Koyambedu area by shifting a section of mofussil buses there to terminus on the outskirts of the city is in the offing. However, the existing facilities in Koyambedu would be put to optimum use.

According to sources in the Housing and Urban Development Department, the plan is being considered following suggestions from commuters. The inter city terminals for mofussil buses that pass through Grand Southern Trunk Road towards the southern part of the State are likely to be located near Tambaram.

Two options - Sriperumbudur and Poonamallee - are being considered for locating the terminus for buses that pass through National Highway 4 towards the western parts of the State.

According to CMDA officials, the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus is currently unable to handle the large number of mofussil buses from various parts of the State. The efforts towards creating adequate idle parking lots for mofussil buses are yet to be successful. As various government departments with land in the area not likely to part with their land for expansion of the terminus, the option of shifting a section of the buses to the outskirts has been under consideration.

...

This is ridiculus ... For this shifting of services to outskirts they should increase bus/ train services ..

For eg . imagine my case i start from bangalore and reach their terminus at sriperumbudur at 10 ... I am not aware of services from sri-city after 10 .. since it doesnt even have depot ..!!! What will i do ??? Take an auto from there to city ??!!! :bash::bash::bash:

^^
That is why our 'planners' need to do some planning. It is not even a decade since the bus-stand was moved from Parrys/Esplanade to Koyambdedu to decongest the city. In less than a decade, another move to relocate the same from Koyambedu to somewhere else. Our planners are always playing catch-up instead of doing some planning ahead. :bash:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article908024.ece

A plan to decongest the Koyambedu area by shifting a section of mofussil buses there to terminus on the outskirts of the city is in the offing. However, the existing facilities in Koyambedu would be put to optimum use.

...

Just 10years the so called Asia's largest bus stand got congested!

Chennai or any other TN city cannot withstand with the concept of Integrated Mofusil bus terminus. Most of the metropolis in the world have moved to the concept of North, West, South, East Bus stations/railway station. Chennai alone is still struck up with Central/Egmore station which were built 100years before... and one mofusil bus station.

When short sighted concerned dept will realize this?

It is better to create another Mega bus stand(considering 25years traffic/capacity) in South Chennai - Tambaram. Terminate 75% of buses from Villupuram, Thiruvanamalai, Central/South/West TN at Tambaram

Build Tambaram and Avadi new railway terminal for Central/Egmore and start all the new service from these stations.

Even to implement the above bus stations/new railway terminals it will take 10-15years for our politicians/babus.

Even to implement the above bus stations/new railway terminals it will take 10-15years for our politicians/babus.

What does Babu mean? Telugu officer?

^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babu

http://business.rediff.com/column/2009/sep/01/how-to-make-indian-babus-more-productive.htm

gvt oppicers.:nuts:

What does Babu mean? Telugu officer?

:rofl:

^^
That is why our 'planners' need to do some planning. It is not even a decade since the bus-stand was moved from Parrys/Esplanade to Koyambdedu to decongest the city. In less than a decade, another move to relocate the same from Koyambedu to somewhere else. Our planners are always playing catch-up instead of doing some planning ahead. :bash:

Just 10years the so called Asia's largest bus stand got congested!

Chennai or any other TN city cannot withstand with the concept of Integrated Mofusil bus terminus. Most of the metropolis in the world have moved to the concept of North, West, South, East Bus stations/railway station. Chennai alone is still struck up with Central/Egmore station which were built 100years before... and one mofusil bus station.

When short sighted concerned dept will realize this?

It is better to create another Mega bus stand(considering 25years traffic/capacity) in South Chennai - Tambaram. Terminate 75% of buses from Villupuram, Thiruvanamalai, Central/South/West TN at Tambaram

Build Tambaram and Avadi new railway terminal for Central/Egmore and start all the new service from these stations.

Even to implement the above bus stations/new railway terminals it will take 10-15years for our politicians/babus.


Building an infrastructure at these places and bus/train facilities immediatly is not going to be easy .. They need to start building it now itself and set a decent deadline ... Meanwhile they have to look into some other options ... Changing things in haste is waste :lol:

My current thoughts would be:

a) Focus on Metro, preferably more lines before thinking of massive changes to the bus system. This network will enable rapid transfer from within the city to terminus of choice.

b) A large terminus at Tambaram will ease the need for all east/south Chennai traffic to start their travel at Koyambedu, resulting in reduced congestion.

c) Additions to Koyambedu bus terminus must be vertical.

d) Possibility of adding more trains to Pondy, Cuddalore, Villupuram, TVMalai, Vellore will reduce the dependance on buses.

e) Royapuram Terminus should be seriously thought of as there are already lines that can support some transport. The main problem is transit to and from Royapuram. Tambaram will get a default push due to its growing importance as southern gateway.

source: http://www.appaswamy.com/images/mapletonfrontele.jpg

http://www.appaswamy.com/images/mapletonfrontele.jpg

why only blame the govt for it? Our beloved citizens are equally responsible for the maintenance. Have they stopped littering? have they stopped walking on the grass? have they stopped spitting? have they stopped using plastic bags? have they stopped scribbling on the walls?????

I agree 100% with you. :bash: The very next day after kalaignar inaugrated the Kathipara bridge I went there to see and the public had already spit red either by betel leaves or Paan Paraag. [/B]You cannot expect the government to guard 24 hours, we citizens should consider all public places as our own home. Will they spit within their own house, no is it then why cannot they follow the same thing for public places as well. Singapore is well known for its cleaniness in asia but even with their eagle eyed vigilance, they could not do much to keep SERAGOON ROAD clean after they started taking in Indian citizens for jobs. No amount of CCTV could help to bring serangoon road to its past glory. I was in Singapore last month and I saw it for myself. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GROW MENTALLY??????.

As the officers-in-charge of Semmozhi Poonga were setting things right after its inauguration on Wednesday, K. Roshini made a sneaky jump into one of the fountains along with her younger brother.

Their mother, K. Jayashree, pulled them out of the fountain before the officers could notice. “It is fun to see so many fountains all at one place. I have never seen a colour fountain,” says the 13-year-old Roshini, grinning at her eight-year-old brother.

Residing close to Cathedral Road, the siblings, escorted by their parents, waited since 4 p.m. to gain entry into the Poonga.

Soon after the inauguration, the gates were thrown open to the public, who were queuing up to take a peak into the festooned garden.

“Who can imagine that this place could be transformed into such a serene park? We need more green spaces like this to combat pollution,” says K. Ramanarasimhan, who was a regular to Woodlands Drive-in that had given way to the Poonga.

Taking a stroll around the place with her three-year-old, Priya Ingale, a biotechnologist, says the place could have done without elaborate tiling. “Some of the gardens such as Aromatic, Bamboo and Bonsai are stunning with such exotic varieties. The amount of hard work that has gone into the making of these is quite evident. But the façade and the entry point need more greenery. Tiling spoils the look,” she says.

But nothing could contain the excitement of P. Latha, who tagged along with her father who was on security duty. She knelt down beside the cascade fountain and pocketed the pebbles. “We live very close by. I have decided to come here every week,” says the class IV student.

Rameshwaram, a 72-year-old, was sharing a suggestion with one of the workers in the Poonga who was cleaning up the rubbish. “The dustbins are far and few. The distance between the bins should not be more than 10 metres,” he told the worker.

The public would invariably litter the place and cleaning the eight-acre place would be a major challenge for the workers, agreed an official from the Horticulture Department. As motorists made brief halts along the sides of the road to take a look at the Poonga, traffic piled up on Cathedral Road till 7 p.m. The entry fee for the Poonga is yet to be fixed, the officials said.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00295/25TH_POONGA_295713f.jpg


The fountains in the photo with their cheap bathroom tiles look plain horrible. After so much fan fare, I was expecting something more classy.

But I dont want to form a bad opinion just based on one photo. Hoping to vist the place sometime soon. If anyone has already visited / visits the place, please share your thoughts.

One thing is sure - Chennai badly needs such green spaces.

All Moffusil buses travelling to south are departuring from Koyambedu bus terminal only.

Currently all are using the same route via Tambaram,Tiruchi & Madurai which is very congested one and takes about 2-3 hours to get out of Chennai city.

My suggestion is that set up one more terminal at Thiruvanmiyur to serve alternate route thru ECR.

There should be 2 bus terminals. Metro rail system should be connected to these terminals.

Diversion of Moffusil buses (vice versa) travelling to coastal region districts of Kanyakurmari District, Thirunelveli District, Tuticorin District & Ramanathapuram District should use ECR route fully rather using the existing route going via Madurai and Tiruchi to ease bottleneck traffic congestion in & out of Chennai.

This also providing an alternative route to reach the southern parts of the state.


I would call this as unplanned and not congested koyambedu. First there is a huge land with CMda opp the CMBT exit in the flower market capable of holding 500 buses at any time. That land belongs to CMDA. So they can allocate that land for parking idle parking . If they cannot be acquired they can be leased. That will take care of the APSRTC and KSRTC buses parked inside the CMBT busstand.

The TNSTC bus stand can be accomdated in the ANnanagar terminus which is empty in the daytime and will be occupied at night.

Move the SETC and TNSTC VPM depot inside the CMBT busstand to somewhere near Maduravoyal or beyond.

Change the bus bay configration. The frequently moving TNSTC VPM should be moved to the first platform and SETC mostly operating at night to the last bay.

Build an multilevel bus parking in the interim . So future increase in traffic can be handled.

Issue solved

Singapore is well known for its cleaniness in asia but even with their eagle eyed vigilance, they could not do much to keep SERAGOON ROAD clean after they started taking in Indian citizens for jobs. No amount of CCTV could help to bring serangoon road to its past glory. [/COLOR]I was in Singapore last month and I saw it for myself. WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GROW MENTALLY??????.

Dear dont blame only indians for serangoon road damage. Many bangladeshis,srilankans labours used to gather in roads on sunday evening for drinks,food etc and spoil the entire area but you have to appreciate singapore govt for their effort to ensure that road cleaniness on next morning.

Dear dont blame only indians for serangoon road damage. Many bangladeshis,srilankans labours used to gather in roads on sunday evening for drinks,food etc and spoil the entire area but you have to appreciate singapore govt for their effort to ensure that road cleaniness on next morning.

No one can best Chennai-ites for generating filth and excrement in public spaces. Add the heady aroma of urine to clear one's lungs too. The city of Chennai is a proud testament to the enormous capacity of it's citizens to make any clean area into a pig sty. It is as if they just cannot stand a clean environment and will question authorities who actually are trying their best to kep the city clean, inspite of. 'How dare they!'?.:ohno:

No one can best Chennai-ites for generating filth and excrement in public spaces. Add the heady aroma of urine to clear one's lungs too. The city of Chennai is a proud testament to the enormous capacity of it's citizens to make any clean area into a pig sty. It is as if they just cannot stand a clean environment and will question authorities who actually are trying their best to kep the city clean, inspite of. 'How dare they!'?.:ohno:

Our govt concentrating more on giving Free Tvs, cycles,waiver for loan etc which mostly goes to wrong hand and not bother to provide basic amenities. i remember that vivek comedy dialogue(Rice 1Rs and for toilet -2Rs):bash:

Our govt concentrating more on giving Free Tvs, cycles,waiver for loan etc which mostly goes to wrong hand and not bother to provide basic amenities. i remember that vivek comedy dialogue(Rice 1Rs and for toilet -2Rs):bash:

Yes right. Few days back in headlines today they were showing landscam in TN (In theni) - 2 acre free land announced by govt which was supposed to go to a person below poverty line has gone to a home maker of a Government school teacher - clueless how this happeened. Same with TV's. Even people with plasma TV went and got this TV just becuase they are given free. Loan waiver - how come this is possible to TN Government, how they work out the figures to provide such a waiver..i don't understand.:bash:

These spittings etc. will stop once government introduces entry fees from december.
As for serangoon road, the road is always clean. No one would dare. Only the vacant space would get littered because there are NO dustbins. And people who frequent are NOT south Indians. They are north Indians/bangladeshis. South Indians hangout in another road.

Raji7373
The type of fraud you have mentioned about the distribution of televisionsand other benefits is unavoidable.As long as most of the deserving people get them it is satisfactory.Even in advanced countries large scale fraud is taking place In european countries many receive benefits in towo or three places under different names. There have been instances,where persons have claimed benefits in two or more countries in the European Union. There many claiming sickness benefits for many years,while doing odd jobs.This despite high secrity systems available in these countries.
srinivasan1@hotmail.

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00296/26THCOMMUTERS_BUS_4_296330f.jpg

The first multilevel vehicle parking facility of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority in joint venture with Metropolitan Transport Corporation will come up in T.Nagar bus terminus.

The decision was taken at a meeting organised by the CMDA with the Transport Department here on Thursday. This is part of the CMDA's initiative of setting up multilevel vehicle parking facilities in joint venture with various land-owning government departments.

The CMDA would opt for the model proposed by the report of Mecon Limited, a Government of India enterprise, which was hired to prepare a feasibility report for developing multilevel car parking complexes at six locations a few years ago.

“This will be a revenue-sharing model to mitigate the problems of parking. All have fallen in place after four years,” CMDA Chairperson Susan Mathew told The Hindu.

The total area of the terminus is around 1.5 acre.

The facility would be developed by the CMDA without disturbing the bus terminus. The four floors of parking space would house 472 cars and have four elevators for lifting the vehicles. A one-way ramp would also be provided for use during mechanical failure of elevators or during power failure.

The total area of the parking lot would be 17,320 sq m – 4,330 sq m per floor. The parking lot design is subject to changes if the update proposed by the CMDA finds any major modifications in the traffic volume in the T.Nagar area.

The project would be executed in 18 months after the pre-contract work is completed in six months.


Source: The Hindu, Chennai edition, dated 26-Nov-2010 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article913497.ece)

Source: The Hindu, Chennai edition, dated 26-Nov-2010 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article913497.ece)

Till the construction is half way thru cannot believe any news on multilevel parking - tired of hearing such news man..

The fountains in the photo with their cheap bathroom tiles look plain horrible. After so much fan fare, I was expecting something more classy.

But I dont want to form a bad opinion just based on one photo. Hoping to vist the place sometime soon. If anyone has already visited / visits the place, please share your thoughts.

One thing is sure - Chennai badly needs such green spaces.

I did visit the place and I felt the same as you did. It's true that Chennai is badly in need of more green public space for us all to breathe in this congested city and at the same time the use of quality building materials will make the completed work more lasting and fulfillling. As per statistics every 100 rupees to be spent on any public projects in India, 85 rupees is pocketed by the politicians and relevant authorities and only 15 rupees is what really goes into the project and as result of which most public infrastructural works fall apart within months after the inaugration. To say it in a nutshell, they are no better cinema makeshift (cut out) buildings. Even at the National level, we don't we have decent public toilets that is free from disgusting sight and smell. Until interest of self prevails above the public interest, nothing will ever work.

Dear dont blame only indians for serangoon road damage. Many bangladeshis,srilankans labours used to gather in roads on sunday evening for drinks,food etc and spoil the entire area but you have to appreciate singapore govt for their effort to ensure that road cleaniness on next morning.

By the way I am also an Indian citizen and also a south Indian Okay,and covering our own mistakes under the carpet will not make us any better person and which Bangladeshi, and Srilankans came and spoiled our so called cooum river, and who is the root cause of all flith we find at every nook and corner of our Chennai city. This are our die hard habits which we need to shed off, if not we will carry it with us where ever we go like the parasite. To do so we have to take responsibility and be a responsible citizen. Ours is a fast merging economy, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is not and we are in absolute and urgent need to showcase ourselves to the world. How do we want others to portray us best lies in the way we project ourselves to the World. Please learn to take Constructive criticism (Aakapurvamana Kuraikural), and only by realising our own shortcoming, we can improve. My intention was never to belittle anyone and please get that straight.

Source: The Hindu, Chennai edition, dated 26-Nov-2010 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article913497.ece)

When the terminus itself is in worst condition , why are they planning a car parking over it ?!!! :lol::nuts::lol::nuts:

Samsung India inaugurates its second refrigerator manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur near Chennai, constructed at a cost of $75 million over the past one year, employing 500 people. “This takes our total headcount in Chennai to 1500,” said Samsung South West Asia President and CEO J S Shin.

The new plant at Chennai, the company’s sixth refrigerator manufacturing unit in the world, will produce the frost free range called Inspira and the direct cool range called Pride.

“The plant has an installed capacity of 1.2 million units, expected to be in full utilization by the last quarter of this fiscal year,” said Samsung India MD Ravinder Zutshi. “Chennai contributes to 40% of our total production in South Asia.”

Samsung has been operating a plant manufacturing flat TV panels, front loading washing machines and split air-conditioners since 2007. It has signed an MoU with the state government to invest Rs.350 crore in its Chennai units over the next five years.

^^ Samsung eyes Chennai as manufacturing hub

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Samsung-eyes-Chennai-as-manufacturing-hub/Article1-631398.aspx

By the way I am also an Indian citizen and also a south Indian Okay,and covering our own mistakes under the carpet will not make us any better person and which Bangladeshi, and Srilankans came and spoiled our so called cooum river, and who is the root cause of all flith we find at every nook and corner of our Chennai city. This are our die hard habits which we need to shed off, if not we will carry it with us where ever we go like the parasite. To do so we have to take responsibility and be a responsible citizen. Ours is a fast merging economy, and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is not and we are in absolute and urgent need to showcase ourselves to the world. How do we want others to portray us best lies in the way we project ourselves to the World. Please learn to take Constructive criticism (Aakapurvamana Kuraikural), and only by realising our own shortcoming, we can improve. My intention was never to belittle anyone and please get that straight.

I am hearing this word 'kuraikural' for criticism for the first time. Is it a commonly used word?

^^
'Kuraikooral' is common.

^^ Thanks. I misread 'kooral' as 'kural'. My mistake. Issue is the transliteration.

When the terminus itself is in worst condition , why are they planning a car parking over it ?!!! :lol::nuts::lol::nuts:

There are lots of problems with that place. All the roads in that junction are narrow and congested. Even if the new parking lot has adequate ramps, the approach will get so very congested with hundreds and thousands of two wheelers, cars and the MTC buses make a beeline for the place.

Already the place is a mess due to the buses stopping everywhere and trying to enter and exit the depot.

Even though there are so many projects going on in the city, I'm yet to see one really bold transformational one with a long term view. Such a project will obviously involve large relocations, transparent land acquisition and compensation, transparent awarding of tenders, excellent work quality, timely project completion etc. And we seem to be completely incapable of any of this. Even thinking about it feels so far-fetched :ohno:

The Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr M.K. Stalin, has requested the consumer electronics and durables major Samsung to bring more investments into the State in newer areas.

Inaugurating Samsung's new refrigerator manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur, in the outskirts of the city on Saturday, he said making use of the Central Government's Jawaharlal Nehru Solar Mission programme with an ambitious target of promoting 20,000 MW of solar power projects, Samsung must consider investing in the State in emerging areas of solar photo-voltaic cells, besides manufacturing LCD and plasma panels and compressors here in Chennai, he said.

He also mentioned that the company, as against the committed investment of Rs 450 crore at Sriperumpudur Industrial Park, has so far invested Rs 576 crore and employed about 1,500 directly and indirectly. “Encouraged by the success of its Chennai plant, Samsung decided to invest additionally Rs 350 crore, and the State Government also offered an attractive package of support to this expansion project.”

Attributing to a study conducted by Nokia, he said the cost of manufacturing in Chennai is lower than China by over 11 per cent. This is due to the inherent strengths of Tamil Nadu, the pro-active and investor-friendly policies of the Government, and over and above the abundant availability of skilled manpower, harmonious industrial relations and excellent infrastructure.


http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/28/stories/2010112851480200.htm

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/Pvt-power-producers-to-invest-Rs-91000-cr-in-3-to-5-yrs-Stalin/articleshow/7004759.cms

Private power producers will invest about Rs 91,000 crore in Tamil Nadu in the next three to five years to generate 18,140 MW, deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin said here on Sunday.

"Private power developers are putting up plants with a capacity of 18140 MW. These initiatives will bring investment of about Rs 91,000 crore in the next three to five years," he said at the All India Conference of Chairman of Central and State Electricity Regulatory Commissions here.

Stalin said the state government also planned to promote renewable energy due to limited coal resources.

"Keeping in view the limited coal resources and to promote clean energy, the Government has mandated for a major shift from coal fuel to renewable energy", he said adding the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission has imposed the Renewable Energy Purchase Obligations to focus on renewable energy for industry and a conducive tariff policy.

Stalin said Tamil nadu has a huge capacity of 5,400 MW of wind energy, with an additional potential of 5,530 MW and 80 MW of bagasse based co-generation plants.

He said the government has acceded to request of industry bodies like ASSOCHAM, FICCI and CII for uninterrupted power supply for those HT industrial consumers willing to pay reliability charges from November 1 2010. "This has enabled HT industries function without any power cut", he claimed.

Stalin, who also handles the Industries portfolio, said Tamil Nadu would soon add an additional 183 MW of bagasse based power, with an investment of Rs 1,126 crore.

"Further seven developers from Tamil Nadu have been shortlisted by Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency to establish solar power plants with a total capacity of seven MW", he added.

^^ 91K Crores is huge money . This is related to TN Power Project and could have been posted here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1017009) :cheers:

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/28/stories/2010112851480200.htm[/FONT][/COLOR]

Hope samsung invest in photo voltaic and renewable energy domain in coming years ... It would be WOW :banana::banana:

Hi folks,

Just a quick review on Semmozhi Poonga. My first mistake was to go during late evening and that too on a Sunday. I couldn't experience the greenery since it was dark, but had the opportunity to see the colourful fountains. The entrance looked bright and attractive, but everything else made me feel like I was in some Thiruvizha or a Chennai Sangamam..coz all I saw was just people people and people. I was just walking with the crowd, for a moment felt like I was in Tirupati.

Positives:
1. Neat layout of plants and proper segregation of species with name boards. 2. Adequate lighting to make sure people read the names of the species, but unfortunately nobody was even looking at it.
3. Good seating area near the fountains and the semi-circular stair kind of a structure (I guess that's the amphitheatre)
4. Saw some ducks in the pond. So its a place displaying both Flora and Fauna. Yeah I know there are butterflies too but couldn't find them in the dark..lol
5. Huge potential to make this an exotic place
6. A boon for lovers...this could just be the next lovers paradise especially for Stella Maris girls:)

Negatives:
1. First and foremost no dustbins. I could already see some Lays packets floating around and some lady had even left her torn chappals (pinjipona serupu) in the plants area.
2. I couldn't hear any music if there were supposed to be musical fountains
3. A boy right in front of my eyes threw something into the water. There was nobody to control the crowd or penalise for littering
4. There were no sign boards or directions showing what is where. It would be nice if they have a map in the front showing the layout
5. The walkways are pretty narrow and only 2 people can walk side by side freely. Also some stones were missing in the walkways which made it uncomfortable for walking and one had to keep looking down.
6. Not enough care has been taken in terms of safety for the public. There is a section of the walkway which runs too close to the pond. There are chances that anybody could just slip into it.
7. Some of the water fountains just merely looked liked water pipes faced upwards. Poor aesthicity in the choice of tiles used.

As of now my first impression is just OK, but I need to go during the day time to get the real feel of it. However used my mobile to click some pics and am posting only the decent loking ones

Entrance
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/3312/photo0107p.jpg

Entrance
http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/3579/photo01090.jpg

Entrance
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/1167/photo0110i.jpg

Fountains
http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/376/photo0112u.jpg

Fountains
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8096/photo0114s.jpg

Section of plants
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2756/photo0115d.jpg

Pond with ducks
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/4941/photo0116d.jpg

Amphitheatre or semi circular stairs I referred to (This came in the paper)
http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/4121/photo0118x.jpg

Overall rating 6/10

^^any idea when they are going to start collecting entry fees? When that starts, everything will come into place.

^^Is the writing on the board which says 'Semmozhi Poonga' MK's handwriting or is it just meant to be a stylistic expression? Any ideas?

^^
I was going to make a post to that effect and here I see you have commented about it already. Yes, that is MK's hand-writing. They have modeled it along his hand-writing.

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1714/85473769.jpg (http://img140.imageshack.us/i/85473769.jpg/)

The Airports Authority of India is expected to shortly submit a detailed report to the Tamil Nadu Government for a greenfield airport at Sriperumbudur, near Chennai.

It is convinced that the city needs a new airport and the report is expected to make out a case for this, and also include the cost of constructing the airport, according to sources.

“Depending on what the State Government decides, the airport can either be developed by the Airports Authority of India or by the private sector. If a decision is taken that AAI should take up the project, then, the State-owned airport operator is likely to go it alone for the first six-eight years, after which it may consider inducting a strategic partner,” a source said.

According to sources, despite the ongoing modernisation at the Chennai airport, the city will need a new airport in a few years.

“The existing airport has structural limitations which will allow only limited expansion to cater to growing traffic projections. Hence a second airport is necessary. It can be left to the airlines to decide which airport they would like to operate to,” a source said.

Land

The State Government had identified about 4,820 acres in Sriperumbudur area for the project. When the airport comes up, Chennai will join the growing number of cities, including Goa and Mumbai, that will have two airports.

The Tamil Nadu Government had announced its intention to acquire land for the airport at Sriperumbudur, along the Chennai-Bangalore national highway. However, there have been protests against the proposed airport with the Opposition parties contending that farmlands were being acquired.

According to sources, the DMK Government is unlikely to take a decision on going ahead with the new airport as the State heads for elections by May 2011.

Even in the case of modernising the existing airport, the DMK Government prefers that the work be carried out by the AAI rather than the private sector. Likewise, even if the Government were to decide on having the new airport, it is expected to opt for the AAI doing the work.

Source (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/11/29/stories/2010112951920100.htm)

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_shriram-epc-s-second-wind-blade-unit-by-june_1474176

Chennai-based Shriram EPC will commission its second wind turbine blade facility at Gummidipundi near Chennai by June, said P Ashok, managing director of its subsidiary Leitner Shriram Manufacturing (LSML).

LSML is a 51:49 joint venture between Italy-based Leitner Technologies and Shriram EPC formed in 2007.

LSML currently manufactures 250kw and 1.5mw wind turbine generators (WTGs) at its Gummidipundi plant, which was commissioned in January 2009.

“We will put up the second blade unit in June and then build the third unit and expand our generator bay in a phased manner depending on the market scenario,” Ashok said.

The total cost of the doubling of capacity is about Rs150 crore, of which Rs45 crore will be spent on the blade facility.

The company can presently produce 120-150 of 1.5mw WTGs a year.

Ashok said the testing of 1.8mw WTG has been completed and that the company will begin manufacturing by mid-2011.

“We should produce about 50-60 machines next fiscal and we also intend to start testing for the 3mw turbine by December,” he said.

By March LSML has to deliver 40 1.5mw WTGs and 60-70 250kw turbines to its clients.

“We have visibility for another 100-120 1.5mw machines and that does not include OGPL,” Ashok said.

Orient Green Power is a Shriram EPC group firm engaged in renewable energy generation. It listed in October.

More projects might come up @ Chennai. In the language of few here, more development, thanks to rasathi ammal. (A cross posting from TN thread).

Anyone remember voltas building? Might turn into a star hotel or hospital soon. As per this news, demolition works of existing building might even start before Dec 31st.

Expect faster work because of you know what:)

Source: Savukku (http://savukku.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187:2010-11-29-18-53-32&catid=1:2010-07-12-16-58-06&Itemid=2)

Spoiler Alert: It has Nira Radia / Rasathi ammal tape

More projects might come up @ Chennai. In the language of few here, more development, thanks to rasathi ammal. (A cross posting from TN thread).

Anyone remember voltas building? Might turn into a star hotel or hospital soon. As per this news, demolition works of existing building might even start before Dec 31st.

Expect faster work because of you know what:)

Source: Savukku (http://savukku.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=187:2010-11-29-18-53-32&catid=1:2010-07-12-16-58-06&Itemid=2)

Spoiler Alert: It has Nira Radia / Rasathi ammal tape

Thanks Kongu, I hope when the next govt comes to power they can dig these out and put them in jail

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article922378.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00299/30THBEACH_299028f.jpg

The Chennai Police on Monday launched beach patrolling with the help of an All Terrain Vehicle. The 200-cc imported vehicle capable of traversing at a speed of 60 kmph on sand will be used for policing along the Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar.

Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran flagged off the beach patrol and said the special vehicle equipped with public address system, siren and other gadgets would help in preventing crimes. The patrol system introduced on an experimental basis might be extended to other areas.

Mr. Rajendran also launched a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) network of the Adyar district police that would cover most parts of the Shastri Nagar police station limits. Thirty high-resolution cameras became operational at Besant Nagar, Rajaji Bhavan, Karpagam Garden, L.B. Road, Elliots Beach and adjoining areas.

“We have covered some residential pockets, traffic junctions and a few crime-prone areas. A control room has been established at the Shastri Nagar police station from where police would monitor the footage round-the-clock. A few cameras can be operated from the control room.

The Elliots beach and the parking lot nearby are now under camera surveillance,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Adyar) M.C. Sarangan said.

A special team worked on the project for about two months under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police (South) P. Sakthivelu.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article922377.ece

^^ idhu ellam project illapa, news-u. Put it on Chennai discussions and not projects :)

http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=58561&sectionid=

In a major initiative to give a big boost to the pharmaceutical companies in Tamil Nadu, the state government is planning to set up a pharma park in Chennai.

The project, with all facilities required for pharmaceutical units will be developed somewhere near the HLL project in Chengalpattu near Chennai, according to the Director of state drug control department.

He was speaking to Pharmabiz on the sidelines of a meeting to celebrate the 49th National Pharmacy Week organized by the IPA Tamil Nadu and the TN Pharmaceutical Welfare Trust in Chennai.

M Bhaskaran, the director, said the pharma park will be set up in a special economic zone and for the convenience of the industry and the law enforcing departments, the land will be identified near the mega project of HLL Lifecare Ltd. The proposal given by him to the government focuses multiple facilities from collection, stock and processing of raw materials to formulation and release of batches. It will have space for packaging and logistics facilities along with formulation and bulk drug manufacturers.

Bhaskaran said the common facilities for Research & Development and other related services with technical and biotechnical divisions will be of help for both the big as well as small units. To facilitate the growth of healthcare sector, the project will have a facility for medical devices also.

Another facility in the park area will provide training and technical assistance to the industry’s R&D personnel, orientation courses for pharmacists, business development programs and updating on export-import policies for non-technical and marketing staff. There will also be common infrastructure facilities like effluent treatment plan at the site.

http://www.pharmabiz.com/article/detnews.asp?articleid=58561&sectionid=

In a major initiative to give a big boost to the pharmaceutical companies in Tamil Nadu, the state government is planning to set up a pharma park in Chennai.

The project, with all facilities required for pharmaceutical units will be developed somewhere near the HLL project in Chengalpattu near Chennai, according to the Director of state drug control department.

He was speaking to Pharmabiz on the sidelines of a meeting to celebrate the 49th National Pharmacy Week organized by the IPA Tamil Nadu and the TN Pharmaceutical Welfare Trust in Chennai.

M Bhaskaran, the director, said the pharma park will be set up in a special economic zone and for the convenience of the industry and the law enforcing departments, the land will be identified near the mega project of HLL Lifecare Ltd. The proposal given by him to the government focuses multiple facilities from collection, stock and processing of raw materials to formulation and release of batches. It will have space for packaging and logistics facilities along with formulation and bulk drug manufacturers.

.

Only park remaining in Chennai to be built......
financial city & Country specific industrial park is being constructed as planned...sports city on the verge of finalisaiton for construction, New green friled airport announced in 2007 is half way through...so now we are going to have Pharma park...all in papers and in dreams of us...:lol::nuts: TN govt : baeh3::wallbash::

Only park remaining in Chennai to be built......
financial city & City specific industrial park is being constructed as planned...sports city on the verge of finalisaiton for construction, New green friled airport announced in 2007 is half way through...so now we are going to have Pharma park...all in papers and in dreams of us...:lol::nuts: TN govt : baeh3::wallbash::

Common dont expect TN government to change into Singapore government overnight. Its good that atleast they have announced it. Lets see whether it sees the light of the day. If it happens it will be a big boost to life sciences in the state.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article922378.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00299/30THBEACH_299028f.jpg

The Chennai Police on Monday launched beach patrolling with the help of an All Terrain Vehicle. The 200-cc imported vehicle capable of traversing at a speed of 60 kmph on sand will be used for policing along the Elliots Beach, Besant Nagar.

Commissioner of Police T. Rajendran flagged off the beach patrol and said the special vehicle equipped with public address system, siren and other gadgets would help in preventing crimes. The patrol system introduced on an experimental basis might be extended to other areas.

Mr. Rajendran also launched a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) network of the Adyar district police that would cover most parts of the Shastri Nagar police station limits. Thirty high-resolution cameras became operational at Besant Nagar, Rajaji Bhavan, Karpagam Garden, L.B. Road, Elliots Beach and adjoining areas.

“We have covered some residential pockets, traffic junctions and a few crime-prone areas. A control room has been established at the Shastri Nagar police station from where police would monitor the footage round-the-clock. A few cameras can be operated from the control room.

The Elliots beach and the parking lot nearby are now under camera surveillance,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Adyar) M.C. Sarangan said.

A special team worked on the project for about two months under the supervision of the Joint Commissioner of Police (South) P. Sakthivelu.

...

Chennai's version of baywatch :lol:

Only park remaining in Chennai to be built......
financial city & Country specific industrial park is being constructed as planned...sports city on the verge of finalisaiton for construction, New green friled airport announced in 2007 is half way through...so now we are going to have Pharma park...all in papers and in dreams of us


The govt is thinking that they can fool people by proposals..it wont happen anymore...already people are fed up with OMR project.....

Dont forget to add the nanotech park proposed on the lines of taiwan park in thiruvalluvar district in 2007...what is the status about it???

http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/nov/07tn.htm

^^ idhu ellam project illapa, news-u. Put it on Chennai discussions and not projects :)
Sari pa. Neenga podra arasiyal mokkaya vida, idhu onnum mattam illa pa. :D

Common dont expect TN government to change into Singapore government overnight. Its good that atleast they have announced it. Lets see whether it sees the light of the day. If it happens it will be a big boost to life sciences in the state.

I don't expect TN Govt to be like Singapore govt...that is impossible but they can atleast follow some of the states in India which do things as proposed...

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/T-Nagar-revamp-may-put-restrictions/articleshow/7018918.cms

Hong Kong-style pedestrian walkways and rapid transit systems modelled on Boston could soon become a reality in the city's shopping hub. T Nagar, a residential area in the 1970s, has seen a massive surge in commercial activity over the last decade, making it one of the busiest areas in the city. In a bid to reduce the number of private vehicles and decongest a neighbourhood dotted with malls and arcades, urban planners have come up with an extensive redevelopment plan, which even includes curbs on motorists.

The blueprint for the project was commissioned by the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Fund, jointly promoted by the state government and financial institutions ICICI Bank, HDFC and Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Ltd. The plan includes five multi-level car parks, relocation of the T Nagar bus terminus, a mini-bus feeder system to ferry the public from transit points, and skywalks and pedestrian paths around shopping hubs.

Chennai corporation chief D Karthikeyan said, "The report is ambitious but if implemented in a comprehensive manner, the project is achievable."

Stressing on the importance of transit-oriented development, the report proposes concentration of shopping areas around nodes of public transport, like the upcoming metro stations and bus stands. Keeping destinations within walking distance from a transit node can discourage use of cars and encourage people to use public transport that provides point-to-point connectivity, it says. A pedestrian-friendly approach would also help in improving the quality of life of residents.

The report has been prepared by Jones Long LaSalle, a financial and professional services company specializing in real estate development.

The ambitious plan to revamp the commercial hub of T Nagar is slated to be completed in six years. Skywalks, shops on skywalks, five multi-level car parks, separate pavilions for hawkers, mini-bus feeder system connecting to the Metro Rail, the suburban railway and the bus stand, pedestrian bridges between buildings and augmentation of the existing infrastructure are some of the proposed changes.

One of the main challenges identified by the report commissioned by the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Fund is the lack of quality public transport. Severe traffic congestion at the existing T Nagar bus terminus and increased congestion at South and North Usman roads are due to the high volume of bus traffic.

In order to solve this, skywalks and pedestrian bridges connecting major areas like Mambalam railway station, T Nagar bus stand, Panagal Park and Pondy Bazar have been planned. Dedicated areas for streetside hawkers and vendors will be provided for along the skywalks. Apart from these, the report proposes to encourage the use of public transport by providing feeder buses to various transit points.

Massive pedestrian zones free of private transport have also been planned to provide ample space for movement of pedestrians even during peak hours and festival seasons. Feeder buses linking major transit nodes will connect these pedestrianised areas too. Multi-level car parks would also be provided at the edges of pedestrian areas.

The report, which was prepared in consultation with various stakeholders like residents, traders, hawkers and the general public, has given a detailed timeline for the implementation of each project. As per the timeline, the current bus terminus will be relocated in two years, a multi-level car park at T Nagar will be functional in four years and the feeder system will be functional in three years. The report also plans to identify underutilised and dilapidated buildings for redevelopment and build recreation centres for shoppers.

Historically, says the report, T Nagar was a planned residential neighbourhood with roads and streets for the movement of residents but is now the centre of economic development with hardly any pedestrian or resident-friendly facilities. The redevelopment proposal sees planners go back to the original plan of T Nagar — with roads and streets radiating from Panagal Park — and concentrates on developing a commercial hub around the various transit points like the suburban railway, the bus terminus and the planned metro stations.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Long-time-residents-of-T-Nagar-wary-of-makeover-plan/articleshow/7018575.cms

Long-time residents are skeptical of the ambitious plans to change the look of T Nagar. Most residents seem to consider it a waste of public money.

"The Usman Road flyover which was constructed to alleviate traffic has only increased the woes of the residents. The space below the flyover remains unused and during festivals the crowds walk over the flyover as it is made one way," said P Venugopal, an advocate and a long-time resident of T Nagar. He also felt that before major decisions to change the face of T Nagar are taken, resident and traders must be consulted independently.

"It is still in the planning stages but if this is implemented in the right manner, the project will be extremely beneficial to the people and we have confidence that the government will do a good job," said S Ramesh, managing director of Pothys and member of the Usman Road Traders' Association.

Abdul Khader , secretary of the Madley Road Civic Exnora, felt that a demographic profiling of the shoppers should be done to understand the needs of the place. Commenting on the Usman Road flyover, he says only 10% of the vehicles actually use the bridge. "The rest use the side roads. Most of the projects that have been planned have no foresight and it is only the public which ultimately suffers," he said.

Chennai Corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan said diligent planning and implementation in a comprehensive manner is the key. "The problem with the Usman Road flyover is that it is too short and does not cross the Ranganathan Street junction. In the new model we plan to build a bigger and lengthier flyover," he said.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2010/12/01/2/Img/Pg002.png

Image for the above article

hi shyam, can you post the zoomed images in the above article?

hi shyam, can you post the zoomed images in the above article?
Here it is

TERRIBLE TO TERRIFIC NAGAR?
SKYWALKS, PEDESTRIAN ZONES... T NAGAR, CHENNAI’S BUSIEST NEIGHBOURHOOD, IS SET FOR A FACELIFT
Revathi Ramanan | TNN


The ambitious plan to revamp the commercial hub of T Nagar is slated to be completed in six years. Skywalks, shops on skywalks, five multi-level car parks, separate pavilions for hawkers, mini-bus feeder system connecting to the Metro Rail, the suburban railway and the bus stand, pedestrian bridges between buildings and augmentation of the existing infrastructure are some of the proposed changes.
One of the main challenges identified by the report commissioned by the Tamil Nadu Urban Development Fund is the lack of quality public transport. Severe traffic congestion at the existing T Nagar bus terminus and increased congestion at South and North Usman roads are due to the high volume of bus traffic.
In order to solve this, skywalks and pedestrian bridges connecting major areas like Mambalam railway station, T Nagar bus stand, Panagal Park and Pondy Bazar have been planned. Dedicated areas for streetside hawkers and vendors will be provided for along the skywalks. Apart from these, the report proposes to encourage the use of public transport by providing feeder buses to various transit points.
Massive pedestrian zones free of private transport have also been planned to provide ample space for movement of pedestrians even during peak hours and festival seasons. Feeder buses linking major transit nodes will connect these pedestrianised areas too. Multi-level car parks would also be provided at the edges of pedestrian areas.
The report, which was prepared in consultation with various stakeholders like residents, traders, hawkers and the general public, has given a detailed timeline for the implementation of each project. As per the timeline, the current bus terminus will be relocated in two years, a multi-level car park at T Nagar will be functional in four years and the feeder system will be functional in three years. The report also plans to identify underutilised and dilapidated buildings for redevelopment and build recreation centres for shoppers.
Historically, says the report, T Nagar was a planned residential neighbourhood with roads and streets for the movement of residents but is now the centre of economic development with hardly any pedestrian or resident-friendly facilities. The redevelopment proposal sees planners go back to the original plan of T Nagar — with roads and streets radiating from Panagal Park — and concentrates on developing a commercial hub around the various transit points like the suburban railway, the bus terminus and the planned metro stations.

MAJOR HUB
The T Nagar redevelopment plan draws inspiration from planned city spaces such as Sector 17 shopping arcade in Chandigarh, Salt Lake City Centre in Kolkata, Strasbourg Mass Rapid Transit in France and the Boston traffic tunnel in the US

Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOICH/2010/12/01&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

I don't know what the above plan is going to achieve in T. Nagar other than more of the same. Sometime back (1yr ago perhaps), I suggested a massive Shopping Mall be constructed and all the T. Nagar shopping housed within it. A clear 8 lane highway road path to connect T. Nagar to A. Nagar and KK. Nagar is required. Another perpendicular highway from Mount Road is needed. As part of the Mall, a huge underground parking area is constructed with maybe a bus terminus underneath created, since most of the traffic would be to/from the mall. Then clear up the existing streets broadening them with no sidewalk shops. The Mall can be built in phases and progressively move the shops within. One destination, one large covered housing, one large place for the people to wander around and shop to their hearts content.

Cannot tolerate T.Nagar - whole air smells filth. No Hygeine standards kept up anywhere. It is Night mare get into Ranganathan street...:bash: I never even think of it...romba kastam. First shift all Saravana stores to some where outskirts of Chennai - that will be the first clean up. They have all sorts of cheap stores from food to what not.

^^what has shifting of saravanaa stores got to do with the hygiene conditions around? will the situation change if its shifted? They have all sort of cheap stuff because they cater to the lower middle class, not the nouveau riche or urban elite.

I don't know what the above plan is going to achieve in T. Nagar other than more of the same. Sometime back (1yr ago perhaps), I suggested a massive Shopping Mall be constructed and all the T. Nagar shopping housed within it. A clear 8 lane highway road path to connect T. Nagar to A. Nagar and KK. Nagar is required. Another perpendicular highway from Mount Road is needed. As part of the Mall, a huge underground parking area is constructed with maybe a bus terminus underneath created, since most of the traffic would be to/from the mall. Then clear up the existing streets broadening them with no sidewalk shops. The Mall can be built in phases and progressively move the shops within. One destination, one large covered housing, one large place for the people to wander around and shop to their hearts content.

What you suggest is virtually impossible at this point. Even if they conceive something like this, it will be a non starter considering the number of PILs that will be filed. Also if you say a huge complex like say a Spencers plaza is constructed in T.Nagar, it will be one hell of a disaster in terms of security and safety. That will probably be the mall with the highest footfall in the entire World. In the event of a fire or terrorist attack, it will be a nightmare. What they are planning now is something more stable, but i reserve my doubts on where they will shift the terminus, where they will construct the 5 parking slots and how they are going to expand the current flyover past Ranganathan St. And Skywalks with shops? Lets wait and see the fun unfold...lets get ready for more bashing..lol:cheers:

VGN Developers Pvt. Ltd., one of the leading real estate developers in Chennai, announced the launch of ‘Brixton, a contemporarily designed residential complex to be built using international ALF Technology.

VGN Brixton, which is coming up at Irungatukottai, opposite Hyundai, has been designed to offer a wide range of apartments for everyone to choose from. The project, spread across 23 acres, will have 1872 housing units, covering a total built-up area of 1.6 million sq.ft

The project comprises of two and three BHK apartments ranging from 740 sq. ft. to 1,235 sq. ft., and is loaded with superior specifications and lifestyle amenities to provide a comfortable lifestyle.

Speaking on the occasion, Pratish Devadoss, Managing Director, VGN Developers Pvt. Ltd. said “VGN Brixton will set a benchmark in the industry by using ALF technology for a project priced at Rs. 1985. ALF technology offers superb finish and stronger structure and will also enable us to deliver the project faster. It is conveniently located at Irungattukotai, opp Hyundai just after Poonamalle well connected by 6 lane highway. We have priced the project very competitively and in the process made luxury homes affordable”

VGN Brixton will offer its customers, a wide range of features and amenities including Gymnasium, Multipurpose Hall, Home Theatre suites, Indoor Games, STP Plant, Convenience store, Pharmacy, Saloon, coffee shop, ATM and more offering paving the way for a happy living. Maharishi Vidya Mandir in the premises will offer quality education for the children which is a main priority for any parent.

With better commuting facilities and a six lane high way, VGN Brixton is all set to become one of the best living destinations in the fast developing corridor in the region.

VGN Brixton will be delivered phase wise and phase 1 will be delivered from end of 2012.

ALF Technology: Brixton is built using Aluminium form work technology (ALF) without using any bricks. ALF technology uses only concrete and steel with a pre fabricated aluminium mould to offer better strength and finish. ALF technology so far was used only in a luxury and premium project because of the additional cost. Now VGN brings this technology to Brixton to offer better quality finish for affordable housing project priced at Rs. 1985.

Source (http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/VGN-Developers-launches-Brixton/5006700391)

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/central-press-be-modernised-359

The 178-year-old Government Central Press, which has been playing a crucial role in meeting the printing needs of the state government including printing of ballot papers for elections, will be modernised shortly under a statewide programme to modernise the government presses in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs 4 crore.

The familiar landmark at Vallallar Nagar in Mint here was originally established with about 10 employees at Fort St. George and at present functions in three shifts with over 1,000 employees. This press plays a key role in bringing out vital documents for the government like the budget speech of the governor, policy notes, bills, gazettes, Assembly debates and reports of various committees of the Legislature etc.

The government had sanctioned Rs 4 crore in the first phase of modernisation. Presently, efforts are on to procure colour web offset machines capable of printing, numbering, folding and stitching or pasting 60,000 copies of 32 A4-size pages in one hour. These machines will enhance the printing capacity of the press and help to meet the government’s requirements at a short notice.

Installation of CCTVs is also on the cards to step up the security at the press as confidential and top-secret jobs are executed here. Besides installing a biometric attendance-cum-access system, the government will also procure digital printers and automatic cover folding and gluing machines at the press, which is spread over 5.5 acres.

Sources say the government had proposed to procure the machinery at a cost of Rs 95.65 lakh.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article927153.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article924167.ece

Nearly 740 bus shelters across the city will be modernised by the Chennai Corporation as part of its efforts to make their design uniform.

Speaking at the Corporation Council meeting on Tuesday, Mayor M.Subramanian said: “While the work on 99 bus shelters will begin next week, we have also decided to modernise 640 more shelters.”

STAINLESS STEEL SHELTERS

The stainless steel bus shelters would be designed with lesser space for advertisement and maximum comfort for the commuters, he added.

The Corporation has 741 bus shelters, including the 377 that were previously under the control of Metropolitan Transport Corporation. Now, MTC has 500 bus shelters. After the modernisation, the Chennai Corporation is likely to get higher revenue than what the MTC gets.

...

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/02/stories/2010120251881900.htm

SRM Engineering Construction Corporation, the construction arm of the SRM Group, is extending its operations into turnkey contracts in construction and real estate development.

At a press conference on Monday, Dr R. Ramkumar, Chief Executive Officer, SRM Engineering, said the company is getting into infrastructure and residential projects contracts after over a decade in the field as a builder.

It has entered into an understanding with Syncotts International, a large sports infrastructure construction company, to participate in the turnkey construction of stadiums. It is in negotiations for several turnkey construction contracts in India, West Asia and Africa. In India, several educational institutions and the Defence services, are in the process of setting up large sports facilities. Along with Syncotts, SRM Engineering can offer end-to-end solutions, he said.

The company also has a land bank of about 250 acres in and around Chennai which will be used for the development of residential projects. It launched the first of these projects, SRM Green Pearl, a 364-apartment project off the GST Road about 25 km south of Chennai.
Spread over five acres, the 1- and 2-BHK apartments will cost between Rs 14 lakh and Rs 23 lakh. Some larger apartments of about Rs 32 lakh will also be available, he said.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/theme-park-unveil-underwater-aquarium-026

Nov. 30: A steady stream of visitors cruise the ECR on any given day. Weekends invariably witness a buzz of activities in the stretch till Puducherry with over 25,000 people savouring the myriad attractions.
And cashing in on people’s desire to indulge in leisure activities, the theme park promoters gear up to pamper them with new attractions. The next attraction will be the underwater aquarium. This ‘tunnel’ aquarium will facilitate visitors see fish on all three sides as they walk. About 5,000 varieties of fish from various regions, including the Pacific, would be introduced to provide a thrilling experience.
“It will be educative for children. We will establish 30 tanks to hold the fish,” says Mr V.G.P. Ravidas, managing director of VGP group. “It will be established at Universal Kingdom modelled on the underwater aquarium at Sentosa Island in Singapore,” he said, and added that this would be the first of its kind in the country. The ambitious project would be established soon.
“Next to Miami, we have Marina – the world’s second largest beach. But its full potential is yet to be realised. Like the Marina, the ECR stretch is a natural gift and there is tremendous scope for more development,” he says.
VGP recently launched the world-class aqua kingdom designed by an Australian architect. It houses a big wave pool of 15,000 sq ft and can accommodate 1,500 persons at a time. Lazy River, through which one could go around 250 metres in tubes, and a huge slide complex are the other attractions of the aqua kingdom. Wave-making mac- hines are used to generate waves in the huge swimming pool.

...

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/02/stories/2010120252911300.htm
MARG ProperTies, the real estate arm of MARG, has come up with a smart, affordable homes project, ‘Brindavan', located on the industrial belt between Sriperumbudur and Oragadam.

Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Oscar Braganza, Executive Director, (Real Estate & SEZ) MARG group, said the project would feature 14 blocks with 14 levels of 12 apartment units in each floor, making a total of 2,184 units at an introductory price of Rs. 1999 per sq. ft.

He said, Oragadam along with Sriperumbudur had seen major investments from leading multinational companies in recent times and the opportunities were immense and it was apt for the company to come up with a residential project around the area. The property will have 2 BHK (bedroom-hall-kitchen) apartments of 611 sq.ft, 613 sq.ft, 889 sq.ft. and 893 sq. ft. and 3 BHK apartments of 1054 sq. ft. each. The club house at this property will be a blend of convenience, essentials and entertainment and will have yoga centre, swimming pool, ladies/children swimming pool ,community hall, crèche, restaurant, indoor play area, game room, library and fitness centre. Outdoor amenities include 1.6 acres of community park. Basic amenities include a school, convenience shop, vegetable shop, ATM, poly clinic and ambulance. There will be multi-level car parking facilities to ensure sufficient parking space for the members of the complex.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/theme-park-unveil-underwater-aquarium-026

Nov. 30: A steady stream of visitors cruise the ECR on any given day. Weekends invariably witness a buzz of activities in the stretch till Puducherry with over 25,000 people savouring the myriad attractions.
And cashing in on people’s desire to indulge in leisure activities, the theme park promoters gear up to pamper them with new attractions. The next attraction will be the underwater aquarium. This ‘tunnel’ aquarium will facilitate visitors see fish on all three sides as they walk. About 5,000 varieties of fish from various regions, including the Pacific, would be introduced to provide a thrilling experience.
“It will be educative for children. We will establish 30 tanks to hold the fish,” says Mr V.G.P. Ravidas, managing director of VGP group. “It will be established at Universal Kingdom modelled on the underwater aquarium at Sentosa Island in Singapore,” he said, and added that this would be the first of its kind in the country. The ambitious project would be established soon.
“Next to Miami, we have Marina – the world’s second largest beach. But its full potential is yet to be realised. Like the Marina, the ECR stretch is a natural gift and there is tremendous scope for more development,” he says.
VGP recently launched the world-class aqua kingdom designed by an Australian architect. It houses a big wave pool of 15,000 sq ft and can accommodate 1,500 persons at a time. Lazy River, through which one could go around 250 metres in tubes, and a huge slide complex are the other attractions of the aqua kingdom. Wave-making mac- hines are used to generate waves in the huge swimming pool.

...


Good News. We have good natural resources where we can develop world class entertainment facilites..but we don't do. A study has to carried out on beach front entertainment facilites, redesigning our coast line etc which can be implemented in Chennai - No need to follow other countries, but can see what other countries do and customise it accordingly. We need to always excel in a strength which others don't have, cannot even think of having. Like port facilities, Beach front entertainments, ferri servies, Beach front sky scrappers, Malls ...which are essential for our cities development. If we know our strengths & develop accordingly - No other city other than Mumbai can compete with us....

Good News. We have good natural resources where we can develop world class entertainment facilites..but we don't do. A study has to carried out on beach front entertainment facilites, redesigning our coast line etc which can be implemented in Chennai - No need to follow other countries, but can see what other countries do and customise it accordingly. We need to always excel in a strength which others don't have, cannot even think of having. Like port facilities, Beach front entertainments, ferri servies, Beach front sky scrappers, Malls ...which are essential for our cities development. If we know our strengths & develop accordingly - No other city other than Mumbai can compete with us....

If what you say is implemented, even Mumbai is not a competitor. They do not have such a vast beach coastline. But am not too fond of defining a city only with beach front skyscrapers. I dont want Chennai to look like Manhattan or Dubai. I would prefer it to look like a Paris or London where artistic architecture is given more importance than the no of floors. But I dont mind a Financial city in OMR, where skyscrapers can be restricetd only to that area giving the corporates a sea view work atmosphere.

Good News. We have good natural resources where we can develop world class entertainment facilites..but we don't do. A study has to carried out on beach front entertainment facilites, redesigning our coast line etc which can be implemented in Chennai - No need to follow other countries, but can see what other countries do and customise it accordingly. We need to always excel in a strength which others don't have, cannot even think of having. Like port facilities, Beach front entertainments, ferri servies, Beach front sky scrappers, Malls ...which are essential for our cities development. If we know our strengths & develop accordingly - No other city other than Mumbai can compete with us....

Will not CRZ come in the way for beach front skyscrapers?Fears of rising sea levels also discourage the promoters.

Will not CRZ come in the way for beach front skyscrapers?Fears of rising sea levels also discourage the promoters.

Yup - CRZ, Environ(mentalist) have no other job than being obstacle to each & every project...we need to over come these idiots anyway if such things are going to happen.
Another meaning of Environmentalist is preservationist, in India these people see to that we preserve all kinds of filth and never let them go out of the city / country..:lol:
They protest like - Cooum & its banks has to be in same state - never should be cleaned up - becuase lot of marine animals thrive there...

Yup - CRZ, Environ(mentalist) have no other job than being obstacle to each & every project...we need to over come these idiots anyway if such things are going to happen.
Another meaning of Environmentalist is preservationist, in India these people see to that we preserve all kinds of filth and never let them go out of the city / country..:lol:
They protest like - Cooum & its banks has to be in same state - never should be cleaned up - becuase lot of marine animals thrive there...

I assume that you have mentioned this as a jest since you had added a smiley.

Reckless, unorganised and unplanned development is worse. Chennai has been raped repeatedly by such projects and after spending huge sums, the conditions are still bad or worse in many cases.

Flyovers so narrow as loincloth where buses and trucks can not turn, allowing MSBs in T Nagar Usman Road without parking and setbacks, trying to take over children play grounds for Car parks, delaying fly over projects where the need is acute just because some VIP does not want it, keeping the estimates so low and unpractical for the contractors and at the same time increasing the cement rate by 100% and steel rate by 50%, local policians playing to the gallery by scuttling good needy projects.

The Govt has a very very short term view rather retro view. Master Plan II which is released in 2008 is based on 1980s data as the Master Plan work was started in 1981. When the Development in other Progressive States is being planned for 2025 or after, we are in 1980s.

But for the Responsible NGOs (other than the touts of political parties), the situation must have been made much worse.

I assume that you have mentioned this as a jest since you had added a smiley.

Reckless, unorganised and unplanned development is worse. Chennai has been raped repeatedly by such projects and after spending huge sums, the conditions are still bad or worse in many cases.

Flyovers so narrow as loincloth where buses and trucks can not turn, allowing MSBs in T Nagar Usman Road without parking and setbacks, trying to take over children play grounds for Car parks, delaying fly over projects where the need is acute just because some VIP does not want it, keeping the estimates so low and unpractical for the contractors and at the same time increasing the cement rate by 100% and steel rate by 50%, local policians playing to the gallery by scuttling good needy projects.

The Govt has a very very short term view rather retro view. Master Plan II which is released in 2008 is based on 1980s data as the Master Plan work was started in 1981. When the Development in other Progressive States is being planned for 2025 or after, we are in 1980s.
.

MRTS is an example for 1980's based plan executed in 2010...:ohno:
Same way T.Nagar flyover is a mess in totality. It has addedd to the misries of T.nagar rather than decreasing it. Hawkers & vehicles under the flyover, no space to walk, what a planning.

MRTS is an example for 1980's based plan executed in 2010...:ohno:
Same way T.Nagar flyover is a mess in totality. It has addedd to the misries of T.nagar rather than decreasing it. Hawkers & vehicles under the flyover, no space to walk, what a planning.

And also the state Govt prefers to hide the true population of chennai metropolitan area.The official census figure for the decade ended march 2001 the city's population was 64 lacs.According to one estimate chennai's population has grown by 40% in the past seven years that is from 2003 to 2010 march owing to rapid growth of service and mfg industies during this period.The esimated population as on date is around 97 lacs and will breach the projected estimates of CMDA as per their master plan 2 of 126 lacs by 2016 instead of 2026.So the population estimated as 126 lacs will be achieved a decade earlier.There appears to be no concern among the CMDA officials as well as the state govt on this frightening situation.I keep visting chennai now and then and i could experience the expanding crowd on my every visit.The govt has to take urgent steps and speed up infrastrucure of the city and its surrounding otherwise many more T nagar will spring up adding to the miseries.

i think our government should outsource each and everything. In fact if the whole city of chennai was an sez, it would have been good.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/business/surge-mncs-creates-little-korea-chennai-841

They were about 700 in 2006; In four years the number has surged to 3,000. With the Korean community mushrooming in Tamil Nadu, a Little Korea has taken shape.

This influx has been primarily due to the various Korean multinational companies such as Hyundai, Samsung and LG that have set up their bases in India.

Currently there are about 12,000 Korean expatriates in India, and Chennai alone has about 170 Korean companies housing 1,000-odd Korean families employed in the Sriperumbudur Industrial Corridor, located about 60 km from the city.

Now, these folks, far away from their native place, want a home away from home. And what better way than to group themselves into a community.

A few of the Korean expats have approached a leading city-based infrastructure company, MARG Ltd, to build exclusive residential units for them.

And in line with the request — MARG ProperTies — the real estate arm of the group, is now planning to build exclusive housing villas for the Korean community in the state.

The company plans to develop the property in around 80 acres along the Sriperumpudur-Oragadam Industrial Corridor, which houses most Korean companies such as Hyundai, Visteon and Lotte.

“We hope to develop about 64 villas following a request from the Korean expat community,” said Mr S. Bala Subramanian, senior vice-president, MARG.

Apart from this, the Koreans have also set up an association in the city. To keep their children rooted to their culture far away from the country, the association conducts dance festivals, cultural events and even language classes. “We conduct weekend Korean classes which are being attended by about 150 children,” Mr Shin added.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Adyar-Poonga-all-set-to-open-on-Jan-3/articleshow/7045030.cms#ixzz17CIcE8x5

The restoration of the 58-acre Adyar creek, one of the city's most eco-sensitive spots, is nearing completion and will be opened by prime minister Manmohan Singh and chief minister M Karunanidhi on January 3, deputy chief minister MK Stalin said on Saturday.

He was reviewing the progress of the work along with a high-level team of officials, including principal secretary K Dheenabandu and Chennai River Restoratation Trust principal secretary Paninder Reddy. The state government had in 2006, after realising its larger ecological impact, initiated a project to restore the 358-acre Adyar estuary, which includes the Adyar creek or Adyar poonga, with the help of Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants of Auroville. The estuary was being damaged, it eas found, by the outflow from numerous sewage outlets in the neighbouring colonies.

"The eco-restoration plan for the Adyar estuary is also ready and will be launched on the day the poonga is inaugurated," Stalin said. The government also plans a Green Centre on the land adjacent to the poonga site on Ramakrishna Mutt Road, on a part of the Metrowater land and on fisheries department land for creating awareness on ecology.

According to officials, the success of the restoration of poonga can be seen in its recorded animal diversity. Plenty of fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds have been spotted at the park in the recent past. Spottings of white-bellied sea eagles, black winged kites and painted storks, besides greenpond frog or Indian pond frog, an endangered species in schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, are not uncommon. A variety of butterflies, found only in dense forests, are also spotted here.

The poonga now has 1,36,560 plants of 172 indigenous species and officials are racing against time to place 1,000 nameboards with inscriptions of the botanical names, Stalin said. Landscaping, entrance plaza, pedestrian walkways, bridges, an education centre, children interactive learning space, amphitheatre and dune garden will all form part of the poonga.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article931990.ece

Chennai Metrowater plans to install GPS (Global Positioning System) equipment on its vehicles fitted with sewer equipment and water tankers for effective monitoring.

Officials of Metrowater said the GPS would help in tracking the position of the vehicles and check whether they were taking the prescribed route. A control room would be established in the head office to track the movement of the vehicles.

The water agency has about 70 desilting machines, 66 jetrodding machines and nearly 220 water tankers. The machines are being used to desilt the sewer network and remove blocks. Metrowater recently started operating them in two shifts to ensure better maintenance of sewer lines.

By monitoring the movement of the vehicles, Metrowater would also be able to establish whether the silt removed from the network has been dumped in the identified locations such as sewage treatment plants and pumping stations.

On an average, about 1,200 tanker trips are being operated every day to transport water across the city.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/arts/history-and-culture/article931518.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00302/06MPHORTICULTURE_PA_302056f.jpg

The new botanical gardens, Semmozhi Poonga, were opened recently with little fanfare in what was once the Agri-Horticultural Society's woodland. Rich in greenery at present — but with too many man-made features intruding — it will look much more colourful a year from now, provided it is well-tended to. And there is no reason to think it won't be, given the track-record of government and municipal caretakers of the numerous new and resurrected parks that have sprouted in the last few years.

One of the features promised for the Semmozhi Poonga is an info-centre, and when that is developed I trust it will recall those pioneer botanists of Madras who not only enriched the world's knowledge of Indian flora, but also established some of the first botanical gardens in the country.

Anderson Road in Nungambakkam still remains with name mercifully unchanged. It was in what is Nandanam (Saidapet) that Civil Surgeon Dr. James Anderson established his Nopalry (a cactus garden) in 1789, in what was a small botanical garden he had started; but by 1800, with the cacti failing, many of the garden's plants were removed to Bangalore's Lal Bagh. The garden was briefly revived in 1837, but a few years later it became fragmented into the gardens of garden houses, one of those houses that still survives being Lushington Gardens — but with no garden today. In fact, that whole area across from the YMCA College of Physical Education and its acres-rich neighbours is densely-packed development with nary a garden in sight, where Anderson's second botanical garden was.

Even before establishing the Nopalry, Anderson lived in what became known as Anderson Gardens, across from today's Shastri Bhavan. In residence here from 1778 till 1809, he slowly developed what could well have been the first botanical gardens in the country. The gardens in the angle of the Haddow's Road-Graeme's Road junction were spread over 110 acres. Now it's all development — though fortunately a few stately houses here retain some garden space.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article931889.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00302/VoR_jpg_302174f.jpg

Claims more than 100 million listeners in 170 countries

In an effort to expand its footprint in India, Russia's veteran radio station Voice of Russia is planning to launch FM broadcasts in Chennai, the company's head said.

“We have plans to increase our presence in India and are currently looking for a partner in Chennai to broadcast in the FM band,” Voice of Russia president Andrei Bystritsky told The Hindu.

Voice of Russia began broadcasting in the FM space in India earlier this year, partnering with Fever 104 FM.

One or two-hour programmes about Russia in Hindi, interlaced with Russian and Indian songs, are at present broadcast in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.

In the South, Voice of Russia is already present in Bangalore on 104 FM.

The radio network also broadcasts to South Asia in Hindi and Urdu on short and medium waves from its Moscow studios, and in Bengali on the internet.

This is a far cry from Soviet times when Voice of Russia used to run programmes in most Indian languages on a daily basis. Nevertheless, after the Soviet Union broke up in 1991, and Russia drastically scaled back its massive media presence in India, Voice of Russia remained a major source of news for Indian audiences, Mr. Bystritsky said.

On December 8-9, the House of Russian Science and Culture in New Delhi will host the fifth conference of Voice of Russia Indian fan clubs.

...

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/article936560.ece

The foundation stone for the Indo-German Centre for Sustainability (IGCS) was laid on the IIT-Madras (IIT-M) campus on Monday.

Speaking after unveiling the stone, Thomas Rachel, German Parliamentary State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, said there was a drastic increase in demand for energy and the increase in greenhouse gases emission was causing concern. It was important for both India and Germany to take up research on sustainability.

Germany had planned to reduce greenhouse gases by 40 per cent in 2020 and 80 per cent in 2050. For this, the Federal Government had presented a new energy policy. The biodiversity challenges needed international help to take up research to find solutions, Mr. Rachel added.

Patent bank

A patent bank for sustainable development should be started, suggested agriculture scientist M.S. Swaminathan. Though a new set of green technology innovations had been introduced, most were covered under patents. The bank should buy the patented technologies and make them available for researchers, he said.

M.S. Ananth, Director, IIT-M, said the proposal to construct the centre was finalised in 2008 when the German Minister for Science and Technology visited IIT-M and announced ‘A new Passage to India' programme. Following this, the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, also promised to provide a matching grant for the Centre for Sustainability. “The Centre for Sustainability' will function with minimum administrative support and maximum research effort,” Dr. Ananth said.

Raffig Azzam, Coordinator, IGCS, said the Centre would take up a study of sustainable use of water, land, energy and waste. According to a study, in 2020 Asian countries would face severe water shortage.

This would result in desertification and contamination of groundwater. The Centre would launch an inter-disciplinary research, which would address these issues, he said.

The Centre would develop courses for both Indian and German students, which would be aimed at improving the level of science students in India, said Professor Max Huber, Vice-President, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The relationship between DAAD and India began 50 years ago, when the first DAAD centre was inaugurated in New Delhi, he added.

Premier institutions the world over should collaborate with each other to tackle the issue of climate change, threat to biodiversity and resource depletion, said Hans-Burkhardt Sauerteig, Consul General, German Consulate General, Chennai.

The building for the Centre would be ready in a year's time. The DAAD would contribute 3.7 million Euros per year to the centre for four years to take up research on water, land use, waste management, bio-diversity loss, climate change and related issues.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/16-cr-work-tambaram-stn-860

With preliminary work valued at `16 crore already under way, Southern Railway’s plan to develop Tambaram railway station into the third major terminal in Chennai city, is progressing at a rapid pace.
Talking to Deccan Chronicle, R. Ramanathan, chief administrative officer (constructions,) Southern Railway (SR), pointed out that the station has begun the upgradation of the EMU car shed at a cost of `6 crore.
“Over the last few years, SR has increased the number of suburban services between Chennai Beach-Tambaram-Chengelpet due to the rise in passengers. With the station set to be transformed into a major terminal in a few years, there will be a definite increase in the number of services. The EMU shed upgradation will cater to the maintenance requirement of EMUs even in future, as the additional lines being laid will help SR to maintain more EMUs concurrently. The upgradation process will be complete by March 2011,” Mr. Ramanathan said.
According to Ramanathan, in order to transform Tambaram into a full-fledged terminal with coach maintenance facilities, a master plan of `75 crore was prepared by SR.
“The project has been planned in two phases. The Railway ministry has already approved the first phase, the execution of which will commence shortly.”
“The `33 crore first phase will see the laying of two ‘pit’ lines for coach maintenance work, four ‘sick’ lines for coach repair work and one ‘stabling’ line to position the train after maintenance work.
“The first phase, scheduled to be completed by March 2013, will ensure that all the requirements of passenger trains to be introduced from Tambaram in future, will be met,” he explained.
He also mentioned that additional work to convert the disused third and fourth meter gauge lines into broad gauge for suburban services and the fifth line for goods trains, are in progress and that the `10 crore broad gauge line conversion is slated for completion by June 2011.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Underground-parking-facility-at-Koyambedu-awaits-inauguration/articleshow/7062360.cms

Three months after its completion, the two-level underground two-wheeler parking facility at Koyambedu is awaiting inauguration.

The first-of-its kind facility in the city, built by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority on a vacant land on the premises of the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Koyambedu abutting the Inner Ring Road, can accomodate 3,000 two-wheelers at depths of 10 feet and 20 feet respectively.

Work on the Rs 12 crore project began in January 2009 and was completed in August this year.

According to official sources, the government wanted to inaugurate it after setting up a park on the ground above the parking facility. While the park was completed a month ago, the authorities are now waiting to get a date from deputy chief minister M K Stalin for inauguration. "We hope the parking facility will be opened in two weeks," sources said.

The long delay in the inauguration irks motorists and regular travellers from the Koyambedu terminus.

"When space crisis for parking vehicles is so visible on the premises and has been causing several troubles here, we don't understand why the government is delaying its inauguration?'' said Nanmaran, a sales-representative who regularly travells to other districts from Koyambedu.

As the existing parking lot for two-wheelers is always full, a large number of motorcycles are parked along the pathways leading to the main building inside the terminus. With a long queue of prepaid autorickshaws on one side and two-wheelers and cars parked on the other, even walking on the pathways has become difficult these days,'' said Gurunathan, a cab driver.

Many shopkeepers at the terminus pointed out that the situation would become worse during festival days and holidays.

Officials said that once the new facility is opened for the public, the existing two-wheeler parking space would be allotted for parking cars so that the space crisis could be solved to a large extent.

While 1,500 to 2,000 two-wheelers are now parked on the premises, the underground parking project was taken up based on a study that estimated that the number of motorcycles parked there would increased to 3,000 a day in the coming years.

According to a study, in 2020 Asian countries would face severe water shortage.

This is THE problem that needs to be addressed very soon. Water is becoming a scarce commodity and the sooner we find a solution the better. 80% of water is wasted and goes into the sea. The Himalayas provide the source of water for most of India. However, nations like China are starting to siphon of more water resources from rivers like the Brahmaputra. The national program to interlink river water is stalled for wont of huge resources and inter-state squabbles, aided and abetted by politicians/farmers. Sustainable living requires a whole mind set change.

First of all rivers should not be under the control of state, Rivers should be directly under river authority of india. So that we can minimise these squabbles. This was actually advised by political veteran (don't remember his name) but was not considered at all. These problems were already foreseen by him.
I remember once there was a plan of linking Yamuna and satluj, but later due to some problems it was dropped or was put on hold. High amount of our fresh water remains unused and falls into the sea. That unused water can be diverted to rivers which are not perennial or the places which are drought prone which will be very helpful for agriculture and other purposes and thus for the economy.
There is so much of contrast with water resources in India. On the one hand, we have floods in the eastern region with Bihar and Orissa the chief flood victims every year and on the other hand, we have extreme heat and dryness in the northern region. Although the condition of the northern region has been improved with the construction of Canals, the situation in the South is still grim.

CRZ Rules have to be formulated with the past, present and future in mind.

Traditional and decades if not Century Old customs / practices have to be respected. Only if the requirement is paramount and there is no alternative, attempts can be made to change or alter.

The Present availability of space, finance and Human Resources have to be taken into account.

The future Need (say for the next 25 to 50 years) has to be the goal, based on which the rules have to be formulated.

For example, Nariman Point in Mumbai. If you apply CRZ rules at that place, no buildings can not be built. Mumbai ncan not expand as it is an island and so some concessions have to be given. But they can be taxed and the tax can be utilised for taking preventive measures and Eco Restoration works etc.

Similarly, if you apply CRZ rules in Kerala, most of the state can not see development. Similarly there are some areas in West Bengal also.

There can not be a uniform set of rules for whole of India. As Andamans & other islands have a separate set of rules, coastal cities and specific regions can have similar rules.

The future of India and its rise as a Global Power totally depends on its development of Coastal Economy. CRZ can be a bane or boon. It depends on how our Babus & Netas understand and decide.

Just by building an elevated road along the beach affecting people, fishermen and the Nature in an adverse way, TN can not solve its traffic issues. There are bigger and better issues where our attention is needed urgently.

The restoration of the 58-acre Adyar creek, one of the city's most eco-sensitive spots, is nearing completion and will be opened by prime minister Manmohan Singh and chief minister M Karunanidhi on January 3, deputy chief minister MK Stalin said on Saturday.

Three months after its completion, the two-level underground two-wheeler parking facility at Koyambedu is awaiting inauguration.

While the park was completed a month ago, the authorities are now waiting to get a date from deputy chief minister M K Stalin for inauguration. "We hope the parking facility will be opened in two weeks," sources said.

The Prime Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are needed to inaugurate a park and a parking lot.. What a freaking joke..

You'd think it was the world's tallest building or longest bridge, considering the fuss they make over these minuscule bits of basic infra..

The cost of inaguration ceremony and related security work will be more costlier than the eco-park itself. It is irony that infrastructure is completed and have to wait for Politicians dates. This is more of a cotrie of personnel around politicians creating these situations.

@murali, nothing is going to get wasted. Only money will get transferred to the shamiyana and portable ac owners. Also, the audio video equipment rental agency would make a profit.

@ferrarifan, its good that they inaugrate these places. At least they get an opportunity to travel on rain drenched roads, or maybe those roads will get cleaned before that.

This is THE problem that needs to be addressed very soon. Water is becoming a scarce commodity and the sooner we find a solution the better. 80% of water is wasted and goes into the sea. The Himalayas provide the source of water for most of India. However, nations like China are starting to siphon of more water resources from rivers like the Brahmaputra. The national program to interlink river water is stalled for wont of huge resources and inter-state squabbles, aided and abetted by politicians/farmers. Sustainable living requires a whole mind set change.

First of all rivers should not be under the control of state, Rivers should be directly under river authority of india. So that we can minimise these squabbles. This was actually advised by political veteran (don't remember his name) but was not considered at all. These problems were already foreseen by him.
I remember once there was a plan of linking Yamuna and satluj, but later due to some problems it was dropped or was put on hold. High amount of our fresh water remains unused and falls into the sea. That unused water can be diverted to rivers which are not perennial or the places which are drought prone which will be very helpful for agriculture and other purposes and thus for the economy.
There is so much of contrast with water resources in India. On the one hand, we have floods in the eastern region with Bihar and Orissa the chief flood victims every year and on the other hand, we have extreme heat and dryness in the northern region. Although the condition of the northern region has been improved with the construction of Canals, the situation in the South is still grim.

Planned integration of rivers is the way to solve water crisis in india. When you think that China is trying to block our water, pls give a second thought abt it. In our country itself, one state is not willing to give water to other state(nice eg. karnataka, kerala n AP not giving water to TN), then how can u negotiate with china?

I find folks with poor to nonexistent knowledge always harping about bringing Ganga to Cauvery. It is no joke linking, whilst we may have all the technology that is needed, the unintended consequences will be more than enormous. China is doing some experiments, but we dont have to follow them.

What is needed is a real river basin based approach. This has been proven time and again by pioneers like Tarun Bharat Sangh. If we cannot solve the issue locally we want to create/divert the issue by grandiose ideas.

How many years, in the name of construction, we are raping the sand from river beds and banks ? When floods/droughts come we want to talk big ideas and then forget it. My heart aches when I think of Palar to Tamirabarani, all the river basins can be revived with a proper respect to nature.

If we cannot conserve the rains that fell in the last week with additional tanks and ponds and conserving them, then what we talk is nonsensical. Pseudoeconomists and irrational people, especially our great politicians and their jalras, think that we can do whatever we want in the name of development, forgetting we are an integral part of nature. Its not man vs nature, we are nature (NOT THE ONLY PART THOUGH).

High time, that the entire nation wakes up to the importance of proper management of land, water and other resources.

Okay.Come out with a Blueprint for saving rain water overflowing from Poondi,Puzhal,Chembarambakkam,Cholavaram lakes in Chennai. Nearly two months water requirement of Chennai has been let out to sea.

Where will you make new lakes or how else one can save this water?.

Pl come out with an engineering solution.

Yes. I agree with Satchi. We are in extremes. Why to waste our time talking something which is near impractical, linking the rivers. Lets revive all our existing water sources.
1) Remove encroachments near the river bed.
2) Widen the rivers, canals, creeks etc.
3) Put a mandatory rule in cities of 10% free land-scapping(open to sky) is must for over 2000 sqft of Ground area constructed. I think for some one who is constructing a house for 2000 sqft of Ground area leaving 200sq ft should n't be problem.
4) More usuage of Ash bricks & Other types of building which requires less sand for construction.

Okay.Come out with a Blueprint for saving rain water overflowing from Poondi,Puzhal,Chembarambakkam,Cholavaram lakes in Chennai. Nearly two months water requirement of Chennai has been let out to sea.

Where will you make new lakes or how else one can save this water?.

Pl come out with an engineering solution.

We do not have an engineering problem, we have a problem of ATTITUDE.

Before digging new lakes... WAIT...

First stop the callous attitude that all lakes and dried up ponds are poromboke lands meant for either dumping wastes or site to reclaim for builders.

If anyone steps back and takes a look at the pathetic state we treat the water bodies, it becomes self evident. Let me explain with a small example on the ground. Ambattur and Korattur lakes are decent sized, but look at the junk thrown in and the settlements and encroachments. These lakes used to have a decent string of pond systems which used to feed them. The string of ponds which used to buffer the Puzhal lake are now under buildings.

This is not an issue that we need to develop, this is due to a wreckless indifference from ground up. A classic case of lack of town planning. The same is happening now around Velachery lake and Pallikaranai marshes.. Our government has unceremoniously converted a groundwater recharge center into a dumping ground.

Now magnify the same situation.. Chengalpat district as I grew up (inclusive of Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur districts) used to be nicknamed as the lake district. It was evident even in the hottest summer.. today..??!!

Stop the illegal sand mining of all river beds including palar..

The small steps matter...be it us refusing to use plastic bags or throwing the refuse in the trash cans.. every bit matters.

Let us act empowered.. not surrendered to the corrupt system..

“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed” - Mahatma Gandhi

^^Well said. One other reason is the unplanned and rapid urbanisation. We of course want rapid development, improvement in living standards, industrialisation etc..but they should have all planned well. As we all know Chennai's drainage system is non-existent, we are losing precious rain water which can be properly collected and channeled to a water body.

CHENNAI: The Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi has come up with an indigenously developed gear box for Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), officially known as Tejas. This makes India the fifth country after Russia, USA, France and Germany to have indigenously developed a gear box for LCA.

CVRDE, which has developed both the aircraft and naval version of gear box, has got the type approval' for the product from the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification (CEMILAC), Bangalore. Formed as a Secondary Power System (SPS) and also a Line Replacement Unit (LRU) for LCA, the Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gearbox (AMAGB) replaces Sea Harrier FRS 51 and Haarrier T 60.....

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Chennai-centre-develop-gear-box-for-LCAs/articleshow/7068122.cms

I find folks with poor to nonexistent knowledge always harping about bringing Ganga to Cauvery. It is no joke linking, whilst we may have all the technology that is needed, the unintended consequences will be more than enormous. China is doing some experiments, but we dont have to follow them.

Are you saying people like M.S.Udayamurthy are folks with nonexistant knowledge? Please read his book / plan on the river integration.

It's complex yes, but doesn't mean that it's a joke. We don't have to follow China, look at Gujarat for prototype:)

@ Satchitananda

Most people consider everything as impossible that is why we are like this..apart from this you comment about the knowledge of others.
This was ofcourse not my idea, it is the idea of Sir C.P Ramaswamy Iyer. nonexistent knowledge!?!?

Are you saying people like M.S.Udayamurthy are folks with nonexistant knowledge? Please read his book / plan on the river integration.

It's complex yes, but doesn't mean that it's a joke. We don't have to follow China, look at Gujarat for prototype:)

Even Kalam has outlined many times on the need for river integration. This issue is not to question their intellect or intent, as I respect both of them. I myself quoted TBS as an example of focussed local action yielding low cost highly effective duplicatable solutions. Not sure what aspect of Gujarat you are talking. Even Bharatiyar has sung about it.

What would be the objective of this costly integration (with lots of unintended consequences like in any project) ?

a) job creation ? b) Flood relief ? c) Drought relief ? d) Others

If the answer is a) or d) then weare blundering. If it is b or c then its clear lack of watershed management. I have spent few years on research actively trying to study watershed management and even with my limited background, I can clearly state that this is not a magic bullet, nor is is something we need to do first.

There are are more practical and quick and fundamental steps that need to be done before even thinking and talking about such projects.

Proper land use management and planning is the need of the hour, with focus given to water and biodiversity resources. First things first, we cannot put the 10th item as 1st, basic common sense.

It will be more easier and critical (with proper integrated land-water-bioreseource utilisation) to waters flow in palar and pennar (not just in monsoons) than have Ganga flowing into Cauvery. If we cannot even prevent the waters wasted every year from within TN, how can we do this exercise of transferring waters across states ? If we cannot even plan few small watersheds like Cooum or Kortalaiyar, how are we gonna deal with the massive fluctuations of Krishna-Godavari, linked with Ganga-Cauvery ?

If the phrase nonexistent knowledge is too blunt, I apologize.

Given the political and legal issues in mere sharing of waters across riparian states, national river integration will perhaps happen after an Indian lands on the moon. Raising local actions and awareness is the critical first step. To do this, we either need mass awareness or a clear visionary leadership or both.

We can take a lot of baby steps and might eventually reach a point that we have already achieved the goals like easy water access for all, without having to do these integration deals.

I Agree to satchidananda , linking river is very ambitious but it has lot of practical difficulties.

Monsoon Season , Entire tamil nadu drowns inside flood.
Summer , Tamil nadu begs karnataka , kerala and andhra pradesh for water.

Why cant we build artificial lakes or atleast remove the encroachments of already existing lakes and redirect the flow of flood water to these lakes.
I am not sure whether we will get that much water as we would get by linking rivers , but i believe it will not be a big difference.

I believe this solves many purposes

1) Flooding could be reduced .
2) Jobs.
3) Get surplus water for irrigation .
4) No political intervention / state disputes , everything could be done internally.

Can somebody say the practical difficulties with this compared to linking of rivers ?

Civic agencies will soon start work on a boat house and other tourist facilities at Velachery lake. Inspecting the lake on Thursday, Mayor M Subramanian said the project to convert the area into a tourist attraction would be taken up at a cost of Rs 7 crore.

"The corporation will dredge the lake to deepen it and construct a boat house. Works would start soon after tenders are floated. A consultant has been appointed and designs have be drawn up," he said.

Roads near the lake would be widened, walkways would be built and park benches would be installed around the lake so that the lake becomes a tourist attraction in the city, he added.

These works would be undertaken by the corporation while Metrowater would work on plugging sewage that is being let into the lake from neighbourhoods like Ram Nagar and government quarters on the banks of the lake. It has been estimated that Rs 2 crore should be spent to set up a sewage pumping station in the locality, the mayor said.

Velachery lake is among the few big water bodies in Chennai which have survived the urban onslaught. Though much of its bed has been encroached upon, killing the Adambakkam end of the lake, it still survives and attracts a large number of migratory birds.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Velachery-lake-to-have-boating-facility-soon/articleshow/7073609.cms#ixzz17fXCZXq4

[QUOTE=tn2usa;68651001].

Monsoon Season , Entire tamil nadu drowns inside flood.
Summer , Tamil nadu begs karnataka , kerala and andhra pradesh for water.

Why cant we build artificial lakes or atleast remove the encroachments of already existing lakes and redirect the flow of flood water to these lakes.
QUOTE]

Yeah. during the recent rains whole TN was flooded everywhere. If they plan properly then we need not beg to our neighbours. Also we have vast sea & desalination plants can also mitigate our water problems to large extent.

^^ Waiting for govt. to do? No use. Look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siruthuli

(http://www.siruthuli.org)

^^ Waiting for govt. to do? No use. Look at this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siruthuli

(http://www.siruthuli.org)

Thanks for bringing my attention. Thats exactly the need of the hour. When more Siruthuli's emerge, we can have peruvellam.

:applause: for Siruthuli

I have been hearing this boating facility in Velachery lake for 5 years. Now that the election is near the topic has been raised. The Politicians have taken the people for a ride. In the same way thay have been harping about solving the Velachery junction traffic problem. They are not able to remove a bunch of thatched encroachments. Days are not far when people will take into their hands and give a fitting reply to the people who are anti development.

I Agree to satchidananda , linking river is very ambitious but it has lot of practical difficulties.

Monsoon Season , Entire tamil nadu drowns inside flood.
Summer , Tamil nadu begs karnataka , kerala and andhra pradesh for water.

Why cant we build artificial lakes or atleast remove the encroachments of already existing lakes and redirect the flow of flood water to these lakes.
I am not sure whether we will get that much water as we would get by linking rivers , but i believe it will not be a big difference.

I believe this solves many purposes

1) Flooding could be reduced .
2) Jobs.
3) Get surplus water for irrigation .
4) No political intervention / state disputes , everything could be done internally.

Can somebody say the practical difficulties with this compared to linking of rivers ?

No one is begging. While everyone understands the need to conserve water it is very vital to link rivers from perennial sources. All over the world accross cities,states and countries it has been done. Linking rivers accross the country should be treated as infrastructre project and expeditiously implemented.

A state seeking its right share of water is not begging.

Luckily they cannot stop air and there is no season! :)

idFvnRmYBZs

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/atml_atmel-corp-launches-first-r-amp-d-unit-near-chennai-1362184.html

Manufacturer of microcontrollers and radio frequency components USD 1.4 billion ATMEL Corporation inaugurated their first Research and Development (R&D) unit at Perungudi near here today. The company plans to increase its employee base to 180 in the next one year with the launch of this unit, a company official said.The R&D unit spread across 20,000 square feet, would focus on developing new products, ATMEL Corporation Vice-President (Microcontroller Business Unit) Vegard Wollan said.

By 2011 end, the Indian unit would increase its employee base to 180, he said in a statement.

The Indian R&D design centre is involved in the design and development of semiconductors, hardware and software solutions. ATMEL Corporation has 30 design centres across 40 countries with 5,600 employees.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/chennai/chennai-get-cng-2013-997

Air pollution due to Chennai’s vehicular traffic could soon be a thing of the past and monthly domestic cooking bills could also drop with Gas Authority of India Ltd unveiling its plans to make natural gas available to residents of the city.

“We will complete the Chennai-Thoothukudi and Chennai-Kakinada pipelines over the next two years. This will ensure that motorists in Chennai get natural gas to power their vehicles,” Rajendra Tewari, general manager of the public sector giant, said here on Friday.

“Compressed natural gas has been found to be 50 to 60 per cent cheaper than petrol and diesel respectively,” he added. “Emissions from CNG are much lower than that of other fossil fuels.”

Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on energy organised by Ficci, Mr Tewari said automobiles and houses in the city would start getting uninterrupted supply of LNG by 2013.

The GAIL manager pointed out that the operational cost of a CNG bus works out to be `4.61 per km while a diesel bus of similar power and age costs `8.82 per km.

: The city will soon have a separate market for foodgrains at Koyambedu. The state government has proposed to build the market with about 500 shops, opposite the Koyambedu vegetable market.

According to official sources, the market will be built on a seven to eight acres of land belonging to the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, adjacent to the Koyambedu fire service station.

"There is about 30 acres of vacant land but most of it has been allotted to Metro Rail. We have planned to build the foodgrain market on the remaining land. About 500 foodgrain traders have already applied for allotment of shops in the proposed market,'' sources told The Times of India.

Officials said they were preparing an estimate for the construction of the new market and the project would kick off once the government issued administrative sanction.

A couple of years ago, the government had planned to construct a textile market there, but the proposal failed to draw response from the textile traders. "We had placed advertisement three times before calling for applications from textile merchants, but they did not respond as most of them have their own shops on Godown Street in Broadway,'' the sources said.

At present, there are flower, fruits and vegetables markets in Koyambedu -- inaugurated in 1996 and consisting of 1,000 wholesale shops and 2,000 retail shops. Many regular customers said the authorities should also ensure proper maintenance of the existing markets in Koyambedu.

"We come here only because the prices of vegetables, fruits and flowers are cheaper compared to other areas. But many times we chose not to come to Koyambedu mainly because of the vehicle congestion on roads leading to the markets, poor road conditions, powercuts in the shops and improper cleaning of garbage inside the market premises,'' said Nandagopal, a regular buyer in the flower market.

Earlier, a number of mofussil buses used to reach the Koyambedu bus terminus through the market road from Poonamallee High Road. Since the roads have now turned worse, the buses now come to the terminus through Inner Ring Road-Poonamallee High Road intersection and Kaliamman Koil Road.

"The roads here got damaged in the recent rains. Water is stagnating inside the premises of all the three markets, posing a health hazard for the vendors and also the buyers,'' said Kannan, a van driver who transports vegetables to the market.

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Koyambedu-to-have-separate-market-for-foodgrains/articleshow/7079625.cms#ixzz17pkIemBy

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article944269.ece

Chennai Corporation will start re-laying the roads damaged in the recent showers from this month-end at a total cost of Rs.135 crore. This includes the State government's allocation of Rs.60.10 crore towards the work under the Special Roads programme.

Announcing this to mediapersons here on Friday, Mayor M. Subramanian said that 154 bus route roads (BRR) totalling 96.8 km would be re-laid at a cost of Rs.47.70 crore. A total of 112 interior roads across the city would be re-laid for a distance of 49.5 km with nearly Rs.12.40 crore.

The BRR to be covered under the programme include Peters Road, Velachery Main Road, Pulianthope High Road, Basin Power House Road, Harrington Road and Anna Main Road and P. T. Rajan Salai in K. K. Nagar. The Corporation would float tenders for awarding the project in three packages.

As against the targeted 4.20 lakh sq.m. of roads where the Corporation had planned to take up patchwork before the northeast monsoon in October, the work could be completed only on 91,800 sq.m. It could not be completed due to showers, he said.

...

Delete

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/13/stories/2010121360140100.htm

Finally, Thiyagaraya Nagar has a Fire Station to attend to any emergency at the biggest shopping locality in the city. It began functioning from December 1 from a temporary location on South Usman Road, very near the T. Nagar bus terminus. Fire Department officials are searching for permanent location.

Speaking to The Hindu, Director of Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services (TNFRS), R. Nataraj said, with this addition, the city has 293 fire stations. “Earlier tenders were brought in from Teynampet Fire Station. The new station with 17 firemen and one fire tender will be able to attend to any emergency situation in the shopping area within minutes,” he added.

Mr. Nataraj also said there are plans to increase the number of vehicles and personnel for the T. Nagar station after a permanent location is identified.

Following the opening of the new fire station, the department proposes to conduct a few mock drills in the congested shopping area.

As part of the upgrading of fire services planned for Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore, TNFRS would open more fire stations and modernise existing stations with high-end fire fighting equipment.

“We have planned a fire station for Anna Nagar as tenders have to be rushed in from Kilpauk and Ambattur stations in case of fire. Stations on Old Mahabalipuram Road and East Coast Road are also on the anvil,” Mr. Nataraj said.

http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/20101215/cphiindia2010special11.shtml

“We plan to manufacture the API thiocolchicoside in a big way, along with S-adenosylmethionine. The company has taken substantial stake in TACT, which is an ambitious project of Government of India to develop Ayurveda in the country. They are planning to export to ASEAN and African countries and have already initiated the export formalities with Sri Lanka. “ we would be entering the domestic market with specialised products and are planning to co-market highly successful products available in other countries. There is also a plan to build a new infrastructure in the State of Sikkim and UK-MHRA level pharma facility at Chennai,” informs Theivendran. According to him, the projected turnover for this financial year 2010-2011 would be Rs110 crores, and the projected annual growth rate will be around 24 percent. As far as the company growth is concerned, the aim is to achieve a sales turnover of Rs 500 crore by 2015.

^^

Now pharma and bioscience projects have started to come to TN which is a very good sign but again they are also around Chennai. CBE and SLM are good candidates for this industry... I dont know what went wrong.....

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/14/stories/2010121461060300.htm

The herbal park, with over 4,000 trees and shrubs of indigenous species, coming up in Otteri is expected to be inaugurated by Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in a month.

The facility, being developed at a cost of Rs.2.25 crore by the Chennai Corporation, will serve as a lung space for the residents of north Chennai, an area known for congestion.

After inspecting the work on Monday, Mayor M.Subramanian said the park, on nearly 11 acres, is coming up in what was once a garbage dumping yard. The civic body began growing trees found in the tropical dry evergreen forests four years ago. “Many people tried to encroach the land before it was turned into a park,” he added.

The Corporation is now carrying out work to lay one-km long footpath and blacktop the road for a stretch of 600 m. Two water fountains and 64 ornamental and streetlights would be provided in the park. It would also have stone benches with thatched roofs. Boards carrying details of the trees and its medicinal properties would be placed, Mr.Subramanian said. Besides paintings of birds and animals on the compound wall, an ornamental arch would come up in the park. There would be no entry fee. The Corporation is considering privatisation of the park's maintenance. ‘Nochi', ‘Ilavam', ‘Kuruvipazham', ‘Aadathodai' ‘Kattu Narthai', ‘Magizham' and ‘Thuthuvillai' are some of the Indian names of the 100 species in the park. Pauline R. Deborah, botanist and member of the tree committee in the Corporation, said the park would provide an opportunity for field research to students who otherwise take a look of specimens of such plants only in laboratories.

http://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/Companies/ByEvent/Results/Analysis/article/20101214/0a908f14-079c-11e0-8a68-00144f2af8e8/OPG-plans-more-powerplants.jsp

Shares in OPG Power Ventures jumped 17 per cent on its half-year results. That was partly because the Indian power-station developer proved it can deliver projects on time and on budget - its 77-megawatt coal-fired plant in Chennai, South India, has been fully functional since August, which explains the sales boost compared to the previous year.

Yet investors also celebrated the news that management will start work on two more plants at Chennai in the New Year. Assuming these are finished in 2013, as planned, the group will have eight power stations with a total capacity of 644KW - far more than the 377KW planned when it floated on London’s Alternative Investment Market (Aim) in mid-2008.

Huawei Telecommunications equipment manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur near Chennai.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/15/stories/2010121553840100.htm

Huawei Telecommunications equipment manufacturing facility at Sriperumbudur near Chennai.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2010/12/15/stories/2010121553840100.htm

Happy wish they had R&D in chennai as well.

^^ That will come in Blore. See that in Blore thread...there is a news on that.

^^Currently, Huawei has 2,000 employees for R&D in India based out of multiple rented premises in Bangalore. All these facilities will be consolidated under the new unit to be set up across 100 acres in Whitefield, Bangalore. The new unit will have a seating capacity for up to 3,000 employees. This is already the biggest R&D centre for the company outside of China.

The above link has the news on R & D also...

Already this Huawei company was in controversies before. This is one of puppet companies of China and the chinese govt uses such companies to try to absorb info abt a country in a safe way (Hard to believe but you will once you understand the crookedness of china). Though this is a big company it is still known for stealing technology secrets and low class treatment of workforce(like foxconn). Recently in India, there was an issue with company that the indian workers are not allowed inside certain floors in the offices where the company is functioning. Only chinese higher officials were allowed to enter and some employees even were fishy that something secret is going on. Also sometime back BSNL cancelled the tenders to procure Huawei equipment after it found many irregularities in that company. There is also a CBI enquiry involving this company..

I wish this company is banned step by step from our country. Instead home companies including BEL can be encouraged more to diversify into commercial/public communication systems and allied technologies. As I always say, self sustainability means nil/less dependance on foreign companies.. This news may be very irritating and absurd to some people who jump between sky and earth for investment from a foreign company but those who appreciate and have concern for nation's security will accept this as a fact. Velila pora onaana eduthu jattikulla vittutu kuththudhe kodayudhe nu sollitrukardhu namma vazhakkam ayidhuchu.. Huawei-um apdi agama irundha saridhan

^^ I think you have highlighted a lot of valid points, wlbkng. Huawei may have so many dubious issues. But bottom line, this is a classic case of the CG asleep at th wheel.

Sectors like Telecom and Defence which have lots of zeroes attached in the budget, must have a strong local focus. We have such a huge market that we must use it to our advantage by importing technologies and developing our own to international standards.

Companies like Huawei are classic examples of a focussed government can create major international players.

Unless we bring on strong local players like BEL and elevate them to ISRO standards of excellance (I meant in terms of their achievements), we will be like a super happy PM glad to give a $10B business to Obama likes and pose for pictures.. OR too busy minting money like the 2G scam scoundrels.

^^ Yes absolutely. When we can go leaps and bounds in space technologies why cant we be great in telcom and defence sector? The issue is commitment from CG and politicians. When BEL can design and manufacture equipments for space applications, why cant they master in normal telecom applications? Our country and its secrets are sold by whatever price these politicians get for. If India can understand rocket science, why not normal science?

^^ Yes absolutely. When we can go leaps and bounds in space technologies why cant we be great in telcom and defence sector? The issue is commitment from CG and politicians. When BEL can design and manufacture equipments for space applications, why cant they master in normal telecom applications? Our country and its secrets are sold by whatever price these politicians get for. If India can understand rocket science, why not normal science?

Can you show me any Indian company manufacturing simple "pen drive" by its own. As far I know all those pen drives used by Indians are manufactured in Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China etc., If any Indian companies are there please share information, I am interested to know.

Can you show me any Indian company manufacturing simple "pen drive" by its own. As far I know all those pen drives used by Indians are manufactured in Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China etc., If any Indian companies are there please share information, I am interested to know.

why going till pendrive?? have you looked at nail cutters any time? All have a made in korea tag :cheers:

Can you show me any Indian company manufacturing simple "pen drive" by its own. As far I know all those pen drives used by Indians are manufactured in Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China etc., If any Indian companies are there please share information, I am interested to know.

I think you misunderstood my point. I meant when we are competent enough in space technologies why cant we replicate such success in normal day to day applications? And if govt encourages companies like BEL and even private companies like HCL peripherals (who already do many computer related parts fyi) to do more research and commercial manufacturing of telecom and computer accessories, then we can also have world class electronic mfg companies. I didn't argue abt where pen drive and cds are manufactured. All my expectations and arguments are towards the idea that India should have home grown companies in all sectors and reducing dependability on foreign companies. As satchidananda said, focussed govts can create internationally competent companies, I wish india too creates such companies.

Even in US, most nailcutters are Korean made, unless Chinese. So are all iPhones and iPads. Please do not humor yourselves by comparing nation's security and critical infrastructure with ridiculous nailcutter/pendrive analogy.

DRDO is attempting to come with their own OS now to prevent hacking. Thats focus on local content. Pendrives or nailcutters do not undermine national security. Even in US where they have opened up all sectors where they are so called open economy, show me the number of defence contracts in US which are given to outside companies. Even, the most economically viable Airbus tanker deal was thwarted to support Boeing's inferior one to showcase that NATION is above COMMERCE. (or whatever excuse they could muster).

Key sectors like defence and telecom are a constant drain on the exchequer, besides making us super dependant on whimsical external agencies. The very face India has a supercomputer PARAM and its offshoots was due to the fact CG focussed when US imposed a sanction on its exports. Thanks to the US we have ISRO's many achievements. This situation is very true of the many ciritical spare parts that need to be imported to keep up with the defence infrastrucutre.

Why should we wait for some sanctions to wake up ? Why cant our future be driven by a vision, rather than others sanctions and fears?

Today we can export ISRO/Antrix Services, even NASA respects us. This didnt happen before Chandrayaan. The same thing is happening to Huawei and the Chinese version of Bullet trains.

We must be self sufficient that was the idea of Gandhi's Khadi approach, which some will ridiculously argue, should I go in Khadar now, missing the whole point.

Self sufficiency is key not for prosperity, but mere survival.

^^ +1000.. You have brought out many points which was in my mind. Thanks to you.

I think you misunderstood my point. I meant when we are competent enough in space technologies why cant we replicate such success in normal day to day applications? And if govt encourages companies like BEL and even private companies like HCL peripherals (who already do many computer related parts fyi) to do more research and commercial manufacturing of telecom and computer accessories, then we can also have world class electronic mfg companies. I didn't argue abt where pen drive and cds are manufactured. All my expectations and arguments are towards the idea that India should have home grown companies in all sectors and reducing dependability on foreign companies. As satchidananda said, focussed govts can create internationally competent companies, I wish india too creates such companies.

My question about pen drive was to show how India is far behind in electronics related stuff manufacturing. Everyone here wish India to own such leading electronics companies in manufacturing! Bitter truth we are not competent in electronics/computer/tele-communication related hardware. Huawei has global presence, can you post any link related to security threat to nation due to this telecommunication service provider?

If you are optimistic that Indian gvt or politicians will create such competent Indian electronics related manufacturing companies, congratulations for that.

Even in US, most nailcutters are Korean made, unless Chinese. So are all iPhones and iPads. Please do not humor yourselves by comparing nation's security and critical infrastructure with ridiculous nailcutter/pendrive analogy.

Today we can export ISRO/Antrix Services, even NASA respects us. This didnt happen before Chandrayaan. The same thing is happening to Huawei and the Chinese version of Bullet trains.

We must be self sufficient that was the idea of Gandhi's Khadi approach, which some will ridiculously argue, should I go in Khadar now, missing the whole point.

Self sufficiency is key not for prosperity, but mere survival.

For argument sake, Huawei has presence in U.S for more that 10years. Next it was a discussion about mere electronics/telecommunication related items.. so I don't know where come defense related discussion came in.

Regarding your last line, there is a limit for be self sufficiency and inter-dependency. Today we have to depend on other countries for nail-cutters, CDs, pen drives... tomorrow for food? As long we have resource for self sufficiency we have to use it for us and future generation. Gandhi's Khadi approach meaning should be taken in this way rather than asking whether should I wear Khadhi or dhoti to office!

After all the ruckus regarding Huawei setting up shop, there is no doubt that RAW would be looking at the Chinese through a microscope. So, no worries.

Huawei aren't allowed to do business in the US as it is a critical sector. They may have a presence but don't have any worthwhile deals.

^^ Yes absolutely. When we can go leaps and bounds in space technologies why cant we be great in telcom and defence sector? The issue is commitment from CG and politicians. When BEL can design and manufacture equipments for space applications, why cant they master in normal telecom applications? Our country and its secrets are sold by whatever price these politicians get for. If India can understand rocket science, why not normal science?

Who told you that Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangaluru design and manufacture equipments for space applications?Both BEL and ECIL are dead woods public sectors ideal for cushy loving employees.

Who told you that Bharat Electronics Ltd, Bangaluru design and manufacture equipments for space applications?Both BEL and ECIL are dead woods public sectors ideal for cushy loving employees.

For your kind information, BEL has a division called Space Electronics Divison, Bengaluru established in early 80s.. Now who told you that it doesn't have one? More information: BHEL(different from BEL) also has a space electronic division which does some solar panels, batteries for space application for ISRO. All the people working in govt sectors are not dumb-asses and all those private companies are not spearheads. First of all our attitude(mainly politician's attitude) towards these govt organisations should change. That itself is a big encouragement.

For argument sake, Huawei has presence in U.S for more that 10years. Next it was a discussion about mere electronics/telecommunication related items.. so I don't know where come defense related discussion came in.

Regarding your last line, there is a limit for be self sufficiency and inter-dependency. Today we have to depend on other countries for nail-cutters, CDs, pen drives... tomorrow for food? As long we have resource for self sufficiency we have to use it for us and future generation. Gandhi's Khadi approach meaning should be taken in this way rather than asking whether should I wear Khadhi or dhoti to office!

The analogy of telecom sector as critical was highlighted by adding the defence sector.

Thanks for correctly perceiving my comments on Gandhi's Khadi example.

Whilst I have to agree that the politicians and the bureaucrats have blunted our scientific and business acumen, all is not lost.

As you correctly noted, low value items are usually part of the commerce which helps in good relationships. Two issues to constant dependance on critical technologies - a) Constant drain on exchequer (well even scams are.. lets not go there.. hehe).. b) Developing our technologies will help us be part of that trade equation you have been highlighting.

If you we take away software exports, how much of it is really hi-tech. #1 US exports - aircrafts and weapons .. For Germany - machinery and automobiles.. Japan - electronics to everything.. China.. - anything under sun.. where do we match up as consumers of all the world products.

All I am laboring is, that, we must have a focus on the local content on critical areas.. this doesnt mean we enter every sector and take on giants in those fields be it mobiles or nail cutters.

Telecom and defence must have more local companies playing a lead role.

Both BEL and ECIL are dead woods public sectors ideal for cushy loving employees.

One small correction.

Both BEL and ECIL are dead woods public sectors ideal for employee's tushys that loves comfy cushys:)

http://www.thehindu.com/multimedia/dynamic/00309/16THYARD_309026f.jpg

The work on integrated solid waste management facility in Kodungaiyur is likely to start next month.

Chennai Corporation officials said that the project was in the final stages of clearance.

A team of scientists from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) visited the site for the integrated solid waste management facility in Kodungaiyur on Wednesday. The team collected samples of groundwater. Studies on ambient air quality were also done. The team, which was on a visit pertaining to another report on the dumpyard, held discussions with the civic authorities later. The team would submit the report to the CPCB in Delhi, said officials of the civic body.

This would throw new light on the situation of the dumpyard's pollution, said officials. The team is likely to have collected inputs on concentration of pollutants and basic meteorological data. The water quality study is likely to be done pertaining to dissolved oxygen, concentration of pathogenic bacteria and behaviour of trace metals.

The integrated waste management project if cleared would involve processing of solid waste through rapid biomethanation, accelerated aerobic composting, vermicomposting, reuse of refuse-derived fuel, manufacturing brick out of debris, sanitary landfill of non-degradable waste and recycling of plastic. The project would process 1,800 metric tonnes of unsegregated solid waste that is dumped at Kodungaiyur per day.

The facility would also help in pre-sorting waste into compostable, recyclable and currently unusable categories. It would be sanitised with herbal extracts and biostabilised with enzymes. The project will help control odour, pathogens, flies and rodents and mainly get rid of polluted air in the area.

Forty acres of land will be allotted for the facility. The project is likely to help increase the life of the dump yard six-fold and improve the working conditions for the workers.

The project will be on a design, build, operate, maintain and transfer basis. The facility would be handed over to the civic body after 20 years.



Source: The Hindu, Chennai Edition, Dated 16-Dec-2010 (http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article954849.ece)

^^apparently the woman there is trying to find some metal/plastics etc to sell and make money. I hope and wish the practise of human/manual scavenging ends asap.

^^apparently the woman there is trying to find some metal/plastics etc to sell and make money. I hope and wish the practise of human/manual scavenging ends asap.

I have been involved in some of the initiatives to employ these Rag Pickers (though they pick any valuable from Thrash) in the Solid Waste Management process.

We encounter a surprise situation.

I am afraid that our initiatives are considered offensive by both sides - SWM contractor as well as the Rag Pickers.

Rag Pickers have been treated so badly by the Society and the contractors and these poor souls abhor humans. We were shocked by animal like behaviours, where Logic is totally absent.

We really do not know how to tackle this peculiar problem. We have approached some Missioneries & Hindu Religious Associations to help us. I think that these poor souls can be cured of their mental blocks only by pure love and affection. Otherwise, many of the kids may end up as criminals & anti social elements.

One small correction.

Both BEL and ECIL are dead woods public sectors ideal for employee's tushys that loves comfy cushys:)

KELTRON was also stared with a bang and was doing so well. Where is it now?
They were pioneers in Hardware Mfg. ECIL was ruling TV Market once. Where are they now?

Our Govt system and Policies are actually against Profitable Running of any organisation. When they profess that Making Profit is a sin, it goes against the grain of any good business.

For Eg. Electronic Voting Machine was invented by BEL and the same could have been developed fool proof and marketed worldwide. The same tech can be varied for any similar application where voting is involved. But there is a huge resistance from our own country for this.

I also understand that Atomic Energy Research & Space Research have bottomless budgets so that they are not not hampered by Lack of funds. But the good policy negated by results of inefficiency and delay, mainly due to Govt process and poor recruitment policy.

http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Products-Markets/Symrise-s-perfume-programme-expands-competence-in-growth-market-India

Symrise has opened the doors of its perfumery school in India as it aims to educate and nurture a new talent pool of junior perfumers and expand their competence in what it sees as a growth market.

“Thanks to our new Perfumery School in Chennai, we are creating an in-house pool of excellently trained perfumers and evaluators for the growth market Asia,” said Achim Daub, global president Scent and Care.

“This is not only the next logical step in expanding our internationally esteemed ‘Perfumers’ Academy’ program: we are also strengthening one of the most important dynamic markets on the Asian continent,” he continued.

Venkat Iyer, vice president of Scent & Care, India, commented following the opening, explaining that Chennai provides the necessary framework to train the perfumers, and India’s rich tradition of scents and spices provides added inspiration.

The very face India has a supercomputer PARAM and its offshoots was due to the fact CG focussed when US imposed a sanction on its exports.

when i last checked about supercomputers from india early 2000, i found them only as fast as my laptop. desktops running intel pentium chips were actually faster then. infact, i thought c-dac did nothing more than import & assemble parts.

Self sufficiency is key not for prosperity, but mere survival.
if only everyone thought the same way, we would have never moved beyond being nomads. even agriculture is not possible if we tried to be self sufficient. not that there is anything is wrong with farmers/nomadic life.

when i last checked about supercomputers from india early 2000, i found them only as fast as my laptop. desktops running intel pentium chips were actually faster then.

Well then please google and check again. Indegenious doesn't mean that it has to be from c-dac. This (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/india/india-gets-another-supercomputer-annapurna/149) is the most recent supercomputer uneviled @ India. It's only the 3rd fastest within India

At peak speeds of 12 teraflops Annapurna is ranked as the third fastest cluster among the broad-based scientific institutions in India after those at the IISc Bangalore and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

I would be surprised if your laptop outdoes this. You deserve to be the scientific advisor of our country if it does. Of-course we are still far behind China (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/china-far-ahead-of-india-in-supercomputing/712757/)and have lot of room for improvement.

when i last checked about supercomputers from india early 2000, i found them only as fast as my laptop. desktops running intel pentium chips were actually faster then. infact, i thought c-dac did nothing more than import & assemble parts.


if only everyone thought the same way, we would have never moved beyond being nomads. even agriculture is not possible if we tried to be self sufficient. not that there is anything is wrong with farmers/nomadic life.

PARAM (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PARAM) is an evolving platform. The last time someone saw you in diaper 20-30 years ago is a ridiculous statement. They are not the fastest in the breed, but we would not even have that speed. When did you last use a laptop in Gigaflops. I sure wanna use your laptop. (Dont mind trading mine with yours)

The idea of self sufficiency in crucial sectors is alien perhaps to folks still comparing nomadic life, but as far as countries like US, it is relabelled as NATIONAL SECURITY. My base common sense, may need an upgrade, but what is in wrong in being self reliant in terms of technologies, why should we be buying crucial hi tech stuff like telecom and defense and support nations which are not friendly to us. Please enlighten me..

If you ponder, you will find that there is not much to disagree here, as there isnt much difference to begin with. :)

(Between, had to add this line, as I didnot read Kongu's message)

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/17/stories/2010121753080700.htm

The State Project Co-ordination Unit-Directorate of Technical Education (SPCU-DoTE) in association with Glass Academy on Thursday launched ‘Glass Fabrication Skill Institute' to train and certify students, engineers and professionals in the glass fabrication industry and to create a bank of skilled workforce.

To mark the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Kumar Jayant, Commissioner of Technical Education and C.N. Raghavendran, Chairman, Glass Academy Board, a non-profit organisation supported by Saint-Gobain Glass India.

Delivering the presidential address, Mr. Jayant said “it is the first concrete step towards providing linkages between industry-academia-institute to make available trained manpower. At the end of the training, students will get jobs. Depending upon the success of this programme, it will be rolled out in other colleges. We will come out with more job oriented courses for working people and for other sectors.”

Mr. Raghavendran said that the job oriented programme was launched to facilitate quality workmanship in glass fabrication and installation industry. Soon, it would be followed up with the launch of Glass Processing Skill Institute.

“Glass Fabrication is a new entrant to the Indian market. It has great demand and offers huge opportunity. When it comes to glass installation work, Indians are the preferred choice. The glass installation for the world's tallest building in Dubai was done by Indians,” he said.

A.R. Unnikrishnan, Secretary and Member, Glass Academy Board, said that Indian workers had very little skill and knowledge about glass fabrication and to address this issue, the Academy was floated. It joined hands with DoTE to provide the right type of curriculum. SPCU would roll out the programme in 110 polytechnic colleges soon. It is a 120-hour course spanning three months. In the first batch 30 students will be trained. Within a month's time it will be rolled out in two more government colleges in the city; in Salem and other districts, said a Central Polytechnic College official.

According to an official release, the curriculum has been developed by Curriculum Advisory Committee comprising experts from industry and professors from premier institutions. Every course will have theory lectures, field demonstrations, visit to construction sites and manufacturing plants, audio-visual aids and other educational tools.

On successful completion of the course, students will be awarded joint certification from Glass Academy and SPCU- Canada India Institutional Co-operation Project.

S. Venkatasubramoniam handed over the course curriculum to Mr. Jayant. Certificates were given to six trainers as part of the ‘Training the trainer programme'.

Can you show me any Indian company manufacturing simple "pen drive" by its own. As far I know all those pen drives used by Indians are manufactured in Malaysia, South Korea, Taiwan, China etc., If any Indian companies are there please share information, I am interested to know.

Just thought of sharing with you. Moser Baer has a manufacturing plant in India for manufacturing pen drive.

http://moserbaer.com/solidstate.asp
Moser Baer India Limited, the global technology company has entered into the manufacturing of solid state devices. Moser Baer has become the first company in India and among a select few worldwide to offer a comprehensive portfolio of storage solutions. The company is already the world’s second largest manufacturer of optical media products.
Moser Baer reinforced its commitment to data storage earlier this year by setting up an additional facility for solid state media manufacturing unit in Noida, a part of the extended National Capital Region. It has an annual capacity of 24 million products with capacity for further expansion. With storage capacity ranging from 1GB to 64GB, Moser Baer’s range of solid state devices will cover storage requirements of all consumer segments. The state-of-the-art manufacturing facility has a unique module that enables all digital content—in audio, visual or data presentation format—to be pre-loaded into the solid state media products. The high-end 32GB product can store over 6,500 songs or more than 20 films in standard definition format.

Well then please google and check again. Indegenious doesn't mean that it has to be from c-dac. This (http://www.zdnet.com/blog/india/india-gets-another-supercomputer-annapurna/149) is the most recent supercomputer uneviled @ India. It's only the 3rd fastest within India

At peak speeds of 12 teraflops Annapurna is ranked as the third fastest cluster among the broad-based scientific institutions in India after those at the IISc Bangalore and Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai.

I would be surprised if your laptop outdoes this. You deserve to be the scientific advisor of our country if it does. Of-course we are still far behind China (http://www.financialexpress.com/news/china-far-ahead-of-india-in-supercomputing/712757/)and have lot of room for improvement.

perhaps you should read that again. it uses 1024 intel cores.

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

JK Tyre plans to double its capacity of commercial vehicle radial tyres to 1.6 million per annum from the present 8 lakh tyres per year by mid-next fiscal.

The company also plans to increase its passenger car radial tyre capacity to 5.5 million a year from the present 4.5 million by December next year.

The company plans to invest Rs1,500 crore to set up a new manufacturing plant near Chennai in Tamil Nadu which is expected to start production by the third-quarter of next year.

Source: http://www.moneylife.in/article/12427.html

Is this an already announced project?

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tn-govt-signs-three-mousioc-videoconjk-tyres/103905/on

It was already announced project and even they started constructing their plant. It was one of the 3 MOU's signed by TN government on August 4 2010, other two being Videocon and IOC.

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/tn-govt-signs-three-mousioc-videoconjk-tyres/103905/on

Videocon is yet to start the plant construction.^^

^^ Thanks for the info

http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/18/stories/2010121861460300.htm

Work on a modern auditorium in Anna Nagar will be completed next month, said Mayor M.Subramanian.

Inspecting the work on Friday, he said “The auditorium is being constructed at a cost of Rs.17 crore and would have seating for 1,500 persons. Parking facility for 500 vehicles would be created in the three-acre campus.”

Facilities for organising three functions at a time are being readied in the auditorium, whose total built up area would be 61,756 sq ft. The work on the zonal office of Kilpauk zone would also be completed next month, he added.

^^ any idea where is this auditorium being constructed at anna nagar? i did not hear abt this before(may be i did not check the news properly before)

^^ If it is Govt built, we know how 'modern' it will be. :D

^^ I had the same thought when I read the news this morning.

^^ any idea where is this auditorium being constructed at anna nagar? i did not hear abt this before(may be i did not check the news properly before)

May be inside tower campus. 2007 december end mayor has announced auditorium for annanagar while attending function organised by AB block exnora. lets wait & c the building

May be inside tower campus. 2007 december end mayor has announced auditorium for annanagar while attending function organised by AB block exnora. lets wait & c the building

Remember this is election year. you will see auditorium , park, flyovers, subways inauguration, laying of foundation (sethusamudram,port-maduravoyal expressway which dint materialise) free tv,free cable tv,free electricity, free gas stove, free house, free pumpsets, free spectrum, free cycle, free bike,free mobile phones, money for physically challenged, money for minority students for education from pre-kg to PG, money for recent floods to each and every household,. what else is required.:banana:

Tamilnadu has reached the numero uno position.

free spectrum, .

whats that?:lol:

whats that?:lol:


arul, x IT minister gave free spectrum to lot of people.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/Moser-Baer-eyes-600-mn-in-solar/Article1-640423.aspx

Solar energy major Moser Baer plans to invest $500-600 million over the next three to four years to expand its manufacturing capacity of crystalline cells and crystalline silicon modules in India. “Considering the huge potential in the solar power sector, both in the global as well as Indian
markets, we have planned a capex of $500-600 million over the next three to four years,” Moser Baer India's Group CFO Yogesh Mathur said.

The company plans to raise the funds through a combination of debt, equity and internal accruals. At present, the production capacity of the company includes 90 MW of crystalline cells, 100 MW crystalline modules and 50 MW of thin films.

“In the initial phase, we plan to double our capacity of silicon modules. Later we plan to expand the capacity of our thin film module to around 150 MW by 2012-13,” Mathur said.

Thin film modules are best suited for meeting the solar power demand of the Indian market, he added.

The company is looking at setting up manufacturing plants in Chennai. “We have 100 acres of land there. If we run out of space or cannot expand our capacity in Greater Noida, we will set up our plants in Chennai,” he said.

The launch of NSM and other policy initiatives taken by several State Governments have set the stage for large-scale production of grid-connected solar power in India, he said.

The company also has plans to go public in the coming years, Mathur said.

“We plan to come out with an IPO in the coming years. But this will depend on the policy initiatives of the Government and further traction and advancement of implementation of solar projects, which will take shape in the next few quarters," he said.

What is happening to Mr.Subra. A very passionate forummer.

^^ He's probably still around, spectrum colors are blocking him from being visible:)

Just kidding, in fact I was wondering about it recently too

SOURCE: (http://www.hindu.com/2010/12/22/stories/2010122251070500.htm)

Work to construct 51.70-km stormwater drain network for Adyar watershed, at a cost of Rs.84.48 crore, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission was launched by the Chennai Corporation at Saidapet on Monday.

Inaugurating the work at the junction of Rangabashyam Street and Kavarai Street, Mayor M.Subramanian said several areas, which get inundated during rain, such as K.K. Nagar, Guindy, Nesapakkam, Ambal Nagar, Nandanam, Kotturpuram, Ekkaduthangal, Nesapakkam, Srinagar Colony and Mandaveli would benefit from the project.

Deepening, desilting and construction of concrete bed at MGR Nagar canal, Guindy Industrial Estate canal, Jafferkhanpet canal and Chellammal College canal would be carried out for a length of 4.66 km at a cost of Rs.22.63 crore.

12 packages

He said of the 12 packages, the project to construct stormwater drains and improve the existing facilities is under way in nine packages.

This includes Kolathur, Velachery, Mambalam-Nandanam, Royapuram and North Buckingham canal watersheds.

Re-construction

Besides re-constructing nearly 183-km length of existing drains, the civic body would also execute improvement work of 28.64 km long canals, he added.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Very critical to have proper storm drain network and also ensure that sewer stays separate. This should also augment in theory, the water flowing into the rivers (atleast during rains).

India and Russia Tuesday discussed setting up more nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
The two countries discussed setting up “additional nuclear reactors” in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with visiting President Dmitry Medvedev.

“This reflects our mutual desire for strong cooperation in the field of defence and (civil) nuclear energy,” Manmohan Singh said.
Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of the state-owned nuclear company Rosatom, is building two 1,000 MW reactors in Kudankulam in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and is in negotiations to build more. The first of the original reactors is undergoing final safety tests and is likely to start operations early next year after numerous delays to the original schedule. Construction work is mostly complete for the second reactor as well, which is likely to become critical within two years.

http://dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/12/22/index.shtml

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/first-healthcare-sez-to-go-onstream-in-jan-2011/419200/

Frontier Mediville, first healthcare special economic zone (SEZ) in the country, which is being set up Frontier Lifeline Hospital, go on stream in January 2011. The first phase of the project, with an investment of around Rs 200 crore, will come up at Elavoor, near Chennai.

Total investment, to develop the SEZ, which will spread over in 360 acre of land, will include medical science park, medical college and a 1,000 bedded bio-hospital and total investment would be around Rs 1,000 crore said K M Cherian, chairman and CEO, Frontier Lifeline.

The first phase comprising of a training centre, basic research facility and an animal house for clinical trial services would be ready for operation by first week of January, next year. The second and third phases would be completed in due course with an investment of Rs 400 crore each.

“We are relying completely on bank loans for investment in the project. The emphasis in research will be on technologies like nano technology and stem cells,” said Cherian. At present, the hospital runs its research activities in TICEL Biotech Park, Taramani, Chennai. It has so far bagged two patents along with filings completed for another eight patents with the Indian Patent Office, he added.

With establishment of the research lab in Mediville, the hospital would also expand its operations as contract research organisation (CRO). The facility is designed with a large animal facility, where canine and large animals would be available for clinical trials. It is also planning to develop a cord blood banking centre, facilities to develop non reactive biological dressing, bovine pericardium and porcine pulmonary artery to use in cardiac patients.

Frontier Lifeline has two hospitals, one each in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The firm is expected to clock around Rs 85 crore in the current fiscal.

India and Russia Tuesday discussed setting up more nuclear reactors in Tamil Nadu, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.
The two countries discussed setting up “additional nuclear reactors” in Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu, Manmohan Singh said at a joint press conference with visiting President Dmitry Medvedev.

“This reflects our mutual desire for strong cooperation in the field of defence and (civil) nuclear energy,” Manmohan Singh said.
Atomstroyexport, a subsidiary of the state-owned nuclear company Rosatom, is building two 1,000 MW reactors in Kudankulam in collaboration with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), and is in negotiations to build more. The first of the original reactors is undergoing final safety tests and is likely to start operations early next year after numerous delays to the original schedule. Construction work is mostly complete for the second reactor as well, which is likely to become critical within two years.

http://dc-epaper.com/DC/DCC/2010/12/22/index.shtml

This has nothing to do with Chennai thread!

http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/marg-to-invest-rs-2760-cr-plans-to-setrs-800-crore-power-plant/419195/

Marg Ltd, a Chennai-based diversified infrastructure company, is planning to promote projects worth Rs 2,760 crore over the next three years. These projects include setting up a ship building, expansion of the Karaikal port and other residential and commercial projects. The company is also planning to set up a power plant worth Rs 800 crore.

After announcing company’s results at Chennai last week, G R K Reddy, Marg, Chairman and Managing Director said, under the infrastructure vertical the company had set up a port at Karaikal, as part of phase II plan. It is planning to increase its capacity to 21 million tonnes from the current five million tonnes with an outlay of Rs 1,500 crore which would be completed by next year.

Marg is also planning to set up a ship repair and a port near Chennai with an outlay of around Rs 400 crore he told Business Standard after announcing the company’s financial performance.

Reddy added currently the marine infrastructure business contributes 20 per cent to the company’s overall revenue which will be increased 30 per cent. He added, over the next two years the company is planning to develop 3,000 houses, of which 60-70 per cent will be on the affordable focusing mainly on middle and lower middle class with a total outlay of Rs 650 crore. Commenting on the commercial space development, Oscar Braganza, executive director - real estate and industrial clusters, Marg Ltd said, “We have acquired 7.3 acre of land at Karapakkam, on the outskirts of Chennai, where we are developing a commercial project with an outlay of Rs 710 crore. The project includes shopping mall, 252 room hotel, service apartments, office space and a theatre. The project will be completed by 2012, he added.

Further Reddy said, tthe company is also planning to set up a power plant with a capacity of 200 mega watt with an outlay of Rs 800 crore. The project would come near Marg Swarnabhoomi, an integrated township project, promoted by Marg. “Our township project itself would require 100 mega watt of power, we have started looking for land and doing other due diligence,” said Reddy.

Meanwhile the company has engaged a private consultant for business restructuring, Reddy said, the company is contemplating to restructure its business segments for improving productivity, operational efficiency and better use of existing resources.

The company has reported a profit after tax of Rs 11.4 crore during the quarter ended June 30, 2010 an increase of 2.7 per cent compared to same period last year. Income from operations rose to Rs 174.8 crore as compared to Rs 122.7 crore, an increase of 42.5 per cent.

Chennai central to be modernized in to worldclass station.. information i received from my friend who is currently working in chennai central station..he told project value will be 3800cr.. and construction of 20 platforms.. includes shopping mall, marriage hall.. they put deadline for the project is 2016..
the below link shows related information..


http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/sr/world_class.jsp

Chennai central to be modernized in to worldclass station.. information i received from my friend who is currently working in chennai central station..he told project value will be 3800cr.. and construction of 20 platforms.. includes shopping mall, marriage hall.. they put deadline for the project is 2016..
the below link shows related information..

http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/sr/world_class.jsp

marriage hall inside the station? excellent!

marriage hall inside the station? excellent!

Yes it will be easy for couple to start their honeymoon trip immediately. :banana: Who knows, may be SR will sponsor that for free...:lol:

Yes it will be easy for couple to start their honeymoon trip immediately. :banana: Who knows, may be SR will sponsor that for free...:lol:

No it is for eloping couples. They are planning a registrar office next to the marriage hall so that the couple will be officially married by the time the "murai maaman" with a sickle catches them.

World Class Chennai Central Railway Station - Suggestions Invited
Ministry of Railways have decided to undertake re development and modernization of Chennai Central station into World Class station. In this connection, it is proposed to prepare feasibility report and master plan through global consultancy contact.

In order to formulate the terms of reference, the views/suggestions of the ultimate users about the short-comings at the existing station, improvements required and facilities envisaged will be of immense value.

It is requested that the views/suggestions may please be send to E-Mail id chennaicentral.southernrailway@yahoo.com

The views/suggestions can also be sent by post or in person to
Chief Engineer,
Metropolitan Transport Project (Railways),
Southern Railway,
Egmore, Chennai - 600 008.
Telephone No. 044-26610435 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting**************044-26610435******end_of_the_skype_highlighting, 044-26610435.


Instead of each forummer sending one email each, it would be better if we discuss it out here, come up with a list of short comings we have faced, then take a printout and meet the chief engineer in person (someone with the influence to do that) and hand it over on behalf of SSC. In that way, we will know that someone relevant is atleast aware of our ideas. Whether it gets considered or not is a different issue altogether. It doesnt require too much effort from our side except that we do our rantings in an organized way and some gentlemen spares a hour or 2 to convey it to SR.

I will start first. I am by and large happy with the central.

One issue is definitely parking. Its better if they come up with a multi level car park or something.
Second is ticket vending. The number of counters for getting unreserved tickets can be increased. Automatic machines can be installed. Looong queues can be seen during morning and evening/night time.

Other opinions are welcome.

^^ Can they do something with the regulation of fares for autos/taxis at the station?
And the stink of Coovum?

^^ I dont think any of these falls under their jurisdiction but i think they can create a more scientific infrastructure for public transports (autos, taxis and buses). Right now they are random and haphazard.

Chennai central to be modernized in to worldclass station.. information i received from my friend who is currently working in chennai central station..he told project value will be 3800cr.. and construction of 20 platforms.. includes shopping mall, marriage hall.. they put deadline for the project is 2016..
the below link shows related information..


http://www.sr.indianrailways.gov.in/sr/world_class.jsp

First let them modernise the trains. Irrespective of class - cockroaches & small insects are there in the compartments..

Who the hell gave this idea of marriage hall? Why does any one going to hire a marriage hall in central station. boutique hotel / lounge might be a fair idea..

I persume this was annouced some months before

My major concern will be the connectivity. For all facets of people, we should have equal, congenial as well as simple connectivity. My suggestion would be to have 2 or 3 floors before the station. One floor for allowing only the town buses to park; another floor only for the cars to park & another floor for rest of the vehicals like autorikshas and two wheels. That would be really great!

My major concern will be the connectivity. For all facets of people, we should have equal, congenial as well as simple connectivity. My suggestion would be to have 2 or 3 floors before the station. One floor for allowing only the town buses to park; another floor only for the cars to park & another floor for rest of the vehicals like autorikshas and two wheels. That would be really great!

sir, central station is a landmark of chennai. if they build two floors then it will block the view of station itself.. so i dont think ur idea will be appreciated by railways(sorry i did not intend to hurt ur ideas but my point is very practical).

with the metro is going to come underground near central, i don know where they will build the metro station near central... any idea?

sir, central station is a landmark of chennai. if they build two floors then it will block the view of station itself.. so i dont think ur idea will be appreciated by railways(sorry i did not intend to hurt ur ideas but my point is very practical).

with the metro is going to come underground near central, i don know where they will build the metro station near central... any idea?

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