Tamil Nadu Delegation Trumpets Investment Boom

By RICHARD SPRINGER
India-West Staff Reporter

http://www.indiawest.com/onweb/data/upimages/530-Tamil-Nadu.gif

SAN FRANCISCO – A high-ranking business delegation from Tamil Nadu made an investment pitch at a breakfast roundtable briefing hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based U.S.-India Business Council and Caterpillar Inc. here May 19 at the St. Regis hotel.The delegation also was made a presentation in the global exchange program at the annual conference of The Indus Entrepreneurs May 17 (I-W, May 23).

Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy told the invitation-only roundtable that his state is growing more than India’s eight percent growth-rate.

He highlighted that fact that Tamil Nadu is a major energy producer and has 2,000 additional megawatts of capacity “in the pipeline” by the end of 2008.

“The roadmap is clear,” he said, “Tamil Nadu will be the next supplier of power in the country.”

While Tripathy emphasized the state’s well-know strengths – its “quality of manpower” and being a hub for automobile and automobile accessory manufacturing – he also pointed out that that several major investment projects recently received “all clearances straight” in three weeks.

M.F. Farooqui, industries secretary to the Tamil Nadu government, summarized studies by Goldman Sachs and other consulting firms that predict a boom economy in the state. In one projection, Tamil Nadu by 2050 will have “the highest per-capita income in India,” he said.

IT secretary to the government Dr. C. Chandramouli cited press reports claiming Chennai will overtake Bangalore as an information technology hub in the “next five-seven years.”

Tamil Nadu Industrial Guidance and Export Promotion Bureau director M. Velmurugan said Nokia found Chennai 11 percent cheaper than China when it decided to locate a plant there.

The co-host of the roundtable, Santa Ana, Calif.-based Chandra Ramamoorthy, a service operations representative for the North American commercial district at Caterpillar, revealed that the company plans to invest “$175 million to $200 million in India in the next three to five years.”

The farm equipment company, which had nearly $45 billion in worldwide revenue in 2007, has had a presence in Tamil Nadu since 1969.

Caterpillar makes construction and mining equipment in Thiruvallur, diesel engines and generating sets at its Hindustan Powerplus Ltd. subsidiary and machines and large and medium speed engines at the Caterpillar Commercial Pvt. Ltd subsidiary.

Ramamoorthy added that company chairman and CEO James W. Owens recently said India would be “critical” in the company’s worldwide strategic planning.


http://www.indiawest.com/view.php?subaction=showfull&id=1212013305&archive=&start_from=&ucat=3

L&T is also betting big on shipbuilding, with plans to set up a Rs 2,000-crore integrated greenfield shipbuilding yard at Ennore, north of Chennai. “We have appointed an international consultant from Germany to advice us on the type of vessels that would be built at the shipyard. We are scheduled to have a meeting with them (the consultants) next week,” Mr Naik said. He expected the shipyard to start making ships from 2011.

He did not specify the type of ships that the company proposed to build at the shipyard, but made it clear that the yard would not make the conventional bulk carriers or tankers. The yard will instead focus on specialised vessels of above 1.5 lakh DWT.

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/ipo-upcoming-issues/lt-schedules-first3-ipos-for-2009-10/13/00/340354

Exim News Service reported that Ennore Port is considering raising INR 800 crore through an initial public offer to be used for expansion. Ennore Port’s management is also seeking a consultant for valuation of the project.

Ennore Port plans to expand capacity with an investment of INR 6,400 crore to raise its throughput from 12 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 58 million tonnes in 2013-14. It also plans to raise INR 5,750 crore through private investments and award the projects on a build operate transfer basis.

Given the right valuation, the IPO is expected to do well in the market, because ports are working at over 90% capacity utilization. With international trade growing at 20%, port investments could yield good returns.

Ennore Port has put on track efforts to develop a jetty for handling three million tonnes of petroleum products, chemicals and liquids. The phase II of this development plan includes the construction of an 8 million tonne coal terminal for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Other projects in the pipeline include a 12 million tonne iron ore terminal, an LNG terminal with 5 million tonne capacity and a port based SEZ.

http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/05/30/NDc3ODU%3D/Ennore_Port_may_opt_for_IPO_route_to_raise_funds_for_expansion.html

Exim News Service reported that Ennore Port is considering raising INR 800 crore through an initial public offer to be used for expansion. Ennore Port’s management is also seeking a consultant for valuation of the project.

Ennore Port plans to expand capacity with an investment of INR 6,400 crore to raise its throughput from 12 million tonnes in 2004-05 to 58 million tonnes in 2013-14. It also plans to raise INR 5,750 crore through private investments and award the projects on a build operate transfer basis.

Given the right valuation, the IPO is expected to do well in the market, because ports are working at over 90% capacity utilization. With international trade growing at 20%, port investments could yield good returns.

Ennore Port has put on track efforts to develop a jetty for handling three million tonnes of petroleum products, chemicals and liquids. The phase II of this development plan includes the construction of an 8 million tonne coal terminal for Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. Other projects in the pipeline include a 12 million tonne iron ore terminal, an LNG terminal with 5 million tonne capacity and a port based SEZ.

http://steelguru.com/news/index/2008/05/30/NDc3ODU%3D/Ennore_Port_may_opt_for_IPO_route_to_raise_funds_for_expansion.html

I have seen all of your posts.It is nice.
You are posting the news from various sources.
Continue your contributions.

# Building Name - Floors - Status

Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 28 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated

Source:http://www.emporis.com

# Building Name - Floors - Status

TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 28 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated

Hyundai to launch new 'i10' in two months
********************************

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=38711

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Country's second largest car manufacturer Hyundai Motor will launch a new model of its hatchback 'i10', powered by a 1.2 litre all aluminium engine, within the next two months.



"We are planning to launch the new 'i10' model with 1.2L petrol engine in the next two months. It will be powerful by an additional 15 bhp against the existing one, which comes in a 1.1L engine," a Hyundai Motor India Ltd's spokesperson said.


He, however, refused to give any price range of the yet to be launched model. The current 'i10' model comes with a 66.7 bhp (brake horsepower) powered engine is priced in the range of Rs 3.31 lakh to Rs 4.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).


The new engine, under the code name 'Kappa', is being developed at the company's Chennai facility, he said. The company had earlier announced a Rs 12,000 crore investment plan in the facility to reach a production capacity of three lakh engines per annum.

Besides catering to the domestic market, the company would export engines from the Chennai plant by the end of this year, he said.


Hyundai is also planning to launch the LPG variant of its most successful model 'Santro' by August this year.


"We will launch LPG variants across all categories. It will start with Santro in August, followed by Accent and Getz," the spokesperson added.


'Santro', powered by a 1,086cc engine, is available in CNG, diesel and petrol versions at present.


Besides, the company would also introduce the CNG variant of its sedan 'Accent' in the next few months, he added.

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http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1230&Itemid=34

The Atomic Genie in India’s Bottle

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http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1230&Itemid=34

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India's long-delayed fast breeder reactor has military objectives

While the world has been preoccupied with the possibility that Iran is preparing to produce weapons-grade atomic materials, India is probably going to get there first, if it can get its act together, and nobody seems particularly concerned about it.



The 500 MWe prototype fast-breeder reactor that is being constructed at a facility in Kalpakkam, near Chennai is scheduled to come onstream in two years, producing weapons-grade plutonium. In a 2006 interview with the Indian Express, Anil Kakodkar, the chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission and the secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, made no secret of plans for the fast-breeder program. It was confirmed in December 2007 by two scientists, Alexander Glaser, with the Program on Science and Global Security at Princeton University of USA and M V Ramana of the Bangalore-based Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Environment and Development, India, in a paper published in Science and Global Security.


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http://etlinfra.com/images/chengalpattu.jpg

http://etlinfra.com/images/chengalpattukey.jpg


Spread over 250 acres at Chengelpet near Chennai city, this is a business support services Special Economic Zone(SEZ). The project will provide a mix of commercial, residential, hospitality and retail developments. The project would also house India's first factory outlet mall of 1 million sq.ft and a golf resort.


http://etlinfra.com/html/chengelpet.html

Adding to the list. May be we should have the number of towers for those projects with more than one tower.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status

TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated

http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053154411300.htm

HYDERABAD: Sujana Metal Products Ltd. (SMPL), part of the Rs. 3,000-crore diversified Sujana Group, will invest Rs. 800 crore by June 2010 on the establishment of a sponge iron and billet plants in Chennai and Hyderabad, apart from expansion and modernisation of the existing units.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, Y. S. Chowdary, Chairman, Sujana Group, said Rs. 200 crore would be spent on the three lakh-tonne Chennai plant, Rs. 170 crore on the 2.5 lakh-tonne Hyderabad plant, Rs. 100 crore on modernisation and expansion and Rs. 330 crore would be earmarked for working capital needs.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu1&subLeft=6&autono=324592&tab=r

:ohno:

Mahindra & Mahindra, the world's fourth largest tractor maker, has deferred its plan to build a Rs 400 crore tractor facility in Chennai on apprehensions that tractor sales may slow, a top company executive has said.


"We have postponed our plans for an integrated plant in Chennai which was supposed to come up inside the company's research facility following the downturn in the industry," Anjani Kumar Choudhari, president, farm equipment sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, said.

Mumbai-based Mahindra's tractor facility in the southern Indian city was expected to produce 145,000 units a year.

Mega container terminal gets moving

Special Correspondent

ChPT has envisaged a total of five container terminals by 2027

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The mega terminal will handle ultra large container ships

It will be the first deep water terminal of its kind in India


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CHENNAI: The Chennai Port Trust (ChPT) kick-started work on the Rs.3,105-crore mega container terminal by holding its first pre-application conference on Request For Qualification (RFQ) with prospective developers on Friday.

In all, 186 queries were raised by the participating members during the conference and site inspection on break-up cost of the project, evacuation plan, phasing of construction activities and whether they could build any other facility on the premises.

Around 25-30 parties had downloaded the RFQ forms, including Reliance Projects, ABG Projects and Infrastructure, Concor, APM Terminals, Eredene Capital, IMC Ltd, DP World, IL&FS, Gammon Infrastructure, GE Transportation and CMA-CGM.

Talking to The Hindu, ChPT chairman K. Suresh said as per the proposal, the scope of work broadly included designing, engineering, financing, constructing, operating, maintaining and marketing, providing facilities and services on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis for a concession period of 30 years. ChPT would carry out dredging and reclamation work.

Last year, Chennai Port handled 11.28 lakh Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs). Due to continued growth of container traffic on the east coast, the port is all set to become a major container hub. To keep pace with the growth, it has envisaged a total of five container terminals by 2027. It plans to develop facilities to cater to the latest generation of vessels and exploit sharp increase in cargo volumes, say port officials. The mega terminal will handle ultra large container ships with a capacity of over 15,000 TEUs and length of 400 metres. It would be the first deep water terminal of its kind in India.

It is proposed to develop a 2 km-long mega terminal at the new outer harbour with a 2.75 km extension of existing outer arm breakwater and also new northern breakwater of about 1.73 km emanating from the eastern breakwater of the Fishing Harbour, the officials added.

“The ChPT will respond to the bidders’ questions in the next 10 days and then proceed to short list the pre-qualifier, who would be asked to submit Request For Proposals (RFP). The last day for submitting the RFQ has been extended by a month to July 31,” Mr. Suresh said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053160631000.htm

Adding to the list. May be we should have the number of towers for those projects with more than one tower.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status

TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated

Apart from a few famous ones, I'm not able to pinpoint where these towers are coming. But I guess, they're as usual scattered around the city. It will be nice, if we get a cluster of high-rises in a single place, like the downtown / central business areas of many world cities. Of course, in our case, it will strain the infrastructure a lot.

Sam Shin Precision setting up assembly plant in Chennai

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/06/02/stories/2008060251260500.htm

Chennai, June 1 Korean auto component manufacturer, Sam Shin Precision Industry Company Ltd (SSPICL), is setting up a plant to manufacture ‘semi auto clutch’ for passenger cars.

These products will be sold in the after market.

Semi auto clutch enables driving of cars without pressing clutch pedal, eventually reducing stress and improving fuel economy.

“You can keep your left leg on the dashboard and drive,” said Mr Chang Gun Lim, Chairman, SSPICL. He told Business Line that the 70:30 joint venture between Sam Shin Precision and Hand in Hand Inc, which is the inventor of semi auto clutch mechanism, has been established in India under the name Samtek Auto Private Ltd.

The company will invest $500,000 (Rs 2 crore) initially to set up an assembly plant in Chennai.

“We are looking at pre-built sheds to assemble CKD kits imported from Korea.

“In less than two years we will manufacture the complete product here. “Eventually we will shut our operations in Korea due to high operational costs,” he said.

Up efficiency


Samtek Auto will introduce two variants of semi auto clutch — cable and hydraulic operated. According to him, the unit can be fitted to all models of cars available in India.

According to Mr Lim, the product will help improve 5-10 per cent fuel efficiency, “as fuel wastage during half-clutch driving, especially during traffic snarls, will be reduced”.

Compared with automatic transmission, the semi auto clutch, which will be retailed at $400 (Rs 16,000), will be 20-25 per cent more fuel efficient. (In comparison, an automatic transmission car — which gives almost similar level of comfort to the driver — costs Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh more.)

Company operations


Sam Shin Precision currently sells around 1,200 units a year in Korea besides exporting to Iran, China and the UK.

In 2007 the group registered a turnover of $7 million.

Before the Korean passenger car market shifted to automatic transmission in the year 2000, the company was selling more than 12,000 units a year, he said.

Since the market for this product is dropping in Korea, it planned to enter emerging markets and India was the obvious choice.

Sam Shin Precision already has a joint venture company called JJ Glastronic in Bangalore to make glass metal seals, terminals for compressors, glass pillars for cathode ray tubes and sensor parts for Texas Instruments.

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1429211

In Chennai, over 600 rooms will be added by the two five-star deluxe hotels, Leela and JW Marriott scheduled to rise on the banks of the Adyar river.

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/05/31/stories/2008053151940400.htm

Hyderabad, May 30 IT services provider Satyam Computer Services on Friday announced it has leased 4,00,000 sq ft of office space in Shriram-The Gateway, a special economic zone being developed by Shriram Properties Ltd at Perungalathur, Grand Southern Trunk Road, Chennai.

This facility is scheduled for completion in November 2008 and will host nearly 4,000 Satyam consultants, who will work on a broad range of technology applications, industries and regions. This will be in addition to Satyam’s own SEZ in Sholinganallur.

The Managing Director of Satyam, Mr B. Rama Raju, in a statement said “We are pleased to establish a strong Satyam presence in The Gateway, which accommodates Satyam’s needs for high-quality infrastructure and is in line with the company’s ambitious growth plans for Chennai.”

The Managing Director, Shriram Properties, Mr M. Murali, said “The Gateway has received tremendous response. It gives us great satisfaction to provide a large-scale, high-quality, integrated IT SEZ (in) Chennai.”

Five-star Hotels in Chennai

http://news.in.msn.com/business/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1429211

In Chennai, over 600 rooms will be added by the two five-star deluxe hotels, Leela and JW Marriott scheduled to rise on the banks of the Adyar river.

As of now, the number of five-star rooms in Chennai is just under 2,000. But with the addition of new five-star hotels (including the Leela and JW Marriott), the number will shoot up to about 5,000 in the next couple of years. Below is the list of five-star hotels in the city (to the best of my knowledge; anybody please update, especially about the Magunta Oberoi, GRT Oceanic, Chennai Palace, the Raintree hotel near airport, J Hotel's 5* Off College Road, and ACL's 5* hotel near Guindy):

Existing five-star hotels

1) Taj Coromendal, Nungambakkam High Road (Deluxe - 205 rooms, 9 storied)
2) Taj Connemara, Mount Road (150 rooms)
3) Le Royal Meridien, Guindy (Deluxe - 240 rooms)
4) The Park, Mount Road (Deluxe - 215 rooms, 12 storied)
5) ITC Chola Sheraton, Cathedral Road (92 rooms, 9 storied)
6) Taj Fisherman's Cove, Covelong Beach (88 rooms)
7) ITC Hotel Park Sheraton and Towers, TTK Road (283 rooms)
8) Trident Hilton, GST Road (166 rooms)
9) Radisson GRT, GST Road (101 rooms) (68 more rooms in the future)
10) The Rain Tree, Alwarpet (an Ecotel Hotel) (105 rooms, 11 storied)
11) Accord Metropolitan, GN Chetty Road (formerly Trader's Hotel) (162 rooms, 13/14 storied)
12) Asiana Hotel, OMR, Semmencherry (114 rooms)

Five-stars under construction

1) Hyatt (Formerly Magunta Oberoi), Mount Road (Deluxe - 323 rooms, 15/16 storied)
2) JW Marriott, Santhome (Deluxe - 371 rooms, 11/12 storied)
3) The Leela, Santhome (Deluxe - 360 rooms, 15 storied)
4) Hilton Chennai, Inner Ring Road (Deluxe - 253 rooms, 10 stories completed as of now)
5) ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road (Deluxe - >550/600/800 rooms, about 10 stories) (India's Largest hotel)
6) Taj Mount Road (Deluxe - 220 rooms) (opening very shortly)
7) GRT Oceanic, Santhome (200 rooms)
8) Chennai Palace, GST Road (200 rooms)
9) Raintree, Nandanam (250 rooms, about 10 stories as of now)
10) Raintree, Near Airport (no clue about number of rooms) (not sure whether a 5-star)

Apart from these we have the existing GRT Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram (72 rooms) (not sure whether 5* or 4*) and the following prospective five-stars to come up in Chennai:

1) Claridges Hotel (proposed 5* hotel) (http://www.inrnews.com/realestateproperty/india/hospitality_industry/)
2) J-Hotel's (Accord Metropolitan) proposed 5* hotel off College Road, Nungambakkam (150 rooms)
3) Unison Hotel's proposed 5* hotel (http://www.inrnews.com/realestateproperty/unison_to_set_up_5star_hotels.html)
4) Ambattur Clothing Limited's (ACL) proposed 5* hotel near Guindy (300 rooms)

Few more proposed hotels (Am not sure whether the following are five-stars):

1) Appu Hotel's (Le Royal Meridian) proposed hotel at Mahabalipuram (26 acres)
2) Holiday Inn Estancia (35 km from Chennai) (200 rooms, 75 suits) (http://www.hotelresource.com/article32717.html)
3) Hilton Garden Inn(R), OMR, Chennai (250 rooms)
4) Homewood Suites by Hilton, OMR, Chennai (100 rooms)

Please update if any of you know more about the above hotels and upcoming five-stars in the city.

Five-star Hotels in Chennai



As of now, the number of five-star rooms in Chennai is just under 2,000. But with the addition of new five-star hotels (including the Leela and JW Marriott), the number will shoot up to about 5,000 in the next couple of years. Below is the list of five-star hotels in the city (to the best of my knowledge; anybody please update, especially about the Magunta Oberoi, GRT Oceanic, Chennai Palace, the Raintree hotel near airport, J Hotel's 5* Off College Road, and ACL's 5* hotel near Guindy):

Existing five-star hotels

1) Taj Coromendal, Nungambakkam High Road (Deluxe - 205 rooms, 9 storied)
2) Taj Connemara, Mount Road (150 rooms)
3) Le Royal Meridien, Guindy (Deluxe - 240 rooms)
4) The Park, Mount Road (Deluxe - 215 rooms, 12 storied)
5) ITC Chola Sheraton, Cathedral Road (92 rooms, 9 storied)
6) Taj Fisherman's Cove, Covelong Beach (88 rooms)
7) ITC Hotel Park Sheraton and Towers, TTK Road (283 rooms)
8) Trident Hilton, GST Road (166 rooms)
9) Radisson GRT, GST Road (101 rooms) (68 more rooms in the future)
10) The Rain Tree, Alwarpet (an Ecotel Hotel) (105 rooms, 11 storied)
11) Accord Metropolitan, GN Chetty Road (formerly Trader's Hotel) (162 rooms, 13/14 storied)
12) Asiana Hotel, OMR, Semmencherry (114 rooms)

Five-stars under construction

1) Hyatt (Formerly Magunta Oberoi), Mount Road (Deluxe - 323 rooms, 15/16 storied)
2) JW Marriott, Santhome (Deluxe - 371 rooms, 11/12 storied)
3) The Leela, Santhome (Deluxe - 360 rooms, 15 storied)
4) Hilton Chennai, Inner Ring Road (Deluxe - 253 rooms, 10 stories completed as of now)
5) ITC Grand Chola, Mount Road (Deluxe - >550/600/800 rooms, about 10 stories) (India's Largest hotel)
6) Taj Mount Road (Deluxe - 220 rooms) (opening very shortly)
7) GRT Oceanic, Santhome (200 rooms)
8) Chennai Palace, GST Road (200 rooms)
9) Raintree, Nandanam (250 rooms, about 10 stories as of now)
10) Raintree, Near Airport (no clue about number of rooms) (not sure whether a 5-star)

Apart from these we have the existing GRT Temple Bay, Mahabalipuram (72 rooms) (not sure whether 5* or 4*) and the following prospective five-stars to come up in Chennai:

1) Claridges Hotel (proposed 5* hotel) (http://www.inrnews.com/realestateproperty/india/hospitality_industry/)
2) J-Hotel's (Accord Metropolitan) proposed 5* hotel off College Road, Nungambakkam (150 rooms)
3) Unison Hotel's proposed 5* hotel (http://www.inrnews.com/realestateproperty/unison_to_set_up_5star_hotels.html)
4) Ambattur Clothing Limited's (ACL) proposed 5* hotel near Guindy (300 rooms)

Few more proposed hotels (Am not sure whether the following are five-stars):

1) Appu Hotel's (Le Royal Meridian) proposed hotel at Mahabalipuram (26 acres)
2) Holiday Inn Estancia (35 km from Chennai) (200 rooms, 75 suits) (http://www.hotelresource.com/article32717.html)
3) Hilton Garden Inn(R), OMR, Chennai (250 rooms)
4) Homewood Suites by Hilton, OMR, Chennai (100 rooms)

Please update if any of you know more about the above hotels and upcoming five-stars in the city.

I can see only 3 of them in OMR.. And that too 2 of the 3 are in proposal only.. I would expect more hotels in OMR as the demand should be from that region...

^^

Am not sure if the Accord Metropolitan and the Asiana Hotel are 5 star hotels.

UNIDO inks MoU with MCCIA

http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/UNIDO-inks-MoU-with-MCCIA/318421/


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The Indian government agency is the Ministry of small and medium enterprises.

This project has identified three sectors of focus: Auto components (NCR, Pune and Chennai), leather (Chennai) and footwear (Chennai, Agra and Shanthiniketan). The project has four service modules: Sub contracting: Outsourcing platforms, investment match-making for business partnership, financing: Private equity, venture capital and mutual credit guarantee schemes and technology transfer schemes.

Madhur Bajaj, president, MCCIA, said he was happy that the UNIDO had chosen MCCIA as a business promotion institution in Pune.

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Palace Gardens Business Park 35 floors is added to the list of highrise in chennai.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated

'Made in Chennai' Nissan Micra

http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14687647

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England's loss is India's gain. Nissan Motor Co on Tuesday announced it would shift production of the 'Micra' small car platform from Sunderland in the UK to India by the turn of the decade.

Though India wouldn't be the sole manufacturing location for the small car, the decision to shift this platform to the upcoming Chennai facility signals Nissan's game plan of developing India as a major small-car producing hub.


Nissan feels that the 'A' platform models will be easy to source and localise in such countries, supporting a high level of cost competitiveness while offering an attractive vehicle choice for entry-car customers. By 2012, the company is looking at annual volumes of 200,000 units.

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Green makeover for ADYAR CREEK
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In An Attempt To Make The City Cleaner, An Eco-Restoration Project Has Been Launched Recently On The Banks of The River

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http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0040600.jpg

Chennai: Most of us have passed by the Adyar creek and turned up our noses to the stench. There is good news for you. In an attempt to make the city cleaner and greener, Chennai has embarked on an ambitious project – the Adyar Poonga. This programme could one day lead to the eventual cleaning up of the city’s lost waterways.
Australian ecologist Joss Brooks and his team have started work on eco-restoration of the Adyar creek eco-system. Brooks was the man behind the recreation of 100 acres of tropical dry evergreen forests in Auroville along the Coromandel coast.
Restoration of bio-diversity being the principle aim of the project, an effort will be made to recreate the diverse vegetation found along the Coromandel Coast witin the park, including mangroves, reeds, sedges and grasses, hillocks, sacred groves, pond ecology and tropical dry evergreen forest.
Chennaites may be unaware of the fact that Adyar creek is home to 62 species of plants, 10 species of fish, three species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles, 34 species of birds and eight species of mammals in the wetland. Across the Adyar River, 104 different kinds of birds have been spotted on the sprawling Theosophical Society campus.
“The eco-restoration of Adyar wetland eco-system will be taken up in two parts at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The government has awarded the first part of the project costing Rs 19.7 crore to Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants for 58-acre. The master plan is being prepared for the next phase,” says Dr M S Srinivasan, advisor, TNUIFSL (Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited). TNUIFSL is the implementing agency for the entire project.
Adyar Poonga will be much more than any park in the city, he says. Of course, there will be walkways along the water front. But besides that, the plan is to bring back the native trees, set up nesting platforms for aquatic birds, colonies for tortoises, barn owl points and most importantly, an educational centre for children. “The idea is to make people visiting Adyar Poonga learn not to misuse the environment further.”
The project was finalized after few rounds of public consultation with the locals. “The key is in harnessing ecological sensitivity with sound restoration science to create a middle path. This must include the people. The common good of all – man and his environment will be the guiding principle of such an interventional approach,” says Brooks, explaining the backdrop of the master plan for the park.
When the consultants of the Adyar creek project began work, they were warned by people stating that it was an impossible mission. The environmentalists also opposed it as they thought it was a real estate project. Eventually, the Madras High Court cleared the project after studying the plan.
“The project was not definitely a walk in the park. It was a combination of sustained political will, effective co-ordination of nearly a dozen government departments, close monitoring by the NGOs,” says a secretary involved in the project.

P R I M E AT T R AC T I O N S
BUTTERFLY GARDEN
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0041000.jpg

It is easy to increase the number and variety of butterflies in a garden. Simply, grow the plants the caterpillars like to eat and plants that adult butterflies feed on. Plants with varying blooming cycles can keep the garden full of activity
BARN OWL POINTS
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0040800.jpg

Like most birds of prey, barn owls, which are highly territorial, are finding it hard to nest in the urban landscape. This is because hollow trees and old buildings are at a premium. However, the answer to this problem is simple. All one has to do is put up nesting boxes at strategic points throughout the park

MEDICINAL GARDEN
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0041100.jpg

A special area will serve as a demonstration garden for teaching students and teachers. Each of the 68 varieties of plant will be labeled with its scientific name, common name and its uses. Cuddapha stones would be used to make permanent labels.
TORTOISE COLONIES
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0040900.jpg

An assurance colony will be set up within the park for the Indian Star Tortoise, an endangered species. These colonies, groups of collections, will create an environment that allows tortoises to live in protected conditions allowing them to establish home ranges, social behavior, reproduce and eat nature food
WALKWAYS
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/06/04/4/Img/Pc0040700.jpg

Inside the Poonga, there will be two walkways. One, a planned and comfortable walk of 800 metres. Another would be a 1,200 m, making it two km in all. Secondary walking loops will connect to the top of the hillocks, organic vegetable garden and nursery. An urban walkway will come up along the edges of the creek abutting the Quibble Island. The walkway will provide an opportunity for people to enjoy the spectacular view of the creek and estuary

Lessons from Auroville come handy
Chennai: The first phase of the ambitious Adyar Poonga project aiming at restoration of a creek ecology will be executed by Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, from Auroville, the international city in the outskirts of Puducherry.
When the international city was founded in 1968, the first settlers found only a few palm trees and the soil was eroded. So, the restoration process began the same year. Seeds collected from the almost extinct tropical dry evergreen forests were planted and nurseries were set up. The first well was also dug the same year.
Today, Pitchandikulam is a sanctuary of self-generating tropical dry evergreen forest with a wide variety of flora and fauna. There are over 800 species of plants found in grass-lands, nurseries and the ethno-medicinal forest. The emphasis is on conservation of indigenous plant species with a special focus on medicinal plants and people using them.
It has a small resident community of 9 people with visitors and volunteers. Two dozen people come each day to work at the forest, nursery, garden and the bio-resource centre. The centre acts as a training platform for the protection, propagation and use of medicinal plants. Housed in a solar building, the centre has a display of 240 of the 400 medicinal plants found in the bio-region, a collection of 300 seeds from Kaluveli region, a variety of rural artifacts, a library and a data base for research.
The story of Pitchandikulam forests is a miracle of sorts, a modern day fairy tale. Pitchandi was a traditional
healer who was residing in the present Auroville campus hundreds of years ago and he had made a pond (kulam) in the middle of a forest.
Back then, it was a scrub jungle along the Coromandel Coast with a rich wildlife. Elephants and tigers were believed to have roamed the plateau. The forest was slowly cut down for timber and the tropical dry evergreen forest, a rare eco-system, was chopped down to a few patches by the 1950s.
As part of its outreach programmes, the centre documents bio-resources with the help of village communities, facilitates traditional healers to pass on the knowledge, conserves and regenerates sacred groves in and around the temples with local communities and involves school children in surveys, mapping and seed collections. Training is given to SHGs and NGOs on ecorestoration work emphasising on revitalization of local
health traditions.
Early in the 1990s, it became part of a national conservation network on medicinal plants and at present has programmes for botanical and social documentation and conservation in collaboration with 30 conservation areas. A team works from Pitchandikulam forests on several projects to restore indigenous forest and traditional knowledge related to particular eco-systems. Adyar Poonga project is one such project.

Source:http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Daily/skins/TOI/navigator.asp?Daily=TOICH&login=default

Date:June 04,2008, Times City,Page No 4

^^ this looks really good - finally a really good park in Chennai...

:)

^^A real "dream come true" project

Really good to see an eco-restoration project in the city. But I fear the ambitious project would not be as successful as one would expect unless all the inlets of pollutants in the city's waterways are blocked completely. If this and the subsequent desilting are completed successfully, I bet nothing else is required to beautify the city.

Hope this would happen soon. We shall keep our fingers crossed.

http://www.semiconductor.net/articleXml/LN800546143.html

Chennai, May 30 (UNI) Poseidon Solar Services Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of Solar-Fabrik AG opened its new silicon recycling facility here today. The plant, located adjacent to the existing facility, would increase the capacity of silicon processed to more than 600 MT per annum, a company release said. This silicon could be used to produce approximately 75 MW of solar panels.

The silicon recycled by Poseidon was used to fill in the severe demand-supply gap of polysilicon that was crucial to the red hot solar PV industry. The new plant was a modern world class facility that had an automated line for silicon processing. All the processing was done in such way that there was no exposure of humans to any toxic materials. "This plant was unique, because it was only one of a handful of such dedicated plants worldwide for silicon re-processing and it was the only one in the world with an automated line," Solar-Fabrik CEO Christoph Paradeis said. "Furthermore, we plan to install a very unique process technology for the recovery of currently unusable silicon (such as highly doped materials) in the new plant in the first half of 2009," he added. It would further strengthen our procurement efforts led by Global Expertise Wafer Division Ltd." Poseidon had also installed a 25 KWp PV system on the roof of its new facility.

CHENNAI: PS Srijan Group, a joint venture between PS Group and Srijan Group based in Kolkata, has announced the launch of its operations in Chennai and its plans to establish a world class shopping mall and a premium residential apartment block.

Shopping mall


Addressing presspersons here on Wednesday, Pradip Chopra, Chairman, PS Group, said the project was coming up in Velachery. The shopping mall would be over 3 lakh sq.ft. and the residential apartment block 1 lakh sq. ft. The investment would be Rs. 125 crore.

Other projects


A few other projects had also been signed up in Chennai as joint ventures with respective land owners, Mr. Chopra said. These included a 9 lakh sq. ft. housing complex at Padur on the Old Mahabalipuram Road and a 5 lakh sq. ft. housing complex in Perumbakkam, next to the Tamil Nadu Infotech Park at Siruseri.

Besides the group was coming up with a 13.5 lakh sq. ft. shopping mall on Avanishi Road, in Coimbatore, Mr. Chopra said.

Mr. Chopra said the group had completed 80 landmark buildings in the last two decades and had entered into 100 property collaborations.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060555171600.htm

Ford's Chennai Plant

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/html/1.stm

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/1.jpg

Ford India employs about 2,000 people in its car factory near Madras (Chennai). "We're working to global standards," says plant manager Kevin Whipp. "The only difference is you see more people here."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/2.jpg

Women make up 7% of the workforce, which is unusually high for India, explains Mr Whipp. "We were the first in India to have women working in the assembly of cars," he says.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/3.jpg

"Labour costs are quite affordable in India, but it’s not really about that," says Ford India boss Arvind Mathew. "With the country booming as it is, most car makers face high levels of attrition, so you recruit someone and they’re gone in a couple of years."
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/4.jpg

Companies supplying parts, such as windscreens, to Ford and other car makers are also actively creating jobs. Over time the hope is that parts makers will become big exporters supplying global auto firms.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/5.jpg


"Last year, 45,000 cars were made here," says Mr Mathew. "The factory's footprint is sized for about 100,000 units, while the equipment inside is good for 50,000 cars. So I don't have to grow buildings to expand."

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/6.jpg


Cars made here are delivered to customers in India, where the company's sales rose 45% in the year to 31 March. In addition, car kits are exported for assembly in South Africa and Mexico.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/7.jpg

The Ikon was designed especially for India. It enables passengers to sit in the back seat with a turban, the doors are made to prevent saris catching, and it copes well with flooded streets and high temperatures, explains Mr Mathew.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/8.jpg

In addition to the factory workers, Ford also employs 1,800 white collar workers who look after the group's global invoicing and offer IT services.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/9.jpg


"GM in India, Ford in India, Honda in India, Toyota in India. We're all using IT operations in India to support group activities around the world," says Mr Mathew.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/nol/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/07/business_ford_india/img/10.jpg

In a region plagued by water shortages and power cuts, Ford secured guarantees from the government that it would have enough water. In addition, the company has built its own power plant. Text and photos: Jorn Madslien, BBC News.
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http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/metso-strengthens-its-engineering-capabilities-in-india,421251.shtml

HELSINKI, FINLAND -- 06/05/08 --


Metso Corporation Press release on June 5, 2008 at 2.00 p.m.

Metso strengthens its engineering capabilities in India by entering into a joint venture between Metso Power and EPT Engineering Services Pvt. Ltd. Metso will own 51% of the new company, called Metso Power India Private Limited, which will start its operations in July 2008 in Chennai. The new company will support Metso's growth strategy by providing engineering services primarily to Metso Power's global business operations but gradually also to other Metso units. During the first year the company will employ about 50 people.

Subway connecting between Chennai Airport and Thirusulam railway station

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Photographs/2008/06/06/101/06_06_2008_101_002_003.jpg

Vakrangee to set up hubs in Kolkata and Chennai

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=39406

Digitalisation, data and printing management solutions provider Vakrangee Softwares today said it will invest Rs 50 crore to set up two more regional hubs in Kolkata and Chennai and induct 1,000 people in these stations.

The company, which has regional hubs in Mumbai and Delhi at present, intends to cover the entire country with setting up of the two proposed regional hubs.


"We are currently looking for a suitable land in Chennai and Kolkata to set up these hubs. We will invest Rs 50 crore to put up these facilities," Vakarangee Softwares' Chairman and Managing Director Dinesh Nandwana said.
Vakrangee Softwares claims to be one of the pioneers in the country in digitalisation, data and printing management solutions business.


Nandwana said that regional hubs in Kolkata and Chennai would employ 500 persons each and work on the projects would start in the next quarter. The current strength of the company is 1,500.


"By the end of the current fiscal, both these hubs would be operational," he said.


Vakrangee Softwares has already committed an investment of Rs 200 crore during the current fiscal to expand its operations.


Apart from the proposed two hubs, the company would also set up its centralised office in Karjat and already bought 275 acres of land for that.


The firm, which had recorded a net profit of Rs 49.87 crore on Rs 223.8 crore sales in the last fiscal, aims both topline and bottomline growth by 50 per cent in the next three years, he said.

http://www.mynews.in/fullstory.aspx?storyid=5790

Despite the fears of talent crunch in the country, India witnessed a 12 percent growth in employment by privately-held businesses last year, with Bangalore leading the cities'''' roster, a latest report says.

According to the International Business Report (IBR) by global consultancy firm Grant Thornton International, Vietnam tops the employment growth index 2008 with a 14 percent rise in employment by privately-held businesses, followed by India and China at 12 per cent each.

Among the Indian cities, Bangalore topped the list by 16 percent growth in employment, followed by Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad at 14 percent. The country's financial hub Mumbai and national capital Delhi showed a growth of only nine percent each this year, the report stated.

Ford to Use India as Hub for Engine Exports to Asia

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=adpn1qUjaO28&refer=india


June 6 (Bloomberg) -- Ford Motor Co., the second-largest U.S. automaker, plans to export engines from India to the Asia- Pacific region to take advantage of cheaper production costs in the country.

Ford is spending $500 million in expanding its factory in Chennai, South India, to make 250,000 engines and 200,000 vehicles annually by 2010, Michael Boneham, managing director of the local unit said in an interview. Ford may also export a small car that it plans to produce in India, he said.

Exports of Indian-made engines, parts and other components may rise almost six-fold to $40 billion by 2015 from about $6.7 billion in 2003, as automakers seek to trim production costs, according to McKinsey & Co. Dearborn, Michigan-based Ford is expanding in Asia as rising gasoline prices erode truck sales in its home market.

``India will be a significant domestic market for us, and it will be an exporter of engines to the region,'' Boneham said yesterday. ``It's a very cost-effective country.''

India's vehicle exports rose 11 percent to 276,053 in the year ended March 31, as automakers used the country as a hub to make hatchbacks and minicars for Europe and Asia, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's government in February cut taxes on small cars for the second time in three years to make the country a global hub for small-car production. Taxes on cars shorter than 4 meters were cut to 12 percent from 16 percent.

Trimming Jobs

The excise tax, levied at the time of shipping from the factory, was as high as 32 percent in 2003.

Salaries in India are cheaper too. Maruti Udyog Ltd., the nation's largest carmaker, pays factory workers about 26,000 rupees ($605) a month, the company said last year.

By comparison, an entry-level worker in the U.S., makes about $2,300 a month, according to the United Auto Workers union Web site.

The expansion in India contrasts with Ford shutting plants in the U.S. The second-largest U.S. automaker yesterday said it plans to reduce salaried-employee costs by 15 percent as declining U.S. sales extend losses.

Ford now sells Ikon, Fiesta and Fusion cars and Endeavour sport-utility vehicle in India after setting up the unit in 1995.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/07/stories/2008060759590400.htm

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) has proposed an exclusive Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) corridor encompassing Chennai, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts.

The project aims at decongesting the existing Information Technology corridor and the GST road.

TIDCO has forwarded a detailed proposal to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) for help in setting up the ITIR to ensure integrated grid development of software and hardware industries in and around Chennai and reduce the burden on Chennai metro area.

Mooted by the Centre in April, the ITIR takes advantage of the next wave of growth in IT/ITES, BPO and electronics hardware.

It will be a specifically notified zone that will include IT/BPOs, electronics hardware manufacturing units, public utilities, residential areas, social infrastructure and administrative units, according to a senior TIDCO official.

Spread over 1,600 sq. km, the ITIR is much larger than an IT-SEZ. It is designed for development of road, rail and air connectivity. Infrastructure will be created in the ITIR at a cost of Rs.17,750 crore, including Rs.3,000 crore for the Chennai airport. When completed, it will enable Tamil Nadu to emerge as the single largest hub for the IT sector in India.

The road development work covers Rajiv Gandhi Salai (IT Corridor connecting Madhya Kailash with Mamallapuram in two phases), Mamallapuram-
Tirukazhukundaram-Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram on the south and NH-4 (Chennai-Bangalore) from Kancheepuram to Chennai on the north/northwest. Preliminary estimates indicate that the cost of developing at least 10 roads into 4-lane highways will be Rs.1,500 crore.

MRTS extension

The detailed TIDCO report has envisaged extension of the existing Mass Rapid Transport System (MRTS) railway line from Tiruvanmiyur to Mamallapuram, along Rajiv Gandhi Salai on the Buckingham canal route for about 50 km. A new railway line has also been proposed from Anna Nagar to Kancheepuram, passing through Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur for about 75 km. The cost of the above two rail links is estimated at Rs.1,250 crore.

New townships

“We have suggested creation of three new townships to support industrial and commercial developments in addition to existing infrastructure in and around Chennai, its suburbs and in major towns. Two of these townships can be located in the area flanked by NH-4 and NH-45 and the third between NH-45 and Rajiv Gandhi Salai. Each township should have 15,000 dwelling units and might require investment of about Rs.4,000 crore including cost of utilities, infrastructure, but excluding cost of water/power supply sources,” a senior TIDCO official said.

:cheers:

http://www.livemint.com/2008/06/08230832/Enfield-to-introduce-two-new-b.html

Royal Enfield, which is the only local maker of bikes with engine capacities greater than 350cc, sold 38,458 units last fiscal, a growth of 18% over a year ago.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

New Delhi: Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest surviving motorcycle brand, plans to introduce two new motorcycles solely for the export market as it seeks to increase overseas sales even as it battles growing competition at home.
Eicher Motors Ltd, which owns the brand, plans to showcase these vehicles at the Birmingham motorcycle show in November and start selling them next year, according to the company’s managing director Siddhartha Lal.
Royal Enfield, which is the only local maker of bikes with engine capacities greater than 350cc, sold 38,458 units last fiscal, a growth of 18% over a year ago. Eicher Motors, which has hived off its truck and bus division into a different unit that is now a joint venture with Sweden’s Volvo AB, wants to increase its overseas sales of around 3,000 units a year.
“For our future...we expect exports to constitute at least 15% of our overall production and sales,” said Lal. “Margins are better (in exports) and that will help,” he added, without revealing the actual numbers.
Enfield’s main overseas market is the UK and it sells its top-end bikes there for as much as Rs3 lakh, almost three times the price in India. The new motorcycles are expected to be more powerful and sophisticated, and will be priced more than the ones being sold now, Lal said. Enfield currently sells four models—Thunderbird, Bullet Electra, Bullet Machismo and Bullet 350—in India and in overseas markets.
The company plans to raise capacity at its Chennai factory from 42,000 motorcycles now to around 48,000 units by the end of this year with the money received from the stake sale in its truck and bus division.
“By the end of the year, we will have around Rs350 crore” from the sale and redemption of investments and part of this would go into the motorcycle division, Lal said.

Ashok Leyland to Boost Debt to Raise India Capacity

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601091&sid=aoZShiJNIn_g&refer=india

June 9 (Bloomberg) -- Ashok Leyland Ltd., India's second- biggest maker of trucks and buses, plans to borrow as much as 10 billion rupees ($233 million) in the next two years to build factories and sell commercial vehicles.

The debt will be raised in two equal parts of 5 billion rupees, Chief Financial Officer K. Sridharan said in an interview on June 6 in Chennai, India, where the company's based. The borrowing is to more than double capacity to 184,000 vehicles annually and quadruple exports.

Ashok Leyland, partnering with Nissan Motor Co. to make light trucks, needs funds as expansion in the world's second- fastest growing major economy boosts demand for commercial vehicles. Borrowing in India would increase loan costs for Ashok Leyland and hurt profits with interest rates at a six-year high, said Vaishali Jajoo, an analyst at Angel Broking Ltd. in Mumbai.

``They will have to incur costs because of higher interest rates,'' said Jajoo. ``That will affect their bottom line for two years.''

India's central bank has held interest rates at 7.75 percent since March 2007 to battle inflation that's accelerating at the fastest pace since 2004. Higher borrowing costs have also deterred customers, curbing Ashok Leyland's profit growth in the year ended March 31 to 6.3 percent from 34.8 percent a year earlier, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

Ashok Leyland's capital expenditure includes a $575 million investment in joint ventures with Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker. Their ventures will start making trucks by March 2011, the two companies said last month. `

`Bad Luck''

``It's bad luck that interest rates are catching up,'' Sridharan said. ``We can't afford to delay our expansion plans.''


The company's planning to spend 32 billion rupees in capital expenditure in three years.

Ashok Leyland shares fell as much as 6.3 percent to the lowest in almost 2 1/2 years in Mumbai trading. It changed hands at 30.65 rupees at 11:06 a.m. local time. The stock declined 41 percent this year compared with a 28 percent plunge for the benchmark Sensex Index.

Ashok Leyland said in March said it raised $200 million from overseas to fund the expansion plans.

The company is setting up a plant in Uttarakhand in northern India to produce 50,000 vehicles annually by 2010, Sridharan said. It's also raising capacity of its factory in Ennore, south India.

The truckmaker plans to quadruple revenue from exports to about $1 billion in four years by selling more in Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Philippines and Bangladesh, Sridharan said. Sales overseas will increase to 30,000 vehicles a year in the next four years from about 8,000 now.

Ashok Leyland may set up assembling units in one or two of these countries.

``It's one of our de-risking games,'' Sridharan said.

Indonesia To Open More Trade Promotion Centres Worldwide

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

JAKARTA, June 9 (Bernama) -- Indonesia will open international trade promotion centres (ITPCs) for export products in 11 more cities worldwide in 2008 to strenghten penetration into foreign markets.

"We have just received permits to process another 11. We will maximise the functions of the ITPCs to help promote and identify market opportunities," Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu said here as quoted by Antara news agency.

Among the cities are Shanghai (China), Busan (South Korea), Chennai (India), San Diego and Chicago, both in the United States, Barcelona (Spain), Lagos (Nigeria), Vancouver (Canada), Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), and Lyon (France).


http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news.php?id=338269

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/06/10/stories/2008061050720200.htm

Moser Baer India Ltd plans to set up a Rs 2,000-crore manufacturing facility near Chennai to make photovoltaic products, according to an official press release. Moser Baer has signed an agreement with the Tamil Nadu Government to set up the facility at the Sipcot Industrial estate at Oragadam near Chennai. It will manufacture a range of products including silicon-based photovoltaic products, nanotechnology related products and electronic storage media. Moser Baer is one of the largest manufacturers of optical storage media such as CDs, DVDs, and has diversified into solar energy, home entertainment and IT peripherals and consumer electronics. The press release said that the project would generate over 3,000 jobs.

Does it make sense to have a seperate sticky thread for projects in pipeline for Chennai and TN ? By pipeline, I mean projects for which TN cities including Chennai are short-listed by companies but no MOU is signed. Since the turn-around time is some times more than 6 months (example: Moser Baer project was announced during Connect-2007 in September), it is getting buried into various threads and couldn't remember how many projects are in the pipeline. We can also classify the projects by industry type. Thoughts ?

^^ Good idea. It'll help us find all the projects at one place without having to wade through several threads.

New entries are added to the list of highrise in chennai.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated
[B]Sai Sarovar(Velachery) - 10 -Completed
KG Towers(Velachery) - 10 - Completed

CHENNAI: Work on the Rs.993-crore water desalination plant in Chennai South will commence within 3 or 4 months. It will be completed in 18 months, Chief Secretary L.K.Tripathy said here on Tuesday.

Addressing a workshop on ‘Industrial and Municipal Water Management,’ organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry in association with the Netherlands Business Support Office and Norit India, he said the 100-million-litre-a-day (MLD) desalination plant is being set up at Nemmeli on the DBOOT (design, build, own, operate and transfer) basis.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi held a review meeting with Mr.Tripathy and senior officials on the desalination plant being set up in Kattupalli near Minjur. Sixtythree per cent of the work was over and the Rs. 500 crore-100 MLD plant would become operational by January 2009. It would be fully operational by April-May 2009.
Later, Mr. Tripathy told The Hindu that the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT) would select a consultant this month for supplying recycled waste water for industries in Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and Irungattukottai and tenders for the Rs. 680 crore-project would be floated within six months.
The project would come up in three phases of 40 MLD each and water would be made available to industrial units by the third year. The first two plants built on DBOOT are being set up at Nesapakkam and Koyambedu. The work on taking Cauvery drinking water to Ramnathapuram district by traversing 260 km would be completed by April-May 2009. It would benefit at least four districts, he said.

The Chief Secretary said that the State government was keen on providing quality water by investing over Rs.4,000 crore in the above schemes. He added that Hogenakkal drinking water project was aimed at supplying quality water to those affected by fluoride.

M. Holterman, Norit Chief Growth Officer, termed Chennai as the Water Scarcity Capital of India and said immediate steps had to be taken to address it. He asked the Indian entrepreneurs to develop and implement sustainable water strategy as time was running out.

FICCI Tamil Nadu State Council chairman M. Rafeeque Ahmed said a 7,200 kilo-litre-a-day effluent treatment plant for tanneries at Vaniyambadi-Vellore region would become operational in a couple of months.

...

CHENNAI: Old timers will tell you stories of salt, rice and casurina being transported down the Buckingham Canal in barges from Andhra Pradesh, while children frolicked on its banks. And this image might not necessarily be consigned to history, with a project to revive the waterway for navigation reaching its final stages.

Sources in the Water Resources Department said the Centre had informed the state government that a Bill to make the canal part of a national waterways linking project would be passed in Parliament shortly.

The plan to revive the Buckingham Canal, once an important waterway running along the east coast and connecting the backwaters from Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh to Villupuram district in Tamil Nadu, is set to take off by the end of the year.

A top official of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) held talks with state officials at the Secretariat in April and the state government had given its approval to the project.

The canal is to be part of the proposed National Waterway (No 4) — integrating the 1095-km-long Kakinada-Puducherry canals with the Godavari and Krishna.

Earlier, the state had agreed to the proposal, subject to certain conditions that the IWAI did not agree to.

Following further talks, the conditions were removed, the sources said, but declined to elaborate.

Once Parliament gives its approval, the project is expected to be launched by the end of the year. The north Buckingham canal will be made navigable from Basin Bridge in the city to Arangam in Andhra Pradesh, a distance of 55 km, and the south Buckingham canal from Palavakkam to Marakkanam for a distance of 95 km. The central Buckingham canal is, however, not navigable due to the construction of the Mass Rapid Transport System, the sources added.

The width and depth of the canal has to be maintained as per IWAI guidelines. Terminals — either fixed or floating — would be constructed at Pulicat lake, Basin Bridge, Palavakkam, Cuddalore and Alamparai under the project, the sources said.

The Centre has envisaged development of inland water transport to provide efficient and cost-effective transportation as an alternative and supplementary mode to rail and road networks, where waterways exist.

Constructed by the British, the 420-km-long Buckingham Canal, connecting the natural backwaters along the coast and running parallel to it about a km inland, was once a major channel for trade and industry between Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. The first segment of the canal was built in 1806 from north Chennai to Ennore, and was extended subsequently. It was damaged by cyclones in 1965, 1966 and 1976, and sewage and industrial effluents are released into it, turning it into a dirty gutter.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Buckingham_to_be_revived_with_waterway_plan/articleshow/3118684.cms

New entries are added to the list of highrise in chennai.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated
[B]Sai Sarovar(Velachery) - 10 -Completed
KG Towers(Velachery) - 10 - Completed

Techcity! You can even add the following buildings to your list:

Metrozone buildings (not the Metrozone hotel tower) - 22 stories (UnderConstruction)
DLF Garden City (Semmancheri) (41 towers) - 20 stories
Chennai Tech Park (Ambattur) (3 towers) - 17 stories (UnderConstruction) :cheers:

^^
New entries are added to the list of highrise in chennai.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Metrozone buildings - 22 - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
DLF Garden City - 22(41) - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
Chennai Tech Park - 17(3) - UnderConstruction
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated
Sai Sarovar(Velachery) - 10 -Completed
KG Towers(Velachery) - 10 - Completed


Techcity! You can even add the following buildings to your list:

Metrozone buildings (not the Metrozone hotel tower) - 22 stories (UnderConstruction)
DLF Garden City (Semmancheri) (41 towers) - 20 stories
Chennai Tech Park (Ambattur) (3 towers) - 17 stories (UnderConstruction) :cheers:

Tube Investments launches eBikes

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=39843

Bicycle maker Tube Investments of India (TII), has ventured into the eBikes segment with the launch of three models -- BSA 250, BSA 500 and BSA 800. These eBikes, which will run in battery.


Priced in the range of Rs 23,000 to Rs 36,000, it would be marketed under the BSA brand. The low speed eBikes come with a top speed of 25kmph and high speed models up to 45kmph.


These new bikes will be manufactured at TII's Ambattur plant in Chennai. The company today inaugurated the manufacturing unit at an investment of Rs 20 crore, with a production capacity of 100 eBikes a day. The Ambattur plant will have facility for painting, assembly and testing of eBikes.


A company executive said that eBikes will effectively combat the rising fuel prices and would be a preferred option among the youth. Starting from September 2008 the company is planning to sell 4,000 to 5,000 eBikes a month, he said.

The present eBikes market in India is around Rs 450 crore and is expected to double in a year's time.


People who are below 18 years of age can also ride 250 watt eBike without any license and registration. These new models will need six to eight hours of charge to run 60 to 70 kilo meters. The company will also set up a dealer network with service stations in the lines of two wheeler industry. Recharge points will also come up in different parts of key cities.

DLF is 20 floors.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
Metrozone buildings - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
DLF Garden City - 20(41) - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
Chennai Tech Park - 17(3) - UnderConstruction
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated
Sai Sarovar(Velachery) - 10 -Completed
KG Towers(Velachery) - 10 - Completed

Subway connecting between Chennai Airport and Thirusulam railway station

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Photographs/2008/06/06/101/06_06_2008_101_002_003.jpg

um, isnt the ceiling a bit low ?

Urban road development project in 10 local bodies

T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI: Chennai, Madurai and Tiruchi are among the urban local bodies identified for the first phase of the Tamil Nadu Urban Roads Development Project.

Initially, the projects will be implemented in 10 local bodies for upgrading roads to international standards. Pavements, storm-water drains and ducts will be provided. The other local bodies are, Alandur, Valasaravakkam, Tiruneveli, Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladuthurai and Karur-Inam Karur.

A provision of Rs.1,000 crore was made in the budget. Though the list of the local bodies is provisional, officials of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department say the project will be taken up in the local bodies where the underground drainage project has been completed.

A special purpose vehicle may be set up and local bodies may enter into an agreement with it for carrying out the projects. The reason for the special purpose vehicle is that many local bodies do not have the expertise to lay world class roads.

A consultant for design, supervision and monitoring of the work will be appointed and will go into the details of existing roads in each local body. Future requirements, either in the area of roads or flyovers of vehicular subways, will be indicated. Maintenance of the improved roads for five years will be among the responsibilities of the executing agencies.

A Tamil Nadu urban road infrastructure fund will be created, and the State government will make substantial contributions.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/13/stories/2008061352170500.htm

Subway connecting between Chennai Airport and Thirusulam railway station

http://epaper.dinamalar.com/Web/Photographs/2008/06/06/101/06_06_2008_101_002_003.jpg

It has the entrances only in the both ends of the GST Road? or It leaves us inside the railway station and airport?

Projects - Estimated Cost (in Crores)

Ennore-Manali Express way formation of special purpose vehicle. - 38.00

Development of Second Container Terminal - 495.00

Port Connectivity Bridging Gap in EMRIP - 50.00

Dedicated Elevated Corridor on NH4 from Port to Maduravayal - IEBR - 400.00

Modernisation Of Chennai Port - 200.00

Creation of Additional Open Space - 60 Hectares - by reclamation - 150.00

Purchase of Land from CMDA and development of Back up area at Sathankadu near Manali - 50.00

Development of Ship Repair Facility - 100.00

Replacement of 8 nos. 10T Jessop Wharf Cranes - 36.00

Provision of Wind Mills Power Generator - 75.00

Development of Additional open storage yard - 30.00


source:http://www.ipa.nic.in/deve.htm

good :banana:

Avadi Metrowater project work to begin by August

K.Lakshmi

Process got delayed owing to an increase in cost of building materials

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Water supply will go up to 40.5 mld in two years

Cost is being revised as per new schedule of rates
------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: Work on a project to provide piped water supply to thousands of households in Avadi by Chennai Metrowater is all set to begin by August.

With the revision of schedule of rates, the tendering process for the nearly Rs.104-crore project is expected to begin shortly.

The process got delayed on account of increase in the cost of building materials. The tender would be finalised by July or early August.

On implementation of the project, water supply to Avadi would increase from the existing 40 litres per capita per day (lpcd) to 135 lpcd.

With the proposed distribution main pipeline running up to 330 km, the project would cover about 55,000 house service connections.

At present, using the existing network of pipelines water is supplied to public taps and through tanker lorries. About 80 tanker trips are operated to cater for about 3 lakh people. Most residents have to depend on groundwater resource or private water tankers to bridge the gap between the demand and supply.

Another official of the municipality said the proposed project would translate into an increase of water supply from the existing 4 million litres per day to 40.5 mld in two years. The project has been envisaged to meet the water needs of the estimated population in 2031.

Similarly, there has been a progress in the implementation of an underground drainage network scheme in Avadi. The 48 wards in the local body would be covered by the network.

The project cost is being revised as per the new schedule of rates.

Metrowater, the implementing agency, would call for tenders for this project soon. Work order is expected to be finalised by August, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/14/stories/2008061459190400.htm

source:http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/showxml.aspx?id=271859&code=17560
http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/1462008/DN_14-06-08_E1_02-01%20CNI.jpg
Mobile Toilet has been introduced in Alandur Nagarachi .Chennai corporation also planned to provide it.They have to spread up these facilities to all corporations.Govt atleast started thinking about people.
Alandur Nagarachi got it for the monthly rental of Rs 10000 from a Private company Ceramic Plastic,and maintanance will be done by the private company itself.I guess,it will be clean.

TechCity! Am adding few more buildings to your list with some updations/corrections (bold face). :cheers:

^^
New entries are added to the list of highrise in chennai.

# Building Name - Floors (Towers) - Status
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Palace Gardens Business Park - 35 - Proposed
Lanco Ville - 30 - UnderConstruction
TVH Ouranya Bay - 30 (6) - Approved
Metrozone Tower [Metrozone] - 30 - Approved
Metrozone buildings - 22 - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Upscale Egattur - 29 (6) - UnderConstruction
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 28 (4) - Approved
RR Skyline I - 24 - UnderConstruction
RR Skyline II - 24 - UnderConstruction
DLF Garden City - 20(41) - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park I - 22 - UnderConstruction
ETA Techno Park II - 22 - UnderConstruction
Olympia Opaline - 20 - UnderConstruction
Orchid Spring - 20 - Approved
New Secretariat - 20 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Lakeside - 18 - UnderConstruction
Estancia Hillside - 18 - Approved
Estancia Banyan - 18 - Approved
Jains Westminster - 18 - UnderConstruction
The Lumbini Square - 18 - Proposed
Chennai Tech Park - 17(3) - UnderConstruction
The Lords - 17 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Majestic Towers - 17 - Compleated
Narayanas Arihant Ocean Tower- 17 - Compleated
The Leela Palace - 16 - Proposed
Hiranandani Palace Gardens - 16 - Approved
Jains Saagarika - 15 - Completed
Purva Swanlake - 15 - UnderConstruction
Sterling Tower - 15 - Compleated
The Oberoi - 15 - UnderConstruction
Jains Ansruta - 14 - Completed
Crest [International Tech Park Chennai]- 14 - Completed
Sapna Trade Centre - 14 - Completed
Golden Altius - 14 - UnderConstruction
Ficus Grove - 14 - UnderConstruction
Blessings - 14 - UnderConstruction
SP Infocity - 14 - UnderConstruction
LIC Building - 14 - Completed
Jains Inseli Park - 13 - UnderConstruction
DivyaSree Point - 13 - UnderConstruction
Templeton - 13 - Completed
Dowlath Tower - 13 - Completed
Tidel Park - 13 - Completed
Ramco Building - 13 - Completed
Mantri Synergy - 13 - UnderConstruction
Arihant Galaxy - 13 - Completed
Arihant Vaikunt - 13 - Completed
Bascon Software Technology Park - 13 -Completed
Sanjivini Apartments - 12 - UnderConstruction
Gallery Apartments - 12 - Completed
Ega Trade Centre - 12 -Completed
Dayton Heights - 12 - UnderConstruction
Accord Metropolitan - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 1 - 12 - Completed
Belicia Towers 2 [Belicia Towers]- 12 - Completed
Chennai Central Suburban Railway Terminus - 12 -Completed
Chennai Port Trust Centenary Building- 12 -Completed
Janes Eiffel Garden - 12 - Completed
Regency Residency Regalia - 12 - Completed
Residency Hotel - 12 - Completed
Residency Towers - 12 - Completed
Prince Kushal Tower - 12 - Completed
Capitale - 12 - Compleated
Arihant Raja Bhavan - 12 - Completed
Arihant Sivasakthi - 12 - Completed
Orchid Tech Park - 12 - Approved
Raintree Place - 11 - Compleated
Savera Hotel - 11 - Compleated
Capital Towers - 11 - Compleated
Temenos Tower - 11 - Compleated
Orchid Towers - 11 - Compleated
Challa Mall - 11 - Compleated
Laurels I - 11 - UnderConstruction
Laurels II - 11 - UnderConstruction
[B]Karuna Tech Park (Ambattur) - 11 - UnderConstruction
Downing - 10 - Compleated
Sai Sarovar(Velachery) - 10 -Completed
KG Towers(Velachery) - 10 - Completed

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/15/images/2008061553990401.jpg
The proposed complex for modern State library building in Chennai.

Chennai: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi is likely to lay the foundation stone soon for the Rs.100-crore state-of-the-art library complex coming up in the city.

The design of the building has been finalised, School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu told The Hindu.

Explaining the salient features of the new library to be built by the State government, he said, “The modern library will provide easy access to poor students.” Science books, new publications, historical works and reference books still remained beyond the reach of the common people, he said.

The eight-storeyed library will come up on eight acres near the Government Data Centre in Kotturpuram.

Tender notification would be issued in July first week. Finalisation of contracts would be done in October first week and the work would begin in the second week.

The construction work was expected to be completed in April 2010.

All under one roof


“Our objective is to make it a complex where everything one looks for in the world of books will be available. There will also be a cyber café, a food court and a scholars’ hostel,” said the Minister. It would have a plinth area of 3,33,140 square ft.

Chief Minister Karunanidhi seems impressed with the design of the library. On June 10 while attending a book release function organised by Tamil Nadu Tamil Publishers Association, he said he was shown the design by the minister and expressed the hope that the library would be a treasure house of the Tamils.

“We want to ensure that every book written so far on Tamil Nadu and Tamils is available in the library. We have plans to approach all the libraries in the world to get a copy each of such books and stack them here. We will also obtain all microfilms available on Tamil Nadu,” Mr Thennarasu added.

The library would have a seating capacity of 1,250 persons, almost twice the capacity of the Connemara Public Library in Egmore.

There would be two conference halls on the ground floor, besides a Braille and Talking book section.

An amphitheatre would come up on the terrace.

The first floor would accommodate the children’s section, newspapers and periodicals, while Tamil books would be available on the second floor.

The third floor was exclusively for English books and the fourth floor for books in Dravidian languages (except Tamil) and other Indian languages.

Fifth floor was for back issues of newspapers and periodicals and the sixth floor for government documents. Donors’ collection, audio and video section would come up on the seventh floor. The eighth floor would accommodate rare books, a preserving unit, a photo library and a digital library.

“There will be a reading area in every section. We are also constructing a separate auditorium with a capacity of 1,280 persons in the library complex,” the Minister said. “It will resemble the famed National Library in Singapore in all aspects,” he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/15/stories/2008061553990400.htm

Emerging realty czar!

http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14694833

We are targeting some new and large projects; one of them in Bangalore is a 275-acre integrated development with a golf course, apartments, villa's row houses, mall, multiplex and a 5 star hotel in the project. We are also looking at a large 640 acre land parcel in Chennai which will have about 60,000 "budget homes" in the range of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 14 lakh. Some more projects are in the pipeline.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/15/images/2008061553990401.jpg


It looks very Nice.But i dont prefer Glass building for Library and Govt offices.
It is better to have design like chennai corporation building.

What happend to that old design?.It was looking like books stacked.It was posted in this forum only.

^^
some newspapers say its a legislative assembly cum secretariat :dunno:

I dont have renderings of the assembly building but i 've got the pics of proposed models of library building to be built in the Secretariat complex.

http://i29.tinypic.com/2gt51z8.jpg

Tuesday June 17 2008 09:52 IST

CHENNAI: The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) has undertaken a comprehensive transportation study for Chennai.

According to a press release, the 18-month-long study, under the ongoing World Bankfunded TNUDP-III, would provide a directional plan for the entire Chennai Metropolitan Area.

Commensurate with the trends in urban development, the study would assist in making judicious investments in road and transportation infrastructure.

The study assumes significance in the context of the Master Plan-II becoming operational shortly. CMDA has undertaken the study through Wilbur Smith Associates Pvt. Ltd.

The release said the study would encompass an exclusive set of traffic studies and surveys.

These would include roadside origin and destination surveys, traffic volume counts on all critical road links and intersections to capture the passenger travel characteristics of the metropolis, parking surveys, commercial vehicle surveys, intermediate public transport surveys, bus and rail commuters’ surveys and accident traffic analysis.

The enumerators engaged by Wilbur Smith Associates Pvt. Ltd. would be visiting the households selected on the 2 per cent sample and obtain their travel characteristics.

The CMDA has urged the public to extend necessary cooperation to the consultants in their tasks of collating the travel information.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920080616233109&Page=9&Title=Chennai&Topic=0&

Hi, Can anyone let me know the selling price per cent in madhuramangalam?, which is 9 kms away from sunguvachatram.

Airport acquisition in madhuramangalam?
Sipcot acquisition in madhuramangalam?

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu1&subLeft=1&autono=326424&tab=r

The US car maker will send a team to the state for feasibility study.

American car maker Chrysler is in talks with the Tamil Nadu government to set up a greenfield facility in the state. The company has agreed to send a team to Tamil Nadu to study the feasibility of the project in the state.

While the discussion with the Tamil Nadu government is at very early stage, a senior official in the government said that Chrysler was looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.The amount of investment could not be ascertained.

VROOMING FAST

Chrysler is looking at expanding its operations in Asia and India is one market the car maker is keen to enter.

Earlier, a team of senior officials from various state departments toured the US to woo investments.

Members of the TN team met Chrysler executives to brief them on the advantages of setting up their first plant in the state.
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Earlier this year, a team of senior officials from various departments, including the department of industry and information technology from the Tamil Nadu government, toured the United States to woo investments into the state. Members of the team met Chrysler executives to brief them on the advantages of setting up their first plant in Tamil Nadu.

The state government is embarking on an ambitious plan to sign MoUs for industrial projects worth Rs 30,000 crore this financial year. Government officials said that nearly 50 per cent of these would be in the automotive sector, while another 25 per cent could come from the electronic hardware segment.

Chrysler in one of the few global automotive companies that does not have a presence in India. Citroen of France and Proton of Malaysia, too, are yet to make their foray in India. Several times in the past, both companies indicated their keenness to enter India.

Sources in the government also said that since Chrysler separated from Germany's Daimler in mid-2007, the decision making process has become much faster and the likelihood of the American car manufacturer seeting shop in India is high.

In May 2007, Daimler AG sold 80 per cent stake in Chrysler to Cerberus Capital Management for $7.4 billion. The German car maker had paid $37 billion to buy the American brand nine years ago.

When Daimler and Chrysler were under the same management, Daimler's Indian executives had indicated that the only way the group would be able to look at bigger volumes in a country like India would be through the Chrysler brand. At that time, a price band of Rs 10-13 lakh was widely discussed. The intention, however, remained on paper.

The entry of Chrysler in Tamil Nadu would only for fuel the race between Chennai and the Mumbai-Pune corridor for getting the prized automobile investments in the respective states. Both centres enjoy the advantage of having ports and are fast emerging as the Detroits of India.

The recently announced large automobile investments in Maharastra came from Volkswagen, General Motors even as the existing capacities of Fiat, Tata Motors and Mahindra & Mahindra are being expanded.

On the other hand, Chennai managed seal big ticket projects like Nissan, Renault and Ashok Leyland. It is also believed that the light commercial vehicle (LCV) joint venture between Delhi-based Hero Group and Daimler AG will be set up in Tamil Nadu.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/City_to_have_3600_more_hotel_rooms/articleshow/3135732.cms

CHENNAI: After the non-availability of quality hotel space drove business travellers to serviced apartments, the hospitality industry is hitting the right notes by adding an estimated 3,600 rooms, which will come on stream from now up to 2010.

Upon the completion of the announced projects, Chennai will see the presence of all the big names in the global hospitality industry. For the record, the southern metropolis now has only 1,453 rooms in the luxury category between Radisson, Trident, Meridian, Chola, Park Sheraton, Connemara, Coromandel and The Park.

The renewed interest in the hospitality sector comes on the back of new projects, both in the manufacturing and services sectors that Tamil Nadu has planned.

CHENNAI: Australia will expand its presence in South India, with more government representation in Chennai that will showcase opportunities for Australian industry, High Commissioner John McCarthy said during a visit here on Tuesday.

“South India, and Chennai, is on the rise,” said Mr McCarthy, pointing to the potential for Australian companies in the construction industry, alongside those more established in automotive parts.

Talks with Australia over uranium supply may have stalled, but, Mr. McCarthy said, the new Australian government is looking to improve collaboration with India in developing other ‘clean’ energies: solar power, photovoltaic and low-carbon coal to reduce carbon dioxide emission. India and Australia were working as part of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate to accelerate technology and trade in sustainable development alternatives in a range of sectors, including aluminium and cement.

“There are many aspects to the relations between Australia and India: We are one of India’s biggest trading partners; we are the number six destination for exports; we supply over $10 billion worth of minerals and ores; and the second biggest destination for Indian students,” he said, stressing that the change in direction of Australia’s policy on nuclear energy was not aimed at India.

Preventing the sale of uranium to countries that were not signatories to the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty was part of the political platform upon which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was elected and was embedded in the Labour Party doctrine, he said.

The attitude of Australians to nuclear power, he said, was complicated; nuclear power is not used for domestic consumption at all.

Another area of increasing interest to the Australian government, Mr. McCarthy said, is education; with 62,000 Indians currently studying in Australia, it is now the second most favoured destination for higher education after the U.S. He said he was aware of some incidents of assault on Indian students.

Australia’s Foreign Minister had written to the premiers of South Australia and Victoria, he said, and the police and local authorities were taking action. Noting that it was sometimes difficult to tell racist attacks from hooligan opportunism, he said: “We take this issue very seriously.”

CHENNAI: It may soon be the end of the daily ordeal for motorists taking the battered Padi and Thiruninravur stretch of the Chennai Tiruvallur High Road as Ambattur and Avadi Municipalities have given consent for improvements to and widening of the road.

The project, to be taken up by the National Highways Authority of India, may, however, run into trouble as traders along the CTH Road, who would be affected by the land acquisition process, are likely to oppose it.

Both the municipalities gave their approval for the project, including acquisition of the additional land to widen the road up to 60 metres. Officials of both the local bodies said the decision was unanimously taken by the council members.

The progress in the proposal to widen the CTH Road, a crucial link to Andhra Pradesh, has brought cheer to the residents of various areas en route. Residents complained that several stretches of the busy road were in an appalling condition, particularly in Thirumullaivoyal. Despite repeated representations made to repair the crater-filled stretches, the road has seen little improvement in the past two years.

“I have little option than to bear the back-breaking ride on the CTH Road to reach my office in Chetpet. What used to be hardly 20-minute ride from Thirumullaivoyal to the Padi junction now takes nearly an hour, owing to the heavy traffic,” said Venkat Sriram, a resident of Thirumullaivoyal.

Accidents are a common feature of the CTH Road as the road, narrow in a few stretches, is also used by heavy vehicles. Residents recalled an accident sometime ago, which involved a motorcycle and tipper lorry in Padi that proved fatal for a young woman who rode pillion on the bike.

General secretary of People’s Voice Roy Rozario said that several stretches were accident-prone. At least four to five accidents on the CTH Road were reported in a month.

Vice-president of Tamil Nadu Progressive Consumer Centre T. Sadagopan said commuters in share-autorickshaws face the risk of being thrown off the vehicles on the bumpy stretches.

On the other hand, the project proposal has disheartened a section of traders. State general secretary of Tamil Nadu Traders’ Federation K.Mohan said that about 25,000 traders along the CTH Road would be affected.

“We have decided to co-operate for widening the road up to 75 feet. We may have to oppose the project in case of adverse impact on traders,” he said.

An NHAI official said that as the local bodies had agreed to widen the road up to 60 metres, the project on the 22-km stretch would be taken up at the ground-level instead of creating an elevated corridor. At least 45 metres of space was needed for the project to take off. Land acquisition for the project, to be implemented on the ‘build-operate and transfer’ basis, would begin shortly, he added.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061860980400.htm

CHENNAI: Varun Industries, largest exporter of stainless steel cookware, kitchenware, houseware and other utility items, is entering the domestic market with the opening of its first retail store.

Addressing presspersons here on Tuesday, Kailash Agarwal, Joint Managing Director, said Varun Retail, a division of Varun Industries, would open its first retail store under the brand name ‘Varun Premium Kitchenware and More” on Wednesday in T. Nagar, Chennai. The showroom would display over 300 premium items that included high quality non-stick cookware which would cater to different segments of people. Chennai was the first of the nine stores planned by August this year.

He said the company was anticipating increased business activity in the south and hence established a large showroom in Chennai. In its smaller stores, to be opened in other States, Varun plans to offer a limited collection of exquisitely crafted pieces.

Exports
Varan Industries, which has a wide range of 1,500 varieties of kitchenware, houseware, tableware, cutlery and other items, was exporting its products mainly to the U.S., European Union, Far East and Australia, Africa and West Asia.

The company has a manufacturing unit in Vasi, Maharashtra, and a steel re-rolling plant in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The company has diversified into high-growth areas such as oil and natural gas, wind energy and mining.

CHENNAI: Over 420 companies would participate in the eighth edition of the five International Auto Components and Machines Tools Exhibition, beginning on June 19.
The comanies include those from China, Hong Kong, France, Germanu, Israel, Italy, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK and USA.
The biennial exhibition, organised by Ambattur Industrial Estate Manufactueres Assocaition (AIEMA) and AIEMA Technology Centre, had attracted more exhibitors than last time in 2006, when only 350 companies participated, exhibition convener D Ravi and Dilip Kumbhat, AIEMA president, told on Tuesday.

The exhibition area also represented an increase by 42 pc this year, they said.

Eighty per cent of the participants were from small and medium sector, they said adding that the theme of the exhibition had been selected as 'an opportunity for growth'.

A buyer-seller meet for auto component industry was also being organised during the exhibition.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Auto_Components/International_Auto_components_tool_expo_from_June_19/articleshow/3138092.cms

Chennai becoming a Giant in "Auto -Mobile" Industries! :banana:

CHENNAI: It may soon be the end of the daily ordeal for motorists taking the battered Padi and Thiruninravur stretch of the Chennai Tiruvallur High Road as Ambattur and Avadi Municipalities have given consent for improvements to and widening of the road.



http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/18/stories/2008061860980400.htm

Raj,

Let us post the road project works in ORR/IRR/Bye-pass and road construction thread.

Sujana Towers buys 51 pct stake in Mauritius firm

http://in.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idINBMB00201220080618

MUMBAI, June 18 (Reuters) - Power and telecom towers maker Sujana Towers Ltd (SUTO.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday it has bought 51 percent in Mauritius-based Telesuprecon Ltd, which executes telecom infrastructure projects in east and central Africa.

Sujana will subscribe to new equity shares issued by Telesuprecon, which is in advanced stages of negotiations for securing contracts worth $40 million to be executed over the next 12-21 months, the company said in a statement.

Separately, the company said it will invest 1.5 billion rupees in a new facility in Chennai in southern India.

http://www.expresstravelworld.com/200806/market04.shtml

Eicher to expand Royal Enfield plant capacity

http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14697439

Chennai: Riding the increase in sales of its lifestyle bikes Bullet, Thunderbird, and Electra, Eicher Motors Ltd will increase the production capacity at the Royal Enfield division, a top official said.

"We will be investing Rs 25 crore to expand the Royal Enfield's Chennai plant capacity by 20,000 units to 60,000 per annum," Royal Enfield chief executive R.L. Ravichandran told the media here Wednesday.

Launching a new model Thunderbird Twinspark 350cc (priced at Rs.130,000), he said the company is targeting a 20 per cent growth at its Royal Enfield two-wheeler division this fiscal.

Last year, the division sold 39,00 units - domestic and exports put together. "We exported 26,000 vehicles," said Eicher Motors managing director and chief executive Siddhartha Lal.

Ravichandran said while the traditional Royal Enfield bikes sported external clutch and gearbox, the new UCE will have the engine, clutch and gearbox integrated in a common crankcase space.

"By 2010 other models - Machismo, Electra and the Bullet 350 - will be powered by UCE," he added.

Royal Enfield will also launch the UCE 500 electronic fuel injection (EFI) at auto shows in Cologne, Germany, and Birmingham, UK.

Get Stock expert advice on your mobile

Currently, the division exports Bullet Electra EFI and is the first two-wheeler manufacturer in India to produce and sell a Euro-III-compliant motorcycle.

Queried about the company's strategy to meet the entry of high-powered big two-wheeler brands, Lal said: "We don't expect the new players affecting our market. On the other hand it would only grow the overall market size."

Thanks for an overwhelming series of good news Raj Network, Senthil and Subra! :)

Special Correspondent

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

Natural gas is perceived to be “most economical” for industrial and domestic use

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

MADURAI: A pipeline from Chennai to Tuticorin as a first step towards providing natural gas all over the State in order to infuse a competitive edge into the industry when crude oil prices are showing an uptrend has been mooted by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

In a statement issued here, the president of the chamber, S. Rethinavelu, said that there was an imperative need to accelerate use of alternative energy to sustain industrial and economic growth.

Among other energy sources, natural gas was perceived to be the best and the “most economical” for industrial and domestic use.

Tamil Nadu, the Chamber president said, should be in a position to get natural gas as and when its neighbouring States got it.

Otherwise, commercial competitiveness of the State’s industry would be lost, leading to shutting down of many units, he cautioned.

Pointing out that oil and gas reserves were available in the Cauvery basin and Ramanathapuram district, Mr. Rethinavelu said that when efforts to bring natural gas from outside the country were completed the most beneficial States would be the ones that had infrastructural facilities in place.

State Government initiatives needed


The State Government, on its own or by joining hands with others, should take initiatives to lay a pipeline network, along with an appropriate distribution system.

Any delay in this effort would have a negative impact on industrial growth, he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/19/stories/2008061955120600.htm

Ashok Leyland (ALL), the country's second largest commercial vehicle maker, may sell shares to stakeholders to fund its joint ventures with Japan's Nissan.


The Chennai-based company may raise a part of the required Rs 600 crore equity investments for the south Indian joint ventures by selling shares, K Sridharan, CFO, Ashok Leyland said at an analyst meet.

"We are looking to raise part or full amount for our equity participation in the Nissan joint venture. We will incentivise our shareholders by providing some kind of entitlement," he said. "We may list the venture later.''

Ashok Leyland and Nissan agreed to set up a joint venture in 2007 to build LCVs at an estimated investment of Rs 2,400 crore. The two companies will invest Rs 600 crore each as equity and arrange the remaining Rs 1,200 crore through debt.

Ashok Leyland is yet to decide on its fund-raising strategy, but is considering a preferential share issue, rights issue and convertible bonds. The company is also looking at having a holding company as it considers the three separate JV companies as one entity.

The company had formed three JV companies with Japan's third largest auto making company Nissan early this year. These companies will look at manufacturing vehicles and powertrain and technology development.

The first of the companies, Ashok Leyland Nissan Vehicles (ALNVPL) will be a light commercial vehicle manufacturing company, owned 51 per cent by ALL and remaining by Nissan. This company will produce 100,000 units in the first phase. It will make 8 LCV models in the range of 1.25-3 tonnes. These will be both passenger and goods carriers and will be rolled out by 2010-11.

Nissan Ashok Leyland Powertrain (NALPPL) will be the powertrain making company, where Nissan will hold 51 per cent and ALL will own the remaining 49 per cent.

The third company will be a technology development company called Nissan Ashok Leyland Technologies (NALTPL), which will be equally owned by ALL and Nissan.

Ashok Leyland is planning to invest Rs 3,000 crore over the next three years for product development and technology upgradation, mainly in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle businesses.

The company is looking to augment its capacity to 184,000 units by 2010 from the current 84,000 units, by utilising the amount of Rs 850 crore raised through external commercial borrowing (ECB) in January and funding the remaining requirements through internal accruals.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?tab=r&autono=326427&subLeft=1&leftnm=1

After an elaborate review of the Ramanathapuram Combined Drinking Water Supply project, the Chief Minister wanted the scheme to be completed by April 2009. The schedule for building the new Assembly complex was detailed at the meeting. It was decided to begin construction by October 2008 and complete it by March 2010.

Work on the Rs.100-crore library would also commence in October 2008 and end by March 2010.

Chennai would get a great facelift with the completion of work on the Adyar park by 2010 December.

The beautification of the Marina beach would be completed by January 2009.:cheers:

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062050140100.htm

Central nod for compost yard project

Tenders to be floated for the Rs.44-crore project once the State gives administrative sanction

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/20/images/2008062060420401.jpg
GIVEN APPROVAL: The proposed compost yard in Venkatamangalam near Vandalur.

TAMBARAM: The Union Ministry of Urban Development has given its nod for the much-awaited modern integrated compost yard for Alandur, Pallavaram and Tambaram municipalities at Venkatamangalam village near Vandalur.

Speaking from New Delhi after a meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee of the Ministry concluded on Thursday evening, engineers of the State government’s Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply told The Hindu that tenders would soon be floated for the Rs.44-crore project, once the State government gave its administrative sanction.

About 256 tonnes of garbage was generated everyday in the three municipalities and at present, they were dumped on sites at Pallikaranai (for Alandur), Ganapathypuram (Pallavaram) and Kannadapalayam (Tambaram). The plan was to convert these spots into transit points for collecting and shifting degradable waste to the proposed Venkatamanalam compost yard.

The delay in the project was that the earlier Detailed Project Report was prepared based on “In Vessel” technology using closed chambers to compost through an aerobic process. As this system was still under research, it was not considered, engineers said.

The sanctioned project would use “general composting in sheds covered at top.”

While the Central government would bear 35 per cent of the project cost, the State government would contribute 15 per cent and the three municipalities’ would share the rest. The project would be executed on a public-private-partnership basis.

It would have two packages. The first package — collections and disposal — would be handled by the municipalities. The second package would include construction of transit station and compost plant and development of sanitary landfill, engineers said.

The project would come up on a 50-acre site, which was purchased by the Department of Municipal Administration and Water Supply. Encroachments were removed in 2006 and after preliminary work, there was no progress and the latest development is a welcome measure, engineers added.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/20/stories/2008062060420400.htm

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=40647

Chennia-based SPEL Semiconductor Ltd has dropped plans for setting up Special Economic Zone (SEZs) due to its inability to execute such projects.

It has decided to approach the Government of India with representation to withdrawcancel approval granted to SEZ project, the company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange today.

The board of IC assembly and test company took decision on June 20, 2008 to approach the government with request to cancel the approval.
The company did not elaborate on reasons for dropping plans for the project.
SPEL Semiconductor had received nod in June 2007 to set up SEZ Chennai to develop facilities for IT hardware manufacturing.

:ohno:

Thanks for an overwhelming series of good news Raj Network, Senthil and Subra! :)

Add your name and Arul Murugan's as well. This forum is indebted to you all for your contribution.

Add your name and Arul Murugan's as well. This forum is indebted to you all for your contribution.

My contribution is much less when compared to Arul Murugan and others. Thanks Arasu anyway.:)

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government is getting into a proactive mode to attract investments. Over the next two weeks, the state is likely to sew up blockbuster manufacturing projects for products ranging from advanced cellphone networks to commercial vehicles. It begins with chief minister M Karunanidhi signing an MoU on June 26 with Nokia Siemens Networks, which will set up a facility for managing high-end networks of cellphone companies.

On June 28, an MoU would be signed with Belgium Hansen Drives, a manufacturer of windmills and related components, which will be followed by one with ATC Tyres on June 30. The agreement with the Daimler-Hero combine will be signed on July 7


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/TN_goes_into_overdrive_to_sign_mega_project_deals/articleshow/3158715.cms

Ford to invest $500 mn in India by 2010


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News_by_Industry/Ford_to_invest_500_mn_in_India/articleshow/3160682.cms


KOLKATA: Ford India Pvt. Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of global auto major Ford Motors Co., will invest $500 million to set up a small car production facility and an engine manufacturing unit in India by 2010, a senior company official said here Tuesday.


He said the new engine manufacturing facility would be constructed adjacent to the existing plant near Chennai. Both petrol and Ford's next generation diesel engines would be manufactured here.


Wark said the car plant capacity would be doubled to 2,00,000 annually, while the initial annual production capacity of the engine manufacturing unit is planned for 250,000 units, with the first engines coming off assembly by 2010," he said.

Chennai Port Achieves Highest ever Turnover in 2007-08 of Rs. 890.40 crore

http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=39775

The turnover of Chennai Port has increased from Rs. 413.51 crore to Rs.890.40 crore, a record 115.3% increase in 2007-08 over 2003-04. This was revealed at a review meeting of performance and development projects of Chennai Port Trust taken by the Union Minister of Shipping, Road, Transport and Highways, Thiru. T.R. Baalu here today. The increased turnover has enabled the Port to take up larger number of capacity augmentation projects.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of the proposed mega terminal at Chennai with a draft of 22 Meter which is coming up with an investment of Rs. 3105 crores to handle ultra large container ships of 18,000 TEU at the Port. Thiru Baalu was informed that the project has generated considerable interest among the prospective bidders and nearly 40 private players have participated in the pre-bid meeting.

Regarding construction of a Dry Port (Container Freight Station) at Sriperumbudur, the Minister directed the officials to get in touch with the State Government for allotment of 100 acres of land and also get the feasibility study done for construction of elevated corridor from Maduravoyal to proposed dry port in order to have a seamless movement of cargo. This is one of the three Container Freight Stations planned by Chennai Port Trust.

The forthcoming plans of Chennai Port include RoRo Terminal and multi-level car parking for export of cars from the Port and developing a cruise terminal in Chennai for domestic and international tourists. The Minister also directed that the Second Container Terminal with a capacity of 1.3 million TEUs, which is under construction with an investment of Rs.495 crore must be completed within this year itself. With the operationalisation of this Container Terminal, Chennai Port’s position as hub port for containers on the east coast would be further strengthened.

Chennai’s Anna International Airport, to commence work on second domestic terminal within two months

Residents oppose expansion of existing airport


http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=3098&sid=36


Chennai’s Anna International Airport, will commence work on the construction of the second domestic terminal, within the next two months and is expected to be completed in 28 months. “It will have two-level terminals with departure area on first floor and arrival area on ground floor covering 67,000 sq. meters. It will also have three aerobridges, Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) terminals and other state-of-the-art facilities,” informed Dinesh Kumar, Airport Director, Chennai International Airport. Further, an aerobridge will be added to the international arrival terminal, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. Apart from this, four aerobridges will be constructed in both, domestic and international terminals.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to invest Rs 1,800 crore, for extending the second runway of the existing airport and overall expansion. The Government of Tamil Nadu is still in the process of acquiring land for this extension, partly owing to protests from residents, whose lands are within the area set aside for acquisition. According to the residents, expansion of the airport will cause floods during rainy season. Excess water from the Chembarampakkam Lake (which is seven km near the proposed site) that is let out into the Adyar River causes floods in the airport land every year. The extension of the second runway across the Adyar River is expected to cause more floods in localities close to the airport. According to official sources, from an annual growth rate of 11 per cent in 2001-2002, passenger movement in Chennai has shot up to 51 per cent in 2006-2007. The international passenger traffic handled by Chennai airport in 2006-07 was 2.80 million compared to 2.60 million in 2005-06.

I got this link from google,http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/04/17/stories/2003041700461700.htm,which states that foundation stone for Central Egmore link was laid on April 2003.

After that what happened?

I got this link from google,http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2003/04/17/stories/2003041700461700.htm,which states that foundation stone for Central Egmore link was laid on April 2003.

After that what happened?

It is as good as dropped due to several reasons. One being safety factor

...

With two proposed metro lines passing through (or near) Chennai Central, the Central-Egmore link is unlikely.

With two proposed metro lines passing through (or near) Chennai Central, the Central-Egmore link is unlikely.

Chennai’s Anna International Airport, to commence work on second domestic terminal within two months

Residents oppose expansion of existing airport


http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=3098&sid=36


Chennai’s Anna International Airport, will commence work on the construction of the second domestic terminal, within the next two months and is expected to be completed in 28 months. “It will have two-level terminals with departure area on first floor and arrival area on ground floor covering 67,000 sq. meters. It will also have three aerobridges, Common Use Terminal Equipment (CUTE) terminals and other state-of-the-art facilities,” informed Dinesh Kumar, Airport Director, Chennai International Airport. Further, an aerobridge will be added to the international arrival terminal, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2008. Apart from this, four aerobridges will be constructed in both, domestic and international terminals.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning to invest Rs 1,800 crore, for extending the second runway of the existing airport and overall expansion. The Government of Tamil Nadu is still in the process of acquiring land for this extension, partly owing to protests from residents, whose lands are within the area set aside for acquisition. According to the residents, expansion of the airport will cause floods during rainy season. Excess water from the Chembarampakkam Lake (which is seven km near the proposed site) that is let out into the Adyar River causes floods in the airport land every year. The extension of the second runway across the Adyar River is expected to cause more floods in localities close to the airport. According to official sources, from an annual growth rate of 11 per cent in 2001-2002, passenger movement in Chennai has shot up to 51 per cent in 2006-2007. The international passenger traffic handled by Chennai airport in 2006-07 was 2.80 million compared to 2.60 million in 2005-06.


3 aerobridghes!!, should we call this an expansion ? how many aerobridge does chennai airport has right now?

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?tab=r&autono=327067&subLeft=1&leftnm=1

Shirdi Industries Ltd is setting up a manufacturing plant in Chennai.

The company is setting up its new plant, with an investment of Rs 35 crore. The Chennai operation is likely to improve the competitive edge of the company in the southern part of the country. The plant is expected to start operation in the 3rd quarter of FY 08-09

I am confused. Wasn,t chennai planning to have a new integrated terminal, the renderings of which were put up sometime ago and appreciated by most? Is this different from that?

http://dkn.dinakaran.co.in/2662008/DN_26-06-08_E6_15-01%20CNI.jpg

^^Chennai: The Chennai Corporation will renovate Panagal Park in T. Nagar at the cost of Rs.1.2 crore.

The park, which covers eight acres, is to have three entry points. Fountains, small ponds, children’s play areas, walkways and landscaped lawns would be some of the features of the park. The park’s lush greenery has become more visible in the last few months after the Corporation removed unauthorised hoardings around it.

Last year, the civic body created new parks and renovated old ones including Nesapakkam park, Turnbulls Road park, Haddows Road park and a park opposite the Valluvar Kottam. Natesan park and Anna Nagar Tower park are being renovated now.

Lakshmi and Sujitha, students of environmental science at Anna University, have been visiting the old parks in the city to study the natural ecosystem. The parks are home to a plenty of birdlife and need to be protected, said Ms Sujitha.

They have spotted moorhens, which are aquatic birds, in the Tower Park and urged the Corporation to clean the pond and fence it off to let fish thrive.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/26/stories/2008062658790300.htm

Caterpillar to invest $200 million for expansion

BS Reporter / Mumbai June 26, 2008, 17:31 IST

Earthmover machinery maker Caterpillar is planning to invest $200 million in the next four years to increase its manufacturing facility in India. The new investment comes as part of its strategic plan to increase its manufacturing footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.

Company's announcement to increase engine and machinery production in India was made by Jim Owens, chairman and chief executive officer, Caterpillar during his visit to Caterpillar's India facilities.
In a release the company said it will invest significantly to increase production of off-highway trucks made at its facility near Chennai. These trucks are used for coal and other mining applications in India. The company is also planning to expand engine production at its facility in Hosur, adding production of the Caterpillar 3508 engine.

Caterpillar is also planning to invest in backhoe loaders production in India. The backhoe loader is used in construction machines. The company is also studying ways to increase its range of products made in India, with the possibility of building additional manufacturing facilities to meet demand for other earth-moving products.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=40918

Nokia Siemens plans Rs 300-cr plant near Chennai

Nokia Siemens Networks Ltd, a subsidiary of Nokia Siemens Networks B.V., Netherlands, plans to set up a Rs 300 crore manufacturing facility for telecommunication products near Chennai.

Sipcot estate


According to an official press release, the company will set up the project at the Sipcot industrial estate at Oragadam about 50 km to the west of Chennai.

The unit will generate over 400 jobs directly and about 100 indirect jobs.

The company will invest Rs 300 crore over the next three years. It signed an agreement to this effect with the Tamil Nadu Government.

Telecom equipment hub


Along with units set up by Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, the Nokia Siemens Networks’ facility will reinforce Chennai’s position as a telecom equipment manufacturing hub, the release said.

Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the top three companies in communications services offering network infrastructure solutions and telecommunications equipment vendor.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062750161100.htm

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062752571000.htm

Chennai, June 24 Mastek Ltd will invest Rs 60 crore in the first phase of its 15-acre software delivery centre in Mahindra City — 45 km south of Chennai.

The first building will be ready by September, and three more are to be constructed in phases. When completed, the facility will have 7,000 employees working for Mastek in four years.

In the first phase, Mastek plans to have around 1,500 employees. Chennai will be the future growth for Mastek in terms of delivery centre in India. The Chennai facility will work on insurance and government sectors — two major focus areas for Mastek.

There is no space left in Mumbai and Pune for expansion and Chennai was the first choice due to the presence of good talent, according to the company’s Group CFO and Director Finance, Mr R.S. Desikan.

At present, the Rs 810-crore company has 4,000 employees globally. It has two centres in Mumbai; one in Pune; two in the UK and three in the US, he told newspersons.

Mr Desikan said the integration of the US-based System’s Task Group, which Mastek’s US subsidiary MajescoMastek acquired in March, was fully over.

In July 2007, the subsidiary acquired a 90 per cent stake in Vector Insurance Services, a US-based technology solutions provider and third party administrator. The balance 10 per cent stake is with TransAmerica, he said.

Caterpillar to invest $200 million for expansion


http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=10&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=40918

Great news in the automobile front!! TN govt is planning to get 30,000 crores of investments this year and about 50% is targetted from auto industry.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/27/stories/2008062761121200.htm

Taipei Plas 2008 will be held in October

CHENNAI: To help Indian manufacturers find the right partners in machine tools, plastics and information, communication and technology (ICT), the Taiwan World Trade Centre will conduct three international conferences from September 2008 to March 2009 in Taiwan and Chennai.

Addressing businessmen at a seminar on Taiwan’s machinery and ICT industry here on Thursday, Herben Wu, Director of the Taipei World Trade Centre, said Taipei Plas 2008 would be held in October and Taipei International Machine Tool Show (TIMTOS) 2009 during March in Taiwan, while Taipei International Electronics (Taitronics) India 2008 would be held at Chennai Trade Centre in September this year.

Latest offerings

The first trade fair will showcase the latest offerings in plastics and rubber processing, printing, engineering components, auxiliary components, while TIMTOS will showcase the latest metal-cutting machines, CNC machine tools, metal forming machines, machine tool parts and accessories, foundry, forging, welding and cutting equipment.

Taitronics will feature the latest in consumer electronics, wireless/broadband communication, electric appliances and machinery, electronics components, auto parts and accessories.

Largest trade partner

Hong, Deputy Executive Director, TAITRA Exhibition Department, said: “India is the largest trade partner for Taiwan in South Asia. Both the nations have already established strong trade relationship. ”

Taiwan trade officials said they expected TIMTOS 2009 to be bigger than the previous edition, with 800 exhibitors and 4,500 booths, while Taipei Plas 2008 would see 400 exhibitors setting up 2,465 stalls.

More info about adayar eco park can be found from the link
http://www.adyarpoonga.com/

saw this on http://www.tvh.in

http://www.tvh.in/images/Upcoming_Projects/Adyar.jpg

M.K. Stalin reviews the Rs. 19.7-crore project

The work, spanning over 58 acres of the park, is being carried out by the Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants

CHENNAI: The first phase of the Adyar Poonga (Adyar Park) ecological restoration will be completed by December 2010.

The work, spanning over 58 acres of the park, is being carried out by the Pitchandikulam Forest Consultants, Auroville, an organisation involved in eco-restoration projects, according to a senior government official.

It was entrusted to the company earlier this month.

On Friday, Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin inspected the site and reviewed the progress of the Rs.19.7-crore work with officials, including K.Deenabandu, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary, Vikram Kapur, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services, and Leena Nair, Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Secretary.

Second phase


The second phase will cover the remaining 300 acres of the park and IL & FS Eco Smart has been assigned the task of preparing a master plan.

Cost


The total cost of the project has been estimated at Rs.100 crore.

Events concerning environmental education will be organised at the proposed park.

A mobile exhibition, Adyar Park Bus, will be held.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/28/stories/2008062859300500.htm

Hope the park would be as good as New York's Central Park :banana:

TNPL plans to develop IT park

It will lease out its land to major companies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A built-up area of 3.5 lakh-4.5 lakh square feet will be available

Company has called for expression of interest from property developers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd (TNPL) plans to develop an information technology park on a 3.5-acre plot in the Ambattur Industrial Estate near here.

The TNPL, a profit-making paper and newsprint manufacturer owned by the State government, wants to make the best use of its land by leasing it out to major IT companies for developing a park. A built-up area, estimated to be 3.5 lakh-4.5 lakh square feet, will be available in the park.

More at http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063059591000.htm

There is no point in posting the same news in multiple threads! Take it as a friendly suggestion :)

TNPL plans to develop IT park

It will lease out its land to major companies

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A built-up area of 3.5 lakh-4.5 lakh square feet will be available

Company has called for expression of interest from property developers
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Newsprint and Papers Ltd (TNPL) plans to develop an information technology park on a 3.5-acre plot in the Ambattur Industrial Estate near here.

The TNPL, a profit-making paper and newsprint manufacturer owned by the State government, wants to make the best use of its land by leasing it out to major IT companies for developing a park. A built-up area, estimated to be 3.5 lakh-4.5 lakh square feet, will be available in the park.

More at http://www.hindu.com/2008/06/30/stories/2008063059591000.htm

There is no point in posting the same news in multiple threads! Take it as a friendly suggestion :)

I value your feedback ChennaiChap! Thought this was relavant both in the IT projects thread and in the Chennai Projects Update thread. That's why! Also I thought of posting this in the Chennai Discussion thread, but thankfully I refrained (somehow) from doing so. Thanks for the suggestion!:)

As listed above a project in adyar by TVH.Check their upcomming progects in www.tvh.in.All the projects is very big.The most notable ones are intergrated township in Tambaram(100 acres),township at pondy(500 acres).
The new road which will see huge development in future is the vandalur-oragadam road.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/03/stories/2008070350940400.htm

Chennai, July 2 iGATE Corporation, which recently delisted its subsidiary from the Indian stock exchanges, has said it is expanding its delivery capability in Chennai.

In addition to the existing two facilities of over one lakh sq ft in the city, the company will add a new 1.16 lakh sq. ft facility in the Special Economic Zone at DLF Info City on the outskirts of Chennai. (The company typically uses 110 sq ft of space per seat, so a one lakh sq ft facility should house just over 900 people.)
The first phase of the new facility would become operational in the last quarter of 2008. iGATE plans to hire about 500 employees in Chennai in the next two years, which would take its Chennai headcount to over 1,200 employees.

The company is spending about $ 7.85 million in infrastructure and technology at the new, leased premises. In Bangalore, the company is adding 350,000 sq ft of space to the existing 400,000 sq ft. Its investments in that new facility would amount to $ 30 million. It is also spending $4 million in a 65,000 sq ft facility coming up at Hyderabad.

Centre of Excellence


The new Chennai facility is to house a centre of excellence targeting clients in the media and entertainment space. The team here would build frameworks and tools that would enhance productivity for clients. Its solutions here include digital rights management; content management; workflow applications; revenue management and applications for casinos’ back office operations.

Asked about the impact of the economic slowdown in the US, Mr Phaneesh Murthy, CEO, iGATE , said that clients are spending on projects that help save costs; while servicing existing end-customers is a priority, new initiatives are not seen with enthusiasm. “Spending is directed at projects that increase efficiency.”

Commenting on US elections round the corner, Mr Murthy said, “It matters little who comes to power in the US since the Indian IT industry has seen good growth through 16 years, half of which saw the Republicans in power.”

But between Mr Obama and Mr McCain, he said, “I would prefer McCain, since Obama’s policies tend towards protectionism”. He added that no government can directly impact outsourcing but tighter controls on security or data privacy fronts could impact service providers in the short-term.

iGATE registered revenues of $ 307 million in 2007 and ended the year with over 7,000 employees.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has appointed a Chennai-based consultant for preparing tender documents, floating and evaluating them besides recommending selection of bidder for the underwater world aquarium project to be constructed at Muttukadu on the East Coast Road.

The Rs.150-crore project will come up on 15 acres of land adjoining Dakshinchitra, made available by the TTDC on a 30-year lease arrangement.

Apart from the concessionaire bearing the project cost, the market value of the land has to be paid by the concessionaire upfront to the Government besides a minimum 3 per cent share in the gross turnover earned from this project to be paid by concessionaire to the TTDC every year, according to the Commissioner of Tourism and Managing Director of TTDC, M. Rajaram.

“We are going as per schedule”, Mr. Rajaram said.

“The state-of-the-art underwater world aquarium project initiated under the public-private partnership mode and modelled on the lines of Sentosa Island underwater world attraction in Singapore will become a star tourist attraction on the entertainment corridor on the outskirts of Chennai,” Mr.Rajaram added.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/03/stories/2008070359250500.htm

Kudos to TTDC! This project, if scored equal with the one in Singapore, will be another feather in Chennai's crown and will boost tourism to a supposedly unimaginable level! But care should be taken not to disturb the marine ecology, and it should match well with international standards.

Surely, this will make Chennai the leading tourism destination.:banana:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Arena_launches_Animation_Studios_in_Chennai/articleshow/3190679.cms

CHENNAI: Arena Animation, the Global leader in Animation and Multimedia training launched Animation Studios at Arena’s Vadapalani and Anna Nagar centres, which offer Arena’s hi end Animation Engineering (DAE)program.

Addressing a Press Conference at Chennai, Mr R Krishnan, Executive Director, Aptech Ltd said, “The hi-tech Animation Studios are being launched with an aim to enable the students of Animation Engineering (DAE) to undergo intensive training in Animation related subjects. The state-of-the-art studios are equipped to train students on the latest Animation & Special Effects and offer them hands-on training in highly advanced animation technology, equipping them for the ever-evolving & challenging world of multimedia & animation.”

The studios will facilitate live projects and intensive industry interaction for the DAE students.

Each studio has hi-end apparatus & facilities such as DV Cams, Green Matt room for compositing & visual effects, Animation light boxes, Hi-end scanners, Hi-end Editing software etc, and the students will be allowed to handle them personally, enabling them to understand the techniques involved in the various stages of SFX such as pre-production, production and post-production.

The students will also get to work on real-time projects involving hi-end multimedia technology giving them the professional edge that is needed in the intensely competitive world of animation and designing. Highly experienced faculty at each centre enables the students to understand & learn the finer nuances of animation.

The course offers a dynamic career in the explosively expanding industry of computer animation, used extensively in television/films, animated simulation rides and walk-throughs, computer games, and digital environments.

On completion of this course, students will be able to choose from an array of exciting career options such as 2D animator, 3D animator, computer animation effects specialist, technical directors, technical animators, effects animators, effects developers, graphics programmers, games developers etc.

Mr Krishnan also inaugurated a centre of Arena at T Nagar today. He also awarded the certificates for the first batch of students who passed out of Arena Animation Centre at Chrompet.

Arena’s presence in Chennai is marked by centres at Adyar, Chrompet, Kilpauk and Mylapore, besides T Nagar, Anna Nagar & Vadapalani.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/05/stories/2008070551342100.htm

Chennai, July 4

Bilateral trade between India and Thailand will cross $10 billion by 2010 when the FTA between the two economies is expected to be fully implemented, said Mr Viroon Thejapaibul, Deputy Minster of Commerce, Thailand.

He said there was a very cordial trade relationship between the two countries and this will only be strengthened over a period. “The trade between us has grown from around $3 billion in 2003 to over $4.7 billion in 2007. This will more than double to cross $10 billion by 2010,” he said.

According to Mr Suphot Yanthukij, Consul-General, Royal Thai Consulate, Chennai, tourism and education are the other areas of interest between the two countries. There are over 1,600 Thai students studying here. The two countries exchange a lot of tourists. Particularly after the visa on arrival facility announced by the Thailand Government, the number of Indian tourists has gone up substantially. A majority of them are on business visits, said Mr Yanthukij.

Inaugurating the sixth edition of Thailand Trade Exhibition – Destination Thailand, 2008, here at Chennai Trade Centre, the Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr Surjit Singh Barnala, said the cultural ties between Indian and Thailand date back to several centuries. In ancient Indian literature, Thailand is referred to as Swarnabhumi or the Golden Land, he recalled.

He also said the programme of cooperation in science and technology, bio-technology and the MoUs on cooperation in the field of agricultural science stand testimony to Indo-Thai relations.

Many Indian companies such as the Aditya Birla Group, Tata Motors, Tata Steel, Ranbaxy, Infosys and Satyam Computers have started their offices in Thailand, he pointed out.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/DQ_Entertainment_opening_production_centres_in_Mumbai__Chennai/rssarticleshow/3198700.cms

MUMBAI: In a bid to enter the Indian television space, Hyderabad-based DQ Entertainment (DQE) is opening two production centres in Mumbai and Chennai. It will enable the company to get into full scale TV production. Both centres are scheduled to start operations this month.

Each of these centres will have a production and training unit and a new media business division, with a capacity of 220 employees per shift. The company also set up a production centre in Kolkata which began operations last month.

“As we are expanding, we felt the need to be closer to Bollywood and the advertising industry, so we’ve decided to open a centre in Mumbai,” said DQE CEO Tapaas Chakravarti.

The company is facing an acute shortage of infrastructure and manpower. Currently, the company has a workforce of 4,000 and is looking to add another 1,000 employees this year. The company has clinched two projects as of now.

“The two live action series will be focused around the youth and their lives. They will be family-oriented while the animation series are directed at children and teens,” says Chakravarti. DQE will also produce special movies based on mythology for TV. The plans for the TV series are to be finalised in the next three months and the series are scheduled to go into production by this year-end. The programmes are expected to go on air early next year. However, company officials did not reveal which channels the TV series are being produced for.

DQE has already ventured in Bollywood and is currently collaborating with Sony Pictures Entertainment and Pritish Nandy Communications (PNC) for co-production ventures. The film Meerabai Not Out which DQE has co-produced with PNC is in its post-production stage and slated for release this year.

DQE is also making a foray into publishing of comic books and pictorial novels. The company plans to convert its animation series into comics and sell their rights to international publishers who also have operations in India. DQE is in negotiations with three publishers, one each from Italy, France and the United Kingdom.

One of the players is Atlantica Group, which is based in Italy. The company is aiming to produce six comics and two pictorial novels. The deal is likely to be finalised within a fortnight.

Chennai: Poor infrastructure facilities limit the potential of the small cities in Tamil Nadu in attracting major investments in the IT sector, though they offer a huge cost advantage compared to big cities, according to a report.

The study, carried out jointly by the National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom) and AT Kearney on location roadmap for IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) units, said Chennai was far ahead of tier II cities like Madurai, Salem, Coimbatore and Trichy in terms of business environment, skill set assessment for IT and BPO outfits, infrastructure and social living environment.

The study, which was released Thursday, said graduates from Trichy and Salem prefer to migrate to bigger cities like Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai rather than working in their home towns.

Trichy and Salem suffer from infrastructure, connectivity and social life inadequacies, it added.

According to the report, companies that intend to set up operations in Coimbatore and Madurai have to contend with the absence of good quality hotels, good commercial space, limited public transport in peripheral areas and steep increase in real estate and labour costs.

The report recommended Coimbatore, Trichy, Salem and Madurai as ideal places for non-voice domestic BPO operations.

Coimbatore could be pitched as an alternative site for Chennai and Bangalore for IT, non-voice BPO units and Tamil language call centres while Trichy can attract small to medium-scale IT and non-voice international and domestic BPO operations, it added.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://sify.com/cities/chennai/fullstory.php?id=14708504

CHENNAI: Chennai Coporation has decided to relay 12 stretches of roads in north Chennai with concrete to prevent constant wear-and-tear caused by the busy traffic of heavy vehicles.

According to an official report, concrete works will be taken up in Ibrahimji Street, from Rajaji Salai to Thambu Chetty Street (450 mt); Cemetery Road (1,025 mt); East Kalmandapam Road, from MS Koil Street to Harbour Gate No 2 (540 mt); Elaya Mudali Street, fromVaidyanathan Bridge to Mannappan Street (1,300 mt); T V K Link Road, from Bridge to Tondairpet High Road (285 mt); Sathya Murthy Nagar Main Road, from GNT Road to Ashok Pillar (350 mt); Muthu Street, from Erukkenchery High Road to Moorthingar Streeet (250 mt); Moorthingar Street from Melpatti Ponnappan street to Erukkenchery High Road (640 mt); Stephenson Road, from Dr Ambedkar College Road to AA Scheme Road (240 mt); A A Scheme Road, from Stephenson Road to BB Road junction (540 mts); Dr Ambedkar College Road, from Pulianthoppe High Road to MPM Street (1,520 mt); and West Avenue Road, from GNT Road to Central Avenue junction (630 mts).

The local body has proposed to take up work on these stretches following a report by a consultant. "The consultant has focused on the traffic pattern and condition of soil to find out the bearing capacity of containers plying between Harbour and North Chennai," a senior official told The Times of India.

The container traffic on the thoroughfares, especially in Tondairpet, Royapuram and Vysarpadi, has worn off the asphalt layers. Despite several repair works, the local body has not been able to restore the roads and therefore faced criticism from road users. The frequent repair works has also put officials in trouble regarding audits.

"Concretisation of huge stretches will cost us more, but is worth doing now. The life of concrete roads is much longer than asphalt layers, which is only two to three years," the official said.

When contacted Mayor M Subramanian said that the project would be the corporation’s gift to north Chennai. :lol:

^^Well Raj! So totally 7.77 km of road will be concretised. Good! As said, concrete roads, although costlier, will have a life-span of 25 years or even more. It's worth doing.

public private partnership in creating townships!!! Could turnout to be huge:banana:!!

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/iw/2008/07/06/stories/2008070650591700.htm

.........
Some of the locations where TNHB projects are to come up in Chennai include the prime KK Nagar area where it plans to set up a commercial-cum-residential project of over 5 lakh sq. ft. It is also planning a clutch of projects in many of the well developed residential areas within the city and in the suburbs, including Ambattur, Koyambedu, Sholinganallur and Gummidipoondi.

Townships in city outskirts


TNHB also plans to develop six townships through joint ventures on the outskirts of Chennai, Mr Rao said.

Two would be on Old Mahabalipuram Road — the IT corridor — and two on the East Coast Road, and one each in Oragadam, the fast developing industrial suburb to the west of Chennai where leading telecom and electronic products manufacturers are investing and in Gummidipoondi, another industrial area to the north of Chennai.

The TNHB Act has been amended to provide a legal framework for the public-private partnership for its joint ventures. It is now appointing consultants for a range of projects to study the locations and identify the products for development — whether residential, commercial, office space or mixed use.

TNHB has the advantage of having land banks — though he did not want to disclose the exact extent of holding — in prime localities in Chennai. In the joint ventures, the builder makes the payment for a part of the land in cash and as built-up area — about a fourth of the built-up area, which TNHB would sell to the buyers at affordable rates. The private developer would have the choice of pricing for the rest of the area.
................

i10 drive: Hyundai to start working 3 shifts

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/06/stories/2008070650750100.htm

The plant-II doubled Hyundai India’s capacity to 600,000.

With the first plant already running three shifts and the second plant soon to follow suit, Hyundai expects to meet its 2008 target of 530,000 cars.

But next year, its production will hit 600,000 cars.

Some stretching — such as working a shift or two on Sundays — would enable to Hyundai to raise capacity to 630,000.

But with the growing demand for the i10 and the proposed launch of i20 (a car like the ‘Hyundai Accent’) by the end of this year, even that capacity would not be enough.

For beyond next year, the company will need to expand capacity further, Mr Lheem said.

According to Mr Lheem, there is scope for adding capacity for another 100,000 cars — incidentally, the capacity with which Hyundai began its show in India 10 years ago — by putting up a body shop and a paint shop in the vacant space behind the Plant-II.

The existing assembly line will be able to handle the additional volumes.





Heard Hyundai is looking for the third plant in TN...heard from the brokers around arakkonam that hyundai is looking for a large piece of land in Thiruvalluvar-Chennai NH....:)

Cost per flat is 5 cr:nuts:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Flats_in_premium_Adyar_project_go_for_Rs_5_crore/articleshow/3195060.cms


a developer has unveiled plans for a 15-storey apartment project in which the asking rate is Rs 5 crore per flat. Flats in Chaitanya Builders' project, The Summit, at Shastri Nagar have been pegged at a price never quoted before outside the upmarket Boat Club and Poes Garden.

According to industry sources, corporates such as the TVS group and T S Mahalingam and Sons have booked two flats each in the plush 30-apartment complex. Other prominent buyers include Madras Cements, Celebrity Fashions, a top executive of the Standard Chartered Bank, and even a major city-based builder.

Chaitanya is promoting the project on a one-acre piece of land, right opposite the house of the late Congress leader, Vazhapadi Ramamurthy. It is a 50:50 joint-venture with Buhari Hotels, the owners of the land. Each floor will have two apartments, each measuring 4,000 sq ft, and the roof will hold a swimming pool.

The landowner's share in the project is Rs 4.16 crore per ground (2,400 sq ft), a new record for property in the Adyar area. So far, outside Boat Club and Poes Garden, only commercial properties on arterial roads like Anna Salai and Radhakrishnan Salai fetched such an astronomical price.

V Ramesh Kumar Reddy, Chaitanya managing director, said, "Our objective is to do a project of international standards that will remain a landmark in Chennai. We have not done it in the past and hence have told all our buyers (he refuses to name them) that they should not insist on any deadline. ?????

Chennai fast emerging as 'Detroit of South Asia'

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/006200807061123.htm

Chennai (PTI): Fast emerging as the "Detroit of South Asia", with several auto majors making a beeline to the city pouring in money for rapid expansion to meet the burgeoning demand, Chennai is poised to shift gears as the investment in the auto sector was expected to swell four fold from the present 4.5 billion dollars by 2015.

With top auto makers like Hyundai, Ford, Renault-Nissan, BMW and Ashok Leyland expanding their units, Chennai may be overtaking other auto hubs in India like Pune and Gurgaon where DaimlerChrysler AG and Volkswagen AG and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd have their units respectively.

The size of the investment in auto sector in Chennai and its suburbs was expected to touch 15 to 20 billion dollars, a report of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) prepared by the Tamil Nadu government said citing a study of the Confederation of the Indian Industry.

According to the plan report, Tamil Nadu contributes to 21 pe rcent of all passenger cars, 33 per cent of commercial vehicles and 35 per cent of auto components produced in the country.

More than 100 companies are involved in the business, providing 2.2 lakh direct employment opportunities, playing a 'crucial role' in the state's economy, contributing eight per cent of its GDP.

Trivitron invests Rs 250 cr in JVs, plans overseas forays

Mumbai (PTI): Chennai-based medical technology company, Trivitron, has earmarked Rs 250 crore over a two to three year period to set up three joint venture manufacturing facilities near Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, a top company official said.

"We are now transiting from a trading into a manufacturing entity and have entered into joint ventures with three leading overseas majors. Our total investment over the next two to three years is envisaged at Rs 250 crore," Trivitron's Deputy Managing Director, Sameer Saral, told PTI here.

With the three JVs in place and its proposed overseas forays, Trivitron is aiming for a Rs 1,000 crore turnover by FY 11 as well as a listing on the bourses, Saral said.

Cost per flat is 5 cr:nuts:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Flats_in_premium_Adyar_project_go_for_Rs_5_crore/articleshow/3195060.cms


?????

It shows that there is a substantial increase in high-net-worth individuals in Chennai.:)

deleted.

[QUOTE=senthil2001msk;22267100]Chennai fast emerging as 'Detroit of South Asia'

Guys!

Just interested to to know how many auto mobile shops are there in Chennai so far?.. and over all in TN?.. just wanted to know..

Chennai :

1. Ford 2. Hyundai 3. Re-Nissan 4. Ashok leyland 5. TAFE.6 BMW....any??

TN : ??

Please give some idea.....

^^another article about the same

Chennai fast emerging as 'Detroit of South Asia'

Fast emerging as the "Detroit of South Asia", with several auto majors making a beeline to the city pouring in money for rapid expansion to meet the burgeoning demand, Chennai is poised to shift gears as the investment in the auto sector was expected to swell four fold from the present $4.5 billion by 2015.

With top auto makers like Hyundai, Ford, Renault-Nissan, BMW and Ashok Leyland expanding their units, Chennai may be overtaking other auto hubs in India like Pune and Gurgaon where DaimlerChrysler AG and Volkswagen AG and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd have their units respectively.

The size of the investment in auto sector in Chennai and its suburbs was expected to touch $15 to $20 billion, a report of the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) prepared by the Tamil Nadu government said citing a study of the Confederation of the Indian Industry.

According to the plan report, Tamil Nadu contributes to 21 per cent of all passenger cars, 33 per cent of commercial vehicles and 35 per cent of auto components produced in the country.

More than 100 companies are involved in the business, providing 2.2 lakh direct employment opportunities, playing a 'crucial role' in the state's economy, contributing 8 per cent of its GDP.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Automobiles/Chennai_fast_emerging_as_Detroit_of_South_Asia/articleshow/3202402.cms)

[QUOTE=senthil2001msk;22267100]Chennai fast emerging as 'Detroit of South Asia'

Guys!

Just interested to to know how many auto mobile shops are there in Chennai so far?.. and over all in TN?.. just wanted to know..

Chennai :

1. Ford 2. Hyundai 3. Re-Nissan 4. Ashok leyland 5. TAFE.6 BMW....any??

TN : ??

Please give some idea.....


I was trying to compile this list for some time now. May not be accurate. Please correct me if I am wrong.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Company Capacity / Annum Location
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Renault-Nissan 400000 cars / 400000 engines Chennai
Ford 200000 cars / 250000 engines Chennai
Hyundai 600000 cars / 600000 engines Chennai
BMW 2700 cars Chennai
Hindustan Motors-Mitsubishi 12000 cars Chennai, Hosur
Ashok Leyland 130,000 CV's Chennai, Hosur
Caterpillar ??? Chennai, Hosur
Komatsu ??? Chennai
Royal Enfield-Eicher 42000 (to be raised to 48000) Chennai
Daimler-Hero 70000 CV's Chennai
(MOU to be signed)
Tatra Vectra ??? Hosur
TVS ??? Hosur
TAFE ??? Chennai
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

...

Caparo has automotive stamping, foundry and R&D facility at 120 acre site in Sriperumbudur at an initial investment of 400 crores.

http://www.caparo.com/divisions/division-overview.asp?did=41&gid=3

http://sify.com/finance/equity/fullstory.php?id=14537566

Daimler-Hero JV to start in 2010, make 70,000 trucks

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Daimler-Hero_JV_to_start_in_2010_make_70000_trucks/articleshow/3203829.cms

NEW DELHI: The Rs 4,400 crore Hero-Daimler joint-venture project to build commercial vehicles will come up in Tamil Nadu. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) under the name Daimler Hero Motor Corporation (DHMC), will be signed on Monday at Chennai in the presence of Hero and Daimler top brass. The head of the Daimler truck division Andreas Renschler will fly down from Stuttgart for the signing ceremony with the Tamil Nadu government.

The manufacturing plant, which will initially focus on light and medium commercial vehicles, is likely to be established in a more than 1,000 acre campus. It will be an integrated manufacturing facility and will commence operations from 2010, with an initial production capacity of 70,000 trucks per year.

It will be an expandable facility and will roll out heavy commercial vehicles in the 49 tonne pay load capacity by 2012. It will give direct employment to around 2,000 people. The DHMC project will be set up under the Tamil Nadu "Ultra Mega Integrated Automobile Projects Policy" which offers huge concessions to automobile projects involving an investment of not less than Rs 4,000 crore in a single location.

DHMC would enjoy total refunds on VAT and CST, 100% exemption from stamp duty, concessional land and concessional power supply, but will have to start production within seven years of signing the MoU with the government. Besides the entire 'Input tax' is also refundable under this investment promotion policy.

"The facility will start with an R&D centre focusing on light and medium commercial vehicles being developed to suit Indian conditions. The new facility would avail heavy discounts from the Tamil Nadu government and help it to produce low-cost commercial vehicles for the domestic market and also utilise Chennai's port facility for export in the Asia Pacific region," sources in the automobile industry said.

In the new venture, Daimler will invest Rs 1,386 crore for 60% equity while Hero puts up Rs 900 crore for the remaining 40%. DHMC will handle the volume-oriented lower-end commercial vehicles and the top-end specialised products from the Daimler stable, like the Mercedes-Benz Actros truck range, will be rolled out from Mercedes Benz India's new Chakan plant.

DHMC will launch an all new brand of commercial vehicles in India and for export. The Stuttgart based Daimler will not bring its existing international truck brands - Mercedes Benz, West Star, Freightliner, Sterling and Mitsubishi Fuso - but develop a new full channel of low-cost range of trucks for the domestic and export market.

^^another article about the same

Chennai fast emerging as 'Detroit of South Asia'



source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Auto/Automobiles/Chennai_fast_emerging_as_Detroit_of_South_Asia/articleshow/3202402.cms)

Chennai may be overtaking other auto hubs in India like Pune and Gurgaon where DaimlerChrysler AG and Volkswagen AG and Maruti Suzuki India Ltd have their units respectively.

How many automobile companies are in Pune and Gurgaon?
I thought chennai already leads in automobile industry.
My doubt is, chennai is already in top? or going to be in top?

Caparo has automotive stamping, foundry and R&D facility at 120 acre site in Sriperumbudur at an initial investment of 400 crores.

http://www.caparo.com/divisions/division-overview.asp?did=41&gid=3

http://sify.com/finance/equity/fullstory.php?id=14537566

Yep, I only counted companies that manufacture vehicles.

How many automobile companies are in Pune and Gurgaon?
I thought chennai already leads in automobile industry.
My doubt is, chennai is already in top? or going to be in top?

NCR:
------
- I think in terms of volume, NCR is in the top due to Maruti-Suzuki. Maruti has close to a million car capacity between Gurgoan and Manesar. Also Honda has 2 plants - Haryana and Rajastan.

Uttarkhand:
--------------
Uttarkhand has several plants - Bajaj, Ashok Leyland, Mahindra, Tata Motors etc.

Pune / Nashik / Aurangabad belt:
---------------------------------
Mahindra
Bajaj
Piaggio
Volkswagen
General Motors
Tata Motors
Fiat
Daimler (Mercedes Benz) plant
Skoda
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
By 2010, both Pune and Chennai will overtake NCR by volume (close to 1.5 million vehicles).

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070853330400.htm

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu is poised to become the number one automobile manufacturer in the country with a production of nearly 1.56 million light and heavy commercial vehicles per annum from 2010, according to a senior officer of the Industry Department.

Tamil Nadu will replace New Delhi and Pune as the preferred investment destination for the automobile sector. The State will have a total annual manufacturing capacity of nearly 15.56 lakh light and heavy commercial vehicles by 2010 as against 10.54 lakh vehicles to be produced by companies in and around New Delhi and 8.86 lakh vehicles in Pune.

The State is already home for well-known companies like BMW, Hyundai, Ford, Nissan-Renault, Ashok Leyland, Caterpillar, Delphi, TRW Automotive, Mitsubishi, Komatsu and Saint Gobain. Most of the existing firms have approved their expansion plans and are in the process of executing them.

“We are getting steady flow of investment in automobile, automobile components and hardware sectors. The new units like Renault-Nissan, Ashok Leyland-Nissan and others have committed huge sums and will start commercial production by 2010. Next year, we might see investments of over $6 billion in car manufacturing facility alone,” a senior official said.

The 11th Five Year Plan of Tamil Nadu (2007-2012) prepared by the State Planning Commission states that the size of auto industry in the State is estimated to grow to Rs.67,500-90,000 crore ($15-20 billion) by 2015).

According to him, the first five years of liberalisation (1991-1996) saw investment inflow of Rs.1,700 crore into the State through a single project. The second five year period recorded investment of Rs.3,728 crore through nine MoUs. In the next five years, the State received Rs.2,355 crore through six projects.

From May 2006 to December 2007, the State concluded 10 MoUs with an investment potential of Rs.7,500 crore. The first six months of the current year witnessed 9 MoUs with an investment potential of nearly Rs.18,500 crore.

The State government officials are confident of achieving the targeted investment figure of Rs.30,000 crore for the current year.

Daimler Hero group to set up plant - MoU signed for Rs.3000-cr. project at Oragadam.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/08/stories/2008070858660400.htm

these are huge investments. i am not sure how many of us here fathom the magnitude of all this. if all this turns into reality, chennai would be a mega city by world standards by 2020 itself.

i think the only thing that can stop it from reaching there is energy availability. i hope the policy makers of tn govt focus on energy and it's sustainability. focus should be on renewable energy (wind energy is probably already tapped to it's max potential and tn should encourage offshore projects) & nuclear (tn govt should provide strong support to central govt to help india sign treaties with nuclear fuel suppliers).

Ascendas front-runner for Rs 200-cr TVS land in Chennai

ASIA’S leading business space solutions provider Ascendas has emerged a frontrunner for acquiring a 6.18 acre plot in Chennai for developing commercial space.
The land at Nandambakkam, near Chennai Trade Centre, belongs to Sravanna Properties, a subsidiary of a TVS group, managed by brothers Venu Srinivasan (CMD of TVS Motors) and Gopal Srinivasan (CMD of the new VC, TVS Capital Funds). The Singapore-based Ascendas has reportedly been short-listed by TVS along with a retail biggie, an educational institution and two parties from Mumbai and North , sources told ET.
As the first step for clinching the deal, TVS has signed a letter of intent with Ascendas. However, top sources on both sides declined to comment.
The deal has been hanging fire for quite some time and apparently TVS also hoped to realise a better value for the land in the event of State approving the second master plan for Chennai with higher floor space index (FSI). Realtors have been anticipating relaxation in FSI to 2.5 from the current 1.5. Keeping this in view, TVS is said to have asked Ascendas to give two quotes, one with current FSI and another with a relaxed rule under the second master plan.
Ascendas is said to be doing a due diligence of the land. Sources in the know of the development said if the FSI is increased, then the deal would fetch Sravanna Properties about Rs 220 crore.
Sravanna Properties had fixed the upset price of the property at Rs 35 crore per acre. The company has been expecting a price realisation of Rs 225 crore from the land. Originally, it was acquired by TVS-E in 1999 from ICL Foundries of India Cements for around Rs 10 crore.
A fresh lease agreement has to be drawn with the Defence authorities to handle the pathway problem, that has been hampering the deal progress. Currently, the road is maintained by TVS Electronics, sources added.
All the loose ends are likely to be tied up soon and the deal expected to fructify by August.

source economictimes epaper

these are huge investments. i am not sure how many of us here fathom the magnitude of all this. if all this turns into reality, chennai would be a mega city by world standards by 2020 itself.

i think the only thing that can stop it from reaching there is energy availability. i hope the policy makers of tn govt focus on energy and it's sustainability. focus should be on renewable energy (wind energy is probably already tapped to it's max potential and tn should encourage offshore projects) & nuclear (tn govt should provide strong support to central govt to help india sign treaties with nuclear fuel suppliers).

I agree with you "Disagree"! TN govt should start planning from now itself to achieve all these.:cheers:

Chennai July 8: The panel comprising group of ministers, constituted by chief minister M. Karunanidhi to review the second draft master plan, may allow builders to construct more skyscrapers in the city. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, information minister and CMDA chairman Parithi Ellamvazuthi said, “We discussed about increasing the floor space index (FSI) from the present 1.5 to a much higher level. Once we increase the FSI for multi-storied buildings, then you can see more skyscrapers in the city.” Chief minister Karunanidhi had advised us to chalk out strategies to convert the city to meet global standards, Mr Parithi said, adding that the GoM had decided to encourage vertical expansion in the city as land prices have soared.

“We will soon have world class malls, best theatres, excellent play grounds and parks in the city. The CMDA officials explained us about the parking problem in the city, which we discussed at length. The GoM emphasised the need for a long-term mission for developing the facilities in the city outskirts,” he added. The meeting also discussed about simplifying norms for reclassification of land. The officials were requested to come up with viable, suitable and alternate proposals. The master plan would be approved by the cabinet within the end of this month, the minister pointed out. The next meeting of the GoM would be convened on July 21 when the plan is expected to take a final shape.

The salient features of the master plan include, permitting builders for constructing ground with a four-floor multi-storied buildings in the panchayat areas, encouraging development along the IT corridor and along the national highways. Apart from recommending regulations for development through land use, the plan aims to decongest the city by shifting certain traffic intensive activities from congested localities to planned areas and developing new townships.


http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#City%20to%20get%20more%20skyscrapers

I agree with you "Disagree"! TN govt should start planning from now itself to achieve all these.:cheers:

All of us are happy that so many auto majors are coming to Chennai & TN. The real reasons are
a. the availability of the skilled manpower, ITIs, Polytechnics and Engg Colleges
b. the vendor management (sub assembly suppliers) is relatively easy as there are lot of auto ancilliary units in and around Chennai.
c. The local Govt's announcement of SEZs for auto sector.

On the flip side, the infrastructure is so bad that the companies who are signing the MOUs with the Govt are skeptical.

Due to the pressure from them, the Govt has speeded up the Oragadam road widening. But still the promise of 8 lane highway is still a dream. Unless the roads are laid atleast 4 lanes with service lanes / truck bays, it will be difficult to manage.

The power situation is very bad. Unless these plants put up their own power plants, production will be hit. TNEB is not able to substantiate with new grids and power plants. The industries are forced to pay for laying the new cables and the transformers. They should be charged only for the last mile connectivity and not the entire stretch.

Already the plants on Bangalore Highway are complaining that absenteeism is higher due to employee fatigue (long and time consuming travel every day). Workers efficiency also takes a beating. The traffic jams near Maduravayal and Poonamallee are very bad during peak hours. The flyovers are not ready yet and work is stopped.

Unless the residential colonies are developed near the factories or at least within 10 km radius, commutation will be a major problem. At this time of high attrition, companies are forced to provide bus / van transport to all employees from major city points (aka IT / BPO).

In most of these areas, the water supply is from ground water sources only. We are lucky to some extent that Chennai is surrounded by lots of lakes and this will help recharge the ground water acquifiers. BUt unorgained development blocks the waterways and lakes are being encroached upon by local party bigwigs. Unless the Govt plans for protected water supply and prevention of unorgained growth, we will end up with a huge water scarcity.

In short, unless transport, water and electrical needs for the new development and the surrounding eco system are calculated and planned in advance, all these MOUs, which were signed with such fanfare will remain on paper and not become reality.

All of us are happy that so many auto majors are coming to Chennai & TN. The real reasons are
a. the availability of the skilled manpower, ITIs, Polytechnics and Engg Colleges
b. the vendor management (sub assembly suppliers) is relatively easy as there are lot of auto ancilliary units in and around Chennai.
c. The local Govt's announcement of SEZs for auto sector.

On the flip side, the infrastructure is so bad that the companies who are signing the MOUs with the Govt are skeptical.

Due to the pressure from them, the Govt has speeded up the Oragadam road widening. But still the promise of 8 lane highway is still a dream. Unless the roads are laid atleast 4 lanes with service lanes / truck bays, it will be difficult to manage.

The power situation is very bad. Unless these plants put up their own power plants, production will be hit. TNEB is not able to substantiate with new grids and power plants. The industries are forced to pay for laying the new cables and the transformers. They should be charged only for the last mile connectivity and not the entire stretch.

Already the plants on Bangalore Highway are complaining that absenteeism is higher due to employee fatigue (long and time consuming travel every day). Workers efficiency also takes a beating. The traffic jams near Maduravayal and Poonamallee are very bad during peak hours. The flyovers are not ready yet and work is stopped.

Unless the residential colonies are developed near the factories or at least within 10 km radius, commutation will be a major problem. At this time of high attrition, companies are forced to provide bus / van transport to all employees from major city points (aka IT / BPO).

In most of these areas, the water supply is from ground water sources only. We are lucky to some extent that Chennai is surrounded by lots of lakes and this will help recharge the ground water acquifiers. BUt unorgained development blocks the waterways and lakes are being encroached upon by local party bigwigs. Unless the Govt plans for protected water supply and prevention of unorgained growth, we will end up with a huge water scarcity.

In short, unless transport, water and electrical needs for the new development and the surrounding eco system are calculated and planned in advance, all these MOUs, which were signed with such fanfare will remain on paper and not become reality.

I frequently travel in the Oragadam route... Though there was an announcement for road widening, nothing has been done on that route, except for the minor road widening on the mudichur road. The main Walajabad-Vandalur road is still the same old 2-lane state highway.

This is a really good news! I hope they start encouraging vertical growth soon!

Chennai July 8: The panel comprising group of ministers, constituted by chief minister M. Karunanidhi to review the second draft master plan, may allow builders to construct more skyscrapers in the city. Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday, information minister and CMDA chairman Parithi Ellamvazuthi said, “We discussed about increasing the floor space index (FSI) from the present 1.5 to a much higher level. Once we increase the FSI for multi-storied buildings, then you can see more skyscrapers in the city.” Chief minister Karunanidhi had advised us to chalk out strategies to convert the city to meet global standards, Mr Parithi said, adding that the GoM had decided to encourage vertical expansion in the city as land prices have soared.

http://www.deccan.com/chennaichronicle/City/CityNews.asp#City%20to%20get%20more%20skyscrapers

“We discussed about increasing the floor space index (FSI) from the present 1.5 to a much higher level. Once we increase the FSI for multi-storied buildings, then you can see more skyscrapers in the city.”

if fsi is allowed to increase beyond 1.5 all over the city, then it is a disaster in the making. allowing taller buildings is entirely different from increasing fsi.

if fsi is allowed to increase beyond 1.5 all over the city, then it is a disaster in the making. allowing taller buildings is entirely different from increasing fsi.

I agree, Increasing FSI is going to make concrete jungle will stress existing resources, I hope the fSI will be insync with road length type of building etc.

Chennai, July 8: The Kerala-based Muthoot group, with business interests in finance, real estate, healthcare and education, wants to acquire FM radio stations, a top company official said here Tuesday


"We are open to acquire existing FM stations," Muthoot group's executive director George M. George told the media at the launch of a new radio station. "Currently, we hold the licence to operate the ChennaiLive 104.8 FM station."

He, however, admitted the group has not set apart any kitty for new acquisitions.

George said ChennaiLive FM - the ninth radio station in the city - would be a 'talk' radio.

"The market is cluttered with undifferentiated products. Ours will be a different genre compared to the existing ones," he said.

Elaborating, station head Prem Kumar said music would be just one of the several programmes on offer. "We will air debates, discussions with guests in the studio, and also with our listeners on subjects concerning Chennai city and its residents. We also have a book review programme slot."

Sunil Kumar, Big River Radio managing director and advisor to the Muthoot group's radio business, said: "FM radio stations are localised media and only those offering relevant local content will get to connect with the listeners."

According to him, ChennaiLive FM is a niche station, targeting a premium audience.

The station has roped in professionals from various walks of life - from medicine to banking - to host various programmes.

"I will host light programmes and certainly not medicine-related one," said Tausif Ahmed, a doctor at a renowned city hospital.

Muthoot Broadcasting Pvt. Ltd, the company that owns ChennaiLive FM, has invested around Rs.200 million, including Rs.80 million as licence fee, in this venture.

It hopes to break even during the first year of operations itself.

"We will be targeting advertisers selling premium products as our listeners are of a different category. They will be able to name our station clearly, unlike what is happening now. Listeners mix up names of stations and radio jockeys," Kumar added.

Muthoot's advertisement tariff will be higher than that quoted by rival stations, Kumar said, adding: "We are in the process of fine-tuning the tariff rates."

The Chennai radio station advertisement market is estimated to be around Rs.400 million.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=82748

Chennai, July 9 The TVS Group is considering joint development of its 5-acre property on Anna Salai, in Chennai.

According to reliable sources, the TVS Group has decided to tie up with a partner to set up a multi-storey commercial complex on the property where TVS Sundaram Motors today has its Honda and GM showrooms as well as car repair service facilities — a landmark in the area.

Commercial complex

The TVS family had been considering the proposal for some time, but only recently did it arrive at a consensus. However, a final decision is yet to be taken.

The objective is to put a multi-storey business and commercial complex, apart from some retailing space. It is most likely to go for a partner to develop the project, the source said.

Industry experts say this would insulate the group from the construction and project risks while giving it the advantage of revenue and modern built-up space. An international property consultant is working on the project details.

Prime location


With more than five acres available as a single block facing the 8-lane Anna Salai, and an additional access from a parallel road, it is estimated that the developers would be able to put up multi-storey buildings of over 8,00,000 sq ft.

Considering the prime location, lease rentals at the property could run into three figures a square foot, sources in the industry say.

The stretch of Anna Salai on which the property is located is among the prime commercial properties in Chennai. In terms of land value, developers estimate that the property would be valued at well over Rs 12,500 a sq ft going by current trends.

Taking into account the area of the property and the TVS ownership, the property would also attract a premium.

The property could be valued close to Rs 300 crore. Last year, for instance, the Prestige Group acquired a 2.8 acre property at Nandanam on Anna Salai about 3 km away, at about Rs 115 crore which is about Rs 9,450 a sq ft.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/10/stories/2008071050250200.htm

CHENNAI: Asia's leading business space solutions provider Ascendas has emerged a front-runner for acquiring a 6.18 acre plot in Chennai for developing commercial space.

The land at Nandambakkam, near Chennai Trade Centre, belongs to Sravanna Properties, a subsidiary of a TVS group, managed by brothers Venu Srinivasan (CMD of TVS Motors) and Gopal Srinivasan (CMD of the new VC, TVS Capital Funds). The Singapore-based Ascendas has reportedly been short-listed by TVS along with a retail biggie, an educational institution and two parties from Mumbai and North, sources told ET.

As the first step for clinching the deal, TVS has signed a letter of intent with Ascendas. However, top sources on both sides declined to comment.

The deal has been hanging fire for quite some time and apparently TVS also hoped to realise a better value for the land in the event of State approving the second master plan for Chennai with higher floor space index (FSI).

Realtors have been anticipating relaxation in FSI to 2.5 from the current 1.5. Keeping this in view, TVS is said to have asked Ascendas to give two quotes, one with current FSI and another with a relaxed rule under the second master plan.

Ascendas is said to be doing a due diligence of the land. Sources in the know of the development said if the FSI is increased, then the deal would fetch Sravanna Properties about Rs 220 crore.

Sravanna Properties had fixed the upset price of the property at Rs 35 crore per acre. The company has been expecting a price realisation of Rs 225 crore from the land. Originally, it was acquired by TVS-E in 1999 from ICL Foundries of India Cements for around Rs 10 crore.

A fresh lease agreement has to be drawn with the Defence authorities to handle the pathway problem, that has been hampering the deal progress. Currently, the road is maintained by TVS Electronics, sources added.

All the loose ends are likely to be tied up soon and the deal expected to fructify by August.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Markets/Real_Estate/Ascendas_front-runner_for_Rs_200-cr_TVS_land_in_Chennai/rssarticleshow/3208440.cms

I agree, Increasing FSI is going to make concrete jungle will stress existing resources, I hope the fSI will be insync with road length type of building etc.

As usual, there is a hype when someone is talking to a gallery. It would have been better if the member secretary talks to the press.

There is no big change in the MP II. Now you can not build MSB (Forget skyscrapers), if the width of the road is less than 18 metres.

Now, there is a talk to reduce the road width condition to 12m. MSB is any building above 15 metres. The condition that the building height can be max double that of the road width still stays. That means nobody can build more than 24m height on a 12m road.

The set back rule also stays which insists on min 5 m setback on all sides upto 15m height and 7m or more setback for taller buildings as per CMDA rules. Unless the plot size is bigger, you can not really build a tall MSB building. This will automatically negate the mushrooming of MSBs.

But the FSI story is little different. Currently in CMDA areas, FSI is 1.5 for buildings upto 15m height and 2.5 for MSBs provided they meet all other criteria mentioned above. When they reduce the road width condition to 12m, more area can be built as per MP II. This may add strain on the existing water, electricity and sewage infrastructure.

Nungambakkam High Road is a typical example. The services are bursting at the seams and frequent collapses are occuring. How can one allow more MSBs on this road without improving the infra services? Since available land parcels (bigger I mean) are few, nobody within the city can take advantage of these changes. This may act as a deterrant.

The MP II will actually help the suburbs which are coming under the new CMA.

http://www.rttnews.com/ArticleView.aspx?Id=650759&SMap=1

(RTTNews) - Thursday, the media reported that state-owned Ennore Port would invest Rs.2, 700 crores in the eleventh five year plan on projects located near Chennai.

The new projects are to be undertaken under the National Maritime Development Programme - NMDP, and would include private investment of Rs.1, 300 crores on 1-km long world-class container terminal according to an official release, said the report. The Indian Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways T.R.Baalu took the decision on investment at a review meeting.

The report said that considering the construction of new iron ore terminal, the minister recommended Ennore Port to co-ordinate with Southern Railways for early commencement of the new Puthur-Atthipattu broad gauge railway line for which EPL would contribute Rs.223 crores as its share.

EPL would also infuse Rs.440 crores for providing a depth of 16 metres at its new container berths and deepen the iron berth to 18 metres, along with augmenting the depth in the basin to 19 metres and the entrance channel to 20 metres. According to a release, about 45% work of phase-I dredging for deepening of the berth area to 15 metres is completed, added the report.

As usual, there is a hype when someone is talking to a gallery. It would have been better if the member secretary talks to the press.

There is no big change in the MP II. Now you can not build MSB (Forget skyscrapers), if the width of the road is less than 18 metres.

Now, there is a talk to reduce the road width condition to 12m. MSB is any building above 15 metres. The condition that the building height can be max double that of the road width still stays. That means nobody can build more than 24m height on a 12m road.

The set back rule also stays which insists on min 5 m setback on all sides upto 15m height and 7m or more setback for taller buildings as per CMDA rules. Unless the plot size is bigger, you can not really build a tall MSB building. This will automatically negate the mushrooming of MSBs.

But the FSI story is little different. Currently in CMDA areas, FSI is 1.5 for buildings upto 15m height and 2.5 for MSBs provided they meet all other criteria mentioned above. When they reduce the road width condition to 12m, more area can be built as per MP II. This may add strain on the existing water, electricity and sewage infrastructure.

Nungambakkam High Road is a typical example. The services are bursting at the seams and frequent collapses are occuring. How can one allow more MSBs on this road without improving the infra services? Since available land parcels (bigger I mean) are few, nobody within the city can take advantage of these changes. This may act as a deterrant.

The MP II will actually help the suburbs which are coming under the new CMA.

True, but hopefully this will encourage amalgamation of small fragments of land into bigger plots. What we need is high density construction with a lot of open spaces so that the net population remains the same :cheers:

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai: In a bid to increase passenger patronage for Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS), Southern Railway and the state government are planning to lay a three km link road from Velacherry to Taramani, running parallel to the railway track.
The road will link Velachery to IT Corridor and facilitate better bus connectivity to Velachery, Perungudi and Taramani. The Rs 32-crore project is part of a major plan to improve passenger patronage by providing more facilities for passengers and will include two subways— one each at Velachery and at Taramani — and a bus terminus on the southern side of Velachery railway station.
The new road that starts from the front of the Velachery railway station will run parallel to the MRTS track till Taramani where it will go under the elevated railway track and come out on the other side to join the stretch of IT corridor that runs from Tidel Park to Madhya Kailash.
According to additional divisional railway manager N Swaminathan, the road would help better access to MRTS stations, while the subway at Velachery would be a boon for commuters who now have to take a foot overbridge to cross to the other side of the station. “Once the subway is completed, commuters can bring their vehicles to the station. Even buses can come up to the backside of the station.”
Another link road is being built from Kasturba Nagar to Tiruvanmiyur, he added. The railways was also expediting other works along the MRTS stretch that got delayed because of hike in rates of cement and steel.
Structural works at Mundakanni Amman Koil station and finishing works at Mandaveli, Greenways Road, Kotturpuram, Kasturba Nagar, Indira Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Taramani, Perungudi and Velachery would be completed by March 2009.
“We have requested the state government to introduce buses connecting MRTS stations. But, the services are not frequent because of low patronage,” an official said. As the railways has received more fund for the Velachery-St Thomas Mount MRTS connectivity, southern railway has identified 95 houses for acquisition from Adambakkam to St Thomas Mount. “We have already constructed 120 of the 960 piles required for the elevated structure that will come up along the median of Inner Ring Road,” Swaminathan said. The railways has also floated tenders to build concrete girders for the track, he added.
Though MRTS will take the alignment of Inner Ring Road for 3.39 km, it deviates from the road alignment at Adambakkam and passes through private built up area

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/07/11/6/Img/Pc0061300.jpghttp://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/07/11/6/Img/Pc0061700.jpg
Map showing the proposed Link Road from Velachery to Taramani, which will run parallel to the MRTS track; (below) the Velachery MRTS station
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/07/11/6/Img/Pc0061100.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/07/11&PageLabel=6&EntityId=Ar00602&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071152210700.htm

Chennai, July 10 The Tamil Nadu Government will hand over 130 acres of land near Chennai airport, to be used for the airport’s expansion, by the end of this month, the State’s Chief Secretary, Mr L.K. Tripathy, told Business Line.

He said the Government is also acquiring land for the second runway (which will be taken up in the second phase of the project.)

Mr Dinesh Kumar, Airport Director, Chennai airport, said that the Rs 1,800-crore project would be completed in 28 months. “We are ready with the tenders,” he said.

The first phase involves extending the secondary runway and building a second terminal. The project is being implemented by the Airports Authority of India.

It is expected that upon completion, the airport would be able to handle 50 per cent more number of flights.

Today, it handles 350 flights a day, Mr Kumar said.

A second runway — parallel to the existing one — will come up in the second phase of the project. Phase-II will need 1,069 acres of land.

Mr Tripathy said there would be no issues in acquiring the required lands.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition filed by a developer of residential colonies challenging the acquisition of lands for expansion of the airport. In doing this, the apex court upheld a decision of the Madras High Court.

http://www.blonnet.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071150742100.htm

Bijoy Ghosh

Mr Mandeep Singh (right), COO, Reed Exhibitions, and Mr C. Umashankar, Managing Director, Elcot, at a press conference in Chennai on Thursday. —

Our Bureau


Chennai, July 10

The success stories of automobile, electronics hardware and telecom firms at Sriperumbudur may fetch investments in aerospace industry too.

“Sriperumbudur—the ‘Shenzhen of India’ — has a lot of success stories, and we would take it forward by inviting aerospace firms to invest in the State,” said Mr C. Umashankar, Managing Director of Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Elcot).

Talking to presspersons, after announcing Elcot’s association with Reed Exhibitions to conduct a B2B electronic components expo – Componex Nepcon, here from July 15-17, he said the success story of electronics hardware and telecom firms in Sriperumbudur has sent the right signals to the foreign investors.

“Investors are approaching us seeking land in Sriperumbudur. But we want aerospace companies to come here. For this to happen, we should have a good automobile cluster."

Elcot has also sought the State Government’s approval for setting up a ‘Smart City’ at the Sholinganallur-Perumbakkam Special Economic Zone. The necessary tender documents have been submitted to the Government, said Mr Umashankar.

According to him, Elcot has around 199 acres of land, a part of which will be reserved for IT office space and the rest for creating an eco-system like residential complex, medical centre, school and common infrastructural facilities.

He said the first building in IT parks in tier-II cities such as Tirunelveli, Madurai, Salem and Hosur will become a reality early next year. The Coimbatore Tidel Park has been delayed by four months. Elcot is yet to find suitable land for the Vellore IT Park.

Talking about the ‘laptops for students’, he said following an overwhelming response to the plan, Elcot has placed orders for more than 6,000 units in the last few days and will procure another 10,000 in the next couple of days.

Elcot plans to purchase and supply 100,000 units of Acer TravelMate to students. The scheme opened on July 1 and closes on July 15.

He said the State Government has decided to phase out desktops from all its offices and bring in laptops instead. “In the first phase, we have completely replaced the CRT monitors with 19 inches LCD monitors and in the third phase beginning this year, we will replace 50,000 desktops with laptops. These laptops are procured for less than half of the market price," he said.

New MRTS station coming up



Staff Reporter



Located between Light House and Thirumailai stations

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/11/stories/2008071158870300.htm





— Photo: K.V.Srinivasan

NEW ADDITION: The Mundagakanni Amman Koil MRTS station is expected to be completed by April.

CHENNAI: An MRTS station-Mundagakanni Amman Koil-between Thirumailai and Light House stations is being developed at a cost of Rs.35 crore. It is slated for completion in April next year.

In an interaction with mediapersons here on Thursday to discuss the progress of various MRTS projects, Chief Engineer of Metropolitan Transport Project (Railways) S.N.Agrawal said: “Though we do not build stations at such close distances [the upcoming station is just 1 km from Thirumailai], we had to heed to the representations received from several groups, including the local residents.”

The demand for this station had been there for the past six years, but it could not be met due to the presence of encroachments near the Buckingham Canal. Mr.Agrawal said the encroachments had been cleared now.

St. Thomas Mount link


On the extension of MRTS up to St. Thomas Mount, he said land in Adambakkam, occupied by 95 private buildings, must be acquired. Mr. Agrawal said he would be discussing the matter with Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority officials soon.

According to him, an EMU car shed would be ready near the Velachery station in two months. On completion, the maintenance of the all MRTS rakes would be undertaken there. They were now being sent to Avadi.

Phase III, IV shelved


With regards to the MRTS beyond St. Thomas Mount, Additional Divisional Railway Manager N. Swaminathan said the proposal had been shelved due to a clash in alignment with the Metro Rail project. Under Phase III, St. Thomas Mount was to be connected to Padi. The next phase was planned from Padi to Tiruvottiyur. “We will have to wait till the alignment of Metro Rail project is finalised,” he said.

http://news.smashits.com/271783/Tidco-focusing-on-infrastructure-development-to-lure-investors.htm

Chennai, July 13 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corp Ltd (Tidco), the investment promotion arm of the state government, is now focusing on good infrastructure and road connectivity to lure investors, a top official has said.

As part of its new strategy, Tidco is also acting as a project facilitator by getting administrative bottlenecks cleared fast, its chairman and managing director Ramasundaram told IANS in an interview.
Earlier, it picked up substantial stakes in projects to attract investors.
'Gone are the days when we had to take around 26 percent equity stake in a project to attract investments,' Ramasundaram said.
'Today's investors are flush with funds, and they look for good infrastructure, investor-friendly climate, and an agency to speed up government clearances while deciding a location to set up their project,' he added.
In most of the new industrial projects, Tidco holds just one percent stake.
'Though we are not a major equity partner in the new industrial projects, our officials continue to do the legwork in getting clearances from other government bodies. We have decided to monetise this legwork since last fiscal,' he said.
Charging around 1-2 percent of the total project cost as its service fee, Tidco earned around Rs.80 million ($1.86 million) last fiscal while the dividend income was Rs.90 million.
For the current fiscal, the service fee expected is Rs.200 million and the dividend expectation is Rs.140 million. Last year, Tidco earned Rs.200 million divesting its holdings in four companies.
Registered as a non-banking finance company, Tidco has stopped accepting public deposits, and gets funds from the state government for investments.

Ramasundaram said Tidco's immediate priority is to expand Ticel Bio Park in the city to 900,000 sq ft from the present 100,000 sq ft at an investment of Rs.1.8 billion.
It has prepared a concept note to develop 1,600 sq km as an information technology investment region (ITIR), he added.

According to the proposal, Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram will be connected with a new road network so that IT companies will have alternative locations instead of big cities to set up their units.

Tidco also plans to connect Mahabalipuram, Tirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram with a single road while the National Highway 4 (NH4) will be extended to Mahabalipuram from Chennai.

Tidco has proposed extension of the mass rapid transport system (MRTS) up to Mahabalipuram along the Rajiv Gandhi Salai and also a 75-km new line from Anna Nagar in Chennai to Kanchipuram, passing through Sriperumbudur.

'As per estimates, the IT corridor in Chennai will have the largest concentration of software professionals. This advantage we don't want to lose,' he added.

The ITIR proposal is now with the state government, which will forward it to the central government.

Speaking about the various special economic zone (SEZ) projects in which Tidco is a joint venture partner, Ramasundaram said: 'Nearly 2,800 acres have been acquired for the multi-product SEZ at Perambalur.'

In Perambalur, where land acquisition has gone smoothly, land owners were paid Rs.300,000 per acre. In addition, they will also get a housing plot in the 100 acres reserved for that purpose near the SEZ, and one person from each family will be employed in the project once it takes off.

'Once the SEZ project is operational, the value of the housing plots too will appreciate. We will follow this model in other SEZs in the state,' Ramasundaram added.

Panasonic to invest over Rs 850 cr in India in 3 yrs

New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) Aiming to cash in on the growing Indian consumer durables market, Japan-based Panasonic will invest over Rs 850 crore in the next three years in brand positioning and modernising its facilities, besides plans to set up new units.
"We will invest 200 million dollar (over Rs 850 crore) in the next three years in the country to position our brand very firmly in the market. In this period, we will also modernise our existing facilities," Panasonic Sales and Services India Pvt Ltd Chairman Aso Hidenori told PTI.

The company is also eyeing to triple its revenue from India operations in the next three years from the current 350 million dollar (about Rs 1,500 crore) with plans to set up 200 brand stores.

"We are targeting 20-25 per cent growth in this fiscal from our current revenue of 350 million dollar. We expect it to triple in the next three years," Hidenori said.

The company currently has one assembly facility for CRT and LCD monitors in Noida with three lakh units capacity per annum, small appliances unit in Chennai and two factories in Vadodara and Chennai for manufacturing dry batteries.

"We are planning to increase the production capacities of CRT and LCD TVs in our Noida facility," he said.

Panasonic India currently imports washing machines, airconditioners and plasma TVs from its Thailand and Japan units.

"Depending upon the growth in demand in the country, we may opt for setting up assembly units here for plasma TVs, but we will have to wait for some time for that," Hidenori said.

^^ Source please... Any idea about the break-up of the investment in different cities?

^^ Source please... Any idea about the break-up of the investment in different cities?

http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/70EFA7E97DCEAA3765257485003C2E6C?OpenDocument

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Panasonic_to_invest_over_Rs_850_crore_in_India_in_3_years/articleshow/3228724.cms

http://www.bangkokpost.com/140708_Business/14Jul2008_biz24.php

Delta investing $50m in India

Driven by strong demand for electronic products in India, Delta Electronics (Thailand) Plc, the country's biggest listed electronics business, is poised to beef up its expansion in India, planing to invest about $50 million next year.

''We've already invested about 300 million baht in India and are preparing to allocate $50 million more to set up a new plant in Chennai,'' said Anusorn Muttaraid, the company's executive director.

Delta Electronics is one of a few Thai corporations that have pioneered investment in India.

''India is a very promising market and its tax incentives are very attractive. Our investments are granted a tax holiday for five years and a 50% tax cut for another five years,'' said Mr Anusorn.

''On top of that, India allows 100% foreign ownership and tax waivers are also available for imported machinery if the plants are located in industrial estates.''

Another advantage is relatively low labour cost. The monthly wage of non-skilled labour is just 1,800 to 2,000 baht.

Delta Electronics founded the wholly owned subsidiary Delta Energy Systems (India) in late 1996 in Gurgaon in Haryana state to assemble, market and sell power systems.

It later set up Delta Power Solutions India Private Ltd in 2007 to assemble, market and sell telecom power systems, uninterrupted power supply (UPS) units and other products.

Delta Power Solutions now operates two plants, one in Rudrapur in Uttarakhand state in northern India, making telecom power supplies and UP units, the other in Pondicherry in Tamil Nadu state, making telecom power supplies and magnetic components.

The Pondicherry plant is due to start commercial production on Aug 28 with output destined mainly for China. According to Mr Anusorn, the company is in talks with the central government to look for a site in Chennai to make low-end electronic components to supply the group's production base in Slovakia.

Last year's sales in the Indian market were outstanding, more than doubling to $96 million, said Mr Anusorn.

Sales are expected to top $150 million at the end of this year, about $2-5 million from exports.

Delta Electronics has set an ambitious target to raise its sales in India to top $1 billion over the next seven years.

The electronics market in India, one of the world's fastest growing economies, is vast since most products related to electronic components still need high-technology parts.

Delta Electronics reported total sales of 33.76 billion baht last year, a decrease from 43.55 billion baht a year earlier partially because of an appreciating baht against the US dollar. But its profits jumped from 1.96 billion baht in 2006 to 3.15 billion in 2007.

The company expected its sales would increase by at least 20% this year.

Delta shares closed on Friday on the SET at 20.70 baht, down 20 satang, in trade worth 1.87 million baht.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?tab=r&autono=328732&subLeft=1&leftnm=1

IFGL Refractories, which recently acquired Hofmann group of companies, is likely to bring feeder manufacture under Hofmann in Italy to Chennai.

Chennai, July 16 Toshiba, Japanese engineering major, plans to put up a power boiler plant at Ennore, north of Chennai, according to sources in the know.

The initial investment is estimated around Rs 1,000 crore.
Prospective investor

Toshiba’s name has been knocking about for sometime as a prospective investor, but until recently, the Japanese company was only mulling a project in the State.

However, it is now learnt that Toshiba has made up its mind in favour of investing at Ennore.

The company has been talking to the State Government’s Transport Department and the National Highways Authority of India for strengthening certain stretches of the road connecting the proposed site to the Ennore port, so that it could bring the heavy equipment needed for the project.

Sources say that Toshiba has plans to set up boilers for a capacity of 15,000 MW.

However, it is understood that such a level of capacity would be reached over time.
Clutch of investments

The shortage of power equipment manufacturing capacity in the country vis-À-vis the demand has spawned a clutch of investments in the sector. L&T has tied up with Mitsubishi Electric for producing boilers and turbines in India.

The Rs 1,400-crore Cethar Vessels Ltd based in Tiruchi, Tamil Nadu, which has 7,000 MW of boiler capacity, proposes to invest around Rs 3,000 crore to manufacture turbines.

It is talking to a few Chinese companies, including Harbin, for technology.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071752160100.htm

CHENNAI: With the Tamil Nadu Electricity Commission (TNERC) notifying its order of provisional tariff for solar power purchase on Monday, the Tamil Nadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA) will float the tender shortly for executing the Centre’s generation-based incentive scheme.

“We are going to invite bids for setting up solar thermal and solar photovoltaic plants. The government has asked us to go ahead, though a formal order is yet to be issued,” Mohan Verghese Chunkath, Chairman and Managing Director of the TEDA, told The Hindu. The notice for tenders would be issued in a couple of weeks.

In its order, the Commission fixed an interim tariff of Rs.3.15 per unit for power procurement by distribution licensees from solar photovoltaic and thermal power generation plants. It took into account the incentive to be provided by the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Under the scheme, the Ministry will provide generation-based incentive up to Rs.12 a unit for solar photovoltaic power and Rs.10 a unit for solar thermal power fed to the grid. Proposals from each developer with a maximum aggregate capacity of 5 megawatt (MW) will be considered. In all, the government will provide incentive for installation of 50-MW solar power projects. A maximum of 10 MW in a State will be allowed. The deadline is December next year

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071660611200.htm

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071752160100.htm

Good news!! Another big win by TN officials. I would have been more happy if they could have persuaded the company to set up the plant near Trichy leveraging the vendors and low cost of operations. That way, the fruits of industrialization will spread across the state. :cheers:

The Tamil Nadu Government is planning to develop two large chunks of land in its possession in the Gummidipoondi taluk, into industrial centres.

Sources in the Government said the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (Sipcot) is planning to develop 971 acres of land near the Thervoykandigai village and another 506 acres near the Surapoondi village, into industrial centres.

They say that the Government plans to offer these two areas to prospective investors as alternatives to Sriperumbudur and Oragadam, the two emergent industrial centres near Chennai. “Everybody wants to go to Sriperumbudur or Oragadam,” observed one Government official.

It is learnt that a large multinational company has evinced interest in taking up 200 acres at Thervoykandigai.

With investment proposals pouring in, the State Government is pressing ahead with land acquisition. Sources said the Government would soon acquire 1,000-acres near the villages of Pillaipakkam and Navalur, near Chennai. It has also identified 1,798 acres near Sriperumbudur and 978 acres near Oragadam.

Today, the industrial centres of Sriperumbudur and Oragadam, home to a number of marquee investments such as those of Hyundai, Saint Gobain, Nokia, Flextronics, Samsung, Caparo, Renault-Nissan, Daimler and Ashok Leyland, occupy about 7,000 acres of land. The plan is to expand add another 4,000 acres, sources said.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071759652308.htm

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Container freight station coming up at Chromepet

The storage of Tuticorin, Hosur and Chidambaram warehouses is being expanded
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: The Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC) is creating additional storage capacities in various parts of the State this year by investing Rs. 36 crore.

To start with, it is setting up a container freight station at Chromepet by investing Rs. 5 crore, followed by a Railside Warehousing Complex at Korukkupet (Rs.12 crore) and a general warehousing complex at Cuddalore (Rs. 4 crore). And storage capacities of the Tuticorin, Hosur and Chidambaram warehouses are being expanded at a total cost of Rs. 15 crore.

“Of the 23 acres the CWC owns at Chromepet, five acres have been fenced and modified for the new container freight station. The Inter-Ministerial Committee has given its nod, and Customs notification is in place. The new container freight station will have a storage capacity of 10,000 tonnes, and another 10,000 tonnes has been earmarked for the container yard. We have chosen Chromepet, since it is closer to the airport. It will be commissioned in a month,” CWC Regional Manager C.T. Thomas told The Hindu.

The work on the Railside Warehousing Complex at Korukkupet is ahead of schedule, and the facility will become operational by November 2008. This will be second such complex in Tamil Nadu, after the one at Koodal Nagar in Madurai.

“It is a special concept we are trying out here. The godown, 650 metres in length, will enable traders either to take delivery of or unload their goods in the godown. Similarly, a proposal has been placed before the board to set up railside warehousing complexes at Tondiyarpet, Tambaram and Royapuram,” he said.

Taking advantage of the Cuddalore minor port, the CWC is putting up a 30,000-square foot warehousing complex, with a 5,000-tonne storage, in the SIPCOT industrial area. It is being executed on a trial basis for which approval has been obtained. The Cuddalore, Tuticorin, Hosur and Chidambaram projects are expected to be completed this year.

“We have enough funds, and these projects will be financed with internal resources. Similarly, we don’t have a separate budget for a particular zone. The approval is given based on the proposals submitted,” Mr. Thomas said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/17/stories/2008071759881200.htm

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=426034&disdate=7/18/2008&advt=2

Chennai, July 17 Systime Computer Systems Ltd, part of the $250-million CMS group, has launched its global delivery centre (GDC) in Chennai recently.

Systime has had operations in Chennai for many years and the GDC is a formal extension of the regional business, enabling the company to serve its global customers better, said Mr Tushar Mehta, Vice-President – Global Delivery, Systime.

According to him, in line with its $15-million expansion plans, Systime has set-up this GDC here for offshore development projects. The new centre will handle the increasing market demand for varied technologies. “There are plans to expand our horizon by offering solutions for domains such as business intelligence, products and technology and infrastructure management services, in a phased manner,” said Mr Mehta.

It currently has two centres – in Navi Mumbai with over 750 employees and in Pune with a capacity of over 200 seats. The Chennai centre will start with a capacity of 75 seats and will ramp it up to 400 in the following two years.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/18/stories/2008071852092100.htm

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1178431

MUMBAI: Wipro Consumer Care and Lighting (WCCL) will invest Rs 100 crore this fiscal for expansion of several manufacturing plants.

The Chennai lighting plant will also see expansion. It is catering to specialised lighting and green lighting (energy-efficient) demand in the sectors such as IT, ITeS, banks and insurance.

Anna varsity gets SMT Development Centre

CHENNAI: The first-ever Surface Mount Technology (SMT) Development Centre in a university in India was inaugurated at Anna University, Chennai, on Friday. The silicon chip assembling equipment, worth Rs. 5 crore, was sponsored by Flextronics, as part of its ongoing collaboration with the university.

Inaugurating the centre, P. Mannar Jawahar, Vice-Chancellor, Anna University, Chennai, said that opening the centre was part of the university’s efforts to forge a closer relationship with industry. He congratulated the Department of Manufacturing Engineering for concluding the agreement, and bringing the laboratory to the university.

The importance given to IT and ECE in the current years was pushing other branches including manufacturing engineering towards innovation in novel technologies, research, and products, and this lab would facilitate this process, he said.

SMT is the technology used to mount the hardware on top of the Printed Circuit Boards in cellphones and other digital equipment. Since the technology was new to the faculty themselves, the university had sent two of their faculty to Malaysia for training and consultations on curriculum preparation with the company, S. Gowri, head of Department, Manufacturing Engineering, said.

The company would also train technicians and provide support for the centre in the coming years, Prof. Gowri said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/19/stories/2008071954000500.htm

HAI EVERY1 .. IAM NEW TO THIZ THREAD ... I HAVE BEEN A VISITOR TO THIS THREAD FOR ALMOST YEAR .. IAM PASSIONATE ABT CHENNAI ... HAPPY BEING HERE ;]:banana::banana:

http://news.smashits.com/271783/Tidco-focusing-on-infrastructure-development-to-lure-investors.htm

Chennai, July 13 (IANS) The Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corp Ltd (Tidco), the investment promotion arm of the state government, is now focusing on good infrastructure and road connectivity to lure investors, a top official has said.

As part of its new strategy, Tidco is also acting as a project facilitator by getting administrative bottlenecks cleared fast, its chairman and managing director Ramasundaram told IANS in an interview.
Earlier, it picked up substantial stakes in projects to attract investors.
'Gone are the days when we had to take around 26 percent equity stake in a project to attract investments,' Ramasundaram said.
'Today's investors are flush with funds, and they look for good infrastructure, investor-friendly climate, and an agency to speed up government clearances while deciding a location to set up their project,' he added.
In most of the new industrial projects, Tidco holds just one percent stake.
'Though we are not a major equity partner in the new industrial projects, our officials continue to do the legwork in getting clearances from other government bodies. We have decided to monetise this legwork since last fiscal,' he said.
Charging around 1-2 percent of the total project cost as its service fee, Tidco earned around Rs.80 million ($1.86 million) last fiscal while the dividend income was Rs.90 million.
For the current fiscal, the service fee expected is Rs.200 million and the dividend expectation is Rs.140 million. Last year, Tidco earned Rs.200 million divesting its holdings in four companies.
Registered as a non-banking finance company, Tidco has stopped accepting public deposits, and gets funds from the state government for investments.

Ramasundaram said Tidco's immediate priority is to expand Ticel Bio Park in the city to 900,000 sq ft from the present 100,000 sq ft at an investment of Rs.1.8 billion.
It has prepared a concept note to develop 1,600 sq km as an information technology investment region (ITIR), he added.

According to the proposal, Chennai, Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram will be connected with a new road network so that IT companies will have alternative locations instead of big cities to set up their units.

Tidco also plans to connect Mahabalipuram, Tirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram with a single road while the National Highway 4 (NH4) will be extended to Mahabalipuram from Chennai.

Tidco has proposed extension of the mass rapid transport system (MRTS) up to Mahabalipuram along the Rajiv Gandhi Salai and also a 75-km new line from Anna Nagar in Chennai to Kanchipuram, passing through Sriperumbudur.

'As per estimates, the IT corridor in Chennai will have the largest concentration of software professionals. This advantage we don't want to lose,' he added.

The ITIR proposal is now with the state government, which will forward it to the central government.

Speaking about the various special economic zone (SEZ) projects in which Tidco is a joint venture partner, Ramasundaram said: 'Nearly 2,800 acres have been acquired for the multi-product SEZ at Perambalur.'

In Perambalur, where land acquisition has gone smoothly, land owners were paid Rs.300,000 per acre. In addition, they will also get a housing plot in the 100 acres reserved for that purpose near the SEZ, and one person from each family will be employed in the project once it takes off.

'Once the SEZ project is operational, the value of the housing plots too will appreciate. We will follow this model in other SEZs in the state,' Ramasundaram added.

any specific reason sriperumbudur rail link from anna nagar rather than some central locations of chennai? :uh::bash:

^^Welcome to the Chennai Forum of Skyscrapercity Darkprinz! Eagerly awaiting your valuable opinions and ideas.:cheers:

^^Welcome to the Chennai Forum of Skyscrapercity Darkprinz! Eagerly awaiting your valuable opinions and ideas.:cheers:

thank u :)

There is a new building being built on ashok nagar main road next to jain antariksha ... seems to be around 12 floors .:banana: This area was previously a dumping ground

any1 know abt the fate of metro rail project any startoff ?:ohno:

any specific reason sriperumbudur rail link from anna nagar rather than some central locations of chennai? :uh::bash:

but why? there is a lot of commuter traffic along nh4 (chennai - bangalore highway) that connects sriperumbudur & koyambedu/anna nagar. rail link would reduce this traffic. people from central chennai could reach this station (chances are this would be koyambedu which is well connected & not anna nagar) and changeover.

For rail link to Sriperumbudur, its impossible to take a link from anna nagar. Perhaps Avadi or in between Avadi and Tiruvallur the branching may happen

any1 know abt the fate of metro rail project any startoff ?:ohno:

it is still in planning stage. realistic date of completion of phase 1 might be anywhere between 2015-2020. but i hope they break it down further and throw them open as soon as some parts are completed.

i think they should focus on anna salai stretch first. even if they finish the core section of say 5 km, it would attract traffic. i am sure many commuters using auto-rickshaws would consider using metro for part of the distance and switch over to auto at a closer stop. they can then focus one station at a time and keep expanding.

Hello folks,

I have just registered to join this forum after having followed various (Chennai specific) threads for a while now. You guys have been doing a great job so far. Hats off!

Regards,
Shyam

Chennai gets India's first heart implant training centre

India has got its first training centre for doctors to learn how to place implants in the heart.


Medtronic, a US-based medical technology service provider, opened its first therapy and procedure training centre (TPTC) in South Asia, in Chennai on Saturday.

A recent report in the premier medical journal The Lancet has said that by 2010, 60 percent of the world's heart patients will be in India. The majority of these patients will suffer from cardiac arrhythmias, heart failure and coronary artery diseases.

Implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers, de-fibrillators, cardiac therapy devices and coronary stents play a major role in the treatment of these life-threatening conditions.

The process of implanting these cardiac devices is complex and requires highly specialised and technically skilled practitioners.

Launched in 2004, Medtronic has a TPTC mobile unit that travels all over the US, training doctors. It has, so far, trained over 8,500 physicians, nurses and other health professionals via its mobile training unit.

It also has 18 virtual training labs throughout the world, including in the US, central America, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, half a dozen European countries, China, Japan and Australia.

The Chennai centre, the first in India, is aimed at increasing the number of heart specialists who will know how implant life saving devices in heart patients.

The centre's state-of-the-art classroom and programmer lab will provide training to cardiologists on the programming and follow-up management of these devices. Besides hands-on training, there will also be simulator-equipped class rooms at the centre.

"The therapy and procedure training centre in Chennai is an example of effective training and education used by the company worldwide," Joon Hurh, Medtronic's regional vice president, said on the occasion.

"As more people around the world are in need of implanted medical devices like pacemakers, ICD's and other cardiac devices, so too is the growing need for well-trained clinicians to care for these patients," said Milind Shah, managing director, Medtronic India.

"India has a small number of electro-physiologists (just about 50) who implant high-end devices like CRTs and ICDs to manage heart failures and reduce mortality due to sudden cardiac arrest (SCA)."

"Medtronic is committed to increasing this number in India so that physicians are able to deliver these therapies effectively to more and more patients who need them," Shah said.

The use of simulators is quickly becoming a standard approach to Medtronic training programmes.

Introduced in 2003, Medtronic's virtual labs with state-of-the-art simulator technology provide a safe way for physicians to develop the skills and confidence to implant devices, and for other health professionals to better understand the implantation process, "with life-like implant scenario", the company said.

The simulators are designed to provide a safe environment in which to learn new techniques while avoiding complications and minimising costs.

source economictimes.com (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Healthcare__Biotech/Chennai_gets_Indias_first_heart_implant_training_centre/articleshow/3253889.cms)

For rail link to Sriperumbudur, its impossible to take a link from anna nagar. Perhaps Avadi or in between Avadi and Tiruvallur the branching may happen

I think a good long term solution may be the following:
Kelambakkam - Vandalur - Oragadam - Sriperumbudur - New Airport - Avadi/Tiruvallur area - (extension) Red Hills/NH 5 - Minjur

If the govt. can join Southern Railway to build a rail line on this route, a ring rail route can be formed with Beach/Central station as origin. They can easily acquire more land along the newly cleared Oragadam corridors.

I envisage this to be a double electrified line to run regular EMU service either from Tambaram to Avadi, or Beach to Beach, Kelambakkam to Minjur. Other destinations such as Chengalpet to Arakkonam are also possible.

Also, sufficient land should be acquired so that two additional tracks can be laid to support freight operations. Initially freight operations can use the existing two tracks and can serve Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and any other industrial cluster, plus the airport, if needed.

This line can also serve as a bye-pass for freight coming from the north/west to go south and vice versa. Also, if it connected to the mainline at Minjur, (coal) freight from Ennore port can also use this line to avoid the super saturated Korukkupet/Vyasarpadi diamond to proceed towards Mettur.

The link to Kelambakkam can facilitate regular long distance services between Chennai and Pondy/Cuddalore, etc. These trains can leave Egmore, branch off at Vandalur, take the Mahabs line to Pondy and points south. This will leave the proposed Perungudi-Mahabs line free for dedicated EMU service till Kelambakkam.

In the future, may be a Chennai Metro phase 3/4/5 can construct lines to Sriperumbudur (via Porur and Poonamallee) and Red Hills (via Madhavaram) from the city centre, and these points can serve as transit stations/junctions. Chennai then can boast of a hub and spoke system of transit that can cope with the inevitable future expansion.

A footnote: There was the ORR project proposed with similar ideas. Any news about it?

Hotel Leelaventure plans $500 mn capex by 2011 - New hotels are being set up at Gurgaon, Udaipur, Chennai and New Delhi over the next three years, and the group is acquiring land in Agra and Jaipur for new properties

http://www.livemint.com/2008/07/20114532/Hotel-Leelaventure-plans-500.html

Mumbai: Hotel Leelaventure plans to invest $500 million to expand its pan-India presence in key cities by 2011.
It is setting up new hotels at Gurgaon, Udaipur, Chennai and New Delhi over the next three years, apart from acquiring land in Agra and Jaipur, a top company official said here.
“Our room capacity will go up from the present 1,100 to 2,400 by FY 12 after the Leela Palaces, Kempinski at Udaipur, Chennai, New Delhi and Hyderabad and the Leela, Kempinski at Gurgaon and Pune becomes operational. The cost of the project is estimated at $500 million,” Hotel Leelaventure’s president, Onno Poortier, told PTI.
The hosplitality company owns and operates The Leela Palaces, hotels and resorts in Mumbai, Bangalore, Goa and in Kovalam (Kerala).

The Chennai-based engineering company BGR Energy Systems Limited has bagged a Rs.49 billion engineering procurement construction (EPC) contract for a thermal power project in Rajasthan.

Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd has chosen BGR Energy for its 2x600 MW Kalisindh Thermal Power Project at Jhalawar in Rajasthan.

The scope of the contract includes design, engineering, and supply of boilers, steam turbine generators and complete balance of plant (BOP) equipments, including mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and control systems and civil, structural and architectural works.

'We will source the boiler, turbine and generator from Dangfang Electric Company, China, for $405 million,' said B.G. Raghupathy, chairman and managing director.

The equipment are expected to land in India some time in 2009-10.

'The auxiliary power consumption - power needed to run the equipments - is 54 MW,' said A. Swaminathan, president and CEO, Power Products Division.

He said the value of contracts to be executed in-house will be Rs.20 billion and the balance will be bought out.

Swaminathan said the first 600 MW unit will be commissioned in 39 months and the second unit will go on stream three months later.

This is the second major order for BGR Energy in a short time. Early this month, it announced the award of contract from the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) worth Rs.31 billion for a 600 MW thermal project at Mettur.

According to Raghupathy, the company will be bidding for supplying BOP for projects in Krishnapattanam in Andhra Pradesh, Malwa in Madhya Pradesh, Sarkura in Chhattisgarh and Chabra in Rajasthan as and when the tenders are floated.

After the latest order, the company's order book position stands at Rs.110 billion.

BGR Energy is in the process of tying up working capital funds to the tune of Rs.10 billion through a 13-member banking consortium.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.indiaprwire.com/businessnews/20080716/31849.htm

CHENNAI: KPMG has inaugurated its new office in Chennai. According to a release, the new Chennai office will help the firm further expand its operations and offer audit, tax and advisory services to various sectors ranging from automotive and engineering, ITES and entertainment, financial institutions especially NBFCs, port and infrastructure and textile. — Corporate Reporter

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071656001800.htm

The car will be priced between Rs. 3.99 lakh and Rs. 5.43 lakh

FULFILLING COMMITMENT: H. S. Lheem, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India, with the newly launched ‘i10’ with Kappa engine in Chennai on Tuesday.

CHENNAI: Hyundai Motor India Ltd., (HMIL) has launched a new ‘i10’, powered by a 1.2 litre Kappa engine, at its plant in Chennai.
The car will be priced between Rs. 3.99 and Rs. 5.43 lakh.

The company has invested $421 million in research and development of the Kappa engine and $250 million on the new engine and transmission plant at Sriperumbudur.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, H. S. Lheem, Managing Director, said the new engine and transmission plant with a capacity of 2.5 lakh units annually, would produce the new Kappa engine to be fitted in the ‘i10’ meant for both the domestic and the export markets.

On the new Kappa engine, he said, ‘it was exclusively manufactured in India and this showed how Hyundai was committed to make India as a global small car hub.”

The engine, developed in 48 months, would be launched in five variants of ‘i10’ such as Magna, SportZ, Asta, Asta Option, and Automatic, which will have sunroof, 2-din audio system and other special features.

He said the new Kappa ‘i10’ would be sold along with the existing Epsilon 1.1 litre engine variant and would be available in a range of 10 colours. The Kappa engine-fitted ‘i10’ would also be available with an automatic transmission. A four-speed automatic gearbox was mated to this all new, powerful engine which would add to the convenience of city driving.

Mr. Lheem said with the launch of these models, the contribution from Indian operations to overall global sales of the company would increase to 15 per cent in a couple of years from 12 per cent now.He said Hyundai Motor had become the fifth biggest car maker in the world.

He, however, said that the current 1.1 litre engine would continue to power both ‘Santro’ and ‘i10’, but the new Kappa engine would significantly raise the bar in this segment.

Since its launch eight months back, the company had sold 1.85 lakh units of ‘i10’ of which 75,000 units were sold in the domestic market.

Mr. Lheem said his company would launch a new small car ‘i20’, by the end of this year, which would complete the company’s product portfolio in the compact car segment.

Hyundai Motor aims to make India as the global hub for its compact car production.

The new production facility would raise the company’s engine production in India from 3.20 lakh to 5.70 lakh units.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/16/stories/2008071656001800.htm

IFGL Refractories, which recently acquired Hofmann group of companies, is likely to bring feeder manufacture under Hofmann in Italy to Chennai.

Pradeep Bajoria, promoter director, IFGL Refractories said that the move would result in savings to the extent of 30 per cent. Hofmann has two foundries, in Germany and Czech Republic. However, there is no plan to shift the facilities to India.

With the acquisition of Hofmann, IFGL stepped into the foundry sector. IFGL plans to start filter manufacturing for foundry in Rourkela. Bajoria said, "We have land available in Rourkela and later if need be it can be shifted to Pune or Kandla."

Hofman was acquired by IFGL for seven million euros. Bajoria said, IFGL's turnover in 2007-08 was Rs 378 crore and profit after tax (PAT) was at Rs 28.5 crore.

In 2008-09 sales were likely to touch Rs 536-550 crore while PAT was expected to grow by at least 25 per cent.

IFGL GmbH, the special purpose vehicle (SPV), a 100 per cent subsidiary of Monocon International Refractories, UK, had been formed to acquire 96.16 per cent of Hofmann Ceramics GmbH and 100 per cent of Hofmann OHG, Germany.

Along with the two companies, 92 per cent of Hofmann Ceramics, Czech Republic and 100 per cent of Hofmann Ceramic Limited, UK.

http://inwww.rediff.com/newshound/searchshowarticle.htm?rediffid=http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=1&autono=328732

CHENNAI: Thanks to the efforts of a private builder and some local residents, a 24,000 sq ft property, which was a dumping yard till the other day, has been transformed into a beautiful park in MRC Nagar. It is expected to be inaugurated soon by local administration minister M K Stalin.

It is an open space reservation (OSR) land under the corporation's control and was lying in a state of disuse as the civic agency was not able to allocate funds for its upkeep. With every possibility of encroachers taking possession of the land, Chaitanya Builders, which has a multi-storeyed residential project next door, offered to develop it as a park.

The builder felt the dumping yard was an eyesore for his customers and came forward to spend Rs 20 lakh for the project.

"We took up the matter with the corporation and sought permission for developing the park. We had nothing to do with that land and it is not the OSR land within our project area. Our intention was only to develop it for the people in that locality. The corporation agreed to the idea and we started the work. We got financial assistance from other quarters as well. Our own customers in the MRC Nagar project - Ficus Grove - contributed Rs 6 lakh and our contractor CCCL and Visalakshi Ramasamy, owner of another property in the area, donated Rs 2 lakh each," said V Ramesh Kumar Reddy, managing director of Chaitanya.

"This is only a beginning. We have plans to develop a few more parks in MRC Nagar area with public participation," he added.

OSR lands have come under severe stress across the city as anti-social elements and land grabbers have taken possession of many such properties. Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) officials have been repeatedly pleading with their counterparts in the Chennai Corporation to take possession of OSR lands, spread across all the ten zones of the corporation, and to maintain them as parks. Between 2002 and 2007, CMDA had received 74 registered gift deeds of OSR lands from builders, said a senior official.

As per development control rules (DCR), a builder developing a housing project in a property measuring up to 3,000 sq metres need not earmark any OSR land. For plots measuring more than 3,000 sq metres and up to 10,000 sq metres, 10% of the area has to be set aside as OSR and handed over to the CMDA or to the corporation through a gift deed. In turn, the CMDA or the corporation may permit the residents' association or flat owners' association to maintain such reserved space as parks. In such cases, public access to the area is not insisted upon and the green space could be used exclusively by residents, as per the development control rules.

Another option for properties measuring up to 10,000 sq metres is that the builder can reclaim the OSR by paying the guideline value of the property to the corporation. In case the land measures more than 10,000 sq metres, 10% of the area excluding the roads has to be reserved as recreational open space. In such cases, the builder cannot buy back the land.

Encroachments on OSR lands have also led to many legal battles. In one such case in Ashok Nagar, the corporation had to fight a long-drawn-out legal battle before succeeding in retrieving it. It was developed into a park only
recently.

In a joint survey conducted by the CMDA and corporation officials recently, it came to light that 30% of OSR lands have been encroached upon and used by builders for purposes other than parks, said a corporation official. In some cases, OSR lands do not even conform to the measurement in the approved plan. In Mylapore, the corporation officials took possession of 25 OSR sites recently.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Chennai/Unused_land_turned_into_park/articleshow/3256870.cms

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Hyundai_reminds_TN_of_rail_link_from_factory/articleshow/3256640.cms

NEW DELHI: Peeved at the poor road infrastructure for cargo movement from its factory to the Chennai port, India's largest car exporter Hyundai has reminded the Tamil Nadu government of its commitment to provide a rail link from its manufacturing plant, located outside Chennai, to facilitate easy and fast transport of its containers.

The South Korean car major, that has made India a manufacturing hub for some of its small car models like the i10, has to transport the export consignment by road from its factory in Sriperumbudur to the port, covering a distance of around 40 kms.

However, not only is the road infrastructure poor but there are also restrictions on the time during which the consignments can be sent.

As per the stipulations of the state government, trucks carrying commercial cargo can ply only betwwen 9pm and 6 am which means limited hours for transporting goods amid choked roads, leading to delays and other difficulties. "We have requested the Tamil Nadu government for the rail link from our factory as this is very crucial for our operations and export commitments," Hyundai India president Ashok Jha told the Times of India.

Jha said provision of a rail link was also part of the MoU the company had signed with the Tamil Nadu government almost a decade ago. "It is not something that we are raising afresh. We just hope the state government facilitates the provision of the rail link," he said.

Hyundai has gradually been building up its export kitty from India. While the Santro used to be the biggest-volume car exported by the company from India earlier, the leadership has now been taken over by the newly-launched i10 compact.

The company's focus on the export market can be gauged from the fact that of its total production of around 5.3 lakh units, it plans to sell as much as 2.1 lakh units abroad. On an average, around 700 cars leave the factory for the port, though a container can only ferry 5 cars at one time.

"Because of heavy traffic on the road and jams, a container takes a minimum of two hours to transport just five cars and can do only two rounds in a night. This means we have to hire as many as 70 containers per day which are mostly stuck in jams," a senior official of the company said.

The official said Hyundai, as well as other companies in the industrial area, have requested the state government to build a rail link from Sriperumbudur to Avadi, a town in the Thiruvallur district which is home to defence establishments.

"This is 22 km from our factory area. From there, we can not only find a rail link to the port but to other areas in the country as well," the official said, adding that the local industry was ready to participate in the project where the railways and the Tamil Nadu government would be the chief initiators.With demand in the domestic market appearing sluggish due to high interest rates and inflation, the company has said it may jack up export from India, especially as it faces a huge backlash.

I think a good long term solution may be the following:
Kelambakkam - Vandalur - Oragadam - Sriperumbudur - New Airport - Avadi/Tiruvallur area - (extension) Red Hills/NH 5 - Minjur

If the govt. can join Southern Railway to build a rail line on this route, a ring rail route can be formed with Beach/Central station as origin. They can easily acquire more land along the newly cleared Oragadam corridors.

I envisage this to be a double electrified line to run regular EMU service either from Tambaram to Avadi, or Beach to Beach, Kelambakkam to Minjur. Other destinations such as Chengalpet to Arakkonam are also possible.

Also, sufficient land should be acquired so that two additional tracks can be laid to support freight operations. Initially freight operations can use the existing two tracks and can serve Sriperumbudur, Oragadam and any other industrial cluster, plus the airport, if needed.

This line can also serve as a bye-pass for freight coming from the north/west to go south and vice versa. Also, if it connected to the mainline at Minjur, (coal) freight from Ennore port can also use this line to avoid the super saturated Korukkupet/Vyasarpadi diamond to proceed towards Mettur.

The link to Kelambakkam can facilitate regular long distance services between Chennai and Pondy/Cuddalore, etc. These trains can leave Egmore, branch off at Vandalur, take the Mahabs line to Pondy and points south. This will leave the proposed Perungudi-Mahabs line free for dedicated EMU service till Kelambakkam.

In the future, may be a Chennai Metro phase 3/4/5 can construct lines to Sriperumbudur (via Porur and Poonamallee) and Red Hills (via Madhavaram) from the city centre, and these points can serve as transit stations/junctions. Chennai then can boast of a hub and spoke system of transit that can cope with the inevitable future expansion.

A footnote: There was the ORR project proposed with similar ideas. Any news about it?



A VERY INTRESTING IDEA ... BUT IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY OF CONNECTING IT TO CENTRAL OR EGMORE OR SOMETHING DIRECTLY THRO POONAMALE?? :uh:

A VERY INTRESTING IDEA ... BUT IS THERE ANY OTHER WAY OF CONNECTING IT TO CENTRAL OR EGMORE OR SOMETHING DIRECTLY THRO POONAMALE?? :uh:

Poonamallee to Central is heavily built up; finding land will be an enormous undertaking, financially and otherwise. The existing service from Chengalpet/Tambaram and Avadi to Central should be utilized.

Of course, an underground metro from Luz, via Teynampet, Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Porur, Iyyanpanthangal and Poonamallee would help travel significantly. Alternatively, extending the Metro line 2 from Koyambedu to Poonamallee may also work.

I do not know what the Metro's future phases are (if any).

^^ UPTO MY KNOWLEDGE 3RD PHASE IS CONNECTING ANNA SALIA LINK TO THE ASHOK NAGAR LINK THRO T.NAGAR :nuts:

http://www.just-auto.com/article.aspx?id=95480

Set in the arid south of India, the state of Tamil Nadu (TN) is fast emerging as the automobile manufacturing hub with around 100 local and multinational automakers having at least one facility somewhere in the state and a local official talking of recent interest from Chrysler.

Hyundai Motor Company set up a plant in Sriperumbudur 12 years ago and, since then, almost all major automakers have arrived. Meanwhile, Hyundai recently built a second facility with 600,000-unit annual capacity.

Other pioneering companies - Ford and India's own Mahindra & Mahindra - have been followed by the Renault-Nissan Alliance which invested around US$11.25bn in a plant at Oragadam, 30km from the state's capital Chennai (once known as Madras).

The TN government's 11th five year plan (2007-08 to 2011-12) forecasts auto industry investments at $20bn, up from $4.5bn so far.

According to the report, 21% of all passenger cars, 33% of commercial vehicles and 35% of auto components produced in India come from TN, which employs over 200,000 in the industry and contributes 8% to India's GDP.

According to TN's principal secretary to the ministry of industries, Thiru Farooqui, the state's auto industry increased production by 10%, sales by 12%, and exports by 15% which increased value of production by a sharp 30% during the middle of last year (June, July).

A recent state delegation to the USA brought the promise of a return visit by a team from Chrysler group though they have yet to visit India.

"The Chrysler group is very interested in our state and we are also very happy to have them here but I cannot say anything more than that at this moment" Farooqui said.

A Chrysler spokesman in the US told just-auto: "We have not announced any plans to build a manufacturing plant or any other facility in India."

Poonamallee to Central is heavily built up; finding land will be an enormous undertaking, financially and otherwise. The existing service from Chengalpet/Tambaram and Avadi to Central should be utilized.

Of course, an underground metro from Luz, via Teynampet, Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Vadapalani, Virugambakkam, Porur, Iyyanpanthangal and Poonamallee would help travel significantly. Alternatively, extending the Metro line 2 from Koyambedu to Poonamallee may also work.

I do not know what the Metro's future phases are (if any).

May be 2025, Metro will reach Ponamalle, but southern railways should come out with alternate terminal for Chennai. Already Central and Egmore are congested and there is very little scope of adding more long distance trains from these stations. Tambaram will be 3rd terminal for Chenna city, railways should run few express trains like GT express, , Kacheguda express, Mumbai Mail etc., from Tambaram station... But this terminal may be sufficient for next 10years... So alternate big terminal like Central/Egmore is needed for the city. Minister for state for railways Mr.Velu use to tell that Salt Coutaurs (Near to Central) is the place where new terminal is going to be built up.

When City is developing towards south, south west, west and north west and turning to a mega city, Is a terminal adjacent to presently congested central will help this city? It will make the central areas to be more congested and crowded.

Here is my dream network for Chennai.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2109/chennaifutureterminal1rl1.jpg

Along with new railway line to sriperambudur, new airport, government should build a terminal at Poonamalle with easy connection to Chennai-Chengalpattu line, Avadi-SRPD-Kanchi proposed, cuddalore line proposed and Chennai-Arrakonam line. This terminal will help in operating trains easily to all the direction and will change the concept that Egmore is for south bound trains and Central is for north and west bound trains.

Poonamalle may be easy point for Sriperambudur Auto zone, GST Zone, Western suburbans and OMR/ECR/IT Corridor!!

The seating will be spread across two floors

It will be “more or less” in the same area as present structure stands
http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/22/images/2008072259540501.jpg


This is the model of the new Kalaivanar Arangam to be built in the Government Estate in Chennai.
CHENNAI: The government will build a larger and contemporary Kalaivanar Arangam in the Omandur Government Estate by 2010.

“Initially three structures in the government estate were to be left alone: the new MLA hostel, Kalaivanar Arangam and Rajaji Hall. But architecturally, the present Kalaivanar Arangam will not go with the modern secretariat and the Assembly complex being built. Hence, it was decided to build a better, more spacious Arangam with more facilities,” an official explained.

The Arangam now has a seating capacity of 1,058. It does not have adequate parking. Often, vehicles line up along roads in the government estate. The new hall will have adequate multi-tier parking lots adjoining it. The seating in the new hall will be spread across two floors. “The plan is to accommodate at least 2,500 persons on the ground floor and the first floor,” the official said. The new complex will be “more or less” in the same area as the present structure stands. Asked about the need for a new hall, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said he held in high esteem both Kalaivanar (NSK) and Rajaji. The Rajaji Hall was being touched up keeping in view its aesthetic heritage. It was as a tribute to N.S. Krishnan that he wanted to build a contemporary auditorium that was as good as any in the country, he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi had also presided over a dozen meetings on the Assembly Hall and the secretariat complex, and the issue of facilities to be added in the new Kalaivanar Arangam figured at each meeting, according to officials who were part of the reviews.

Compiled from: The Hindu http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/22/stories/2008072259540500.htm

Parking is like a huge problem for city dwellers today. If flats are constructed with the ground floor as parking area, there are specific areas of parking when commercial areas are considered. Many people dread using their vehicles and sort to public transportation which offers almost everything as a private vehicle.

http://www.chennaionline.com/cityfeature/Chennai/July08/Images/parking01.jpg

Most of us would have wondered why vehicles are parked just in front of the shops. The cars used as a platform for display of teddy bears for sale in Pangal Park area and the most common scene, Vehicles parked just in front of the 'No parking' board. To imagine broad roads without vehicles been parked on both sides would no more ne a mere dream.

Jamming and uncertainty caused by chaotic parking is a predominant area of concern for the CMDA. But not anymore, the authorities have devised a solution for the parking problems taking lessons from their foreign contemporaries. Haphazard parking on streets may soon be a thing of the past. With the parking spots allotted reaching the brim of capacity, a multi - level parking has been resorted to be a savior.

Wondering what multi level parking is? This is something which the Spencer plaza has been housing for few years now. You go through the parking slot, follow tracks and pass through tunnel like structures and you park you car at third floor. The same system will be followed; vehicle towers will be built with concrete parking surfaces and steel frames. According to a news report it will take three minutes for a car to roll into the vehicle tower and go into the customer area on its return. The time fixed to move all vehicles out of the tower in case of an emergency will be two hours.

The parking lots near Broadway bus stand, Panagal Park and Government Estate would be the first few places where the multi level parking would be built... This might look a like a boon for parking problems, but what one must do exactly to curb the parking hassles is promoting the usage of public transportation and developing few fully pedestrian zones.

Compiled from: Chennai Online! http://www.chennaionline.com/cityfeature/Chennai/July08/07article21.aspx

Cabinet sub-committee decides to allow multi-storey buildings in roads that are 40 feet wide

There will be no restriction on the height of buildings on 120-foot-wide road

CHENNAI: The boundary of the Chennai Metropolitan Area will be increased, and there will be no change in the Floor Space Index (FSI) norms for buildings.

These were two of the major decisions taken by the Cabinet sub-committee on master plan on Monday.

The committee has also decided to allow multi-storey buildings in roads that are 40 feet wide, and there will be no restriction on the height of the buildings on 120-foot-wide road.

The recommendations have been submitted to the Chief Minister.

The existing boundary extends up to Uthandi on East Coast Road (ECR) and near Vandalur on Grand South Trunk (GST) Road and Siruseri on Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

The CMDA had earlier recommended that the boundary be extended to Maraimalai Nagar on GST road, Tiruvidanthai on ECR and up to Thiruporur on OMR. The extent of the approved extension is yet to be known.

Vegetable markets

The sub-committee has recommended building vegetable, fruit and grain markets in various zones of the city. It has also recommended private truck terminals in different parts to end wayward parking of trucks on roads. Furthermore, it has proposed to strengthen the Sathangadu iron and steel market.

The floor space index is the ratio that determines the extent of permissible built-up area in a plot. The index for ordinary buildings is 1.5, and for multi-storey buildings 2.5. The draft second master plan and the expert committee had not proposed any change. However, the previous meeting of the Cabinet sub-committee discussed the proposals to modify the floor space index and height restrictions. Experts and NGOs objected to such modifications.

Compiled from: The Hindu http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/22/stories/2008072255340500.htm

May be 2025, Metro will reach Ponamalle, but southern railways should come out with alternate terminal for Chennai. Already Central and Egmore are congested and there is very little scope of adding more long distance trains from these stations. Tambaram will be 3rd terminal for Chenna city, railways should run few express trains like GT express, , Kacheguda express, Mumbai Mail etc., from Tambaram station... But this terminal may be sufficient for next 10years... So alternate big terminal like Central/Egmore is needed for the city. Minister for state for railways Mr.Velu use to tell that Salt Coutaurs (Near to Central) is the place where new terminal is going to be built up.

When City is developing towards south, south west, west and north west and turning to a mega city, Is a terminal adjacent to presently congested central will help this city? It will make the central areas to be more congested and crowded.


Here is my dream network for Chennai.

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/2109/chennaifutureterminal1rl1.jpg

Along with new railway line to sriperambudur, new airport, government should build a terminal at Poonamalle with easy connection to Chennai-Chengalpattu line, Avadi-SRPD-Kanchi proposed, cuddalore line proposed and Chennai-Arrakonam line. This terminal will help in operating trains easily to all the direction and will change the concept that Egmore is for south bound trains and Central is for north and west bound trains.

Poonamalle may be easy point for Sriperambudur Auto zone, GST Zone, Western suburbans and OMR/ECR/IT Corridor!!

Good idea Arul. As per the old plans

Villivakkam is being planned as a major terminal and most of the trains from Bangalore, Coimbatore / Kerala side will be stopped here. Railway has lot of land space available here.

Tambaram will be the terminaus for south bound trains. Central will be for Vijayawada, Mumbai route trains.

Egmore will be the connecting station with all three above terminals.

But I do not know what is the present scenerio after the Metro and MRTS expansions.

Good idea Arul. As per the old plans

Villivakkam is being planned as a major terminal and most of the trains from Bangalore, Coimbatore / Kerala side will be stopped here. Railway has lot of land space available here.

Tambaram will be the terminaus for south bound trains. Central will be for Vijayawada, Mumbai route trains.

Egmore will be the connecting station with all three above terminals.

But I do not know what is the present scenerio after the Metro and MRTS expansions.

Terminating south bound trains at Tambaram imo is not a good idea atall. It is too far from the city. Not eve nthe proposed metro goes upto Tambaram, but only upto the Airport. This wil lonly increase the congestion along the GST.

St Thomas Mt perhaps is a better choice given that the station will also be connected to the rest of the city thanks to the proposed Metro & MRTS.

same way villivakam is also quite far from places like anna salai and other main areas.....

same way villivakam is also quite far from places like anna salai and other main areas.....


But Villivakkam is connected very well by local rains to Chennai Central, which in turn is well connected by trains to all regions of Chennai.Also, Villivakkam is near(relatively) Koymabedu Bus stop.

Good idea Arul. As per the old plans

Villivakkam is being planned as a major terminal and most of the trains from Bangalore, Coimbatore / Kerala side will be stopped here. Railway has lot of land space available here.

Tambaram will be the terminaus for south bound trains. Central will be for Vijayawada, Mumbai route trains.

Egmore will be the connecting station with all three above terminals.

But I do not know what is the present scenerio after the Metro and MRTS expansions.

Thanks for information on new terminal plan,

But,

But Villivakkam and Tambaram terminal will be helpful only for CBE/Bangalore/Kerala and Soutj/Delta Dt trains only. Still Chennai has scope for creating a big terminal with 25 platforms and bringing the entire connection of long distance trains in one roof. Instead of creating a terminal at Villivakkam and then another one in Beach-Chengalpattu line for south bound trains, straight was they should plan for next 25 years and go for a mega terminal.

For that Ponamalle will be a good location, at it can easily get connected to Chennai Central-Arrakonam main line, Chennai Beach-Chengaptattu new line and proposed Avadi-Sriperumbudur and Chennai-Cuddalore ECR line.

Even Chennai central-Gummidipundi line can be connected through Avadi-Vyasarpadi-Tondiapet line!

Villivakkam terminal plan had been abandoned long back and in lieu second terminal at Central was mooted using salt Coutaurs land. That too failed to Kick off with plans for 12 Platforms(6 Island platforms with tracks on both sides) with 6 in phase 1 and another 6 in phase 2.

Congestion is happening not because of number of trains but because after they reaches chennai in morning they remain idle till night consuming previous space(For non Egmore maintenance trains)

Tambaram is approved for coaching terminal and just 5% of the required funds are provided for it till recent budget. Only advantage is space in tambaram. But again it will be hit only if trains to North and west are maintained in tambaram with 10 minute stopover in egmore. All South bound trains needs to Start from egmore and even if egmore is congested say in next 15 years, then royapuram(Again abundant space owned by railways) needs to be developed and south bound trains should stop at 10 minutes at egmore and thereby reducing congestion

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Small Industries Development Corporation will establish a common facility in the Guindy Industrial Estate for micro, small and medium enterprises to display their products, for a specific period, at an affordable cost.

The proposal, mooted some two years ago by the State government, called for offering these units help in the form of godowns for raw materials, cold storage, common testing laboratories, quality certification facility and common display centre to enable them to face the global competition.

The corporation will build a 4,000-square foot complex, at a cost of Rs. 5 crore, under the Cluster Development Programme.

The complex comprising basement, stilt and four floors, will become a reality in 12-15 months.

“This scheme was mooted some two years ago. Now, it is being given a concrete shape. We have got the approval of our board, and we will write to the State and Central governments, seeking finance assistance,” TANSIDCO chairman and managing director D. Rajendran told The Hindu.

“The State has already sanctioned us Rs. 5 lakh, while a request will be made to the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) to allot the land,” he said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072456810500.htm

Mr. Rajendran said the corporation was yet to work out the modalities for the units to share the display space. “It could be commodity-wise, season-based, sector-wise or area-wise for 10-15 days. It will be given only to those manufacturers who can’t afford to have their own display centre in the city. We will also collect user charges for asset maintenance. This model will be replicated in other cities such as Coimbatore, Madurai and Tiruchi. But before that, we want this centre to be up and running.”

The board has also approved construction of a multi-storey office, measuring 1.50 lakh square feet and comprising basement, stilt and nine floors. The design has been completed, and the ground breaking ceremony is expected to be held in September.

Thereafter, it will take 18 months for completion. “It will cost Rs. 27.5 crore. Out of the nine floors, two are meant for the Department of Industries and Commerce, two floors for the corporation and the rest will be rented out. We have 69 cents in our possession, and we roughly need 1.20 acres for both the buildings,” Mr. Rajendran said.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072454881100.htm

Work on first phase likely to begin in three months

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contractors sought more than the estimated project cost on previous occasions

22 of the 30 wards will be covered, 7,000 house connections will be provided
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

CHENNAI: The underground drainage project in Madhavaram is finally set to take off, two years after it was proposed, with Chennai Metrowater, the implementing agency, planning to float tender by this month-end.

Work on the first phase of the project, for which contractors did not evince interest when tenders were floated twice earlier, is expected to begin in about three months. An official of Madhavaram Municipality said on both the occasions, the contractors sought more than the estimated project cost to offset the increase in the price of construction materials.

The contractors’ demand was approved by the Municipality council members and the State Finance department in March this year. Consequently, the project cost was increased from Rs.26 crore to Rs.32 crore.

The municipality also received a Rs.3 crore grant for the project from the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration. But the amount remains unused in view of the delay in implementation of the project.

With the new schedule of rates, of the Public Works Department, being implemented there would not be any hurdles in taking up the project work, the official said.

In the first phase, 22 of the 30 wards would be covered and a total of 7,000 house connections provided. Some of the areas to be covered in the phase include Thanickachalam Nagar, Madhavaram Main Bazaar, Thattankulam, Peria Sekkadu and K.K.R. Garden.

In the absence of a proper drainage system, several colonies let their sewage into the Madhavaram lake now. An open flood water canal running along several areas of Madhavaram was being used by the local body to drain the sewage. The canal was linked to the Buckingham canal.

Admitting that the sewage was being let out through the open canal, the official said this could not be avoided since there was no other option but to transport sewage generated by about one lakh population to the Buckingham canal.

The underground drainage project, expected to take 18 months to complete, is to be executed with financial assistance under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Under the project, sewer pipeline over a distance of about 120 kms would be laid and the sewer network linked to Kodungaiyur sewage treatment plant.

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/24/stories/2008072459340400.htm

ya i too accept that poonamalle must be considered for an integrated terminal.. as it is well connected even by bus to most of the city parts. I dont think space will be a problem here bcause there are plenty of vacant lands on banglore highway

ya i too accept that poonamalle must be considered for an integrated terminal.. as it is well connected even by bus to most of the city parts. I dont think space will be a problem here bcause there are plenty of vacant lands on banglore highway

Plenty of vacant lands near poonamalle ???? Are you serious

Chennai, July 23 : Super markets and shopping malls are quite common in any part of the world.

And now financial supermarkets are here to stay, offering a wide range of financial services under one roof.

In Chennai, "Artha Money" is to fulfil this function as India's first financial supermarket.

The multi-product, multi-brand financial services company would offer a unique single-stop service catering to each and every financial need of the retail Indian customer, right from investments like equity, mutual funds, real estate, to life and general insurance, personal loans and credit cards to services like tax filing, bill payments and foreign exchange.

Artha Money CEO and MD Suresh Rangarajan told reporters here today that the company has already set up five branches in the city and would be opening five more in the next five months.

Artha Money is looking at 10,000 customers in 25 days by August 15 and then to one lakh at the end of first year.

''At the end of five years, we are looking at one million customers with a turnover of Rs 500 crore'', he said and added that the company has forged partnerships with some leading companies across all four verticals, investments, insurance (both general and health, assets and money related services.

''With a range of these products under one roof, Artha Money is hoping to usher in a retail revolution in the personal finance space by positioning itself as a financial supermarket'', he said.

''While the Indian consumer has moved from the typical "Malligakadai stores (provision stores) to the super-mall, such a revolution has not yet touched the financial space.

We still "shop" for financial products like our parents did by interacting with multiple experts -- one for every product category'', he added.

''With the launch of our Financial Super Market we will change that'', Mr Suresh said and announced a unique promotion for the first 25 days where customers get an assured Silver coin on opening an Artha Money Account. In addition, one winner wins one sovereign gold coin every day for 25 days.

About expansion plans, he said the company would move to Andhra Pradesh by opening five branches in Guntur, Vijayawada, Vizag, Hyderabad and Secunderabad, before foraying into Karnataka with branches in Shimoga, Mangalore, Mysore, Hubli and Davanagere.

The company would soon set up four super markets in New Delhi.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=89910

Mumbai, July 22 : The country's first indigenously built nuclear power reactor Madras Atomic Power Station Unit-1 (MAPS-1), located at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu and set up at a cost of Rs.2.4 billion ($57 million), will complete 25 years Wednesday.

Synchronised to the grid in the presence of late prime minister Indira Gandhi July 23, 1983, MAPS comprises two units of 220 MW each of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR), according to a statement released by Nuclear Power Corp of India Ltd (NPCIL) here Tuesday.

MAPS has supplied more than 45,000 million units (MUs) of electricity at a current tariff of Rs.1.89 per unit and earned a profit of Rs.11.2 billion so far.

Tamil Nadu has a share of 330 MW out of the station capacity of 440 MW in addition to the share of other beneficiary states in the southern electricity region.

Pioneering an era of progress and indigenisation of the Indian nuclear industry, the successful completion of project engineering, design, construction, commissioning and operation of MAPS-1 laid a strong foundation for the first stage of the Indian nuclear power programme.:banana:

The experience gained at MAPS paved the way for India's standardised 220 MW PHWRs. It resulted in the design being upgraded to 540 MW with two such units now under operation at Tarapur, near Mumbai.

This design has been further up-rated to 700 MW and eight PHWR units of 700 MW are planned in the 11th Five Year Plan, NPCIL said.

NPCIL added that in the recent past, MAPS-1 and MAPS-2 have undergone major renovation and modernisation and, safety upgradation and en-mass coolant channels replacements.

The statement added that all NPCIL stations, including MAPS, have performed "excellently" in terms of safety, achieving over 280 reactor-years of safe and accident-free operations.

The releases to the environment have been a small fraction of the limits prescribed by the regulatory board and all NPCIL operations stations have secured ISO-14001 certification (Environment Management System).

Presently NPCIL has 17 nuclear power units in India with a total installed capacity of 4120 MW in operation and six additional units with a total capacity of 3160 MW under construction.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=89494

Chennai, Jul 21 : At a time when a major fillip was being given to the development of medical tourism, yet another super speciality hospital has come into being in this burgeoning metropolis.
Global Hospitals and Health City, situated at suburban Perumbakkam, has already started screening patients for various ailments, though a ceremonial and official launch would take place in the next six to eight weeks.

At a pre-launch press meet here today, Dr Sumathi and Dr Ramakrishna of the Hospital said as a first step towards the launch of several multi-speciality equipment, India's first advanced diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine facility -- the 64-slice Positron Emission Tomography (PET)-CT scanner -- was set up in the hospital at Rs seven crore.

The hospital would invest another Rs 16 crore for its support systems.

They said there had been a tremendous growth in the field of medicine as the focus was shifting from curative to preventive strategies.

''One of the latest in diagnostics is Molecular Imaging, a branch of nuclear medicine, which provides physiological information of the body at molecular level before any morphological alteration takes place,'' they added.

PET-CT was a well established diagnostic tool for cancer assessment, they said and added that the hospital would serve as a multi-speciality healthcare provider in the country.

http://www.newkerala.com/one.php?action=fullnews&id=88665

Taking into account of the customers convenience, a new segment called Postal Finance Mart was introduced at Anna Nagar Post office here today.

http://newstodaynet.com/newsindex.php?id=9445%20&%20section=7

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9923/fpnmixun6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Chennai POST men got motor bikes to distribute letters and delivery posts..

"India really Rising!":)

Strengthening rupee and growing aspirational demand has made four Indian cities -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai -- increasingly expensive for expatriates to live in, a latest global survey says.

Moscow has emerged as the world's most expensive city for expatriates for the third consecutive year, according to the survey conducted by global consulting firm MercerIt is followed by Tokyo, London, Oslo and Seoul, the top five cities in the 'Worlwide Cost of Living 2008' survey.

All cities in India rose in the cost of living ranking due to strengthening of the rupee against the US dollar, with Mumbai moving to 48th place in the March survey this year, compared to 52nd position in the same period last year, while the national capital New Delhi climbed to the 55th place from 68th a year ago.

Chennai and Bangalore also improved their positions to 117 and 118 ranks, respectively in the survey which comprised of 143 cities globally. Last year, Chennai had been ranked at the 133rd position, while Bangalore was at the 134th place, the survey revealed.

"Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai are racing up the ladder from a cost of living perspective, having moved up over 12 ranks from Mercer's last survey conducted six months ago," Mercer's business leader for Information Product Solutions India Gangapriya Chakraverti said.

"A strengthening rupee and growing but unfulfilled demand for expatriate-style housing are factors that have contributed significantly to the changes in the ranking of Indian cities," Chakraverti added. Overall, the Indian cities are moving up as the aspirational demand and resulting cost of consumer goods increases.

Mercer's survey covers 143 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment.

It is a comprehensive cost of living survey and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine cost of living allowances for their expatriate employees.

Although the traditionally expensive cities of Western Europe and Asia still feature in the top 20, cities in Eastern Europe, Brazil and India are creeping up the list, while some locations such as Stockholm and New York now appear less costly by comparison, the survey revealed.

In the Asian region, Tokyo has emerged as the costliest city (2nd rank) followed by Seoul (5th) and Hong Kong at 6th rank. However, Pakistani city Karachi continues to be the least costly city in this region holding the 141th place in the global ranking.

http://www.rediff.com/money/2008/jul/23city.htm

http://www.dinamalar.com/pothunewsdetail.asp?News_id=4602&cls=row3&ncat=IN

Chennai moved from 133rd to 117th place

Bangalore moved from 134th to 118th place!

http://www.dinamalar.com/pothunewsdetail.asp?News_id=4588&cls=row4&ncat=TN

http://www.dinamalar.com/pothunewsdetail.asp?News_id=4602&cls=row3&ncat=IN

Chennai moved from 133rd to 117th place

Bangalore moved from 134th to 118th place!

:ohno::ohno:

Plenty of vacant lands near poonamalle ???? Are you serious

yes iam serious... there are plenty of vacant lands just half km from poonamale in banglore highway.. huge amounts of barren lands... :gossip::)

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/9923/fpnmixun6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Chennai POST men got motor bikes to distribute letters and delivery posts..

"India really Rising!":)
Hope they give them some shoes too.

yes iam serious... there are plenty of vacant lands just half km from poonamale in banglore highway.. huge amounts of barren lands... :gossip::)

I am sure thats not the case and perhaps I hope you are not referring north of Poonamalle By Pass road. (On Parivakkam Sides)

There is very little space abutting poonamalle for creating terminals that may require atleast 200-300 acres of land.

Its surrounded by colleges like panimalar just after poonamalle. After that the space that goes through(Near nazrethpet) is reserved and acquired land for Chennai Outer ring Road(On both north and south part of the road with 400 ft wide - JUST IMAGINE)

After that between poonamalle and chettipattu there are 5 colleges(Sastha, EVP, DMI, Savitha and padmavathi) on either side of the road in span of 2 Kms occupying most of the space. Immediately after chettipattu the space comes in irungattukkottai Industrial park which holds famous hyundai. So atleast I could not think of sufficient space in 5-6 kms from Poonamalle to build terminus(Northern part there is a possibility but creating a connectivity there may pose an issue)

yes iam serious... there are plenty of vacant lands just half km from poonamale in banglore highway.. huge amounts of barren lands... :gossip::)

Please note that most of the barren lands which you see after Poonamallee along the Bangalore Highway are private lands and many proposals that are given for land conversion and start of new projects are pending with the concerned departments.

Their market cost is so high and the Govt can not acquire these lands at the Govt recommended rates (a sure case for long drawn litigations).

It is better if the Govt acquires near an area where they have substantial poromboke lands. The actual need for extra land to be acquired may be confined to access the Govt poromboke lands from the main road or to a nearby water body or similar to that.

I do not think free lands are available along the Bangalore Highway at least upto Kanchipuram. Even the proposed greenfield airport lands are deeper inside towards north of the Bangalore Highway.

What the Govt promised to Hyundai people for a rail corridor along the highway upto their factory from the port may be worth considering as an extension of the proposed metro rail system. The same can be extended to oragadam to Chengalpet - Kancheepuram line and / or Thiruvellore Arakkonam line.

With the high level of awareness of the land holders and the strong laws supported by the recent jusgements will not allow the Govt to acquire lands without much pre planning and forethought. Environmental concerns are the new areas which have to be addressed. We can not anymore pollute our lands in the name of industrial development as we did in Ambur Vaniyambadi Cuddalore Tiruppur areas

YA I UNDERSTAND . VERY MUCH .. WHICH OTHER PLACE DO U THINK IS FEASIBLE ?

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/28/stories/2008072851460300.htm

Chennai, July 27 A year ago, when the constructors broke ground for IIT Madras’ heuristic research park project, the cost of the project was Rs 100 crore. Today, the project has grown substantially, both in scope and cost.

According to the revised plan, the park will have 60 per cent more room and will cost Rs 300 crore.

The IIT Madras Research Park (IMRP) – the first of its kind in India – was conceived to be a place where companies could do their research. In the words of IMRP’s Chief Executive, Ms Sandhya Sekhar, it would be a place where “the day-to-day interaction of three disparate minds – students, R&D personnel of companies and professors of IIT-M happen.” A number of companies such as Amada of Japan, Ashok Leyland, EID Parry (nutraceutical division), Midas, Reliance and TCS, have drawn up plans to set up their R&D centres in the Park.

According to the original plan, a million sq ft of space were to be constructed on a 6.5-acre of land. Now, upon demand, the size of the project has been increased to 1.6 million sq ft on a larger (11.43-acre) plot of land. Also, rise in cost of construction has gone up.

Speaking to Business Line, the Director of IIT Madras, Prof M.S. Ananth, said the first phase of the project will be ready by September.

Prof Ananth said the park would house R&D centres of companies wanting to work with IIT-M as well as companies to be incubated. Quoting international studies, he said cost of innovation in India is only a tenth of what it is in the US.

IMRP’s unique combination of companies, academicians and students would give Indian R&D a sharper competitive edge, he added.

Therefore the key was to have the park co-located to IIT-M and the search for suitable land further delayed the project. Finally, 11.43 acres of land has been allotted adjacent to IIT-M close to Tidel park and both the premises planned to be connected by an over bridge.

Funding Pattern


IMRP would have three inter-connected towers and construction of the central tower is under way. The first phase (400,000 sq ft) is being funded through a Rs 75-crore loan from Canara Bank, Rs 10 crore of contributions from alumni of IIT Madras and some advance from companies that want space there.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development is expected to sanction Rs 100 crore soft loan.

When fully functional the park would have R&D centres of about 100 companies, according to Prof Ananth.

The special purpose vehicle that is putting up the project is a not-for-profit (“Sec 25”) company.

Since it is a not-for-profit company, it is mandatory for the companies to collaborate with IIT-M. “The aspiration is to be able to position Chennai as global R&D hub,” says Ms Shekhar.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/28/stories/2008072851460300.htm

Chennai, July 27 A year ago, when the constructors broke ground for IIT Madras’ heuristic research park project, the cost of the project was Rs 100 crore. Today, the project has grown substantially, both in scope and cost.

According to the revised plan, the park will have 60 per cent more room and will cost Rs 300 crore.

The IIT Madras Research Park (IMRP) – the first of its kind in India – was conceived to be a place where companies could do their research. In the words of IMRP’s Chief Executive, Ms Sandhya Sekhar, it would be a place where “the day-to-day interaction of three disparate minds – students, R&D personnel of companies and professors of IIT-M happen.” A number of companies such as Amada of Japan, Ashok Leyland, EID Parry (nutraceutical division), Midas, Reliance and TCS, have drawn up plans to set up their R&D centres in the Park.

According to the original plan, a million sq ft of space were to be constructed on a 6.5-acre of land. Now, upon demand, the size of the project has been increased to 1.6 million sq ft on a larger (11.43-acre) plot of land. Also, rise in cost of construction has gone up.

Speaking to Business Line, the Director of IIT Madras, Prof M.S. Ananth, said the first phase of the project will be ready by September.

Prof Ananth said the park would house R&D centres of companies wanting to work with IIT-M as well as companies to be incubated. Quoting international studies, he said cost of innovation in India is only a tenth of what it is in the US.

IMRP’s unique combination of companies, academicians and students would give Indian R&D a sharper competitive edge, he added.

Therefore the key was to have the park co-located to IIT-M and the search for suitable land further delayed the project. Finally, 11.43 acres of land has been allotted adjacent to IIT-M close to Tidel park and both the premises planned to be connected by an over bridge.

Funding Pattern


IMRP would have three inter-connected towers and construction of the central tower is under way. The first phase (400,000 sq ft) is being funded through a Rs 75-crore loan from Canara Bank, Rs 10 crore of contributions from alumni of IIT Madras and some advance from companies that want space there.

The Ministry of Human Resource Development is expected to sanction Rs 100 crore soft loan.

When fully functional the park would have R&D centres of about 100 companies, according to Prof Ananth.

The special purpose vehicle that is putting up the project is a not-for-profit (“Sec 25”) company.

Since it is a not-for-profit company, it is mandatory for the companies to collaborate with IIT-M. “The aspiration is to be able to position Chennai as global R&D hub,” says Ms Shekhar.

Very much needed one, that too when so many MNCs participating in Chennai. This will give flip to further growth in Chennai.

http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/07/29/stories/2008072951030200.htm

Finnish venture


About its Finnish venture Alteams, he said the new plant to make high-pressure die-cast components would come up in Cheyyar near Kanchipuram and would shortly commence construction.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1180532

:cheers:

MUMBAI: India’s wait for a maritime university may come to an end soon. The proposal for setting up the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai has been cleared by the Union Cabinet and would be tabled in the monsoon session of the parliament.

Shipping Secretary A P V N Sharma confirmed the development and said that the bill was likely to be passed in the ensuing session of the parliament.

IMU would be set up in Chennai with campuses in Mumbai, Kolkata and Vizag at a cost of Rs 430 crore.

The maritime university bill was proposed last year and was returned for modifications. The suggestions included setting up campuses in other cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Vizag. These were included in the recent proposal, which has been cleared by the Cabinet.

Even after being one of the largest maritime countries, India does not have a single maritime university. The proposal to set up the university in Chennai saw much opposition from various political parties who suggested Mumbai or Kolkata as better locations. After much tussle, Chennai was finalised as the location, as the government could secure 300 acres of land there.
:cheers:
P Vijayan, director of National Maritime Academy (NMA) in Chennai, said that preparatory work for the university was being carried out. The university has planned eight courses, including marine biology, oceanography, nautical sciences and management courses in maritime, port & shipping and logistics & transport.

NMA situated on the east coast between Chennai and Mahabalipuram, along with all other central government-run maritime institutes, would become part of the IMU, after it comes upShipping secretary Sharma said, “We hope that the university can standardise the syllabus and the methods of testing in the various colleges.”

New Delhi: The Rs 2,700 crore modernisation project of the Chennai airport has got a nod from the Centre...

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/upas-gift-to-dmk-nod-for-chennai-airport-modernisation/69870-3.html

http://www.dailythanthi.com/article.asp?NewsID=428778&disdate=7/30/2008&advt=2

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1180532

:cheers:

MUMBAI: India’s wait for a maritime university may come to an end soon. The proposal for setting up the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai has been cleared by the Union Cabinet and would be tabled in the monsoon session of the parliament.

Shipping Secretary A P V N Sharma confirmed the development and said that the bill was likely to be passed in the ensuing session of the parliament.

IMU would be set up in Chennai with campuses in Mumbai, Kolkata and Vizag at a cost of Rs 430 crore.

The maritime university bill was proposed last year and was returned for modifications. The suggestions included setting up campuses in other cities like Mumbai, Kolkata and Vizag. These were included in the recent proposal, which has been cleared by the Cabinet.

Even after being one of the largest maritime countries, India does not have a single maritime university. The proposal to set up the university in Chennai saw much opposition from various political parties who suggested Mumbai or Kolkata as better locations. After much tussle, Chennai was finalised as the location, as the government could secure 300 acres of land there.
:cheers:
P Vijayan, director of National Maritime Academy (NMA) in Chennai, said that preparatory work for the university was being carried out. The university has planned eight courses, including marine biology, oceanography, nautical sciences and management courses in maritime, port & shipping and logistics & transport.

NMA situated on the east coast between Chennai and Mahabalipuram, along with all other central government-run maritime institutes, would become part of the IMU, after it comes upShipping secretary Sharma said, “We hope that the university can standardise the syllabus and the methods of testing in the various colleges.”

One more feather to Chennai.

expecting a flurry of projects in the next few months.............

expecting a flurry of projects in the next few months.............

^^^^

Any reasons for this prediction ?????

http://www.dinamalar.com/Arasiyalnewsdetail.asp?News_id=2853&cls=row3&ncat=TN

http://www.dinamalar.com/pothunewsdetail.asp?News_id=4799&cls=row3&ncat=TN

SIC will be setup in the same line of NIC ( National informatics centre)

^^^^

Any reasons for this prediction ?????

With election announcement just months away and Sethu project in deep water, DMK will try to grab as many projects as possible. :)

http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20080730132016&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0&ndate=7/31/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=

Area : 3800 Acres.

Location

Located on the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu , the southern States with a unique blend of modern technology and tradition, Sri City will set the pace for emerging trends in the region.The additional strengths of a strong academic and professional talent pool in the region will ensure sustained growth.

Just 55 kms drive from Chennai in South India, lies this economic hub amidst scenic environs of hills , lakes and forest reserves.With the strategic location of proximity to the commercial centre of Chennai and excellent connectivity to ports and airports, Sri City will be the preferred destination for new and expanding businesses.

Seamless connectivity from Chennai on National Highway - 5

65 kms from the major port of Chennai

40 kms from the major port of Ennore

65 kms from Krishnapattinam port

75 kms from Chennai international airport

75 kms from Tirupathi airport

In proximity to the large talent pool of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Easy access to ancillary suppliers in both the states

http://www.sricity.in/location.htm:banana:

^^

CHENNAI: Sri City (P) Limited launched a multi-product special economic zone (SEZ) near Tada (border of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu).

Sri City SEZ, which spreads over 5,000 acres with a development investment of Rs. 1,000 crore will come up under public-private project model. It will house both manufacturing and information technology industries. A domestic tariff area will also be developed adjacent to the SEZ.

Sri City was founded by Ravindra Sannareddy, a non-resident Indian, in functional partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Government.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Mr. Sannareddy, Chairman, Sri City, said the development of the project would be completed in phases over five years with an initial investment of Rs. 1,000 crore.

The Minister for Major Industries, Sugar, Commerce and Export Promotion, Andhra Pradesh, J. Geeta Reddy, said that her government would give support for this SEZ and ensure that it would be developed into a world-class infrastructure.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073156521600.htm

Chennai: The dilapidated bus shelters in the city are soon to be replaced with modern ones as the Chennai Corporation Council has approved the bids quoted by private project developers.

The Corporation had announced that it would build modern, stainless steel bus shelters but the project faced delays. The Council had cancelled an earlier tender for the project in anticipation of higher royalty fees in return for advertisement space on the bus shelters.

The Council’s decision seems to have paid off. With the regulation of the hoarding industry, outdoor advertising agencies and other private firms have vied with each other for the bus shelter project.

Jindal Stainless Ltd has bagged the advertisement rights of 367 stainless steel bus shelters in Chennai. The contract is for a period of eight years.

The firm would have to construct the shelters, estimated to cost Rs. 11.5 lakh per shelter.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073159920300.htm

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for an additional building for the office of the Director General of Police. The three-storey structure will come up at a cost of Rs.26.4 crore and will take about a year and a half to build.

Earlier, Mr. Karunanidhi inaugurated the new Forensic Sciences Building, constructed at a cost of Rs.6.81 crore.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone, Mr. Karunanidhi said he was instrumental in preserving the Raj-era building. He had given an assurance in the Assembly after the DMK came to power in 1989 that the DGP’s office would not be demolished. In 1996, the DMK government sanctioned Rs.1.35 crore for renovating it. The Chief Minister stressed that the DMK government was keen on protecting structures that were of historical or aesthetic value. It had acted in a swift manner to take over 320 grounds of land belonging to the Horticulture Department that was in the possession of an individual. Examples of this kind were in abundance.

Mr. Karunanidhi said people who always found fault with the government had forgotten to praise it at least for getting billboards off the Chennai roads. They were a traffic hazard and practically hid a large part of the city. The government had taken great pains to get the stay orders vacated. Speaking of the development plans for Chennai, he said a new Assembly complex was coming up; so was Metrorail.

The Adyar area would get a facelift once the Rs.100-crore Adyar park work was completed and more bridges and flyovers were in the pipeline to reduce congestion.

The Centre had given its approval for the expansion of the Chennai airport, he said and asserted that the project would not be hindered any more.

http://www.hindu.com/2008/07/31/stories/2008073161330800.htm

CMDA To Develop One Lakh Sq Ft Commercial Space At Stations; Woo Malls, Firms

Chennai: After high-rise apartments and tall office buildings, the Chennai landscape will soon have ‘multi-storeyed’ MRTS stations. Shopping malls and IT firms will vie for space above the stations, brightening up the Mass Rapid Transit System that cuts through the city.
This is part of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency’s ‘right to develop’ the air space above the station or on the land adjoining the stations for commercial purpose. As part of this ambitious plan, the space above the MRTS stations at Taramani, Velachery and Perungudi will be developed first.
The CMDA will let out the space for IT companies and also shopping malls on top of the stations. “We can build four to five floors above the stations. We are planning to construct one lakh sq ft in each of these stations,” a CMDA official told The Times of India.
“These three stations will be taken up for development immediately in order of priority. We designed the entire station when the MRTS was being developed. The designs for these three stations are ready and we have to decide how to develop this space,” a CMDA official told the Times of India.
The CMDA is coordinating with the railways for the project and had conceived the architectural designs for the stations. The government of Tamil Nadu and the CMDA retains the right for the air space above the stations, by which the space beyond the roofs of the stations can be used by them for development for commercial purposes.
The CMDA will appoint a consultant to suggest the best mode for implementing the project. “We will either implement it on a build-operatetransfer (BOT) basis or sell the developmental rights. We are also exploring the option of the CMDA constructing the commercial buildings and renting them out,” the official said.
Officials hope that this kind of development at the stations would tempt more people to use the stations as well as increase the number of passengers in trains during non-peak hours, reducing traffic on roads.
There will be separate entry and exit to reach office space. This will ensure security, while also giving the employees working there access to the stations.
The CMDA will also incorporate the best of designs in Hong Kong and Singapore. In Hong Kong, each station has about 25,000 persons residing in apartments built atop it, while in Japan, between Okahama and Tokyo, there are residences constructed below the tracks. They are sound proof and the residents do not even feel the vibration of the trains above, said officials.
The CMDA had conducted a new market survey to find out the potential that this plan might generate. The agency is convinced that there will be a huge demand for the space above the stations.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/07/31/3/Img/Pc0031400.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/07/31&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00302&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

CMDA To Develop One Lakh Sq Ft Commercial Space At Stations; Woo Malls, Firms

Chennai: After high-rise apartments and tall office buildings, the Chennai landscape will soon have ‘multi-storeyed’ MRTS stations. Shopping malls and IT firms will vie for space above the stations, brightening up the Mass Rapid Transit System that cuts through the city.
This is part of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency’s ‘right to develop’ the air space above the station or on the land adjoining the stations for commercial purpose. As part of this ambitious plan, the space above the MRTS stations at Taramani, Velachery and Perungudi will be developed first.
The CMDA will let out the space for IT companies and also shopping malls on top of the stations. “We can build four to five floors above the stations. We are planning to construct one lakh sq ft in each of these stations,” a CMDA official told The Times of India.
“These three stations will be taken up for development immediately in order of priority. We designed the entire station when the MRTS was being developed. The designs for these three stations are ready and we have to decide how to develop this space,” a CMDA official told the Times of India.
The CMDA is coordinating with the railways for the project and had conceived the architectural designs for the stations. The government of Tamil Nadu and the CMDA retains the right for the air space above the stations, by which the space beyond the roofs of the stations can be used by them for development for commercial purposes.
The CMDA will appoint a consultant to suggest the best mode for implementing the project. “We will either implement it on a build-operatetransfer (BOT) basis or sell the developmental rights. We are also exploring the option of the CMDA constructing the commercial buildings and renting them out,” the official said.
Officials hope that this kind of development at the stations would tempt more people to use the stations as well as increase the number of passengers in trains during non-peak hours, reducing traffic on roads.
There will be separate entry and exit to reach office space. This will ensure security, while also giving the employees working there access to the stations.
The CMDA will also incorporate the best of designs in Hong Kong and Singapore. In Hong Kong, each station has about 25,000 persons residing in apartments built atop it, while in Japan, between Okahama and Tokyo, there are residences constructed below the tracks. They are sound proof and the residents do not even feel the vibration of the trains above, said officials.
The CMDA had conducted a new market survey to find out the potential that this plan might generate. The agency is convinced that there will be a huge demand for the space above the stations.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOICH/2008/07/31/3/Img/Pc0031400.jpg

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/07/31&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00302&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

If I remember correct, some one in one of the thread ( Chennai MRTS or Metro ) has suggested just this. This suggestion from the forum takes shape I suppose.

cross posting from the auto thread


Renault calls Bajaj for Chennai ride

FRENCH auto major Renault has opened a second front with ultra low-cost car partner Bajaj Auto by inviting the Pune-based twowheeler maker to pick up stake in Renault Nissan Automotive India (RNAIPL), which is setting up a $1-billion greenfield plant in Chennai. The company is also negotiating with Bajaj to extend the ultra low-cost car partnership to include marketing, sales and distribution of Renault vehicles to be made in Chennai.
The talks with Bajaj run parallel to Renault’s negotiations with current partner M&M for a tie-up for distribution and marketing for Chennai-made Renault cars. Earlier this week, M&M president (automotive sector) Pawan Goenka told ET that talks were on with Renault, and M&M was hopeful of concluding the distribution agreement. But sources said, M&M is interested in a more ‘holistic’ partnership including product and tech exchange and exports, and not just a distribution alliance. The French auto major, however, only wants a marketing partnership.
According to auto industry sources, Renault opened negotiations with Bajaj informally as early as May. This was followed by a more formal invite in June. Renault officials met Bajaj top brass last week to discuss the terms and conditions for the ULC project. When contacted Bajaj Auto MD Rajiv Bajaj refused to comment.
M&M pulled out of the Chennai greenfield plant earlier this year, saying the returns did not look attractive enough. Currently, Renault’s joint venture agreement with M&M involves only the Logan sedan, which is manufactured at the Indian company’s Nashik plant. Even Logan family products like the hatchback or the sevenseater are not included. M&M was interested in making the seven-seater people carrier version of the Logan at its Nashik factory, but current market conditions may have put a question mark on that decision too, say sources. As of now, all Logan derivatives are likely to come from Chennai.
According to top industry sources, Renault’s overtures to Bajaj could be their Plan B in case talks with M&M fail on the ‘holistic partnership’ front.

source economictimes epaper

CMDA To Develop One Lakh Sq Ft Commercial Space At Stations; Woo Malls, Firms

Chennai: After high-rise apartments and tall office buildings, the Chennai landscape will soon have ‘multi-storeyed’ MRTS stations. Shopping malls and IT firms will vie for space above the stations, brightening up the Mass Rapid Transit System that cuts through the city.
This is part of the Chennai Metropolitan Development Agency’s ‘right to develop’ the air space above the station or on the land adjoining the stations for commercial purpose. As part of this ambitious plan, the space above the MRTS stations at Taramani, Velachery and Perungudi will be developed first.
The CMDA will let out the space for IT companies and also shopping malls on top of the stations. “We can build four to five floors above the stations. We are planning to construct one lakh sq ft in each of these stations,” a CMDA official told The Times of India.
“These three stations will be taken up for development immediately in order of priority. We designed the entire station when the MRTS was being developed. The designs for these three stations are ready and we have to decide how to develop this space,” a CMDA official told the Times of India.
The CMDA is coordinating with the railways for the project and had conceived the architectural designs for the stations. The government of Tamil Nadu and the CMDA retains the right for the air space above the stations, by which the space beyond the roofs of the stations can be used by them for development for commercial purposes.
The CMDA will appoint a consultant to suggest the best mode for implementing the project. “We will either implement it on a build-operatetransfer (BOT) basis or sell the developmental rights. We are also exploring the option of the CMDA constructing the commercial buildings and renting them out,” the official said.
Officials hope that this kind of development at the stations would tempt more people to use the stations as well as increase the number of passengers in trains during non-peak hours, reducing traffic on roads.
There will be separate entry and exit to reach office space. This will ensure security, while also giving the employees working there access to the stations.
The CMDA will also incorporate the best of designs in Hong Kong and Singapore. In Hong Kong, each station has about 25,000 persons residing in apartments built atop it, while in Japan, between Okahama and Tokyo, there are residences constructed below the tracks. They are sound proof and the residents do not even feel the vibration of the trains above, said officials.
The CMDA had conducted a new market survey to find out the potential that this plan might generate. The agency is convinced that there will be a huge demand for the space above the stations.

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOI&BaseHref=TOICH/2008/07/31&PageLabel=3&EntityId=Ar00302&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T

It's a good idea indeed. This will reduce commuting probelm as people can literally walk to their workplace if they have their office just above the railway station. Railways can also make use of their air space. Above all, this will serve as a patronage-booster for the MRTS!:cheers:

Please note that this project is in Tada, Andhra Pradesh and not in Tamil Nadu.

Though the entire logistics is dependent on Chennai, TN can not claim credit for this. Anathapur Bellary area can also be developed similarly due to the proximity to the new Bangalore airport.

It is a brillinat strategy and TN has to learn from the same. We can make Hosur a major IT Hub because of Bangalore proximity.


http://www.dinamani.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=DNM20080730132016&Title=Chennai+Page&lTitle=%F9Nu%FB%5D&Topic=0&ndate=7/31/2008&dName=No+Title&Dist=

Area : 3800 Acres.

Location

Located on the borders of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu , the southern States with a unique blend of modern technology and tradition, Sri City will set the pace for emerging trends in the region.The additional strengths of a strong academic and professional talent pool in the region will ensure sustained growth.

Just 55 kms drive from Chennai in South India, lies this economic hub amidst scenic environs of hills , lakes and forest reserves.With the strategic location of proximity to the commercial centre of Chennai and excellent connectivity to ports and airports, Sri City will be the preferred destination for new and expanding businesses.

Seamless connectivity from Chennai on National Highway - 5

65 kms from the major port of Chennai

40 kms from the major port of Ennore

65 kms from Krishnapattinam port

75 kms from Chennai international airport

75 kms from Tirupathi airport

In proximity to the large talent pool of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Easy access to ancillary suppliers in both the states

http://www.sricity.in/location.htm:banana:

If I remember correct, some one in one of the thread ( Chennai MRTS or Metro ) has suggested just this. This suggestion from the forum takes shape I suppose.

ofcourse not. these are all as per original plans that were done many many years ago. it's is just that mrts was finally completed by indian railways only early this year. and these additional works are being taken up by cmda now.

this forum is simply a collection of news paper reports.

If I remember correct, some one in one of the thread ( Chennai MRTS or Metro ) has suggested just this. This suggestion from the forum takes shape I suppose.


Thanks for remembering.

Our SSC Forum suggestions on Chennai Traffic Management including the flyovers / subways along OMR were also discussed in detail.

Our suggestions for a road along Adyar bank from malar Hospital to Kotturpuram was also taken up. The new bridge across Adyar near YMCA is still not considered.

Lets hope the ideas are turned into realty at least in parts, if not whole.

22.07.2008
To

Respected Sir,

Sub: Metro Rail project with funding assistance from Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC) - Seek your help to protect our Residential houses at Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Alandur, Chennai - 600016, South India as per your JBIC’s Environmental & Social considerations.

We the residents of Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Alandur, Chennai – 600016, South India - the Project Affected Families (PAF) approach you without any other alternative except to seek your intervention to protect our residential houses and avoid displacement.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) a unit of Delhi Government (India) formed a Joint Venture with State Government of Tamil Nadu for commencing a Metro Rail project with funding arrangement from Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC). Kindly refer JBIC projects currently under screening process - Ref No.2008-0088 dated May20,2008 – Category “ A ” – Chennai Metro Project.

We understand that a plan is under preparation to develop a metro rail station at St.Thomas Mount (Chennai – 600016) – near to our residential houses. To have reversal of the metro train engine/shunting purposes, DMRC developed a plan by considering additional 500 metres towards west end of the station where all our houses are there. There is a wide distance from the existing railway line to the public road, DMRC can utilise the Railway land or its own state government land instead of our displacements.

In a PUBLIC MEETING held by the Tamilnadu Government, when a specific question was raised by one among the PAF, whether houses at our area i.e. Thiruvalluvar Nagar will be affected by the proposed St.Thomas Mount metro station, the officials clarified that the houses at Thiruvalluvar Nagar will not be affected. The same was telecasted in various TV news channels too.

While we do not oppose this project, we object disturbance of our houses. For a proper appreciation and understanding of nature of objections and the scope

thereof, we hereby recapitulate, in brief, the facts leading to the filing of these objections:-

1. The PAFs are located in Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Alandur, Chennai – 600016 (Bound on the South by Railway track, North by M.K.N. Road, East by SRMCTC Trust land and West by Thillaiganga Nagar Subway).

2. The mentioned PAFs are living in these legally approved 27 residential plots by Government of Tamilnadu for the last 45 years with their families for 3 generations.

3. Total number of families is around 60 with total number of people close to 500.

4. Number of people mentioned above includes close to 75+ Senior Citizens who served the country either in State/Central Government departments and have put in their entire life savings and obtained loans to construct house on their plots.

5. The above plots were developed after obtaining all necessary government building plan approvals and PAFs spent lot of their hard earned money to represent their basic amenities required to local body.

6. The latest amenity to be added after a long waiting was the underground sewage pipeline which was laid with Public Private Partnership.

7. The roads were concreted recently rebuilt with tax payers money.

8. The PAFs are a close set of people belonging to different communities (including minorities) living in a harmonious situation.

9. The PAFs have developed the land which was earlier an agricultural land converted to approved residential layout.

10. The Tamilnadu Government earmarked the land for residential purposes and the land was affirmed by settlement deed.

11. The PAFs are law abiding citizens with no criminal record and stand as a model community appreciated by Alandur municipality and local police station officials.

12. Due to mental trauma to PAF, few may tend to commit suicide if they lose their houses.

We believe that below mentioned alternatives thought by us will at least lead DMRC & CMRL to look into an alternative plan which will avoid land acquisition

and displacement of people in Thiruvalluvar Nagar, Alandur, Chennai – 600016 and these alternatives were submitted to them.

Alternative 1: Build the proposed line for parking/shunt in between proposed Alandur metro Station and St.Thomas Mount Station

Alternative 2: Build the proposed line for parking/shunt in the vacant land between Proposed St.Thomas Mount metro station and Thiruvalluvar Nagar and by optimal usage of Government land (police quarters is currently being constructed) adjacent to open vacant compounded land

Alternative 3: Build the proposed line for parking/shunt in areas adjacent to proposed Alandur station or involving the public road and railway land.

Alternative 4: A huge open space used presently as military golf ground available close to proposed Alandur metro station could be used to build the proposed line for parking/shunt

While we are not experts in this field, we are confident that you will advise the DMRC to utilise the excess land available and also to carry out field visit to develop plan as per the land availability instead of disturbing the houses.

Seeking your intervention and instruction to the concerned officials for rendering maximum cooperation and help.

Thanking you,

ALL RESIDENTS OF THIRUVALLUVAR NAGAR, ALANDUR, CHENNAI, SOUTH INDIA.

S.Venkatachalapathy - Email : venkatachala.pathy@keane.com Mobile No.09840042910
V.V.Santharaman - Email : vv_santha@vsnl.net Mobile No.093203 60100

Other Email ids of the residents :
jagsonbala@dataone.in,sukumarhr@yahoo.co.in,vinpave@hotmail.com

Thanks for remembering.

Our SSC Forum suggestions on Chennai Traffic Management including the flyovers / subways along OMR were also discussed in detail.

Our suggestions for a road along Adyar bank from malar Hospital to Kotturpuram was also taken up. The new bridge across Adyar near YMCA is still not considered.

Lets hope the ideas are turned into realty at least in parts, if not whole.

Great. People do heed the view points of the SSC forumers.

Thanks for remembering.

Our SSC Forum suggestions on Chennai Traffic Management including the flyovers / subways along OMR were also discussed in detail.

Our suggestions for a road along Adyar bank from malar Hospital to Kotturpuram was also taken up. The new bridge across Adyar near YMCA is still not considered.

Lets hope the ideas are turned into realty at least in parts, if not whole.

Why are they just developing the air space above the station building? Can the air space above the tracks be developed too? In Chicago the old post office building lies right above the tracks and it is massive. In the same way can, a huge building can be built that goes on top of the tracks as well.

^^
Is that elevated tracks in Chigago?

In Chennai, the MRTS alignment takes the buckingham canal (sewage) and both the sides of the road track is either encroached or developed.

^^
Is that elevated tracks in Chigago?

Yes!

Why are they just developing the air space above the station building? Can the air space above the tracks be developed too? In Chicago the old post office building lies right above the tracks and it is massive. In the same way can, a huge building can be built that goes on top of the tracks as well.

MRTS route along the Buckingham canal itself is not a great idea since this construction has made the waterway totally unused and has increased the breeding of mosquitos etc.

Since it is elevated, the space under the station portion is being utilised. We hope that the establishments that are coming up here are not dumping the thrash and waste into the B. canal.

Adding further use of space here may affect the waterway to a higher degree.

There is no news on strengthening the banks of the canal and desilting to allow the free flow of water underneath.

Similarly TNRDC was supposed to beautify the stretch between Madya Kailash and Taramani with landscaping etc.

The new elevated routes under MRTS and Metro Rail may be considered for air space development above.

MRTS route along the Buckingham canal itself is not a great idea since this construction has made the waterway totally unused and has increased the breeding of mosquitos etc.

Since it is elevated, the space under the station portion is being utilised. We hope that the establishments that are coming up here are not dumping the thrash and waste into the B. canal.

Adding further use of space here may affect the waterway to a higher degree.

There is no news on strengthening the banks of the canal and desilting to allow the free flow of water underneath.

Similarly TNRDC was supposed to beautify the stretch between Madya Kailash and Taramani with landscaping etc.

The new elevated routes under MRTS and Metro Rail may be considered for air space development above.

Yes this concerns me aswell. I would also question the roadway along the rivers. Probably they might have thesame problem ? I wouldnt touch on the waterways unless absolutely necessary for transportation network expansion.

Yes this concerns me aswell. I would also question the roadway along the rivers. Probably they might have thesame problem ? I wouldnt touch on the waterways unless absolutely necessary for transportation network expansion.

I did not know that a major portion of the MRTS line followed the waterways. Yes, the water ways should be left alone or else it will become like a covered drainage system. Where the line is above land the airspace can be developed.

^^Yes! Because of the MRTS alignment, the portion of Buckingham canal has become impassable. This was once a navigable canal but will never be the same again.:ohno:

Even if they clean it up, I don't think it'll be a navigable one.