Not exactly development news per se, but I guess the concerns go to show how real the construction boom is...

Construction Boom to Sap Ill-Equipped Brick Industry (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/construction-boom-likely-to-sap-illequipped-brick-industry/417591/)

Ahmedabad The expected construction boom because of Vibrant Gujarat investment commitments along with the Sabarmati riverfront and GIFT City projects will spur the demand for bricks several times over in times to come. But the disarray in the brick industry raises doubts about its capacity to meet the high demand.

The industry is currently facing severe problems of supply of lignite, a critical input for producing quality bricks. Not only supply is erratic, but also the quality is not up to the mark, say brick manufacturers, who are already facing labour related issues.

Vijay Shah, prominent city-based estate developer, has said the demand for bricks would go up not just because of the riverfront and GIFT City projects, but also because of no let up in the government construction activity. The demand for bricks in these two major ventures, however, might not be as high as expected, because there would be lots of steel structures involved in them.

He said projects had of late slowed down due to lowered disposal of ready houses compared to what it had been in the hay-day of the construction activity. Admitting that the brick industry might not be able to keep pace with the demand because of its own

inherent problems, the construction business had other options for traditional bricks. For example, fly-ash bricks could substitute them, but its supply is limited.

Meanwhile, after the brick kiln workers in Sanand partly succeeded over the issue of raise in wages recently, workers in Adalaj (which has the largest number of kilns in the state) and Mehsana joined the movement, which Int Bhattha Mazdoor Union had launched as a statewide agitation.

The brick kiln workers union had launched the movement against the alleged exploitation with regard to payment of wages. According to them, the wage for 1,000 bricks, which a husband-wife duo or at times three labourers together take 16 to 18 hours to make, is Rs 122 for eight hours. For additional hours, the wage should technically double. But with the workers getting Rs 230 for 16 hours, the wages for eight hours add up to only Rs 50 approximately. Over and above the low wages, the workers in most parts of the state who opt for overtime have to fund the cost of lighting kerosene lamps as well

Not exactly development news per se, but I guess the concerns go to show how real the construction boom is...

Construction Boom to Sap Ill-Equipped Brick Industry (http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/construction-boom-likely-to-sap-illequipped-brick-industry/417591/)

Are you kidding me? They are going to use bricks in these buildings. Bad choice, especially in the earthquake zone. I guess they haven't learned any lesson from the 2001 earthquake.

[QUOTE=GJ10;32092772]Personally, I feel that if Modi's image outside of Gujarat wasnt still tarnished by what happened 7years ago in the aftermath of the Godhra incident, he would be heralded all around India (and possibly beyond) as a textbook examble of how to govern effectively in an emerging market nation.

I can definately agree that Modi and the Govt of Gujarat in general are an excellent example of how to use the media to attract foreign investment, all the videos and presentations they produce are top notch, they really do a great job selling Gujarat to the outside world. Do i see this as a bad thing? Not particularly, in the global market there is so much choice nowadays in terms of where to invest, the world is a very small place all of a sudden. If Modi can continue to attract investment to Gujarat, thats all that matters, whether hes being too much of a showman or a salesman isnt particularly important to me or to anyone who will directly benefit from Gujarats continued growth.

In terms of how Gujarat will fund these projects, if we can continue to underline our position as the number 1 investment location in India, simple economies of scale will help attract further investment. In the current global market, there is more fear than anytime in many years, if as Modi intends, Gujarat becomes recognised internationally as a "safe-bet" investment destination, investment flow may not actually be much of a concern.

I also like to see myself as a realist rather than an optimist, I feel that India as a whole over the past decade or so has been putting an unhealthy amount of emphasis on a couple of shaky sectors, predominantly the IT Industry but also Luxury Real Estate and the Building of Shopping Malls. Aside from the failed experiment with Malls, Im glad that Gujarat as a whole has avoided this route.



GJ10 - I mostly agree with your comments in your post; as far as Modi's image goes, other politicians should immulate him and do (in their states) what he has done in Gujarat. People should not and must not view him from the view point of Godhra and the reason behind that is that Godhra was an unfortunate incident and people from both sides of the fence should be spoken about. The incident started by the burning of the train, in which female and children were the highest fatalities and we know the culprits who started the fire.
The aftermath of the fire and what Modi did has not been proven but the fact about all the past riots between hindus and muslims, what I have heard from my parents and grandparents is that Hindus were killed in big numbers and majority of them are(were) scared of Muslims.
I am not in favor of killing and I am a person who visits all; temples, masjids, churches but when someone talks about Modi in a negative way because of that incident then that person needs to check his/her image in the mirror and speak about Modi afterwards.
Lot of the things Modi did during the so called dark era of 2002 carnage has actually helped the government govern properly and efficiently.

Well, for now I am leaving at this and may be some day talk more about it.

Gandhiji1 - What do you mean by "Lot of the things Modi did during the so called dark era of 2002 carnage has actually helped the government govern properly and efficiently?" Please explain.

Gandhiji1 - What do you mean by "Lot of the things Modi did during the so called dark era of 2002 carnage has actually helped the government govern properly and efficiently?" Please explain.


Before 2002, certain areas of Ahmedabad were inaccessible for people and even police due to the fear and total disrespect and disregard of law. Ahmedabad Electricity Board employee could not go to houses to read electric meter, even after catching a household stealing electricty could not execute any measures to stop it. The only thing they could do is issue a summons or a notice with a nominal fine, either would be torn up in his face and nothing would done afterwards. The whole residential complexes would come up in an open land with no access to sewage, electricity or water. The residents would tap in to a grid and light up the whole complex. Illegal water well would be dug up and water would be pulled.
After 2002, electricity board employees or any other governmental agency were and are given proper access. If theft is reported then the fines are paid before the employee would reach the office.
People are paying respect to the law (not as much as in western countries). The fear of inaccessibility has been evaporated because proper support to govern is provided by the CM Mr. Modi.
All I would say is that strong execution methods applied by Modi has worked and it will work.
The only reason in US (I see it on a daily basis) people abide by the law is because the consequences of not abiding by the law are not small and could prevent you from getting a job or a loan.

Jai Hind.

Gandhiji1 - Wow. Shocking. Shocking that these types of lawless areas and people existed in Ahmedabad. It is also shocking that just one incidence suddenly changed these people in to a law abiding people.

You said "that strong execution methods applied by Modi has worked and it will work." That statement is quite vague. Please explain.

Gandhiji1 -
You said "that strong execution methods applied by Modi has worked and it will work." That statement is quite vague. Please explain.

Well I can give you few real life example, specially when Gandhiji1 is talking about Electricity theft, I knew someone who was high ranking officer in GEB (Gujarat electricity board), he had AC in his all room and was using free electricity from main line. No one was going to stop him, and he was doing this from 15 years.. One day top guys of Modi came, on the spot they fried him from his job and gave 12L rs bill with penalty! Well guy was so shocked that eventually he lost control on his mind. Ofcruse he made good money in these many years so his family paid 12L but he lost his job.

Another example, My cousin is high ranking officer in GEB (now its divided in 4 cos), when they used to go for surprise checking, all business owner and people knew that checking is coming on this day at this time:-). Modi's top guy changed this method. They plan surprise checking in advance, but now it was even surprise for regular officer too. One day My cousin got call at 4 AM and asked him to come to xyz place with no cell phone. Once all officers reach to that place. Separate mini van came they all get into that van. Only one person knew where they are going. And they just go to that area/town/village. On that day my cousin went to the one factory which had history of massive power theft., and it was own by x CM son. :-)

Speaking of law less area, I know exactly which area he is talking about, and I can tell you what he is telling is truth. Another master stroke played by Modi to control this law less area is, his govt build ( or building) office for all Ahmedbad's ACPs right in middle of this area.

Thanks Wallst, I had no idea that the Modi administration has actually changed people's thinking towards the law.

I just realized, about 15 years ahmedabad used to be the undisputed city #5 after the four major metros? What happened? I can understand losing one spot to Bangalore, but behind Hyderabad, Pune, Trivandrum, and even Jaipur in terms of new exciting projects?

Hopefully it will awaken soon.

I just realized, about 15 years ahmedabad used to be the undisputed city #5 after the four major metros? What happened? I can understand losing one spot to Bangalore, but behind Hyderabad, Pune, Trivandrum, and even Jaipur in terms of new exciting projects?

Hopefully it will awaken soon.

Indeed, Ahmedabad has slipped in importance in comparison to many cities, most of which is simply down to the lack of any involvement whatsoever in the IT Boom that brought so much investment and money to most of the places you mentioned.

In terms of Infrastructure, Ahmedabad is doing well, and in terms of upcoming projects such as Sabarmati Riverfront, BRTS, GIFT City, Ahmedabad Metro and others, the future is looking pretty bright!

Some support of this view:

Ahmedabad only Indian City to get selected for Shanghai World Expo 2010 (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ahmedabad-only-indian-city-to-get-space-at-sh.../443195/)

Adding another feather to its cap, Ahmedabad has bagged the honour of being the only city in the country to be selected for showcasing urban best practices at the Shanghai World Expo 2010. The six-month long event will be held in the Chinese city from May to October 2010. The city will get a 3 lakh dollar assistance from the Shanghai Bureau of World Expo for financing the pavilion, spread over 237 sq metres.

Municipal Commissioner I P Gautam told reporters on Saturday that participation in the event will give them a chance to share urban development and financing experiences of other countries, besides enhancing Ahmedabad’s own capacity building in these areas. The brand image of Ahmedabad will also get a boost in the eyes of the world community. A total of 233 countries are participating in the expo, with 45 of them being from the Asian Subcontinent, he added.

The total budget of this exposition, based on the theme of “Better city, better life”, is estimated at 4.19 billion dollars. Nearly seven crore people from across the world are likely to visit the expo, he said.

Being the only Indian city among the 59 selected out of the 87 aspiring cities of the world to take part in the event, it will also give a chance to project achievements not only of the city, but also other ambitious projects in the entire state, including GIFT City, AUDA, GUDA and special economic zones besides Special Investment Regions, Gautam said.

He said performance in the areas of Bus Rapid Transport, Public Private Partnership, issue of tax-free bonds, water supply and drainage network, have been taken into consideration for the selection of Ahmedabad.

The other criteria include town planning schemes, slum upgradation and housing for weaker sections, riverfront development project and e-governance projects, he further said.

I hear a lot of people comment in forums that gujarat is overflowing with development.... someobody if you have any pics... please don't hide them from the rest of us! Post them now!

I hear a lot of people comment in forums that gujarat is overflowing with development.... someobody if you have any pics... please don't hide them from the rest of us! Post them now!

^^
+1

for the love of God... +1 !!!! :bash:

I think it really says something about my fellow Gujis as a whole that even small towns in other parts of the country are so much better represented on the net than even 1million+ pop cities in Gujarat. And im talking about sites like Flickr and Picasa etc rather than places like SSC

In the (long) time Ive been part of this forum, following developments in Gujarat, Ive never failed to be amazed by the sheer lack of pics on the net in general, let alone pics of new developments.

The only other option is to turn Gujarat into somewhere snap-happy foreign tourists would want to go to... but we all know how plain absurd that idea is! :lol:

^^
+1

for the love of God... +1 !!!! :bash:

I think it really says something about my fellow Gujis as a whole that even small towns in other parts of the country are so much better represented on the net than even 1million+ pop cities in Gujarat. And im talking about sites like Flickr and Picasa etc rather than places like SSC

In the (long) time Ive been part of this forum, following developments in Gujarat, Ive never failed to be amazed by the sheer lack of pics on the net in general, let alone pics of new developments.

The only other option is to turn Gujarat into somewhere snap-happy foreign tourists would want to go to... but we all know how plain absurd that idea is! :lol:


Thats exactly where we start going wrong when we talk about development. Development is not just a few snazzy buildings and flyovers. That kind of development is just a facade. 10 miles out of Bangalore, Hyderabad or Gurgaon and you would see people living in the most awful conditions. Gujarat has focussed on Human Development parameters like basic healthcare, electricity, education, law and order. Such things are measured in terms of crime rate, sex ratio, literacy rate, infant mortality rates etc and not in terms of swanky glass buildings and wide roads.

Development in Gujarat has never been restricted to one region or a few cities and the affluence has permeated to the remotest of villages, thus reducing urban migration and affiliated issues. I think our country and our politicians would serve well to focus on such issues.

Thats exactly where we start going wrong when we talk about development. Development is not just a few snazzy buildings and flyovers. That kind of development is just a facade. 10 miles out of Bangalore, Hyderabad or Gurgaon and you would see people living in the most awful conditions. Gujarat has focussed on Human Development parameters like basic healthcare, electricity, education, law and order. Such things are measured in terms of crime rate, sex ratio, literacy rate, infant mortality rates etc and not in terms of swanky glass buildings and wide roads.

Development in Gujarat has never been restricted to one region or a few cities and the affluence has permeated to the remotest of villages, thus reducing urban migration and affiliated issues. I think our country and our politicians would serve well to focus on such issues.

Gud reply, People think that few skyscrapers will change the reality. We need skyscrapers too, but at the same time we need 24*7 power supply, support for better primary education, roads and infrastructure, which rn't done my glass facades !! By the way, I am not from Gujarat and I am from Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad. I am 27 yrs old, and believe me I used to think right from when i was ard 8-9 yrs old, why do we have power cuts ? And to date Hyderabad has power cuts for more than an Hour in PRIME AREA. THink abt how rest of AP is doing.... WHich is the true picture almost anywhere in India.

Thats exactly where we start going wrong when we talk about development. Development is not just a few snazzy buildings and flyovers. That kind of development is just a facade. 10 miles out of Bangalore, Hyderabad or Gurgaon and you would see people living in the most awful conditions. Gujarat has focussed on Human Development parameters like basic healthcare, electricity, education, law and order. Such things are measured in terms of crime rate, sex ratio, literacy rate, infant mortality rates etc and not in terms of swanky glass buildings and wide roads.

Development in Gujarat has never been restricted to one region or a few cities and the affluence has permeated to the remotest of villages, thus reducing urban migration and affiliated issues. I think our country and our politicians would serve well to focus on such issues.

You are absolutely right and i agree wholeheartedly with everything you have said!

On reflection, my point was a minor one at best! Its just that I cant help but think that when it comes to that < 2million pop bracket, a lot of the cities in Gujarat, to me, seem years ahead of the game, theyre just so much better organised and cleaner and just generally seem more affluent... seem more like cities that actually function! And thats on top of the pan-Gujarat norms of power, water, roads etc. Its just a shame that it seems like other people with an interest in development, are unlikely to be able to see this for themselves unless they go to Gujarat for themselves!

Ive got no complaints with the progress that the state has made at all, my initial frustration was just that there is so much out there that deserves to be showcased for ppl who are more development-minded here on SSC.

Im perfectly happy that there is currently nothing like Bandra-Kurla Complex or UB City in Gujarat, because, the way I see it, thats not what stage we are at along our path of progress. Instead we have concentrated on getting a fantastic base that will allow us to push on more efficiently than any other state in the country.

Thats the most exciting thing really, Gujarat is already ahead of the game, but still has some of the biggest projects in India like Kalpasar, DMIC and of course GIFT still to come!

:cheers:

Gud reply, People think that few skyscrapers will change the reality. We need skyscrapers too, but at the same time we need 24*7 power supply, support for better primary education, roads and infrastructure, which rn't done my glass facades !! By the way, I am not from Gujarat and I am from Andhra Pradesh and Hyderabad. I am 27 yrs old, and believe me I used to think right from when i was ard 8-9 yrs old, why do we have power cuts ? And to date Hyderabad has power cuts for more than an Hour in PRIME AREA. THink abt how rest of AP is doing.... WHich is the true picture almost anywhere in India.

Definitely true, considering the bigger picture, a few fancy buildings arent what make a city work!

Thats exactly where we start going wrong when we talk about development. Development is not just a few snazzy buildings and flyovers. That kind of development is just a facade. 10 miles out of Bangalore, Hyderabad or Gurgaon and you would see people living in the most awful conditions. Gujarat has focussed on Human Development parameters like basic healthcare, electricity, education, law and order. Such things are measured in terms of crime rate, sex ratio, literacy rate, infant mortality rates etc and not in terms of swanky glass buildings and wide roads.

Development in Gujarat has never been restricted to one region or a few cities and the affluence has permeated to the remotest of villages, thus reducing urban migration and affiliated issues. I think our country and our politicians would serve well to focus on such issues.

True in India the real development based on overall Human development index

1)Kerala
2)Punjab
3)TN
4)Gujarat

In some of the IT cities the developement is just only in one city in the total state and rest all are very average.

True in India the real development based on overall Human development index

1)Kerala
2)Punjab
3)TN
4)Gujarat

In some of the IT cities the developement is just only in one city in the total state and rest all are very average.

Im not sure where you got the list from, but im pretty sure thats not correct.

As far as I remember, states such as Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab (in my opinion the 3 most economically and infrastructurally developed states) are ranked very poorly in terms of HDI

HDI being a "soft" measure, will always identify where emphasis has been placed on education, improving access to healthcare and empowerment of women, these have traditionally been most successfully done by the more socialist state governments rather than somewhere like Gujarat which has been nothing but capitalist for decades.

In terms of more "economic" or "hard" measures areas like physical infrastructure in place, ease/speed of starting a business, average standard of living, average wage, transparency of governence etc, places like Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana would come out top, but def not HDI. In fact, I think these states are amongst the bottom 3 in terms of gender ratio.

Gujarat needs vast improvement on HDI, especially education and gender ratio, these are the two biggest isses that need to be addressed in the state.

It is very difficult to trust any data and statistics now a days especially with voting season around and all kinds of politically motivated "economists" and "experts" and "activists" quoting numbers to suit their claims.

I once read an article by a celebrated activist bemoaning that India's HDI ranking was going down under the NDA. The activist often celebrated as the goddess of truth forgot to mention that the HDI number went up and also that the data was a couple of years old.

Similarly now we have celebrated economists who are paid to come up with "white papers" based on dubious data about "misrule" under the left front. They kind of keep silent when they are questioned about the their data and deflect every criticism to "sampling" errors or "oh we didn't know that this data was old". They even forget to mention the funding source!

Then there are the JNU type activist economists who are in constant weeping mode and finding fault with any thing that is not mixed with their brand of leftism.

The best thing is to not trust any statistics by any organization / activist in India especially the politically motivated ones.

Just look around, feel the pulse and you will know which way the wind is blowing.

Read with open Mind....
---------------------------------
Source AM

Has Ahmedabad really arrived?

Being a mega city is about more than just a BRTS and flyovers; it’s also mindsets and manpower. The fact is that the city simply cannot provide slick, polished professionals


For many years, Ahmedabad has been seen as a city of paradoxes. Modern yet provincial; dry yet with freeflowing booze; peaceful yet home to some of the worst riots; high on Gandhian ethos, yet low on ethics; having widely travelled citizens, yet incredibly regressive in etiquette and public behaviour. Among outsiders, it’s often seen as a bit of a joke with its “snakes in the hole” brand of pronunciations. Today, Ahmedabad is trying very hard to portray itself as a “mega city” (the most commonly misused ‘M’ word after millennium). The question is: has the city really arrived as a global metropolis or is it just kidding itself? Take a closer look.
At the outset, the city has been synonymous with the expression, “ketla taka,” symbolising the calculation of returns on just about everything. Granted that this has contributed to its legendary business acumen; unfortunately, in the near-sighted obsessions with short-term financial gain, the big picture is often lost. The myopic businessman who doesn’t think twice before spendi n g lakhs to do up his office; can’t, for the love of Makwana, see why he should pay a professional more than a few hundred. Subsequently, areas like communication and content writing are often reduced to cut and paste jobs, indicating a disdain for quality and finesse.

The latest buzzword for a while has been “development,” which is reduced to mean roads, flyovers and subways. With a little shrewd eyewash, the locals have been conditioned into believing that a mass rapid transport system along with a few circular route buses and wide roads is enough to catapult the city into the Hong Kong-Shanghai bracket. In essence, those who have been singing paeans about the state of affairs (or the affairs of the state) need to really step out and get some real exposure in the outside world.
Being a mega city is about more than just a BRTS and flyovers; it’s also mindsets and manpower. The inescapable fact the city has never been willing to face is that it simply cannot provide slick, polished professionals. Corporates have long since lamented the difficulty in getting good, marketing manpower. Today, the same thing is observed in the BPO boom. Let’s face it, a Mumbai or Bangalore this ain’t. Subsequently, companies offer to pay less than their counterparts in other states; something the locals can’t digest.

In the end, it all boils down to the city’s weakest link – its grasp of English (or the lack of it). At the end of the day, it’s all about people and communication. Years of step-motherly attitude towards the language, backed by a lifestyle that dictated sitting at the family shop after a basic, rudimentary education have taken their toll and created an irreversible reaction. One needs to only walk into any posh, retail premise to see the glaring gap between the sophisticated product line and the inarticulate sales personnel struggling to communicate it. Further, moving to the western suburbs hasn’t shaken off the ‘pol’ mentality; the city is, at times, still incredibly insular and antiquated in its thinking. The handful of large corporates that repeatedly get feted by the local press are little more than strongholds of pedhi culture, despite their posh campuses and fancy marble flooring.

While other metros have a ‘page 3’ culture, Ahmedabad has page 33!’ With about three and a half resident celebrities (an author, a danseuse, a sportsperson and a cultural czar to boot), the city supplement is hard put to find genuine glam quotient to fill its pages. In retrospect, there is a building named Ocean View, a company named Clit Marketing, a spa that offers a ‘Sona’ bath and a retailer that sells ‘Bed Shit.’ In the final reckoning, Ahmedabad needs to take a hard reality check and focus on what’s really needed, rather than ridiculous propositions like trying to be the country’s mall or multiplex capital – failing which, it’s likely to continue calculating returns (and little else) for a long time to come.

Dinyar T Dastoor
is a freelance writer who travels, conducts workshops and writes spoofs, satires and on anything except so called issues of national interest

wats ur problem dude...why r u bashin ahmedabad just becoz u found one bad outta hundreds of gud articles....i can claim same to any city of india..or even the globe...understand...there r always PROS n CONS attached wid any A to Z things in the universe..

n BTW..donot forget..INDIA by itself a country of paradoxes...

wats ur problem dude...why r u bashin ahmedabad just becoz u found one bad outta hundreds of gud articles....i can claim same to any city of india..or even the globe...understand...there r always PROS n CONS attached wid any A to Z things in the universe..

n BTW..donot forget..INDIA by itself a country of paradoxes...

I do not have any problem "dude".

But as I said before read with open mind:)

I am not saying I am agree with writer 100% but its still well balanced article in my view. Gujarat missed IT bus, and major reason was lack of English speaking professional. I strongly believe that lack of English speaking population/professional in Ahmedabad will always keep Ad behind.Big corporate house can not find talent in AD and thus they will set up their shop somewhere else. Take eg of BPO, how many Gujaratis are working in Call center? I think list will be short.

I strongly agree with writer about this mall/multiplex culture will not take this city anywhere.

Just my 2 cents...

Read with open Mind....


you can defend any kind of article by this line even if supports terrorism or teenage/Premarital sex :lol::lol:

you can defend any kind of article by this line even if supports terrorism or teenage/Premarital sex :lol::lol:

:hilarious

I'm gonna open all my posts with this line

I do not have any problem "dude".

But as I said before read with open mind:)

I am not saying I am agree with writer 100% but its still well balanced article in my view. Gujarat missed IT bus, and major reason was lack of English speaking professional. I strongly believe that lack of English speaking population/professional in Ahmedabad will always keep Ad behind.Big corporate house can not find talent in AD and thus they will set up their shop somewhere else. Take eg of BPO, how many Gujaratis are working in Call center? I think list will be short.

I strongly agree with writer about this mall/multiplex culture will not take this city anywhere.

Just my 2 cents...

Regarding the article, who, in their right mind has honestly ever claimed Ahmedabad to be a "Megacity" in any sort of Global Sense?

Its nothing new or groundbreaking to say that Education/English is poor, its been a problem for decades in Gujarat.

However...

when you say

I strongly believe that lack of English speaking population/professional in Ahmedabad will always keep Ad behind.Big corporate house can not find talent in AD and thus they will set up their shop somewhere else.

Well, even though Gujarat missed the IT bus... has it actually caught a much better ride altogether?

If we think of long-term, sustainable economic growth, my belief is that no state has prospects as bright as those of Gujarat.

Companies look at more factors than simply the labour force. There are many infrastructural and geographic advantages in Gujarat. Ports, Roads, Electricity, Water, Pro-Business Govt, Land to develop without fear of farmer protests etc etc etc

As the statistics all bear testimony to, Gujarat is not exactly short on getting investments and getting large foreign and large Indian companies to set up operations within the state. Its clearly not the case that businesses are not setting up in Gujarat due to lack of talent pool.

Yes, education is the number 1 priority area that Gujarat needs to improve on, but lets not kid ourselves into thinking that Gujarat is in any way less developed because people dont speak English there or because there is no "Page 3 Culture".

The writer does bring up some valid, (although unoriginal points), however, in the main, the issue they have is centred around Gujarati culture still pervading aspects of day-to-day life in Ahmedabad, therefore making the city "unsophisticated.

Modernisation is not Westernisation, I don't believe the writer knows the difference.

If the value of a City is measured on Page 3 Culture and Sophistication, then I doubt many Gujaratis would mind (or disagree!) if all our cities were described as having no value!

[QUOTE=GJ10;43909614]

Modernisation is not Westernisation, I don't believe the writer knows the difference.

QUOTE]

Nicely put !:applause:

Regarding the article, who, in their right mind has honestly ever claimed Ahmedabad to be a "Megacity" in any sort of Global Sense?

Its nothing new or groundbreaking to say that Education/English is poor, its been a problem for decades in Gujarat.

However...

when you say



Well, even though Gujarat missed the IT bus... has it actually caught a much better ride altogether?

If we think of long-term, sustainable economic growth, my belief is that no state has prospects as bright as those of Gujarat.

Companies look at more factors than simply the labour force. There are many infrastructural and geographic advantages in Gujarat. Ports, Roads, Electricity, Water, Pro-Business Govt, Land to develop without fear of farmer protests etc etc etc

As the statistics all bear testimony to, Gujarat is not exactly short on getting investments and getting large foreign and large Indian companies to set up operations within the state. Its clearly not the case that businesses are not setting up in Gujarat due to lack of talent pool.

Yes, education is the number 1 priority area that Gujarat needs to improve on, but lets not kid ourselves into thinking that Gujarat is in any way less developed because people dont speak English there or because there is no "Page 3 Culture".

The writer does bring up some valid, (although unoriginal points), however, in the main, the issue they have is centred around Gujarati culture still pervading aspects of day-to-day life in Ahmedabad, therefore making the city "unsophisticated.

Modernisation is not Westernisation, I don't believe the writer knows the difference.

If the value of a City is measured on Page 3 Culture and Sophistication, then I doubt many Gujaratis would mind (or disagree!) if all our cities were described as having no value!

Good Post,

Point I am trying to make is If avg Gujaratis were holding good command on English, then with these large investments lots of high level/technical jobs would have fall in their lap. But that is not happening. Last year I met someone in train, he was from Delhi and working as Regional Head for known Cell phone co. I asked him how many Gujaratis in your co you have at your level ? He said none. He said our biggest problem is finding talent who also knows local pulse and well in English. He said not only at my level but it is hard to find someone fluent in English at manager level. I also know someone who is Gujarati but born and brought up in Delhi. (Good command on English). He was working for private bank and in few years they gave him very good promotion (Head of Guj or something like that) and ask him to move Gujarat. Why? Because they needed someone English speaking Gujarati in Gujarat badly!

Massive IT investment went to south, and local took advantage of that very well. We all know south is less privileged than Gujarat in many terms. But Avg Joe who was living in small house in Village, Jumped in IT boom went to US and now holding multiple properties in Hyderabad. I believe that will not happen for Avg Mavjibhai living in Village of Gujarat.

What I believe large investments will come to Ahmeadabd and surrounding area, but top position will be filled by only non-gujaratis, and that’s big disadvantage for Local. Writer mentioned very correctly that Gujjus have mentality of sitting at father's small business and never ever paid importance to education, and that will ceep this city for some time, because cos will not able to hire qualified professional from local market.

Although I disagree with writer page 3 comments completely.

Well, regardless of whether the employees are born in Gujarat, the fact they will have to live in Gujarat and will be earning good salaries which will be spent in Gujarat, will help local business and local economy.

And whereas South beat Gujarat in terms of IT, if you want to talk about moving outside of India and making money abroad... Gujaratis have been doing that for over 100years!

Owning small businesses may not be as glamourous an idea as jetting off to Silicon Valley and buying a sports car, but the long term asset accumulation of the International Gujarati Diaspora is not something to take lightly.

The Growth of Gujarat doesnt fit into the stereotype the world has of Indias growth, ie: IT and English Speaking, for this and other reasons, the Indian media was often hesitent to acknowledge the development going on in the State.

However, I truly believe that in 50yrs time when people look back at the early 21st Century, the Gujarat Story will be a much more important one than the IT story. I may be wrong, but I cant help but equate the Call-Centre lakhpatis to the "Yuppie" phenomenon in the West during the 80s.

And whilst the "posh" Ahmedabad columnist might deride Gujarati culture for holding us back from being "sophisticated" and "arriving" on the world scene...

In the UK, the youth are criticised for their lack of entrepeneurship and business skills, with too much of an "education = good job" mentality that is ever increasingly being proven wrong with the economic slowdown. In Britain there is a feeling that the youth have lost the Mercantile culture that made the country the first International Superpower.

I hope to never see the day when Gujarati people lose their business mindedness...

After all... even Dhirubhai was an Avg Mavjibhai once upon a time ;)

Errr Gujaratis cannot speak English .. They make others speak Gujarati [New Jersey adding Gujarati on the voters list ]

I don't understand why Gujarat missing the IT bus should be made out to be a huge issue. Agreed, Gujaratis have poor English but we are enterprising people. Should I say that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have missed the manufacturing bus? All states cannot be ahead in everything. Mumbai is far ahead in financial business doesn't mean that 'Delhi' missed the bus.

From the conversation here, it appears that gains made by the state in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture are not as important as gains made by Karnataka in IT. It appears that ability to speak English seems to be given more importance than ability to do business.

I don't understand why Gujarat missing the IT bus should be made out to be a huge issue. Agreed, Gujaratis have poor English but we are enterprising people. Should I say that Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have missed the manufacturing bus? All states cannot be ahead in everything. Mumbai is far ahead in financial business doesn't mean that 'Delhi' missed the bus.

From the conversation here, it appears that gains made by the state in manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture are not as important as gains made by Karnataka in IT. It appears that ability to speak English seems to be given more importance than ability to do business.

Its not only IT bus or only English. Its fact that Gujaratis have not paid much importance to Education. And I believe it will or may be it is hurting Local Gujuus. Specially when you talk about Service class people.

Ambani may not able to communicate well in English but he will make sure that he keep his top guys from South or North who can communicate well in English on global front with their IIT & IIM degree.

Now defiantly Gujarat will get good benefits from all these Mfg cos... but that will help more to labor market (blue color job) but if service class Gujjus wants to come ahead in any corporation they will have to compete with South and North, and lack of solid education will be their weakest link. So what will happen avg Gujju will have less chance to move ahead in Corporate ladder.

In short all these projects coming in Gujarat, I have doubt that white collar Gujjus will able to maximize this opportunity after certain point.

ohh..so now..my frnd wallet tryin to say tat English capabilities n professionalism of gujjus r even wrost than poorest states of india...buddy..just bcoz, superiority in english doesn't make south indians better than others. wake up..things r changing faster than u think. there r english medium schools sprawling around cities of gujarat in such a way that in near future & its bi product would bound to be highly competitive in terms of overall development.

now white collar jobs taken by non gujaratis..
Gujarat is a cosmopolitan state since its first industrial revolution period of 1960s. so, i dont think any south indian or other state (excluding metro n suburbs) is even near to gujarat in terms of cosmopolitan. BTW... .i.. (in the same manner most of gujjus) will always welcome our fellow non Gujarati Indians in gujarat n do their best to develop a whole country.

last..migration is a part of progressive development of that region, which helps economy to grow plus it brings different culture, ethnicity n knowledge while it increases competitiveness n productivity of regional community to survive.
so ultimately migration is helping Gujaratis n at the end gujarat.

Errr Gujaratis cannot speak English .. They make others speak Gujarati [New Jersey adding Gujarati on the voters list ]

Dude, I would say that Gujarati are politically and financially secure and they have good image and there forth we get our way out of anything. From building huge Temples to learning Gujarati Languages in schools, we take our culture and embrace it with great honor.

ohh..so now..my frnd wallet tryin to say tat English capabilities n professionalism of gujjus r even wrost than poorest states of india...buddy..just bcoz, superiority in english doesn't make south indians better than others. wake up..things r changing faster than u think. there r english medium schools sprawling around cities of gujarat in such a way that in near future & its bi product would bound to be highly competitive in terms of overall development.

now white collar jobs taken by non gujaratis..
Gujarat is a cosmopolitan state since its first industrial revolution period of 1960s. so, i dont think any south indian or other state (excluding metro n suburbs) is even near to gujarat in terms of cosmopolitan. BTW... .i.. (in the same manner most of gujjus) will always welcome our fellow non Gujarati Indians in gujarat n do their best to develop a whole country.

last..migration is a part of progressive development of that region, which helps economy to grow plus it brings different culture, ethnicity n knowledge while it increases competitiveness n productivity of regional community to survive.
so ultimately migration is helping Gujaratis n at the end gujarat.

Sheryas.. You are absolutely right. Remember.. Ahmedabad was Manchester of India. There were tons of lawyers in Gujarat who went to UK for education as well as Africa to practice law. Good Example is Gandhi and Sardar Patel.

Gujurat is developed more than any Indian state and in IT it is behind that's it.
Every state cannot be leaders in every field so it is O.K if Guj don't have call centers.
They can plan and develop soon.
Media only takes about IT that's why you feel Guj is left out.

Its not only IT bus or only English. Its fact that Gujaratis have not paid much importance to Education. And I believe it will or may be it is hurting Local Gujuus. Specially when you talk about Service class people.

Ambani may not able to communicate well in English but he will make sure that he keep his top guys from South or North who can communicate well in English on global front with their IIT & IIM degree.

Now defiantly Gujarat will get good benefits from all these Mfg cos... but that will help more to labor market (blue color job) but if service class Gujjus wants to come ahead in any corporation they will have to compete with South and North, and lack of solid education will be their weakest link. So what will happen avg Gujju will have less chance to move ahead in Corporate ladder.

In short all these projects coming in Gujarat, I have doubt that white collar Gujjus will able to maximize this opportunity after certain point.

You may be right, but the point is, what % of Gujarat (or India for that matter) is White collar compared to Blue Collar?

Your concerns are really only related to Gujarati-Medium educated professionals. So yes, maybe these people "missed the boat" in terms of English speaking when they were younger, but surely, even at worst, this a bad situation for this particular group of people, rather than the State of Gujarat as a whole.

Looking forward, as Shreyas said, English Medium schools are more common nowadays, as are extra English tuitions. Ive seen this trend personally in Jamnagar and Junagadh, so I can only imagine what is happening in the larger cities.

Its really not a doom and gloom situation, by the time the kids currently in high school start graduating from colleges, the stereotype of Gujaratis not being able to speak English will start to become an outdated concept.

In the 5-6 years it will take for this to happen, do you really think any other state will be able to catch up to and keep up with the Infrastructure Development and Investment Inflows of Gujarat?

Time will be the true judge, but taking all things into consideration for the whole of the population across the whole of the State, Im extremely satisfied with the route to development that Gujarat has taken, especially in comparison to the "One Sector, One City, One Port" route in Karnataka and Andhra that so many people seem to think is the way forward...

just to smoothen out some ruffled gujju feathers here ..... this discussion is subjective. I don't think anyone can or is complaining that Gujarat 'missed the bus'. The article is the columnist's personal opinion about Gujarat and doesn't stand for much. Gujarat is moving ahead in fields other than IT - India needs a diversified economy, not one big call center. What is really needed is IP, much more than IT. That's where sound education and the knowledge of english comes into the picture.

GJ10:

TN doesn't at all fit the one city, one port model that you talk about. In fact on HDI parameters TN is better than GJ. Its more urbanized than MH/GJ. TN may well be as or better placed than Gujarat. Just a thought and nothing to take offence about.

Time will be the true judge, but taking all things into consideration for the whole of the population across the whole of the State, Im extremely satisfied with the route to development that Gujarat has taken, especially in comparison to the "One Sector, One City, One Port" route in Karnataka and Andhra that so many people seem to think is the way forward..

I must Disagree with you how would you say that Southern most states are concentrating on just single city,single sector,just a single port just have a look at Vizag[Which has two ports operational] well Industrialized on the east coast,Kakinada[getting another port],Mangalore,Mysore etc etc cities which are well placed with white collar jobs.I must brush up your mind even though gujarat is industalized they don't have enough resource to feed their tummies since most of the grains are grown in Southern States.When you don't have agriculture what's the use of Industrialization?

I'm not sure why discussion has moved to Gujarat vs. other Indian state.
I hope all states develop well and are equally important in the bigger picture. ie. seeing India as a developed country in our lifetime (next 30-40 years).
Nobody missed any bus, its just different states took different routes to progress with whatever resources they had in excess.
No state is perfect and self reliant (so its no use saying you eat my state's wheat, etc)
And about english, like someone pointed out above, if at all its really important to do business, gujjus will get good at it soon. I've seen a tons of fellow gujjus in chicago/ny/nj who couldnt speak english and now speak american english pretty well (but they have trouble speaking indian english).. so its just a matter of time.

GJ10:

TN doesn't at all fit the one city, one port model that you talk about. In fact on HDI parameters TN is better than GJ. Its more urbanized than MH/GJ. TN may well be as or better placed than Gujarat. Just a thought and nothing to take offence about.

Ive never criticised TN in this regard, I really think TN is doing fantastically well. Please lets not turn this into a State vs State thing, I apologise if it seemed as though thats what I was doing.

Let me clarify, I use Andhra and Karnataka as examples, simply because their pattern of growth is so different to that of Gujarat. Obviously, I am not suggesting that these states are doing badly, or doing things the wrong way, Im just saying its very different to the way Gujarat is doing it.

Indian media has noticed the same difference and tends to criticise Gujarat for it, posters like WallSt also seem to think the same.

Wherever there is a choice of routes, people will have their own preferences, I prefer the route Gujarat has gone down, Indian Media, WallSt and others will prefer the Andhra, Karnataka route.

Everyone is free to have their own preferences, but lets not criticise the economy of one place A for being different to the economy of place B, especially when both place A and B are growing rapidly anyway!

I must Disagree with you how would you say that Southern most states are concentrating on just single city,single sector,just a single port just have a look at Vizag[Which has two ports operational] well Industrialized on the east coast,Kakinada[getting another port],Mangalore,Mysore etc etc cities which are well placed with white collar jobs.I must brush up your mind even though gujarat is industalized they don't have enough resource to feed their tummies since most of the grains are grown in Southern States.When you don't have agriculture what's the use of Industrialization?

You are free to disagree, when every state in India is showing positive growth, why do people want to criticise Gujarat for doing things differently to other states?

Yes, I oversimplified with regards to how I described Andhra and Karnataka, but in the same way, do you really think that there is no IT industry in Gujarat or no Gujaratis who speak english? Of course not, this was also an oversimplification.

So please dont get so touchy and defensive.

You may also want to "brush up your mind" regarding the Agricultural Sector in Gujarat

I must Disagree with you how would you say that Southern most states are concentrating on just single city,single sector,just a single port just have a look at Vizag[Which has two ports operational] well Industrialized on the east coast,Kakinada[getting another port],Mangalore,Mysore etc etc cities which are well placed with white collar jobs.I must brush up your mind even though gujarat is industalized they don't have enough resource to feed their tummies since most of the grains are grown in Southern States.When you don't have agriculture what's the use of Industrialization?

sorry guys i wont extend this topic after this..but i have to say tat whatever GJ wrote is pretty much true...south indian states mostly AP n karnataka (excluding TN) are in reality majorly concentrating on one city one port one sector views. whatever my frnd bobbie wrote in which i might be agree that things r changing there too but until now they were eyein on pretty much one thing policy tats why most of their projects n development r concentrated around one city (Hyderabad- Bangalore) one port (manglore-vizag) and one sector(IT). other ports, cities n sectors r still there but in small percentage (plz dont place any tables bcoz i knw most of different varieties of ur sectors r placed around Hyderabad n Bangalore but between the cities , there is nothing but infinite blank.

in terms of overall development i believe the top three states would be Gujarat Maharashtra and TN..( in which their numbers changes depends on different time period but in border view they stayed consistently in top 3 position) i call other competitors r hariyana, panjab, karnataka, AP, WB, karala.

Our narrow minded developers and businessmen of Amdavad

I feel very sorry about our Amdavad when I make following statement

Our builders / real estate developers / architects / planners / designers and our businessmen and all our citizens who purchase the property (residential or commercial) are among the world's most narrow minded people

You can include me also, as I am a 'proud' Amdavadi and part of our Amdavad

The reason is as follows

(1)Worst roads and traffic in the world

*The road designers do not have concept of 'emergency' lane
Take an example of traffic on CG road, (forget Relief road or Gandhi road, I call them roads of a 'big' village) If there is fire on a working day and working time, how long will it take for emergency vehicles to reach the site?

* Because, at all cross roads, there is no space left by our people to allow to pass even a small dog, then how can you expect an emergency rescue vehicle, the size of a city bus, can pass at earliest?

*Because, all roads are encroached by street vendors, fully supported by 'hafta khau' police - even a pedestrian does not have enough room to walk on side walk (foot path) and, along with those pedestrians, the road is illegally occupied / controlled by those street vendors and pedestrians forcefully walking on roads

*Because, all roads are encroached by auto rickshaws 'waiting' for passenger - in fact, they are not waiting, but just 'passing' time by drinking tea (from nearby illegal street vendor) while sitting in their own auto rickshaw and thus blocking the passing traffic

*Over all - ALL our roads (yes, 100%, without ANY exception) which should serve as blood lines and nerve linesof our city, are clot by cholesterol of illegal street vendors, improperly parked vehicles, forced pedestrians walking on roads, thus, leaving hardly 20 to 40% of actual road space designed for beneficiaries (actual vehicular traffic)

*AMTS and Gujarat State Transport drivers are most undisciplined drivers, and responsible for 70% or more chaos in city. Stop and observe for five minutes on any road, or, for example, on middle of any bridge across river Sabarmati – all bridges have two lanes in each direction. And these drivers, without exception, always drive on the marking line of two lanes, that is, they cover both lanes partly and thus not allow any four wheeler to pass. Their right side is open (space for a two wheeler) but nobody will dare to drive there, and, on their left side, just enough space to pass a two-wheeler. That means, until the ST or AMTS bus cross the bridge, no four wheeler can pass beyond them....
They feel that all the bridges and roads are built only for them (‘apne baap ka hai’ – sorry to use bad words)!!! And, this is true for any road...
Also, at all bus stops, they always stop their buses in the middle of the road, covering both lanes, and not allowing anybody to pass except two- wheeler passing one by one...
For problems at bus stops, add auto rickshaws stopped there for passengers, and of course, five to ten street vendors and 'patharna walas' are always there to claim their right of 'rojee roti'

*Illegal parking - ever seen a 'shethani' going for shopping with car and chauffer ('driver')?
That Amdavadi shethani orders her 'driver' to stop anywhere, she gets down from car in front of any shop she wants, and then tells driver to wait for her.... And that driver also, without bothering for other traffic, sits in the car, on side of a road, thus covering one lane of traffic (out of two lanes) ... the net result is that half of the road is blocked...

These are few examples ... if we sum up, all the AMTS and ST bus drivers, street vendors and patharna walas, auto rickshaw walas, those shethanis, corrupt traffic police and toooooo much tolerant people of Amdavad without civic sense to properly drive the vehicles are responsible for the worst and most indiscipline traffic of our Amdavad

(2) Next, parking problem - the builders and businessmen

Let me start with brief and finger-tip calculation for parking requirements in a commercial place

My fair assumption for office space is as follows

For any office space, roughly one employee per 100 sq ft space (there can be plus or minus 20% variation). So, for an office building of, say, 20,000 sq ft (the whole building) there can be approx 200 persons working full time.. let us fairly assume, approx 25% have car, 50% have two wheeler and 25% use public transportation
So, we end up with parking requirement of 50 cars and 100 two wheelers. Add to this, parking space for business visitors, I will take it as 20% extra ... so we will need parking space for about 60 cars and 120 two-wheelers
In our Amdavad, can you show me even one office building with this much parking space?

NO

Our narrow minded builders never provide enough parking spaces

Next, still, our businessmen and so called national and multinational companies keep on buying such office space without enough parking spaces ... they never think even once where their employees will park their vehicles !!!!!
Even a CEO sitting in his office on CG road never thinks where his 100 employees will park their vehicles ... and that (successful !!!) CEO is planning for 100s of crores of business !!!!!!!

The commercial establishments with retail shopping require even more parking space ... but ....

Take example of CG road, the space approved as parking space in those commercial buildings, was sold
for retail business.... and our Amdavadi businessmen also purchased those illegal retail spaces because those illegal retail spaces were sold about 10 to 20% cheaper than legal space in the same building !!!!!!!
And after few years, by paying some 'impact fee', they were converted to legal commercial space.....
And where is the parking space? It is all gone. The net result is, the CG road, which can be wide enough for four lanes in each direction, is now only two lanes in each direction, resulting in worst traffic....
Still, our city planners, who carved parking space from road and margin area of the buildings, proudly say that they have built 'world class' road with parking space ....
Dear city planners and engineers, it is not result of planning, but it is result of 'mili bhagat' of all of you
corrupt builders and city engineers..... It is a shame ……

Next, our 'high rise' apartments ('flats')
A family purchasing Rs.20 lakh two bedroom flat, I assume that the family can easily afford a car (even a
'second hand' or used car of Rs. 1 to 2 lakh) and at least one two- wheeler
A little big family in three bedrooms flat, either two cars and two two-wheelers or at least one car and two two-wheelers...
Now, all our Amdavadi friends, do you ever ask for your allotted parking space when you buy a flat?
I am sure, in 90% residential schemes, there are not enough parking spaces, and everyday there is 'fighting' among residents about parking their vehicles.....

Forget some space for children to play ... And what, if there is some function at your home and you have 20 guests in need of parking for 10 cars? .... (sign board everywhere 'visitors must park their vehicles out of gate only')
Parking for guests / visitors in a residential high rise project? .... just forget it, you will not find even one in our Amdavad...

Why we are so much narrow minded?

Can we do one thing?

Whenever we plan to buy a commercial or residential property, can we confirm enough parking spaces BEFORE WE BUY PROPERTY WORTH 10 LAKH TO FEW CRORES?

If all of us insist on enough parking space before buying any property, only then those narrow minded builders, and our so called great architects will ever think of it...

As long as we keep on buying, they will keep on building real estates without enough parking ....

I am requesting all my fellow readers who keep on posting pictures and details of new projects here, please also include information about number of residential / office / retail units or space in the project, and mention whether enough parking space is provided or not ....

Let me give example of Shivalik group's projects posted by our friend Shreyas .... I can see only two to five car
parking space in front of a four storey office building where approx 50 or so people will be permanently working...
And where is parking space for them or their business visitors?..

I have written this, because, as an Amdavad Lover, I feel so sorry for our own Amdavad ... that I had to bring out my anger on our own people ...

Please note, I am not 'anti-Amdavadi' in my wildest dream, but I am very much proud and lover of our Amdavad... And at the same time, feel very sorry for present scenario about traffic and parking problems, and this is the reason why I have written this .....

All of us, let us try to make our Amdavad worth livable ... I am part of it..... always....

Sincerely yours....

AmdavadLoverIndian

^^ You are so right. I know exactly what you are saying. A few years back I traveled from AMD airport to the AMD-Baroda Expressway. Since you are from A'bad you know which road I had traveled on (because I don't know the name of the road). I had a horrible experience. It was just pandemonium. I can't even describe the chaos.

Dear AmdavadLoverIndian!
You made me register today and post a reply in this forum... :) I'm completely agree with you about the condition of our ambdavad... You have clearly defined the problems in Amdavad... I just want to add why what all are the causes of this problems and what we can do to solve them.

Causes of these problems are many like over population, insufficient education, greediness, lack of strict laws, corruption etc etc. Also it's simple demand and supply rule, city has limited supply of land and demand is overwhelming. So such things were bound to happen and same things will happen in future too. Problems of traffic and parking are not only in our Ahmedabad, even cities like New York, Boston, Chicago have same problems. They also don't have enough space for parking and roads very conjusted in the city.

Now we have to find a solution... We can't resolve the root causes but the problem of parking space and small roads can be resolved by other simple solution which is nothing but encouraging the use of public transportation. People in major cities of USA/UK/Singapore and other developed contries use public transportation regularly even if they have 2/3 cars. As you have mentioned that generally in office 75% own car/two wheeler and remaining 25% use public transportation. People need to reverse this ratio, 75% should use public transportation. Definately that will be possible only if our public transportation system is efficient. Anyway, government has taken a right step by implementing BRTS in the city. And we have witnessed the first milestone today. I understand that we can't change people of the city, but we can definately influence our family and friends. If we start from there, we can make our Ahmedabad more greener and even more enjoyable over the time. I'm very optimistic about the coming days when BRTS will become part of routine life of my fellow amdavadis.

You guys remind me of an Episode from Tarak Mehta's ka Olta Chasma... Where Jetha bhai tells Daya(His wife)... Amdavadi ko koi Oolo nahi bana sakta...lol:ohno:... Amdavad is a great city and people are full of talent and knowledge. Unfortunatlely, Ahmedavad, Baroda etc don't get much attention from NCP and their allians due to heavy Bajapa politics. They know that if Gujarati's get into any business they will take it to the hightest level in international market.

All I can say is Garvi Gujarat !!!!:banana:

Can we guys instead start posting pictures of the newly built structures of Ahmedabad instead of debating on political issues?

This forum is meant for that

Our narrow minded developers and businessmen of Amdavad

Sorry but I have to disagree with you on this! They are not narrow minded! They have vision, solid vision of how to loot Amdadavadi!

Parking space is very limited in commercial and residential area and simple reason is this space will not generate any money to builder unless he include that price to buyer's final price.

Now Amdavadi Buyers like you and me will say why should I pay for parking hell with it, I will manage so give me my flat or shop just like that. So end of the day we are looser. Builder made his money, AMC officers & Politician made money. Its you and me will search for parking all day!

see What happened to Bopal? Entire residential area was created without any planning/permission and now they have hard time to fix the problem.

I assume that will happen again in this area call New CG Road. (Oh yea, its Ranip-Sabaramati-D cabin area can't be CG road), construction is happening left and right but heard no proper plan for water and waste management.


Remember this is India, Planning comes very last in our list. Till now enjoy this so called Mega city success story. I am still not sold to those 70-80L Rs flat in Vastrapur. Its fake like Gandhi Family.

I post this here, because, it is related to projects of our Amdavad

The so called 'Mall' of our Amdavad

When I visited Amdavad in Jan 2006 (no visit after that .... love and miss everything Amdavad has), I was surprised to see so many 'malls' popping up everywhere and visited few of them and again totally disappointed

Disappointed, because, in building those ‘malls’, not only Amdavadis, but builders from all over India are involved, including ‘big’ national level construction companies

How it all started?

Way back, our Amdavad, for retail shopping, was mostly Gandhi Road, Relief Road, and an entire stretch from Kalupur Station up to Lal Darwaja, mostly small shops owned by family (family business), with some wholesale cloth markets

Then, in 70s and 80s, as the economy expanded, there was need for more retail spaces, and Ashram Road was not enough for retail as it housed number of offices, theaters, residences, colleges and so on

As a result, the area from Swastik Char Rasta to ‘Shilp’ char rasta (around Navarangpura Muni Market), which was occupied as individual bungalows, slowly started transforming in to cluster of ‘small shopping centres’. Typically it was an old bungalow on about 600 to 2,000 sq mt plot which was demolished, and shopping centre was built upon it. Typically, it had ‘parking on ground floor’, shops on first floor and on second and third floor housed offices.

The parking was sold as illegal retail space, and I have already mentioned it somewhere else, so do not want to elaborate it here

So, typically, that one shopping centre ended up with about 10 to 20 shops of around 400 to 800 sq ft each, on two floors, and the remaining floors were occupied by small offices of 400 to 800 sq ft

And it flourished for more than two decades …. in to 21st century until, no more old bungalows were available for such project on entire CG Road

The economy kept on flourishing, and since 2000, a new trend of SHOPPING MALL was brought up by our great builders

Still, for such a project, the required land / plot of 10,000 to 20,000 sq mt was never available in Amdavad

So what the construction companies did is, they outright purchased whole ‘societies’ of either flats or tenements, demolished the old structure and ‘created’ their required plot size
And they built ‘big shopping mall’ there, not one or two, but dozens of them in last six to eight years…..

And I was laughing first on myself, my friends and relatives and my Amdavadi people who proudly call them ‘big shopping malls’

For me, and anybody who has visited outside Amdavad and India, our Amdavadi Malls are just a joke

They are nothing more than bigger version of ‘shopping center’ of CG RoadLet me give an example of a Shopping Mall

I am sure, many of our friends reading and contributing to this forum, must have visited shopping malls outside our country

Let us take an example of a ‘typical shopping mall’ of Bangkok

Let us be specific, “The Mall” at Bang Khae, in Bangkok, Thailand

That mall has following features, if I do not forget – the actual figures may be more, but not less, as I have given very conservative estimate of size, because, I could not find actual size of it

(1) The main retail shopping store named “The Mall” – it occupies almost 50,000 sq ft or more on each floor, total five floors, approx 2,50,000 sq ft

(2) Add to this, an equal space (2,50,000 sq ft) occupied by other individual retailers (each 500 to 5,000 sq ft/shop)

(3) Add to this, a food court, with about more than 40 vendors and sitting capacity of more than 300 persons at a time (guess floor area yourself)

(4) Add, more than 20 restaurants (franchise like KFC / Pizza Hut, and some reputed local restaurants each with more than 3,000 sq ft)

Wait, it has many more features

(5) Add to this, a bowling alley with 32 alleys, yes, I repeat, thirty two alleys

(6) Add to this, an entire floor (approx 1,00,000 sq ft) occupied by children play area – having number of rides similar to our Essel World in Mumbai

Hold your breath friends

(7)Add to this, 8 theaters, yes, no typing mistake EIGHT Theaters (managed by SF Cinema City)

NOT ENOUGH

(8) The top floor / terrace, is occupied by a water park ( size? … typical Amdavad water park minus ‘wave pool’)

WAIT, Still, hold your breath,

(9) IN ADDITION, an area, approx equivalent to that of total retail shopping area, is constructed and allocated for parking IN THE SAME BUILDING……
Yes, thousands of cars parking, on total six floors

And, EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN ONE BUILDING, EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF ……..

Yes, I will call this a Mall

Let me provide some real pics of this particular mall, so that people who cannot imagine what I am talking will have an idea

Note: Please look at first pic, you will see a water slide on terrace water park and have an idea of how big it is


http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fd292cf0d2.jpg

The second pic is 'Event Hall' on ground floor surrounded by those samll / individual retailers on all floors

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/719e172572.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6053966b29.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3dd4df1561.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/7a660cb2f0.jpg

This last pic is INSIDE that big mall, the retail chain also named 'The Mall' (I have mentioned it in above description as (1)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9641f81b37.jpg


Now let us compare, the Malls of our Amdavad …

I repeat, they are modified/little bigger versions of shopping centers of CG Road, and nothing more ….

Our ‘Malls’ are designed to accommodate 50 to 100 individual civil construction of shops (as compared to 10 to 20 of CG Road) in one building, given on rent to individuals.

In fact, those retailers on CG Road have survived and will survive, because, they OWN their shops. Whereas, in these Amdavadi Malls, the retailer is only a tenant, and he/she has to pay hefty rent plus service charges every month….

And looking at economy of our Amdavad, they have very few actual customers, and you can actually see on average only 50 to 70% occupancy in these malls. That is why, most people visiting these malls, see every time a new vendor in place of the old one …. Most of them making losses


Let me continue with the Bangkok Mall example … the same mall has renovation budget of almost Rs.100 crore, in Dec 2008, to be implemented in one year. And, that mall has 100,000 visitors every day … I repeat … average one lakh visitors per day, open 365 days !!!!! After the renovation, they expect 10% rise in visitors ….. And this is called business …..

And Bangkok has dozens of such Malls ……. where are we?

I have one more pic of another mall which is under construction in Thailand – almost 400 km north of Bangkok – Khon Kaen with population around 10,00,000 (ten lakh only)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3f4ceb9f48.jpg


Please look at the size of surrounding roads and cars, so that you will have an idea about actual size of the mall

As long as we live in our own dream world, sure, we are happy, with whatever we have in life, nothing wrong in it

But I feel sorry when we start taking proud and calling what we have is the best in the world

It is not true

We are, as Amdavad, nowhere near to real mega cities of the world

And back to square one, our narrow minded builders and city planners …….
If we dream big, only then we can achieve big

Let us start dreaming BIG

If not by us, sure, our next generation will make them a reality, provided we share our dreams with them

And my post here is to share my big dream with everybody

It is not that we cannot do it, look at our great Sardar Sarovar project, it makes all of us proud in the world …. It came up, only because we dreamed big ….

And now, it is time for development of our cities by dreaming big …… Roads, public transportation, parking, civic sense, street lights, storm water drainage, cleanliness, along with industrial and educational / social development resulting in boost to growth, making our dreams come true

Together, let us make our Amdavad worth livable …. I am part of it

Your friend in this forum

AmdavadLoverIndian

When did malls became benchmark of development!! Grow up!!:ohno:ohno::bash:


:bash:I post this here, because, it is related to projects of our Amdavad

The so called 'Mall' of our Amdavad

When I visited Amdavad in Jan 2006 (no visit after that .... love and miss everything Amdavad has), I was surprised to see so many 'malls' popping up everywhere and visited few of them and again totally disappointed

Disappointed, because, in building those ‘malls’, not only Amdavadis, but builders from all over India are involved, including ‘big’ national level construction companies

How it all started?

Way back, our Amdavad, for retail shopping, was mostly Gandhi Road, Relief Road, and an entire stretch from Kalupur Station up to Lal Darwaja, mostly small shops owned by family (family business), with some wholesale cloth markets

Then, in 70s and 80s, as the economy expanded, there was need for more retail spaces, and Ashram Road was not enough for retail as it housed number of offices, theaters, residences, colleges and so on

As a result, the area from Swastik Char Rasta to ‘Shilp’ char rasta (around Navarangpura Muni Market), which was occupied as individual bungalows, slowly started transforming in to cluster of ‘small shopping centres’. Typically it was an old bungalow on about 600 to 2,000 sq mt plot which was demolished, and shopping centre was built upon it. Typically, it had ‘parking on ground floor’, shops on first floor and on second and third floor housed offices.

The parking was sold as illegal retail space, and I have already mentioned it somewhere else, so do not want to elaborate it here

So, typically, that one shopping centre ended up with about 10 to 20 shops of around 400 to 800 sq ft each, on two floors, and the remaining floors were occupied by small offices of 400 to 800 sq ft

And it flourished for more than two decades …. in to 21st century until, no more old bungalows were available for such project on entire CG Road

The economy kept on flourishing, and since 2000, a new trend of SHOPPING MALL was brought up by our great builders

Still, for such a project, the required land / plot of 10,000 to 20,000 sq mt was never available in Amdavad

So what the construction companies did is, they outright purchased whole ‘societies’ of either flats or tenements, demolished the old structure and ‘created’ their required plot size
And they built ‘big shopping mall’ there, not one or two, but dozens of them in last six to eight years…..

And I was laughing first on myself, my friends and relatives and my Amdavadi people who proudly call them ‘big shopping malls’

For me, and anybody who has visited outside Amdavad and India, our Amdavadi Malls are just a joke

They are nothing more than bigger version of ‘shopping center’ of CG RoadLet me give an example of a Shopping Mall

I am sure, many of our friends reading and contributing to this forum, must have visited shopping malls outside our country

Let us take an example of a ‘typical shopping mall’ of Bangkok

Let us be specific, “The Mall” at Bang Khae, in Bangkok, Thailand

That mall has following features, if I do not forget – the actual figures may be more, but not less, as I have given very conservative estimate of size, because, I could not find actual size of it

(1) The main retail shopping store named “The Mall” – it occupies almost 50,000 sq ft or more on each floor, total five floors, approx 2,50,000 sq ft

(2) Add to this, an equal space (2,50,000 sq ft) occupied by other individual retailers (each 500 to 5,000 sq ft/shop)

(3) Add to this, a food court, with about more than 40 vendors and sitting capacity of more than 300 persons at a time (guess floor area yourself)

(4) Add, more than 20 restaurants (franchise like KFC / Pizza Hut, and some reputed local restaurants each with more than 3,000 sq ft)

Wait, it has many more features

(5) Add to this, a bowling alley with 32 alleys, yes, I repeat, thirty two alleys

(6) Add to this, an entire floor (approx 1,00,000 sq ft) occupied by children play area – having number of rides similar to our Essel World in Mumbai

Hold your breath friends

(7)Add to this, 8 theaters, yes, no typing mistake EIGHT Theaters (managed by SF Cinema City)

NOT ENOUGH

(8) The top floor / terrace, is occupied by a water park ( size? … typical Amdavad water park minus ‘wave pool’)

WAIT, Still, hold your breath,

(9) IN ADDITION, an area, approx equivalent to that of total retail shopping area, is constructed and allocated for parking IN THE SAME BUILDING……
Yes, thousands of cars parking, on total six floors

And, EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN ONE BUILDING, EVERYTHING UNDER ONE ROOF ……..

Yes, I will call this a Mall

Let me provide some real pics of this particular mall, so that people who cannot imagine what I am talking will have an idea

Note: Please look at first pic, you will see a water slide on terrace water park and have an idea of how big it is


http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/fd292cf0d2.jpg

The second pic is 'Event Hall' on ground floor surrounded by those samll / individual retailers on all floors

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/719e172572.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/6053966b29.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3dd4df1561.jpg

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/7a660cb2f0.jpg

This last pic is INSIDE that big mall, the retail chain also named 'The Mall' (I have mentioned it in above description as (1)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/9641f81b37.jpg


Now let us compare, the Malls of our Amdavad …

I repeat, they are modified/little bigger versions of shopping centers of CG Road, and nothing more ….

Our ‘Malls’ are designed to accommodate 50 to 100 individual civil construction of shops (as compared to 10 to 20 of CG Road) in one building, given on rent to individuals.

In fact, those retailers on CG Road have survived and will survive, because, they OWN their shops. Whereas, in these Amdavadi Malls, the retailer is only a tenant, and he/she has to pay hefty rent plus service charges every month….

And looking at economy of our Amdavad, they have very few actual customers, and you can actually see on average only 50 to 70% occupancy in these malls. That is why, most people visiting these malls, see every time a new vendor in place of the old one …. Most of them making losses


Let me continue with the Bangkok Mall example … the same mall has renovation budget of almost Rs.100 crore, in Dec 2008, to be implemented in one year. And, that mall has 100,000 visitors every day … I repeat … average one lakh visitors per day, open 365 days !!!!! After the renovation, they expect 10% rise in visitors ….. And this is called business …..

And Bangkok has dozens of such Malls ……. where are we?

I have one more pic of another mall which is under construction in Thailand – almost 400 km north of Bangkok – Khon Kaen with population around 10,00,000 (ten lakh only)

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/3f4ceb9f48.jpg


Please look at the size of surrounding roads and cars, so that you will have an idea about actual size of the mall

As long as we live in our own dream world, sure, we are happy, with whatever we have in life, nothing wrong in it

But I feel sorry when we start taking proud and calling what we have is the best in the world

It is not true

We are, as Amdavad, nowhere near to real mega cities of the world

And back to square one, our narrow minded builders and city planners …….
If we dream big, only then we can achieve big

Let us start dreaming BIG

If not by us, sure, our next generation will make them a reality, provided we share our dreams with them

And my post here is to share my big dream with everybody

It is not that we cannot do it, look at our great Sardar Sarovar project, it makes all of us proud in the world …. It came up, only because we dreamed big ….

And now, it is time for development of our cities by dreaming big …… Roads, public transportation, parking, civic sense, street lights, storm water drainage, cleanliness, along with industrial and educational / social development resulting in boost to growth, making our dreams come true

Together, let us make our Amdavad worth livable …. I am part of it

Your friend in this forum

AmdavadLoverIndian

Dear Shohm

I never believe that a shopping mall is benchmark of development
And, I am a very well grown-up person, please take it easy

Only thing what I wanted to mention is,

We are living in our dream world, most people never know what is real world and when we think that we have achieved something, it is not true... the reality is totally different

What ever civil structure we call Big Shopping Mall in Amdavad, is NOT really a big shopping mall - it is just a big shopping centre with 50 to 100 individual rental shops only, nothing more

This is what I wanted to say - I repeat - I do not relate it to development

Take it easy ..... my friend

Still a little bit unsure as to which thread this goes into...

Godrej, Adani Townships on City Outskirts (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/index.aspx?page=article&sectid=2&contentid=2009111720091117033903406bf05a15&sectxslt=&pageno=1) - updated link


Townships are being called the next level in housing, a whole new living environment around the metros. Now, Ahmedabad is about to move into that space. Three new projects from infrastructure powerhouses — Godrej Properties, Adani Group and Saumya Constructions — are set to get the government nod for township on the outskirts of the city.

2007 township policy revised
The three locations chosen first up are tracts at Jetalpur off SG Highway by Godrej, behind Science City by Adanis, and near Shilaj by Saumya Constructions. The projects are being developed under the urban development department’s new township policy, which awaits the state government’s approval.

“The township policy is ready. I’ll put my signature on it in two days,” state urban development minister Nitin Patel told AM on Monday. The new policy is a revised version of the one introduced in 2007 by then minister I K Jadeja.

Sources said apart from the three immediate projects, which will get the green signal in one month of the policy coming into effect, others lined up are promoted by real estate giants DLF, Raheja Group, Unitech, Parshvanath and Sahara Group.

The townships will be unlike usual housing schemes in their sheer size — each built on 50-plus acres, consisting of at least 1,000 dwellings (bungalows and flats), with the developer ploughing in upwards of Rs 2,000 crore.

They will come with a school within, one or more malls, office and business areas, hospital, entertainment zone, a lake perhaps and all necessary infrastructure including roads, water supply etc a la Amby Valley and glitzy DLF estates in Gurgaon.

The Godrej Properties township near Jetalpur, 10 km from Thaltej, will be built on a sprawling 100 acres. Called Godrej Garden City, the project is going to cost Rs 5,000 crore with a built-up area of 30 million sq foot, sources said. There is no word yet on when it will begin and how long it will take to complete.

The Adani project behind Science City, promoted by Adani Properties, will cost Rs 2,000 crore according to current estimates. The third big one, Applewood, by Saumya Constructions near Shilaj on way to Thol lake, will be spread across 40 acres and cost over Rs 1,500 crore, sources said.

Godrej Garden City is the project that has been selected as a pioneer project by the Bill Clinton Climate Change Initiative, aiming to be Carbon Neutral, really looking forward to seeing that one come into fruition... as well as the other ones of course!

Did not find exact place to post this but Guys,

Have you heard of the AUDA freeze on new construction in ghuma/shela/manipur villages due to new town planning ? It came as a small news article somewhere but do not know the actual impact as yet.

Did not find exact place to post this but Guys,

Have you heard of the AUDA freeze on new construction in ghuma/shela/manipur villages due to new town planning ? It came as a small news article somewhere but do not know the actual impact as yet.

OMG! What will happen now? Will I ever able to buy my dream home in Bopal-Ghuma-Manipur? Can you guide us? What impact will come on Ahmedabad Real Estate Market? Please help us..

If you are the one who are thinking about inevsting, you are least affected compared to the one who has investment there - especially in land and not sure how the TP roads will pass through.
Not only the road may pass through your land/property, even if it passed through another part of the scheme, the builder would charge you a 20% of the loss he makes in giving the land to government.
I checked on auda.org site and it shows a single page of villages which TP is in process and nothing else - my question here being,why no news in any national/local news paper and why don't Auda define what is the objective of the new TP and guide line for what size/type of roads will come up and within what time?
Mean while ,rule of thumb being - don't invest until TPs are defined and if you aer alerady invested, try build something on that land and try make as much union with your neighbours.

New Realty Boom - 3000 Homes coming up in Ahmedabad - Gandhinagar (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_new-realty-boom-3000-homes-coming-up-in-ahmedabad-gandhinagar_1334599)

Ahmedabad: If you are planning to buy a house or apartment, this is the right time to do so. With Kamurta — a period considered inauspicious for doing anything important — ending on January 14, realty giants are all set to rock the city. They are coming up with as many as 3,000 new dwelling units, involving an estimated investment of Rs400-500 crore.

Top realty consultants in the city said that around 40-odd schemes will be launched in different parts of Ahmedabad as well as Gandhinagar.

“Many developers were waiting for the right time to launch their residential projects,” said Hitesh Shah of Space Management Ltd, a realty consultant company. “Most of these are apartment schemes with units priced anywhere between Rs10 lakh and Rs1.20 crore.”

Although the demand is more from the middle income group, the most affordable price band for them will remain Rs35 lakh to Rs50 lakh for housing units in western Ahmedabad. This may be beyond the budget of many but that is no reason to worry.

“Builders will be offering relatively cheaper homes too,” Shah said. “These will come up mainly in eastern Ahmedabad, near the ring road periphery.”

Most housing projects are expected to come up in areas such as South Bopal, Ambli road, Shilaj, Prahladnagar, some parts of Vejalpur, Gota, Ranip, Adalaj and Kudasan near Gandhinagar. In eastern Ahmedabad, housing projects are expected in Nikol, Vastral and Naroda among other areas.

CMD of City Estate Management, Pravin Bavadiya, said that most of the new housing schemes will come up in the West and the New West zones of the city.

“There will be fewer affordable units in these areas because land prices here are very high,” he said. “But this is also the reason why some schemes will be launched in the eastern parts of the city. These housing projects will cater to the middle income group.”

The 30-40 projects that are ready for launch post-Uttrayan, includes those that some developers had called off earlier. These are being re-launched.

Explaining the current situation in the city’s realty sector, Gujarat Institute of Housing and Estate Developers (GIHED) president, Suresh Patel, said that of the housing schemes scheduled for launch in Ahmedabad, 20% are re-launch of old projects.

not completely related, but it talks about Ahmedabad... (http://www.ted.com/talks/kiran_bir_sethi_teaches_kids_to_take_charge.html)

someone should post this on "A Nation on the March" thread in BR

Edit: link fixed

^^ Hyperlink is not pointed to the target article... Please update/edit/repost...

^^ Hyperlink is not pointed to the target article... Please update/edit/repost...

Im guessing u were referring to the November article, re Godrej, Adani Townships, if so, the link has now been updated.

^^ Hyperlink is not pointed to the target article... Please update/edit/repost...

thanks for the heads up. link should now work

Zydus Cadila gets nod for 22 Storey Hospital at Thaltej (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_zydus-cadila-gets-nod-for-22-storey-hospital-at-thaltej_1331438)

Ahmedabad is getting its second tallest building but it is neither a hotel nor a residential scheme. It is a multi-speciality hospital.

The Ahmedabad-based, Rs3,000 crore pharmaceutical company, promoted by Pankaj Patel, Zydus Cadila, has received approval from the state government to develop a 22-storey hospital near Thaltej.

Zydus Cadila got permission for the high-rise building in R2 zone in Ahmedabad from the urban development department. The project falls in survey 509 and 511 in the town planning scheme number 51. It is located near SG Highway, close to Thaltej.

Industry sources said that this was a revolutionary step because it was an indication that in future the R2 zone may get converted to R1 zone. This means that construction of high-rise residential schemes can be expected in this region which will keep property prices under control, compared to what is offered in R2 zone.

As per the law, construction in R2 zone is allowed only up to four floors, whereas in R1 zone developers can construct a high-rise building. This means more utilisation of space which will make the scheme cheaper.

After it is completed, the hospital will be the second tallest building in the city after Patang hotel on Ashram Road, which is a landmark in western Ahmedabad.

Urban development minister Nitin Patel said: “Yes, Cadila have got permission for the high-rise building in R2 zone. However, the company has paid for the extra FSI.”

Patel refused to give more details about the project. A Zydus Cadila spokesperson also refused to comment on the
development.

Slum-Free Ahmedabad dream now Realty (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_slum-free-ahmedabad-dream-now-realty_1355862)

The Gujarat government’s public-private-partnership (PPP) model for developing housing for the urban poor has already taken off in Ahmedabad. A day after the proposal was announced by urban development minister Nitin Patel, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) started work on two pending proposals, one from the Bakeri group and another from the Mumbai-based Akruti City.

While Bakeri has sent the proposal for Gulbai Tekra and Vadaj slum areas, Akruti City is looking at five other spots in the city. The policy, which makes construction of affordable housing lucrative for builders, may well change the face of Gujarat. Under the PPP model, builders can acquire government land occupied by slums and build houses for slum-dwellers. The developer may also choose an alternate site for rehabilitating the dwellers. Builders will be allowed a higher FSI for the purpose, which can also be utilised for another piece of land of the same proportion, which will be given to them by the government elsewhere in the state. If everything goes as planned, slum pockets in Ahmedabad — such as those in Amraiwadi, Khokhra, Gulbai Tekra and Ramapir Na Tekra — may soon be transformed into decent residential localities.

In fact, Akruti and Bakeri had earlier approached the AMC with the proposals, but the lack of proper policy for the transfer of development rights had stalled the projects. Akruti City had proposed to construct around 9,120 tenement units in the five pockets. Each tenement unit was conceived to comprise a living room, bedroom, kitchen, washroom and a balcony.

GJ man I'm really starting to envy your state.

Only if all states could be a combined Kerala & Gujarat...

Something New! (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/201003062010030603093399344f7a699/Baatein-kum-Kaam-zyada.html)

Unhappy with the authorities over unclean roads in the city, lack of reforms in education system, absence of guides at zoos and hospitals? Here’s your chance to troubleshoot and be part of what could even lead to policy changes.

In a boost to e-governance in the state, the government has launched an interactive portal inviting people to contribute to the development of the city.

Called the Samaydan portal (www.ahmedabadcitizenportal.com) it allows individuals to pledge their services primarily in the areas of environment, cleanliness, education and health.

The portal was launched by Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Friday as part of Swarnim Gujarat celebrations. This is the first-of-its-kind portal in the country launched by a government body.

This is something new and innovative from where i look at it but again this is only targeting individuals who have the time and internet to register, not the wider public. But in saying so it is a good step and hopefully people will join and help out.:)

Slum-Free Ahmedabad dream now Realty (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_slum-free-ahmedabad-dream-now-realty_1355862)

actually they hv started it in vadodara too...

Vasna to Airport in 15mins (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/2010030720100307032844840bd9998ee/Vasna-to-airport-15-mins.html)

From Ambedkar Bridge in Vasna to Ahmedabad airport in 15 minutes. Not a wishful thinking but very much a reality in a matter of months.

The authorities have cleared the municipal corporation project — a stretch linking northern part of the city to the southern areas — with an aim to reduce traffic congestion and cut down airport travel time. The stretch will run along Sabarmati’s east bank.

Currently, anyone travelling to airport from Paldi, Vasna, Navrangpura, Ambawadi, Manekbaug, Bhattha, Sarkhej and Juhapura have no option
but to go via Ashram Road.

If you are travelling to airport from Vasna, for instance, you first arrive on Ashram Road, and then proceed towards Shahibaugh using either Gandhi Bridge or Subhash Bridge. From then onwards, the journey winds through Dafnala underpass, Shahibaugh, Army Cantonment and finally, airport.

During peak hours, traffic congestion on Ashram Road as well as Dilli Darwaja, Dafnala underpass and Shahibaugh make life hell for the citizens. It takes at least 45 minutes to complete the 11-km journey from Paldi to airport during rush hour.

Once the ‘linking road’ is complete — expected time around six months — Ashram Road will no longer be burdened by airport traffic. The proposed two-way stretch, 30-metre wide, will begin at Ambedkar Bridge and end at Dafnala, no traffic lights to hamper the vehicle flow. At Dafnala, an exit point will lead the vehicles onto the road towards the airport.

Confirming the development, municipal corporation’s standing committee chairman Asit Vora said, “While those living in areas like Judges Bungalows, Satellite and Vastrapur can take the 132-feet ring road to travel to and from the airport, Amdavadis living in the central parts of the city are inconvenienced due to traffic problems on Ashram Road and adjoining areas. This stretch will make the journey to and from airport a pleasing experience for them.”

Vora added the project will be a two-way, four-lane design. He said, “Our study and survey say the Vasna-airport journey will be a 15-minute affair once the stretch is ready.”
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/7269/vasnaairport2.jpg
http://img502.imageshack.us/img502/3907/vasnaairport1.jpg
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/3117/vasnaairport.jpg

Theyve very cleverly decided on using a blue line to mark a road running along the side of the river... but im sure you all get the idea!

^^ hopefully it gets started soon.

Painting it Green (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIA/2010/03/08&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00200&ViewMode=HTML&GZ=T)

Get ready to walk on some outof-the-world green spaces along the banks of Sabarmati. The mega Sabarmati riverfront project will now have urban green spaces with a difference.

Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation Limited (SRFDCL) has roped in a panel of designers specifically entrusted to come up with innovative designs for envisaged parks and gardens along the riverfront. The project is focusing towards ‘social utility’ of the riverfront by giving more spaces for public use, nearly 42.8 hectares of land for parks and gardens will be used for different recreational functions at the project site.

“The panel of designers will be presenting their ideas and concept designs for gardens planned on the riverfront. They have been chosen through a rigorous exercise,” said AMC municipal commissioner IP Gautam. He added that the panel has been given full artistic freedom for designing varieties of gardens. AMC authorities will assess the designs before going for the final approval.

The civic body has already built a diaphragm wall, walkways and anchor slabs along the riverfront. The retaining wall constructed to protect the embankment is 89 per cent complete while access steps are 50 per cent complete, according to SRFDCL authorities.

“These proposed spaces are expected to serve as city-level green spaces while others will be neighbourhood parks. These gardens will be based on different themes,” said a senior SRFDCL official.

The project aims for environmental improvement, increasing green coverage, recreational spaces, relocation and rehabilitation of slums, commercial hubs and residential areas.

EAST BANK

Dudheshwar Garden Heritage Park Victoria Garden Extension Pirana Forest

WEST BANK

Gandhi Ashram Park BJ Park Extension City Park VS Hospital Park Vasna Forest

STUDY ON CABLE CARS

SRFDCL authorities have invited an expression of interest for cable cars across the riverfront. Municipal Commissioner IP Gautam said, “We are looking for a modernised version of cable cars of international standard for crossing the river. It is mainly for easy accessibility to public utilities and other services on both the banks of the river.” The authorities are doing feasibility study for location of the cable cars on riverfront.

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/8899/sabarmati.jpg

One ‘More’ retail chain faces closure in Ahmedabad (http://gujaratmoney.com/2010/03/07/one-more-retail-chain-faces-closure-in-ahmedabad/)
By Japan K Pathak

Busy activities here at Aditya Birla Group’s retail store ‘More’ in Ahmedabad’s Dharnidhar area. There are already overflowing visitors inside, and therefore the security men are instructing other people to form queue to enter inside. The people are also ready to cooperate. They form queue and wait for their chance to enter the store. The reason is that the store is offering 30 to 50% discount on almost all products because the Aditya Birla Group has taken a decision to wind it up.

Yes, after Subhiksha had to wind up 50 stores in Ahmedabad and Reliance Retail also scaled down its hypermarket on the SG Highway, after 6ten closed its stores and Vishal supermarket had to wind up its huge Law Garden premises, after Dev Status mall was closed to get converted into a luxurious flat scheme, the next is Aditya Birla Group’s ‘More’ stores which are likely to be closed this month.

The CEO of group’s Supermarkets decision Thomas Verghese confirming the plan says the loss-making stores of ‘More’ would be closed in whole country, not only in Gujarat in next some time.

Aditya Birla Retail at its peak, ran 36 stores in Gujarat. However after gradual closure of some loss making stores in recent past, the company had only 10 stores functioning in the state. Out of 16 stores that were launched in Ahmedabad, only five to six are operational presently, and they are likely to be closed this month only.

Back to ground zero at Dharnidhar in Ahmedabad, the customers hit by price rise are happily buying things at discount rates here. Sugar which is otherwise available at a cost of 38 Rs kg is available here at Rs 32. Packed bags of Mung and Cumin are sold at half price. Some buyers are coming from far areas, thanks to BRTS bus-stop nearby. About 50% shelves of this ‘More’ store are now empty. Due to high demand of discounted items here, the group has dumped products from other branches also for speedy sell.

The youths working in this store told Gujaratmoney that this particular branch of ‘More’ was profitable, but as the group decided to wind up whole business in the city, this store too faced closure. They complained that though they offered wide range of different products, most of the people were visiting the store to buy vegetables only. At time, the management felt that their business was actually not about selling just vegetables!

Some other employees briefed GujaratMoney that rental cost, man power cost, AC bill etc was in-total a huge burden. On the other side business was not that lucrative.

When we from GujaratMoney personally visited the store, we felt that the store was not being run with heart and certainly not with mind. Dharnidhar is pure Jain, Baniya and Brahmin dominated area. Here non-veg is a taboo. Not only eating non-veg is unacceptable but even presence of non-veg irritate the locals. You can not find a single non-veg product in about three-four square kilometer of area in this locality. But the ‘More’ store was catering range of non-veg products. I saw Chicken Masalla, Butter Chicken, Chicken Tikka mix etc completely unsalable packs on shelves. Another point is that while traditional stores in Dharnidhar area are smaller, open(so no AC and natural light), controlled by one or two persons(one owner and one servant) and product specific(focused), the ‘More’ store is a closed one(lights and AC bringing heavy bill), employing several people(around 10 to 12) and offering range of products(defocused, some of the products not worth selling and eating dust on shelves).

A common store owner(of course a rival) in Dharnidhar area is happy with More’s retreat. One of the store owners in same locality Shri Gopalbhai Gandhi says, ” the mall and retail chain culture is temporary, we are here to serve you permanently.” Another happy person is a poor hawker who sells vegetables on his moving push cart by visiting streets. One such vegetable vendor Karsan Devipujak tells GujaratMoney,”It is Devi Mata(holly goddess)’s wish to protect us against this retail invasion. We are here, and you would see they all will have to close their stores. We have defeated Birla.”

However local women of Dharnidhar locality are not happy with More’s exit. “This was a good place to buy vegetables. Also a bag of milk was 50 paisa cheaper. This store should be replaced by similar store. This area needs such store. It is unfortunate that though this particular branch is doing good business, the group has decided to close it,” one of the local women, Mamtaben Shah a frequent visitor to this store told GujaratMoney.

So sad to know that retail chains are getting closed in Ahmedabad. I really think that there is a place for such mega stores in the city. They provide lot of convenience to people. Also they make shopping more eventful instead of mere burden. Hope these companies will do proper homework before venturing into new area in future.

This is a pretty long vid (and the editing style may give you a headache after a while!)

Features Kankaria and Janmarg as well as just giving a general feel of the Citys roads, malls and traffic!

BqWzpZy1hfM

(and the editing style may give you a headache after a while!)


Now that you mentioned it...

This is a pretty long vid (and the editing style may give you a headache after a while!)

Features Kankaria and Janmarg as well as just giving a general feel of the Citys roads, malls and traffic!

BqWzpZy1hfM

Haha the song is good and yea the vid editing reminds me of cloverfield. Motion sickness anyone.

Dishman Pharma SEZ to take off after 4 year delay (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/infrastructure/Dishman-Pharmas-SEZ-to-take-off-after-4-year-delay/articleshow/5756057.cms)

The ambitious SEZ project of the listed entity Dishman Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals will finally take off after a delay of over
four years. With construction beginning at the site, the company is now hopeful to raise further funds for the project.

The Rs 1,000-crore Dishman Pharma, a major player in contract research and manufacturing services space, has started construction at its proposed SEZ site near Ahmedabad last week of March. If all goes well, the SEZ will be the second active SEZ in Gujarat after Zydus Cadila promoted SEZ — Pharmaez. Other major projects like PHASEZ (promoted by Cadila Pharma), Jubilant SEZ (promoted by Jubilant Organosys) and JB SEZ (promoted by JB Chemicals and IL&FS) are yet to pick up.

The ambitious project was moving at a snail’s pace all these years after the announcement for two SEZs for pharma and engineering was made in 2006. By end-2008, the foundation stone for the two SEZs was laid on 600 acres. In August 2009, Dishman scrapped its engineering SEZ due to the global recession. Also, the company made alteration in its Rs 500-crore SEZ project plans by merging the engineering SEZ land with pharma SEZ.

The company attributes the delay to requisite the government clearance and land acquisition. It claims it has recently received the last requisite clearance from Gujarat Industrial Commissioner and has begun the work at the SEZ site. “We have raised Rs 120-crore fund for the project,” said JR Vyas, managing director, Dishman Pharma. It has raised funds from IDBI and Bank of Maharashtra for the project, which is being executed by the company’s infrastructure arm — Dishman Infrastructure.

“We are looking forward to raise another Rs 100 crore from leasing out plots in the SEZ to companies in next few months,” Mr Vyas said, adding that the company has received expression of interest from 15 Indian pharma companies and about 10 overseas players, mostly from Europe and the US. The company also expects some Japanese companies to come to the SEZ due to its proximity to Dholera-SIR project and the Freight Corridor. The company has begun developing Phase-I of the SEZ by undertaking construction of compound wall and site office. “We will raise additional funds once we are done with Phase-I,” Mr Vyas added, while negating speculations of talks with private equity firms.

The SEZ is in close proximity to the existing manufacturing facility of the company outside Ahmedabad city near Sanand. Dishman SEZ is spread over an area of 110 hectares, out of which 72% is earmarked for the processing zone, while the remaining 28% area will be utilised as non-processing zone

For posterity, here (http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=3691&tp=on) is an article from back in 2006 when it was first proposed

Always good to see a more of these exciting projects coming back from the dead!

Ahmedabad's heritage dream draws near
TNN, Apr 16, 2010, 03.33am IST

AHMEDABAD: After a huge build-up fully backed by The Times of India, Ahmedabad’s aspiration to become a World Heritage City will get a boost at the three-day international conference on Asian World Heritage Cities beginning on Sunday at the Ahmedabad Management Association (AMA).

The event will begin on World Heritage Day when some of the world’s best brains on heritage conservation would converge here to help Ahmedabad stake a legitimate claim with Unesco.

Heritage experts from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Japan, Laos, Nepal, Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to be part of a special committee that will help guide Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Gujarat government document the rich heritage of Ahmedabad.

Ahmedabad is the only city in India that has taken this significant step and has a broad policy framework already in place. The conference has been organised by Unesco, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Indian Heritage Cities Network (IHCN) and National Institute of Urban Affairs.

Experts would discuss the economic benefits of heritage city status, mainstreaming urban heritage planning, heritage management, and initiative to protect and promote a heritage city.

Among those who would attend this three-day conference would be Unesco’s India director Armoogum Parsuramen and Unesco’s international representatives Nicole Bolomey and Lodovico Folin-Calibi. Director general of ASI Gautam Sengupta and IHCN member Minja Yang would also be present at the seminar.

The presence of both Unesco and ASI officials is significant because the bid for World Heritage City status has to go from the ASI to Unesco. Helping Ahmedabad in the documentation would be Prof Syed Idid from Malaysia, the man responsible for the twin cities of Melaka and Penang getting the status in 2008.
Officials hope that the documentation would be completed by early 2011 and, if all goes well, Ahmedabad could get the recognition in 2012.

“Out of the 10 Unesco categories for the World Heritage City status, Ahmedabad today fulfils six. It has been a 14-year journey for AMC in the area of heritage conservation and we are now poised to bring it to a logical conclusion,” says AMC’s heritage cell head Debashish Nayak, who has helped gather a galaxy of heritage experts from the world over.

A’bad down in the dumps
City Rated 19th Among 25 Cities Surveyed For Cleanliness


Ahmedabad: Ahmedabad may have been declared a mega city, but it’s sanitation is yet to live up to the label.
Open defecation is seen as one of the banes of this city, contributing to it’s low ranking in a national city rating under the National Urban Sanitation Policy (NUSP) conducted by Union ministry of urban development.
Ahmedabad was ranked 19th among 25 major cities on cleanliness, in the country. Also, the city scored poorly in universal access to toilets for all and in proper wastewater treatment, recycle & reuse of municipal solid waste, and in treatment and safely disposal of total solid waste generation in the city.
Even cities like Jamshedpur, Bidhannagar in Kolkata, Kanpur and Shillong in Meghalaya have fared better than Ahmedabad in sanitation parameters in the survey.
Surat and Rajkot beat Ahmedabad to fare among top ten clean cities in the country. The rating task was conducted across 423 urban conglomerates across the country to create awareness on hygienic conditions in urban areas.
On the Ahmedabad ratings, professor and head, department of housing, CEPT University, Madhu Bharti said, “The ratings will motivate the cities to do better in improving sanitation facilities. These are indicators for city governance to wake up and take necessary action for robust sanitation management in place.”
“Major public awareness, incentives policy for cleanliness and strict monetary fines should also be adopted by the civic body to maintain the proper hygiene and sanitation facilities in the city. AMC can take a leaf out of the improved sanitation facilities in Surat after the city was hit by plague and floods,” added Bharti
“Water quality in water bodies in Nikol and Chandola has high bacterial contamination and low levels of oxygen, while Sabarmati riverfront project and Kankaria lakefront development has improved on its water quality”, she said.
Three agencies — Centre for Environmental Planning & Technology(CEPT) University, Ahmedabad, AC Nielsen, Development & Research Services Pvt Ltd, New Delhi, were involved to assess the status of sanitation in the cities.
Director of UMC-ICMA which was also involved with CEPT University in rating exercise, Manvita Baradi, said, “The sanitation facilities in urban slums in the city are in deplorable conditions, either the public toilets facilities are non existing or not user friendly.”
“The city needs a ward level sanitation action plan to improve the situation on ground and also regular monitoring of municipal waste disposal system,” said Baradi.
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIA/2010/05/13/5/Img/Pc0051500.jpg
http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIA/2010/05/13/5/Img/Pc0051200.jpg

AMC IRKED
The poor rating has irked AMC authorities, who have now questioned the adopted methodology to rate the different cities. On the rankings, a senior AMC official said, “The ranking does not give the real picture of the city. AMC authorities have initiated lot of measures including emphasis on construction of more public toilets than pay & use toilets in the city. The solid waste management plan of the city under JNNURM will start showing its results in next six months when the project will be implemented fully.”


DRINKING WATER IS SAFE

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIA/2010/05/13/5/Img/Pc0051400.jpg
The drinking water supplied by AMC has been rated safe and passed the stringent laboratory tests conducted by the rating agency. Eighty per cent of the sample municipal water has passed the tests, said professor Madhu Bharti of CEPT University.

Saturday, June 19, 2010, 12:00 Hrs [IST]
New domestic terminal at Ahmedabad Airport to be inaugurated next month

By TBM Staff | Mumbai


The new domestic terminal building at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, inspired by Singapore’s Changi Airport, will be inaugurated next month. As per the airport officials, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel will formally inaugurate the new terminal. The inauguration was earlier slated to be held in May this year, but was called off due to incomplete work.

Anuj Aggarwal, Director, Ahmedabad Airport said, “The exact date for inauguration of the new terminal building is being worked out, but it will take place next month. The building was originally planned to be used for international operations, but it will now cater to the fast-growing domestic traffic.”

According to a report in DNA, the new terminal building measures 4.50 lakh sq ft and has been developed at a cost of Rs 290 crore. It has the capacity to handle 1,000 passengers at a time. With domestic traffic at Ahmedabad Airport growing fast, the passenger handling capacity is planned to be further increased to 1,600 in the near future. The building has been planned according to International Airport Transport Association (IATA) norms for various facilities and intelligent building management systems.

According to the officials, on an average, there are seven international flights from Ahmedabad Airport per day, while number of domestic flights is more than 50. The airport catered to over 27 lakh domestic passengers in 2009-2010, while corresponding number of international flyers was seven lakh. “It was felt that the new terminal building will be better utilised if used for domestic operations, which account for almost three-fourth of the total air traffic at Ahmedabad Airport. Moreover, domestic air traffic is growing at a much faster pace than international air traffic,” stated an official at Ahmedabad Airport.

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/new-domestic-terminal-at-ahmedabad-airport-to-be-inaugurated-next-month-10663

Ahmedabad makes it to International Transport project (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ahmedabad-makes-it-to-international-transport-project/636485/2)

Ahmedabad has become the only city in India to rub shoulders with nine others to figure in a major new programme of the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP) — Our Cities Ourselves.

The programme will be launched with an international travelling exhibition in New York from June 24 before going to other places.

Under this programme, 10 of the world’s leading architects will envision what these 10 most fascinating cities could look like if sustainable transportation was put at the heart of urban planning.

Other cities include Buenos Aires, Dar-es-Salaam, Budapest, Rio De Janeiro, Guangzhou, Johannesburg, Jakarta, Mexico City and New York.

The programme’s website www.ourcitiesourselves.org has a key feature called ‘My City’, which gives one a chance to air one’s view about the sustainable development in the cities.

The blog says: “The cities have proven to be leaders in innovation in sustainable transportation and they are fertile grounds for transformation.” Many of the cities are in developing countries because this is where most urban growth will happen in the next 20 years. It is to be noted that these cities will get an opportunity to learn from the mistakes made by the developed countries, the blog says. The exhibition marks 25 years of progress by ITDP and is designed to attract interest and debate enabling ITDP to maximise it impact in cities throughout the world. ITDP works alongside the local administration and advocacy groups to create projects that reduce poverty and pollution, says its organisers.

This is the Official Site (http://www.ourcitiesourselves.org/) for the initiative, seems like an interesting concept and hopefully along with the likes of the Shanghai Expo, will raise awareness about Ahmedabad.

The main focus is the regeneration/modernisation of the Jamalpur area:


Site
Jamalpur just south of the historic city, currently overtaken with motorcycles, cars and motorized rickshaws. Includes a large vacant site, ripe for development.

Proposal
BRT linking to the city, pedestrian squares, bicycle-friendly streets leading to the waterfront and mixed-use development in the vacant site

July 26, City to attempt green record (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2010071020100710025923859edb4f987/July-26-that%E2%80%99s-when-city-will-attempt-green-record--.html)

The state Forest Department will plant 6 lakh saplings in the city on July 26. Thousands of youths, school and college student, government officials, executives and others will participate in the day-long plantation drive.

The attempt will be a unique way of paying homage to the people who died in the coordinated blasts that shook the city in 2008.

“We want to contribute our might to increasing the supply of oxygen to the environment. We invite universities, colleges, schools, municipal corporation and public and private sector units to participate in the drive. It will be ideal if we reach one man-one tree ratio in Ahmedabad,” S K Nanda, Principal Secretary to the Forest and Environment Department, told Mirror.

The Forest Department has finalised two major centres for plant distribution — Indira Bridge nursery and Van Chetna Kendra in Vastrapur. It is in the process of setting up as many as 82 small and big distribution centres, Nanda said.

The department will ensure biodiversity by distributing different species.

“The campaign not only aims at setting a world record of plantation on a single day in a city, but also aims at reflecting the harmony and commitment of all Gujaratis to the noble cause of protecting the earth.”

Currently the record of planting the highest number of saplings in a day is with Keti Bunder town in Thatta district of Pakistan.

Slum Development: Two realty firms approach AMC (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_slum-development-two-realty-firms-approach-amc_1407345)

The state government's Slum Rehabilitation Policy is catching the eye of realty players.

After a Mumbai-based realty firm, Akruti City, came forward to rehabilitate slum dwellers, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has received two more application from city-based realty firms.

Municipal commissioner, IP Gautam, said that HN Safal Realty Pvt Limited and another realty firm have shown interest in developing houses for slum dwellers.

They have also evinced interest in developing commercial area in slum pockets of city as per the state government's slum rehabilitation policy.

A senior official in the housing department said that they have received initial applications from the two firms showing interest in commencing the project.

"But as per the guidelines, the realtors will have to get consent from 75% of the slum dwellers," the official said.

He said after making the initial applications, no realtor has approached the civic body with the consent of 75% of the people of a given slum.

"If they do so we will allow them to choose the area and start the work in the slum pocket," he said.

Another senior official in the AMC said that one of the clauses in the policy is that a slum dweller should have been living in Gujarat for more than 25 years.

"Realtors are finding it difficult to adhere to this clause as many slum dwellers in the slum pocket may be new or may not be residing their since 25 years," he said.

Akruti City has already started a survey for its proposal for the development of slum pockets in Khokhra, Isanpur and Ramapir na Tekra.

Under the project around 5 plots in three slum pockets will be included if the project materialises. Total land under the five plots will be 5,88,213 square metre, if one goes by AMC record.

If sources are to be believed, around 9,120 tenement units will be constructed with 240 amenity units in the five pockets.

Each tenement unit will have a living room, bedroom, kitchen, wash room and balcony.

As per the policy, the government or the local body will identify the slum pockets and start projects under public private partnership for their development.

Government will sign pacts with private developers and allow them to build houses for slum dwellers.

In return, the developers will be provided land for commercial use at the same place and will also get additional transferable FSI that will also be used at developer's other location.

Good step by Hon CM of Guj and state people ,
but these slums keep poping up,they must be strict as not to allow any more slums in the city .they must make the open govt land as park and garden so tht people get clean and green place


actually they hv started it in vadodara too...

Good step by Hon CM of Guj and state people ,
but these slums keep poping up,they must be strict as not to allow any more slums in the city .they must make the open govt land as park and garden so tht people get clean and green place


So where they should go? HITEC City or Banjara Hill in HYD? Or some IT park in Banglore have space for them?

Double Decker Bus as Mobile Restaurant in Ahmedabad

c4CmD5RNb64

Vietnamese voiceover somewhat drowns out the original speech, but the general gist of it should be self-explanatory

Strangely enough, with this video alone, its highly likely that NTDTV Vietnam has overtaken NDTV India in terms of reports/articles/videos of Gujarat development here on SSCI (definitely my posts anyway)

Funny how the world works...

Interesting concept but not sure if it will work in India with awful air/noise pollution and sheer traffic chaos on the city roads.

Ahmedabad: Your children might be taking theoretical lessons on banking in the confines of their classrooms. Come August-end however, and you will be able to take them to practical lessons on the same, in a life-like replica of a bank, and what's more - with the click of a mouse!

This and more will be made possible by an ambitious Rs11.85-crore project called 'Kids City' being developed by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) in the Kankaria lake premises. The civic body plans to go tech savvy with this project, with facilities like online bookings as well as a modern website to market it nationally.

Civic body authorities are working overnight to complete the project by August-end. Under the Kids City project - originally derived from Jakarta's Kidzania - there will be 17 replicas including a bank, a radio station, fire and emergency services, an airport etc.

"We plan to launch Kids City's own website to make it accessible.

The website will include facilities like online advanced booking.

For example, if a school wants to plan a trip to Kids City a month in advance, they can do so using the online booking facility," said an official.

One of the main attractions here will be the fire and emergency service model, or the mini fire station. "There will be lessons on what people should do when a fire breaks out. With help of lights, there will be a reflection of fire on a wall. A small fire van will also be posted with the help of which, kids can spray water on the fire and the lights will go off," said the official.

The idea is to develop a space for kids where they can learn these important operations and have fun too. Inclusive of parking space, the Kids City will be spread across 4800 square metres of space.


DNA (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ahmedabad-s-own-kidzania-by-aug-end-at-kankaria_1415732)

Ahmedabad beats Paks green record (http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ahmedabad-beats-paks-green-record/654339/0)

With an aim to achieve Green Ahmedabad City tag, a record 7.50 lakh saplings were planted in 12 hours across Ahmedabad civic limits as well as peripheral areas of Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority on Saturday.

Inaugurating the campaign on the Gujarat University campus here, Chief Minister Narendra Modi thanked the citizens, young and old, women and children, for breaking an earlier record of 5.5 lakh saplings planted in a day in entire Pakistan.

Modi said while people may milk nature, they must not exploit it for the sake of consumerism. He said that belatedly, the West had started acknowledging the Indian religio-cultural ethos that connected man with nature. “India has stuck to the principle of trusteeship” that allowed use of natural resource only as much as required and not more, he said.

He described in detail the transition of the city from its polluting past to refreshing present ensured by a host of initiatives over the years like introduction of CNG and BRT system in transportation and moving from ground water to Narmada water and how this improved bones of people earlier impacted by high fluoride content.

By Saturday evening, 3.10 lakh trees were planted in Ahmedabad municipal limits, predominantly ornamental in nature. In AUDA area, 4.54 lakh trees were planted, which were more economical in nature, said Pradeep Khanna, the principal chief conservator of the forest. Around 26,000 volunteers including students, foresters and organisations were involved in the plantation drive.

Similarly, in Surat too, the forest department joined hands with the SMC, planting a total of 4.39 lakh trees. Significant too was the forest department’s drive to plant 1.80 lakh mangroves in the coastal area in Surat.

^^

have they made any arrangements to look after them, water them?

This is innovative in my view. If they did this in more places they can fuel the increasing demand by a tiny bit and maybe help with the rising food prices.

Adopting the Gandhian ideology of self-reliance has helped Vidyapeeth student found a way to beat the prise rise heat. The students have been using terrace of their hostels to grow vegetables which are being served twice a week to 375 students. The results of terrace farming is encouraging as the monthly expenditure on vegetable have gone down significantly.

Gujarat Vidyapeeth Registrar Rajendra Khimani said: “Students prepare manure and use them in their terrace farm. They have not only learnt a new technique in farming but also learnt how to create a source of income by making the best use of available space. The students are growing spinach, gourd and coriander.”

It is a good lesson in environment, too, as the terraces have also become green. Infact, Vidyapeeth students at Dethli, Randheja and Sadra campuses has been into farming since 2003. They are growing vegetables and other agricultural produce on the campus

Source (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2010080220100802041334107e3b7bb7/Beating-price-rise-the-Gandhian-way.html)

Following on from this (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=31511812&postcount=137) post from when the idea was first announced

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2046/amrp.jpg

Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region (http://20twentytwo.blogspot.com/2010/08/ahmedabad-metropolitan-region.html)

Size does matter for Ahmedabad especially after the registrar general announced the Ahmedabad Urban Agglomeration (AUA) some time back — spanning 750 square kilometres, which will form the core urban area of city.

But few know that a plan for the Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region (AMR) spanning 10,222 square kilometres, much on the lines of National Capital Region (NCR)-Delhi, Mumbai metropolitan region (MMR) gathers dust in the state government. CEPT University was roped in as a consultant for the project and asked to prepare a report on AMR which they submitted two years back. But since then has been tangled up in a variety of political and regional issues.

However, CEPT had submitted a plan for Hyderabad-Secunderabad metropolitan region spanning more than 8,000 square kilometres and has been accepted by the Andhra Pradesh state government. “The issue is complex as regional controls play a major role in decision making process. These include, village, taluka, and district level controls which is yet to be resolved.

Earlier there were talks on a 3,000 square kilometres and 4,000 square kilometres of metropolitan area for Ahmedabad and was stuck in these vital issues,” says a senior official in the Gujarat Industrial Development Board (GIDB). Ahmedabad was talking big in AMR as the plan stretched the city’s limits up to as far as Viramgam, Mehsana, Prantij, Petlad, Umreth, Tarapur and Nalsarovar. A big leap, given that just three years ago Ahmedabad was just a 198 sq km city when it gobbled up another 300 sq km to emerge as a mega city spread over 498 sq km and housing 55 lakh people.

To begin with, the plan suggests that Ahmedabad metropolitan will be powered by four immediate growth centres — Sanand, Dehgam, Kalol and Mehemdabad. Later, it would also encompass seven new urban centres — Anand, Tarapur, Nadiad, Matar in the south-east of the metro region and Kadi, Viramgam, Detroj in the north-west.

At least three options for urban agglomerate were submitted to the urban development department which included, plans for 1,880 sq km, 1,240 sq km and 944 sq km. The census department had mentioned an urban agglomerate for 750 sq km. And just like NCR Development Authority lords over 30,000 sq km area as a policy making and planning body, Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region Development Authority (AMRDA) was to be responsible for planning growth in the region without confronting the authority and functioning of panchayats. Sources said while the AMR Bill is being drafted, a notification would be enough to kickstart the process.

With big ticket projects like Tata’s Nano parked next door, special investment regions (SIRs) in Dholera all set to take off and the Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) gearing up to drive through, Ahmedabad is dreaming big.

The idea seems very good but lets see when they actually get it off the paper and into reality.

Chief minister Narendra Modi may live in one of the most sanitised environments in Gandhinagar. But as a youngster, he had spent some time managing the front office a small, dingy canteen for his brother at the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) depot at Gita Mandir in Ahmedabad. While serving cups of tea to harried passengers, he must have seen how travellers had to tread over a minefield of muck and unbearable stench to catch their bus. Not much has changed since those days, but expect a total transformation in the next two years as six GSRTC depots give you the feel of a mall. India’s third largest realty firm Ackruti City Limited (ACL) will develop six international standard bus terminals as part a public-private partnership (PPP) project with the Gujarat government. ACL has already hired two Singapore-based architecture firms —Woods Bagot and Space Matrix — to design the terminals with the latest public amenities. The Rs 300 crore project includes existing bus stations in Ahmedabad (Gita Mandir) and Vadodara. Another four new locations will be developed in Ahmdedabad (near Subhash bridge), Surat (Adajan), Vadodara (Makarpura) and Mahesana. The new designs promise the atmosphere of an airport. Just that you will catch a bus to go to your destination, not an aircraft! Of the 2.30 lakh sq mt land earmarked for the project, ACL will use 70 per cent for bus terminals, including circulation area for buses and public amenities. The developer will construct commercial spaces on the remaining space, ACL sources said. “Though GSRTC will own the swanky properties, ACL will maintain and operate them for 30 years. The developer will also be allowed to lease out the commercial spaces for 90 years,” said a company official. The amenities will include two-level basement parking spaces, hygienic restrooms, waiting areas, ticketing counters, tourist information centres, ramps, and toilets for handicapped persons. Besides, pedestrian areas and bus areas have been kept separate in the design to avoid accidents. Pick-up and drop-off points with basic facilities like digital display boards, path-finder signages and public address systems will also come up. Given that we live in the age of terrorism and the fact that bus depots have a extremely high concentration of travellers during peak hours, security has been given extra attention in the project. Apart from erecting special barriers, the new depots will have CCTV camera and screening of passengers. Baggage screening at the time of departure, similar to those at airports, has also been envisaged.
Facilities at the new bus depots Direct pedestrian access from arrival area to rickshaw and taxi services
Pick-up & drop-off points with special taxi & auto stands
CCTV at crucial points for security
Baggage screening at departing points
Information kiosks & digital display boards
Way-finder signages
Lost & found counters
Hygienic restrooms and drinking water facilities

The new bus terminals and commercial complexes will be environmentally friendly and meet the stringent requirements of the LEED rating system for green buildings. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED rating, has been developed by the US Green Building Council and is followed by many countries. Cooling technology that does not consume too much energy, water conservation, waste water management, rainwater harvesting and use of renewable energy, like wind and solar power, have been incorporated in the design to make the buildings energy efficient. Massive tree plantation and landscaping of gardens has also been planned. Woods Bagot, which will design terminals at Subhash Bridge and Gita Mandir in Ahmedabad, has developed the Coach Bus Station in Shanghai, Leicester City Market in the UK, Marina Resort in the port town of Treguier in France and the Michael Schumacher World Champion Tower which is a 66-storey building coming up at the Reem Island waterfront in Abu Dhabi. The other firm Space Matrix will design terminals in Vadodara, Surat and Mehsana. The company’s clients include Fortune 500 companies like Mearsk, Motorola, Shell, Nokia and Ford among others.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_4oBKlv5UVEA/TGIyIa9ePHI/AAAAAAAAJ4Y/wRVeU7KB9fQ/s400/bus00.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4oBKlv5UVEA/TGIyHr6PcqI/AAAAAAAAJ4Q/2gMkRkppEQ4/s400/bus0.jpg

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_4oBKlv5UVEA/TGIyHVF0ysI/AAAAAAAAJ4I/3GBOA5m1OeU/s400/bus.jpg

link (http://20twentytwo.blogspot.com/2010/08/top-singapore-firms-to-design-six.html)

True High Definition Videos on Ahmedabad:

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ax5ZRE1DWE8

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It is possible some of these videos you guys have already seen, but since this is dedicated Ahmedabad link so I hereby post all again.

Feedback & Suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

15th August 2010, Independence Day was celebrated in this way:

MxIazb5P-Go

Feedback & suggestions are welcome.

Thanks,
Kaushik

Great vids Kaushikbhai!

At some point, would be great to see another Sabarmati Riverfront vid, your other one is almost a year old, so would be ideal to see how much progress has been made in 12months!

Other than that, can only encourage you to carry on in the same vein, as you clearly know how to put a good vid together!

:cheers:

Great vids Kaushikbhai!

At some point, would be great to see another Sabarmati Riverfront vid, your other one is almost a year old, so would be ideal to see how much progress has been made in 12months!

Other than that, can only encourage you to carry on in the same vein, as you clearly know how to put a good vid together!

:cheers:

I am glad you like this, thanks for your comment. Yes, its has been one year, but then I would say no progress, it is same. So no point to shoot same place again, and it is mess there, very dirty around the river, and do not want to show my city in that way to the other part of world, my videos are popular in NRIs but there are so many out side of India watch my videos.

Keep watch and let your friends know about this channel, I would really appreciate if you can put your comments in You Tube message box, I encourage you all guys, please it will take few minuets.

Thanks

Nice videos Kaushik.

:cheers:

Nice videos Kaushik.

:cheers:

I am glad you like.

અમદાવાદ, તા. ૧૮

ઔડા દ્વારા વધુ એક ૪૦૦ ફૂટનો નવો રિંગરોડ બનાવવાનું આયોજન હાથ ધરાયું છે. હાલને તબક્કે અમદાવાદને ફરતે ઔડા દ્વારા અગાઉ વિકસાવવામાં આવેલો ૧૩૨ ફૂટનો રિંગરોડ, ત્યાર બાદ ૨૦૦ ફૂટનો સરદાર પટેલ રિંગરોડ તેમજ નવો અમલમાં મૂકવામાં આવી રહેલો ૩૦૦ ફૂટનો રિંગરોડ બાદ આ વધુ એક નવો રિંગરોડ બનશે.ઔડા દ્વારા શહેર અને ઔડા વિસ્તારને આવરી લેતો જે નવો ડેવલપમેન્ટ પ્લાન બનાવવામાં આવી રહ્યો છે. તેમાં આ મહત્ત્વની દરખાસ્ત શહેરી વિકાસના નિષ્ણાતો દ્વારા આગામી વર્ષોમાં વધનારા ટ્રાફિકને લક્ષમાં લઇને કરવામાં આવી છે. આ નવો સૂચિત ૪૦૦ ફૂટનો રિંગરોડ ઔડા દ્વારા નક્કી કરાયેલા ગ્રોથ સેન્ટરોની બહારની બાજુએથી કે તેની મધ્યમાંથી પસાર થાય તેવી વ્યવસ્થા ગોઠવવામાં આવી રહી છે.નિષ્ણાતોના જણાવ્યા મુજબ ઔડા દ્વારા અગાઉ બનાવવામાં આવેલા ૧૩૨ ફૂટના રોડ ઉપર ટ્રાફિકનું ભારણ સતત વધતું રહ્યું છે. તે પછી બનાવવામાં આવેલા ૨૦૦ ફૂટના સરદાર પટેલ રિંગરોડ ઉપર શહેરની ફરતે આવેલા તમામ વિસ્તારોનો ટ્રાફિક વહેંચાઇ રહ્યો છે. હવે નવો આયોજનમાં લેવામાં આવેલો ૩૦૦ ફૂટનો રિંગરોડ અમદાવાદની ફરતેની અર્બન રિંગ બની રહેશે. જ્યારે ૪૦૦ ફૂટનો સૂચિત રિંગરોડ પ્રાદેશિક રિંગ બની રહેશે.નવો ૪૦૦ ફૂટનો સૂચિત રિંગરોડ ઔડાના ગ્રોથ સેન્ટરો સાણંદ પાસે મણીપુર નજીકથી, કલોલ પાસે શેરથા નજીકથી, મહેમદાવાદ પાસે નાંદેજ નજીકથી, બારેજા પાસે જેતલપુર નજીકથી અને હિંમતનગર તરફ મેદ્રા અને લવારપુર નજીકથી પસાર થશે. જેથી ઉપરોક્ત સૂચિત પ્રાદેશિક રિંગરોડ શહેરમાં નહિ આવવા ઇચ્છુક અને બારોબાર જ એક વિભાગમાંથી બીજા વિભાગમાંં જવા ઇચ્છુક ટ્રાફિક માટેનું વહન સરળ બનાવી દેશે. હાલને તબક્કે મહેસાણા તરફથી આવતા ટ્રાફિકને જો સૌરાષ્ટ્ તરફ જવું હોય તો ૨૦૦ ફૂટના રિંગરોડ ઉપરથી પસાર થવું પડે છે. પરંતુ નવા બનનારા ૪૦૦ ફૂટના રિંગરોડના કારણે મહેસાણા તરફનો ટ્રાફિક કલોલ નજીક શેરથાથી સીધો જ ફંટાઇને મણીપુર તરફ થઇને સાણંદ જઇ શકશે.તેવી જ રીતે સાણંદ તરફથી આવતો સૌરાષ્ટ્રનો ટ્રાફિક સીધો જ જેતલપુર નજીક નીકળી શકશે. જ્યારે દહેગામ તરફથી આવનારા ટ્રાફિકનેે પણ બંને દિશામાં જવા માટેનો સરળતાપૂર્વકનો નવો રસ્તો પ્રાપ્ત થઇ શકશે.

રોડના ઘેરાવામાં કેટલો વિસ્તાર

૧૩૨ ફૂટના રિંગરોડના ઘેરાવામાં શહેરનો લગભગ ૩૦૦ ચોરસ કિલોમીટરકનો વિસ્તાર સમાવિષ્ટ થાય છે. તેવી જ રીતે ૨૦૦ ફૂટના સરદાર પટેલ રિંગરોડની અંદરનો ભાગ લગભગ ૫૫૦ ચોરસ કિલોમીટરનો છેય જયારે ૩૦૦ ફૂટનો જે નવો રિંગરોડ બનશે તેમાં ૮૫૦ ચોરસ કિલોમીટરનો અને ૪૦૦ ફૂટના એટલે કે ૧૨૦ મીટરના રિંગરોડની અંદરના ભાગે ૩ હજાર ચોરસ કિલોમીટરનો વિસ્તાર સમાવિષ્ટ થશે. જોકે નવા બનનારા બે રિંગરોડ સંપૂર્ણ ગોળાકાર નહીં હોય પરંતુ તે અંડાકારના રહેશે.

અમદાવાદનો વિકાસ વર્તુળાકારે થઇ રહ્યો છે

મુંબઇનો વિકાસ એક સીધી પટ્ટીની જેમ થયો છે. જ્યારે અમદાવાદનો વિકાસ વર્તુળાકારે થઇ રહ્યો છે. સીધી પટ્ટીના વિકાસમાં લોકોને લાંબુ અંતર કાપવું પડે છે. જ્યારે સરક્યુુલર રૃટ આકારના રેડિયલ વિકાસમાં લોકો ટૂંકા અંતરે વિકલ્પો પસંદ કરીને પોતાના લક્ષ્યાંક પાસે ઝડપથી પહોંચી શકે છે. જેમાં ટ્રાફિકજામની સ્થિતિને નિવારી શકાય છે. અમદાવાદીઓ માટે સૌપ્રથમ નં.૪૮, ૪૯ની સરકયુલર રૃટની બસો શરૃ થઇ હતી .

http://www.sandesh.com/sandesh_article.aspx?newsid=214483

^^ Just like the Chennai threads where there is Tamil articles haha. Nice, but i doubt auda will do anything. They say it and take forever to do the work.

Quite bad how long it takes me to read Gujarati... but I think I just about got there in the end :lol:

Anyway, this "Outer Ring Rd" has been talked about before as part of the Greater Ahmedabad Metropolitan Region, if you really look closely, its even mentioned in tiny writing on the graphic in post 90!

Anyway, the map Sandesh have is a bit congested, so Ive had a go at plotting the places mentioned, along with marking out the existing SVP Ring Road as well as a few of the other semi-circular (at least) roads in Ahmedabad.

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/680/ringroad.png (http://img709.imageshack.us/i/ringroad.png/)

Places with Yellow dots are the planned "Growth Centres", Red dots are where the ORR is due to pass through.

The overlay between Medra and Lavarpur is the GIFT site.

Thanks GJ 10

As i Didnt get that much time to translate the news in English

Ahmedabad no1 among 100 cities for Small Business (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Ahmedabad-No1-among-100-cities-for-small-biz/articleshow/6442280.cms)

Ahmedabad has been rated as the most favourable destination for small businesses in India followed by Bangalore and Mumbai, according to a joint report by consultancy firm Ernst &amp; Young (E&Y) and retail solutions provider, Franchise India. The report gave Gujarat's diamond and textile hub — Surat — the seventh rank, bringing double pleasure to Gujarati businessmen.

The report titled 'Top 100 cities for small business in India' identifies cities, big and small, that have the potential to start and galvanise the growth of small businesses. According to the report, states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have been relatively more proactive towards providing the fitting stratosphere for the prolific growth of small business.

The previous edition of state government's Vibrant Gujarat Global Investment Summit in 2009 had focused on small and medium enterprises. Over 8,000 MoUs were signed by SMEs then. The upcoming summit in 2011, promoted as Davos in Action, too will have a focus on small enterprises. Besides Ahmedabad, Surat has been riding the high wave of optimism, given the spurt in demand for diamonds and textiles, both nationally and the exports markets. "SMEs contribute about 9 per cent of India's GDP. The report highlights some essential pre-requisites while starting a business like demography, infrastructure, retail activity, entrepreneurship and ease of doing business," Franchise India's president, Gaurav Marya, said while launching the report on Thursday.

The essentials were dealing with construction permits, employing workers, registering property, getting credit and paying taxes, he said.

An Arts Columnists Views on Ahmedabad

Why isnt Ahmedabad the seat of Design? (http://www.livemint.com/2010/08/26211007/Why-isn8217t-Ahmedabad-the.html?h=B)

Why aren’t more design firms headquartered in Ahmedabad? I am visiting this 600-year-old city that Sultan Ahmed Shah founded, for the first time, and I love it. I didn’t expect to.

Indians are funny that way. Each of us is intensely proud of the region we call home, and, truth be told, there is enough in each place to be proud of. Talk to Goans and they will act as if the good life or Sussegado originated in Goa. Talk some more and it becomes hard to argue otherwise. Talk to Tamilians and they will act as if culture begins and ends in Chennai. Visit Chennai in December and you will become convinced. Talk to Bengalis and they will make your head spin with their literary and intellectual allusions. All Bengalis think Kolkata is the centre of the universe and once you get into the “adda” mindset, you will feel the same way too.

This goes on and on, not just with larger cities such as Delhi and Mumbai, which can lay legitimate claim to a thriving arts scene, but even in smaller towns such as Dharwad (at the crossroads of Carnatic and Hindustani music), Patna (continuously inhabited since 490 BC), Gwalior (the oldest Khayal gharana), Kochi (synagogues, Syrian Christians and Moplah Muslims), Marwar (Rajputs, legends, Mayo), Varanasi (silk, samosas and the seat of Hinduism), and Guntur (gongura pickle and poet Gunturu Seshendra Sarma, the only Indian after Tagore to be nominated for the Nobel Prize). The list goes on. Each region in India has a dizzying array of quirks, cuisine and culture; and everyone thinks they are the best. And now, Gujarat. Deep breath.

I always thought of Gujarat as a mercantile state; and it is. But visit the MS University in Vadodara, or pretty much any museum in Ahmedabad and a different picture emerges: The city is a repository of the Indian craft tradition. There are the patrons: the Lalbhais, Sarabhais, Hutheesings and Mangaldas’. There are the design and architecture students graduating from the National Institute of Design (NID), Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDI) which won the Aga Khan Award for architecture, the equally beautiful Environmental Sanitation Institute (ESI), where I stayed. You have Mudra Institute of Communications, and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.

My question is: Given the rich influx of talent in the fields of design, architecture and management, why aren’t more design firms headquartered in Ahmedabad?

The answers I get from Amdavadis are all over the map.

“It’s too bloody hot here. You need cool climes for design. Hence Pune.”

“Arre, it’s happening, yaar. Why are you in such a hurry? Many NID students are turning down offers in Bangalore to start design firms here in Ahmedabad.”

“Until now, Narendra bhai (Modi) was focusing on power, energy and businesses. He will soon look into design. And then we will be the best Indian state in design also.”

The most elegant answer comes from Umang Hutheesing. I meet Hutheesing at his sprawling mansion in typical 21st century fashion. A mutual friend e-introduces us and when I land in Ahmedabad, Hutheesing invites me to dinner, along with several design students from NID and CEPT.

We drink....er, juice (Gujarat is a dry state); walk through his baroquean collection of Chola bronzes, antique framed shamianas, Meissen porcelain and Dutch pottery. His parents collect royal costumes, which were recently exhibited in Paris under the auspices of the Pierre Bergé-Yves Saint Laurent Foundation. After a vegetarian thali dinner on kansa plates made of five metals, I finally ask Hutheesing the question that’s been bugging me: Why isn’t Ahmedabad the seat of Indian design, given the talent that exists in its environs?

“Let me quote a couplet, written by historian James Douglas,” he replies without missing a beat. “The bud was here. The blossom and fruit to be in Agra? Everything has a beginning: Greece before Rome, Damascus before Cairo, Agra follows Ahmedabad.”

I smile. He smiles. Wah, wah! Apparently, Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal stayed in Ahmedabad during their younger years, when he was governor of Gujarat for his father, Jehangir, who incidentally met Noor Jehan in Ahmedabad. According to Hutheesing, the then Prince Khurram wandered around Shahibaug (named after him) and drank in Ahmedabad’s architecture, already 200 years old. The flickering moonlight falling on marble and alabaster; the craft and workmanship of the local artisans; the rhythm and harmony of their creations; their deft touch and cunning cover-ups. Khurram studied it all. “It was here that the master builder imbibed his artistic excellence which was to blossom in Agra,” says Hutheesing.

Later, I break corn dhoklas with Abhay Mangaldas, who has converted his ancestral property into a heritage hotel called The House of MG. We lunch on patra and khichdi, and compare scuba-diving adventures. Mangaldas, like me, is an adrenalin junkie, although his office attire is a Linen Club kurta-pyjama. He has bought the neighbouring property from his cousins to add rooms and a spa. “Ahmedabad, like good wine, matures slowly,” he says. “It will come to its own in due course, probably in the next 10 years, and stake its claim as the foremost centre for design, architecture and crafts in the country.”

They think big, these Gujaratis. I’ll give them that. Quite a contrast to my own Tamilian ancestors who valued frugality and the notion of “porum”, or “enough”, as a virtue.

Rs 50K membership fee at AMC's sports complex for common man



[QUOTE]AHMEDABAD: Just a fortnight ago, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) threw open a sports complex in a middle class locality of Memco area with sports facilities.

The sports complex was meant for people who could not afford costly club memberships to play a game or two. The other objective was to encourage more people to come forward and play sports.

But, if one takes a cursory glance at its membership fees, even major clubs in the city like Rajpath and Karnavati on SG Road may fight shy of such a price tag.

An annual membership at the Memco Veer Savarkar sports complex is being proposed at Rs 50,000 for a family, Rs 10,000 for an individual and Rs 5,000 for each extra member of the same family. To play indoor games like carrom and chess, a member has to shell out Rs 1,000.

To hire a party plot, the rates have been fixed at Rs 20,000 per night, while the amphitheatre will cost Rs 5,000 for a single event. Activities include swimming, gymnasium, squash, badminton table tennis and tennis. The annual fees for the activities range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 depending on the type of sport. If you hire a basketball court for practice, it will cost you Rs 750 for three hours, a volleyball court Rs 500, while hiring a cricket ground will cost Rs 12,500.

"Most of the people living in Memco are either daily wagers or working in small units and factories with meagre salaries. How can they afford such costly facilities? What worries us is the cost of party plots which has been scaled to Rs 20,000 per night. AMC party plots were the only respite for a poor man for functions like marriages and family gatherings," said Congress opposition leader in AMC, Surendra Baxi.

X post from Bangalore discussions thread:

A joint Ernst & Young (E&Y) and Franchise India survey stated that Ahmedabad is the best city for setting up a business.
http://business.rediff.com/slide-show/2010/sep/07/slide-show-1-indias-best-cities-to-do-business-in.htm#contentTop

1. Ahmedabad
2. Bengaluru
3. Mumbai
4. Hyderabad
5. New Delhi
6. Chennai
7. Surat
8. Faridabad
9. Jaipur
10. Gurgaon

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^^ Nice vid Kaushik bhai. Was waiting for one of your videos, where have you been? haha

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^^ Nice vid Kaushik bhai. Was waiting for one of your videos, where have you been? haha

I am glad but which video you are referring!

^^ haha thank you.

^^ They need to demolish the roundabout. It's taking up so much space and adds to chaos and congestion.

So who is taking part in this marathon?

‘Come, be a part of city’s first marathon’ (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2010111620101116030840621be2d7c93/%E2%80%98Come-be-a-part-of-city%E2%80%99s-first-marathon%E2%80%99.html)

It is amazing to learn that our city will host its very first marathon on December 26. We have built a reputation of an investor-friendly city/state with great infrastructure. By hosting an event of this magnitude, the city will complete its transformation into a full-blown metropolis.

Recently, Mehta (C) participated in a marathon in Greece. More than 12,000 people from over 60 countries took part in the event
A marathon is an international event and part of every major city’s event calendar – be it London, New York, Sydney or Mumbai. The route starting from the Sabarmati riverfront to Kankaria lakefront will be simply spectacular (especially with no traffic).

Apart from the 42-km race, there will be a 6-km Amdavad Dream Run, a half marathon, a 4.5-km run for senior citizens and events for the disabled and physically challenged.

The distance of 42 km may seem outrageously long. However, we do not have to look far for inspiration. Mahatma Gandhi covered a distance equivalent to that of nine full marathons to reach Dandi. He walked on dusty paths. We will be running on paved roads and will have food, water and first aid at our disposal.

The Sabarmati Marathon will be an important event for the city, and it would not be right if we do not participate and show our full support. I urge all residents of Ahmedabad and towns across Gujarat to make this event a memorable one.

It is not mandatory to run 42 km. You can walk 6 km, something my parents, aged 68 and 73, plan to do. You can even opt for the 21-km event, which my wife and her friends intend to do. If nothing else, come out and be part of the cheering brigade along the route and create an electrifying atmosphere that participants from across the country and the world will remember for years.

There’s a scene in Richard

Attenborough’s Gandhi which gives me goose bumps every time I watch it. In the scene, the Dandi March passes through villages as a sea of souls cheer on. Imagine how the real Dandi March led by Bapu must have been and how it would have united people.

I have taken part in a few marathons, and I guarantee that you will not regret participating in the Sabarmati run on a cool December morning.

Running or walking along with thousands of people and being cheered by an even larger group of people will be simply outstanding. I urge all schools to line up their musical bands along the route and create a fantastic atmosphere.

Participating in this event will be a tremendous step, so let us put on our jogging shoes and start practising.

Hope people have safe marathon.:cheers:

Out of our Amdavad and India for many years, I visit Amdavad at irregular intervals

And there is not a single day when I have not talked about our Amdavad

People keep asking me, what is so special about your Ahmedabad, and if we visit Amedabad, what should we see .....

The only short answer I always give is

There are many things and places in Amdavad worth visiting and seeing, but the most important, for me, is

AMDAVAD IS A CITY TO LIVE IN

Thanks to everybody who have made our Amdavad worth liveable, and thanks to all the contributers here to keep everybody updated about Amdavad in this forum

AmdavadLoverIndian

1. We are not poor in english , yes we are careless about it.
2. we never put much efforts to imporve english ,yes we make others to speak in gujarati.
3. All IT jobs comes from overseas are donkey jobs, that is why ots goes to south, we are more of independent businessmen.
4. we never dependent on central govt. aids always ,we always take initiatives and make others to follow us.
5. We always welcomed by others (national /internationaly) and adjust with all kind of people. Not like other narrow minded indians that they come out of there attitude , ( I have travelled all around the world , indians are most hatted people , that is less with the gujaratis.)
:cheers:

1. We are not poor in english , yes we are careless about it.
2. we never put much efforts to imporve english ,yes we make others to speak in gujarati.
3. All IT jobs comes from overseas are donkey jobs, that is why ots goes to south, we are more of independent businessmen.
4. we never dependent on central govt. aids always ,we always take initiatives and make others to follow us.
5. We always welcomed by others (national /internationaly) and adjust with all kind of people. Not like other narrow minded indians that they come out of there attitude , ( I have travelled all around the world , indians are most hatted people , that is less with the gujaratis.)
:cheers:
^^

Dost .. WTF !!!

Your English is not good we don't care ... but I have a lot of gujarati friends and all of them are awesome and of course we love gujarati people's entrepreneurial spirits .. but still .. do you even realize what you have written .. :ohno:

WTF !!!

1. We are not poor in english , yes we are careless about it.
2. we never put much efforts to imporve english ,yes we make others to speak in gujarati.
3. All IT jobs comes from overseas are donkey jobs, that is why ots goes to south, we are more of independent businessmen.
4. we never dependent on central govt. aids always ,we always take initiatives and make others to follow us.
5. We always welcomed by others (national /internationaly) and adjust with all kind of people. Not like other narrow minded indians that they come out of there attitude , ( I have travelled all around the world , indians are most hatted people , that is less with the gujaratis.)
:cheers:

What makes you think this man?? This is not true but i guess its your opinion.. I guess you should add this on chaibar and you will get a lot of replies from the good fellas.

Corporate run at Sabarmati Marathon (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2010112520101125021128700a2162e9b/Corporate-run-at-Sabarmati-Marathon.html)

The corporate houses in the city are beaming with joy, and why not, they have all the reason to celebrate. A separate category Corporate Marathon Relay Challenge has been incorporated into the Sabarmati Marathon 2010, Gujarat’s first ever international marathon which has been jointly organised by Ahmedabad Runners Club and Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation on December 26.

The categories open for the Corporate Marathon Relay Challenge are Half Marathon (21.095 km) and Marathon (42.195 km). Through the seven categories of international standards, the Sabarmati Marathon estimates participation of about 35,000 people from around the world. Participants from other states are also showing interest to be part of this historical event.

According to Vishwash Bhamburkar, committee member of marathon, “Training for the marathon will begin from Friday (November 26) from 6.30 am onwards. The half an hour training will begin from Prahladnagar Garden.”

Anyone can be a part of the training session which will be held four days in a week — Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, Bhamburkar added. First three days in the week, problems related to training will be solved and a long run will be held on Sunday.

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/7113/img0008avw.jpghttp://img413.imageshack.us/img413/2586/img0011ax.jpg

These pictures are of Raipur Darwaja AMTS bus stand.. Here they have laid very nice & wide road and put nice bus stop.. Still people have to stand on the road covering half the width...

Same is the scene at many other bus stops..

^^ Lets hope they do what they say they will in the following article.

http://epaper.dnaindia.com/dnaahmedabad/epaperimages%5C11122010%5Cd29116624-10Ahmedabad%20Saturday-pg3-0.jpg

Some good news for Ahmedabad skyline and some kind of bad news. But hey i am sure they will come around the fire safety hazard.

20 Storey skyscrapers in city soon


Amdavadis will soon witness skyscrapers similar to those in Shanghai. The city is all set to get 20-storey residential towers, for the very first time, with the launch of two townships on the outskirts of Shela and on the SG highway.
Some other projects in the pipeline for permission are construction of hi-end hotels and a hospital by a top pharmaceutical company.
The 20-storey high-rise buildings will undoubtedly adorn Ahmedabad's skyline, but at the cost of residents' safety. This is a thought that should worry Amdavadis, as the city comes under the seismic zone 3. It implies that Ahmedabad is an earthquake-prone region, with alluvial soil land and more importantly, the city's Fire and Emergency Service (AFES) is not well-equipped to deal with fire or any other emergency at higher floors.
A senior AFES official confirmed that the fire snorkels with the service provider can reach up to a height of 30 metres at the most. However, he added that at such height, the actual safety lies in in-house fire safety measures and systems. "Generally, the officials check all the fire safety features installed in the building, before sanctioning them to the buyers. It is mainly the builder's responsibility to construct an earthquake-resistant building, along with well-equipped fire safety systems installed in it," said the official.
Pawan Bakeri, director of Bakeri Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd, said that when high-rise buildings are planned, the architect of the project takes into consideration various aspects such as the seismic zone, wind speed and soil type. "While designing a building, understanding the wind pattern becomes as crucial as understanding an earthquake pattern," he said.
Moreover, builders and architects must plan special safe areas in case of emergency or any natural calamity. He added that in cities such as Bangalore, rooms are to be equipped with sprinklers if the building is 15-storey tall or more than that.
So, booking a flat in a high-rise building is not only a concern in terms of safety for the buyers, but is also not pocket-friendly. The buyers may thus have to pay more for a 20-storey high-rise than a high rise with 5 to 12 storeys. The price of the land increases with the height.
As per senior real estate players of the city, the construction cost of a 20-storey building goes up by 25-30% as compared to the cost of constructing a 10-storey building. More so, if the developer is not able to make profit from the additional Floor Space Index (FSI) and has to build according to the current FSI, he will surely pass on the additional cost to the customers.

Source: DNA epaper 13/12

SAmdavadis will soon witness skyscrapers similar to those in Shanghai. The city is all set to get 20-storey residential towers,


All hail our great media .. 20 story towers and they compare to Shanghai ,, why no Mumbai which has so many skyscrapers and why they even need to say that .. its just 20 storeys !!

Jus pisses me off .. !! :bash:

All hail our great media .. 20 story towers and they compare to Shanghai ,, why no Mumbai which has so many skyscrapers and why they even need to say that .. its just 20 storeys !!

Jus pisses me off .. !! :bash:

I guess its that wow factor that you get when you compare to international cities. But i know what you mean, sometimes media is really useless.

^^ I think this what is in our gujarati blood.. aren't we too much crazy about "foreign"?? Our people can do anything to go to a foreign country.. well, we are even crazy about the word "foreign". :) And if you notice, our people use another related word "imported" very proudly and very frequenly (imported material, imported item etc etc) even though the thing is from another state or from another town or even sometime home grown. This could be the reason for the international comparison though 20 storey buildings are common in many metros of india.. :)

^^ haha agreed bro.

What you say Amdavadis?

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/8035/riverfront.jpg

So i came here after 7 years and wow so many changes!! I must say i like everything i am seeing so far (except the traffic) :lol:. Airport was awesome. I walked on the travelator and i will put up the pic for it soon, The city itself is very clean and i hardly see rubbish piled up at places. BRTS looks awesome and i am going to travel on it within a few days. I will put up some pics later as today is just the 2nd day. Will travel to riverfront if i can!! but dam i m scared of the traffic lol so i dont think i will drive anything.

Hey man, glad to hear you've liked what you've seen so far! Hope you have a really good trip and look forward to seeing any pics you take along the way!

:cheers:

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1304575

Only a few pics. More to come!

Thanks Aks_sky. Nice pics
did you get the chance to see Sabarmati river front?
did you take any pics of the Riverfront

An Arts Columnists Views on Ahmedabad

Why isnt Ahmedabad the seat of Design? (http://www.livemint.com/2010/08/26211007/Why-isn8217t-Ahmedabad-the.html?h=B)

There are so many stories of Jehangir and Noorjahan. Noorjahan was the wife of a Sher Afghan, the local cheftain of Burdwan, Bengal. He was killed and some folklores suggest that he may have been killed because Jehangir wanted to marry Noorjahan. Interesting to hear that they may have met in Ahmedabad. It shows how different parts of India are kind of linked to each other through history despite physical distance.

Maybe a lot of people know this. Rabindranath Tagore lived in Moti Shahi Mahal (built by Shah Jahan), Ahmedabad when he was 17 and wrote a short story supposedly inspired by the building. Khudita Pashan (Hungry stones) was made into a movie in the sixties. Although B&W, when I first saw it on Doordarshan, it was pretty chilling and spooky. A young man comes to an old (and supposedly haunted) palace and starts to think that he knows the palace pretty well.

Thanks Aks_sky. Nice pics
did you get the chance to see Sabarmati river front?
did you take any pics of the Riverfront

No that is the 1 thing i dint get to see. :(

Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is best in the Country (http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ahmedabad-municipal-corporation-is-the-best-in-the-country_1564024http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_ahmedabad-municipal-corporation-is-the-best-in-the-country_1564024)

Outgoing Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) commissioner IP Gautam added one more feather to his cap when he received the AIILSG Nagar Ratna Award-2011 from President Pratibha Patil in a function held in Mumbai on Friday.

The AMC has bagged itself the rare honour of being adjudged the best municipal corporation in the country.There were 63 municipalities from across the country, out of which, AMC bagged the first place for providing better civic amenities to its citizens.

The All India Institute of Local Self-Government (AIILSG) recognised the city and appreciated its innovative efforts to meet the aspirations of its citizens in terms of service delivery.

The AIILSG had constituted an expert panel which was headed by retired Supreme Court judge Justice Arijit Pasayat. The results were declared on the basis of achievement, size of the projects and the number of beneficiaries in the development works among others.

Ahmedabad was rated the best municipal corporation which was followed by Maisure City Corporation and Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

In the function other municipals of the state namely Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat were awarded for their works related to public convenience. The awards were given in the category of basic amenities to urban poor, complaint and redressal system and innovation categories.

AIILSG had instituted the award and invited applications from 63 municipal corporations covered under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) of the country.

It is very unfortunate to see IP Gautam being transferred to other post. I know this is compulsory but we will really miss IP Gautam who has done immense work in Ahmedabad. Hopefully new commissioner will continue work.

Friends, Chennai banner is up on SSC on the occasion of our Independence Day. Please rate the banner at http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/?page=banner

Please join in with other Indians in making our Indian banner successful. I have also posted a few comments in the banner comments section which you can read for more details on these buildings. As many would know, these buildings are owned by TCS and represent on of the biggest office spaces in the world and they have used more steel than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. :cheers:

The irony is, this pic was photographed by a Chennai guy (vicvin) and edited by a Bangalore guy Nandan...both our fellow forumers have made it an Indian effort instead of being isolated to a city effort. Thanks to both of them. :cheers:

Happy Independence Day! :cheers:

Done..
Gave 5/5

Friends, Chennai banner is up on SSC on the occasion of our Independence Day. Please rate the banner at http://xl.skyscrapercity.com/?page=banner

Please join in with other Indians in making our Indian banner successful. I have also posted a few comments in the banner comments section which you can read for more details on these buildings. As many would know, these buildings are owned by TCS and represent on of the biggest office spaces in the world and they have used more steel than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. :cheers:

The irony is, this pic was photographed by a Chennai guy (vicvin) and edited by a Bangalore guy Nandan...both our fellow forumers have made it an Indian effort instead of being isolated to a city effort. Thanks to both of them. :cheers:

Happy Independence Day! :cheers:

http://www.chetanjadhav.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/navratri.jpg

NAVARATHRI WISHES to all Amdavadi SSCians

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Nice videos. But probably should be in cityscape thread.

I do not have any problem "dude".

But as I said before read with open mind:)

I am not saying I am agree with writer 100% but its still well balanced article in my view. Gujarat missed IT bus, and major reason was lack of English speaking professional. I strongly believe that lack of English speaking population/professional in Ahmedabad will always keep Ad behind.Big corporate house can not find talent in AD and thus they will set up their shop somewhere else. Take eg of BPO, how many Gujaratis are working in Call center? I think list will be short.

I strongly agree with writer about this mall/multiplex culture will not take this city anywhere.

Just my 2 cents...

Good reply my dear.., but i have some problem my dear.. that related to my dissertation on gujarati diaspora (http://essayscouncil.com/). I don't actually what is it? and anything.. pls share some thing about this topic...

http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/8233/38787423423648997196310.jpg

Any updates on Mahatma Mandir?? I know the construction of 2nd Phase is On.. but where it has reached... Anybody near Ahmedabad/Gandhinagar.. Can u give us quick update... Thnkss..

Kolkata worst big city to live in, Ahmedbad best (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Kolkata-worst-big-city-to-live-in-Ahmedabad-best/articleshow/11066238.cms)

Ahmedabad is the best of India's mega-cities , edging out Pune , Mumbai and Delhi in a very close contest . That's the key finding of an exclusive opinion poll conducted for The Times of India by leading market research firm IMRB across the country's eight biggest urban agglomerations.

But before residents of these cities start celebrating , here's a sobering fact . Even the best rated of them barely made it to a rating of "average " on a scale ranging from "very poor " to "very good" . Clearly , there's a lot our town planners need to do before we can boast of our metropolises , new and old, becoming world-class.

The cities we chose for this survey were the only ones with populations of 5 million or more , according to the 2011 Census . Most cities have their strengths and weaknesses in a matrix of 30 parameters . But bottom-placed Kolkata showed up as a laggard on most counts.

Smallest cities spring a surprise

The results throw up an interesting poser: Could it be more than a coincidence that Ahmedabad and Pune, which are at the top of the rankings, are also the two smallest cities on the list? Perhaps India's cities manage reasonably when they are of middling size by metropolitan standards but find it increasingly difficult to cope as they grow beyond a certain size. The experience of Bangalore certainly seems to suggest that.

The two really big cities that have also done quite well in the rankings, Delhi and Mumbai, also have historical advantages, one by virtue of being the political capital and a virtual city-state and the other due to its long reign as the country's commercial capital.

Namma Bangaluru is the best city ,

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901
Bangalore best Indian city to live in: Global Survey
New Delhi: Pipping past the four metro cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, southern technology hub Bangalore has emerged as the best city to live in India, a global survey said on Tuesday.



Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp

Kolkata worst big city to live in, Ahmedbad best (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Kolkata-worst-big-city-to-live-in-Ahmedabad-best/articleshow/11066238.cms)

But according IMRB market research Ahmedabad is the best city to live in..:banana:

Namma Bangaluru is the best city ,

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901
Bangalore best Indian city to live in: Global Survey
New Delhi: Pipping past the four metro cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, southern technology hub Bangalore has emerged as the best city to live in India, a global survey said on Tuesday.



Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp

Namma Bangaluru is the best city ,

http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901
Bangalore best Indian city to live in: Global Survey
New Delhi: Pipping past the four metro cities of New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, southern technology hub Bangalore has emerged as the best city to live in India, a global survey said on Tuesday.



Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp


Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/bangalore-best-indian-city-to-live-in-global-survey-153901&cp

But Ahmedabad rocks!! Bangalore comes way behind Ahmedabad in this survey!! :banana:

Oops!! Dun know how Pune made it so high.... :|

The results throw up an interesting poser: Could it be more than a coincidence that Ahmedabad and Pune, which are at the top of the rankings, are also the two smallest cities on the list? Perhaps India's cities manage reasonably when they are of middling size by metropolitan standards but find it increasingly difficult to cope as they grow beyond a certain size. The experience of Bangalore certainly seems to suggest that.

The two really big cities that have also done quite well in the rankings, Delhi and Mumbai, also have historical advantages, one by virtue of being the political capital and a virtual city-state and the other due to its long reign as the country's commercial capital.

^^ Very true,problems and priorities of giga cities is different from mega cities.One needs to understand that.

Giga cities are plagued with problems like urban poverty,water supply sanitation,owing to huge population influx.Thier focus right now is slum rehab,Mass transport etc

Mega cities here ahmedabad and pune focus more on basic urban infra like flyovers,roads etc...Soon ahmedabad and pune will fall into that giga city list.

By then we will have other cities to reinforce that gap in megacity list...The giga tree keeps moving up and up...:cheers:

Positive signs going forward for Ahmedabad are the many important urban infra projects that are going on at the same time. Am certain the city will see a really big change once new buildings are constructed along the Riverfront in the next decade or so.

The way the authorities have dealt with slums/encroachments for road-widening/BRTS/Riverfront projects is also encouraging for how Ahmedabad will continue to grow in the future.

Ahmedabad is obviously the odd one out in terms of the larger Indian cities, due to lack of IT/BPO/Service sector boom (and consequently 5*hotels, MNCs, flight connectivity) however, hopefully in time outsiders will start to see that there are a lot of things to appreciate about the city even if it currently lacks in those particular departments.

Bangalore best city of India. Let all cities learn from Bangalore.
Look at Kerala all cities are coming up like Bangalore.

Originally posted in Chennai discussions by Raji7373

http://i.imgur.com/JcP9E.jpg (http://imgur.com/JcP9E)

http://i.imgur.com/jx9F7.jpg (http://imgur.com/jx9F7)

http://i.imgur.com/5qHfE.jpg (http://imgur.com/5qHfE)

http://i.imgur.com/J0qVa.jpg (http://imgur.com/J0qVa)

http://i.imgur.com/6LRrU.jpg (http://imgur.com/6LRrU)

http://i.imgur.com/xJNXi.jpg (http://imgur.com/xJNXi)

http://i.imgur.com/cDZIJ.jpg (http://imgur.com/cDZIJ)

Clearly a lot of the factors are quite subjective (work culture, nightlife, entertainment, weather etc), therefore a bit dubious.

But out of the more quantifiable measures, interesting to see air quality and water supply rated high for Ahmedabad compared to the rest of the cities. Staying on top of these factors will be essential for the continued growth and liveability of the city.

Bangalore is the best. If you are not living in Bangalore you lose something in life.
Ahmedabad is Second Best.:)

Kolkata worst big city to live in, Ahmedbad best (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Kolkata-worst-big-city-to-live-in-Ahmedabad-best/articleshow/11066238.cms)

This is true - the western and southern cities tend to be much better than eastern. Though smaller cities like Ranchi and Bhubhaneshwar are showing progress - Calcutta seems to be the worst of the lot.

Sad - used to be a cultural and trade powerhouse - but 40 years of communist and socialist misrule has ruined Calcutta - the core city is disgustingly filthy and run down, the public transportation is ancient and derelict and the prolific slums that no one is bothering to rehabilitate like in Mumbai puts the whole city to shame - only the few new or upcoming suburban townships like New Town are ok (that too its not that great -New Town has too much Nehruvian socialistic blockiness for a modern township).

Ranchi has grown very very haphazard my friend. Its very polluted and does not have any type of organized public transport. The roads are narrow and highly encroached upon.

Actually cities in Orissa are doing pretty good and would agree bhubneshwar has improved a lot recently !!

Very right , Namma Bangaluru is best ,cleanest and greenest ..

Bangalore is the best. If you are not living in Bangalore you lose something in life.
Ahmedabad is Second Best.:)

all these kind of surveys or reports are just unreliable having no trust-worthiness.
( Someone says Gurgaon is best city to live in, while some says Mumbai is best, some puts Banglore, while other say Pune in same catagory) now, whome to believe.
Such reports are based on surveyer's personal biases. So no need to take such reports as reliable cent percent fact picture. Further its of temporary nature.

Very interesting results, some fairly objective while others were definitely subjective.

I thought Ahmedabad stood-out in infrastructure and cost, but also ranking very high in employment opportunities as well as openness (women friendly).

Where Ahmedabad might be weak would be in entertainment and such, but that is fairly subjective.

All cities, however, were fairly pathetic in terms of infrastructure, transportation, parking facilities etc. Might as well not even try and fix the parking problem but concentrate on improving public transportation with key stations/junctions also offering paid parking facilities. To that, add congestion charge for driving your own personal vehicle and this might be the route for Indian cities to keep-up with growth.

all these kind of surveys or reports are just unreliable having no trust-worthiness.
( Someone says Gurgaon is best city to live in, while some says Mumbai is best, some puts Banglore, while other say Pune in same catagory) now, whome to believe.
Such reports are based on surveyer's personal biases. So no need to take such reports as reliable cent percent fact picture. Further its of temporary nature.

Exactly how you are biased if you know what i mean. Why do people have to be killjoy? :ohno:

Somebody said Ahmedabad doesnt have a nightlife?

La Tomatino, foreign performers, belly dancers, bar tenders in 31st December parties in Ahmedabad
(http://deshgujarat.com/2011/12/24/la-tomatinoforeign-and-belly-dancersbar-tenders-in-31st-dec-parties-in-ahmedabad/)

Le Meridian, Khanpur will start 31 December party at 8.00 pm with Dj Sandy and over a 100 delicacies made by Chef Karan Thakur and others. The hotel offers “The open Studio” events and surprise draw with “Lap of Luxury” as prize. Stag Entry rate per person is Rs 1400 while couple entry will cost Rs 2588.

Vande Mataram Farm House, at Begum circle, Naroda will host 31st December party at 7.30 pm onwards with Dj party, dinner, soft drinks, mock tail and dance. Entry fee is Rs 150.

Ashram road based Orchid hotel organized adventure Halloween night theme party on 24 December and Caribbean night theme party on 25 December with dinner. Entry fee is Rs 599 per person.

Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway based Greenwoods Lake resort will have 31st December party with ticket price of Rs 800 per couple. Party includes competitions and prizes. Best dancing couple will get 4 nights and 5 days free stay at beach resort i Goa. Best dressed couple will get Rs 2000 greenwoods voucher.

At Rosewood club on S.G.Highway, Gotiz has organized walk in Heaven dine and dance eve with DJ Harsh from London. Passes are available for couples at a cost of Rs 750.

Pride hotel has arranged Milano night fashion party at imperial hall. The hotel has managed to arrange belly dance. Dj will rock the floor. Per couple pass costs Rs 3500. Stag will pay Rs 2000 while child buffet costs Rs 1500. Taxes are excluding.

Pleasure Club has organized La Tomatino festival with pool side party and rain side party. DJ Angel from Goa will play the music. Food court will offer varieties of food including Chinese, Punjabi, mock tails, coffee, sandwich etc. Stag entry is for Rs 350 while couple entry Rs 700.

Ahmedabad’s Courtyard by Marriott will host Ahmedabad Blues party from 8.00 pm on 31 December. Couple can enjoy this party for Rs 5000 and above while Stag will cost Rs 3500 and above(in case of male) and Rs 2500 and above(in case of female). The party offers a page three class event with limited couples, international belly dancers, mock tails, food, music and masti. Party will have a lounge, a blue theme decor, sky trackers and gobo’s, pre function area, music by Dj Nihar, international performers, countdown, the sound and laser, juggler and bar tenders.

Bangalore is the best. If you are not living in Bangalore you lose something in life.
Ahmedabad is Second Best.:)

maybe, but amdavad is more developed and things grow up pretty fast in here, plus banglore might be good in nightlife, its not as good as amdavad in work culture :):):)

Somebody said Ahmedabad doesnt have a nightlife?

La Tomatino, foreign performers, belly dancers, bar tenders in 31st December parties in Ahmedabad
(http://deshgujarat.com/2011/12/24/la-tomatinoforeign-and-belly-dancersbar-tenders-in-31st-dec-parties-in-ahmedabad/)

:lol:

If you can list on fingers, it does'nt.

Look I love Ahmedabad as much as the next guy, but night life (apart from Navratri) is NOT our city's forte. I actually like it as it is.

cheers

:lol:

If you can list on fingers, it does'nt.

Look I love Ahmedabad as much as the next guy, but night life (apart from Navratri) is NOT our city's forte. I actually like it as it is.

cheers


If we can have a good night of navratri and enjoy it then I am sure that our city is capable of having a nightlife.

Bloomberg UTV special report on Ahmedabad.

tqFFh2g5fU4

City aims for 3rd place in country’s green race

Source: Daily Bhaskar (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-city-aims-for-3rd-place-in-countrys-green-race-2762854.html)
The city is developing by leaps and bounds -- and this is not being done at the cost of harming of its green cover. And now, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation is making ambitious plans to achieve the third position in the country for 'cities with the largest green cover'.

According to international standards, every city must have around 20-22% of green cover. However, no city in India has yet achieved the required international standard. The city with highest green cover is New Delhi which has 19% of green cover. Bangalore is second with 17%. Ahmedabad aims to achieve 14% by 2015, which will make it the third highest in the country.

Kolkata has a green cover of just 7%, while Mumbai stands high at 13%, Chennai has 11% and Pune 13%.

Through various projects and various changes in structural designs, AMC is planning to preserve trees in projects like road widening and construction of new BRTS routes. Apart from that, efforts are being made to increase the green cover by planting saplings.

A senior official of AMC told DNA, "To maintain the climate of the city, we have decided to strive and achieve a target of 14 %." The green cover of the city in 2005-06 was just 4.5%, which was a marginal increase from the 1995-96 figures of 4.2%.

"These figures were alarming, as the marginal increase was also due to the inclusion of new areas in AMC," said the official.

Based on the figures of 2005-06, AMC has decided to plant 12 lakh saplings during five years to reach the desired target. According to AMC's survey, eight lakh saplings were planted in 2010 and the survival rate was 75%. In 2011, 2.5 lakh were planted and the survival ratio was 90%.

"If we move ahead with these figures and maintain the survival rate, the day is not far when we will be the third ranked city with the highest green cover," said the official.

Amdavadis on the rise, book flats in "skyscrapers" (http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/GUJ-AHD-amdavadis-on-the-rise-book-flats-in-%E2%80%98skyscrapers-2791790.html)

City is touching the sky, literally. The city is witnessing residential and commercial complexes as high as 70 meters with 22 storeys. Under the township policy and the special development regulation, the state government is granting permission for high-rise buildings. Moreover, the customers who avoided buying houses in high-rise buildings are opting for such homes to enjoy the view sitting in the balcony of their house on 18th floor.

The developers are coming up with high-rise residential buildings in three townships coming up within city limit and on the outskirts of the city. Developers believe that customers’ preferences have undergone a chance in last decade in the city. After quake of Jan 2001, customers used to stay away from the high-rise buildings and many a developers had to get rid of the property at peanuts.

“However, now the customers prefer to stay at height,” said Uday Vora, chairman of HN Safal, which launched 16-storey building in a township.

Echoing similar sentiments, the chief fire officer of Ahmedabad Fire and Emergency Services MF Dastoor said that it is just a myth that high-rise buildings are more prone to earthquake. "Of the total 98 buildings that collapsed in Ahmedabad in 2001, only two were high-rise. The stability and quality of construction matters more than height of the building," said Dastoor.

Developers believe that structural stability, strict regulations and awareness among developers have boosted customers' confidence. "New General Development Control Rule (GDCR) issued by the government plugged lacuna and covered not only developer but also structural engineer and concerned officials of civic body under responsibility ambit for ensuring structural stability of the building," said Vijay Shah, chairman of rurban committee of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industries (GCCI). The developers are offering earthquake-resistant buildings with tie-beam and deeper and stronger foundations after earthquake.

The better amenities and larger green spaces offered by the builders can also be considered critical factor deciding customer's preferences. "One can get more than 70% green space and better view in high-rise buildings. Moreover, the developer can also offer building with better planning and amenities," said Jaxay Shah, director of Savvy Infrastructure, which has high-rise commercial and residential projects in the city. The developers are also of the opinion that land prices has also affected choice of customers. "Increased portion of land price in total unit price has made properties on ground and low-rise schemes unaffordable, so the customers have to go for high-rise," said Vijay Shah.

Again media exaggerating things... "City is touching the sky, literally". If this is touching the sky, then those blokes sitting atop Burj Khalifa must be in heaven by now (or more likely, hell :))

^^^^ after the oil ends out that burf khalifa will down down faster than 9/11

I think at least on utran, Ahmedbad will have the tallest structure in the world.

^^^^ after the oil ends out that burf khalifa will down down faster than 9/11

True :lol:, as it is, the skyscraper is a total flop. No one's staying in Burj Al Arab, the Dubai World Islands and the Palm Jumeirah are sinking, Burj Khalifa has become just a posing background. Things not looking good for Dubai...:ohno:

True :lol:, as it is, the skyscraper is a total flop. No one's staying in Burj Al Arab, the Dubai World Islands and the Palm Jumeirah are sinking, Burj Khalifa has become just a posing background. Things not looking good for Dubai...:ohno:

They don't even need sky scrapers. They have all the land to expand yet they planning to make a km high building :O whats the point of making skyscrapers in desert? totally useless

Yes, it is just a show of wealth. Only their money is involved in their projects, nothing else. They consult foreign architects and engineers and employ south asian labourers.

I've read that their oil supply will last only till 2020.

Juhapura breaks barriers, sees real-estate explosion (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/3/2012022820120228001553666ef1000b/Juhapura-breaks-barriers-sees-real-estate-explosion.html)

It was once dubbed as ‘mini Pakistan’. Ten years since the post-Godhra riots, Juhapura and its surrounding areas have witnessed a real estate boom. The demographics of the area has changed. Adjoining the biggest Muslim ghetto of Asia are Makarba, Vejalpur, Vasna and Jivraj Park that have seen a real estate growth of around 600 per cent in past six years.

The main reason behind this mammoth development is peace and harmony between Hindus and Muslims, besides good infrastructure, which has led to development of residential and commercial schemes in both the areas.

According to residents and realty experts, the development was put on fast track since 2005-06. MD of Bakeri Group, Pavan Bakeri, said, “Many schemes started mushrooming in 2005. This led to construction of residential schemes for both middle and upper-middle income group.”

Good infrastructure and basic amenities have been the major contributors for this social and realty development. Hence, there has been around 600 per cent growth in real estate in surrounding areas of Juhapura.”

In the past six years, about 3,500 to 4,000 units came up in Vejalpur, Makarba area, abutting Juhapura, says an estimate by experts.

At the same time, the Muslim ghetto with a population of around 4 lakh also witnessed a tremendous growth in real estate. The area grew twice in size and almost five times in price. Currently, prices of houses range from Rs 18,000 to Rs 25,000 per sq yard. This was around 6,000 per sq yard in 2002.

Nasim Khan, a banker and Juhapura resident, told Mirror, “Post-2002 riots, many Muslims migrated from villages, other areas and cities to Juhapura. These people wanted quality homes and hence this led to rise in construction of good flats, bungalows.”

The once virtual Indo-Pak border between Juhapura and neighbouring Hindu areas has merged in this cooling period of 10 years.

With development in both areas, peace has returned and the fear factor has vanished.

“Earlier, Hindus were scared to use the Vejalpur-Juhapura road as it wasn’t well-developed and there were some prejudices, too,” accepts M M Sheikh, who works at BSNL telephone exchange situated between Juhapura and Vejalpur area. Sheikh said, “There has been a transformation in past 10 years after government made pucca roads and realty developed. We have many Hindu employees visit our area without any fear since then.”

Vivek Raj, a young businessman living in Vejalpur, said, “Till 2004, I always avoided going past Juhapura on my way to Sarkhej, but after the development of the area and construction of pucca road connecting both the areas, I have been using the road even at night.”

Vejalpur Police Inspector J H Jalu said, “There can be some personal fights, but I haven’t heard any communal conflicts happening between both the communities. Even the residents support the police.”

Although it is probably written about in the media more than any other part of Ahmedabad, what is often not mentioned is that Juhapura was first included in AUDA expanded city limits for Ahmedabad in 2006, with first town planning schemes not finalised until 2008.

AHMEDABAD SPECIAL BUS SERVICE ?
I had travelled to new york about 3 years back and they had some special tourist buses. All buses follow the same route (new york visitors places). You can buy a ticket, board the bus, get off where you want to, see the place empire state building) and board the next or following bus again - show the same ticket/pass and you're in. A guide will tell you about the places on a mic and the buses are open.
Can something like that be done in Ahmadabad ?
There is already the 'hijack' private bus running (with food facilities) from Dev Arc Mall.
Why isn't the AMC doing like that ?
they can have 2 to 5 tourist special buses to start with and take people to science city, akshardham, gandhi ashram, riverfront etc.
use BRTS also for that matter.
http://thedestinationcenter.com/images/tourimages/17632900_1240353768.jpg

^^
Well we do have the 'Heritage Walk' in the walled city. But your proposal also sounds good. The problem is, Amdavad still has not come on the tourist map as yet. At least, not for out state tourists. Gujaratis from outside Amdavad come to visit relatives, Non gujarati vistors mostly come for business purposes.

And to be quite honest, we do not have the kind of heritage monuments which can lure people. What we have, are not maintained properly. Adalaj Ni Vav and Dada Hari Ni Vav are such splendid pieces of work and yet there is no sign indicating their location. You need to ask a couple of people to reach there, and right outside the entrance it is so filthy that one cannot believe that this place holds such wonders inside.

There are many such examples :- Shah Alam Roza (exquisite carvings, but has a very filthy campus), Bhadra Fort (a poorer cousin of the grand Rajasthani Forts, although it is now being renovated), Sidi Saiyyad Ni Jali (You glance at it only because you have to pass through Relief Road :)), Sarkhej Roja (built on a grand scale, and neglected on an equally grand scale), Shaking Minarets (Jhoolta Minaras )(Closed for public since many years), Jama Masjid, Rani Sipri's Mosque, etc etc.

First the local people need to connect to these monuments, and then we can talk about visitors. There would be hardly anyone in Agra who has not visited the Taj, most people in Jaipur will have seen Hawa Mahal or the Fort or the Jantar Mantar, Red Fort, Qutub Minar in Delhi, Gateway of India in Mumbai etc but I bet more than half of Amdavadis have never visited any of the above monuments in the city even once.

I was watching this on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OzKQOK-nJA
This video looks very impressive. Jaipur also has award winning BRTS, proposed delhi-jaipur bullet train, solar energy and better planning. you must see the video to find out lot more good things.
The most surprising things was that the video also said the now jaipur is the next IT-ITES hub and lot of major companies are already in jaipur.

I agree that ahmedabad-gandhinagar cannot scale as hyderabad and banglore but why can't ahmedabad-gandhinagar be western tier 2 IT hubs ?

Modi is himself very tech savvy but what is he doing ? building riverfronts at the cost of 1100 crores is going to help ? or building GIFT till 2017 will help ?

Jaipur already did it while our government showed us only 3d videos and etc. What are we doing ???

I was watching this on youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OzKQOK-nJA
This video looks very impressive. Jaipur also has award winning BRTS, proposed delhi-jaipur bullet train, solar energy and better planning. you must see the video to find out lot more good things.
The most surprising things was that the video also said the now jaipur is the next IT-ITES hub and lot of major companies are already in jaipur.

I agree that ahmedabad-gandhinagar cannot scale as hyderabad and banglore but why can't ahmedabad-gandhinagar be western tier 2 IT hubs ?

Modi is himself very tech savvy but what is he doing ? building riverfronts at the cost of 1100 crores is going to help ? or building GIFT till 2017 will help ?

Jaipur already did it while our government showed us only 3d videos and etc. What are we doing ???

Did u not see the video in the same series for Ahmedabad? Its in post #163, answers a lot of your "points" about BRTS/Riverfront.

5yrs ago, it would have seemed unlikely that Ahmedabad could compete with established Auto-hubs, we can already see what is happening on that front. Theres no reason why IT/ITeS cant go the same way. An ambition to be a tier II regional centre is no ambition at all.

So forget 2017, first buildings of GIFT will be completed in less than 6months time, IIT-Gandhinagar campus will soon be built a few km away. Things are def going to change for IT/ITeS, it will just require some patience, im talking years rather than weeks or months to really see the changes.

Global financial crisis has obviously had a big impact on GIFT. But the fact its now u/c and still being strongly marketed, shows exactly how seriously the Gujarat Govt are about the project.

Did u not see the video in the same series for Ahmedabad? Its in post #163, answers a lot of your "points" about BRTS/Riverfront.

5yrs ago, it would have seemed unlikely that Ahmedabad could compete with established Auto-hubs, we can already see what is happening on that front. Theres no reason why IT/ITeS cant go the same way. An ambition to be a tier II regional centre is no ambition at all.

So forget 2017, first buildings of GIFT will be completed in less than 6months time, IIT-Gandhinagar campus will soon be built a few km away. Things are def going to change for IT/ITeS, it will just require some patience, im talking years rather than weeks or months to really see the changes.

Global financial crisis has obviously had a big impact on GIFT. But the fact its now u/c and still being strongly marketed, shows exactly how seriously the Gujarat Govt are about the project.

so the work has already started?? :eek: wow, so when will GIFT be completed??

Yes, you can see construction pics by up2009 and Rushabh in the GIFT thread.

As I said, based on current rate of construction, first couple of buildings will be completed in 6months.

Overall timescale for rest of the project will be based on the response/uptake. Second bunch of buildings are currently at the tender stage.

But realistically, noone can actually say right now when the whole project will be completed overall.

^^
What has the riverfront got to do with IT sector? It falls in a completely different category. Did you notice how clean Sabarmati river has become? That is due to the interceptor lines. Sabarmati is perhaps the cleanest Indian river passing through a big city. And a clean water body is far more important than the IT sector (Health before Wealth).

About that video, Ahmedabad BRTS is as good as Jaipur BRTS. (Jaipur actually followed AMD's model, as many other cities across India are doing).

Ahmedabad Mumbai bullet train has been proposed for many years now.

Gujarat is the solar capital of India and there are many solar parks in the vicinity of Ahmedabad.

And are you comparing a Rs 1 lakh crore project vs some companies which have set up shop in Jaipur.
Even we have many IT companies around AMD-GNGR region. Some of them are Raheja Mindspace, DLF IT Park, TCS Garima Techpark, 3rd Eye IT Park, Million Minds IT park, and of course Infocity, etc.

By this year end, hopefully GIFT will also have an IT park housed in the two towers (which are u/c now and not some 3D video)

And the same channel has made a film on Ahmedabad as well, Cities of the future : Ahmedabad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqFFh2g5fU4&feature=relmfu)

I am not criticizing Jaipur, I know it is rising very fast and even has a metro u/c, something which even larger cities like HYD, AMD, Pune, Surat, Kanpur have not yet started, but the efforts of the Gujarat govt and AMC cannot be rubbished like this.

I have seen the Ahmadabad video also but apart from brts and sabarmati riverfront, it had nothing much to talk about.

I am not complaining against sabarmati riverfront but the fact is that major of the projects in gujarat/ahmedabad keep getting delayed and delayed and the cost keeps on increasing and people end up paying for them by taxes.

in terms of IT, i don't see any really big players apart from TCS and cybage in Gandhinagar. We could still have done a lot better than say pune or Jaipur or Gurgaon in terms of IT.

I visited Hyderabad also and the electricity there is 2 to 2.5 Rs. per unit vs. here we have almost 6 to 7 units. I consider that Hyderabad has daily power cuts but my worry is, if we have uninterrupted power supply and single window clearance than why still the big IT players like infosys, wipro, accenture, polaris hesitate to come in Gujarat ? Why does our government considers only the business units and not these kind of investments ?

even for Hyderabad example, if you land at airport, there are specialized buses that take you in the city. Ahmedabad airport has been also renovated and they should also have something like that for right now till the 'long term' brts or metro comes there and takes people from airport to city.

The thing is that we sometimes keep on missing on some small things and our projects keep on getting delayed.

I have seen the Ahmadabad video also but apart from brts and sabarmati riverfront, it had nothing much to talk about.

I am not complaining against sabarmati riverfront but the fact is that major of the projects in gujarat/ahmedabad keep getting delayed and delayed and the cost keeps on increasing and people end up paying for them by taxes.

in terms of IT, i don't see any really big players apart from TCS and cybage in Gandhinagar. We could still have done a lot better than say pune or Jaipur or Gurgaon in terms of IT.

I visited Hyderabad also and the electricity there is 2 to 2.5 Rs. per unit vs. here we have almost 6 to 7 units. I consider that Hyderabad has daily power cuts but my worry is, if we have uninterrupted power supply and single window clearance than why still the big IT players like infosys, wipro, accenture, polaris hesitate to come in Gujarat ? Why does our government considers only the business units and not these kind of investments ?

even for Hyderabad example, if you land at airport, there are specialized buses that take you in the city. Ahmedabad airport has been also renovated and they should also have something like that for right now till the 'long term' brts or metro comes there and takes people from airport to city.

The thing is that we sometimes keep on missing on some small things and our projects keep on getting delayed.

I agree we dont have any big IT cos here, but one cannot have everything. I read, somewhere in the Gujarat forum, that if Gujarat missed the 'IT bus' then can it be said that Karnataka missed the 'Manufacturing bus'. Each state takes its own route to prosperity and development.

I know the IT sector is very smooth and hip and they have well maintained and good looking campuses, unlike the grimy and boring factories. But someone has to dirty their hands in that sector too which Gujarat is doing very well.

I know HYD airport is fabulous and very swanky, but it is around 30-40 kms from the city and therefore buses are required. I had a harrowing experience at the new Bangaluru airport. The taxis charged, I think, around Rs 500-800 to go the city. I dont know about HYD airport.

But our SVPIA is well within city limits and you will get very cheap transportation here.

Point well made Rushabh!

^^
I agree we dont have any big IT cos here, but one cannot have everything. I read, somewhere in the Gujarat forum, that if Gujarat missed the 'IT bus' then can it be said that Karnataka missed the 'Manufacturing bus'. Each state takes its own route to prosperity and development.

I know the IT sector is very smooth and hip and they have well maintained and good looking campuses, unlike the grimy and boring factories. But someone has to dirty their hands in that sector too which Gujarat is doing very well.

I know HYD airport is fabulous and very swanky, but it is around 30-40 kms from the city and therefore buses are required. I had a harrowing experience at the new Bangaluru airport. The taxis charged, I think, around Rs 500-800 to go the city. I dont know about HYD airport.

But our SVPIA is well within city limits and you will get very cheap transportation here.

Forget upcoming projects like Kalpasar, even Sardar Sarovar Dam and Narmada Canal network arent listed there. Wiki is wiki, nothing more, nothing less!

I was checking the Malls and Multiplexes in India in Wikipedia and there is not a single mall or multiplex of Ahmedabad listed there, or even Gujarat. While there are number of malls listed for cities like Patna, Faridabad, Nashik, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra etc and 100's of malls of Mumbai.

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

I lost my faith in Wiki from that day. How can it be so ignorant? :bash: :bash:

I was checking the Malls and Multiplexes in India in Wikipedia and there is not a single mall or multiplex of Ahmedabad listed there, or even Gujarat. While there are number of malls listed for cities like Patna, Faridabad, Nashik, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra etc and 100's of malls of Mumbai.

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

I lost my faith in Wiki from that day. How can it be so ignorant? :bash: :bash:

data in wiki is added by users....all articles are only verified to check if wrong data is added...they do not check if data is insufficient or not all inclusive...100 malls are listed from mumbai because many from mumbai update that wiki page once a mall is opened..

you can sign in to wikipedia and start adding legitimate infor of malls in Ahmadabad..

I was checking the Malls and Multiplexes in India in Wikipedia and there is not a single mall or multiplex of Ahmedabad listed there, or even Gujarat. While there are number of malls listed for cities like Patna, Faridabad, Nashik, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra etc and 100's of malls of Mumbai.

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

I lost my faith in Wiki from that day. How can it be so ignorant? :bash: :bash:

^^

Wiki is made by people - for people, which I believe is known to you. Probably no one from Gujarat - Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot ever took pains to update this! :) .. The page needs contributions from us.

I have seen the Ahmadabad video also but apart from brts and sabarmati riverfront, it had nothing much to talk about.

I am not complaining against sabarmati riverfront but the fact is that major of the projects in gujarat/ahmedabad keep getting delayed and delayed and the cost keeps on increasing and people end up paying for them by taxes.

in terms of IT, i don't see any really big players apart from TCS and cybage in Gandhinagar. We could still have done a lot better than say pune or Jaipur or Gurgaon in terms of IT.

I visited Hyderabad also and the electricity there is 2 to 2.5 Rs. per unit vs. here we have almost 6 to 7 units. I consider that Hyderabad has daily power cuts but my worry is, if we have uninterrupted power supply and single window clearance than why still the big IT players like infosys, wipro, accenture, polaris hesitate to come in Gujarat ? Why does our government considers only the business units and not these kind of investments ?

even for Hyderabad example, if you land at airport, there are specialized buses that take you in the city. Ahmedabad airport has been also renovated and they should also have something like that for right now till the 'long term' brts or metro comes there and takes people from airport to city.

The thing is that we sometimes keep on missing on some small things and our projects keep on getting delayed.

You seem to be new to the forum, look around a lot of the project threads in other sections, you will struggle to find any project anywhere in India without delays or cost rises.

Airport thing isnt as simple as a Gujarat/Other states issue. Lets not gloss over the fact that Hyderabad/Bangalore Airports are private sector airports whilst Ahmedabad Airport is built/run/owned by Central Government AAI (Gujarat Govt have no control) I dont think anyone would disagree that private sector airports would be far better for Gujarat than leaving control to Central Govt, especially while different party is in power at State/Centre. Airport situation for Surat/Vadodara is far worse, Centre/AAI are fully responsible for all of this.

For IT, there are many reasons why IT/ITeS has not taken off in Gujarat. Govt cant force people to invest if they dont want to. Clearly the concerns for IT industry are not with Hard-Infra, but with other factors like speaking English, local talent pool, leisure/entertainment options for professionals etc.

Alcohol prohibition is one of the few issues that Congress and BJP both agree on in Gujarat, so no chance of that changing anytime soon. But more people are being educated in English now, will just take time for the current wave of graduates to make up a large enough bulk of the workforce. Things like Riverfront development, Kankaria lake, BRTS may not seem directly relevant, but you need to look at the big picture, these projects are vastly improving the quality of life in Ahmedabad.

Even though I personally feel that IT/ITeS is the single most overrated sector in India, Im pretty confident that Ahmedabad and other Gujarati cities will see good growth in this sector in the coming years. Will just take time.

I was checking the Malls and Multiplexes in India in Wikipedia and there is not a single mall or multiplex of Ahmedabad listed there, or even Gujarat. While there are number of malls listed for cities like Patna, Faridabad, Nashik, Ghaziabad, Lucknow, Agra etc and 100's of malls of Mumbai.

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

I lost my faith in Wiki from that day. How can it be so ignorant? :bash: :bash:

First lesson of research: Never trust Wiki. My professor told me not to use it when I was doing my research paper since anyone can edit it. It could be reliable most of the times.

I agree with you but i still think sometimes that why do we still miss the 'IT Bus', specially with a CM like Modi. Getting auto and manufacturing industries is not bad but are they ignoring IT ?
They should make an effort or at least tell the reason to people that why IT is not pushed for Gujarat or why IT people are not coming to Gujarat.

^^^^i think IT has been growing strong in south like forever whereas modi became pm in 2001. And guj us nit lacking in any new IT parks coming in country. Besides manufacturing is what is needed. That's the transition you gotta take from manufacturing to services. I think the states that don't have industry would get saturated quickly and get trapped in mid income states at best my 2 cents

http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_proud-to-be-amdavadi-are-we_1664005

From commissoner - Guruprasad Mohapatra

I agree with you but i still think sometimes that why do we still miss the 'IT Bus', specially with a CM like Modi. Getting auto and manufacturing industries is not bad but are they ignoring IT ?
They should make an effort or at least tell the reason to people that why IT is not pushed for Gujarat or why IT people are not coming to Gujarat.

All the southern states combined dont have a project like GIFT and still they were so successful in the IT sector. Just think what GIFT will do to the IT sector because it does not have any of the disadvantages of Bangaluru, Chennai, HYD or Gurgaon. GIFT has had the opportunity to learn from these cities mistakes and so it will be the perfect destination any IT company will look for. Once the connectivity with AMD airport and political Gandhinagar is established, IT companies are going to make a beeline for GIFT.

Having said this, Gujarat govt is doing the exact opposite of 'ignoring' IT. Yes, we started late, but better late than never.:cheers:

^^
About the traffic situation, only strictest rules and heaviest fines are going to make any difference, and that too very slowly. To be realistic, another 3-4 generations will come and go before we see any real improvement.

I agree with you but i still think sometimes that why do we still miss the 'IT Bus', specially with a CM like Modi. Getting auto and manufacturing industries is not bad but are they ignoring IT ?
They should make an effort or at least tell the reason to people that why IT is not pushed for Gujarat or why IT people are not coming to Gujarat.

one major reason why Gujarat lags behind in IT/BPO segment is lack of this: :cheers:

IT/BPO is an industry dominated by youngsters fresh out of college. They all want to go to a place with a good nightlife (going to manekchowk for pay bhaji @ 2am does not count as nightlife) and pubs/bars (or at least some place to buy & drink legally). Unless companies can attract the best talent here, they will not set up centres in Ahmedabad. Same goes for the foreigners as well (being able to buy booze with permit & drink it at hotel room/home is no subsitute for a pub/bar)

Some time ago, I had read about a proposal to setup a SEZ like place where these restrictions would not apply and you could setup pubs/bars. Don't know what is the status of that project, but it might help.

I still doubt it.
Look at the helmet rule and the way it is being interpreted by the amdavadis and the implementation by traffic police.
Even the helmet sellers are faking price hikes and robbing people.

yes true but u c gujaratis are no.1 in drinking (unofficially ofcourse) and the government knows is. the best place to get a bottle is with some police officer.

I think if the law and the police are strict, they can control. Sometimes people understand quickly if they are bashed

when not just allow booze? why enforce such stupid laws?

Its a political issue. I don't think any government in Gujarat can scrap prohibition. In Maharashtra many people in parties off the record feel octroi should be scrapped, but most parties are reluctant to actually do so.

Not that octroi and prohibition can really be compared but I am just giving an example.

one major reason why Gujarat lags behind in IT/BPO segment is lack of this: :cheers:

IT/BPO is an industry dominated by youngsters fresh out of college. They all want to go to a place with a good nightlife (going to manekchowk for pay bhaji @ 2am does not count as nightlife) and pubs/bars (or at least some place to buy & drink legally). Unless companies can attract the best talent here, they will not set up centres in Ahmedabad. Same goes for the foreigners as well (being able to buy booze with permit & drink it at hotel room/home is no subsitute for a pub/bar)

Some time ago, I had read about a proposal to setup a SEZ like place where these restrictions would not apply and you could setup pubs/bars. Don't know what is the status of that project, but it might help.

I know this is a factor that is taken very seriously (in TN threads especially) What i'll say on the matter is that foreigners (inc the same young professional Indians) manage to get by just fine in the Middle East.

Personally, I dont believe in alcohol prohibition for Gujarat, I think its another obsolete Gandhian reference. But at the same time, I dont believe in prohibition of other drugs even in the west. Heavy taxation and letting people suffer the consequences of their own decisions is

That said, if the Govt of Gujarat decided to end alcohol prohibition specifically to attract IT yuppies, I would see it is a very desperate move. If the law is to be overturned, it has to be for the right reasons, not as a cheap ploy.

Will probably offend a chunk of the SSCI junta by saying it, but I think that many in the young generation of richer Indians have a cultural immaturity when it comes to things like alcohol and other things they think are "western" and "modern".

The other side of the argument of course is that Ahmedabad and all Gujarat cities really are much safer for women than other parts of India, with certain IT hubs beings on the exact opposite end of the spectrum.

Obv the general consensus here has to be taken with a pinch of salt, SSCI is close to 100% male, majority will be from that unmarried, 18-25 age group, well off (educated in english) etc etc so understandable that IT is so massively overrated on here.

Have lost count of the number of times that ppl have derailed Gujarat threads because for some reason they believe IT is the only sector that provides real growth. Weirdly such activity always tends to peak during election years, must be a coincidence of course...

Good reason or not booze ban needs to go. Not everyone can be Gandhi and nor we want to. People should have the choice to decide if they want to drink or not. Shouldn't be decided by govt.

Prohibition in my opinion will only cause much more smuggling and cause people even younger to go into alcohol faster.

It's pathetic the way 'young bright educated and cultured Indians' want to work at only those places where there is free flowing booze and indecent pubs (yeah, I know many will disagree, but we all know the ugly side of nightclubs). Is that the only entertainment which suits these highly educated people?

I wholeheartedly support the liquor ban in Gujarat. I know people who want to drink will find a way to drink anyway, but atleast the general public wont be tempted to drink. Whereas in the other case, everyone from kids to elders can walk into a shop and buy liquor. We are a whole lot better off without alcohol in our lives. I dont care if we have IT sector or not, but atleast our cities are safer than anywhere in India.

It's pathetic the way 'young bright educated and cultured Indians' want to work at only those places where there is free flowing booze and indecent pubs (yeah, I know many will disagree, but we all know the ugly side of nightclubs). Is that the only entertainment which suits these highly educated people?

I wholeheartedly support the liquor ban in Gujarat. I know people who want to drink will find a way to drink anyway, but atleast the general public wont be tempted to drink. Whereas in the other case, everyone from kids to elders can walk into a shop and buy liquor. We are a whole lot better off without alcohol in our lives. I dont care if we have IT sector or not, but atleast our cities are safer than anywhere in India.

Tempted to drink if there are bars? So are you saying no body drinks in Gujarat cuz there are no bars? I don't think so. You are loosing on opportunity to tax the booze sales and many people can get jobs in bars. And really what do you think young people will do on a Friday night? You got a new job you got a new place living away from parents. What would u want to do? Watch aasaram Bapu on asstha tv? Lol I don't want to say nothing else. Hope they don't try to make GIFT a conservative city and give people all the freedom they deserve.

And what do you mean by general public from those who drink? They are not general public? I know how you feel man. They Way we are brought up we are tought drinking is evil. When I first told my parents I got drunk they both cried. But I didn't do anything wrong and it's weird since both my parents smoke. And they considered hanging out with opposite sex as bad too. Now my sister has a boy friend and they dint object to it. All this being conservative needs to go. I know I m way off topic but dude your not 50 years old are you? Do u support arranged marriage?

Poeple can stay social drinkers if they want to. not everybody in IT drinks. people in gujarat do drink illegally.

Being an IT guy, i just wanted my state to progress specially it is progressing in other sectors. I would like to stay in gujarat rather than going to pune or noida for my IT job.

Anyways, guys, don't need to stretch this too much. The thread is for GIFT and i hope when GIFT is ready,IT comes along.

^^ Its not the GIFT thread :lol:

And stop complaining about drinking you lot. All you guys wish you did this all the time hence you use this emoticon a lot ---> :cheers:

:tongue4:

How does this sound... It will only work if the plan actually comes into place but i doubt that will come as too many people will create hoo haa on not being able to drive their cars.


Be ready to walk down town...

If the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has its way, citizens will have to walk down the road in the walled city. The civic body may prohibit entry of three and four-wheelers, including cars, to solve problems related to traffic and parking in walled city areas. The suggestion is part of the proposed parking policy submitted to Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) recently by AMC. In addition, AMC has proposed to make public transport effective in the traffic-congested areas.

The civic body is facing a major challenge in managing traffic and parking due to increasing number of vehicles, especially cars. The authorisation of irregular constructions in the city is likely to add to the parking and traffic woes.

In the parking policy submitted to the JnNURM, the civic body has proposed to restrict entry of vehicles larger than three-wheelers including cars on certain roads of the city. The move aims at reducing traffic congestion and parking demand as large vehicles occupy huge space on and off the road. In case large vehicles need to be permitted entry on such roads, they should be allowed only during night for transportation of goods and other purposes.

AMC sources said there is a possibility that three and four-wheelers could be banned on Relief Road, Gandhi Road, Manek Chowk and other congested areas of the walled city. Sources further anticipate that the civic body might have to face protest from the residents and traders in the area; but they add that tough actions are needed to solve traffic and parking problems. "Majority of the commercial and even residential complexes in the old city area will not be able to provide parking space as per the requirement for regularising unauthorised constructions, so such steps are a must," said an AMC official.

The AMC has also proposed to strengthen public transport system on congested roads in the walled city area to encourage people to utilise the public transport system. The civic body has proposed to start feeder route service for better utilisation of public transport system by people. Small vehicles with a seating capacity of 20 to 25 should be used regularly on roads where traffic congestion is high. This will provide efficient transportation facilities for people of the area and reduce the number of vehicles on the road in that area apart from reducing the demand for parking.

Sources said that a feeder route service on Relief Road between Lal Darwaja and Kalupur railway station and Gandhi Road will allow people to park their vehicles at designated parking space outside the area and use public transport.

Source: Dna epaper

Our college is organizing a panel discussion on town planning and planners are from AMC and AUDA. So, if any one wants to share his/her idea with them, they can message me or post their message here below I will forward it to them and then give you reply.

Message can be in form of idea or problems with their solution. Ideas should be such that they can easily be accepted in Ahmedabad or any other city.

Thankyou.

I had posted a message for ahmedabad special bus service in this thread.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=89354046&highlight=#post89354046

Remember this song

OmW_AJDE0R4

It's fantastic, Dhvanit, as usual, rocks!! :)

one major reason why Gujarat lags behind in IT/BPO segment is lack of this: :cheers:

.

Not that I am defending the so called Gandhian laws (it seems more like the liquor mafia protecting itsnprofits) but have u thought why Germany is not known much for it's IT?

Gujarat has too many industries to worry about a few call centers here and there, even though for women it does offer decent employment opportunity that is somewhat limited in traditional industries.

Poeple can stay social drinkers if they want to. not everybody in IT drinks. people in gujarat do drink illegally.

Being an IT guy, i just wanted my state to progress specially it is progressing in other sectors. I would like to stay in gujarat rather than going to pune or noida for my IT job.

Anyways, guys, don't need to stretch this too much. The thread is for GIFT and i hope when GIFT is ready,IT comes along.

GO TO BENGALURU, YOU WILL LOTS OF BEWADAS :lol::lol::lol::lol:

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=AMIR/2012/03/28/1/Img/Pc0010400.jpg


Household Amenities Census 2011 data puts Ahmedabad on the top spot on several sectors like:-

Link (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=MIRRORNEW&BaseHref=AMIR/2012/03/28&PageLabel=1&EntityId=Ar00100&ViewMode=HTML)

Housing - majority of Amdavadis live in one and two bedroom houses

Water - 84.7 per cent households in Ahmedabad have tap water facility -- nearly double the national average of 43.5 per cent

Gas - The city has maximum LPG connections -- nearly 64.6 per cent houses use LPG for cooking. This is not only highest in Gujarat but nearly thrice the national average of 28.6 per cent.

Electricity - As compared to the national average of 67.3 per cent, nearly 97.4 per cent houses in Ahmedabad have power connectivity. In fact, 90.4 per cent houses in Gujarat boast of electricity connection, cocking a snook at the national average of 67.3 per cent.

Sanitation - 83 per cent Amdavadi households have toilet while only 61.8 per cent have cellphones. This is in sharp contrast to the national average of 46.9 per cent households with toilets and 53.2 per cent with cellphones.

Mobility - Around 46.3 per cent houses own a two-wheeler and 11.7 per cent a four-wheeler. The figures are not only highest in the state but more than double the national average of 21 per cent in two-wheelers and 4.7 per cent in four-wheelers.

Communication - Almost 77.6 per cent houses in the city own television sets and 8.5 per cent own computers with internet connectivity.

I like that pic above! Looks cool in the nights..

Is that the premium CBD of Ahmedabad??

Can u post such stats about other cities too SVP?

@murlee

Not exactly a CBD, but a shopping destination.

GO TO BENGALURU, YOU WILL LOTS OF BEWADAS :lol::lol::lol::lol:

6 more and it would have become a laughing Raavan :lol:

I guess Ahmedabad CBD will be located in GIFT City.

6 more and it would have become a laughing Raavan :lol:

Wish granted ..

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Now we really need Kalki Bhagwan to fight and defeat this Raavan :)

The recently concluded tree census of Ahmedabad stated that there are 5.5 lakh trees in Ahmedabad (1 lakh in the cantonement area alone). But I doubt their methods. How is a tree census done? I know there is some minimum requirement for any plant to be counted as a tree. But do they count every tree in the city, because no one came to my house (which has at least 6-7 trees that qualify) nor at any of my friends or relative's places. Please throw some light on how they arrived with that number.

Gas - The city has maximum LPG connections -- nearly 64.6 per cent houses use LPG for cooking. This is not only highest in Gujarat but nearly thrice the national average of 28.6 per cent.

.

Yes, but most people in a neighboring town have piped gas, since 1970's!

^^ which neighboring towns?

I think he is referring Surat.
When I stayed in surat during 96 for few months I noticed that at some of my friends house.

^^
Oh no, he is referring to Vadodara. It is miles ahead of even other Gujarat cities in piped connection, let alone Indian cities. :)

ohh i see. Yup that makes sense

Vadodara, Surat had PNG from the very beginning probably first cities to get it and that too cheapest. Ahmedabad catching up fast and in our PNG has arrived through Adani.

Found a nice video on Ahmedabad... Have a look guys..

cyhKsbvIQ8I

Vadodara, Surat had PNG from the very beginning probably first cities to get it and that too cheapest. Ahmedabad catching up fast and in our PNG has arrived through Adani.

U might want to verify your source of information before making such statements. I do agree that with opening of Hazira, things have moved much faster in Surat.

After its four-year experiment with SMS-based complaint redressal system introduced in new west zone, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is now planning a similar system for the entire city. The new west zone office had received a little above 24,000 complaints in the last four years, claim AMC officials. The new system to be introduced across the city will have a citizens' charter that will fix deadlines for officers attending to citizens' complaints and will vary with the type of complaints lodged with the electronic system.

A simple call on a toll-free number regarding any civic problem in your area will make the engineers and officers concerned in your AMC zonal office responsible. The system will inform the officers concerned and their higher-ups via SMSes and emails if the complaint is not addressed in time. Complainants will be given a registration number that will help them track the status of the complaints online and even on SMS. The area municipal councillor will also get access to watching the number of complaints filed in his or her ward office.

The new system will involve at least 20 departments of the AMC and more than 300 types of various civic complaints to ease the process. "Earlier, the system addressed just 71 different types of complaints. We have overcome this shortcoming," said a deputy municipal commissioner.

If the complaint is not redressed within a fixed number of hours, the unique software would shoot off SMSes to officers above the local engineer and finally even to the zonal deputy municipal commissioner and further to the municipal commissioner. "The software does not stop shooting off SMSes until the citizen's complaint is addressed."

"Basically, the system runs around for the complainant and creates a log of the work it did. If the AMC engineer closes the complaint, an SMS will inform the complainant immediately and seek his opinion. The citizen can start off the entire process again if the complaint is not addressed properly and call up the call centre. In the long run, it will help evaluate the performance of the officers concerned," said a senior AMC official.

The new system will generate a daily report for each of the local wards, saying how each one of them responded to the complaints and whether the services were delivered on time. The deputy municipal commissioner gets the report on his mobile as an SMS and also a mail and so does the municipal commissioner.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/Dial-toll-free-number-air-your-civic-woes/articleshow/13058523.cms

But there is no mention of toll-free no. :nuts:

Ahmedabad & Gurgaon among future business hubs of the world

http://topic.worlds-luxury-guide.com/article/02imbHA9uO8Za?q=Hong+Kong

:cheers:

Kalki is one of your own Kannadigas not a "Northie".

Green signal for bullet train from Mumbai to Ahmedabad

Two ambitious rail projects - proposed elevated rail corridor in Mumbai and a bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai - got a boost on Wednesday as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh finalised the targets for key infrastructure projects in PPP model in railways.

At a meeting with ministers and secretaries of key infrastructure ministries, it was decided to flag off the elevated rail corridor project for Mumbai suburban service with a total investment of Rs 20,000 crore in 2012-13.

The elevated rail corridor is crucial for Mumbai as it aims to give a faster service to daily commuters in the metropolis.

However, Railway Minister Mukul Roy was not present in the meeting. Chairman Railway Board Vinay Mittal attended the high-level meeting chaired by the PM.

It was also decided to finalise the action plan for the 500-km high-speed corridor from Mumbai to Ahmedabad, said railway sources. The project is estimated to cost about Rs 60,000 crore.

Known as bullet train project, the train is expected to run at 350 km per hour speed reducing the travel time to four hours between the two cities from seven hours by Duronto, the fastest train at present.


HOW MANY TIMES CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WILL GIVE GREEN SIGNAL TO AHD - MUMBAI BULLET TRAIN??

But ins't this the first time PM him self talked about it? His words should have more weight-age in my opinion. But Railways is controlled by Didi and PM controlled by Madam. So I don't know if the proxies would be able to do any good.

But Railways is controlled by Didi and PM controlled by Madam.

^^
:lol:

If Didi has her way, she will ensure that a bullet train service runs between Kolkata and Silliguri.

"Known as bullet train project, the train is expected to run at 350 km per hour speed reducing the travel time to four hours between the two cities from seven hours by Duronto, the fastest train at present."

Pathetic :bash:... AMD-MUM is 500 kms, and if the train really runs at 350 kms, then even considering halts at Vadodara and Surat, it will cover the distance in max 1hr 45mins.

"Known as bullet train project, the train is expected to run at 350 km per hour speed reducing the travel time to four hours between the two cities from seven hours by Duronto, the fastest train at present."

Pathetic :bash:... AMD-MUM is 500 kms, and if the train really runs at 350 kms, then even considering halts at Vadodara and Surat, it will cover the distance in max 1hr 45mins.

I guess the top speed shall be 350 kms. The train would be running at 350 kmph say for only 30 mins of the entire duration (Probably between Vapi and Dahanu Road) Rest of the journey shall be between 150 to 250 kmph.

But 4 hours still looks a very long time.:ohno:

HIGH DRIVE : AUTO MALL IN TOP GEAR

Twenty Brands Of Cars Are Sold On The Six Km Stretch Of SG Highway

LINK (http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Default/Scripting/ArticleWin.asp?From=Archive&Source=Page&Skin=TOINEW&BaseHref=TOIA/2012/06/12&PageLabel=2&EntityId=Ar00202&ViewMode=HTML)

The road that leads to the auto hub at Sanand may be India’s first auto mall, which has grown organically. On a stretch of barely 6 km on SG Road, nearly two dozen brands of cars are already being sold. More like Volvo will join the list soon.

At this motor road to the auto town, you can pick up a gull-winged sports car worth as many crores as
the lakhs needed for the bread-andbutter small car, which is also available at three dealerships here. It’s not surprising then that car retail as a sector occupies maximum space on SG Road. The road itself is the business district of the city known as the trade capital of Gujarat. According to data accumulated by Jones Lang Lasalle India, the total business space on the highway is close to 6.6 million square feet, except the malls. Of this, 1.32 million sq ft is occupied by the retail industry.

Back of envelope calculation shows that over 1.6 lakh sq feet is occupied by the car showrooms alone — nearly 12% of the total retail space in that area. What’s more, if one was include the workshop area, usually attached to the showroom, the final number will be higher than 2.5 lakh sq feet.

Sanjay Thakker, whose firm owns Honda, Mercedes Benz, and Volkswagen dealerships on the said stretch told TOI that they occupy a total area of over 80,000 sq feet on the stretch, of which around 35,000 is dedicated to car retail.

“Local municipal tax, octroi, was the reason that car showroom owners initially started operations from SG Road as it was outside the city limits. However, even after the tax was abolished and area came under local municipal limits, almost all new dealership chose to set up shops here,” Thakker said. “This road is the best suited for test driving. Even though SG Road grew as a business destination, it had much space to offer, being broad and wellplanned,” he added.

Owner of a Hyundai showroom, Parnav Nanda pegs the number of cars being sold from this unique auto mall on any given day at 100. While his outlet covers an area of 18,000 sq ft, the showrooms of Jaguar & Land Rover, Ford and Tata — owned by his family members — occupy 20,000 sq feet put together.

Property consultants, Jones Lang Lasalle’s Ahmedabad head, Neeraj Tomar believes that this self-evolved auto mall is only one of its kind. “None of the metros or other cities has so many car brands being sold on one road. What’s equally interesting is that here premium cars have to compete for the space and eyeballs with the cars for masses.”

http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getimage.dll?path=TOIA/2012/06/12/2/Img/Ar0020101.png

So this is UAE's E 11 highway :

http://www.flashydubai.com/images/Sheikh_Zayed_Road_01.jpg

And this the S G Road

http://rojnuamdavad.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/photo-0138.jpg

Yes, they can really change the highway, but not by blindly copying Dubai's Highway. We can move this topic to the Discussions (www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=997851&page=13&langid=6) thread

this was Dubai in 1990
http://deadlyjelly.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/1991-sheikh-zayed-road.jpg

Now in 2012
http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08zb2jHeijeHU/576x.jpg

http://deadlyjelly.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/1991-sheikh-zayed-road.jpg

I guess we look much better now, than Dubai looked in 1990

Sigh, the oil came out from the wrong place... :)

http://deadlyjelly.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/1991-sheikh-zayed-road.jpg

I guess we look much better now, than Dubai looked in 1990

Sigh, the oil came out from the wrong place... :)

Hard luck for us but now Dubai economy is not dependent on Oil...there is no oil left with Dubai

^^ That 1990 pic kinda reminded me of this:

96rx11XlZnY

^^
Lets hope what followed in Dubai after 1990 is replicated in the above video....

Rushab, please add GIFT's thread link to the description of your youtube video. It'll help to usher people to the thread and perhaps join the forum. Something like this should work:

For the latest updates and pictures of the GIFT project, please visit:
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=552518

^^
Good Idea IU, have done it. :)