Mumbai Update II - project news from Mumbai ‎

[cncity]

That is small for a family, but its still bigger for most dharavi families, and considering its 'free' in the heart of the biggest metropolis of india, its too good a deal, not considering the other amenities like toilets on each of the flats.

[Cov Boy]

This is great news! and very intresting too.

Cant wait for a plan and some renders.

[Jai]

I predict that this will do wonders for tourism in Mumbai

India's Bollywood Is Getting A Theme Park

By Staff
Apr 28, 2007

India's Bollywood movie industry in Mumbai is getting its own theme park, likened to the Hollywood studio parks.

Percept Holdings, a media and entertainment company, has announced plans to build the Bollywood entertainment park for about $100 million, the BBC reported Saturday. The company says it will provide "the Bollywood experience."

The park will aim at letting fans get behind the scenes of the world's biggest film industry -- by audience size anyway.

"Bollywood accounts for over 40 percent of the total revenues of the overall Indian film industry," said Shailendra Singh, joint managing director at Percept Holdings. "Bollywood is what the Indian masses turn to for entertainment, but there is no organized format or means to consume this experience."

The entertainment park will open in 2008 and feature cafes, walk-throughs, film sets, tours and gaming booths.

(c) UPI

From other articles, it seems like $100 million will be the initial investment for the first phase of the project, which will be open in 2008. This implies that there will be other phases to this project with larger investments.

Cheers,
Jai

[spyguy]

Please, no art deco imitations.

[Jai]

MMRDA has a plan to speed up Metro

“ We have no desire to go around with a begging bowl any- more, not even to foreign banks.” T Chandra Shekhar, Metropolitan commissioner

DNA Epaper 29 APR
Smita Deshmukh
Mumbai

Forget the official 2021 deadline. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Develop ment Authority (MM RDA) wants to make all nine corridors of the Rs19,500 crore Metro Rail functional in just over five years.

To make this grand plan possible, the MM RDA will be attempting to self-finance the crucial build-operate transfer (BoT) project.

A new notification, already approved by the state government, would allow the MMR DA to amend the Development Control (DC) rules and increase the Floor Space Index (FSI) in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) from 2 to 4.

This would allow the MMRDA to sell off the remaining 70 acres of land in the area, where 70-metre-high buildings could be erected after the Airports Authority of India revised its height restrictions. Officials say the move could fetch a whopping Rs25,000 crore – more than enough to make the MMRDA self-sufficient to build the Metro Rail. Forget the 2021 deadline. The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) wants to have all nine corridors of the Rs19,500 crore Metro Rail functional in just over five years. To make it possible, the MMRDA would be attempting to self-finance the crucial built-operate-transfer (BoT) project.

“Projects like the Metro require massive capital. Moreover, the BoT process quite taxing. So, it is in our best interest to tap the potential of BKC to its fullest and speed up the project,” said Metropolitan Commissioner T Chandrashekhar.

The MMRDA is also looking at other avenues to raise funds. FSI incentive, along with commercial exploitation of land, at the proposed InterState Bus Terminal in Wadala is expected to rake in around Rs2,500 crore.

Also, the MMRDA’s appointment as special planning authority for the proposed growth centres in Bhiwandi and Kalyan will fetch more funds.

Sources said the MMRDA pushed its case for more developable area in the BKC with the state following the approval of FSI 4 for the Dharavi redevelopment project. Another cue was taken from their next-door neighbours — the joint venture of Reliance and Maker Group, who were allowed to increase the height of their buildings from 30 to 70 metre by the AAI.

“We have no desire to go around with a begging bowl anymore, not even to foreign banks which take a long time to process loans and place stringent measures. We can undertake the Metro project on our own and finish it in record time,” said Chandrashekhar.

[Jai]

Originally Posted by spyguy

Please, no art deco imitations.

Oh no. I'm guessing the park will be far more gaudy than that

[Jai]

A long needed and major step on the road to modernization and development.

City gets world-class public loo

Toilet complexes come equipped with a host of facilities

Sandeep Ashar
DNA Epaper 29 APR

Mumbai got its first “worldclass” public toilet when Mayor Shubha Raul inaugurated a sophisticated public convenience built by Fumes International near the Santacruz airport on Sunday. The function was attended by outgoing Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph and Additional Municipal Commissioner R A Rajeev among others.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sanctioned Delhi-based Fumes International to construct 100 such complexes in the city in the next one year. To be run by Fumes on a built-operate and transfer basis for 10 years, the public conveniences are set to come up across the city, including Wilson College at Charni Road, Worli Sea face, Nariman Point, and Mahim Church. Two of them, one near the domestic airport on the Western Express Highway and the other opposite the Mayor’s bungalow at Shivaji Park in Dadar, are ready for use.

BMC chief engineer for solid waste management R R Markendeya said, “Spacious and with regular running water, the facility at Santacruz has four toilet blocks for men and three for women and separate toilets for the physically-challenged.” Stating that the blocks were planned keeping in mind people’s changing attitude towards using public conveniences, Markendeya added,” The utility has been outfitted with hand dryers, liquid soap and separate shower rooms, while well-lit interiors, an aquarium and a water fountain facing the road add an aesthetic appeal.”

Fumes International has built more than 30 such toilets in Delhi since 1998. A team of Mumbai municipal officials visited Delhi in 2005 to find out more about Fumes’ toilets. Impressed with what they saw, the firm was contracted to construct similar toilet complexes at a cost of Rs25 lakh each.

[dreadathecontrols]

Does anyone want to hear what i have witnessed in India when modern public loos are used?The loos in question were the ones on the brand new (then) ship to the andamans from madras.
Anyone wanna hear? No, perhaps not...

[Naga_Solidus]

I do.

[itsmevishal2k4]

me too

[Jai]

Anyone located near Thane?



We could use an official SSC India Post-Property Fair After Action Report (SSCIPPFAAR)

[Jai]

And another welcome development

SLUMBAY WATCH

Plans Are Ready For The Dadar-Mahim Seafront Makeover. But Can They Plug Illegal Drains, Resettle Slums Quickly?

TOI Epaper 30 APR
Clara Lewis | TNN

Faced with a barrage of criticism regarding the poor upkeep of Mumbai’s western waterfront, the civic administration is now planning a beach nourishment plan along 4.5 kms of the Dadar-Prabhadevi seaface. The project, which includes building promenades and restoring gardens along the seaface, is aimed at restoring a beach that has been washed away under waves of sewage, flotsam and debris.

The stretch to be covered is from the Hinduja hospital end at Mahim to Worli village and will take around two years to complete from the day work commences. “We are planning to appoint a consultant to revive this beach which, at present, is bereft of sand,’’ said R A Rajeev, additional municipal commissioner.

The project is estimated to cost around Rs 12-15 crore and will require sand to be imported from other beaches (and even the desert) to make the stretch more hospitable to residents and holidaying crowds.

Work is likely to start in six months to a year, and would be a daunting task considering that it would require diverting sewage lines which spew out waste on to the beach, resettling slum dwellers living nearby, and coordination between agencies because land comes under the collector’s jurisdiction and the revamp is being planned by the civic corporation.

The blueprint is based on an idea put forward by architect P K Das who has also been involved in the beautification and restoration of Carter Road, Bandra Bandstand and Juhu beach. “Das will be appointed as a consultant since he already has a plan ready,’’ said Rajeev.

Of late, BMC has been repeatedly censured by activists and citizen groups regarding the plight of Mumbai’s beaches including those at Versova, Dadar and Marve. Mahim resident Ravi Thatte, who is also on a civic supervisory panel, says, “The beach is polluted by untreated sewage from illegal drains. BMC had appointed a contractor to clean up the beach, but he’s not doing a very good job. There are also two slums in the area. Restoring the beach is a grandiose plan and will take a lot of doing.’’

It was former Lok Sabha speaker and Dadar resident Manohar Joshi who set the ball rolling for the Dadar revival plan after a visit to Bandra where the waterfront had been restored. Joshi proposed that a wall be constructed to prevent the beach from further erosion. Eventually, the idea of a wall was shot down when environmentalists pointed out potentially adverse effects. “Sea-wall construction is now banned in the US as well as central Europe. It is believed that it damages the environment by restricting the natural cycle of in and outflow of water. Also the impact of construction of a sea-wall is felt at other beaches where the displaced water reclaims its space,’’ said Das.

Joshi’s suggestions, however, spurred a group to work on an alternate plan. To start with, a coastal and hydraulic study was carried out by DHI (India) Water and Environment Pvt Ltd at the site. This included drawing up a description of the area’s coastline, an assessment of the wave climate and hydrodynamic conditions in the bay, and compiling recommendations on how to implement the project.

The study found the Dadar-Prabhadevi stretch to be a shallow tidal beach, narrow and sloping. Government’s efforts to protect the coast had resulted in rubble encroaching upon it. Besides drains open onto it and unplanned constructions have contributed to the debris and pollution.






BEACH REVIVAL

Phase I

This includes a proposal to increase the width of the beach from 5 metres to 50 metres across a stretch of 1.5 km from S K Bole Marg to Suryavanshi Kshatriya Sabhagriha Marg.


Phase II

This includes redevelopment of the beach at Hinduja Hospital, Keluskar Marg (North & South), Mayor’s Bungalow, development of two gardens — Baji Prabhu Udyan and Sant Dnyaneshwar Udyan — apart from creation of access roads and promenades

Total cost: Rs 12-15 crore


IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE

Beach nourishment by bringing in sand from other places: 9 months Redevelopment of two gardens along the waterfront: 4 months Promenades to be built at two locations: 6 months Extension of drains to divert the sewage: 4 months Building access roads: 6 months

SHIFTING THE SAND

Since the bay at Dadar-Mahim has very little sand, it has been decided to bring it in from outside. “Roughly around 300 trucks per day for 6 months or six barges a day for four months will be sufficient to create the beach. While the sea will continue to wash away sand it will also bring it back and the loss will be minimal,’’ said P K Das, architect in charge of the project. Sand will be brought in from other beaches, and may be even the desert. Some replenishment of sand may also be required every 5-10 years.

[Jai]

Hi Guys,

This is HUGE news that friggin came out of nowhere to us seasoned skyscraper enthusiats here... The news is over a week old and none of us came across it!

Mumbai looks to be getting another project with at least one -- possibly more than one -- supertall. And we are not talking about the previously anncounced India International Trade Center (see details on this project below), but the Mumbai International Finance Centre. No renderings yet, (hope to add them to this first post when they are finally released.) First read the article and check out my comments below the article that follows.


I created a new thread to promulgate news of these exciting developments. I will update this and the Mumbai Update threads concurrently with new developments. If more major commercial megaprojects are announced in Mumbai, they will be added to this thread and the title will be changed to reflect that.

-----==--=--==------

Govt shortlists 3 sites for financial hub

ASHLEY D'MELLO
[21 Apr, 2007 l 0147 hrs ISTlTIMES NEWS NETWORK]

MUMBAI: The International Financial Centre (IFC) in the city, a 10-year-old project dogged by delays, may come up about sooner rather than later.

State government officials are already scouting around for a suitable site in which to house the complex and are considering sites at Dadar, CST and another on Bombay Port Trust land.

Officials said three sites were being considered: Rashtriya Textile Mill site owned by National Textile at Dadar, a plot within Bombay Port Trust land and a site off P D'Mello Road near CST on railway land. All are located in south Mumbai.

The IFC has been discussed for over a decade in the city for better international financial services and boost economic opportunities in the metropolis. However, the plan has never moved beyond the discussion stage. Of late though, it has acquired momentum following the release of a Union ministry of finance report, which looked at the framework needed to be put in place for Mumbai to be promoted as an global destination for commerce.

Secretary for special projects in the city, Sanjay Ubale, admitted that government was keen on going ahead with the project. FM P Chidambaram's visit to the city later this month is expected to give the project a further boost.

The model being considered for the plan is the Hong Kong International Financial Centre complex which has two tall buildings housing such a centre. Officials said the Hong Kong IFC has "a signature building" which is the tallest in the territory and the fourth tallest in the world with 88 storeys.

-----==--=--==------

Ok, let's put down what we know about these two projects...

The facts we know about the India International Trade Tower (IITC)

• The NTC's IITT will be 1050 feet/72 storeys in height

• It will be is located on the 11.96-acre India United Mill No. 6 at Pravhadevi.

• The cost of the tower's construction will be around Rs. 700 crore (approx $170.5 million USD)

• NTC has officially confirmed that the tower will be built.

...and...

The facts we know about the Mumbai International Financial Centre (IFC)

• The project apparently has been 10 years in the making. However, it recently got impetus due to the recent High Powered Expert Committee (HPEC)'s report detailing steps to take to make Mumbai an International Financial Centre (MIFC).

• It seems that this project is supported by city, state and national governments and will be implemented soon. We will likely get more word on what this project is when will come when India's Finance Minister P. Chidambaram visits the city.

• There 3 possible sites under consideration for the project:
- NTC's Rashtriya Textile Mill, in the Mill Lands -- where I guess it will complement all the other towers being built on other NTC mill lands by private developers.

- a plot in Bombay Port Trust land -- perhaps finally opening up the huge, prime, seafront land to skyscraper (commerical/CBD/docklands?) development?

- a site off P D'Mello Road near CST on railway lands -- right the hell downtown. Perhaps someone can correct me, but I don't think there is much room here for other skycrapers to be built, as it is in a historic district. Unless the raillways want to release more land for development, I doubt there will be potential for major future skyscraper clustering a la a proper CBD.

• It is to be a major commercial center modeled on HK's International Finance Center complex, which consists of a major mall, three towers (88 storeys, 40 storeys and 39 storeys), one of them the signature One IFC, one of them a hotel. One IFC is HK's tallest building.

- This modeling business implies that surely there will be a signature tower, most likely a supertall. I'm guessing that at least a major mall would be built as well (pure speculation.) If it is modeled on the HK IFC, perhaps a complementary building (a Two IFC) will also be built? From this view, possibly a cluster of Trade Centre buildings will be built.

- To show some of the possibility of the scale of the project, check out HK's IFC:

-----==--=--==------

Comparing the Two Towers

• OK, now the the National Textile Corporation is a Central Public Sector Enterprise which is building the IITC on funds earned through the sale of the mill lands to major developers.

• This International Finance Center seems to be a government funded project, though skimming through the HPEC's report, this project is likely to be a public-private venture.

• The IITC is to be 72 stories and will be located in an area anchoring the current Parel/Back Bay skyline and the future Dharavi redevelopment skyline. The IFC will be located on either the Port Lands, the Mills or by CST, the former two are two future sites of skyscraper development. In each, it will serve to anchor the skyline. If it is to be located in the Port Lands, it may finally open this area to development sooner than expected.

• Both the IITC and the IFC are designed to be catalysts for business, trade and commercial skyscraper development. By signing off on these two projects, the government has made a very public and visible green light on encouraging commercial skyscraper construction in Mumbai. Commercial skyscrapers are not only taller, but more costly and inherantly of better quality than residental towers, which all but a handful of Mumbai's major projects are.

• The seeming drive to suddenly crash modernize Mumbai's infrastructure (metro, freeways, sea-links, rail -- see the recent pages of the Mumbai Updates thread) probably got moved to the front burner due to the recommendations this report, and underscores Mumbai is trying to develop the infra that can sustain such huge commercial projects (which are more of a strain on transport than purely residential towers are; consider the large numbers of office workers that will be commuting to and from work)

-----==--=--==------

Comments guys?

I hope to add this thread with updates soon. We all need to keep on the look out for any other news.

Cheers,
Jai

[Jai]

Guys, this is HUGE news that friggin came out of nowhere to us seasoned skyscraper enthusiats here... The news is over a week old and no one came across it!

Mumbai looks to be getting another project with at least one -- possibly more than one -- supertall. And we are not talking about the India International Trade Center. First read the article and check out my comments below.

>>> I created a new thread in this forum specifically detailed to these projects. Please check it out. I also added my comments to this article in that thread. <<<


Govt shortlists 3 sites for financial hub

ASHLEY D'MELLO
[21 Apr, 2007 l 0147 hrs ISTlTIMES NEWS NETWORK]

MUMBAI: The International Financial Centre (IFC) in the city, a 10-year-old project dogged by delays, may come up about sooner rather than later.

State government officials are already scouting around for a suitable site in which to house the complex and are considering sites at Dadar, CST and another on Bombay Port Trust land.

Officials said three sites were being considered: Rashtriya Textile Mill site owned by National Textile at Dadar, a plot within Bombay Port Trust land and a site off P D'Mello Road near CST on railway land. All are located in south Mumbai.

The IFC has been discussed for over a decade in the city for better international financial services and boost economic opportunities in the metropolis. However, the plan has never moved beyond the discussion stage.

Of late though, it has acquired momentum following the release of a Union ministry of finance report, which looked at the framework needed to be put in place for Mumbai to be promoted as an global destination for commerce.

Secretary for special projects in the city, Sanjay Ubale, admitted that government was keen on going ahead with the project. FM P Chidambaram's visit to the city later this month is expected to give the project a further boost.

The model being considered for the plan is the Hong Kong International Financial Centre complex which has two tall buildings housing such a centre.

Officials said the Hong Kong IFC has "a signature building" which is the tallest in the territory and the fourth tallest in the world with 88 storeys.

[ferrari_fan]

awesome!!

great updates, very informative and easy to follow even for us non-Mumbaikars..

great to see Mumbai really hitting the big leagues finally!!

[VaastuShastra]

Comments?

I hope they go higher than HK

[GJ10]

Originally Posted by Jai

- This modeling business implies that surely there will be a signature tower, most likely a supertall. I'm guessing that at least a major mall would be built as well (pure speculation.) If it is modeled on the HK IFC, perhaps a complementary building (a Two IFC) will also be built? From this view, possibly a cluster of Trade Centre buildings will be built.

[Downer]

Im not sure if thats the most obvious assumption to make, if the IFC is "modelled" on cluster of approx 90, 40, 40, to me, that could also just as easily mean that this one will be 45, 20, 20...

Theres like one line in the article where they talk about HK IFC being a signature building, but thats really about it. I hope its a supertall, but Im not going to get my hopes up before theres any official height info, I mean, this is the same city where a few blocks of 20storeys = Manhattan!

[/Downer]

[itsmevishal2k4]

this is good news

lets keep our fingers crossed

[itsmevishal2k4]

good news

[arijeetb]

Awesome

I would think if we have two twin towers of same height ( 50-60 floors) and all glass it would be fantastic....

Regarding the design I particularly liked "1 Canada Square" - in London's Fin district , Canary wharf that has a sloping roof like structure at the top compared to HK...