Ahmedabad Discussions

[boyds]

Originally Posted by aks_sky

Somebody said Ahmedabad doesnt have a nightlife?

La Tomatino, foreign performers, belly dancers, bar tenders in 31st December parties in Ahmedabad

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

[aks_sky]

Originally Posted by boyds

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.

[GJ10]

Bloomberg UTV special report on Ahmedabad.

[World8115]

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

Source: Daily Bhaskar

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.

[GJ10]

Amdavadis on the rise, book flats in "skyscrapers"

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.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

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 )

[tryindiffdrugsngirls]

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

[vadodra007]

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

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

Originally Posted by tryindiffdrugsngirls

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

True , 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...

[tryindiffdrugsngirls]

Originally Posted by gandhi.rushabh1992

True , 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...

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

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

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.

[GJ10]

Juhapura breaks barriers, sees real-estate explosion

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.

[virajdoshi]

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.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

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.

[virajdoshi]

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 ???

[virajdoshi]

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 ???

[GJ10]

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.

[kalkibhagwan]

Originally Posted by GJ10

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?? wow, so when will GIFT be completed??

[GJ10]

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.

[gandhi.rushabh1992]

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

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.