Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand - Projects and Development

[uno.piyush]

m_1973

What is the status of these proposed IT Parks ? The ones on Kanpur Road and Sultanpur Road. Am really hoping that these come up. UP is in dire need of such economy boosters.

[IndiansUnite]

International airport now at Mathura

Lucknow, May 21, 2012, DHNS :
After scrapping the previous Mayawati government’s decision to set-up an international airport at Jewar in Greater Noida, the SP government has decided to build it at Mathura, about 120 kilometre from Delhi.

According to sources here, the district administration in Mathura has identified the land on which the airport could come up. Sources said a proposal on this has been sent to the government for consideration.

Soon after assuming office, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had grounded the ambitious Jewar airport proposal mooted by the Mayawati regime. The new regime had asked the civil aviation department to identify land for the airport in Agra or Mathura.

Sources said that the Akhilesh regime felt that an airport at Mathura would be far more suitable for the large number of foreigners flocking the Taj city of Agra as well as the religious town of Mathura. The proposal could get full support of the union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh also as his son Jayant Chaudhary was member of Lok Sabha from Mathura.

Given the cordial relations between the SP regime and the Congress-led UPA government, the officials now feel that the proposal will finally get the necessary clearance. The airport could also give a major fillip to the tourism sector in the state, they say.

[m_1973]

As of now govt is working on new IT policy with lot of incentive to attract companies. I saw news report that initial draft is ready and govt has asked people/industry to give feedback.

Kanpur road 25acre proposal it seems managed to get 63 applicants. Govt is currently evaluating the proposals.

For sultanpur land I am sure govt will try to find some company to build the IT park. Few years back govt asked DLF to build the park and initially they showed the interest but later backed out. Ansal has land and is ready to construct the IT park in sushant golf city but still they do not have any commitment from any company. So I think new IT policy has to provide lot of incentives to attract IT companies.

We have to wait for few more months to see any development.

Originally Posted by uno.piyush

m_1973

What is the status of these proposed IT Parks ? The ones on Kanpur Road and Sultanpur Road. Am really hoping that these come up. UP is in dire need of such economy boosters.

[m_1973]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/cn...-in-up/952796/

The Compressed Natural Gas and Piped Natural Gas network would be expanded to around 21 districts of eastern and western UP in a phased manner. As of now, the route for the network is proposed to start from Mirzapur in eastern UP till Saharanpur and Gautam Budh Nagar in western UP.

Chairman of Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board of India S Krishnan held a detailed discussion with Chief Secretary Jawed Usmani in this regard in Lucknow on Tuesday.

Krishnan also discussed the details of the city gas projects with Industrial Development Commissioner Anil Kumar Gupta.

“While we have prepared our proposed route to cover cities like Mirzapur, Varanasi, Jaunpur, Mau, Barabanki, Unnao, Shahjahanpur, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, etc., the regulatory board too would propose its own plan,” said Gupta.

At present, 11 cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Firozabad, Meerut, NOIDA, Greater NOIDA, Ghaziabad, Moradabad, Agra, Mathura and Khurja, have city gas distribution network.

Sources said meetings with officials of GAIL and Indian Oil Ltd have already taken place and Krishnan would be soon meeting Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.

“Creating a gas network in a plain area like UP is a profitable venture for any company. There is already Green Gas Ltd, which is a joint venture of GAIL and Indian Oil, which is supplying compressed gas in Lucknow and Agra. Then Indraprastha Gas Ltd, a subsidiary of ONGC, has network in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad. Whereas Central UP Gas Ltd has network in cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, etc.,” informed a senior officer.

Petroleum and natural gas regulatory board is the central regulatory body that is empowered to authorise setting up of city gas distribution networks across the country. It regulates storage, transportation, distribution, marketing and sale of petroleum and natural gas.

“The final selection of the company for distribution is done on the basis of auction and that is how it would be done,” informed Gupta.

[uno.piyush]

Originally Posted by m_1973

. Ansal has land and is ready to construct the IT park in sushant golf city but still they do not have any commitment from any company. So I think new IT policy has to provide lot of incentives to attract IT companies.

Thanks for the update. But wasn't the Sultanpur Road 'IT City' supposed to be built on Gajaria Farms which is owned by the state government.

[m_1973]

yes thats correct. Land is owned by govt but question is who is going to build the IT park. As far as understand govt will invite some company to do the construction and also ask it to own the park. State govt most probably wont spend any money from its budget besides providing the infrastructure required (roads, land, electricity etc. )

copy of draft of IT policy
http://udyogbandhu.com/DataFiles/CMS..._IT_Policy.pdf

Originally Posted by uno.piyush

Thanks for the update. But wasn't the Sultanpur Road 'IT City' supposed to be built on Gajaria Farms which is owned by the state government.

[m_1973]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/st...se-ii/953252/0


Focusing on the reduction of infant and neo-natal mortality in the second phase of the National Rural Health Mission, the state government is planning to introduce a new programme for children between 2 and 14 years of age.

The programme is being included in the NRHM’s Project Implementation Plan (PIP) by the state government on the recommendation of the Government of India.

Officials of the state NRHM unit met Government of India officials last week to discuss the first draft of the state PIP and recommendations for the programme for children came up at the meeting, said Mukesh Meshram, Mission Director, NRHM.

The programme will be an extension of the Saloni Swasthya Yojana, which targets adolescent girls and is already implemented in the state under NRHM. In the new programme, boys and girls of age group 2-14 will be targeted and the health department will work with related departments to ensure health benefits to these children. The programme will include children at brick kilns and construction sites.

The three focus areas of the programme will include identification of disabilities, deficiencies and diseases among these children. Each child will have a health card made and appropriate treatment will be provided to them depending on the diagnosis. For rehabilitation of disabilities, the health department will enlist the disability department, said Meshram. At the grassroot level, the gram pradhans, Asha workers, Anganwadi workers as well as ANMs will be implementing the programme.

A total of 1,000 basic ambulances are proposed to be procured for this programme. A dedicated health team, including a doctor, paramedical staff and a driver, will be deployed in all 823 blocks. The teams will be given one ambulance each and will visit villages in their block on roster basis.

Once the Emergency Medical Transport Services are implemented, the department will link the programme to the 108 emergency services, Meshram said.

To cut down neo-natal and infant mortality, the government is opening 21 sick newborn care units in district hospitals, apart from seven such units already functional. These units have ventilator facilities for neonates. A total of 850 centres across the state will also have a newborn care corner, which includes a baby warmer, an oxygen hood and suction machine for neonates. Fifty-four newborn stabilisation units are also proposed in First Referral Units (FRU) which will have phototherapy machines in addition to equipment available in newborn corners.

The government has decided to give Ashas an incentive of Rs 200 per case to bring infants delivered at home to hospitals, said Meshram.

To bring down maternal mortality rate, another change in the PIP suggested by the Government of India is the implementation of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK) to all the 141 FRUs as well as 841 24x7 CHCs and PHCs in the state. The JSSK provides free medicines and consumables, food up to Rs 100 per day and drop-back facilities to pregnant ladies who come for institutional delivery.

The state NRHM will start a toll-free number to address complaints regarding JSSK and Janani Suraksha Yojana, said Meshram.

[m_1973]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ro...ghways/953769/


The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to start an emergency ambulance service on highways to minimise road accident-related deaths.

The health department has been made the nodal department for arrangement of ambulances and their maintenance. Instructions were issued by state chief secretary Jawed Usmani in this regard on Thursday.

These ambulances will be connected through a toll-free and a control-room. Equipped with paramedical staff, the service will be available round-the-clock, with staff members working in three shifts.

For better operation of the service, a committee will be formed in every district under the district magistrate, with senior officials of police, health, transport and public works departments. Apart from ambulances, cranes will also be arranged at selected spots along the highways for rescue operations.

[m_1973]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/ba...irport/953768/

The Mathura district administration has identified the land for the proposed international airport that the Akhilesh Yadav government wants to set up near Agra.

In a report sent to the government today, it proposed the area around Baldeo village, which falls on the Yamuna Expressway between Agra and Mathura districts.

Baldeo is 25 km from Agra, 20 km from Mathura city, 130 km from Greater Noida and about 20 km from National Highway 2, which connects Delhi and Agra.

The report says that about 300 acres can easily be made available for the airport in the region. In fact, about 250 acres is already available with the government. It consists of land owned by the gram sabha and various government departments, including irrigation.

The administration had considered Mant area, from where Jayant Chaudhary, son of Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh, had contested the Assembly election. But, in a survey, it was found that the area is densely populated and land acquisition could be problematic.

Baldeo village has religious significance — it is regarded as the birthplace of Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, and has a popular temple.

An official said, “While a large chunk of land is available with the government, acquiring the remaining land should not be a problem as most of it is single-crop land. In its manifesto, the SP had promised to avoid acquisition of double-crop land. Also, the area is strategically located between two tourists spots and has good connectivity.’’

Unlike Jewar airport, where the previous Mayawati government was keen to build an international airport, this site is outside the 150-km radius of Delhi international airport.

[World8115]

Overbridges to come up at Kapra Mohal, Jaipuria railway crossings

Source: TOI

KANPUR: The city will get two rail overbridges in near future. One ROB would come up at Khapra Mohal railway crossing and the other at Jaipuria railway crossing. An ROB each is required at Jarib Chowki and Kalyanpur railway crossings. The proposed ROB parallel to existing Govind Nagar bridge has also become a need. The construction of Khapra Mohal and Jaipuria crossing ROBs would begin anytime.

Khapra Mohal crossing situated on New Delhi-Howrah line and Jaipuria crossing on Lucknow rail route often remain jammed. The road near the Khapra Mohal railway crossing is narrow. This causes trouble to the people, particularly passengers willing to cross over the other side and reach Kanpur Central.

In last four years, the city has got two new bridges, one in Cantt on the Allahabad railway crossing and the other in Shyam Nagar on Jhansi railway line.

[m_1973]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/13792523.cms


LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) has directed the chief engineers of the corporation to ensure optimal generation in state sector power plants by adopting best practices.

The officials were directed to prepare overall overhauling proposals with cost improvement analysis of all power plants to achieve the maximum generation. Besides, status of coal supply along with Renovation and Modernisation works were also reviewed by corporation's MD Dheeraj Sahu.

"Drop in power generation would not be tolerated at any cost and any instance of dereliction of duty would invite strict action," Sahu said. He held a review meeting of all chief engineers of the UPRVUNL to deliberate on the organisational and operational reforms recommended by consultants Ernst & Young.

Directions were also issued to take immediate action to ensure commercial generation from 5th unit of 250 MW Parichha and 9th unit of 250 MW Harduaganj within this month. Further, the MD instructed to take immediate action to rectify the faulty transformer of unit-1 of Anpara power plant, ensure power generation from it by June 17, 2012.

Chief secretary Jawed Usmani-led Energy Task Force on Sunday gave an 18-month extension to nine pending power projects in the state. The Memorandum of Understanding signed between the state government and the private players was due for renewal on June 10 this year. The decision follows a series of measures taken by the state government to strengthen the power situation. As a result, units that are under-construction are being nudged towards completion; efforts, government officials said, are also being made to set up new units on a priority basis.

Among the projects that have been given a green signal are two thermal power plants: one at Jawaharpur in Etah, and another long-pending proposed 660 MW plant in Harduaganj extension power project. With the Jawaharpur plant given environmental clearance, the company has now been permitted to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP) to the government. In addition, to further expand its production capacity, the government will also consider the possibility of setting up a high-capacity thermal power plant in Panki. For this, technical consultants to the government have been asked to submit a feasibility report.

The Energy Task Force (ETF) on Sunday also decided to bring two 660 MW thermal power houses of the Obra 'C' project under the UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL). The state government agreed, in principle, to give start up power to the Lalitpur-based Bajaj Hindustan power project. With this, Lalitpur's 220 KW, 90km Jhansi-Lalitpur-Lalitpur switch yard line can now begin production. Another 220 KV sub-station in Lalitpur has also been given a go ahead by the state. Speaking to TOI, infrastructure and industrial commissioner and principal secretary energy Anil Kumar Gupta said: "These decisions will now have to be ratified by the state cabinet in its next meeting.''

As a result of coal crunch in Lalitpur, electricity production at the plant is expected to rely on coal imports from neighbouring states. Although no formal requisition has been made to the state government, government sources said this was unlikely to affect power tariffs because the government would eventually purchase power from the manufacturing companies on the basis of competitive bidding.

Though the agenda for Energy Task Force's Sunday meeting also included a requisition for capital cost enhancement in the Rosa power plant, the matter, Gupta said, was not within the purview of the task force. "A decision in this regard will be taken by the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission,'' he said. The ETF also took up requests by existing manufacturers, for shifting power plants -- from Bargarh to Lalitpur, Ghazipur to Mirzapur and another project to Barabanki. The decision to shift the location of these projects will also be taken by the cabinet, Gupta said.

Following the meeting of UP Energy Task Force on Sunday, members of the All India Power Engineers Federation (AIPEF) wrote to chief minister Akhilesh Yadav demanding that the nine MoUs between the government and private manufacturing units be cancelled with immediate effect. Alleging that power tariffs would be higher if the government chose the MoU route over competitive bidding, AIPEF secretary general Shailendra Dubey said the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission statistics were proof that power tariffs through the MoU mode were at least 40% costlier.

[m_1973]

http://articles.economictimes.indiat...akhilesh-yadav


Lucknow: The Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) of Uttar Pradesh is expected to grow at a fast pace and touch 14 per cent in the current fiscal year 2012-13 according to the budget estimates presented by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday.

Yadav in his maiden budget earmarked funds for all major poll promises while relying heavily on private equity for economic growth of Uttar Pradesh. He said that the government will take all steps to raise investors confidence in the state and they see a major role being played by private investors in the growth of UP.

The budget has set aside Rs 2,721 crores for his poll winning promise of giving tablets and laptops for Class 10 and 12 passouts respectively. The figure looks inadequate given the initial estimates of an outgo of 4,500 crore for procuring these devices. Rs 1,100 crores have been allocated for doling out Unemployment Allowance of Rs 1,000/per month, another poll promise.

The budget has also set aside Rs 500 crore for farmers loan relief scheme and Rs 400 crore for payment of sugarcane arrears. Yadav said that the government would soon bring a new land acquisition scheme which would be farmer friendly.

The budget has set aside Rs 10,373 crores for modernisation and strengthing of police force with a view of streamlining law and order in the state.
Yadav said that the state's 5 year plan is being prepared and the government targets 10 per cent growth rate during the five year period.

He said that the government would promote Public-Private Partnership model in construction of roads and Rs 225 crore have been set aside for that. The 8 lane Lucknow Agra Access controlled Expressway and 4 lane Northern Peripheral Road in Gaziabad would be built through the PPP mode. He said that to speed up industrial growth a new policy is being prepared to promote investments. The budget targets setting up of 50,00 new small scale industrial units.

Provision of Rs 23,591 crores have been made for development of basic infrastructure like roads, bridges, irrigation and energy which is an increase of 7 per cent as compared to last fiscal. Yadav said that a major thrust would be given to the solar energy sector and Rs 100 crores have been budgeted for the purpose. Rs 100 crore have been set aside for battery, solar operated rickshaws another poll promise. An NRI Cell will be set up for addressing grievances of UPites settled abroad.

Rs 5,432 crores have been earmarked for agriculture and related fields while Rs 33,263 crores will go towards education sector and Rs 14,950 crores towards social welfare schemes and Rs 8,225 crores for power department. Of this Rs 4,040 crores is for subsidising the State Power Corporation for providing cheap electricity to the people.

The budget size for 2012-13 has been increased by 18 per cent as compared to last fiscal and pegged at 2,00,110 crores for 2012-13.

The government expects to raise 62,057 crores from state taxes which is 22 per cent more than last fiscal. Total receipts are estimated at Rs 1,94,327 crores which includes Rs 1,58,847 crores by way of revenue receipts including and Rs 35,479 crores by way of capital receipts. The revenue receipts figure comprise of Rs 59,528 crores as states share of central taxes. A revenue surplus of Rs 5,884 crores is estimated in 2012-13.

[m_1973]

http://udyogbandhu.com/topics.aspx?mid=Tourism


The Government of Uttar Pradesh has decided to develop Passenger Ropeways at the following three places through Public Private Partnership mode as an added attraction to the tourists :

Radha Rani Temple (Ladlee ji Temple) in Barsana, Mathura in Braj Region
From Ashtabhuja to Kalikhoh in Mirzapur in Vindhyachal Region
Devangana in Chitrakut in Buldelkhand Region


- Date of submission of bids was fixed 28.05.2012

- Four bids received till 28.05.2012, from the various bidders.

- All bidders qualify the technically eligibility criteria for opening the financial bids.

- Financial bids opened on 29.05.2012.

- The Consultant is required to carry out the entire bidding process management for selection of developer and also to carry out the preliminary assessment of social and environment impact assessment etc.

[m_1973]

http://information.up.nic.in/View_engnews.aspx?id=15

Almost all policies looks to old one except distribution of laptop and unemployment allowance. Akhilesh has renamed all policies which came up under Maya but good thing is he is continuing with almost all.
-------------------------------

Decision to give unemployment allowance at the rate of Rs. 1000
per month. Budgetary provision of Rs. 1,100 crore for this
purpose.
• Provision of Rs. 2,721.24 crore for giving tablets and laptops to
the class 10th and 12th pass students.

• Provision of Rs. 446.35 crore to motivate girls in the state for
receiving higher education by relaunching 'Kanya Vidya Dhan'
scheme.

• Budgetary provision of Rs. 350 crore for the Kisan Accident
Insurance Scheme, the insured amount of which has been raised
from Rs. one lakh to Rs. 5 lakh.

• The state government has raised the size of the budget presented
for 2012-13 to Rs. 2,00,110.61 crore, which is the highest among
all the budgetary proposals presented so far, representing an
increase by 18 per cent as compared to the 2011-12 budget.

• Adequate arrangements for resources to meet the increased size of
the budget. This includes 22 per cent increase as compared to the
last year in the state's own tax revenue.

• Keeping in view the year 2012-13 being the first year of the 12th
five-year plan, the present budget includes 280 new schemes
worth Rs. 13,650.36 crore.

• Provision of Rs. 23,591.72 crore for development and
strengthening schemes of infrastructure facilities like roads,
bridges, irrigation and energy, which is 7 per cent more than the
last year.

• Among these schemes, Rs. 585.69 crore has been mainly
earmarked for new schemes of energy, Rs. 473.92 crore for new
schemes of Urban Development, Rs. 500 crore for accelerated
economic development, Rs. 2,489.03 crore for new schemes of constructing roads and bridges and Rs. 740.36 crore for new schemes of irrigation

Provision of Rs. 5,432.37 crore for agriculture and allied services.

• Provision of Rs. 33,263.39 crore for extension of education and
improving its quality, showing an increase of over 20 per cent
against the provision of last year.

• A provision of Rs. 7,033.86 crore has been made to bring
qualitative improvement in the field of Medical and health, which
is 21% more than the past year budget.

• Provision of Rs. 14,950.62 crore for social welfare schemes, an
increase of 14.6 per cent over the last year.

• A provision of Rs. 500 crore proposed for farmers' loan relief
scheme.

• An amount of Rs. 47.83 crore proposed for implementing 'Bhumi
Sena' scheme by reviving it.

• Provision of Rs. 400 crore for ensuring payment of sugarcane
price arrears to cane growers.

• A financial provision of Rs. 100 crore proposed for prepositioning
of 8 lakh tonnes of phosphatic fertilizer and 3 lakh
tonnes of urea fertilizer in the next Rabi season-2012-13.

• Target to distribute 15.42 lakh tonnes of fertilizers and 17.30
thousand quintals of seeds in the Kharif season. A provision of
Rs. 137.82 crore proposed for it.

[m_1973]

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/13891060.cms


State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has commissioned a 250 MW power generating unit at Harduaganj in Uttar Pradesh. With this, 6 million units of electricity will be added to the grid of the power deficit state, every day, a company statement said.

Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) had placed orders on BHEL for setting up 2 units of 250-MW each at Harduaganj, it said. While the first unit of the thermal project was commissioned by BHEL in September, 2011, the project has now been completed with the commissioning of the second unit.

BHEL is also executing contracts for another 250 MW unit at Parichha and two units of 500 MW each at Anpara for UPRVUNL. BHEL's scope of work in the Harduaganj contract envisaged manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the main plant package along with associated auxiliaries and civil works for the main plant package. The equipment for the project were supplied by BHEL's Haridwar, Trichy, Ranipet, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bhopal and Jhansi plants, while BHEL's power sector - northern region is undertaking erection and commissioning of the equipment

[Cosmicbliss]

Originally Posted by m_1973

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/...w/13891060.cms


State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has commissioned a 250 MW power generating unit at Harduaganj in Uttar Pradesh. With this, 6 million units of electricity will be added to the grid of the power deficit state, every day, a company statement said.

Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL) had placed orders on BHEL for setting up 2 units of 250-MW each at Harduaganj, it said. While the first unit of the thermal project was commissioned by BHEL in September, 2011, the project has now been completed with the commissioning of the second unit.

BHEL is also executing contracts for another 250 MW unit at Parichha and two units of 500 MW each at Anpara for UPRVUNL. BHEL's scope of work in the Harduaganj contract envisaged manufacture, supply, erection, testing and commissioning of the main plant package along with associated auxiliaries and civil works for the main plant package. The equipment for the project were supplied by BHEL's Haridwar, Trichy, Ranipet, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bhopal and Jhansi plants, while BHEL's power sector - northern region is undertaking erection and commissioning of the equipment

m1973, sorry for the absence as I was unable to come to the this thread as I was quite busy with other things. However I have been thinking about development and other issues and wanted your feedback.

These days, we see that the government is going in for PPP in almost everything. This is fine as long as the private player has capacity. However, in smaller towns, very often, at least from my limited experience, smaller contractors/companies are not that good or limited capacity or simply fronts for politicians themselves. For example, in small towns in KA there are regular reports of companies taking up work and being unable to finish or not having capacity to do that work at all. Now a big company may not take up work in a small town for a small project as the IRR will not be sufficient, so you have no option but to give contracts to smaller players. How do you ensure quality in work, in your assessment at a very local level?

Another thing which I have been curious about is that while cities are keen on Metro projects, costing thousands of crores, simple things like ensuring proper pavements which are usable go unattended. Is this because of corruption or simply the system does not care about needs of people who don't use vehicles? In many cities 40 % of people walk/cycle to work, but a basic thing like ensuring wide pavements very often is completely ignored. Here in Bangalore, on a number of roads, the pavement is simply unusable, forcing people to walk on roads. On the one hand, the government is capable of building a 100 crore flyover or a 10,000 crore but fails to ensure proper pavements which costs a fraction of that? This analogy can be applied elsewhere. In Delhi, you would notice that the Metro stations themselves are in good condition and on par with rest of the world, as you soon as you step out, there are mounds of garbage. Comparatively, it may not cost much to clear garbage but the basic things remain unaddressed while more complex things get done. Is privatisation the only way to solve things?

[m_1973]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/13979641.cms

In a bid to boost tourism, the Union ministry of civil aviation with the support of Uttar Pradesh tourism department is looking forward to connect Delhi with neighbouring cities like Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan through chopper services. And with Taj city Agra likely to get a brand new international air terminal at Dhanauli, the proposed chopper services is expected to be a hit. Officials of the state tourism department have already met the chief managing director of state-run helicopter firm Pawan Hans Helicopter Limited, Anil Srivastava. Together, they have also inspected the three proposed locations for helipads at Vrindavan.

Talking to TOI, secretary, and director general, UP Tourism, Manoj Kumar Singh said, "The helicopter firm is looking forward for help from us in terms of providing helipads. In Vrindavan, a land site, which is barely two-three kilometres away from Vrindavan temple, has been finalised. The services will begin within a month." Singh added, "As per the demand of PHHL, we are also working on providing accommodation to pilots."

As per sources in the tourism department, nearly eight lakh pilgrims can afford chopper service visit Vrindavan each year.

On asking how viable the chopper services will be when there is already an expressway that connects the national capital to Agra, Mathura and Vrindavan, Singh said, "Chopper services will benefit those who have less time but more money. Using the expressway one cannot visit Agra, Fatehpur Sikri and Vrindavan in a day, but using chopper this becomes a reality." For this, the tourism officials are also seeking a tie-up with hotels for easy accommodation of tourists.

[m_1973]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/14010168.cms


LUCKNOW: After giving 18-month extension to nine power plants proposed to be set up through the memorandum of understanding route, the deadline of which expired on Sunday, the UP government has geared up to invite bids for setting up of a 1,320 Mw power plant in Etah district's Jawaharpur area.
UP Power Corporation Limited sources said that the state government will be making arrangements for coal, land and water for the project as per the Centre's guidelines. "The bidding may be done within a couple of weeks," said chairman, UPPCL, Avanish Awasthi, while speaking to TOI on Sunday. "The process of bidding will ensure transparency," he said.

The project was recently given clearance by the energy task force headed by UP chief secretary, Jawed Usmani. UPPCL sources said that around 900 acres of land, which would also include land for reservoir with 21 days storage capacity, will be needed for the project. Around 4,220 cubic metres per hour of water will be required for the power plant proposed to be set up in two stages of 660 Mw units each. Awasthi said that while the land has been acquired for the purpose, arrangement of water will be done by the irrigation department. Sources said that the requirement of water will be met from the lower Ganga canal.

But, it is the coal crisis which has been haunting the power projects consistently. UPPCL officials, however, affirmed that the arrangement of coal will be done in this case from the Chandipara coal block in Orissa. The power plant is estimated to consume about 6.46 metric tonne of coal per annum. The project promises to be one of the important power project given the state government move to make arrangement of coal, water and land, just like it did with Anpara-C and Rosa power plants.

This is contrary to the case of projects proposed to be set up through the MoU route, in which the state government would provide land and water while the company makes arrangement of coal. Notably, the projects in the MoU route are already facing uncertainty given the shortage of coal, even though the state government moved in to give an 18-month extension to nine projects.

Interestingly, this project was also proposed around two year back during the regime of Mayawati. The state government had then issued a term of reference (TOR), though the project did not make much head way.

[InfraNerd]

As per local media reports such as Jainik Jagran and Aaj, the stone laying ceremony of 1980 (3x660) MW in Ghatampur near Kanpur will be held today. Akhilesh Yadav and Coal minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal will be present. In fact, it might have been already held at 10 AM as per schedule. The first unit is to come up in 3 years. Rest will follow shortly afterwards.

I guess this will solve a lot of power crisis problem in Kanpur, if not in all of UP.

[m_1973]

m1973, sorry for the absence as I was unable to come to the this thread as I was quite busy with other things. However I have been thinking about development and other issues and wanted your feedback.

These days, we see that the government is going in for PPP in almost everything. This is fine as long as the private player has capacity. However, in smaller towns, very often, at least from my limited experience, smaller contractors/companies are not that good or limited capacity or simply fronts for politicians themselves. For example, in small towns in KA there are regular reports of companies taking up work and being unable to finish or not having capacity to do that work at all. Now a big company may not take up work in a small town for a small project as the IRR will not be sufficient, so you have no option but to give contracts to smaller players. How do you ensure quality in work, in your assessment at a very local level?

How to answer this question its long one....touches many issues of governance. Will try to over few days in couple of post


Another thing which I have been curious about is that while cities are keen on Metro projects, costing thousands of crores, simple things like ensuring proper pavements which are usable go unattended. Is this because of corruption or simply the system does not care about needs of people who don't use vehicles? In many cities 40 % of people walk/cycle to work, but a basic thing like ensuring wide pavements very often is completely ignored. Here in Bangalore, on a number of roads, the pavement is simply unusable, forcing people to walk on roads. On the one hand, the government is capable of building a 100 crore flyover or a 10,000 crore but fails to ensure proper pavements which costs a fraction of that? This analogy can be applied elsewhere. In Delhi, you would notice that the Metro stations themselves are in good condition and on par with rest of the world, as you soon as you step out, there are mounds of garbage. Comparatively, it may not cost much to clear garbage but the basic things remain unaddressed while more complex things get done. Is privatisation the only way to solve things?

One line short answer is sensitivity and cultural issues. I do not think our society is senstive enough to take care of issue surrounding us. Besided sensitivity capability is major issue. Corruption has marginal role to play on how we live and want to live in future.
On the cultural side the lack of confidence in society that we can deliver. Confidence that what we delivered is best with or ability and meets the needs and goals is missing (How to define goal is more difficult in India as we all suffer from deep bias). We also lack both in ambition and vision and most of time suffer from poor leadership both in political and technical domain.
Answer to second part is not is private / public debate it has more to do with our pshyce. How Lucknow was transformed in last 4 years with same people in govt and private sector only tells that leadership has very imp role to play. People may or may not agree with memorials but to finish high quality work (everyhting worked out in smallest possible detail) in short span of time is rare to see in India that too mostly with Indian talent)