[Euromast]

Spice Mobile to start manufacturing unit;will invest Rs 100 cr

NEW DELHI: Handset maker Spice Mobile today said it will start a manufacturing unit for mobile devices in the country by next year with an initial
investment of Rs 100 crore.

"We already have a facility in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh where we manufacture other devices. We will extend the existing facility and start manufacturing mobile handsets from March 2010. Initially, the company has earmarked an investment of Rs 100 crore for the purpose," Spice Mobiles National Marketing Head Payal Gaba told news agency.

The B K Modi Group-owned company, is looking at manufacturing two million units a month once the facility starts operation in March.

The company which claims to be the third largest handset maker in India after Nokia and Samsung, is currently, manufacturing the devices in China

.

 

[India101]

Good to hear Shimla is staying green

Over 5,000 deodar saplings planted in Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh government planted 5,009 saplings in Shimla town last year, Forest Minister J.P. Nadda said here Tuesday.

'As many as 5,009 saplings of deodar were planted in 2009 in Shimla. Of these, 62 percent of the saplings have survived,' Nadda said in a statement in the assembly.

The state government Aug 8, 2009 launched the 'Revival of the deodar afforestation project'. As part of the project, the saplings of deodars were planted in various parts of the town.

The natural beauty of the town, the erstwhile summer capital, is known for deodar groves that were planted over a century ago. However, many of them have fallen in the past few decades.

 

[gentem]

Chamba Bhaderwah road construction begins.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/18/stories/2007061801151400.htm
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2010/20100429/j&k.htm#5

At present a 50 km stretch of the Bhaderwah-Chamba road is traffic worthy till village Thanalla which is situated 22 km from Bhaderwah town. Thereafter the road is closed to traffic because of landslides caused by rains.

 

[gentem]

http://www.himvani.com/news/2010/04/17/sach-pass-to-be-declared-open-by-april-end/4792/

Sach pass to be declared open by April end

HimVani

Chanba: The 14,500-feet Sach pass road in Chamba district is expected to be declared open by April end this year, at least two months ahead of the normal scheduled time. Officials claimed this year there has been less snowfall and therefore early opening of the pass.

The pass connects Pathankot and Chamba to Keylong and Leh.

 

[kp.muthu99]

shimla has such a natural beauty , but unfortunately its city's people who destroyed to a great extent , else it can be like any hilly station of europe , neat chean and no polluting vehicles , some sort of electric transportation
good they are planting trees but they have to do in mass scale

Good to hear Shimla is staying green

Over 5,000 deodar saplings planted in Shimla

 

[gentem]

Azad Stresses on added efforts to make Bhaderwah a vast tourist hub,Jammu Press boycotts
by Vijay Kumar June 16, 2010
http://www.groundreport.com/Media_a...n-added-efforts-to-make-Bhaderwah-a_2/2924864

Bhaderwah/Jammu,June 16 (Scoop News) - Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad, today said that Bhaderwah has marched tremendously towards progress and prosperity during last few years thus occupying a significant place in national tourist map but still a lot needs to be done to make this place the most liked tourist hub of the country.

Referring to road connectivity of Bhaderwah with different parts of the District and neighboring state Himachal Pardesh, he said that with the upgradation and augmentation of Bhaderwah-Chamba and Bhaderwah– Bani–Basohli road, an alternate road connectivity, will certainly help in giving a fillip to tourism, trade and people to people contact. With the completion of these road projects the local made products and other items will get huge exposure in other parts of the country.

Basohli is in Kathua district near Jammu in J&K, Chamba is in Himachal pradesh..

 

[gentem]

Sonia lays foundation of Rohtang tunnel near Manali

Kanwar Yogendra

Envisaged by Rajiv Gandhi; Vajpayee opened approach road

Idea was created in 1983; construction received an impetus after Kargil conflict

Meant to be all-weather alternative strategic route to Ladakh from Manali in Himachal Pradesh

— Photo: PTI

STRATEGIC ROUTE: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi with Union Steel Minister Vir Bhadra Singh (right) and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal during the foundation-laying ceremony of the Rohtang Pass Tunnel at South Portal in Solang Valley, Himachal Pradesh, on Monday.

SHIMLA: UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is also heading the National Advisory Council, on Monday laid the foundation of the 8.8-km-long Rohtang tunnel at Dhundi near the famous tourist resort of Manali.

While addressing a public gathering at Solang Nallah later, Ms. Gandhi said the idea of the tunnel was conceived by late Rajiv Gandhi and even the former Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during his regime, inaugurated the approach road to the tunnel site from the South Portal.

Praising the efforts of Border Roads Organisation in constructing the tunnel, she said the tunnel would provide all-weather connectivity for the civilians and armed forces personnel and an alternative link to the residents living on the border areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal, Defence Minister A. K. Antony, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju, Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh and Leader of the Opposition in the Himachal Assembly, Vidya Stokes, were also present on the occasion.

The idea of constructing a tunnel beneath the Rohtang Pass at 13,000 feet was envisaged in 1983 and its construction received an impetus after the Kargil conflict.

It was to be made as an all-weather alternative strategic route to Ladakh from Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

Avalanche protection

On May 26, 2002, after the detailed feasibility study in 1987, Mr. Vajpayee laid the foundation of the access road to the tunnel costing Rs.180 crore and the access road to south portal tunnel site was completed in 2005.

About 18 avalanche protection structures have been erected on it.

By 2015

The Cabinet Committee on Security cleared the tunnel project in September 2009 at a cost of about Rs.1,495 crore.

The tunnelling would be completed in 2015 and that would reduce the distance between Manali and Keylong by at least 48 km, said the BRO sources.

High altitude

More than six to seven feet of snow is reported from the high altitude (13,044 ft.) Rohtang Pass during winter and it remains closed for six to eight months.

Another tunnel

The BRO is also studying the feasibility of constructing a tunnel beneath the Shinkula Pass (15,920 ft.).

It has to conduct a feasibility study for construction of a tunnel beneath this pass that would reduce the present distance of 470 km between Manali and Leh by 100 km, they said.

http://www.hindu.com/2010/06/29/stories/2010062963502200.htm

 

[gentem]

Work resumed on Bhaderwah Chamba inter-state Road after 20 years
10 July 2010 05:11:12 PM by ANI ( Comments )

Bhaderwah July 10(ANI): The Bhaderwah-Chamba road project has been sanctioned under Inter-State Connectivity program at a cost of Rs. 73.33 crores.

The total length of road is 145 Km and the road upto 22Km has been opened to traffic. This road was motor able for vehicles up to 1986, but due to the militancy the road has been abandoned.

Construction and widening of the 42-km-long Bhaderwah- Chamba road which had been hanging fire for the past three years has started and this will facilitate connectivity between this part of the state and Himachal Pradesh for the promotion of tourism.

“We have been dreaming since our childhood that this project will be completed one day and will further improve the economic condition of Bhaderwah and will connect Bhaderwah to rest of the country and will open the road for tourism in the state,” said Jawed Ahmed

The upgradation and augmentation of Bhaderwah-Chamba project is alternate road connectivity, which will connect India with Kashmir Valley.

The completion of the project will certainly help in giving a fillip to tourism, trade and people to people contact. There by strengthening the local economy. It will improve the primitive culture, lifestyle and tradition of the mountainous valley Bhaderwah. It will also increase the potential of pilgrim tourism of the Bhaderwah which is known for Machail Yatra, Mani Mahesh Yatra etc.

The step taken by government of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the completion and widening of this road is

Imtiaz-ur Rehman said: “Jammu and Kashmir Government has resumed work of widening of this road and reopening of this road is a major achievement for us. Our culture and climate resembles that of Himachal Pradesh and we feel connected to the state.”

Completion of Bhaderwah Chambha road will help in diverting the tourists to different small tourist destinations in Bhaderwah and adjoining areas. The local made products and other items will get huge exposure in other parts of the country. It will strengthen the employment opportunities in the region.

“The work on this project is going on with full pace and you will see that the whole machinery is installed there. It has the potential to complete the width of Four Kms in one month. We have acquired the land for the width of sixty feet out of which thirty three feet width will be the actual road the mechanized road.” Said Farooq Khan DC Doda

The project will exploit the potential of Bhaderwah as transition between Kashmir valley and Himachal Pradesh thereby increasing the inflow of tourists in the state and escalating the economy of the state.

(ANI)
http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal...nter-state-road-after-20-years_100393680.html

 

[anujkb]

About the railway in himachal pradesh:

It is a mountainous area so building of railway line is not that easy.
Although the rocks here arent as bad as J&K, they are sedimentary (slate, layers of 10-15 cm thk on each other).

Making the Pathankot-Kangra broad guage is possible. but Kangra onwards the terrain is different. Things change after Mandi and rail line is difficult. Mandi-Bhunter-Kullu the job is similar to Konkan railways, with more tunnels and bridges than flat land.
Kullu onwards it seems almost impossible to Manali.

Had they planned Rohtang tunnel of sufficient width earlier, then it could have accomodated the rail line, too. beyond manali. This would mean entry of railways in Lahaul-spiti dist. I personally feel terrain is too difficult after even Sissu (thats some 30 km from rohtang pass, the place where the tunnel may end. Chalo kaise bhi mar-mar ke rail Jispa tak layi. (still better, will connect dist HQ of Keylong too). Now how on earth wil they cross the baralachala (origin of chenab river- or chandrabhaga river??

They must need a tunnel (that too a gradient-included) to cross this one,from zingzingba to Khoksar. and refering to google earth, this one would be huge, huge, as long as 27 kms.

Suppose we do this one, too. We would enter into J&K, by crossing Sarchu. Things are quite simple at sarchu due to its rolling terrain. Just that we need a huge bridge to cross that gorge (some 70-80 m high).

WOrse is Lachungla- of snow-bound pass, peaks, and consider a rail tunnel here, too. My estimate comes to ~ 12 km tunnel here.

ONce we cross this tunnel, things are very easy. Just a high gradient line of around 60 km to cross the moore plains to bring us to the foothills of tanglangla- The MOST DREADLIEST of all the passes. I just cant comment on what the hell infra we need to traverse this one.

The descent from Tanglangla would be also the most difficult one. The rocks on the descent are too young and unstable. The next stop would be i think Upshi itself. A branch line can be made upto Sakti (towards Pangong lake).

The route from Leh to Upshi would be the most demanding one and superhit amongst the people there.

Overall, starting from Leh, we would have these stations:

1. DALAI LAMA TERMINUS, LEH (km appx 0.00)
2. choglamshahr (5)
3. sindhughat (7)
4. Shey (15)
5. Thicksey (22)
6. Ranbirpora (27)
7. Chang-Karu (37)
8. Upshi-Junction (55)
9. Rumtse (63)
10. Tanglangla (85)
11. Debring (100)
12. PANG (140)
13. Lachalungla (170)
14. SARCHU (195)
15. baralachala (230)
16. Dharcha (255)
17. Jispa (270)
18. KEYLONG town (284)
19. Tandi (290)
20. Sissu (305)
21. Rohtang-halt (320)
22. MANALI (355)
23. Naggar (375)
24. KULLU (390)
25. Bhunter (405)
26. Aut (415)
27. Pandoh (435)
28. MANDI JN (450)
29. Paddar (460)
30. JOGINDERNAGAR. (480)

For me it works out to be a 480 km line climbing a mind boggling 11000 feet from Jogindernagar to Tanglangla.
30. JOGINDERNAGAR

 

[SSCaddict]

Return of excise sops may revive Himachal’s industrial drive

With the Centre partially restoring excise concessions for its industrial units, Himachal Pradesh can not only expect capacity addition at its existing plants but also new big-ticket investments. The state is particularly keen to finalise two big proposals: a Rs 250-crore manufacturing project by Nestle India and another automobile project by Hero Honda.

These projects are in addition to the investment of nearly Rs 300 crore recently cleared by himachal’s Single Widow Clearance and Monitoring Authority. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal is chairperson of the authority that approves new projects and grants clearances for mega projects.

The government has already signed an agreement with Nestle to set up its unit at Talewal in Una district, which will be one of the biggest industrial proposals finalised after the premature withdrawal of the 10-year special package on March 31, 2010 ¿ three years short of its proposed ending.

Additional Chief Secretary (Industry) Harinder Hira told The Indian Express, “Nestle has already selected the land and will soon start setting up the unit. Next on the government’s list is Hero Honda, which had been weighing its options in Himachal Pradesh for the last few years. Now, they have conveyed to us some positive signs and search for land on Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh road is already on”.

Officials in the Industries Department said in case the government is able to clinch the deal with the automobile giant, it will land an investment of Rs 2,300 to 2,500 crore, which also includes their ancillary units.

To step up the state’s industrial drive, which slowed down after withdrawal of the central excise incentives, the government has already drawn up a new strategy. It claims it has invested in creating infrastructure in the industrial belt, which was lacking during the package period. This also includes upgradation of power availability, roads and other amenities.

“Next, the government proposes to hard-sell its industrial potential in a series of roadshows proposed for metropolitan cities, including Mumbai and Chennai, in January-February 2011. There is also going to be an investors’ meet in Shimla wherein all departments, including Tourism, Horticulture, Agro-processing, besides Industries, will join hands to extend a red carpet welcome to investors,” said the additional chief secretary (industry).

source

 

[truckin]

It claims it has invested in creating infrastructure in the industrial belt,

Trust me, they have made the whole beautiful belt into a living hellhole with mis management. There is no zoning for industries to be set up. You come and set a pharma unit wall next to a housing colony. Only 2 lane rad, which is non-existent in monsoons, and power is good because HP is surplus in power. Even that is looking bleak now. "Invested in creating infrastructure" bloody liars!

 

[SSCaddict]

L&T gets hydropower project in Himachal

SHIMLA: Corporate giant Larsen and Toubro (L&T) has been allotted a hydropower project that was earlier granted to Moserbaer Projects Ltd in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, an official said here Friday.

"The cabinet yesterday (Thursday) decided to re-allot the 420 MW Reoli Dugli hydropower project to L&T as Moserbaer had failed to meet its financial commitments," officiating Principal Secretary (Power) Ajay Tyagi told IANS.

He said L&T has agreed to pay the highest bid as offered by the previous company.

The government last year had cancelled the allotment of the project after Moserbaer failed to deposit the upfront premium of Rs.80 crore with the government.

Moserbaer, known for its optical media products such as compact discs (CDs), is currently executing four other hydro projects in the state. These are Seli (320 MW), Teling (69 MW), Miyar (90 MW) and Sach Khas (149 MW).

Himachal Pradesh has abundant water resources with a power potential of about 23,000 MW. About 6,480 MW have been harnessed till now by the central and state governments, private players and joint venture companies.

In the coming fiscal, the state government proposes to add more than 600 MW with the commissioning of Allain Duhangan, Malana II, Budhil, Chamera III and some other small projects.

source

 

[vlakshmi_n]

Ropeway opened in Himachal's Solang Valley

To make snowy peaks of Himachal Pradesh more easily accessible to tourists, a multi-million ropeway-cum-ski project at the picturesque Solang Valley near here was inaugurated by Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal Sunday.

It was the first such project in the state to promote skiing. Set up with an investment of Rs.36 crore, the project is a joint initiative between the state tourism department and a private company Ski Himalayas Ropeway Pvt Ltd, a government spokesperson told IANS. It was commissioned under build, own, operate, transfer (BOOT) basis by the government. Dhumal said the skiing project would boost tourism potential in the area. "It would also attract more skiers to the Solang slopes from across the globe. The government would also develop infrastructure in the area." The Solang slopes, 13 km from here, in Kullu district are known across the globe for skiing. The Slopes offer challenging run to both beginners and advanced skiers and are of international standards. The ropeway project is a state-of-the-art gondola system built with European technology. It caters to the needs of the tourists both during the summer and winter.

"During summers, the tourists would take a ride to the ridge of Mount Phatru at an elevation of 3,200 m (10,000 ft)," company's joint managing director Amitabh Sharma told reporters. He said the gondolas have special provision to carry skies to the top terminal to enable them to increase the ski run by at least three km. Manali's Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports is regularly conducting skiing courses on Solang slopes. With good snowfall this winter, the slopes have been crowded with fun-filled skiing sessions. The slopes have more than two feet of snow. The Winter Games Federation of India last year allowed the Himachal Pradesh Winter Games Association to hold the National Senior Alpine Skiing Championship. Himachal Pradesh attracted 13 million tourists last year as compared to 11 million in 2009, registering an increase of over 16 percent in a year. Kullu and Manali are the hotspots for tourists, followed by Shimla and Dharamsala.

 

[Ak_hmr]

This is my first post:banana:

 

[World8115]

Welcome to SSC India :wave:

 

[SSCaddict]

Government to set up two hydropower engineering colleges in Himachal

Dharamshala: Himachal Pradesh government would set up two hydropower engineering colleges in Shimla and Bilaspur districts to meet the growing requirement of engineers in the hydropower projects.
This was disclosed by Irrigation and Public Health minister Ravinder Singh Ravi while addressing at the annual function of Government Degree College at Dhaliara yesterday. He said the twin hydropower engineering colleges would be set up with the help of NHPC, SJVNL and NTPC. These colleges would also provide opportunities to youths of the state to shape their future within the state, he added.

source

 

[SSCaddict]

R-Power bags 5 hydel projects in Himachal

Reliance Power has entered Himachal Pradeshs lucrative hydro-electric sector by securing five of the 18 projects through global bids, official sources said.

Reliance has been awarded 300-Mw Purthi project, 94-Mw Teling, 44-Mw Shangling, 130-Mw Sumte Kothang and 104-Mw Lara Sumta.

After failing to get the twin projects of Jhangi-Thopan-Powari in 2006, Reliance fought a legal battle with a Dutch company, Brakel Corporation.

Like Reliance, the Tatas have also entered the hill states power sector for the first time by bagging the 236-Mw Dugar project, which will be built by Tata-SN Power. Larsen & Toubro and GVK Energy failed to bag any project.

Capital Consortium Ltd, New Delhi, has won the bid for the 9-Mw Cho Tundah, 9-Mw Tanger. BMD Pvt Ltd, Rajasthan, has secured 12-Mw Dhanchho and 30-Mw Malana-III. ABG Shipyard secured 130-Mw Rashil and 104-Mw Tandi.

Others who won projects are AMR Mitra Hyderabad Tinget (81 Mw), Bell Spun Energy Suil (13 Mw), Puri Oil Mills Kilhi Bahl (7.5 Mw), Green Infrastructure Jorbie (12 Mw) and BLA Industries Nesang (10 Mw).

Seventeen projects with an aggregate capacity of over 1,325 Mw were allotted on Thursday. There were 63 bids in all. The Potam project bid was not alloted as there was only one bidder for this project.

This time, the hydel projects were alloted on the basis of free power offered to the state government above the mandatory 13 per cent for 12 years, 19 per cent for 12 to 30 years and 31 per cent for 30 to 40 years, officials said.

 

[truckin]

Ropeway opened in Himachal's Solang Valley

Starting point:

CP: Munish Rana

Ending point:

DSC_0888 by Santanu Karar, on Flickr
By Shantanu Karar on Flickr

 

[World8115]

:cheers:

 

[Ak_hmr]

Quote: