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Friday, August 31, 2007

In the next couple of months Glomac is launching it's 12-hectare mixed development township in Pune

On its overseas ventures,Datuk Fateh Iskandar Mohamed Mansor, Glomac Bhd group managing director said, it was still undertaking a due diligence exercise on a proposed 12-hectare mixed development township in Pune, India, which is estimated to have a gross development value of RM750 million.

“Hopefully, it (the due diligence) will be finished in the next couple of months; if everything is okay, we (?) hope to make announcement then,” he said.

Glomac posted a net profit of RM32.19 million on the back of revenue totalling RM293.26 million in FY07.

Glomac traces its corporate history back to 1988, when the two entrepreneurs and founders of the group, Tan Sri Dato' FD Mansor and Datuk Richard Fong, joined forces to start Glomac.

The company started on a modest scale with the development of Taman Jasa Utama in Selayang in 1988 and has since expanded significantly to become a group comprising more than 30 subsidiaries, with involvement in every facet of the real estate business encompassing property development, property investment, construction, and property management. Despite this seeming diversity in business activity, Glomac remains focused solely on the property industry, leveraging on its experience and expertise in the sector.

To date, Glomac has successfully completed more than 9,000 residential and commercial units with a total sales value of around RM2 billion, as well as approximately 5 million square feet of commercial space with total a sales value of about RM1billion.

Glomac Berhad was listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad on 13 June, 2000. This has propelled the Group even further in terms of its capabilities and resources. The Group now undertakes not just more projects but bigger and more ambitious ones too.theedgedaily.com

Related Story:

1. Hines and DLF Announce Joint Venture to Develop Major Office Tower Within Master-Planned, Mixed-Use Complex in Gurgaon

2. "Pune can absorb up to $2-3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment annually" Lalit Kumar Jain, president, Promoters and Builders’ Association of Pune



House of Patels’, one of India’s leading business conglomerates has launched their real estate arm – ‘Wall Street Property’ in Dubai

“We have launched Wall Street Property to aggressively pursue the vast real estate opportunities existing in the UAE and across the region. Currently we are looking at two promising markets UAE and India. Our strategy will focus on selling residential, commercial, retail and leisure projects. The launch of this new arm will take investment opportunities in real estate to a new and exciting level,” says Mr.Asgar Shakoor Patel, Chairman of the ‘House of Patels’.

The company is also tapping into the Indian property marketplace, which is also witnessing a major real estate boom. The company will be showcasing a great opportunity for the Indian community to own properties in India. The company will sell projects in major Indian cities such as Bangalore, Pune, Calcutta, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi among other key cities.albawaba.com middle east news information::House of Patels’ launches real estate arm in Dubai

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Hines and DLF Announce Joint Venture to Develop Major Office Tower Within Master-Planned, Mixed-Use Complex in Gurgaon

The New Delhi office of Hines, the international real estate firm, and DLF Ltd., India’s largest real estate company, announced today the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to form a venture to master plan and develop a site of 15 acres located on Golf Course Road in Gurgaon, India. The site is located directly across from the DLF Golf Course and its residential community known as DLF Golf Links.

Hines and DLF also announced the selection of the internationally renowned firm Robert A. M. Stern Architects, which will develop a master plan for the entire site as well as design the first phase of the complex, a major 30-story office tower of approximately 80,000 square meters (860,800 square feet) together with ground-floor retail space and a large parking garage. This is the first project in India for both Hines and Stern. Previously, the firms have collaborated on several projects in the United States, Mexico and Brazil.

In addition to the office tower, the master plan is likely to include high-end retail shops, restaurant and entertainment venues, a hotel, and landscaped exterior and interior public spaces. It may also include serviced apartments and a second office tower. The total mixed-use complex is envisioned to include approximately 235,000 square meters (2.5 million square feet) of construction.

“We are proud that our first development project in India will be in partnership with DLF,” said Daniel MacEachron, managing director of Hines India Real Estate Pvt. Ltd. “Golf Course Road is the premier address in Gurgaon. DLF, Hines and Robert Stern share a vision that this project should be the best-conceived and best-executed project in Northern India.”

“Our goal is to create a truly unique complex,” said Rajiv Singh, DLF’s vice chairman. “Through a combination of exceptional design provided by Bob Stern and his talented team, and the experience Hines brings in the conceptualization and development of major urban mixed-use projects in cities around the world, we feel we are partnering with a world-class combination of talent. When completed, this complex will be the heart of Gurgaon, commercially and as a social-gathering destination.”

“We are extremely enthusiastic to have the opportunity to enter the Indian market with the commission for such a major urban complex,” said Robert Stern.

DLF is the largest and leading real estate development company in India. DLF was established in New Delhi in 1946. In its initial years the company undertook the development of various prestigious South Delhi colonies such as South Extension and Greater Kailash. Today DLF is a major player across India, with presence in 31 cities. DLF’s projects span the entire gamut of real estate development – residential, commercial, retail, hotels, infrastructure and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) developments. With over six decades of experience in real estate, the group has over 220 million square feet of existing development and over 600 million square feet of planned projects.

DLF’s office building division is one of the group’s most admired business lines. With nearly 32 million square feet of developed buildings, as well as ongoing projects, the office sector is a significant contributor to DLF’s rapid rate of growth as an organization. The company has undertaken the development of 22 urban colonies, as well as an entire integrated 3,000-acre township, known as DLF City in Gurgaon. DLF is committed to quality, trust and customer sensitivity, as well as delivering on its promises with agility and financial prudence. In September 2006 DLF was the only real estate firm amongst the 60 businesses named Superbrands of India in the real estate category.

Robert A.M. Stern Architects is a 300-person firm of architects, landscape architects, interior designers and supporting staff. Over its 38-year history, the firm has established an international reputation as a leading design firm with wide experience in residential, commercial and institutional work. Stern is Dean of the Yale School of Architecture. As founder and Senior Partner he personally directs the design of each of the firm's projects. Other senior members of the design team who will be working on the Golf Course Road project include Graham Wyatt, partner, who has been with the firm since 1983 and Meghan McDermott, associate partner, who has been with the firm since 1997.

Hines is a privately owned real estate firm actively engaged in real estate development, investment and property management worldwide, with presence in 15 countries and offices in 96 cities across the globe. The Hines portfolio of projects underway, completed, acquired and managed, includes more than 950 properties representing approximately 380 million square feet. Total assets currently under management are valued at approximately US $16 billion.

Related Stories:

1. Hines has drawn up plans to invest up to $300 million in India over the next two-three years to develop real estate projects worth over $1 billion.

Multiple partner strategy.

50% equity stake in each project.

FDI-compliant projects in high-end office and residential spaces, mixed-use townships, IT SEZs and large format mixed-use retail, commercial and hospitality projects.

Projects in the National Capital Region, Mumbai, and Bangalore.

May be in Kolkata and Hyderabad

2. DLF, the country’s largest realty firm, is planning a new “Connaught Place” (now known as Rajiv Chowk) in Gurgaon in partnership with top American realty firm Hines

3. Pune can absorb up to $2-3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment annually...

4. Fishman sees opportunity in India Properties

5. SunCity enters India

6. Global property investment at a turning point


Take a walk with Soumik inside the Yerawada jail, Pune. I am sure you will 'see' Sanjay Dutt in every photo.


Yerawada jail, Pune, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates in the Yerawada jail, Pune is the second largest prison in the country spanning across 52 acres of land and housing more than 3000 inmates. Approximate turnover of this jail is around 5.4 crore per year.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.31AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates in the Yerawada jail, Pune makes uniforms and other garments for the police force of the state.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.31AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

An inmate walks past a board displaying garments made by the prisoners of the Yerawada jail. Inmates in the Yerawada jail, Pune makes uniforms and other garments for the police force of the state. Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.31AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Finished furniture warehouse inside the Yerawada jail. Inmates working in the carpentary workshop manufacture these furniture which are used in Government and other police establishments.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.30AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates in the Yerawada jail, makes shoes for police officers in the leather unit.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.30AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Unfinished police boots lie scattered as the inmates take a break for lunch at the leather workshop inside the Yerawada Jail, Pune.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.30AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Teakwood lies in front of the carpentary workshop inside the Yerawada jail, Pune.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.30AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Wooden furniture lies scattered as an inmate reflected in the glass, works in the carpentary workshop inside the Yerawada jail, Pune. Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.30AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates inside their workshops in the Yerawada jail.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

An inmate in the Yerawada jail, Pune works in the handloom mills inside the jail compound.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates in the Yerawada jail, Pune works in the handloom mills inside the jail compound.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

An inmate in the Yerawada jail, Pune works in the handloom mills inside the jail compound.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

An inmate in the Yerawada jail, Pune works in the handloom mills inside the jail compound.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates in the Yerawada jail, Pune works on handloom made of cycle wheel at the jail industries.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.28AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

The inmates put a dyed clothes to dry outside their workshop at the Yerawada jail, Pune.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

An inmate in the Yerawada jail, Pune shows his gloves used to pull clothes from boiling dye water.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates uses rubber gloves to pick up dyed clothes from boiling water inside the workshop.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

A prisoner working in the dyeing unit stares at the camera at the workshop of the Yerawada jail, Pune.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Prisoners share a light moment inside the Yerawada jail, Pune.
Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Yerawada jail


Yerawada jail, originally uploaded by Soumik.

Inmates take a break at the ground inside the compund of the Yerawada jail, Pune.
Approximate turnover from the industries inside the jail is around 5.4 crore per year. Filmstar Sanjay Dutt, who was recently convicted for illegal possesion of arms, has been recently shifted to this jail.

Uploaded by Soumik on 27 Aug 07, 9.29AM IST.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Why Special Economic Zone (SEZ) promoted by a real estate developer is destined to fail?

Because 75 per cent of land acquired under SEZ will be used for construction of houses, airport, trading and business houses and hospitals, SEZ looks like a golden opportunity for a real estate developer to exploit huge profits.

"But a developer of SEZ with the mindset of a real estate developer is destined to fail!" says Mr Yogesh Ashar, who has recently co-authored with Mr Kanu Doshi ‘Treatise on Special Economic Zones’. Mr Ashar and Mr Doshi, both chartered accountants, are associated with Welingkar Institute of Management, Mumbai as faculty.

D. Murali & V.R. Vinod Kumar of Business Line interacted with the authors for their views on some of the current issues relating to SEZ. Here are excerpts from their interview.

"The system as created by Special Economic Zones Act, 2005 is bound to strike back at such attempts. This concern is very legitimate. Many developers of SEZs are afflicted with real estate syndrome. But SEZ under the present regime shall have to be a business venture in infrastructure development (as against real estate venture) with its own dynamics, if it is to succeed."

If you conspire to profit by converting the world-class infrastructure within non-processing area of SEZ in to a real estate scam, the whole exercise is bound to collapse under its own weight.

The non-processing area by default is meant to serve the legitimate needs of the processing area of the SEZ. If this does not happen, the viability of the SEZ shall be defeated. And the first hit shall have to be taken by the developer himself.

The checks and balances under the law are bound to defeat such attempts and deny the benefit of concessions and tax exemptions to clever developers.

This reminds me, what Mr.Gurcharan Das has said about SEZ in his article "Tipping Point" in TOI.

"SEZs are export zones to get around the problem of our bad infrastructure.

Why do we need special zones — why not reform the whole country? It is not easy to reform in a democracy with vested interests; at our current pace, it will take 20 years to get there, and by then we shall lose another generation.

But why restrict SEZs to exports? In an open economy with low tariffs, shouldn’t domestic activity be as valuable as exports, especially when we have plenty of foreign exchange reserves?

True, but history teaches that industrial revolutions in all countries were led by exports. No country, not even China, has a large enough domestic market to shift its people rapidly from farming to industry."

God bless all Pune Real Estate developers who are venturing into infrastructure development! Jai Hind!!

Related Stories:

1.HDFC, GE Capital, Indiareit and now 'Taj Business Hotels' join hands with Paranjpe Schemes' integrated township at Hinjewadi in Pune (India)

2. 40 km from Pune, India; 1500 farmers seek SEZ status for their village

3. "Pune can absorb up to $2-3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment annually" Lalit Kumar Jain, president, Promoters and Builders’ Association of Pune

4. SEZ developers need to win farmers' trust.




California Developers Making Solar Roofing a Standard Iteam

"...The California Building Industry Association estimates that 1,500 new solar-powered houses were built last year for about 2% of total construction." A much as 5% of new construction this year is expected to have solar power as a built in feature.""...The SunPower system features 10 panels on a one-story house and 12 panels on a two-story home. It is part of Lennar's Solar Plus package, which also includes a radiant barrier in the attic to reflect heat, increased insulation, more efficient air conditoning and tighter ductwork."

read more | digg story

Saturday, August 25, 2007

Alternative & Crazy Home Construction Materials : Beer Cans, Tires & Cardboard

With the world’s energy resources being used up faster then ever and thereby creating the Global Warming effect. We as human beings should do more than we are doing to help save the environment. Some of these alternative housing methods are extremely useful to the earth, as everyday trash can be used to build an entire house, or a natural material can be used, and then recycled when the house is ready to be torn down.

read more | digg story

Friday, August 24, 2007

"Pune can absorb up to $2-3 billion in Foreign Direct Investment annually" Lalit Kumar Jain, president, Promoters and Builders’ Association of Pune

However, according to the president of PBAP, not all 400 members of his organization have the skill sets required to execute such projects, so that only 10 members have been able to attract under $1 billion investment from abroad.

Who are 'attractive' developers?

1.Runwal Housing:
“FDI is our strategy for growth: most of our growth over the next few years will be through FDI. We have ongoing talks with an overseas partner for Rs 200-crore FDI in our first large project, an integrated township at Hadapsar, which we will announce by October,” Sanjay Runwal.
2. City Group:
Future group has invested $45 million (Rs 180 crore) in City Group’s Rs 850 crore Amanora Market City, through its offshore fund Horizon Realty LLC.
3. Paranjape Schemes:
Rs 250 crore invested by the IndiaReit Offshore Fund of the Ajay Piramal group, in which the UK-based 3i is invested.
4. D S Kulkarni:
The Rs 16,000-crore proposed township-cum-SEZ project is spread over 400 acres at Fursungi, on the city’s eastern edge city and a memorandum of understanding for a Rs 1,000 crore joint venture has been signed.
5. Vascon Engineers:
Credit Suisse’s real estate investment arm has invested in a hotel-office-residential block
6. Panchshil Realty:
IREO Fund’s investment in SEZ
7. Gera Developments:
Citigroup Property Investment picking up an equal stake in a high-end housing complex.
FDI norms:the project should have a minimum size of 50,000 sq mt for a commercial project and 25 acres for a residential and a minium investment of $5 million with a three-year lock in.

Related Stories

1. Indian real estate to get $6 bn in FDI

2. Mutual funds wary about realty

3. Investing in India

4. Encroachments at Ramnadi pulled down

5. FDI: Farmers' Direct Investment

IT raids on city businessmen in July-Aug yield Rs 42 crore

THE Income Tax (IT) department’s raids at several business and residential premises in Pune, Thane, Amravati and Nagpur during the months of July and August yielded unaccounted income of around Rs 42 crore and assets worth Rs 7 crore including cash of Rs 6.5 crore, a release from the department said on Wednesday.

In Pune, raids were conducted on premises of prominent persons engaged in real estate business. However, the department did not give names of the persons. IT raids on city businessmen in July-Aug yield Rs 42 crore

Thursday, August 23, 2007

“Why are Muslims refused housing on religious grounds?”

“What if they insist on bleeding a goat in the building? I don’t want my children to see that.” fears Geeta Shukla. Despite similar incomes, education and middle-class values it’s hard for Indian Muslims to find a flat. The city has created its own lingo to keep Muslims out. There are Jain Societies with temple, so they don’t allow non-vegetarians

read more | digg story

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Pune needs more hostels

Escalation of real estate rates and the information technology boom has taken a toll on student’s accommodation in Pune. In a span of two years, the average rentals in deccan area in the city have increased by 75-80 per cent. Two years back, the average rent for a one BHK flat was Rs 4,500. Today, the average rentals have gone up to Rs 7,000!

read more | digg story

Thursday, August 16, 2007

The Times of India Pune and CDSA are teaming up for "Rich and Green Pune!"

The idea is to build a citizens forum geared towards understanding the city, its people and the problems they face so as to come up with better, more sustainable and productive solutions. Centre for Development Studies and Activities is an internationally renowned, autonomous research, training & policy making institution. Articles on every Monday.

read more | digg story

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

PMC in no hurry to take vehicle tax dues from State

THE Pune Municipal Corporation, that has mooted a plan to impose vehicle cess on citizens to decongest roads and use the funds for development work, has done precious little in the past six years to get back vehicle tax dues from the State government. This one-time tax is paid by the owner while registering a vehicle to the R.T.O.

read more | digg story

HDFC, Citigroup & GIC are set to pump $300 million into Shapoorji Pallonji

The deal—amongst the biggest private-equity plays in the Indian real estate sector—was imminent and might also involve a few more investors. It is believed that PEs could pick 15-20% stake in the recently-created holding entity of the group’s realty venture. The Mumbai-based 140-year-old construction group is developing real estate worth about $2 b

read more | digg story

"How long do you think this boom will last? Is it here to stay?" Mihir Sambhus

Mihir is not the only one who wants to know! We all have our own opinions and ideas about real estate boom in Pune. Today, on the occasion of an Independence Day let us not debate over it. Let us have a look at how we all are enjoying our freedom. "Within an hour or so, I had captured more than 50/60 banners!" writes Mihir Sambhus in his blog "Mihir's Thoughts". Thanks Mihir! Big players are now coming to our tire three city, FDI and REIT and private funds are also keen to invest in Pune. Who knows, who will rule the market tomorrow? Let us enjoy this Independence!



Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

It was not the kind of ‘independence’ Gandhiji wanted, he was in mourning.

When India rejoiced at the freedom from the Raj, bringing out rallies and processions, the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, was in Kolkata spending the first Independence Day at Hyderi Manzil, a house in Beliaghata that is now called Gandhi Bhavan. He was sad because it was not the kind of ‘independence’ he wanted.

read more | digg story

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Your neighbourhood kirana store has survived the onslaught of modern retail

At least, till now. The brunt is being borne by general stores and chemists, which have seen a decline in sales on a year-on-year basis. Independent, family-run kiranas (traditional grocers) , general stores and chemists make up India’s traditional retail universe, and still account for over 95% of the $300-billion retail sales in the country.

read more | digg story

Change road design to save the trees as was done while widening the J M Rd

Builders are supposed to be the "Enemy of the Environment". Builders destroy the hill tops, encroach the river! PMC you too? ....Following a report in 'The Times of India' on the PMC's move to cut 1,300 trees in Baner, environmentalists and civic activists, including Vivek Velankar, of Sajag Nagrik Manch, Vinod Jain (Pune Tree Watch), Tasneem Balasinorwala (Kalpavriksha) and Rajesh Shende (Akhil Law College Parisar), filed written objections to the move.

read more | digg story

Elevated Metro ideal for Pune. New Prime Location.... Boost proprety rates!

DMRC planning officer S D Sharma on Monday said the DMRC would be ready with the detailed project report (DPR) on Metro Rail routes for Pune by November, following which it would take around eight months for approvals. "Even if the work starts by August 2008, it will take around three-and-a-half years for actual execution of the project.

read more | digg story

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Space Hotel will open in 2012 - make your reservations!

"Galactic Suite," the first hotel planned in space, expects to open for business in 2012 and would allow guests to travel around the world in 80 minutes. Its Barcelona-based architects say the space hotel will be the most expensive in the galaxy, costing $4 million for a three-day stay.

read more | digg story

Saturday, August 11, 2007

World class home on my Paud Road at Pune, India. Thanks Times of India!

The Sigma One Group has zeroed in on one such secluded spot on Paud road for your dream home to give you a close-to-nature feeling without being far away from the city buzz. To give you a truly world class experience even while you are at home, the group claims to have striven hard to make everything perfect to the minute of the details.

read more | digg story

Tata Consultancy and Tata Realty sign MOU for developing properties in Pune, Nagpur, Kolkata, Hydrabad, and other cities in India

Information technology Tata Consultancy Services on Friday said Tata Realty And Infrastructure Ltd (TRIL), engaged in development of real estate and infrastructural facilities, will develop its properties.

TCS have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TRIL for developing properties for the IT company on land owned or to be owned by it.

The MoU covers eight properties located at Pune, Trivandrum, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Nagpur and Mangalore about 380 acres acquired or to be acquired by TCS, the company said in a statement to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Under the MoU, properties would be developed in a phased manner over the next few years. The buildings would be constructed and owned by TRIL (or by Special Purpose Vehicles set up by TRIL) and would be leased to TCS.

TCS and TRIL are both promoted by and subsidiaries of Tata Sons Ltd.

Related Blogs

Tatas to develop land of group companies

Tata plans to develop excess land owned by various group companies through the recently-floated $1-billion real estate fund under the Tata Realty and Infrastructure. The group believes the exercise will help it “unlock intrinsic value” for the benefit of the shareholders of its various group firms.(Real Estate Intelligence)

Tata group to set up $1 billion Indian realty and infrastructure fund

Mumbai, India, February 19, 2007 - Leading Indian industrial group Tata is to set up a new company Tata Realty & Infrastructure with a corpus of $1 billion to invest in real estate in the country:INRnews

Tatas jump into realty race...

Tata Realty and Infrastructure, which will make investments in various infrastructure and development projects. The arm is known to have modeled on the lines of Kishore Biyani, promoted Future Group’s Kshitij, says a source familiar with the plan, who did not wish to be identified.

RK Krishna Kumar, Tata Sons director is driving the initiative. Kumar has brought on board Dinesh Chandiok, the former CEO of Ansal Properties to head Tata Realty. KPMG, International Consultancy firm is also making contributions in drawing out the working strategies for the Tata’s real estate business.(Indian Realty News)

Tata Realty into "Merchant Airport"

Singapore’s Changi Airports International has started work with local partner Tata Realty and Infrastructure Ltd on its search for viable locations for "Merchant Airport".

Merchant airports are expected to allow up to 100% foreign ownership; investors could even be foreign airport companies or airlines.

Merchant airports would cater to domestic and international passenger traffic apart from meeting cargo requirements of industry and retail chains. The policy on greenfield airports allows private developers but the land is to be acquired by the state government.(Aviation India)

Tata Realty and Jafza International join hands

Jafza International is the global operations arm of Economic Zones World. Jafza International currently manages seven mega facilities in four countries and has 20 different projects at various stages of development. With the Tata partnership, the company is planning to expand its operations in India.(Real Estate India)

Tata Realty's Nashik SEZ

The Tata group may have to rework plans of setting up a special economic zone (SEZ) in Maharashtra, following the Centre’s recent policy intervention. The Tatas were on the verge of finalising its second SEZ at Sinnar near Nashik.(Nashik Real Estate)

Negotiations for funds

Sources in Tata Sons say that the group is in advanced negotiations with a clutch of financial investors like PE funds Carlyle and Warburg Pincus, who are keen to chip in as co-investors. Talks are also in the last leg with Macquarie Bank, Citigroup and a consortium of Japanese banks.(Chennai Real Estate Property)



Thursday, August 9, 2007

Pune millionaires'grows to 18,733

PUNE: With 18,733 registered millionaires in 2006-07 as compared to 12,813 the previous year and 497 units paying central excise in cash exceeding Rs 1 crore, the tax registers are ringing in the city. Last fiscal (2006-07), the zone achieved Rs 1,501.47 crore as service tax as against the target of Rs 1,620 crore,...

read more | digg story

Pune's growth rate is at par with China, annual investments Rs.10,000 cr

Pune municipal commissioner Pravinsinh Pardeshi on Tuesday recommended formation of an independent company with 51 per cent holding by private players to execute capital intensive infrastructure projects. Past experience shows that we have to think differently if we have to achieve the target and provide more infrastructure to the city,

read more | digg story

Tuesday, August 7, 2007

Encroachments at Ramnadi pulled down

Ramnadi, August 7, 2007:
Following disclosure by district collector Prabhakar Desmukh of prominent developers encroaching Ramnadi, builders and housing societies in Bavdhan and Baner themselves pulled down compound walls and cleared the debris from the river on Monday.

According to a statement issued by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC),
Kumar builders pulled down a compound wall and removed the rubble from Ramnadi
and Tejas builders pulled down temporary structures on an 80-metre area.
In Baner, the La-chappel co-op housing society pulled down a 25-metre wall,
Ujwal co-op society razed a 20-metre wall
and Hotel Mahabaleshwar on Baner road demolished 25 metres of a 90-metre compound wall.Encroachments at Ramnadi pulled down-Pune-Cities-The Times of India
Related Stories

1. "Demolish encroachments" Anil Bhosale, Leader of the House

2. Builders demand clarification...(..!..?)

3. DC releases list of Ramnadi encroachments

DLF eyeing Bangalore for a Rs 1800 cr investment

Bangalore: India's biggest real estate developer DLF, has set its sights on Bangalore. Here it will develop one of its first mid-segment residential ...

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Sunday, August 5, 2007

Pune Metropolitan Region Development Authority (PMRDA) within three months

PMRDA incorporates several municipal councils and corporations including those of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Lonavla, Talegaon, Bhor, Shirur, Saswad, the three cantonments and 100 nearby villages. Merger of PCMT & PMT, proper implementation of Bus Rapid Transit System, improvement of road conditions and formation of PMRDA is on the NCP agenda.

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WADA REHAB PLAN; 225 sq ft in return for property

The PMC has offered either the owners or tenants, depending on the agreement reached between the two, 225 sq ft of accommodation area in the heart of the city! Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) proposal to rehabilitate the residents to make way for infrastructure development projects.

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"Demolish encroachments" Anil Bhosale, Leader of the House

Ramnadi, August 5, 2007:

"The ruling Nationalist Congress Party in the PMC (Pune Municipal Corporation)
does not support any builder
and will fully support the administration in the drive.
However, I have asked Pardeshi (Pravinsinh Pardeshi, Municipal Commissioner)
to pull down the constructions and encroachments of big builders on priority,
instead of initiating action against the huts of the local farmers," Bhosale told reporters.

"The developer of the said housing scheme
has illegally constructed a mini-dam on the premises.
The two hotels have constructions that encroach on Ramnadi.
However, these three encroachments do not find a mention in the collector's list
and hence a separate inspection is needed," Bhosale said.'Demolish encroachments'-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

"No hasty action or announcement should be made under political pressure," Lalitkumar Jain, president of the Promoters and Builders Association of Pune (PBAP)

Related Story: Builders demand clarification...(..!..?)

Builders demand clarification ...(..!..?)

Ramnadi, August5, 2007:

The PBAP, (The Promoters and Builders Association of Pune),
demanded that the PMC, (Pune Municipal Corporation),
and the collectorate,(Prabhakar Deshmukh, District Collector)
issued a clarification,
after verification of course,
in all such cases
("Paranjape Developers, D.S. Kulkarni, Mantri Constructions, Kumar Builders, Avinash Bhosale’s Abhijit Constructions, Tejas Developers, and Shivshailam Developers, and others..."..?..!),
where it is established that the developers had carried out the work
as per the sanctions and approvals from various authorities. Builders demand clarification-Pune-Cities-The Times of India.

Ramnadi, August4, 2007:

"..the developers had extended their plot areas
by the filling up the river bed with rubble or soil..
Encroachments in river beds cannot be allowed
and these need to be removed..
“We will verify what maps (layouts of the projects)
were presented to us by the developers while seeking permission and what their affidavits say,” Prabhakar Deshmukh, District Collector, said.DC releases list of Ramnadi encroachments

Background:Please read:

Ramnadi, July 2007 to November 2003:

DC releases list of Ramnadi encroachments

Ramnadi, August 2007:

Detailed survey, conducted jointly by the collectorate and the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), has established that the developers had extended their plot areas by the filling up the river bed with rubble or soil.

"Encroachments in river beds cannot be allowed and these need to be removed. The law says that if a third party (flat owners) interest has been created, they (flat owners) can sue the builders by approaching the consumer forum," Prabhakar Deshmukh, District Collector, said.

“We will verify what maps were presented to us by the developers while seeking permission and what their affidavits say. If they have misrepresented the case, they will be penalized and also action will be taken against erring officers,” Deshmukh said.

"Many developers had undertaken the projects after verifying the land records and before going ahead with any action, they should be given a hearing. Also, no hasty action or announcement should be made under political pressure," Lalitkumar Jain, president of the Promoters and Builders Association of Pune (PBAP) DC releases list of Ramnadi encroachments-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

Ramnadi, July 2007:

Two dozen buildings constructed by prominent city builders stand on the Ramnadi river bed


“The layouts of these buildings were approved by the district collector and we (Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)) had no choice but to approve the building plans,” was the repeated reply given by civic officials led by development engineer S.K. Thorat.

“They have grabbed around three lakh square feet of land,” Vikas Mathkari, leader of the opposition and Corporator Ujjwal Keskar alleged.

Because of the encroachments 48 meters width of the Ramnadi is reduced to 20 meters

Elaborating on the nature of encroachments, Prabhakar Deshmukh, District Collector, said some were constructed properties while some were in the nature of land plots. "We have supplied the information to the PMC and asked the officials to identify owners of these encroachments."

"It is the civic body which prepares and approves the development plan (DP) and sends it to the state government. So there is no question of the district administration neglecting to mention the river status," the district collector said.

Major alterations were made by civic officials in the originally approved DP

1. Dereliction of duties
2. Negligence
3. Ignorance of the laws
4. The original Development Plan tampered with
5. Major alterations were made

City-based environmental organisations, including Parisar, Gomukh, Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach), Centre for Development Studies and Activities (CDSA) and Centre for Environment Education, made charges against civic officials, irrigation department officials and the revenue department in the district collectorate.

Ramnadi, March 2004:

Pune Municipal Corporation would soon embark on a project to de-silt and beautify the Pashan lake

Municipal commissioner Sanjay Kumar, Corporators Tanaji Nimhan and Ramdas Kale, elected representatives from the Pashan and Aundh, civic garden department chief Y.S. Khaire, water department chief V.G. Kulkarni and mechanical department chief Uday Biniwale participated in the meeting.

While the mechanical department has been told to deploy its machinery to de-silt the lake, the garden department is expected to transport the silt to Aundh and use the same for the beautification of the Ramnadi (river) and its banks.

The Ramnadi, once the lifeline of Aundh, has now turned into a storm-water drain. So much so that newcomers to Aundh don’t even know that the river existed there once. As the Pashan lake has been lying unattended for several years now, the water department expects to excavate a large quantity of fine silt from it.

Kumar said de-silting would increase the water storage capacity of the lake, which was once used for supplying drinking water to Pashan and surrounding areas.

Nimhan and Kale suggested that the PMC should recondition the machinery at the Pashan water purification centre. This will enable the PMC to hold more water in the lake during the monsoons and supply purified water to Pashan, Someshwarwadi, Sutarwadi, Baner, Sus, Bavdhan and Balewadi areas.

Ramnadi, November 2003:

Pune Municipal Corporation has resolved to beautify the Ramnadi, which runs through Aundh and Pashan

Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, local corporator Tanaji Nimhan said the PMC will spend Rs 2 crore on the river beautification plan, which also envisages developing a garden along the 20-km-long river bank.

President of Vanrai, Mohan Dharia, will lay the foundation stone for the project at a function to be held near the Pashan water treatment centre, off Pashan-Sutarwadi road, on November 2, Nimhan said.

The project assumes significance, considering the Ramnadi has turned into a sewage canal and garbage dump over the years. “In fact, many local residents are not even aware of the fact that a river exists in this area,” Nimhan said, adding the project would be completed within the next two years.

Saturday, August 4, 2007

ULC repeal delay favours big players

While the postponement of the bill may benefit big players who plan to purchase the ULC lands at low rates, small and medium scale builders will be left high and dry.

Small builders had pressed that till the ULC Act is repealed, individuals and developers should be at least spared the harassment of seeking ULC clearance certificates.

However, on the other hand, the ULC officials have directed local self-government bodies not to sanction the building plans for plots less than 1,000 square meters without a ULC clearance certificate. Though individuals and small builders are ready to file affidavits that the plot is not in excess under the ULC, they are being made to run from pillar to post for seeking clearance, thus paving the way for corrupt and irregular practices. ULC repeal delay favours big players-Pune-Cities-The Times of India

Related Story

Who is afraid of Urban Land Ceiling and Regulation Act?

PCMC appoints 41 information officers

Residents of the Pimpri-Chinchwad township can now expect quick responses to their applications filed under the Right To Information (RTI) Act, 2005 as the civic body has appointed 41 new information officers and an equal number of appellate officers

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Million-dollor homes in Pune, Mumbai, New Delhi in India

In Pune's upmarket Kalyani Nagar, Kumar Builders is selling its last 5,322 sq ft bungalow for Rs 4.25 crore..The Hiranandani Group is selling a premium 72-apartment building in Hiranandani Gardens at Powai, with flats ranging between 4,880 sq ft and 4,925 sq ft, at prices starting at around Rs 5 crore.

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Punj Lloyd forays into Real Estate Development, signs MoU with Ramprastha

The planning, design and construction of the residential complexes will be led by Punj Lloyd's Singapore based subsidiary, Sembawang Engineers and Constructors which has been actively involved in some of Singapore's major infrastructure and landmark real estate development projects like the Four Seasons Hotel, Singapore National Eye Center.

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Wednesday, August 1, 2007

JCB India hosts seminar on waste management

JCB India Ltd., an industry leader in construction and mining equipment, is now leading the way for solid waste management in India. Kicking off the campaign, JCB hosted in Mumbai the first of four Seminars addressing the issue, focusing on policy planning and strategy, management of municipal solid waste & treatment, solid waste management, and operable alternative methods. The seminar is an initiative of The Global Forum for Disaster Reduction (GFDR), and is organized by JCB India Ltd. and New Media. The National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) are co-organizers of the event.



Mr. Jairaj Phatak, Municipal Commissioner of Mumbai, Dr. Sharad Kale professor, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and Mr. Amit Gossain GM Marketing for JCB were keynote speakers at the first seminar, which aimed to facilitate consensus and resolve conflict among the Municipal Corporation, medical professionals, environmentalists, and public & corporate sector bodies. The objective of the series of seminars is to identify and address the barriers to the effective implementation of policies and regulations in social waste management in Asia.



Speaking in reference to the occasion, Mr. Vipin Sondhi, MD JCB India Ltd. said “Rapid urbanization and the use of non-bio degradable materials has resulted in burdening our Earth with incomprehensible tons of waste. This is not only hazardous to health, but disturbs the ecological balance enough to provoke a series of natural disasters. JCB is on the forefront of the initiative to tackle waste in more effective and innovative ways through a range of world class specially designed machines.”



Planning for urban solid waste management within the framework of sustainable development is one of the greatest challenges facing Indian business, government, and citizenry today. By championing the cause of pragmatic responsibility in managing one of development’s most volatile byproducts: solid waste, JCB India Ltd. hopes to convince both policy makers and industry partners that competent compost control is not only essential to proper growth in India, but also feasible both logistically and economically.



“Today, when all developing countries are facing issues of solid waste management, our aim should be to put to use the best possible practices to achieve sustainability. We must address this challenge at its origin, as segregation at the source is a key for proper garbage disposal,” said Dr. Sharad Kale, Professor, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, voicing his concern at the Seminar.



Seeing the importance of the subject, JCB will be hosting seminars in Kolkata, Hyderabad and Bangalore on Solid Waste Management in the near future.



JCB India Ltd.



JCB India is the largest construction equipment manufacturer in India which is part of the world renowned and legendary company J C Bamford Excavators Limited (JCB), one of the prominent players in the industry and amongst the 3 largest players in the world, producing over 275 different models, which are sold in over 150 countries. Presently, JCB has powerful machines and specialized attachments that help facilitate hauling, dumping, shredding, clearing and transferring of waste conveniently thus saving time, energy and the Earth. JCB attachments that handle waste in India includes ditch cleaning bucket, desilting submersible pump, sweeper collector, ripper tooth, jib crane, crusher, muck fork, 6 in 1 bucket etc. One out of every two construction machines sold in India is a JCB. In India, JCB owns modern manufacturing facilities at Ballabgarh in Haryana and at Pune in Maharashtra. For more information please visit www.jcbindia.com



GFDR



Global Forum for Disaster Reduction (GFDR) is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable disaster reduction through a synergy of knowledge and skills. GFDR aims to create a pool of global knowledge, experience, practices and skills for application at the local level. Hence its motto, ‘global vision local action’. GFDR’s core area of activities include providing consultancy regarding incorporation of disaster management concepts in business plans and creation of a network of professionals to provide specialized disaster information and training. For more information please visit www.gfdr.org



New Media Communication



New Media is India’s Largest Bilateral Trade Magazine Publishing House. As the publisher of twelve trans-continental business magazines, New Media’s endeavor is to promote India’s bilateral relations with the leading countries and regions across the globe, which include the US, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Latin America, CIS, Africa and the Gulf. It also brings out bimonthly publication dedicated on Disaster & Risk Management Strategies. For more information please visit www.newmediacomm.com



NSWAI



National Solid Waste Association of India (NSWAI) is the only leading professional nonprofit organization in the field of Solid Waste Management including Toxic, Hazardous Waste and Biomedical Waste in India. Government of India has identified NSWAI as one of the centers in capacity building projects of World Bank in Urban Municipal Solid Waste Management. The association is a member of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), Copenhagen, Denmark and provides a forum for exchange of information and expertise in the field of Solid Waste Management at the national and international level. For more information please visit www.nswai.co



For further information, please contact



JCB India Ltd.

BUZZ Communications Pvt. Ltd

Amit Gossain

General Manager – Marketing

Tel no. 0129-4299000

amit.gossain@jcb.com



Achal Paul

Buzz Communications Pvt. Ltd.

Mobile 0-98101 62377

Email achal@buzzcomm.inJCB India hosts seminar on waste management

ECCL initiative: waste into manure

PUNE: In order to educate and encourage citizens to convert waste generated into organic manure, Mumbai-based organization Excel Crop Care Ltd (ECCL) is promoting an organic waste management system in different parts of the city. ECCL’s Pune branch has come up with a product called ‘Madhyam’ which biodegrades waste into organic manure.

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