Hyderabad RealEstate News

Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh most transparent in real estate

2011-12-16T17:21:00.003+05:30

Chennai/ Hyderabad, Dec16 (TruthDive): Andhra Pradesh ranks first, while Jharkhand is the worst in transparency in matters of real estate. Andhra Pradesh (AP) is closely followed by Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, while Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are better than Jharkhand in the list prepared by the Confederation of Real Estate Association of India (CREDAI) and Jones Lang LaSalle’s Indian Real Estate Transparency Index (IRETI).

There are many factors that make Andhra the best player in the lot, says IRETI. However, almost everywhere, services related to land records and registration are perceived to be corrupt, and AP is no exception. “Starting a business takes less time, costs less and has fewer procedures in Andhra Pradesh. However, real estate services related to land records and registration are highly corrupt. Moreover, the state is yet to repeal the Rent Control Act, which keeps rents artificially low in old buildings due to which landlords refuse to renovate,” says the report.

Tamil Nadu rates highly on market information, urban reforms and property rights. But services related to records and water supplies are corrupt, according to Transparency International. Registration of property is also a cumbersome task. Increasing demographic pressure on the environment can severely affect things in the long-term.

Maharashtra has put an impressive show on some fronts like availability of market information, providing a progressive business environment and initiating reforms in urban local bodies—where it has fared best among the 20 states. However, it falls way behind in ensuring inclusive development (10th) and protection of property rights (16th). “Enforcement of contracts is difficult. Repealment of the Rent Control Act is still pending. Air pollution continues to be a concern,” says the IRETI report.

According to the CREDAI-JLL report, Gujarat, which occupies the 4th position in the list, offers the best protection of property rights and provides a better business environment than its neighbour, has performed badly in providing inclusive development (14th).

“Property markets in developing nations are largely inefficient compared with those in developed nations, primarily due to the dismal levels of transparency in the real estate ecosystem. The prime reasons for higher costs in non-transparent markets are lack of information, corruption, multiplicity or ambiguity in taxation and lengthy procedures,” the report says.

Source: http://truthdive.com/2011/12/16/tamil-nadu-andhra-pradesh-most-transparent-in-real-estate.html

Realty awaits quick solution to Telangana stalemate

2011-09-22T14:47:00.002+05:30

The renewed 'T' agitation in Hyderabad has pushed the city's realty sector into a state of limbo yet again. If the temporary shutdown of registration offices has jeopardised cash flow in to near-complete projects in the city, the transport strike has severely hit work at construction sites. Even delivery of raw materials has also been partially affected, say builders who fear that the protest, if prolonged, can cast a shadow on their sales too.
What has added to the concern of the industry is the timing of the agitation. With the festive September-October months usually considered profitable months for the sector, developers fear that the unrest could seriously impact their annual turnovers.
"Sales have anyway been slow for sometime now. If the matter does not get resolved anytime soon, the situation will only get worse," said Suraj Prasad Agarwal, chairman and managing director of Landmark Group of Companies (it has a realty arm called Landmark Builders), whose four projects at Shamirpet, Nizampet, Uppal and Marredpally are all awaiting customers.
Even construction activity at these properties, over the last three days, has come to a complete standstill, thanks to the RTC strike. "At least 70% of my workers have been unable to report to work," said Agarwal, expressing concern over the fate of his residential complexes.
Though the fear of failing deadlines has become a matter of concern for most of the builders, the stalling of registrations (due to registration offices being shut) is giving them sleepless nights. This has resulted in momentary freeze on bank loans, which in turn hit the ongoing work at construction sites. "Banks do not disburse the final loan amount to a customer before the property is registered. So, with registration offices shut because of the turmoil, buyers have not been able to make their last installment payments to us. This has led to a severe cash crunch," said Anand Reddy, executive director, PBEL Property Development adding, "There are at least 30-40 registrations in my property worth a few crores of rupees that have got held up now."
And this is true of several others who have completed more than 80% of their projects. "Close to 85% of our work is done. Since registrations are not taking place, there is a delay in delivery," said another leading developer from the city on condition of anonymity.
Predictably, the builder community is eagerly awaiting a solution to this stalemate and feel that the industry can be revived only if the 'T' concern is addressed at the earliest.
"If electricity and transport issues haunt the sector for too long, it could impact sales in the future. There is, therefore, an urgent need to resolve the Telangana crisis," said C Sekhar Reddy, president, Confederation of Real Estate Developers Association (CREDAI - Hyderabad chapter).

Government Projects Infrastructure / Industrial / Housing in and Around Hyderabad - Project Schedule in 2007. Every thing went for a SIX NOW :(

2011-09-22T10:15:00.000+05:30

Project

Implementation Stage

Location & Impact

Outer Ring Road

Phase - I to be completed by mid 2008
Phase - II work to begin by December, 2007

Suburban area s; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around city

International Airport

Work in progress. Scheduled to be completed by summer of 2008

Shamshabad; initiates new infrastructure and development projects & residential zones at Bangalore road

Fab City

Infrastructure by APIIC in development;
Industrial activity to begin by late 2008

Srisailam Road; Much hype is already created where real infrastructure & development holds the key

Hardware Park

Land procurement & infrastructure development Work in progress

Srisailam Road - Sagar Road; limited impact because of low activity & land acquisition problems

Textile City

work yet to be commenced

Cheguru Bangalore Road; limited impact around Timmapur - Kottur Zone

APIIC Commercial Zone

Infrastructure development from early 2008

Gandipet Road; Creates greater impact on land rates in surrounding areas & New residential zones

Internet City

Location & work schedule yet to be finalised

Koheda, Vijayawada Road; limited impact

Raheja IT Park & Infosys SEZ

Work in progress; to be completed by 2009

Annojiguda - pocaram belt - Warangal Road; Creates new commercial & residential development activity at Warangal Road

Bio - Tech Park

II & III Phase work in progress at Genome Valley. To be completed by 2009

Turkapally @ Rajeev Rahadari; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around Shameerpet - Turkapally zone

Textile Park & IIC Commercial Zone

Development work in progress; to be completed by 2009

Gundla Pochampally, Medchal Road; New commercial & residentia projects will be developed at Medchal Road

Tellapur Township

Infrastructure in development; Work to commence by early 2008

Tellapur, Old / New Mumbai Road; new high-end residential more projects will be developed around the HUDA / TSI Township zone

APIIC Commercial Zone

To be finalised

Rayadurgam & Manikonda, Old Mumbai Road

Rajeev Swagruha Mega Township

Work to commence by early 2008

Near Pocharam, Warangal Road. Limited impact

MLR Industry & Toopran Commercial Zone

Infrastructure development in progress

Near Toopran, Medchal Road. Limited impact

Urban farming / City agriculture

2011-05-09T12:46:00.001+05:30

Urban or city agriculture / farming refers to any form of agriculture (excluding gardening) practiced within cities. It may or may not be organic, but most instances of urban farming can at the least be classified as 'sustainable'.

In India, most urban farming is carried out on private land for private consumption. The trend worldwide is however different. Public as well as private land is used, and produce is mostly sold in nearby markets. While the idea does not seem special or unique, especially for those already practicing roof-top or kitchen gardening, the significance of urban farming has been recognised as a sustainable and desirable practice worldwide for various reasons.

Besides producing food, urban farming is also job- and income-generating and enables food safety and food security for its growers as well as consumers. In addition, consumers receive fresh and quality produce on a regular basis, usually perishables like fruits and vegetables. Since the produce does not require long-distance transportation, it is also energy-saving. In countries such as Cuba, urban farming has not just been a success, but is also extremely important for both food security in the city as well as in providing employment.

The importance and requirement for urban agriculture will only grow over the coming years as transportation costs and distances keep increasing. With the corresponding increase in produce age, food quality will also steadily reduce. The only requirement for urban agriculture to succeed in India is freeing up land that can be used for cultivation.

To know more about urban farming or city farming and its relevance to food security and organic farming, you may follow these links :

http://www.evesindia.com/home/eves_home_garden.html

http://www.foodfirst.org/media/index.php?keyword=Urban+Agriculture

'Defense hub of Hyderabad'

2010-11-19T17:05:00.001+05:30

Ibrahimpatnam to become 'Defense hub of Hyderabad'
Several defense and national security institutions/organisations like
NSG regional training centre(600 acres)
Octopus commando training centre(570 acres)
National police academy (NPA)-400 acres
NIA regional centre for southern states (100 acres)
CISF regional training centre for southern states(500 acres)
BDL(566 acres) are about to set up their units in Hyderabad.

Andhra people looting Telangana???? what a JOKE!!!!

2010-08-11T17:42:00.004+05:30

Irrigation Share:

Land coverage in AP = 42%

Telangana Population in AP = 41%

Food Grains production from Telangana = 40% (1956 it used to be 25%) used to be 14 lac Tons now it is 83 lakh ton

{if agriculture is neglected then is it possible to have the above figures????}

71% of cotton produced from AP is generated from Telanagana.

out of total Cattle population Telangana got 47% ..

Water Pumpsets for irrigation 60% of total AP's Water Pumpsets in Telangana..

Post 1956 the irrigated area in coastal andhra increased by 57% , Ralayaseema its 44% where as in Telangana it increased to 191%...... reason beeing post 1956 government of AP allocated 46% of irrigation budget to telangana where as costal andhra got 25% and rayalaseema got 29%. {a few sense less people still say Andhrites looted Telangana??? }

Industrial Share

46% of states GDP comes from Telangana. Hyderabad being capital of AP all the Industries, govt organisations , other private industries every thing was established in and around hyderabad.. and now they say all Non telanganites should leave Hyd. because you are looting us, taking our jobs...

what an irony..

even few well educated people are saying that Andhra people have looted telangana people...

its the Politicians that looted india.. that too people who represent their constituencies looted their constituencies... People who belong to a particular constituency are people of that region (the MLA / MP of Karimnagar is from Karimnagar. he can never be from Srikakulam...)

to be precise its our own people who looted us and its the same people who are going to loot us whether we stay united or separate....

its sick that people tend to forget the facts and talk crap when they listen to provocative speach from KCR...

Post Bypolls the reality Sector went for a SIX in Twin Cities

2010-08-03T12:51:00.000+05:30

The bypoll results seem to have spelt doom for Hyderabads already turbulent real estate business.The Telangana Rashtra Samitis (TRS) extraordinary show in the elections left city realtors predicting tough days ahead for the sector,which has been struggling to survive for almost two years now. With the prospects of a separate Telangana becoming a lot more real now, analysts feared that even the 15-20 per cent revival in the market, witnessed over the last fivesix months, would soon cease to exist.

In fact some of the citys leading construction firms that had managed to remain afloat even through the T agitations were seen expressing serious concern over their future within minutes of the results being announced.

Apart from speculating a severe drop in demand,realtors feared that all their ongoing projects would be stalled indefinitely.There is huge pessimism among builders now.Though we had been doing just right we were hoping to do much better if all remained quiet on the T front.But that dream stands shattered now, said the managing director of a major construction firm adding, Even if a few seats had gone to Congress or TDP, there would have been some hope for us. But now,Telangana seems inevitable and our future looks as dark as ever.

Unfortunately for builders,the sector had only started to stabilise in the last quarter with inquiries and sales improving marginally.While the mid- sized firms registered returns between 10-15 per cent,the bigger ones netted almost 20-25 per cent.With the poll results out,analysts feel it would be difficult for developers to maintain these margins now.

It (poll result) is definitely bad news.The sector is sure to slip into another lull,even if it is only temporary, said Ashwin Rao,director,Primus Developers.Rao,however,admits that he saw this coming ever since T trouble broke out in the state.

If the bypolls have left the big and midsized companies shaken,it has given a severe blow to the smaller ones.With their sales figures remaining at the zero mark for over an year now,several developers are on the verge of calling it quits.

There seems to be no way out of this situation.Though some are trying to move to the Andhra region,there is no guarantee of better returns, said Venkateshwar Rao,a Kukatpally-based builder.His properties have seen no movement since the time the separate Telangana campaign kicked in.

Amidst such widespread pessimism,some industry experts still feel that the bypolls would have little impact on the realty sector.The prices have touched an all-time low. So,irrespective of the political situation,genuine buyers will make use of this and put their money here, said C Shekar Reddy,president, Andhra Pradesh Builders Forum

Construction Material Costs in Hyderabad

2010-07-06T16:07:00.000+05:30

PRODUCT AND MATERIAL PRICES IN HYDERABAD

Material

Price Range

Availability / Details

Construction Materials

River Sand

Rs. 550 - 650 per tonne & 5,000/lorry load

Types: River & Filtered. Loads of 5-6, 13-14, 20-21 tons

Manufactured Sand

Rs. 450 - 500 per tonne

Stone curshed into sand, various manufacturers

Steel

Rs. 35 - 37,000 per tonne

Available in various gauzes and loads

Ready Mix Concrete

Variable

Variable Manufacturers

Premium brand cement (50 Kg. bag)

Rs. 230 - 240 per bag

Various Manufacturers and different grades

Bricks

18,000/lorry load

Mud Bricks

Rs. 1.50 - 1.75 per piece

Price depends on thickness and finish

Mud Bricks (Light Weight)

Rs. 2.50 - 2.75 per tonne

Various qualities depends on manufacturer

Fly Ash / Hallow Bricks

Rs. 3.25 + per piece

Standard sizes and finishing depends on manufacturer

Accessories

Tiles: Ceramic tiles

Rs. 10 - 30 per tile

Various

Tiles: Shabad stone

Rs. 5 - 10 per tile

Various

Tiles: Markapur

Rs. 4 - 8 per tile

Various

Marbles - tiles

Rs. 14 onwards per sft.

Price depends on whiteness and design

Marbles - Slabs

Rs. 20 onwards per sft.

Price depends on whiteness and design

Granite - tiles

Rs. 20 onwards per sft.

Price and quality depends on brand

Granite - Slabs

Rs. 45 onwards per sft.

Price depends on finishing

Bthroom accessories etc.

Various ranges

Brand and quality determine the price

Wood & Panel(per cubic foot)

Panel Boards

Various Manufacturers

Teak Wood - Burma

Rs. 3,000/cft

Supply and demand determine the price

Teak Wood - African

Rs. 2,400/cft

Supply and demand determine the price

Teak Wood - India

Rs. 2,800/cft

Various timber suppliers

Teak Wood- Medium

Rs. 1,450/cft

Beeja Sal

Rs. 900/cft

Various

Neem

Rs. 350 to 500

Various

Mango

Rs. 150 to 250

Various

Babool

Rs. 350 to 400

Various

Electrical Accessories

Various

Competitive pricing because of heavy supply

Up Coming projects in Hyderabad

2010-07-06T15:58:00.001+05:30

Company Name

Project Name

Date of Commencement

Location

Date of Project Completion

Type of Project

Price Range (in Rs)

Aliens Group
(99662 34444)

Aliens Space Station I
Aliens Valley
Aliens Elite

October 2008

Gachibowli - Tellapur

Gopanpally, Tellapur
Miyapur

December 2011

Completed
Completed

2,3,4 BHK, Duplex and Penthouses

Apartments

42 lacs - 2.6 crores

Aparna Group
(6641 4747)

Aparna Sarovar
Aparna Heights - 2
Aparna Cyber Commune
Palm Meadows
Aparna Kanopy

Nallgandla, Gachibowli
Kondapur
Nallagandla

Kompally
Gundlapochampally

2010
2010
2010

2010
2012

Life style Apartments
Luxury Apartments
Luxury Apartments

Luxury Villas
Luxury Apartments & Villas

Cybercity Builders and Developers Ltd

Rainbow Vistas

October 2009

Near Hitech MMTS

24 months

Apartments

30 45 lac

Giridhari Constructions
(97036 24666)

Executive Park

March 2007

Apra Junction

First Phase: March 2009
Second Phase: March 2010

Apartments

35 - 50 lac

Infocity
(99598 01113)

Serene County

Gachibowli

31st October 2009

Apartments

Manjeera

(92461 67167)

(92480 70770)

(92480 70770)

(92462 17218)

(92463 97497)

Manjeera Diamond Towers

Manjeera Diamond Villas

Manjeera Majestic Homes

Manjeera Trinity Homes

Manjeera Heights - II

Smart Home Apartments

Smart Home Villas

Manjeera Majestic Commercial

Manjeera Trinity Corporate

- -

Gachibowli - Gopanpally

Gachibowli - Gopanpally

JNTU - Hitech City Road

JNTU - Hitech City Road

LB Nagar

Quthbullapur

Quthbullapur

JNTU - Hitech City Road

JNTU - Hitech City Road

G,H,I Towers : March 2010
F,K,L Towers: September 2010
A,D,E Towers: September 2011

September 2010

September 2011

September 2011

October 2009

March 2010

December 2009

August 2011

December 2011

Deluxe Apartments

Luxury Villas

Deluxe Apartments

Deluxe Apartments

Deluxe Apartments

Apartments

Luxury Villas

Office Spaces, Shops, Showrooms

Office Spaces

24 - 52 lac

each unit 1.5 crore

35 - 60 lacs

60 - 75 lacs

36 - 47 lacs

24 - 29 lacs

65 - 85 lacs

shops 40 lacs onwards
offices 60 lacs onwards

from 1.2 crore

Modi Builders and Realtors Pvt Ltd

Splendour
Emerald Heights
Palm Springs
Sterling Homes
Emerald Park
Sunshine Park
Greenwoods
Harmony Homes

June 2007
June 2007
2009
June 2009
June 2006
June 2007
June 2008
June 2008

Gajularamaram
Pocharam
Kompally
Gundla Pochampally
Pocharam
Gatkesar
Dindigul
Shamirpet

August 2011
December 2010
June 2011
24 - 36 months
18 months from the date of agreement

Apartment
Apartment
Apartment
Independent Villas
Independent Villas
Independent Villas
Independent Villas
Independent Villas

19.57 - 43 lac
16.8 - 38 lac
33 - 50 lac
from 73 lac
42.5 - 59 lac
40.5 - 50 lac
39 - 54 lac
33 - 44 lac

Mantri Developers Pvt Ltd

Mantri Celestia

June 2009

Gachibowli

D,E,F Towers: December 2011
A,B,C Towers : March 2012

Apartments

26.09 lacs

Modi Properties and Investments Pvt Ltd

Mayflower Heights

May 2007

Mallapur

July 2010

Apartment

30 - 49.5 lacs

Prajay Engineers Syndicate Ltd

Prajay Water Front City
Prajay Megapolis

- -

Near Shamirpet

Near Hitech MMTS

18 months
18 months
18 months
24 months

Villas
Independent Houses
Apartments
Luxury Condominium

from 30 lacs
from 9.99 lac
from 17.5 lac
2250/sft

Ramky Estates
(6666 7878)

Ramky Towers
Ramky Pearl

April 2008
June 2009

Gachibowli
Kukatpally

August 2010
December 2010

Apartments
Villa development

SH Group
(99899 23693)

Srinivas Heights

Uppal

31st March 2010

Apartments

Sri Krishna Group

Krishe Valley

August 2009

Banjara Hills

December 2011

Luxury Apartments

Sunway Opus International Pvt Ltd

Sunway Opus Grand

January 2010

Ameenpur

December 2011

Luxury Apartments

2600/sft

Smr Builders Pvt Ltd
(98497 46663)
(99891 99891)
(93923 81028)
(99598 92010)

Sky City
Symphony
Fountain Head
Hi-lands

August 2007
April 2008
May 2008
March 2008

Ramanthapur
Gachibowli
Hydernagar
Madeenaguda

May 2010
April 2010
April 2011
April 2010

Residential
Residential
Residential
Residential

2900/sft
3600/sft
2800/sft
2500/sft

Trident Properties
(93922 60111 / 93922 30111)
(92465 49595 / 98498 49595)

Trident Grande

Tranquil Towers

May 2009

Kompally

Kondapur

Aug 2011

Aug 2011

Apartments

Luxury Apartments

28.99 - 43.5 lacs

Vertex Homes Pvt Ltd

Vertex Sadguru Krupa

September 2007

Nizampet Road, Kukatpally

May 2010

Apartments

55 - 65 lacs

PBEL Property Development (India) Pvt Ltd
(3915 1515)

PBEL City

May 2009

Next To APPA

June 2011 (Phase 1)

Apartments

from 37 lacs

Source: MAA properties

Upcoming projects in Andhra Pradesh

2010-07-06T15:52:00.002+05:30

Major Development Projects around HYD

Project

Implementation Stage

Location & Impact

Outer Ring Road

Phase - I to be completed by mid 2008
Phase - II work to begin by December, 2007

Suburban area s; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around city

International Airport

Work in progress. Scheduled to be completed by summer of 2008

Shamshabad; initiates new infrastructure and development projects & residential zones at Bangalore road

Fab City

Infrastructure by APIIC in development;
Industrial activity to begin by late 2008

Srisailam Road; Much hype is already created where real infrastructure & development holds the key

Hardware Park

Land procurement & infrastructure development Work in progress

Srisailam Road - Sagar Road; limited impact because of low activity & land acquisition problems

Textile City

work yet to be commenced

Cheguru Bangalore Road; limited impact around Timmapur - Kottur Zone

APIIC Commercial Zone

Infrastructure development from early 2008

Gandipet Road; Creates greater impact on land rates in surrounding areas & New residential zones

Internet City

Location & work schedule yet to be finalised

Koheda, Vijayawada Road; limited impact

Raheja IT Park & Infosys SEZ

Work in progress; to be completed by 2009

Annojiguda - pocaram belt - Warangal Road; Creates new commercial & residential development activity at Warangal Road

Bio - Tech Park

II & III Phase work in progress at Genome Valley. To be completed by 2009

Turkapally @ Rajeev Rahadari; Creates new infrastructure and development activity around Shameerpet - Turkapally zone

Textile Park & IIC Commercial Zone

Development work in progress; to be completed by 2009

Gundla Pochampally, Medchal Road; New commercial & residentia projects will be developed at Medchal Road

Tellapur Township

Infrastructure in development; Work to commence by early 2008

Tellapur, Old / New Mumbai Road; new high-end residential more projects will be developed around the HUDA / TSI Township zone

APIIC Commercial Zone

To be finalised

Rayadurgam & Manikonda, Old Mumbai Road

Rajeev Swagruha Mega Township

Work to commence by early 2008

Near Pocharam, Warangal Road. Limited impact

MLR Industry & Toopran Commercial Zone

Infrastructure development in progress

Near Toopran, Medchal Road. Limited impact

Upcoming IT Parks in Hyderabad

Company

Location

Area

Jayabheri Properties Pvt. Ltd

NanakramGuda

4 lakhs sq.ft

Dynamic Constructions Pvt. Ltd

Kondapur

2 Million sq.ft

Bhagyanagar Metals Ltd

IDA Uppal

1.7 Million sq.ft

K.Raheja Universal Pvt. Ltd

Shaikpet

15 lakhs sq.ft

Prajay Engineers Ltd

IDA Nagaram

13.5 lakhs sq.ft

Ashoka Builders Ltd

Gachibowli

1.8 Milliom sq.ft

Topnotch Infra Pvt. Ltd

IDA Uppal

2.01 Million sq.ft

JJ IT Park

NanakramGuda

17 lakhs sq.ft

Pioneer IT Park

Uppal

6 lakhs sq.ft

Salarpuria Properties Pvt. Ltd

Madhapur

3 Million sq.ft

Brahmani Infratech Pvt. Ltd

Mamidipalli

150 acres

Upcoming IT Parks in Hyderabad & Gated Community projects in Hyderabad

Project Name

Location

Project Name

Location

Hyderabad & Secunderabad

Secunderabad - Shameerpet Road

S.S Satellite Town

Jeedimetla

Alliance Inner Circle

Shameerpet

Krishna Kunj Gardens

Qutubullapur Road

Greenwood

Kaukur

Ashoka's La Maision

Dulapally Road

Janapriya's Arcadia

Kaukur

Vensai's Shreya Towers

Kompally

Janapriya Villas

Turkaplly

Manne's Royal Kuteer

Kompally

Celebrity Homes

Shameerpet

Jaya darshini Township

Medchal

HUDA's IT Zone

Jawahar Nagar

Aparna Palm Meadows

Kompally

Narsapur Road

Mumbai Road

Modi's Silver Springs

Qutubullapur Road

Rain Tree Park Phase - II

KPHB

Modi's Splendour

Gajula Ramaram

Vertex Lake View

Nizampet

Prakruthi Nivas

Dundigal

Maytas Hill County

Bachupalli

ECIL - Keesara Road

SMR Vinay City

Miyapur

Saket's Shriyam

Kapra Road

Aparna Sarovar

Nallagandla

Modi's Township

Mallapur

HUDA Township

Ameenpur

Janapriya's Township

Nagaram

Indu Future Fields

KPHB

Paramount

Nagaram

Old Mumbai Road

Warangal Road

Bloomfield Ecstacy

Tellapur

Modi's Emerald Heights

Pocharam

Manjeera Diamond Towers

Goppan pally

APHB's Sanskruti Phase - II

Annojiguda

Ramky Township

Gachibowli

Venkatadri Township

Koremal Road

Bloomfielf Elation

Nanakram Guda

HUDA's Rajiv Township

Pocharam

Lanco Hills

Manikonda

Vijayawada Road

Lahari's Harivillu

Manikonda

Indu's Aranya

Bandlaguda

Giridhari's Executive Park

Manikonda

IRR

Aliens Space Station

Goppan pally

Janapriya Utopia

Hyderguda

I.J.M Chitrapuri

Khajaguda

Silicon Ridge

Attapur

Sri Sai Towers

Hafeezpet

Gandipet Road

Bangalore Road

Green Meadows

Kandawada

Aliens Space Station

Shamshabad

Dream Valley Eternity

Chilkur Road

HUDA's NRI Township

Budwel

City Central

Star City

Shamshabad

Skills Sai Sagar

Begumpet

Srisailam Road

My Home Navadeep

Madhapur

Vensai Brahmani Avenue

Maheshwaram

R.K.Township

Sanath Nagar

Mak's Retreat

Kandukur

TATA's Township

Sanath Nagar

HUDA's Srinagar Project

Tukkuguda

Skill's Manas Sarovar

Tirumalgherry

Sagar Road

Gachibowli Road

Sri Sri Homes

B.N.Reddy Nagar

JMR developers - White House

Apartments at Raidurgam

Miyapur Road

Shamshabad Road

Pooja Builders - Sai's Signature

Apartments at Miyapur

Rightway Group's - The Monsoon Homes

Independent houses at Shamshabad

Visakhapatnam

Pavan Midway Residency

Sheela Nagar

Global Towers

Endada

L & T Township

Bheemili Road

VUDA Township

Achutapuram Road

Vijayawada

Lotus Landmark

Station Road

Rajeev Township

Mangalgiri

IJM Township

Mangalgiri

List of IT/ITES SEZ's in AP

S.No

Location

Survey No's

Total Area(acres)

Proposed Built up space(sq.ft)

Government SEZ's

Vijayawada

Sy.No.52&53,Kesarapally village,Gannavaram Mandal,Krishna District

30.6

1000000


		Private SEZ's

1.	M/s K.Raheja IT Park	Sy.No.64 (p),Madhapur,serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,Hyderabad	40.725	1047000
2	M/s AP Techno Projects Pvt., Ltd	Survey Nos.30(p),34(p),35(p) and 38(p) in Serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,Hyderabad	25	2200000
3	M/s.Bavana Sai Associates	Uppaluru Village near Vijayawada,Krishna District	62.5	1000000
4	M/s.Sanghi Industries Limited	Sanghi Nagar PO,Hayat Nagar Mandal, R.R District,Hyderabad	506	1012000
5	M/s.DivyaSree NSL Infrastructure Private Limited.	Raidurg village, Serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,Hyderabad	37.93	38751125
6	M/s.Lanco Mantri Technology Park Private Limited.	Sy.No.201,ManiKonda Village,Rajendranager Mandal, R.R District,Hyderabad	29.42	2020000
7	M/s K.Raheja IT Park	Pocharam,Hyderabad	66	3044000
8	M/s DLF Commercial Developers Limited	Sy.No.129,130,131,&132,Gachibowli Village,Serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,Hyderabad	26.54	2485000
9	Indu Tech Zone Pvt.,Ltd	Mamidipalli & Kancha Imarat Village.	151.75	4500000
10	Brahmani Infratech Pvt.,Ltd	Mamidipalli & Kancha Imarat Village.	151.75	4500000
11	Stargaze Properties Pvt.,Ltd	Mamidipalli & Kancha Imarat Village.	151.75	4500000
12	M/s.J.T.Holding Pvt.,Ltd	Sy.No.1/1,Kancha Imarat ,Raviryal Village,Himarath Taluka,Maheshwaram Mandal, R.R District,Hyderabad	70.82	1178012
13	Topnotch Infrastructure Pvt.,Ltd	Plot No.6,Sy.No.1,Uppal IDA,Uppal,Hyderabad,Andhra Pradesh	29.33	2010000
14	Navayuga Engineering company Ltd	Sy.No.82(p),83(p), & 84(p) in Serilingampally Village, Serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,Hyderabad	2.525	3012805
15	Maytas Properties Pvt.,Ltd	Bachupally Village,Quthbullapur Mandal,R.R District,A.P.	73.765	2402600
16	Maytas Properties Pvt.,Ltd	Gundla Pochampalli Village,Mandal, R.R District,A.P.	35	1142414
17	Maytas Properties Pvt.,Ltd	Gopanpally Village,Serilingampally Mandal,R.R District,A.P.	39.35	1280902
18	Mahaveer Skyscrepers Ltd	Chevella,Besides Faraha Engineering College,R.R District,A.P.	100	3000000
19	Rudradev Infopark Pvt.,Ltd	Kistapur Village,Chevella Mandal, R.R District,A.P.	30.67	2500000
20	Emaar Hills Township Pvt.,Ltd	Sy.No.210 (p) at Manikonda Village,Rajandranagar Mandal, R.R District.	25.82	1380000

Source: MAA properties

Center Clears Hyderabad Metro Bidding Documents

2010-06-19T12:07:00.001+05:30

The Centre gave the green signal to the Rs 12,132-crore Hyderabad Metro Rail Project (HMRP) by clearing documents for bidding and concessional agreements. The tender process for the project can begin now.

The documents were cleared by the Union finance and urban development ministries along with the Planning Commission.

“All the documents have received clearance from the Central government and we are going ahead with the tender process,” said Mr N.V.S. Reddy, managing director of Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited said.

The Centre also cleared documents for viability gap funding

The state government called bids for the project after the Maytas Infra-led consortium failed to achieve financial closure.

Six applicants remain to submit financial bids after the GVK and GMR consortia pulled out of the race.

Transstroy-OJSC,

Tra-nsstroy-CR,

18G-BEML,

Reliance Infrastructure-Reliance Infocomm

Lanco Infratech-OHL Concesiones SL,

Essar-Leighton-Gayatri-VNR,

Soma-Strabag AG (Austria) consortium

Larsen & Toubro.

LRS Scheme Cut Off Date for Applying Extended to 31 December 2010

2010-06-19T12:06:00.000+05:30

The government also decided to waive the 10 per cent surcharge penal amount levied for the applications received after January 1, 2009 and reduction of payment of initial amount at the time of the submission of applications.

National Institute of Urban Management in Hyderabad

2010-06-19T12:04:00.000+05:30

A National Institute of Urban Management is proposed to be set up in Hyderabad by the end of this year to meet capacity building requirements of urban local bodies across the country.

It is expected to be the premier institute in the country provide training facilities to all the stakeholders of municipalities and corporations.

The institute will also identify the problems and solutions of civic bodies to improve the quality of life of urban residents. The State government, which proposed the establishment of the institute, has allocated 20 acres of prime land in Khanamet village of Serlingampally Mandal for it.

The World Bank, which had sanctioned about Rs.1,670 crore for the Andhra Pradesh Municipal Development Project (APMDP), favoured establishment of the urban institute as it found that many local bodies were unable to utilise funds sanctioned by the World Bank as they lacked expertise to execute the projects.

Welcoming the State government''s initiative, Songsu Choi, Lead Urban Economist of South Asia Region of the World Bank, said that the institute would provide training in a professional way to all the elected representatives and officials. “The institute can also cater to the needs of other States,” he said while speaking to The Hindu on the sidelines of a workshop on the Municipal Development Project organised here on Wednesday.

Pushpa Subrahmanyam, Secretary, Municipal Administration, said funds allocated by the World Bank would be spent on improvement of urban infrastructure, particularly drinking water supply in 13 local bodies.“We have selected these local bodies since they were not sanctioned funds under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. The government has already identified the works and begun the tender process ,” she added.

Hyderabad News.CEWS Integrated Apartment Township Project at Tellapur beside Hyderabad Goes into Construction Phase

2010-06-19T11:59:00.000+05:30

The ambitious 6.4 Acre , 400 Apartment Township project, promoted by CEWS Society formed by a group of IT employees from Hyderabad and abroad has moved into construction phase. Nagarjuna Construction Company (NCC) who is the turnkey contractor for the project has initiated site mobilization and construction activities.

The project is spread of 6.4 Acres of flat land, surrounded by greenery except on the northern side where Aparna Group is preparing to launch a township. The Project site is close to Tellpaur HUDA Township. The recently announced Tishman Speyer 100 Acre Township is 1.75km from the CEWS Project. The Project is ideally suited for people working in Gachibowli Financial District and Hitec City areas.

The project was recently approved by HMDA and CEWS is said to be one of the few projects which went ahead and paid the large Approval Fees to HMDA, thus helping the Govt. to get some cash flow during these lean times!

Explaining the Project features, Mr. Ram Kumar of CEWS Society said “The project was founded to meet the price and quality aspirations of software and management professionals in leading companies in Hyderabad and abroad. The existing projects which offered top quality and best range of amenities were found to be unaffordable by our members. Hence CEWS project concept was borne which brings low cost with very high quality.”

“The project consists of 10 apartment towers with only 4 flats per floor, with each flat being a corner flat. (2240sft, 1800sft and 1570sft – all 3 bed room flats). The flats were booked by members of the society in advance and only around 40 flats are available at extremely low cost, for new buyers who will also become members of the Society. “

“Each flat comes with 2 covered cellar car parks. The project has the largest Indoor Swimming Pool in Hyderabad. It has two Tennis Courts, Basket Ball court, Two Indoor Shuttle Courts, AC Gym, Library, Restaurant, Creche and other amenities including Landscaped Gardens and Children’s Play areas” added Mr. Ram Kumar.

“With its impressive 35000sft Club House, CEWS provides the largest club space per family of ~90sft which is more than double the space provided by any other integrated township in Hyderabad” Said Mr. Ram Kumar

The project architecture is by Akshaya Architects one of the largest Architectural Design firms in Hyderabad. The project promises to be a harmonious island of luxury, in the green Western suburbs of Hyderabad. With Tishman Speyer township coming up at Tellapur, this locality is poised to become an up market residential zone which would supports the commercial expansion of Gachibowli and Hitecity.

PBEL City Project

2010-06-15T16:53:00.001+05:30

PBEL Property Development (PPD) has tied up with engineering and construction company L&T for its project, PBEL City, on the outskirts of Hyderabad. Under the agreement, L&T will build about 2,000 apartments for PBEL on a turnkey basis at an outlay of Rs 552 crore. The entire project will be completed in the next four years and will house 13 residential and two commercial towers. Each tower will comprise 19 storeys with each level having 12 flats, PPD director Anand Reddy said.

Reddy said PBEL was aiming at developing 10 million sft of residential and commercial space across Hyderabad and Chennai. The PBEL City will make up for about 4.7 million sft, while the residential and commercial projects coming up in Chennai and the Logistics Park at Shamshabad will add 4 million sft and 2 million sft respectively. “There is no denial that the market has slowed down. But it is now a more mature market with genuine buyers,” Reddy said, adding that about 40 per cent of its two-bedroom flats have already been booked.

Hyd Metro Rail Update

2010-06-07T09:51:00.001+05:30

The Andhra Pradesh government Saturday extended for the second time the last date for submitting financial bids for the Rs.12,132 crore Hyderabad Metro Rail (HMR) project to June 14.

This is the third time in as many months that HMR project authorities have extended the deadline as the shortlisted bidders did not come forward to submit financial bids.

The state government had earlier set April 9 as the deadline, extended it to April 21 and then till June 7.

Earlier this year, eight consortia had qualified to file the financial bids.

These were consortia led by Reliance Infrastructure, Lanco Infratech, GVK, GMR, L&T, Soma-Straburg, Transstroy and Essar groups.

GVK and GMR pulled out even before submitting the bids amid reports that the bidders were apprehensive of the financial viability of the project in the changed scenario.

The authorities called for fresh global bids in July last year after scrapping the deal with Maytas Infra, a sister-concern of scam-hit Satyam Computer Services, as it failed to achieve financial closure.

The elevated Metro Rail project will be taken up in public-private-partnership on design, build, finance, operate and transfer (DBFOT) basis.

The ground work on the project for three routes of 71.16 km is expected to start by October and the entire project is expected to be completed in four years.

Maytas-led consortium had bagged the project in 2008.

The government also forfeited Rs.71 crore deposited by the consortium as performance guarantee and as advance towards Rs.30,311 crore it promised to pay to the government over the concession period of 35 years.

Vizag Market - Price Correction

2010-06-07T09:48:00.001+05:30

The realty sector in Visakhapatnam, after experiencing a lull for the past 2-3 years, has been showing signs of revival in the last few months. It is estimated that 1,500 or more apartments may have been sold in recent months in the city, and a spurt in is also noticed in the sale of plots on the outskirts.

The downward trend began in 2007 when most of the projects stalled. Companies which purchased land in bulk auctions conducted by the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) at high prices of Rs 5 crore or more per acre could not take up the projects. Even now there are no major housing projects under construction in the city or the outskirts, except one, Haritha, taken up by the VUDA in association with Singapore-based Jurong. .

Smaller projects

The smaller apartment projects which got stuck during the slow period have been completed by the builders. There has been a price correction, by 15-20 per cent in the city limits, and above 20 per cent on the outskirts, making it more affordable for the middle-class to purchase apartments.

According to Mr Narasimha Rao, an architect, it is the affordability factor which has led to the current spurt in sales. “Builders have realised that it is no longer possible to sell apartments at the rates witnessed during the boom period. They have cut their margins and there has been a price correction. Still, I feel there is room for a further cut. At present rates, however, the apartments are within the reach of the middle classes,” he says.

Mr Subba Raju, chairman of the Visakhapatnam Apartment Builders' Association, has said that the smaller housing projects within the city or on the outskirts have been completed. “These projects were stuck during the past two or two-and-a-half years. There has been a price correction, making it affordable for the middle classes. But I don't think there is room for any further cut.

“Construction costs are on the rise all the time. It is a welcome feature that most of the stalled apartment projects are nearing completion or have been completed. We are shaking off the impact of recession.”

Telangana effect

In response to a question whether the recent political developments relating to a separate Telangana state have had any bearing on the realty sector here, Mr Subba Raju said excessive importance should not be attached to the Telangana factor. “The Visakhapatnam-Kakinada coastal belt is attracting investment on a large scale in recent times and the growth of the realty sector depends on the pace of these projects primarily rather than political developments relating to Telangana. Of course, Telangana is one of the factors to be taken into reckoning but it should not be exaggerated,” he opines.

Mr Narasimha Rao is of the view that there is no likelihood of any artificial boom in the Vizag region because of the Telangana factor, but it will have a bearing. “Visakhapatnam and Nellore are attracting a lot investment in recent times and the trend is likely to continue, regardless of the Telangana developments, but the political factor may have an impact on the pace of the projects,” he has said.

There is also a view that the Telangana factor is more relevant tothe Vijayawada-Guntur region than the Vizag-Kakinada belt. An artificial boom in realty prices is more likely in the former than the latter.

India's biggest land deals

2010-06-05T16:44:00.003+05:30

Property in Mumbai has always been a real estate developer's prized catch. Over the years Mumbai has topped the list of cities with the most expensive property prices.

Land is the most precious resource today and builders are willing to pay any price to establish a foothold in the country's financial capital.

Mumbai saw its biggest land deal when a plot of 25,000 sq mts (6.1 acres) was bagged by Lodha developers for a whopping Rs 4,053 crore (Rs 40.53 billion) which is about Rs 81,818 per sq m.

The Lodha group quoted more than double the reserve price of Rs 1,980 crore (Rs 19.80 billion) set by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority for the property in Wadala, a central Mumbai suburb. MMRDA had invited bids for constructing a landmark building offering five million square feet, at Wadala in Mumbai on design, build, own, operate and transfer basis.

The second closest bid was by Sunteck India at Rs 3,465 crore (Rs 34.65 billion), followed by Indiabulls Real Estate at Rs 3,327 crore (Rs 33.27 billion), while Gaurhari Estate quoted Rs 2,251 crore (Rs 22.51 billion).

Lodha Developers, which plans to launch a $650 million initial public offering later this year, plans to build a Rs 10,500 crore (Rs 105 billion) residential building (101-storeyed) in the heart of the city.

The tower will offer 50 lakh sq ft (5 million sq ft) of built-up area with several eco-friendly systems, which would include energy conservation, re-cycling of water and heat generated by the air-conditioners, etc.

This is the first successful auction MMRDA has carried out after 2008, indicating a revival of more big-ticket deals in the city.

In 2008, Delhi-based developer BPTP had bagged a 95-acre plot in Noida for Rs 5,000 crore (Rs 50 billion), but the deal was called off later

Unitech

In 2007, Unitech bought a 1,750-acre plot in Vishakhapatnam from the Andhra Pradesh Infrastructure & Industrial Corporation (APIIC) for Rs 3,328 crore (Rs 33.28 billion).

In one of the biggest deals in Noida, Unitech also bagged a 340-acre residential plot for Rs 1,582.83 crore (Rs 15.82 billion).

Adani group

India saw its biggest land deal four years ago when the Ahmedabad-based Adani Group alongwith with Housing Development and Infrastructure (HDIL) bought around 48 acres at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) for Rs 2,250 crore (Rs 22.50 billion) to develop a commercial and retail hub.

Mumbai has always been a hotspot for property deals, followed by cities like Gurgoan, Noida, Chennai and Ahmedabad.

DLF

In 2009, DLF bagged 350.7 acres in Gurgaon for Rs 1,750 crore (Rs 17.50 billion). In 2007, DLF paid Rs 1,675 crore (Rs 16.75 billion) for 38 acres of land in west Delhi.

DLF bought 17acres of textile mill land from NTC for Rs 702 crore (Rs 7.02 billion) in 2005.

Bhushan Steel & Essel group

Mumbai has seen three large property deals in the last one and half years. A consortium of Bhushan Steel and Subhash Chandra's Essel Group bought a 250-acre plot in Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) for Rs 1,530 crore (Rs 15.30 billion) from the City and Industrial Development Corporation of Maharashtra (Cidco).

With the realty sector recovering from the economic slowdown, more property deals are set to be sealed this year. The Railway Land Authority (RLDA), National Textile Corporation (NTC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) are planning to auction more land.

370)this.width=370">

Reliance

In 2006, Reliance Industries bought 18.5 acres at Bandra Kurla Complex for Rs 1,104 crore (Rs 11.04 billion) to build a convention-cum-exhibition centre.

370)this.width=370">

Wadhwa Group

In 2007, Wadhwa Group hit the headlines when it paid a whopping Rs 831 crore (Rs 8.31 billion) for a less two acres in Bandra Kurla Complex.

In January 2010, the Wadhwa Group acquired 18.18 acres from Hindustan Composites Ltd for Rs 571 crore (Rs 5.71 billion) at Ghatkopar in West Mumbai. The group develops residential apartments, malls and multiplexes, commercial office space, hotels and IT parks.

370)this.width=370">

Ahmedabad

In May 2010, Ahmedabad saw one of the biggest land deals when local realtors along with some Non-Resident Indian investors bought 1,650 acres for a whopping Rs 800 crore (Rs 8 billion) on Thol-Sanand road, north-west of the city. The group plans to build a township and a golf course.

370)this.width=370">

Nitesh Estates

In December 2007, Bangalore-based Nitesh Estates won the biggest land deal in Chennai for Rs 642 crore (Rs 6.42 billion) in the Boat Club area.

370)this.width=370">

Brahma Management

In May 2010, New York-headquartered investment firm Brahma Management bought 13 acres of land in Gurgaon for Rs 620 crore (Rs 6.2 billion).

In 2007, the Leela Group purchased a three-acre plot at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi for Rs 635 crore (Rs 6.35 billion).

Sheth Developers

Mumbai-based company Sheth Developers bought the GTC (Golden Tobacco Company) property at Ville Parle in suburban Mumbai for Rs 591 crore (Rs 5.91 billion).

SO WHAT’S YOUR DIFFERENTIATION BET?

2010-05-26T10:10:00.001+05:30

Many companies commit the mistake of equating ‘differentiation’ purely with ‘providing better quality’. There’s much more you can do with this thrilling strategy of differentiation.

Walk into the International Supermarket and Museum in Naples, New York, and you’ll learn how to pay your humblest tributes to “failed products”. About 60,000 products that failed in US supermarkets find a place in the museum. Hear out their names – Clairol’s Touch of Yogurt shampoo, Gerber Products baby food, Captain Cat Cat-Litter Deodorant, Gorilla Balls (a vitamin-rich candy), Yogurt Face and Body Powder, Gimme Cucumber hair conditioner, Soaps for Lovers, Moonshine aftershave, Buffalo Chip chocolate cookies, Batman Crazy foam, Hagar the horrible Cola, Kickapoo Joy Juice, Sudden Soda, and many more. Actually, how many of them have you heard of? None, because their ‘formulae’ – as in branding mix – failed to hit home their relative superiority to consumers. They were undifferentiated and therefore undervalued by the “quick to form a perception” consumer market. They were simply “commodities”. As Jack Trout writes in his book ‘Differentiate or Die’: “While categories are expanding thanks to the law of division, something sinister is happening. More and more of these categories are sliding into commoditisation. In other words, fewer and fewer of the brands in these categories are well differentiated. In people’s minds, they are there, but that’s about all!”

But then, what is differentiation (as opposed to selling the cheapest products – or price leadership)? Differentiation is simply ensuring that your prospective consumers are convinced that your product is superior relative to competitors. Nobel Prize winning theorists have proven that even if your products are in reality ‘not’ superior, as long as the consumers are convinced about the same, you’ve done your job and hit bull’s eye! But then again, what factor do you differentiate on? Obviously quality, right? Wrong! Or rather, not necessarily. While companies globally make the mistake of equating differentiation with ‘providing better quality’, the fact is that differentiation can be as successfully attempted on certain other key parameters. Here’s a primer with my most loved examples.

THE FIRST DIFFERENTIATOR – SERVICE
Every one who wishes to fly to London wants to be aboard the Virgin Atlantic. Not that it has more comfortable seats, not even that it has better planes and so flies faster; the reason is simple – unlike competitors, it has set itself apart as a brand that delivers superior “service”– 30,000 feet in the air. Little touches prove that – on a Virgin flight, underneath the salt and pepper shakers, modeled on mini-airplanes, you’ll find the words “Pinched from Virgin Atlantic.” The butter knife is engraved with the words “stainless steal”. And there’s always a bar in the upper class cabin so that its travellers can chat and socialise. The airline was the first to really stretch the grade of what is called service in air to the next yard. It was the first to put in seat-back televisions, and serve ice-creams while mid-flight. “We did everything we could to lighten the mood and the experience. Twenty-five years later, the airline retains that very same sense of fun and the true ability to surprise and make people smile,” says Sir Richard Branson, Chairman of Virgin Group of companies.

And if you’ve ever heard of a company named Maruti Suzuki, you’ll know very well that the world buys Maruti cars purely on the basis of the geographic expanse of Maruti’s service outlets, rather than the design of its cars. That’s differentiation for you!

THE SECOND DIFFERENTIATOR – STYLE
For the world Nokia stands out for quality; truth is, that’s not the truth! As per the most recent Gartner study (May 2010), Nokia commands 36.4% of the world’s mobile device market share, while its next closest competitor is Samsung at 20.6% and the third is LG, with 8.6% global share. In India, Nokia fares better. As per the most recent ORG survey made public, Nokia rules with 59.5%, Sony Ericsson comes second with 8.1%, while Samsung is third with 7%. Now here’s the most recent shocker of 2010 for you – according the 2010 Wireless Traditional Mobile Phone Global Evaluation Study by J.D. Power and Associates, LG was ranked number one by customers in terms of “overall wireless customer satisfaction amongst all traditional handset brands”. This is the fifth year that LG has won the crown since 2003. Nokia was #7! The secret is, Nokia knows mobile consumers love newer designs, newer models, newer rehashes of the same old ‘stuff’, and Nokia rules on that differentiation: style!

Apple, a name which you often hear being associated with innovation, or technology for that matter is again one clever differentiator. Steve Jobs is cleverer. His company didn’t invent the portable music player, or the first laptop, or even the first smartphone. He only followed, and followed better! His iPod, iMac, iPhone have become bestsellers, but were never the ones which innovated technology. Jobs simply gave the products a better appearance, a better interface, a better style. In short he gave it a better overall design. That’s a style differentiator for you.

THE THIRD DIFFERENTIATOR – TECHNOLOGY
How many of you know whether Intel chips are faster or AMD? The fact is, AMD Athlon chips have even beaten Intel’s comparable chips in lab tests – and vice versa too. But right from the start, Andy Grove, the former Chairman of Intel (who wrote: Only the Paranoid Survive) realised that it didn’t matter what was true, it mattered what consumers believed. Through perceptionbuilding exercises, Grove managed to keep consumers convinced that Intel’s processors were technologically faster and superior than those of AMD. Since 1971, it has introduced 662 “unique” versions of the microprocessor; AMD has introduced just 79 versions since 1975! Intel has changed its logo four times; AMD has done it just once. Everyone wonders now it’s “Intel Inside”; how many ask if it’s “AMD Inside”? Nobody! For 2009, research firm iSuppli puts Intel’s share in the PC market at 80.6% (as opposed to AMD’s 12.1%), while IDC research puts Intel’s share at 80.5% (as opposed to AMD’s 14.4%). Even Fedex differentiated using technology rather than just service, where they were the first ones to provide customers with an online package tracking system.

AND OF COURSE – QUALITY
After the setback caused to the Toyota brand post 8.4 million recalls in the beginning of 2010, none would have given the Japanese automaker a chance in the 2010 J.D. Power and Associates’ Vehicle Dependability Study, which was released in March this year. But Toyota’s longstanding belief in quality being a differentiator paid off. The study, after measuring and analysing drivers’ experiences after three years of vehicle ownership, gave Toyota the top spot in four segments – more than any other auto brand. While the Toyota Prius topped the list of the Most Dependable Compact, Toyota Sequoia was the Most Dependable Large MUV, Toyota Tundra was the Most Dependable Large Pickup and Toyota Highlander the Most Dependable Midsize MUV. You want to learn what quality differentiation is? Ask Toyota, which manages it despite multi-million recalls.

AND IF NOTHING WORKS – BRAND RECALL
What do you do when your product cannot be differentiated on any factor? Then go for the simple and straightforward strategy of brand recall. Bombard the consumer ad nauseum with advertisements. He’ll hate you – yet, he’ll buy your product. Brand recall is too powerful. Be the Nike, which sells more not because it’s superior, but simply because it advertises much more than its counterparts like Adidas, Puma, Reebok, Converse, K-Swiss, Skechers, et al. Be the Procter & Gamble, Unilever, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola – each spend more than $2 billion each in advertising – where all you see in their ads are either celebrities or spanking humour (or both). Well, now you know why your wife hates you, yet still can’t let go of you :-)

Source: http://a--sandeep.blogspot.com/

No one is stealing Telangana’s water - A fact sheet

2010-04-22T12:53:00.002+05:30

Since India is a federal democracy, and because rivers cross state boundaries, creating efficient and equitable mechanisms for allocating river flows has long been an important legal and constitutional issue. We must understand the real picture regarding the utilisation of river waters within Andhra Pradesh to judge the Telangana question.

The two most important rivers for Andhra Pradesh are the Krishna and the Godavari.

The KrishnaThe riparian states in the Krishna basin are Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. As the three states could not come to an amicable settlement for division of the river waters, the Central Government set up the Krishna River Water Disputes (KWDT) under the chairmanship of Justice R S Bachawat in 1969.

Maharashtra and Karnataka pleaded before the tribunal to allocate the river waters according to the proportions of catchment area, drainage contribution, population, culturable areas, etc, in the three states. The tribunal rejected this demand, stating that no state has a proprietary interest over a particular volume of water in an interstate river on the basis of the catchment area or with reference to its irrigated area, population or drainage contribution, and the existing use of a state is an important evidence of its needs.

The tribunal, after studying the issue for seven years, issued their final orders in 1976. It awarded 800 tmc ft of water to Andhra Pradesh, 700 tmc ft to Karnataka, and 560 tmc ft to Maharashtra, all adding up to 2060 tmc ft. It also permitted Andhra Pradesh to utilise the surplus waters over and above 2060 tmc ft, without, however, acquiring any right on the use of such waters. The demand of the two upper riparian states to be given a share of the excess waters was rejected.

However, Karnataka and Maharashtra have been persistently violating the tribunal’s orders by constructing unauthorized projects to the detriment of Andhra Pradesh. To resolve this dispute, the Union government constituted the second Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal under the chairmanship of Brijesh Kumar in 2004.

The upper riparian states have been arguing for an enhancement of their share in the dependable waters and also to provide a share in the surplus waters. Andhra Pradesh has requested that the present allocations continue and that an independent monitoring body be appointed to control and implement the earlier tribunal’s orders.

Telangana’s demand for Krishna watersSome aspirants for a separate Telangana state are propagating the view that the 800 tmc ft allocated to AP should be distributed among the three regions of the state, Rayalaseema, Andhra and Telangana on the equitable basis of the catchment area, drainage contribution, population, culturable areas, etc. This is a misinterpretation by a few propagators knowing fully well that distribution of water cannot be made on such a basis. It is unfortunate that they are mortifying the minds of the people of Telangana, including innocent students and rural people, and creating enmity among the Telugu-speaking people of AP.

In this context, it is to be clearly indicated that Andhra Pradesh has pleaded for appointment of an independent monitoring authority to exercise control and implement the tribunal’s orders without any deviation. Also, it is desirable now to plead before the tribunal that the bulk and lumpsum allocations made to each riparian state shall be distributed among the various projects in that state in order to avoid use of more water than allocated under the pretext of en bloc allocation and redistribution among the projects within their states (which is now being adopted by the upper states).

It is evident from the above that even in case of division of Andhra Pradesh, there should be no difficulty or problem for distribution of allocated waters among the regions.

The Bachawat Tribunal has considered all the anticipated usages in Telangana while making its report. The special consideration shown to the Jurala project is an example. Telangana has not lost any legitimate water rights either in the Godavari or in the Krishna river.The people of Andhra Pradesh are peace-loving and have a law-abiding nature. If a few miscreants propagate against the basic principles of obedience of the law and create enmity amongst the people there will be considerable harm to them which would be difficult to set right in future.

The Godavari

There are five riparian states in the Godavari basin, namely Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. All the states approached the central government with a request to set up a water disputes tribunal as they could not come to an agreement over the division of the waters among themselves dy direct negotiations.

The government set up the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal in 1969 under the chairmanship of Justice R S Bachawat.

But before the matter was heard by the tribunal, the riparian states changed their mind and agreed to divide the waters among themselves by mutual negotiations. Accordingly, some bilateral and multilateral agreements were concluded between 1975 and 1980 and filed before the tribunal with a request to include them in the final orders.

The bulk of the contribution to the Godavari is from the Pranahita, Indravati and Sabari tributaries and there is no dearth of water in the river below the confluence of the Pranahita for use by Andhra Pradesh. But, as a major part of the cultivable area in Telangana is situated at an elevation of 100-600 m above mean sea level, any reservoir will serve only a limited ayacut under gravity flow. To serve large tracts in Telangana, water is to be lifted to a considerable height. Under the Jalayagnam programme of the AP government, a number of lift irrigation schemes, such as the Godavari Lift Irrigation Scheme (LIS), Pranahitha- Chevella LIS, Dummagudem-Nagarjunasagar Tailpond LIS, etc. have been taken up and there is no dearth of water in the river for these projects.

Out of 3,216 tmc ft of utilizable water at 75% dependability in the river, the share of AP is about 1480 tmc ft. This has been earmarked for the projects under operation, construction and contemplation.

In addition, every year huge quantities of water, amounting to about 3,000 tmc ft are flowing into the sea in the flood season. Hence, there may not be any serious problem regarding the availability of water to all the projects under construction and contemplation even in case of division of the state.

Jalayagnam

Under the Jalayagnam programme, 45 major and 29 medium irrigation projects are being taken up, at an estimated cost of Rs 1,62,365 crore, to create an ayacut of 10.60 lakh acres and stabilize the old ayacut in the three regions of the state. In addition, rehabilitation and repairs to 10 flood banks and modernization of 8 irrigation projects have been contemplated at a total cost of Rs 17,314 crore.

Jalayagnam will bring 139.51 lakh acres under irrigation at a cost of Rs 1,07,871 crore in Telangana, 123.01 lakh acres (Rs 44,465 crore) in Coastal Andhra, and 52.52 lakh acres (Rs 2,637 crore) in Rayalaseema.

It is evident that no injustice has been done to any region, especially to Telangana, in the irrigation sector. In the best interests of all the three regions, it is advisable and desirable to complete all the balance works in a united state, or else it would be difficult for each of the future individual states to complete such projects with large outlays.

One important factor to be borne in mind is that the irrigation potential created in coastal Andhra is comparatively greater than that in other regions because of historic reasons, mainly the early efforts by British rulers and the advantage of gravity. The formation of a delta is a nature’s gift which contributes to the development of irrigation in that region. Because of this reason, the economic condition of Andhra Pradesh is comparatively more stable than other parts of the country.

Other issues

The government of Andhra Pradesh decided to modernize the Krishna delta system and save 29 tmc ft of water from the allocated 181.2 tmc ft to the Krishna delta. The government is yet to modernize the Krishna delta but meanwhile they have allocated 20 tmc ft to the Bhima project in Mahboobnagar in Telangana.The farmers of the delta never questioned the propriety of reallocation to 20 tmc ft to the Bhima project as they feel that Mahboobnagar district should get water for its needs. The balance of 9 tmc ft is allocated for evaporatioon losses in the Pulichintala project, which is a balancing reservoir.

The politicians of Telangana have been stating that the Pulichintala project is being constructed to provide water for a third crop in the Krishna delta.This is totally false propaganda. In fact, the project is only a balancing reservoir to store about 35 tmc ft of water. This storage will help all the three regions in one way or another.It is also necessary to remember that the Polavaram project being planned on the Godavari as a national project is going to help both Telangana and coastal Andhra.

In view of the above facts, we request the Srikrishna Committee to conclude that the fears expressed by some vested interests of Telangana are not correct and need to be ignored.

Source: http://expressbuzz.com/cities/hyderabad/no-one-is-stealing-telangana%E2%80%99s-water/167373.html

Affordable homes are fine, but for whom?

2010-04-22T11:20:00.002+05:30

NEWS CATEGARY

Are our policy planners and key stakeholders of realty sector serious about providing affordable homes to lakhs of Indians? This is really a very key question given that these days, talking and discussing affordable homes has become a fashion, practically among everyone even remotely associated with realty sector. It goes without saying that the term 'affordable housing' sounds alluring.

But when we talk about affordable homes, we must ask - affordable for whom? Is it affordable for those earning Rs 8,500 to Rs 40,000 per month, who comprise 44% of our populace and fall both in the formal and the informal sectors? And if so, where are the flats for these 44%? Where are the builders? And, critically, where are the banks which will dole out the loans? The answer for all these questions is the same - as good as none. These are some of the key questions, which have been discussed by Arun Mohan, a senior advocate and writer, in his latest offering "Affordable Housing: How Law and Policy can make it possible" .

Arun Mohan has tried to prove that all the advertisements , whether by the builders or the local development authorities, bank finances is for the top few - about 4%! While the lower 52% will have to wait for the country to develop further, the 44% of the population, or the great Indian middle class, is a victim through absence of laws and they have denied what is their due - an opportunity for an ownership of flats. At whichever strata or class a person is born, housing must be notionally considered a fundamental right - a right step has been taken with regard to education by making it a fundamental right. The rest depends on his skills, labour, determination, and also, to an extent, on his destiny.

A basic flat as a shelter is a prerequisite for proper education. In his endeavor in moving upwards , the laws of the land should not fail a citizen , but encourage and support him. The issue has perforce to be addressed from the standpoint of annual household income. Presently, only those with Rs 5 lakhs plus annual income (or less than 4% of the population) are attended to. Unless we attend to the 'middle class' (44%), which we easily can, we can never hope to attend to the 52% poorer masses.

Arun Mohan argues in his book that there are three areas that deserve urgent attention to provide affordable homes: One, availability of land for housing; two, availability of flats which are affordable; and, three, availability of bank finance . There is another problem and because of that prices are so high and the market is restricted . And that is there is crisis of confidence. And what is the answer to these issues? According to him, after analysing this problem, he believes a "certifying-cum-performance guaranteeing company" [or a regulator] is needed, which keeps a control on the builder and issues a "wideguarantee certificate" to the flat buyer that he will be delivered the flat he pays for. With this guarantee in hand, a flat buyer will be willing to part with his money and a bank will also be willing to finance it.
While making sufficient land available for affordable housing is important, one has to cater to the flat buyer who is not willing to part with his life savings and assume a liability because he does not trust the builder. There is the bank that is not willing to lend. And there is the builder, who, in the absence of a large market, cannot have the economies of scale and pass that benefit on to the buyer in terms of lower price.

Mohan writes that it is this "crisis of confidence" which is one of the major factors that has stifled growth of affordable housing in the country . So large is this sector and so important is housing, both for the citizen welfare and for nurturing and education of the young ones, that attention to this section, who comprise 44%, will hopefully propel national growth. Once this crisis of confidence has been overcome , the housing sector will see a boost. Mohan says that pricing is unnecessarily high, when it need not necessarily be so.
If we divide the population of our country into sectors according to income, it is only the top 4%, in fact less, and who are attended to by the banks for home finance. Only those at the top can afford houses. He notes that 44% of our middle and upper-middle class, which earns more than Rs 1 lakh a year or even Rs 5 lakhs a year receives no assistance for housing primarily because the flats that they can afford are not worth the money and, two, the bank finance is not available to them.

FOCAL POINT

There are three areas that deserve urgent attention to provide affordable homes—avilability of land, availability of affordable flats and availability of bank finance While making sufficient land available for affordable housing is important, one has to deal with the ‘crisis of confidence’ , which is the most major factor that has stifled the growth of affordable housing in our country

Source: Economic Times

Interest Rates for Real Estate Loans may go Up

2010-04-14T14:43:00.001+05:30

These is a possibility that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) may make borrowing more expensive for builders by asking banks to set aside more capital for loans to commercial real estate projects. Due to higher capital requirement, banks will have to raise interest rate on such loans.

Senior banking professionals feel that RBI may either raise standard provisioning or risk weight on bank loans to real estate companies in the forthcoming policy.

As per an official of Indian Overseas Bank, If RBI does not raise cash reserve ratio and keep signalling rates like repo rate and reverse-repo rate untouched, my feeling is that it may tighten the prudential norms. A hike in risk weight, particularly on real estate loans, is not ruled out."

Risk weight is the capital that is set aside for the calculation of capital adequacy ratio, which is 9 per cent for all banks. For real estate companies, risk weight is 100 per cent, irrespective of the rating due to which banks have to keep aside Rs 9 for every Rs 100 loan to builders.

The Tellapur Story...

2010-04-13T15:54:00.000+05:30

With signs of economic recovery and reality sector beginning to gather momentum, Tellapur Technocity Pvt Ltd has come forward to go ahead with its integrated township project at Tellapur in Ramachandrapuram Mandal in Medak district. The project was put on hold two years ago.

However, the proposed integrated township would have a different plan and not as announced as a 400-acre project at one go. The developer has proposed to take up the project in a phased manner beginning with a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Information Technology companies.

Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) sources said Tellapur Technocity, which is a consortium led by Tishman Speyers, ICICI and Nagarjuna Constructions Company, met the metropolitan authority officials a few days ago and expressed their willingness to take up the project.

“The developer has reworked on the integrated township and presented a proposal for SEZ in 100 acres as it paid land cost. The proposal is being examined,” a senior HMDA official said.

The 400-acre integrated township was planned along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) and close to Hi-Tec City and financial district at Gachibowli which falls in Tellapur village in Medak district. As per the original proposal, 30 million square feet built up area was to be provided in the township in eight years for Class A commercial, residential, recreational and mixed use.

The consortium, which turned into a special purpose vehicle Tellapur Technocity Pvt Ltd, has paid Rs 420 crore to HMDA in 2007 towards the land cost at the rate of Rs 4.21 crore per acre. The consortium was supposed to pay the balance amount, about Rs 1,700 crore, within six months. But the developer was reluctant to take up the project due to the slump in the real estate market for the past two years.

“We did not insist Tellapur Technocity to pay the balance as of the 400 acres, 240 acres are in legal wrangles and only 160 acre is free from litigation,” another HMDA official said.

Meanwhile, HMDA is mulling on providing Ramky Infrastructure more time to pay development premium for Srinagar township. The developer was supposed to pay development premium of Rs 25 crore in June, 2009, but sought six month extension which expired in January, 2010.

The township was proposed in about 700 acres at Srinagar in Maheshwaram Mandal of Ranga Reddy district. Due to legal problems, the HMDA denotified about 200 acre land from acquisition of the total 700 acres proposed. Later, both Ramky and erstwhile Hyderabad Urban Development Authority entered into an agreement to take up the project under public-private partnership in 355 acres of which 200 acres is government land and 155 acres private land. “Of the Rs 100 crore development premium, Rs 25 crore was paid in 2008 and the balance was to be paid within six months, but the developer did not pay the amount due to land problems,” he added.

Choosing Decent Localities In Hyderabad With Reasonable Realty Prices

2010-04-01T12:04:00.000+05:30

There has always been a good demand for affordable housing in Hyderabad. For many people Hyderabad is one of the preferred cities to get settled. Amidst growing demand during boom times, Hyderabad city became Greater Hyderabad from April 2007 and has grown from 175 sq. km to 650 sq. km and is divided into 5 Zones. The reality prices were exorbitant during those times, however later that showed some respite at least in some localities.

With the expansion of the city, many people are unable to figure out the best area to buy a house at affordable price and stay close to the city. Many of them are not aware of the prices in different zones of Hyderabad and are purchasing houses far away from the center of the city, often at higher prices. The information given below gives you an idea of the property pricing in Hyderabad and the detailed table may help you in decision making while purchasing a house.

Prices of properties in some interesting localities
North Zone: Double bedroom flats at Sainikpuri and Yapral are available at around Rs. 19 lakhs. At Balanagar, they will cost around Rs. 26 lakhs.

East Zone: A 2 bedroom flat at Mallapur costs around Rs. 19 lakhs only. It will cost around Rs. 23 lakhs at Bandlaguda or Uppal.

South Zone: A 2 bedroom flat at Dilsukhnagar costs around Rs. 23 lakhs. At L.B nagar, it would be bit more expensive at around Rs. 25 lakhs.

West Zone: Double bedroom flats at Chandanagar cost around Rs. 14 lakhs (around 900 sq. ft.). When it comes to Kukatpally and Miyapur, double bedroom flats range between Rs. 29 and Rs. 34 lakhs.

Expensive localities
According to the property prices listed in the outlook money recently, the most expensive area in the city is Begumpet. If you want to buy a double bedroom flat in Begumpet area, it would cost you around Rs. 48 lakhs of rupees. They are more costly than the flats at Kondapur, which cost around Rs. 40 lakhs.

Reasonable places to buy a flat
Flats at Mallapur are the most affordable as they cost under Rs. 20 lakhs and most importantly, they are not far away from the main city. One more option you can consider is Uppal. The distance between Begumpet and these areas is approximately 15 kms. Double bedroom flats at Ramanthapur are also affordable at Rs. 25 lakhs and are very close to the center of the city.

Click to view detailed list of property prices in Hyderabad

Note: Have mentioned the approximate prices of double bedroom flats with areas ranging from 1100 to 1200 sq. ft. just to give you an idea of the pricing in different locations. The prices will vary depending on the exact location of the property.

CyberCity Builders Coming with another venture near Hitech City

2010-04-01T12:01:00.000+05:30

Cybercity to Construct Premium Integrated High-Rise Township at Hi-tech City

March 31, 2010

Is recession over? Will people buy flats with rich amenities at Hitech city? ‘Yes’ says Cybercity Builders and Developers. Recently they have launched a latest project offering two and three bedrooms flats with rich amenities at Rock Gardens near Hitec-city MMTS station.

Cybercity Builders & Developers is promoted by Ashoka Developers & Builders. They are about to construct 1,220 units with feature-rich amenities and a fully loaded clubhouse spread over an area of four acres at recently launched residential apartments ‘Rainbow Vistas @ Rock Garden’ at Hi-Tech City. The overall cost of the project is said to be around Rs.570 crore.

According to the CEO of Cybercity Builders & Developers, the apartments would range between 1,085 sq. ft. and 2,075 sq. ft. and they will be costing between Rs.30 lakh and Rs.65 lakh. It is said that the project would be completed in two phases. Apartments with 600 flats will be ready in a span of two years in the first phase.

This integrated high-rise township with four-acre central park is said to have a world-class clubhouse on hilltop. Apart from this, it is said to consist all the amenities like grocery store, pharmacy, travel desk, utility payment office, strong room with safe deposit lockers and car washing area to make the stay hassle-free.

Visakhapatnam - Market Research

2010-03-08T10:03:00.000+05:30

Visakhapatnam:When one of the top 20 pharma giants in the world, Eisai Pharmaceuticals of Japan, inaugurated its global research and development and production facility in Visakhapatnam last month, it was not just another feather in the cap of the city that is being dubbed as the ‘city of destiny’. Rather, it was a harbinger of how significant the city has become in recent times and how fast it is developing into a major centre on the eastern coast.

The Telangana issue, which has forced planners to look beyond Hyderabad, has given a fresh impetus to the city. Known till recently for the Eastern Naval Command and the steel plant, Vizag is fast transforming into an IT hub, a pharma junction and a real estate goldmine. Lying on the Chennai-Kolkata coastal corridor, the city is home to the biggest special development zone, called the Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region (PCPIR), where an investment of $80 billion is expected.

The Vizag Urban Development Authority (VUDA), touching four districts, is the third biggest in the country after Bangalore and Mumbai. At least 25 IT companies are coming up here — three are already operational, four will be operational in a month and others by the end of 2010.

Like Hyderabad, IT is proving to be the catalyst for accelerated development here, forcing the authorities to lay four-lane roads and revamp public transport and civic infrastructure. Recently, a new fleet of metro buses was introduced and townships are being planned to meet the growing demand.

“There is an investment of Rs 700 to 800 crore in the IT sector here. We are looking at 20,000-30,000 jobs by the end of 2010,” said Naresh Kumar, head of Symbiosis Technologies which started in November.

Blessed with a natural harbour, the coastline is jotted with small hills that earlier prevented its growth, but private and public entrepreneurship has meant that the city is now growing on these hills. The country’s most picturesque IT parks have come up on Hill no 2 and 3 near Rushikonda and Madhurwada and another one is coming up at Ghambhiram.

“Considering that a majority of the people working in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore in the IT industry are from coastal Andhra, most of them may return to Vizag as the industry develops here. Companies which have data storages in Hyderabad or Bangalore are looking at a second place to store backups and Vizag is proving to be an ideal location. A couple of years ago, finding even 10,000 sq feet of ready office space was difficult. Today, there are people with one lakh sq feet space ready to be occupied,” added Kumar.

The city has also become a pharma zone with more than 20 major pharma companies coming up here. The Jawaharlal Nehru Pharma City, developed by Ramky Group in collaboration with AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), has 17 pharmaceutical companies. The adjacent Pharma SEZ has two global giants — Eisai Pharma of Japan and Pharmagel of Germany.

“The infrastructure and the facilities provided here are attracting investment. Good investment environment, large talent pool and easy access to global destinations due to the presence of ports are of great advantage. After Japan, the US and UK, this is our new research and development centre. We plan to manufacture 2 billion tablets and 30 tonnes of formulations per annum,” said Eisai Knowledge Centre head Sanjit Singh Lamba.

Executive Director of AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) Ishwar Rao said that besides the existing 17 companies in the pharma SEZ, another 30 companies will come up within a year. “A multi-product SEZ of 6,000 acres is coming up besides the Brandix Apparel SEZ. All this has injected life into Vizag. The Gangavaram and Vizag port and excellent connectivity to Kakinada port, 180 km away, have made it the gateway,” added Rao.

“The city is looking at slingshot development in the next five years. The three growth engines are infrastructure, IT & ITES and travel and tourism. The existing 20 lakh population is expected to reach 50 lakh in the next five years, so Rs 1,500 crore is being invested under the JNNURM to upgrade the civic infrastructure,” said vice-chairman of VUDA V N Vishnu.

Spread over 603 sq km near Vizag, the PCPIR will see several mega integrated petrochemical complexes and refineries coming up like never before in a single corridor that extends across the coast from Vizag to Kakinada. The HPCL is the nodal organisation which will anchor the development of infrastructure, in association with APIIC.

“Unlike other cities, Vizag’s real estate prices have remained stable and there is only a marginal drop in rates. That is because 70 per cent of the population is employed with PSUs like steel plant, shipyard, naval dock yard, HPCL, and have a permanent income. The demand for real estate has been steady and not subject to recession. The city is developing so fast that residential layouts some 30 to 40 km from the city centre are being lapped up immediately,” said N V Satya, president of Apartment Builders Association.

RealEstate - UNION Budget 2010-11

2010-03-01T16:43:00.000+05:30

Union Budget 2010-11 has both positive and negative aspects for the real estate developers as well as the buyers. There is a revision in personal income tax slabs, which will strengthen the purchasing power of the buyers affecting the demand of the residential sector. The common man will also be benefited by the continued subsidy of one per cent for affordable housing loans, which will help this sector to grow. A one-time interim relief would be provided to the housing and real estate sector by allowing pending projects to be completed within a period of five years instead of four years for claiming a deduction on their profits.

On the other hand, a two per cent increase in excise duty of cement and steel might not prove profitable for the real estate developers as the cost of construction would be expensive which will ultimately result in the increased cost of the project and hence the buyers will be affected. Also, it would have been a great support to the real estate sector if Section 80I (B) would have been renewed to thrive the demand of affordable housing.

Union Budget 2010-11 is supportive for the tax payers as the extension of limit will help in reducing burden on individual tax payers. The budget tabled will induce renewed sense of optimism over the country's growth.

Focus Shifts to "The City of Destiny"

2010-02-06T16:54:00.000+05:30

VISAKHAPATNAM the city of destiny

Visakhapatnam, the city of destiny, is the jewel on the eastern coast of India. The City is a harmonious blend of the magical past and the bustling present with a breath taking panorama of golden beaches, lush green fields, verdant valleys and splendid monuments from a historically rich and religious heritage.

Vizag attractions (Why Vizag)

Education
Visakhapatnam is also considered as one of the main centers of education in the state of Andhra Pradesh. It is the home of the renowned Andhra University, Andhra medical college. And many more esteemed educational institutions

Economy
The city's growth has mostly been due to its heavy industries. The Vizag Special Economic Zone plays a vital role in the industrial growth of the city.
Some of the major players

HPCL – Oil Refinery (Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited)
Visakhapatnam Steel Plant Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL)Vizag Steel Plant
Hindustan Zinc Limited
Bharat Heavy Plate and Vessels Ltd (BHPV).
Hindustan Shipyard Limited
Visakhapatnam Port Trust
Coromandel Fertilizers
National Thermal Power Corporation
Rain Calcining Limited
Essar Pelletization Plant and many more
LG Polymers

Tourism
Vizag is Well known for beaches ,nearby scenic Araku Valley and Borra caves, the 11th-century Simhachalam temple and ancient Buddhist sites spread across the area. The city boasts a submarine museum, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, at Rama Krishna Beach. the weather here also remains favorable throughout the year.

IT
Vizag is another corridor for IT in Andhra. Due to the economic importance and talent pool, IT companies that have already started venturing into the city. Satyam, TCS, Wipro and others like Symbiosis Technologies, Color Chips, have already acquired land in the city and there are many more companies in the fray and the growth of Vizag shows up that It could be the next IT hub in Andhra.
There has been a rise in the real estate prices,. Recently various software companies announced their plans for starting development centers in Vizag, which has also contributed to the rise in real estate prises. Inflows from NRIs from Vizag has further added to this rise.
Vizag is developing exponentially and so is the demand arising. Residential sector of real estate is experiencing a boom in Vizag. Residential property in Vizag is now in great demand after the latest Investment trends in Vizag. People have begun to realize the best investment in Vizag now lies in Real estate. There is a solid demand for residential property especially luxury and deluxe apartments in Vizag. Finding the ideal property in a city like Vizag could be a mind - boggling task, Budgets, Size, Location, Quality... There are so many considerations GK has both residential as well as commercial property to suit your needs & choice.
Designed to meet growing demand of premium lifestyle, GK brings you convenient and splendid choice of dwelling & homes with a host of heartwarming amenities at reasonable prices in Vizag. Maintaining a steady experience in the relevant field, this group is committed to deliver nothing less than top-notch quality and impeccable service. Building landmarks of committed service over strategic locations in and around Vizag. With a team of efficient and dedicated engineers, supervisors and other officials, GK is keeping its promise of delivering superior quality intact.
If you're considering moving and thinking of Quality, then your search ends here with GK Townships and structures. Choosing where to live is one of the most important decisions you make. So take a moment to review the special features we offer with each and every project. Compare us with your other options, side by side, and you will see that we are beyond comparison.

The Backwardness Competetion in AP - A politicians GAME

2010-01-10T14:48:00.008+05:30

Here in AP we find new kind of competition these days.. The Backwardness Competition.

Politicians from different political parties and regions started claiming that their area is back ward when compared to the rest of AP.

Some even went to an extent that their area is wealthy in the days of Pre-Independence.. But they lost all resources post independence..

Some Claim that they dont have proper drinking water and some say that their jobs are snatched by non Locals.Some even say that their grand fathers used to have a surplus budget of 100 crores... But they lost every thing with the formation of AP.

God Knows what these Politicians are doing all these days and what a pity that people are not Questioning them for their backwardness when these politicians clam it before them..These very same politicians are ruling their constancies from the past 60 yrs.. Its the very same people who have been alloted with hefty amounts for their constituency development. Almost equal amounts based on the demographies. They looted peoples Money all these days... Destroyed peoples Assets(Public Transport etc..) with their loyal supporters.. and now claiming for Non development of their regions...

How many times we have seen a politician taking an agitation for basic needs(Proper drinking water / Basic human Needs / Good Medication for Poor / Price Raises / Quality Education for every one/ Eradicating the Bribe system in all public sectors ).

Did any of these politicians got guts to come out and project the developments that they have done with the Fund allocated for their constituency.. They have done nothing for people and made Crores of money using their power and People still believe what these people say and get emotional with their talks???? Cant we use or sense.

Do we lack it or we switch it off when we listen to them?????

Every bafoon tells the same thing "I CAN TELL 100 REASONS FOR SEPARATION CAN YOU TELL ONE FOR BEING UNITED...."

Cant they see that all the 100 reasons are just because they failed to do their duty. They are supposed to fight for peoples cause... but they fought with each other... for their Money.. For their Greed.. for their power... they waste all their time in Assembly just by blaming each other...

Dont we people know that??? Havent we seen it before... What do you think? with a separate state we are going to be tru with all that and every one will fight for peoples cause????? What a JOKE....

Its a mere political game played by Jobless politicians.

Whom they are fooling??????????????????????????

Settlers...

2010-01-04T10:17:00.003+05:30

Settlers........

What a irritating term.. Are we living in Uganda...as per today's scenario people say that if you are a non telanganite then you are a settler... come Onn you dumbo.. its Andhrapradesh and 93% of people living today are born after the formation of Andhrapradesh. they have been taught from their school days the Map of AP and its history.. No where No one told that they cant go to any place other than the place they are born and they will be called as settlers / Outsiders in that place (Check with your Teacher...)

Dont show the instincts of a street dog.. it got many other habits we humans can never follow...

In these days of globalization if we create a situation where we cant move from the place we born in fear of being called a settler then how can you expect development?????

then people from Karimnagar who lives in Hyderabad will be called as settlers..

People from Rajamundry who lives in Vizag are called settlers .........

That case we all are settlers...Actually our origins are in AFRICA....

what a JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!

In todays Scene No Politician accepts the facts that any one can live any where...

they say "we will let them live if they are Pro Telangana"--- u looser who cant even contest the GHMC polls???

who are you to allow some one to live here??? Dora of Telangana???

Where have you been when rajasekhar reddy challenged you????

I know i shouldn't get personal but could help at times when we hear these kind of baseless things...

Violation of Fundamental Rights in AP

2010-01-04T09:21:00.003+05:30

What the heck is happening in AP?

Where is democracy??

what is the government of INDIA doing???

How can some one threaten people publicly that they will Kill(Addangaa Narikestaam) if they say they are for United Andhrapradesh.. how can they stop some one from the very fundamental right- "Freedom of Speech and Expression which is applicable to Citizens of India."

Did these so called Students did any Agitation in the following situations....

1) When Government failed to implement 610 GO

2) When politicians fail in their promises.

3) When there is poor distribution of water resources.

4) when bomb blasts happens in Hyderabad.

5) When politicians eat Crores of Peoples money.

6) When they lay worst roads which cant stand a single monsoon season.

7) when the poor people die with lack of proper medical aids

8) when corruption is there in every single Govt Office..

9) when people are rejected proper drinking water (in parts of Nalgonda, Vijayanagaram, Anantapur, Hyderabad etc...)

What is driving them today??

Where are they going to be when a separate state forms??

what is their influence/role on Politicians who are there for ages and ready with their sons and daughters who will be stepping in to their shoes after them...

How can they make sure all is going to be well if Telangana Forms?

How can they gain Investors confidence?? -- With our much business activity how can they develop telangana???

Do they know how much trauma they are creating in peoples life??

People with daily wages are getting starved...
Development stopped.. Heavy job loss...
Just recovering from Recession and with the current agitation the recovery in AP is hampered.
No New developments in the last one month and atleast in the next one Year.
As per a report from Govt of AP every day they loose some thing about 300 Crores..
Many Pharma industries and IT companies Moving back to Other parts of india.
where are we heading to with these agitations?????

Comments from Politicians:

All the Non Telanganites are robing our wealth:

Doing business is not a crime and if we gain some wealth by doing that whats wrong. If some one spends his wealth some where that is where the economy flourishes.. check out the basics of Economics for it.

We developed Telangana:

This is another baseless statement. we did business for our survival.For our existence.. we haven't done any charity there.. then how can we claim for the development of Telangana????

Hyderabad belongs to Telangana:

Hyderabad belongs to India.. then AP. As per our democracy every one got a right to go any where in India and do any thing as per the law of the land.Hyderabad belongs to the people of Hyderabad.. people got equal rights-- as for some one from Karimnagar to some one from Anantapur. its every ones taxes that are being worked here....

We couldn't get a single extra Train in the Union Cabinet Budget with 42 MP's What can we achieve with 17 & 25 ???

Answers to Common Questions on Telangana issue - Analysis by Katta VIjay

2009-12-26T13:01:00.001+05:30

1.) There are 10 districts in Telangana, 9 in Andhra and 4 in Rayalaseema. Out of these 7 districts in Telangana, 3 in Andhra and 1 in Rayalaseema are considered severely backward districts which means 70% of districts in Telangana are backward while in Andhra it is 35% and in Rayalaseema it is 25%. Apart from these there are some areas in all parts of the state which are also backward.
Ans:
List of districts in Telangana – Adilabad, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal,Khammam, Medak, Rangareddy,Nalgonda, Mahabubnagar, Hyderabad. Out of these, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Medak, Khammam, Hyderabad, Rangareddy cannot be categorized as backward districts.
List of districts in Rayalaseema – Kurnool, Kadapa, Ananthapur, Chittoor. Of these Ananthapur, Kadapa and some parts of Chittoor are backward, with Ananthapur being the worst-hit district of whole AP.
List of districts in Coastal Andhra – Nellore, Prakasam, Guntur, Krishna, West Godavari, East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vijayanagaram, Srikakulam. Of these, Srikakulam, Vijayanagaram, Visakhapatnam (other than Vizag City), Prakasam, Western parts of Krishna, Guntur (Palnadu area), Godavari (Manyam area) districts are considered backward (compared to the non-backward areas of Telangana).
Clearly, the above statement is more of a prejudiced opinion than a fact.

2)
45% of the state income comes from Telangana region. When it comes to utilization of funds, the share of Telangana is only 28%.
Ans:
As was pointed out by some members here, the income from hyderabad and rangareddy districts forms a major share of this income. This income
mostly comes from the sectors of Real Estate, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and IT industries. Not to instigate any regional feelings here, but it is worth noting that many of these companies (excluding IT sector to some extent) are owned by non-Telanganites.

3)
Normally canals are dug to supply water to the crops from rivers for cultivation. The amount of land cultivated through canals in just Guntur district is more than the land cultivated with canals in entire Telangana region.
Ans:
Not true. Guntur district irrigated area is 6,78,197 acres (http://irrigation.cgg.gov.in/dp/GunturDistrictProfile.jsp). Karimnagar district irrigated area is 6,47,402 acres (http://irrigation.cgg.gov.in/dp/KarimnagarDistrictProfile.jsp. Note that 1 Hectare = 2.471 acres).

Nagarjuna sagar dam is built in Nalgonda district which is in Telangana but majority of the water from the dam is used for Krishna and Guntur district. The original dam was supposed to be build much ahead of its present location but the location was changed so that it falls in the
Telangana region. Due to the construction of the dam several hectares of Lime stone mines vanished as part of the dam back waters. Everyone know that lime stone is used for producing cement. Even the natural resources were not allowed to remain.
Ans:
A bit of a history here – Nagarjuna Sagarproject was originally conceived by the British, around 1903, with Siddeswaram and Pulichintala as possible balancing reservoir sites. Unfortunately, these proposals did not materialize. Floods in Krishna river used to devastate Krishna district, while Guntur and Nalgonda were drought prone. As part of the first five-year plan, Nehru Govt. appointed Khosla committee to examine and report on the optimum and most beneficial utilization of Krishna River waters. The recommendations of the Committee, which were later endorsed by the Planning Commission in December, 1952, are to construct Nandikonda Dam across Krishna River with full reservoir level at +590.00 feet with canals taking off on either side. Water allocated to the Project is 281 TMC. The foundation stone of the Dam was laid by the late Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India on 10.12.1955. (It is worth noting here that Andhra Pradesh state was formed in 1956, after the dam foundation was laid. It is outrageous to spread the idea that there’s a conspiracy by the Andhrites in shifting the location of the site, when the state itself was not in existence.)
Another piece of interesting information on the background of Nagarjuna Sagar –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raja_of_Muktyala#Achievements.
"Raja spent fifty two lakhs of rupees (in 1950s) as a matching grant for the project construction". What is the investment of Telangana in this project, while reaping the benefits of the project and yet promoting the idea that injustice was done ?
Regarding Limestone quarries, there are enough limestone reserves to support a host of cement industries.For more info – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaggaiahpet#Economy.
Statements that non-telangana regions conspired against Telangana people are false theories spread by people with vested interests.

5)
Fluorinated water problem is only in Nalgonda district which has not been resolved since decades.
Ans:
This is not a problem specific to Nalgonda district and the statement that no efforts have been made to resolve this issue is not true. This problem existed in many other districts as well (Adilabad, Anantpur, Chittoor, Guntur, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Krishna, Kurnool, Mahabubnagar, Medak, Nalgonda, Nellore, Prakasam, Ranga Reddy, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Warangal, West Godavari). For more info –http://cgwb.gov.in/gw_profiles/st_ap.htm.
The state has initiated (RWS) schemes to resolve this problem. While the majority of drinking water works for Ananthapur district was sponsored by the Satyasai Organizationhttp://www.srisathyasai.org.in/Pages/Service_Projects/Anantapur.htm), the state has sponsored the schemes in Telangana districts. Anyone could see the injustice being done to Rayalaseema here, in favor of Telangana. Yet, the hate speeches organized by Telangana theorists twist this "fact".
Another piece of info that I know firsthand here – The RWS scheme was first proposed in Nizamabad district by the then Chief Engineer Mr U.Kutumba Rao (incidentally, he’s from the Andhra Region’s Krishna district) and he made sure that the funds were released by the then TDP govt (thanks to Late Sri Karanam Ramachandra Rao, Minister of TDP Govt). No Telangana Politician thought about this for decades together and yet they somehow attribute this problem to Telangana discrimination !!!
Reg. the Nalgonda district, efforts to supply krishna water to the affected districts is almost nearing completion (thanks to the proposal by TDP Govt and Implementation by the Congress Govt.)

Two major rivers Krishna and Tungabhadra enter the state of AP in the district of Mahaboobnagar (the biggest district in Telangana) but the district always remains the worst draught hit areas along with Anantapur because there is no project and process with which the water can be utilized. The plans for utilization has been pending for decades.
Ans:
To put things in perspective, we need to look at the background of the drought conditions. Agriculture in this district has been primarily done by borewells since long back and indiscriminate increase of this usage, over decades, led to depletion of ground water levels. The contours and the percentage of arable land in this district doesn’t help either (Anantapur fares much worse in that the forest cover is only 5%, whereas Mahabubnagar has a forest cover of 16%). The eastern part is upland/hilly and the majority of the soil is Red Chalka type. This district is mostly a catchment area for the rivers, which means this is not really plain land. Govts over the years have tried to implement various measures such as watershed projects (through Desert Development Programmes, Drought Prone Region Development Programmes etc), Small check dams and drip irrigation schemes. The efforts of the Govts led to an increase in ground water level and rejuvenation of around 31000 borewells.
This is not to say that the Govts have done enough. Much more needs to be done here, which has not been done so far.
Currently, Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Project, Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Project and Rajiv Lift Irrigation Projects are being implemented and upon their completion, this district will hopefully be no more categorized as drought-prone.

In Telangana regions, only few areas cultivate one crop a year and very rarely two crops a year while most of the land doesn’t even cultivate
single crop. In both the Godavari districts, Krishna and Guntur district, two crops a year is common and there are times where even 3 crops a year are cultivated. The only reason is WATER.

Ans:
Not all regions of Godavari/Krishna/Guntur cultivated three crops a year. And this is not the reality anymore, particularly for Krishna river basin. The water for second crop itself is not guaranteed anymore (Pulichintala is the solution for this).

33% of the population in Mahaboobnagar district have left the district for livelihood to different parts of the state due to draught and majority of them are working as daily labour. No other district has so many people who fled the home place due to lack of livelihood and working as daily labour.

Ans:
This is not a problem unique to Mahabubnagar. Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts have the same problem. The problem in Mahabubnagar district is conveniently projected as a Telangana issue.

9)
Dairy development corporation of AP purchases milk from farmers across the state for distribution. For the same milk, in Andhra, the government pay Rs. 24 to the farmers and in Telangana they pay Rs. 22 per litre. Partiality is shown even in milk

Ans:
Milk procurement price is dependent on various quality parameters, one of them being the fat content. For eg., Mahabubnagar district in the 90s produced milk with low fat content (reasons ranged from feeding practices and quality cattle, to diluting milk with water). The then Govt installed Technical Assistance Services to implement bank credits for procuring quality cattle, cattle insurance, cattle vaccinations, Milk testing centers etc. This led to increase in Milk production, Fat content (from 6% to 7.3%) and an increase of profits for Milk producers (in Wanaparthy segment alone, there was an increase of 40laks in profit, in 3 years). The point to be noted here is that there’s no discrimination done here, as projected by the statement above.
In fact, the AP dairy federation’s Milk Procurement Price ranges from Rs.25.50 to Rs. 28.00/Ltr for Buffalo milk and Rs. 11.91 to Rs. 12.53/Ltr for Cow milk.

10)

In between 2005-2008 government sold lands worth Rs. 20000 crores in and around Hyderabad which was utilized to build projects in Rayalaseema and Andhra.

Ans:
Properties were sold not just in Hyderabad. This happened in Vijayawada and Vizag as well to some extent. The figure of 20000 crores itself is highly debatable. Added to that, the Govt has spent (and has been spending) on the following Telangana projects -
1. Alisagar Lift Irrigation Project
2. J. Chokka Rao Project (Phase I and II)
3. Gutpa Lift Irrigation Project
4. Alimineti Madhava Reddy Project
5. Sriram Sagar Project (Phase I and II) and the flood canal
6. Bhima Lift Irrigation project
7. Sripada Rao Lift Irrigation project
8. Dummugudem project
9. Kalwakurthi Lift Irrigation Project
10. Nettempadu Lift Irrigation Project
11. Lendi Project
12. Suddavagu, Peddavagu, Palemvagu, Gollavagu, Ralivagu, Mathadivagu, Modikuntavagu and Gundlavagu projects
13. Komuram Bheem Project
14. Koilsagar Lift Irrigation Scheme
15. Kinnerasani Project
16. Ichampally Project (Govt has been trying to resolve longstanding interstate issues and is trying to get national project status for this. It is worth noting that no Telangana leader/intellectual has tried to get these issues
resolved or lobbied for the national status and yet non-telangana regions are somehow blamed for non-implementation of this project.)
It should also be noted that many of these projects are lift-based. This is due to the topography of the Telangana region (Deccan Plateau). The power ‘consumption’ for operating/maintaining these projects are enormous. For eg. the Nettempadu, Kalwakurty and Devadula projects require 1200MW of power. On the other hand, the Pulichintala project will add 120MW and Polavaram project will add 960 MW of power ‘production’.

11)

Not even a single project was completed in Telangana in the last 5 years while several projects were completed in Andhra and Rayalaseema.

Ans:
Another baseless statement. The following projects in Telangana regions have become operational in the last 5 years -
1. Devadula Lift Irrigation Project (Phase I) (benefits 60,000 acres) became operational in March, 2008.
2. Alisagar Lift Irrigation Project (benefits 54,000 acres) became operational in November, 2007.
3. A. Madhava Reddy Project(Phase I) (benefits 50,000 acres) became operational in September, 2006.
Compared to this, the following projects became operational in Andhra/Rayalaseema region -
1. Pushkara Lift Irrigation in East Godavari district (mostly to the non-irrigated North and Westerm parts of the district). This project benefits 80,000 acres.
2. Tadipudi Lift Irrigation scheme, mostly for providing drinking water to the water-starved upland mandals of West Godavari district, is partially Operational.
3. Brahmamsagar Project (benefits 50,000 acres) in Cuddapah district
4. Pedderu Reservoir (benefits 13,000 acres) in Visakhapatnam district
5. Jhanjhavati Project (benefits 9000 acres) in Vizianagaram district
Further details can be obtained at http://ppms.cgg.gov.in/Reports.do (login as guest/guest).

12)
3 TMC of water from Gandipet is sufficient to supply drinking water to our city. Every year 1700 TMC of water is wasted and is flown into Bay of Bengal from river Godavari. Starting from Nizambad to Bay of Bengal there is no project allowed to build on Godavari. If it is built leaders in Godavari districts fear that the fertile lands in the area may fall short of water. If the Godavari water is utilized properly, there will be no scarcity for food grains in our state.

Ans:
The statement is contradicting itself. Godavari districts are not using the 1700 tmc water, as the statement says. What would they gain, by blocking projects that utilize this water ? 1700 tmc is equivalent to more than 4 Nagarjunasagar reservoirs ! And 1200 tmc is way above the requirements of telangana region, which means there will still be water left to sea. Why would Godavari districts block when they have no use of this water ?
Also, "no project allowed" implies blaming non-telangana region. Who ‘allows’ the projects ?? If the allegation is that there is politicial interference, then the Telangana MLAs are more in number, compared to Godavari districts. Why didn’t anyone resort to such ‘Aamarana Deeksha’ for getting projects built ? Telangana leaders/intellectuals conveniently cover up the fact that longstanding interstate issues existed between Maharashtra, (the now) Chattisgarh and AP for Ichampally Project. Why haven’t any of these leaders/intellectuals helped the Govt in these issues, if they’re so interested ? They also do not mention that the Sripada Sagar dam is one of the larger capacity dams built on Godavari river for the benefit of Telanagana region, after AP was formed.
Godavari dists are mostly irrigated based on the projects/canals built by the british (other than the new dowleswaram barrage). They couldn’t even get new projects implemented for benefitting the backward western parts (the manyam areas) and they’re being blamed for blocking Telangana projects.

Source: http://jabilli.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/question-answers-about-telangana/

Curtains Down for Telangana? --- Analysis by MBS Prasad

2009-12-19T15:34:00.001+05:30

Delhi’s attitude is becoming clearer.

They won’t go back on their word.
They’ll see that assembly tables the T (elengana)-resolution.
Whether it gets passed there or not, they will take it up in parliament.

This is what they told bluntly when MLAs from C(Coastal) and R (Rayalaseema) met them. They said “You have misled us thru hypocrisy and you want to place all the blame at our doorstep. You pay for your sins and pacify your electorate. That is not our funeral.”

Does this mean Congress gave up C & R?

Here lies the rub, I am afraid. There is something lurking between the lines. As per them, the resolution has to be tabled and it is not imperative to see that it is passed.

Congress has no history of issuing whips (a command asking all the party members to vote on party lines under the threat of expulsion) in such matters. Other parties too might follow the suit.
When there is no whip, party members might vote region-wise.
175 members from C & R regions might vote against state-division bill.
Out of the 119 from T region, some MLAs from certain districts (Hyderabad, RR, Khammam etc.) might vote against.
The real estate sector opposing separation might chip in with moneybags.
Probably Rajagopal was counting on these factors when he said 225 would against the bill.

But assembly’s approval of division is not mandatory. It is advisory in nature but it conveys a message that everyone in T is not asking for separation. The bill then goes to parliament. KCR has been telling us he did lot of lobbying in Delhi for years together and gathered strength for T bill. Let us see the chances of winning there.

Sharad Pawar backed out. DMK said firm ‘no’. Mamata too.
BJP and BSP are the large parties supporting the bill. Among BJP allies - Shiv Sena is against the bill due to Vidarbha problem. Nitish says he would rather welcome merger of Jharkhand into Bihar rather than splitting any state further.
In the third front, CPM and its allies oppose and CPI supports the bill.
The minor ones like Ajit Singh’s etc. may count up to 25 votes more, maximum

Everything depends upon what Congress does. In the absence of whip, many state units oppose the bill. Maharashtra CM is already on record that he is against divisions. Every other state has some or other problem in the shape of SC classification, SC status for certain castes, inclusion into BC list etc. Why add another one, they might think. ‘T problem concerns people in T only. Why stir up hornet’s nest here for their sake’ they might reason. Even BJP finds it hard to convince its Karnataka unit in view of separate Coorg demand.

No whip means No T bill, one can safely conclude.

Probably this is what Chidambaram and co. told JC Diwakar Reddy and Co. This way high command does not lose its face in T and does not displease C & R. But this definitely angers voters in T and Congress would be taught a lesson. Is Congress prepared for this?

They must be banking upon weak public memory. Next assembly elections are four and a half years away. This anger might die down. In 1971 Congress hijacked TPS lock, stock and barrel by luring Chenna Reddy and co., who led 1969 separate T agitation. T people felt bitter but did not carry the grouse till next elections. They elected Congress again in 1977.

By giving T now,

Congress is bound to lose C & R, much bigger state than T
Again there is no guarantee that Congress gets the benefit in T. Initial advantage goes to TRS and where TRS is weak, Congress has to compete with TDP, whose cadre in T is strong.
Even if TRS offers to join Congress, local Cong. Leaders oppose it for fear of losing tickets for TRS candidates. And mercurial KCR’s record does not show him a reliable ally.

Cong; has another option postponing the issue by keeping assembly in suspended animation or appointing a commission. Supposing the commission submits its report in 2012, govt. has to take some action displeasing some or the other area and since 2014 would not be far away repercussions might be drastic.

So Congress decided to take up T issue on now-or-never basis and wants to resolve the issue once and for all, I think.

Caveat – This piece is written applying pure logic and the writer is not endowed with any supernatural powers to predict or any inside information. Take it or leave it, but do not attribute any motives, please.

Source : http://greatandhra.com/ganews/viewnews.php?id=18083&cat=10&scat=25

MBS Prasad
mbsprasad@gmail.com

how we are going to handle these issues after separate statehood???

2009-12-14T18:21:00.001+05:30

If Hyderabad is made capital of Telangana, it is Andhra which needs to build new capital. So central funds will (have to) go to Andhra but not telangana. So what additional funds you are getting by dividing state for development of telangana region????

If Hyderabad is made union territory, both Andhra and telangana have to build new capitals. Its means much of funds needs to be invested in infrastructure. So what kind of development and welfare schemes can you take up?

we are unable to get any development package for telangana when -There are 42 - KCR is a central minister -Telangana is a key election issue How can you get funds with just 17 MP's?

Govt of AP has brought huge amounts of loans and invested in development of Hyderabad, irrigation projects, infrastructure etc. Telangana would also get its share and would have enough debt burden on your head. How do govt handle it?

When many of Indian states have developed their infrastructure and trying to grab their share in FDI / private investments, we would be starting to build our capital itself. Do you think this is right time for TELANGANA?

If Hyderabad is given to telangana:

Hyderabad is known for IT and ITES which are highly non reliable sectors as -These industries can be easily relocated to other parts of India -Highly dependent of world economy -Highly dependent of govt policies of US and Europe. -These industries are almost reached its peak.

What is govt plan to create reliable sources of income?

More than 95% of jobs are there in private sector and govt can hold reservations for the state anyway. How does creation of new state would improve job opportunities for telangana people?

India and its states are trying their best to attract investment. Why are you seeing investment from other Andhra regions as a treat/monopoly?

Hyderabad would definitely lose some investments to other cities (Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Mumbai etc) because of current political instability. It would definitely impacts telangana people. How do you handle it?

How People are misleaded in Telangana Issue???

2009-12-14T17:58:00.001+05:30

Distortion of facts
The allegation that Telangana region has not developed or has developed less than the Andhra and Rayalaseema regions is totally baseless. Actually, after the formation of the linguistic state of Andhra Pradesh in 1956, it is the Telangana region that has fared much better than the other two regions. This is not surprising because the capital city of Hyderabad is in the Telangana region.

It is a universally acknowledged that development takes place most in and around the capital city. This is true of even the city of Delhi. A foreign writer described Delhi an artificial city because, in its enormous development, it is not representative of the rest of India. Actually, the same is true of most of national capitals and even of state capitals in a federation.

The clamour for separation comes normally from the regions away from the capital. In the case of Telangana, surprisingly, the clamour for separation is from the region which has benefited most. However a little probe would establish that the clamour is not from the grassroots but from the self-seeking political brokers.

Greater beneficiary
After 1956, most of the institutional and industrial developments have taken place in and around the capital city of Hyderabad, though the city had no infrastructural facilities like power, water, transport, access to a port etc. It didn’t have even abundant raw material resources. Because of the Central and State investments, many ancillary Industries have sprung up in this region. The necessary personnel to man the industries have migrated to Hyderabad not only from Andhra Pradesh but from other parts of India as well. This phenomenon has benefited Telangana most. The rest of Andhra Pradesh didn’t see such development, but the Rayalaseema and Andhra regions are not grumbling.

As far as irrigation is concerned, before the formation of the state in 1956, there were no irrigation projects except Nizamsagar in Telangana region. There were some projects in the other two regions like Dhawaleswaram dam on Godavari, Prakasam barrage on Krishna, KC canal from Tungabhadra, dam on Penna , Kanigiri reservoir etc. After the formation of the State, Nagarjunasagar, Srisailam, Somasila. Sriramsagar, Lower Maneru projects have come up. Of these, Nagarjunasagar and Srisailam projects have benefited both Telangana and Andhra regions. Somasila benefited Nellore district for irrigation, besides supplying drinking water to Tirupati and Chennai. Sriramsagar and Lower Maneru projects are exclusively for the benefit of Telangana. Considering all these it can not be said that Telangana has been deprived by any stretch of imagination.

After the formation of the State, it is the Telangana region that has developed industrially most. Also, all the major service industries like IT and Tourism etc. have developed mostly in Hyderabad city and around. The other two regions have remained virtually stagnant. They remained agricultural as they were at the inception, barring the lone exception of Visakhapatnam.

The other absurd allegation that Telangana has been exploited by the rest of Andhra Pradesh is a travesty of facts. The capital has flown from rest of Andhra Pradesh into Telangana, and not the other way round. The flow of capital has been only a one way street. The generation of employment consequent to fresh investment has taken place only in Telangana region, particularly, in and around Hyderabad. There is nothing surprising about the industries tapping, for technically trained manpower requirements from all over the country, and from other regions of Andhra Pradesh.

Lack of mass base
In spite of such impeachable facts about the development of the Telangana region, if there is still a clamour for separation, it can only be because of the politically disgruntled class and other vested interests and self-seeking government employees. It is worth noting that the TRS which spearheads the movement for separation has seen a gradual decrease in its share of the voters in the various elections that have taken place in recent years. Had the TRS had a real mass base, it would not be craving for alliances with other parties. The very fact that the TRS is eagerly searching for political partners would show how diffident it is. Likewise, political parties too want to jump on the band wagon with an eye on the ensuing elections.

It needs to be noted that Telangana started from a lower development base. For ages, it was under the Nizam’s rule, whereas the rest of Andhra Pradesh was under the British rule, which was relatively better off, with greater facilities for education under the British government and lesser social suppression of the weaker classes.

Inequalities between regions because of historical and other reasons are such that they cannot be wiped off in a day. What is needed is to judge whether regional imbalances are being gradually minimized over a period. Judged by this standard, Telangana region has benefited more by its integration than the other two regions. Thus the shoe is on the other foot.

A slogan of culture of Telangana being in jeopardy and that its self-respect is damaged is again a bogey. In these days of global integration, no region’s culture is in tact. Every region benefits from its exposure to global culture. Concepts like individual dignity and freedom from servility have spread even in a stifled atmosphere of Telangana region after the formation of the state. If separate Telangana should happen, there is the danger of a reversion to the original state - when the servant can not see the master in the eye and he will be obliged to carry his chappals. Such slavery was widespread in Telangana region and not in the rest of Andhra Pradesh.

Pining for slaves
The dominant castes/ classes feel deprived because, after integration, they don’t enjoy their old power and privileges. In a separate Telangana, it is exactly the minorities, the dalits, the tribes from the hills, and the landless working class that will suffer the most and will see an erosion of their dignity and relative freedom which they have slowly got after integration. The so called loss of culture or self-respect is more a call for the restoration of the old privileges on the part of the exploiters than anything else.

Historically speaking, the word Telangana originally meant only a region of the Telugu speaking people. The Telugus were united under 1) Andhrasathavahanas, 2) Kakatiyas 3) Vijayanagara empire and 4) even Nizam before certain districts were ceded by him to the British. It is interesting to know that, at the beginning of the 16th century, it was the coastal and adjoining region that was shown as Telangana in a Map from the book “India-A History” by John Keay (Page: 280) Publisher: Harper Collins.(Copy enclosed).

The formation of a separate state of Andhra Pradesh is a culmination of the dream of all Telugu people and the result of the sacrifices of so many patriotic people. The dream should not be allowed to be shattered by the machinations of a few short-sighted, self-seeking, and power-hungry, political activists. The political parties are toeing the line and are aligning only for drawing political mileage. They have no other interest except self- interest and short term gain.

The so-called “sentiment” (which is more a catchy slogan) is limited to the power brokers. If at all there is some “sentiment, it is because of the ignorance of the masses and because the relevant facts and figures are not made known to them. So there is an urgent need to make available the correct facts and figures to the masses and to educate them. This can best be done by the government in power.

The Telangana movement has been whipped up at different points of time by the politically disgruntled elements. Similarly, a counter movement for a separate Andhra region was also seen in the past. The Central leadership of those times stood rock-like and didn’t yield. There is a need to exhibit the same determination even today when political morality in generally is at its lowest ebb.

If Central leadership yields to every passing whims of “sentiment” or to the machinations of the self-declared defenders of regional interests, it will eventually lead to the balkanization of the country.

There are a number of Hindi speaking states. But that exception apart, linguistic states have a cultural unity of their own, and this unity deserves to be nurtured and promoted.

There is yet another aspect of the matter. The Dalits and minorities have a unity all over the country which the rest of the population doesn’t enjoy. So the Dalits and minorities will have a greater say in a larger state. They are more vulnerable in a smaller state.

Telangana's Growth after Andhra Pradesh's Formation

2009-12-14T17:54:00.002+05:30

In 1955-56, there were about 22,000 schools in Andhra and Rayalseema regions whereas during the same period Telangana region had hardly 8000 schools. After about 50 years, the numbers rose to about 55,000 in Andhra and Rayalseema regions as against (about) 41,000 schools in Telangana region. Thus the percentage growth in the Telangana region was 413% whereas it was just about 155% in the other two regions put together.

Likewise, the percentage growth of enrolment in the Telangana region was about 916% whereas the growth was just 235% in Andhra and Rayalseema regions. Similarly there was a phenomenal increase in the number of teachers recruited in Telangana Region (366%), where as it was just normal (130%) in Andhra and Rayalseema region. Similar is the picture in respect of collegiate education too.

Barring one in Warangal and a few in the city of Hyderabad, there were absolutely no Science and Arts colleges in Telangana districts up to 1955-56, since there was no educational or other development worth its name till then. This was in direct contrast to what prevailed in Andhra and Rayalaseema regions.

In short, the formation of A.P. in 1956 was a boon to the children of Telangana region, (both urban and rural) and to-day they enjoy facilities for every type of education at their door step.

Likewise, the formation of the State also heralded a new era of agricultural development in the Telangana region in that, several irrigation facilities were launched resulting in phenomenal growth of different crops like rice, (284%) Cotton (1472%) and so on. The detailed statistical tables and the graphics abstracted from authentic government sources running to several pages - are being appended.

Even a casual browsing of the above figures would establish how shallow the bogey of “non-development” is, raised by those spearheading the Telangana agitation. While deciding an issue of this nature emotions and sentiments cannot obviously play a part and this is exactly what the so called leaders are arousing and playing with.

Nineteenth Century politics over Telangana

2009-12-12T13:26:00.001+05:30

To understand the tumult in Andhra Pradesh now, one should imagine what would happen in Tamil Nadu if a new state of North Tamil Nadu, along with Chennai, is carved out; or the consternation in Karnataka if South Karnataka with Bengaluru is carved out as a separate State.

For the first time, a region with a large capital city wants to separate as a State. So far, every demand for a new State has been from far-flung areas away from the State capital. Hyderabad is not just another city. It is on par with Chennai and Bengaluru, and with 85 lakh people, accounts for over 25 per cent of the population of Telangana and 60 per cent of the economy of the region. Millions from all over the country and the various regions of AP have made it their home.

Every significant political, business or civil society leader has made Hyderabad home, and is emotionally attached to the city, even if the political base may be elsewhere. In such a situation, the all-too-casual approach to separate Statehood is calamitous.

Losing resources

There are serious economic issues to be examined on the issue of carving out a separate State in Andhra Pradesh. First, the capital city is a serious bone of contention, and once people and investors lose faith in the future, it will decline rapidly.

This will hurt both Andhra Pradesh and India, because large cities are now important clusters of growth, and if a Mumbai or Delhi faces economic hardship, the whole nation will be impacted by the fallout.

Second, parts of the coastal region are agriculturally well-developed and have resources and surpluses. For instance, the coastal region generates surplus revenues in the power sector, and is subsidising power for farmers in Telangana and Rayalaseema. A separate State will be burdened by an unviable power sector.

Costal regions are always engines of growth all over the world. Telangana is land-locked, and losing the costal region would retard growth and opportunities. Again, this is the first time a land-locked region is seeking to separate from the coastal belt. When passions subside, the pain and deprivation will be felt.

Water resources are always a bone of contention in a monsoon-fed country. Even in a relatively well-managed city of Mumbai, enjoying abundant rainfall on the West coast, water riots took a life recently. In a water-starved region, river water disputes will escalate, and sharing of Krishna and Godavari waters will be a nightmare.

In the K-G basin off the Andhra coast, abundant natural gas reserves have recently been found, and are being tapped. Already, there is the challenge of sharing natural resources between the home State and the rest of India, and now Telangana will be further depleted.

Large, unviable lift irrigation projects — at a capital cost of Rs 3-4 lakh per acre and Rs 40,000 per year per acre maintenance cost — have been unwisely proposed in Telangana. They will be a permanent drain on the economy of the region, undermining it without ensuring benefits.

Politics of inclusion

Poverty, backwardness, corruption, lack of opportunity and unemployment are endemic to many of the country's States and sub-regions. These are caused by failed policies, misgovernance and the politics of plunder, leading to kleptocracy.

Large parts of Telangana and Rayalaseema, most of north coastal Andhra Pradesh, upland areas of delta districts, and many families suffering discrimination by birth in every village — all of them are victims of terrible misgovernance and political failure.

The perpetuation of poverty and under-development is largely the result of the plunder of local politicians and bureaucrats. A change of the State's name or boundaries or capital will not alter anything.

The need of the hour is to accelerate growth and promote equity and opportunities. What every sub-region of Andhra Pradesh, indeed every part of India, needs is empowerment of people, district governments and third-tier of federalism to help people fulfil their potential.

We cannot use 19^th century notions of divisive politics in a 21^th century world

Source: The HINDU

Telangana - For People or For Politicians??????

2009-12-10T12:00:00.003+05:30

As our UPA govt took this initial step of looking in to the matter of telangana state hood and asked AndhraPradesh assembly to put the bill in Assembly (which looks like a strategic move to break the Fasting taken by KCR).

There are two things to the issue.The emotional one and the insecurity factor.

Its tough to digest a different map for the state of Andhra pradesh. Its more like a family member moving away from the family.

The insecurity thing is " The people who believed that its their place and been told that most of our taxes are being spend in Hyderabad for the development of AP, moved from different parts of the state Now will be seen as outsiders(Valasadarulu...) " [Most of them scared especially after looking at the MNS activities in Mumbai]..

Valasadarulu

The concept of Valasadarulu created by few leaders is pretty confusing.what they ment is people who moved from their Ancestors place.. for that very fact the whole world should relocate to some place in AFRICA...

The common doubt we get when people say Seperate Telangana is-- its for People or for Politicians?????

1) The Local jobs thing can be solved by implementing 610 GO.[which needs to be done by the politicians and relevant Authorities - GOD know what bothered them to implement it successfully]

2) The water allocation problem can solved by Centralizing the thing at national Level.[Central Authority for Water Allocation in India]

3) Identity and accent thing... for every 50kms in india we find a different accent and different traditions... (I heard at least 3 different slangs with in telangana)

4) US got 50 States...so india should have as many States..... Thatz crap.. US got many other things which we dont have here...

5) Development is nothing but catering the peoples needs. the most unfortunate thing is that the policies for development is made by our politicians and they dont change if you create a new map for telugu people or for the fact any other people in india???.. why create this chios in peoples life ????....

The focus now shifts to the Capital Hyderabad - To whom the Hyderabad belongs to...

Some say the whole AP got its share, Coz its been built with contribution from every individual of AP.

Some say its the sole property of Telengana coz geographically it is located here.

Some say its the Nizams who built it and it should be treated at separate state all together.

There are many states in india which got similar demands.

Rajasthan : mewad , marwad , haduti

Gujrat : Saurashtra and Gujrat

Maharshtra : Vidarbha , marthwada and Khandesh.

MP : Bundelkhand ( including areas of UP) , Malwa and Madhyabharat.

UP : Purvanchal ( East U.P) and Harit pradesh ( Western UP) rest to be merged with bundelkhand.

Karnataka : Kodagu , Canara and Mysore.

Tamilnadu : Each district as a state.

Kerala : Travancore and Malabar.

Assam : Assam and Bodoland

WB : bengal , Gorkhaland and Kamtapur.

Telangana Agitation Affect on Real Estate Market

2009-12-08T15:53:00.002+05:30

Perhaps there would not have been any in-opportune time for the real estate firms in Hyderabad, the word "Telangana" has frightened them so heavily that they may not even think of investing further in city for at least few years.

The real estate industry, shaken by the US subprime turmoil and subsequent economic recession, has been reeling under tremendous pressure for the past one and half years or so. Even, when the chips were down, The real estate and construction business in Hyderabad was looking forward to election results which was proving to be a major turning point, considering the kind of political risk, as perceived by realtors, was taken into account, if TDP-TRS led grand alliance got catapulted to the echelon of power in the state. Therefore every realtor doing business in Hyderabad gave thumbs-up to a congress win in the last general elections, both at state and central level.

Further, the recent positive developments in the job market and stock market rally, like real estate in any other city, have helped the Hyderabad real estate to regroup and regain some lost momentum in the last couple of months. The heightened activity propelled many who's who of the real estate companies announcing the new projects, particularly in the mid and affordable housing segments in the suburbs of Hyderabad city.

Complete Turnaround in Mood

Ever Since Mr. Chandrasekhar Rao (popularly as KCR) announced that he would go on hunger strike to achieve statehood for Telangana, the Real Estate players were feeling nervous and maintaining caution while holding back their expansion plans. Now, with the Telengana agitation gaining momentum the real estate sector received a jolt and may harm the interests of the real estate companies, specially those dealing with projects in the suburbs of Hyderabad city. "We have witnessed significant increase in number of enquiries and site visits till a couple of weeks ago, in fact, we were able to sell almost 50% of the units in the last 2 months, but now with Telangana issue coming onto centre stage, we see a sudden drop in the enquiries" says Mr. Venkat, MD Cyber Constructions. We had plans of going aggressive with land acquisition for our next project, but with these recent developments we see a major political risk and decided to hold back our plans till we hear some news on the future of Hyderabad, adds Mr. Venkat.

Speculators might be back in business
Due to the perpetual slump in real estate and the congress party, who's election spearhead, Late Dr. Rajasekhara Reddy coming back to power, the speculators were completely out of sorts in the Andhra Region. There was huge speculation built up prior to the elections that the real estate prices in cities like Vijayawada,Guntur,Vizag and Nellore were hyped so high that even the speculators would have imagined.But all this hype proved wrong and Hyderabad real estate turned out to be the beneficiary of the election results and economic recovery. This was the case till recent time.

Hyderabad's loss could be Andhra cities gain

Now, the Telangana agitation gaining momentum, the future of Hyderabad city might be a topic for the debate in coming months, therefore, the natural beneficiary of this would be Andhra Region, where the real estate prices, particularly property prices in cities like Vizag, Kakinda, Rajahmundry, Vijaywada,Guntur,Nellore and Tirupati might see a northward move with speculators turning to these places betting on the division of the state in the two or three parts. Even, dark horses like Kurnool might assume center stage if the a future capital of the Andhra region is going to be discussed.

"Land prices in Nellore and Tirupati have not corrected to an extent of the prices in Vijyawada and Guntur belt where the speculators were most active, so for some one who has got presence across Andhra Pradesh may not be hit that bad, only the companies heavily focused in Hyderabad real estate might be the worst hit. They should diversify the risks by expanding their foortprint to other parts to of the state so the negative effect will be neutralized somewhat" Says Mr. VV, a real estate agent who deals with land sales all over Andhra Pradesh.

Whoever is looking at long-term prospects and want to invest in land for genuine reasons should not worry too much, whether it is Hyderabad real estate or Vizag real estate, the investors are bound to gain in the long run. Only the speculators who bet on quick bucks by changing hands and whoever does dubious deals without owning a property are the ones face wrath of the ups and downs of the market, Mr. VV adds.

So, the morale of the story is, if you are an investor, do not worry, you can still hold on to your piece of land or apartment in Hyderabad, unless one takes decision based on Telangana sentiment.

Source: http://propertydirect.in/NewsView.faces;jsessionid=95F4EE19684927E805773D3CB062EEBC?id=167

Green code must for buildings in eight states

2009-12-05T12:44:00.000+05:30

The green building code, termed energy conservation building code, is likely to be mandatory for commercial buildings coming up in eight fast growing states in the next two years.

"In the eight major states where commercial buildings are being built -- Delhi , Haryana, Maharashtra , Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh-- our goal is to have the law on their books within two years," said Ajay Mathur, Director General of Bureau of Energy Efficiency.

BEE finalised the code two years ago and is currently voluntary. Each state will have to amend the legislation to make ECBC mandatory. "We are providing assistance and tools to the states for this," Mathur added.

Though ECBC-compliant buildings would add 10-15 per cent to the overall cost of construction, it would be more than neutralised by the savings from lesser consumption of energy.

"We already have one green building. We are implementing six such projects without any legal compulsion. Though cost is high... it will result in value addition to the users," said Vimal Shah, Managing Director of Ackruti City.

Making the code mandatory would require a lot of preparatory work in terms of monitoring and auditing mechanisms.

Delhi was the first to make mandatory for all new government buildings to be ECBC-compliant. "Haryana and Uttarakhand are close to doing it," said Mathur.

http://business.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/05/green-code-must-for-buildings-in-eight-states.htm