Stories and articles done by me in this issue: Page 1 news based story on current affairs in the infrastructure industry. Page 3, an interview with Kanesan Velupillai - Group COO, Transport solution, Scomi Group Berhad. Dilip Kawathkar- Joint Project Director, MMRDA. Page 7- project story feature done with New Delhi based interior designers Ankush & Sapna Aggarwal, Ansa Interiors. Article on Page 4-Taxation-Contributed by Shailendra Sharma-Tax Manager-Cross Border M&A & International Tax Deloitte Haskins & Sells, India.
Insurers' journeys to build a mastery in the IoT usage
Construction Industry Review-Issue 18, Year-2013
1. May 06, 2013
An MMR, Braj Binani Group Publication
VOLUME 2
Two major ports worth
Rs 16,000 cr to be set up
In a major push to infrastructure
s e c t o r, t h e U n i o n C a b i n e t w i l l
consider a proposal to set up two
big ports with an investment of Rs
16,000 crore. The two ports -- one
each in West Bengal and Andhra
Pradesh -- will add the capacity by
100 million metric tons.
The ports, to be operated in
public-private-partnership mode, are
intended to cater to the increased
import of coal and oil, besides
boosting local economy and jobs.
At present there are 12 major ports
in India -- Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru
Port Trust (JNPT), Kolkata (with
Haldia), Chennai, Cochin, Paradip,
New Mangalore, Marmagao,
E n n o r e , Tu t i c o r i n , K a n d l a a n d
Visakhapatanam.
Cargo traffic at ports during the
six-month period ending September
2012 grew by just 1.8 per cent to
455.8 million tons due to decline
in shipments handled at major
ports. Cargo traffic or the goods
transported for commercial gain
increased to 455.8 million tons
during the period April-September
l
Issue No. 18
l
modern locomotive factories in
Madhepura and Marhowra in Bihar
at an investment of about Rs 20,000
crore. These factories will produce
high-class electrical and diesel
locomotives for the railways. The
proposal for the factories was
approved in 2006, but was delayed
due to various reasons.
l
Price : Rs. 100
Tata to invest in
Punjab, Rajasthan,
Haryana infra
Tata Group Chairman Cyrus Mistry,
in his recent meeting with the chief
ministers of Punjab, Rajasthan and
Haryana expressed his interest to
invest in their states, especially in
infrastructure and technology.
During his meeting with Rajasthan
Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Mistry
discussed the possibilities of investing
in Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
(DMIC) and other projects. Gehlot
invited the Tata Group to invest in
basic Infrastructure, solar energy,
tourism and iron ore sectors.
At a separate meeting with Punjab
Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal,
Mistry said the Tata Group will look
2012, and from 448 million tons
during April-September 2011 period.
The project, to be operated in PPP
mode, will kick off in July with
invitation for bids and award of
contracts in September.
Along with the proposal for
the ports, the Cabinet will also
consider a proposal of the Railway
Ministry for restarting two large
May 06, 2013
1
at investment possibilities in the
state where a team of experts of the
company would soon visit to explore
the possibilities and potential for
setting up of new ventures in the
state.
Mistry said the Group will also
seek help from the state government
to strengthen the company’s existing
infrastructure in Punjab. At his meeting
with Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder
Singh Hooda, the chairman offered to
help the government in its ambitious
project to construct two lakh houses
for the poor.
As for developing housing for
the poor in Haryana, the scheme,
‘Priyadarshini Awaas Yojna’, aims at
setting up the project to deliver houses
in rural areas under the Indira Awaas
Yojna. It also aims to cover other poor
families, including those who have
been allotted 100 sq. yard plots, and
have no house or a kutcha house,
by providing them with financial
assistance. Initially, two lakh families
are to be covered in the project span
of two years, that is financial years
2013-14 and 2014-15.
2. cement
May 06, 2013
Import: Cement, Cement Products & Building Materials
Date mport Items/ Products
I
Port Code Foreign Port
Qty (Kgs)
Value (Rs)
CIF Rate
Articles of asbestos-cement
01/09/12 DUROCK CEMENT
CHN
MEXICO
25131
627344
13/09/12 DUROCK CEMENT
JNP
MEXICO
25131
627344
25/09/12 FIBRE CEMENT PRODUCTS
JNP
THAILAND
964671
17933703
Total
1014933
19188391
Articles of asphalt
10/09/12 RUBBER WATER PROOFING - ARTICLES OF ASPHALT
CHN
SPAIN
21870
741278
13/09/12 BITUMEN
KOL
SPAIN
431685
17167777
18/09/12 RUBBER WATER PROOFING - ARTICLES OF ASPHALT
JNP
UAE
420
60126
18/09/12 RUBBER WATER PROOFING - ARTICLES OF ASPHALT
CHN
SPAIN
21870
741278
22/09/12 ASPHALTIC ROOFING
JNP
EGYPT
26320
464499
27/09/12 DR. FIXIT TORCHSHIELD
JNP
EGYPT
88796
2281665
28/09/12 ASPHALT SEALING MATERIAL
TUG
CHINA
10000
319286
28/09/12 RUBBER WATER PROOFING - ARTICLES OF ASPHALT
JNP
UAE
600
85894
Total
601561
21861803
Articles of cement, of concrete of artificial stone
10/09/12 ELECTROTEMP CEMENT
BAN
USA
19
17053
11/09/12 CEMENT BASE INSULATION
KOL
U K
2861
973609
18/09/12 CAST STONE PRODUCTS
KOL
CHINA
21718
1707243
24/09/12 ONE WALL PANELLING IN STONE
JNP
ITALY
2096
383045
24/09/12 TILES FORM IN STONE MATERIAL
JNP
ITALY
1335
263522
28/09/12 CONCRETE BAR
MUM
KOREA
48
597
Total
28077
3345069
Articles of plaster or of compositions based
01/09/12 MADA PLASTER BOARDS
MUN S. ARABIA
105410
909576
03/09/12 GYPSUM PLASTER
CHN
U K
27408
563387
10/09/12 GYPSUM WALL
CHN
S. ARABIA
39400
371456
11/09/12 PLASTER BOARD
JNP
SPAIN
49127
681319
12/09/12 GYPSUM PLASTER
VIZ
PAKISTAN
422938.5
3915433.37
18/09/12 GYPSUM PLASTER
JNP
UAE
350334
4144297
21/09/12 GYPSUM CEILING TILES
JNP
CHINA
21000
170702
22/09/12 PLASTER
CHN THAILAND
664568
6419268
26/09/12 GYPSUM PLASTER
JNP
UAE
122733
1175991
26/09/12 PAPER GYPSUM BOARD
CHN
CHINA
17590
119813
27/09/12 GYPSUM CENTRE PANELS
KOL
MALAYSIA
51417
715574
27/09/12
BRAND GYPSUM
CHN THAILAND
994400
9207885
27/09/12 PVC GYPSUM TILES
JNP
CHINA
525741
8015431
27/09/12 GYPSUM TILES SIZE
JNP
CHINA
64500
820659
Total
3456566.5 37230791.37
Articles of stone or of other mineral substances
03/09/12 GRAPHITE FOIL
JNP
GERMANY
1062
506407
03/09/12 GRAPHITE FOIL
JNP
GERMANY
443
211367
05/09/12 GRAPHITE
JNP
U K
828
2319626
07/09/12 MIXED CARBON FIBRE SCAPS
JNP
FRANCE
1000
718690
12/09/12 CERAMIC STONE
JNP
KOREA
1
40700
12/09/12 WASHBASIN - CIRCLE SAND
JNP
ITALY
365
190745
12/09/12 MOLD FINISHING STONE
JNP
KOREA
42
436907
13/09/12 GRAPHITE PACKING
JNP
CHINA
52968
3042846
17/09/12 PURE GRAPHITE SHEET
PAT
CHINA
27958
7573282
24/09/12 CARBON FIBER
CHN
JAPAN
800
2450599
25/09/12 DONA CARBO FIBER
MUM
JAPAN
316
1413592
25/09/12 CARBON FIBRE
MUM HUNGARY
1264
2206444
26/09/12 GRAPHITE BLOCK
BAN
FRANCE
3
89266
Total
87050
21200471
Carbonates; peroxocarbonates
01/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
CHN
KOREA
90400
1577468
03/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
S. ARABIA
40000
345838
04/09/12 Sodium carbonate monohydrate
HYD
U K
52
82014
04/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
TURKEY
53000
464188
05/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP INDONESIA
20000
221517
07/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
TUG
JAPAN
28400
1082023
07/09/12 NATURAL SODIUM CARBONATE
GUR
KENYA
9792000
146105922
10/09/12 CHALK ( RAW MATERIAL USE IN PAINTS)
KOL SWITZERLAND
16800
318488
10/09/12 BICARBONATE POTASSIUM
JNP
FRANCE
50
5675
10/09/12 BICARBONATE POTASSIUM
JNP
FRANCE
50
10176
10/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
U K
80050
1453290
11/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
SPAIN
6077500
5007870.52
11/09/12 MINERAL POWDER CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
UAE
650000
5167794
12/09/12 SODIUM BICARB (SODIUM BICARBONATE)
CHN
ITALY
88200
1483750
12/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE
VIZ
KOREA
553001
33886061
12/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
CHN
TAIWAN
228000
4194795.57
13/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
KOL
CHINA
8575
367195
13/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE IN PURE WHITE COLOUR
CHN
FRANCE
38900
1214965
13/09/12 COATED CALCIUM CARBONATE
TUG
GREECE
223800
1867760
13/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE
MRM GERMANY
213080
35705624
15/09/12 SODA ASH LIGHT
JNP SINGAPORE
21000
292040
15/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
PAK
JORDAN
280025
2657483
17/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
VIZ
MALAYSIA
15391000
143001052
17/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
CHN THAILAND
687000
7374432
18/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
COC SRI LANKA
24000
415006
20/09/12 DISODIUM CARBONATE
MUM GERMANY
11225
1857652
21/09/12 CHALK ( RAW MATERIAL USE IN PAINTS)
KOL SWITZERLAND
20400
441036
21/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE GRANULAR
KOL
THAILAND
24000
1478082
26/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE POWDER
TUG
VIETNAM
4835000
34854956
26/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
COC
OMAN
150000
803384
27/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE GRANULR
DAD
USA
61822
10574504
27/09/12 DISODIUM CARBONATE
MUM
U K
25
70311
27/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE
MUM GERMANY
10125
551369
28/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE POWDER
PAK
EGYPT
2678000
16939863
28/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP
GERMANY
112608
5365158
28/09/12 CALCIUM CARBONATE
JNP INDONESIA
20000
216766
28/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE
JNP
RUSSIA
29322
1524147
28/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE
JNP
RUSSIA
20878
1085231
29/09/12 POTASSIUM CARBONATE
MUM
USA
13227.6
792634
Total
42591515.6 470857520.1
Ash & Carbonate
04/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE DENSE
TIR
GERMANY
500000
7204961
06/09/12 SODA ASH
HYD
ROMANIA
500000
7780556
06/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE LIGHT (SODA ASH)
CHN BULGARIA
3591000
54293082
07/09/12 SODIUM BI CARBONATE
JNP
U K
11000
315013
07/09/12 SODIUM BI CARBONATE
JNP
USA
1404
351839
11/09/12 SODA ASH
KOL
TURKEY
8018000
122149606
11/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE LIGHT
JNP
FRANCE
6250
142378
11/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE LIGHT
JNP
FRANCE
13750
313233
13/09/12 SODA ASH LIGHT
MUN
CHINA
1445000
21360969
15/09/12 SODA ASH
LON
KENYA
495000
6804267
18/09/12 SODA ASH
CHN GERMANY
260000
3763321
18/09/12 SODIUM BI CARBONATE
KOL
CHINA
821000
11168027
19/09/12 SODA ASH LIGHT
COC
ROMANIA
1887000
30083334
26/09/12 SODA ASH
HYD
S. AFRICA
1000000
14937006
26/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE DENSE
TIR
BULGARIA
9645000
139806637
26/09/12 SODIUM CARBONATE DENSE
TIR
ITALY
2500000
36153581
26/09/12 SODIUM BI CARBONATE
JNP
TURKEY
250000
3285668
27/09/12 SODA ASH
HYD
ROMANIA
350000
5329622
28/09/12 SODA ASH LIGHT
VIZ
CHINA
17952521 253128898.5
28/09/12 SODA ASH LIGHT
JNP
TURKEY
3047000
45345795
Total
52293925 763717793.5
Ceramic sinks & wash basins
04/09/12 SANITARYWARES
AHM
OMAN
9495
972187
07/09/12 WASHBASIN
JNP
FRANCE
1334
500513
07/09/12 TOTO SANITARY WARE
JNP
THAILAND
63137
8896322
14/09/12 WHITE CERAMIC BASIN
JNP
CHINA
24843
1707236.89
15/09/12 CERAMICS PRODUCTS
JNP
CHINA
1177510
90954889
20/09/12 TOILET W/SEAT
JNP
USA
1550
1136129
25/09/12 HANDWASH BASIN
JNP
FRANCE
14211
3729575
24.96
24.96
18.6
18.9
33.89
39.8
143.16
33.89
17.65
25.7
31.93
143.16
36.3
897.53
340.3
78.6
182.75
197.39
12.44
119.1
8.63
20.56
9.43
13.9
9.3
11.8
8.13
9.7
9.6
6.81
13.9
9.3
15.2
12.7
10.8
476.84
477.13
2801.5
718.69
40700
522.6
10402.5
57.4
270.9
3063.25
4473.4
1745.6
29755.3
243.5
17.4
8.65
1577.19
8.8
11.08
38.1
14.9
18.96
113.5
203.52
18.2
0.8
8.0
16.82
61.3
18.4
42.8
31.2
8.3
167.6
13.91
9.5
9.3
10.7
17.29
165.5
21.62
61.59
7.2
5.4
171.0
2812.44
54.5
6.3
47.6
10.84
51.98
51.98
59.92
11.1
14.41
15.56
15.1
28.64
250.6
15.2
22.78
22.78
14.8
13.75
14.47
13.6
15.9
14.94
14.5
14.5
13.14
15.23
14.1
14.9
14.6
102.4
375.2
140.9
68.7
77.2
733.0
262.4
Date mport Items/ Products
I
Port Code Foreign Port
Qty (Kgs)
Value (Rs)
27/09/12 SANITARYWARE
JNP
HUNGARY
3063
684253
27/09/12 WASH BASIN
JNP
THAILAND
54505
6306835
27/09/12 SANITARY WARE
JNP
VIETNAM
9539
1526992
27/09/12 TOTO SANITARY
MUM
JAPAN
238
205299
28/09/12 PURE STONE WASHDOWN WATER
JNP
GERMANY
1913
1514831
28/09/12 CERAMIC : SANITARY WARE
JNP
ITALY
9592
2336220
Total
1370930 120471281.9
Ceramic
01/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
CHINA
19201
1465945
04/09/12 SANITARYWARE URINAL
JNP
GERMANY
11044
1110931
04/09/12 CERAMIC PLANTERS
JNP
CHINA
79030
7058486
06/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
ITALY
2831
375416
06/09/12 CERAMIC
KOL
FRANCE
600
318163
06/09/12 MADE OF CERAMIC
JNP
GERMANY
843
635306
10/09/12 CERAMICS
BAN
USA
124000
82834
11/09/12 CERAMIC FIBER
MUM
CHINA
171155
11347213
11/09/12 CERAMIC FIBER
AHM
CHINA
10080
805094
12/09/12 CERAMIC CARTRIDGE (SANITARY WARE)
JNP
SPAIN
297
443198
14/09/12 CERAMICS / DISPLAY GOODS
JNP
CHINA
17814
1416072
17/09/12 SANITARY WARE
JNP
CHINA
611
31698
17/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
THAILAND
6915
992844
20/09/12 CERAMIC - BALL
HYD SINGAPORE
1
11401
21/09/12 SPARE PARTS OF CERAMIC MACHINERY
AHM
ITALY
50
13283
26/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
MALAYSIA
738
46795
26/09/12 CERAMIC MUG
JNP
MALAYSIA
10344
434079
26/09/12 CERAMIC DISKS (SANITARY FITTING)
JNP
THAILAND
1
653
26/09/12 ALUMINA BALL
JNP
JAPAN
19000
2879536
28/09/12 CERAMIC BALL POLISHED PROCELAIN
MUN
CHINA
2886107
7131720
29/09/12 CERAMIC ARTICALS
JNP
THAILAND
223
31199
29/09/12 CERAMIC
KOL
FRANCE
400
230779
Total
3361285
36862645
Other ceramic articles
01/09/12 CERAMIC GOODS
JNP AUSTRALIA
70
184155
04/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
U K
40
4311
04/09/12 CERAMIC PORT
JNP
U K
12
7113
04/09/12 CERAMIC GRAINS
JNP
BELGIUM
1000
1525663
06/09/12 CERAMIC: REFRACTORY BRICKS
JNP
CHINA
958411
34727596
07/09/12 CERAMIC
KOL
JAPAN
300
332653
07/09/12 CERAMIC MARTERIAL (SPHERICAL CERAMIC SAND)
CHN
JAPAN
1000
55379
17/09/12 CERAMIC ROD
BAN
CHINA
4
263376
21/09/12 REFRACTORY CERAMIC
JNP
GERMANY
440
282280
24/09/12 CRERAMIC BEADS
PAT
ITALY
300
228331
28/09/12 REFRACTORY MATERIAL
JNP
AUSTRIA
23359
8145647
Total
984936
45756504
Other refractory ceramic goods
05/09/12 GRAPHITE
CHN
CHINA
12760
2366113
05/09/12 CERAMIC SAND
JNP
JAPAN
20000
2062597
06/09/12 REFRACTORY MATERIAL
KOL
AUSTRIA
9443
1145840
06/09/12 CERAMIC (REFRACTORY)
JNP
CZECH.
17000
2225184
06/09/12 REFRACTORY ITEMS
JNP
U K
3693
2669108
07/09/12 CERAMIC FIBER
CHN
JAPAN
350
142437
07/09/12 REFRACTORY ITEM
MUM
U K
394
398344
08/09/12 CERAMIC FIBER
KOL
CHINA
35000
2797448
10/09/12 CERAMIC
JNP
KOREA
36
25257
10/09/12 REFRACTORY CERAMIC GOODS
MUM
USA
7387
4607284
11/09/12 REFRACTORY MATERIALS
KOL
MALAYSIA
56
85308
11/09/12 REFRACTORY CERAMIC
KOL
CZECH.
1596
651700
12/09/12 CEMENT PLASTER
COC
UAE
500
89486
13/09/12 CERAMIC (REFRACTORY)
JNP
CZECH.
14000
2165588
13/09/12 SILICON
JNP
ITALY
1000
330037
13/09/12 SILICON
MUM
CHINA
50807
8060268
17/09/12 REFRACTORY CERAMIC GOODS
JNP
CHINA
45094
6745530
18/09/12 CERAMIC FIBRE
KOL
AUSTRIA
228
71598
24/09/12 REFRACTORY MATERIALS
KOL
GERMANY
1194
1407568
27/09/12 CERAMIC SAND
JNP
JAPAN
20000
1026257
28/09/12 CERAMIC PANELS
JNP
SPAIN
4262
237844
29/09/12 CARBON MAGNESIA BRICKS
KOL
CHINA
190860
10320252
Total
435660
49631048
Phosphinates (hypophosphites), phosphonates
01/09/12 MONOCALCIUM PHOSPHATE
CHN
TUNISIA
52000
2109839
01/09/12 POTASSIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE
JNP NETHERLANDS
120
85429
01/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP NETHERLANDS
50
31279
01/09/12 SODIUM TRIPOLY PHOSPHATE
CHN
CHINA
1570000
89850293
03/09/12 SODIUM HYPOPHOSPHITE
VIZ
CHINA
33629
4333843
04/09/12 POTASSIUM DIHYDROGEN PHOSPHATE
JNP
CHINA
50000
3728497
05/09/12 ZINC PHOSPHATE
JNP
FRANCE
2000
369083
10/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
GERMANY
20000
5397238
10/09/12 SULPHONATES TECHNICAL
JNP
RUSSIA
26000
727200
10/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
TUNISIA
2526000
147933698
10/09/12 ZINC PHOSPHATE
MUM NETHERLANDS
200
76158
11/09/12 ALUMINIUM PHOSPHATE
HYD
DENMARK
1902
3474931
11/09/12 SODIUM HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE
MUM GERMANY
375
207257
11/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
RUSSIA
841000
42827088
12/09/12 ALUMINIUM PHOSPHATE
HYD
DENMARK
1500
2753958
12/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
MUN
CHINA
115000
6021965
13/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
TUT
TUNISIA
52000
2134024.15
13/09/12 POTASSIUM PHOSPHATE
BAN
GERMANY
20357
2674013
14/09/12 POTASSIUM PYROPHOSPHATE
CHN
CHINA
20000
2287509
17/09/12 SODIUM HYDROGEN PHOSPHATE
MUM GERMANY
13
29568
17/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHITE
JNP
CHINA
327594
27009172
18/09/12 PHOSPHATE
CHN
TUNISIA
52000
2139927
25/09/12 SODIUM ALUMINIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
USA
9957
1756166
25/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
CHINA
101000
12757572
25/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
USA
3810
655315
26/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
USA
82507
19222609
27/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
NAS
GERMANY
15000
3980602
27/09/12 SODIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
THAILAND
39675
3045036
27/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
DAD
USA
8903
2843119
27/09/12 CALCIUM PHOSPHATE
JNP
THAILAND
5000
380170
28/09/12 ANHYDROUS EMCOMPRESS
JNP
GERMANY
400
141286
28/09/12 SODIUM TRI POLY PHOSPHATE
COC
BELGIUM
10000
1078301
29/09/12 SODIUM ACID PYROPHOSPHAT
TUG
CHINA
249000
23993367
Total
6236992 416055512.2
2
CIF Rate
223.4
115.7
160.1
862.6
791.9
243.6
87.9
76.3
100.6
89.3
132.6
530.27
753.6
0.7
66.3
79.9
1492.25
79.5
51.9
143.6
11401
265.66
63.41
41.96
653
151.6
2.5
139.9
576.95
11.0
2630.79
107.78
592.75
1525.66
36.2
1108.84
55.38
65844
641.55
761.1
348.7
46.5
185.4
103.13
121.3
130.9
722.7
406.96
1011.0
79.9
701.6
623.7
1523.36
408.33
178.97
154.7
330.04
158.6
149.6
314.03
1178.9
51.31
55.8
54.1
113.9
40.57
711.91
625.58
57.2
128.9
74.57
184.54
269.86
27.97
58.6
380.79
1827.0
552.69
50.9
1835.97
52.4
41.04
131.4
114.38
2274.5
82.4
41.15
176.4
126.3
172
233.0
265.37
76.7
319.3
76.03
353.22
107.83
96.4
66.7
BUILDING MATERIALS
Weekly prices: 03.05.2013
Product/Items
Weekly Average
CEMENT(50 Kg) - CLOSE
DELHI
ACC
Ambuja
Binani (43 Grade)
Binani (PPC)
JK Lakshmi (PPC)
JK Super (43 Grade)
JK Super (PPC)
Shriram Nirman
252
256
273
256
260
250
235
260
KOLKATA
ACC
UltraTech
345
360
Product/Items
Weekly Average
MUMBAI
ACC Suraksha
Ambuja
Grasim
UltraTech
Vasavadatta
316
318
316
318
308
BRICKS(1000 Pc) - CLOSE
DELHI
Awwal (Haryana)
Awwal (UP)
Doyam (Haryana)
Doyam (UP)
Lal Peti (Red)
4550
4500
4400
4350
4150
Product/Items
Weekly Average
RODI STONES & SAND (300 Sqft) - CLOSE
DELHI
Badarpur-Bold
Badarpur-Fine
Chips Blue
Chips White
Sand(Sonepat)
Stone Dust(Haryana)
Stone Dust(Rajasthan)
10500
9700
11300
10500
5400
11700
10800
POP(20 Kg) - CLOSE
DELHI
JK Lakshmi(20 Kg)
JK Lakshmi(25 Kg)
Sakrani (ISI)
136
155
155
3. INFRASTRUCTURE
May 06, 2013
Mumbai’s monorail
revolution
Mass Rapid Transit Systems (MRTS) have come into existence
as a viable solution to the prevailing traffic problems in the country
to enhance productivity of urban cities. Monorail promises to shape up the
infrastructure in an organised manner like never before by offering
a great feeder support to existing modes of transportation
Come 2013 and Mumbai, the
financial capital of India, will see a new
revolution in public transport -- thanks
to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Development Authority (MMRDA).
New speed and comfort
It has been over five decades when
one of the city’s favourite modes of
transport -- the trams -- were taken
off the road by the authorities. Now
the city will experience a much quieter,
safer and most comfortable mode of a
feeder system -- the monorail.
Considering the increase in
population, travel demand and
narrow road networks running through
congested structures, there is a need
of a system which will occupy less
space as well as reduce travel time.
With the objective, to support
public rapid transit system such as
suburban rail system and metro rail
system and where public rapid transit
system is not available or impossible
to provide such system and where
widening of roads is not possible
due to structures on either sides,
the mono rail system is proposed
to be implemented by MMRDA/the
government of Maharashtra.
The beginnings
The construction of Mumbai
monorail started in January 2009
along the Chembur-Wadala-Jacob
Circle route and was scheduled to
be completed in April 2011. Now,
the first portion of the line, between
Chembur and Wadala, is expected to
be operational in January 2013. The
second portion, from Jacob Circle to
Wadala, is expected to be ready by
December 2013.
A 108-meter test run was
successfully conducted on January
26, 2010. The monorail had its first test
run on February 18, 2012 from its yard
in Wadala to a station at Bhakti Park, a
distance of around a kilometre.
Scomi, the Malaysian company that
supplied the rakes for the project, was
in charge of the trial. The MMRDA will
decide whether the Singapore-based
SMRT or the Hong Kong-based Mass
Transit Rail will be given the task of
certifying the monorail system.
This is because the Commissioner
of Railway Safety (CRS) had said it
didn’t have the capacity to certify
the monorail, as it was a different
system from the railways. The electrical
workings of the monorail will be
certified by the Electrical Inspector
General.
The Mumbai Monorail master plan
proposed the construction of 8 lines
at a cost of Rs 202.96 billion ($3.7
billion).
Most quiet mode
Based on a single beam with tyres
made of special quality rubber, the
monorail will turn out to be the most
quiet mode of public transport -- not
just for passengers, but also for those
who stay on their route.
Since there is no metal used in the
running portion of the train, it is actually
quieter than a BEST bus! While an
average BEST bus’ decibel level is
around 95, the decibel level that of a
monorail will only be 85 to 90.
The first monorail corridor in India
will cover a distance of 8.8 km between
Wadala and Chembur and will see
seven stations. Much has been talked
about the ‘feeder transport’ system
which will definitely change the face
of the Chembur-Wadala corridor, which
at present relies heavily on BEST and
private transport.
While the minimum ticket for the
monorail travel will be Rs 11, the
system will also have the facility for a
season ticket. Similar to the suburban
railways ticketing system, the monorail
will have quarterly and monthly season
tickets. The maximum ticket once the
entire 20 km route is operational will
be Rs30.
Number of coaches
“The number of coaches will
subsequently increase to six and eight
as per the demand. Dilip Kawathkar,
MMRDA Joint Project Director, states,
“Our effort is to complete the second
phase -- 11.2 km Wadala-Sant Gadge
Maharaj Chowk (Jacob Circle) by the
end of 2013. The monorail can reach
a top speed of 80 kmph. Moreover,
the average number of commuters
per rake is approximately 140 and
this would mean there will be zero
crowding. The rakes will be fully airconditioned and one will get to enjoy
the journey at an average speed of
31-40 kmph.”
Decorated in green, blue and pink
colours, each of the monorail will
comprise four rakes that will cover the
distance between Wadala to Chembur
in 19 minutes.
After the commercial operations
begin, a detailed timetable for the
services will be released by the
MMRDA. For the initial period of three
years, the authority along with the team
of L&T and Scomi engineering will be
running the monorail services with a
total dedicated staff of approximately
500 professionals.
Key facts
Mumbai monorail to start operations
in 2013
The first phase of 8.8 km to
commence operations between
Wadala to Chembur
Mumbai set to become the first city
in India to run a monorail
E x p e c t a c o m f o r t a b l e a i rconditioned ride: quieter than even
a BEST bus!
Minimum fare to be only Rs 11
Will be a phillip to the WadalaChembur corridor
The next corridor of Wadala-Jacob
Circle to be completed by the end
of 2013
3
‘Mumbai is set to
witness the most
advanced of its kind
integrated multi-modal
transport system like
never before’
Remona Divekar interviews
Group Chief Operating Officer,
Kanesan Velupillai,
Transport Solutions, Scomi
Group Berhad. Excerpts:
What were the initial plans for the
monorail project in Mumbai and how
was it executed in later stages?
The urban transport systems in India
have constantly been trying to keep
pace with the rapid rate of urbanisation
over the past few decades, but the
supply of transport infrastructure has
been behind demand and its funding
has been inadequate. To enhance
the productivity of urban cities, Mass
Rapid Transit Systems have come into
existence as a viable solution to the
prevailing traffic woes in the country.
The focus primarily has been on
developing rail-based Mass Rapid
Transit System that is capable of
serving bulk of the populace as
compared to others.
Several cities across the country
have launched heavy rail-based
mass rapid transit system projects
requiring large investments. According
to the India Infrastructure Research,
investments of over Rs 860 billion
have been lined up for heavy railbased projects across the country, of
which Rs 550 billion is planned to be
mobilised in the next five years.
According to investment banking
company Goldman Sachs, India’s
infrastructure sector will require $
1.7 trillion investment in the next 10
years. Public private partnerships
(PPPs) are gaining in importance,
and are benefiting from government
support – targeted PPP participation
is $150 billion.
Improvising public transport is the
need of the hour and the best suited
approach to increase the efficiency
is to seamlessly integrate better and
immediate modes of commuting in
the densely populated metros like
Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and Kolkata.
A sustainable, cost-efficient and
environment-friendly transport system
is what modern India envisions today.
In this case monorail fits in as one
such commendable transport solution
that has the potential to carve a
new dimension in the infrastructural
framework of Indian cities.
It promises to shape up the
infrastructure in an organised manner
by offering a great feeder support
to existing modes of transportation.
Having garnered huge international
acclaim for being a mode of comfort
and quality, monorail enters India as an
innovative venture that has secured a
niche in the transport makeover plan
of all major cities.
The Indian government took a giant
leap in urban transportation by giving
nod to the country’s first monorail in
Mumbai in 2008. Following the lines
of Mumbai many other cities today are
considering and planning for this Mass
Rapid Transit System to serve the huge
influx from rural pockets and integrate
a diverse commuting system.
Share with us some technicalities
involved in this project engineering
wise.
Mumbai monorail, the first of its
kind in India, runs for 20 km across
Chembur-Wadala-Jacob Circle which
is the second longest in the world after
the 23.8km long monorail corridor in
Japan.
A monorail with four cars will have
a capacity to ferry 562 passengers,
while one with six cars will be able
to accommodate 852 commuters.
The total cost involved in the project
is $545.02 million/RM1.846 billion. A
very potential and competent human
resource has been put into use in
Mumbai monorail with 36 officials in
the first phase and 33 in the second
phase in multiple batches. Monorail
has proved to be highly cost effective
when it comes to machinery in its
construction.
It requires only a single beam and
is elevated; so it calls for a smaller
section of footprint than other rail
networks. This leads to lesser space
for tracks, and demand for less
material.
What were the challenges faced in
the monorail project and what is the
current status of the project?
It has been a very encouraging
experience for Scomi for we hardly
had to face any major challenges in
the way of putting up the monorail. We
have a very proficient partner in L&T
who carried out the civil construction
works with efficacy.
Also, the client MMRDA has been
very supportive during all the phases of
the project making it a great experience
for Scomi. The few challenges that
we faced were in terms of getting
clearances from different concerned
departments, specially the state
government which put out a stay in
construction work of the monorail line
in some sensitive areas in the city.
What is the viability of monorail
as the mass transit system in the
country?
Improvising public transport is the
need of the hour and the best suited
approach to increase the efficiency
is to seamlessly integrate better and
immediate modes of commuting in
the densely populated metros like
4. INFRASTRUCTURE
May 06, 2013
Revival of Kokapet Sez project
The Andhra Pradesh government is
reviving its Kokapet special economic
zone project, encouraged by signs
of recovery in the real estate sector
and decline in political uncertainty in
the region.
Work on the project, scheduled to
begin in 2007, was held up mainly due
to legal issues pertaining to ownership
of land. A Supreme Court judgment on
a title issue last year cleared the path
for work to resume.
The government has approached
firms like Google India and DQ
Entertainment to set up operations
within the proposed Sez. Kokapet
Sez, proposed nearly six years ago
to attract investments from the IT/ITeS
sector and as an alternative to the
existing IT hubs in Hyderabad, is one
of several such projects in the state
that could not take off due to political
unrest in the region and clearance
issues.
According to an official, companies
including Intelli Group, CBay and
Infinite Computers have recently
submitted their building plans. Of
the 91 acres of land at Kokapet Sez,
nearly 40 acres are still vacant and the
government is considering allotting
these to the IT and ITES firms that have
sought allocations.
Centre clears two NH projects
in Rajasthan
Russian firm keen to
develop Odisha Sez
A Russian company Technokhim
has shown keen interest in setting
up an exclusive special economic
zone (Sez) in Odisha for producing
titanium. A proposal has been given
to the Ministry of External Affairs and
the Commerce & Industry Ministry
for consideration. It revolves around
setting up an Integrated Chemical
& Metallurgical Complex (ICMC) at
the core and other Sez industries
around it.
The project entails an investment
of around $2.1 billion, and is likely
to be located at Chhatrapur, Odisha
that will provide all support for its
implementation as an important
investment in high technology sector.
The Ministry of External Affairs
had forwarded the Sez proposal to
the Department of Industrial Policy &
Promotion (Dipp). The project would
use advanced Russian technologies
to produce various titanium products.
The pooling in of the expertise and
resources will make the process more
methodical and render it easy for our
investors.
The size of the present fund is up
to $2 billion and SBI and RDIF will
contribute $25 million each. Russian
RDIF is a $10 billion fund established
by the Russian government to make
equity investments primarily in Russian
economy.
Ashoka Buildcon
may quit Odisha road
project
The government approved two
highway extension projects in
Rajasthan involving investments of
Rs 713 crore with assistance from
the World Bank. “The government
has approved a proposal for
rehabilitation and upgrading of
two stretches of national highways
in Rajasthan under phase-1 of the
National Highway Interconnectivity
Improvement Projects (NHIIP) with
the World Bank loan assistance,”
stated the Ministry of Road Transport
& Highways.
“The stretch from Lalsot to Karauli
on NH-11B (87 km) will be improved
at a cost of Rs 310 crore, whereas
the stretch from Pratapgarh to Padi
on NH-113 (97 km) will be improved
at a cost of Rs 403 crore,” it said.
PP contracts being reworked
by World Bank
The Centre is increasingly
depending on the private sector
to develop infrastructure such as
roads and ports it may now have to
devise mechanisms to permit contract
renegotiations, said experts at a
FICCI conference on public-private
partnerships (PPP).
Globally, most projects undertaken
on PPP basis have to be renegotiated.
He said a study of about 1,000
PPP projects undertaken across the
world during 1985-2000 showed that
4
30 per cent of projects had to be
renegotiated.
In the transport sector, 55 per cent
of (PPP) contracts were renegotiated.
More so in water and sanitation,
over 75 per cent of contracts were
renegotiated. With many highway
developers approaching the National
Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to
reschedule their premium payment
to Government, Highways Secretary
Vijay Chhibber said an institutional
mechanism, like a highway regulator,
which functions at arm’s length from
both National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) and private developers,
might be the answer. Earlier, Economic
Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram
said there was a need to create more
regulatory authorities independent
of Government entities to fast-track
PPP projects. The Government has
already announced setting up of
new regulators for the coal and road
sectors as well as a tariff regulator for
the railways.
Ashoka Buildcon, a listed firm
with investments from private equity
major SBI Macquarie, wants to exit
from a highway development project
in Odisha, citing delay in regulatory
approvals.
The Rs 1,123-crore project
involves widening 112-km highway
stretch in Odisha between Cuttack
and Angul. Ashoka Buildcon had
signed concession agreement with
the NHAI in March 2012 for the
project and had tied up loans of Rs
801 crore from Axis Bank. But, the
company is yet to get land acquisition
and environment clearance for the
stretch. So it is unable to start work
on the stretch.
Meanwhile, the company said
that project costs were rising on
the back of increase in raw material
costs such as bitumen and diesel,
which would impact the project’s
profitability.
To design, build, finance, operate
and collect tolls from users of this
highway stretch for 23 years. Ashoka
Buildcon had offered to pay a
premium of Rs 61 crore to the NHAI
in the first year of operations.
Private equity major SBI Macquarie
has committed investments of Rs
800 crore in Ashoka Concessions,
a subsidiary of Ashoka Buildcon,
with a portfolio of seven highway
projects.
Gujarat Pipavav Q1 PAT
seen at Rs 29.6 cr
Cabinet may okay finance
for Chahbahar port
The Union Cabinet is expected
to clear an investment of lion in a
crucial project to develop Iran’s
Chahbahar port this week. Foreign
minister Salman Khurshid, will work
out the final details of the project
with Iran. Khurshid will also work on
a trilateral transit agreement with Iran
and Afghanistan, since the latter is
the most important beneficiary of the
Chahbahar port. Iran has promised
to ramp up capacity of the port in five
phases to 20 million tonnes by 2020.
Although India has long promised the
project, this has been complicated
by several factors. US sanctions
have made it very difficult to finance
projects in Iran. The sanctions also
spooked parts of the government
like the shipping ministry which were
unwilling to attract US sanctions.
Similar reservations were expressed by
the finance ministry as well. The idea
of the project is to give India access to
Afghanistan and Central Asia through
Iran, because the Pakistan transit
route is unavailable to India. Studies
have shown that goods transported
through Chahbahar cut transportation
time by several days, which would
mean huge savings for India and
Afghanistan. With Pakistan giving
Gwadar port to China, Chahbahar
has increased in strategic importance
for India.
Gujarat Pipavav Port is likely to
report a 109.9 per cent rise in net
profit for the quarter ended March
2013 at Rs 29.6 crore compared to
a net profit of Rs 14.1 crore in the
corresponding quarter last fiscal.
Net sales are seen at Rs 106.6
crore, up 3.1 per cent, compared
to Rs 100.4 crore in the year ago
period. Ebitda is likely to be at Rs
49.6 crore, up 10 per cent, compared
to Rs 45.1 crore in the same period
a year ago.
Ebitda margins are seen at 46.5
per cent compared to 44.9 per cent in
the same quarter last fiscal. Analysts
say the company’s revenue growth
is likely to be driven by container
volumes while bulk volumes are
likely to stay depressed. An addition
of new liners is likely to help in
volume growth. Shift to US-based
pricing is expected to cover for lost
operating leverage. Lower interest
costs due to debt repayment are
expected to boost profits.
5. TAXATION
May 06, 2013
Vital reforms in the Finance Bill 2013
used either within or outside India by
any other person. Further, its whole
costs should not have been allowed
as deduction in computing business
income.
The deduction claimed to be taxed
as income if the new asset is sold or
otherwise transferred (except pursuant
to any amalgamation and demerger
scheme, within a period of five years
Insights on 2013
Budget, and
amendments in the Bill
especially affecting
the real estate and the
construction sector
It’s that time of the year when
many countries present their financial
status with a proposed plan to earn
and spend (budget) for the ensuing
year proposed for utilisation towards
development of its nation.
The year 2013 began with the
proposed Budget policy in Malaysia
in the Asia Pacific region, followed
by various countries including
Singapore and India pronounced in
recent months. This year’s budget
all across is focused to promote
growth strategies to deal with slow
economic growth. This being a world
phenomenon, this year governments
are focusing on an inclusive growth to
revive their economies to sail through
turbulent times ahead.
In India the impact of the dreary
global slowdown was reflected in
the weaker Q3 FY13 economic data
being GDP growth at a decade low
released just after Finance Minister P
.
Chidambaram Budget 2013 speech,
emphasising the need to enhance
inclusive growth.
The Indian Finance Minister unveiled
the Finance Bill 2013 (the Bill) amid
tough challenges -- slowing growth,
wary markets, fiscal challenges,
threats of a ratings downgrade, and
a general election in 2014, offered tax
proposals to deal with the challenge to
revive growth in the economy through
a slew of tax reforms and curb tax
evasion.
The tax widening proposal comes
at a time when the world over there
is an intense debate of curbing tax
avoidance structures planned through
low tax countries discussed under the
recent OECD’s base erosion project
where corporate plan their affairs to
reduce taxes during the course of
investment or during exit.
In this technical feature we intend to
elucidate the significant amendments
in the Finance Bill, 2013 (the Bill)
especially affecting the real estate and
the construction sector.
Real estate &
construction sector
Indian real estate and construction
is a vital sector of the Indian economy
that contributes significantly to the
Indian GDP Of late some of the issues
.
the sector is grappling with include
uncertain global headwinds, subdued
retail demand, high interest rates
coupled with credit crunch, challenges
associated with land acquisitions,
stamp duty costs, non-standardised
byelaws and limited institutional exit
options.
To deal with the credit crunch
affecting the sector, considering limited
ray of hope to improve the sector
sentiment and at the same time restimulate its growth.
funding options, real estate developers
are resorting to dispose their non-core
assets and land sale to service debt,
etc. rather than operational cash flows
as projects have been on hold.
The past few budgets have left the
real estate sector ‘dried up’ with no tax
reforms directly benefiting the sector.
Further, post introduction of Negative
List regime, ambiguity has arisen
regarding exact service tax implications
on various charges recovered by
developers. Developers and investors
are paddling in troubled waters due to
reduced demand, liquidity crunch and
delayed projects.
Considering the severity of the
situation, a bailout package of fiscal
and tax measures was expected in the
Budget 2013 to provide a boost to the
sector by lowering interest rates and
liberalising regulations for increased
foreign and domestic funding in
this sector coupled with relevant tax
incentives.
In view of some investor-friendly
news emanating from North Block,
the Union Budget 2013 has built some
Direct tax proposals
Significant budget proposals
Considering the expectations,
tax proposals, incentives and
policy reforms directly or indirectly
impacting the sector pronounced in
the Budget are elaborated for ease of
understanding.
Corporate tax
No change in corporate tax rate.
Surcharge on domestic companies
increased to 10 percent from 5 per cent
and for foreign companies increased
to 5 per cent from 2 per cent if taxable
income exceeds INR 100 million.
Surcharge on Dividend Distribution
tax for domestic company increased
to 10 per cent from 5 per cent. This
addition in/increase in surcharge to
be in force only for one year.
Tax incentives
A company engaged in the
manufacture or production of any
article or thing and making investment
of more than INR 1 billion in acquisition
and installation of new specified plant
and machinery during the FY 201314 and 2014-15 to be eligible to an
investment allowance of 15 per cent in
these two years once the investments
exceeds the said threshold.
Eligible plant and machinery
excludes ship, aircraft, those used
in office premise or residential
accommodation (including guest
house), office appliances including
computer software, vehicles, etc.
The plant and machinery before
its installation should not have been
from the date of its installation). The
amalgamated or resulting company
is obliged to comply with the condition
of continuity post amalgamation and
demerger.
Sunset clause for being eligible to
claim tax holiday by an undertaking
engaged in power generating,
distributing or transmitting to be
extended by one more year to March
31, 2014.
Transfer of immovable property
Every transferee at the time of
making payment or crediting any
consideration for transfer of immovable
property (other than agricultural land)
to a resident transferor to withhold
tax rate at the rate of 1 per cent in
cases where the total amount of
consideration is INR 5 million or more.
This provision is to be applicable from
June 1, 2013.
Transfer of land or building or both
(other than capital asset) at a value
which is less than at stamp duty value
to result in computing of taxable value
based on the stamp duty value.
If any consideration or a part
thereof is received by any mode
other than cash on or before the
date of agreement for transfer, then
the stamp duty value to be adopted
is that applicable on the date of the
agreement.
The assessing officer may refer
the matter to the Valuation Officer for
adoption if the assesse claims that
the stamp duty value exceeds the
fair market value of the property and
the higher valuation by stamp duty
authorities has not been disputed
before any court or authority.
If an individual or HUF receives
immoveable property from any person
(other than relatives) for a consideration
which is less than the stamp duty value
and the difference exceeds Rs 50,000
then the whole of such difference
to be taxable as income from other
sources.
If any consideration or a part
5
thereof is received by any mode
other than cash on or before the
date of agreement for transfer, then
the stamp duty value to be adopted
is that applicable on the date of the
agreement.
Additional interest deduction
Additional deduction of up to
INR 100,000 has been introduced
for individuals for FY 2013-14, for
interest payable to a specified financial
institution on housing loan sanctioned
in FY 2013-14.
For the purpose of additional
deduction, the sanctioned home loan
should not exceed beyond Rs 2.5
million. Also, house value should not
exceed Rs 4 million and individual
should not own any residential house
on the date of sanction. Unused
additional deduction in FY 2013-14 is
to be carried forward and is allowed
in FY 2014-15. This is in addition to
the interest deduction of Rs 150,000
per annum towards self-occupied
property.
Buy back of shares
Unlisted domestic company liable
to additional income tax at the rate of
20 per cent to the extent of distributed
income paid to the shareholder in a
buy back scheme for purchase of its
own shares.
Distributed income defined to mean
consideration paid by the company on
buy back of shares as reduced by the
amount which was received by the
company for issue of such shares.
This additional income tax payable
by the company to be the final tax
on similar lines as DDT thereby, the
income arising to the shareholders
in respect of such buy back will
be exempt with effect from June 1,
2013.
Non-resident proposals
The benefit of lower concessional
withholding tax rate of 5 per cent to nonresident investor on interest income
from eligible long term infrastructure
bonds issued by Indian company
subscribed in foreign currency from
outside India extended to cases
of non-resident depositing foreign
currency in a designated bank account
and such money as converted in INR
being utilised for the subscription.
This provision to be applicable from
June 1, 2013.
The basic income tax rate on any
income of non-residents by way of
royalty and fees for technical services
not effectively connected with the
permanent establishment in India to
be enhanced to 25 per cent on gross
basis.
The lower rate of taxation of gross
dividends received by an Indian
company from specified foreign
companies (with shareholding of 26
per cent or more) at the rate of 15 per
cent extended by one year to financial
year 2013-14.
Further, if such dividend is received
by the Indian company from its foreign
subsidiary (with equity shareholding
6. PROJECTS UPDATE
May 06, 2013
Vedanta, Essar in race for
OHC project at Vizag Port
Industrial majors Vedanta and
Essar Groups are in the race to
get the Rs 845 crore worth Ore
Handling Complex (OHC) project at
Visakhapatnam Port, said a senior
official of the port.
The OHC project would be awarded
on design, build, finance, operate &
transfer (DBFOT) basis once the
necessary approvals come from
various government agencies, said
the official. According to the official,
the project involves upgradation of
the existing terminal and also creation
of a new facility with a total outlay of
nearly Rs 845 crore, including Rs 170
crore upfront fee to the port.
“The Planning Commission had
given its consent for the project in
February. We have sent the proposal
to the Ministry of Shipping and
from there it will go to the Cabinet
Committee on Economic Affairs.
“We will have to get security
clearances from the Ministry of Home
Affairs also. We have Vedanta and
Essar as the bidders. It will take two
to three months to award the 30year-contract to the bid winner,” said
the official.
Currently, the existing iron handling
capacity of the port is at 12 million
tons and with the expansion it may go
up to 23 tons, added the official.
The Shipping Ministry had set a
target of 70 million tons for Vizag port
for all commodities in 2012-13. The
port lost about 7.1 million tons cargo
mainly on two commodities -- iron ore
and petroleum products.
It handled 12.24 million tons of iron
ore and 15.08 million tons petroleum
products against 16.07 million tons
and 18.40 million tons respectively
in the previous year.
Due to ban on mining in some
parts of the country and also drop in
iron ore exports, the ore movement
from the port has also gone down,
added the official.
The port official said as part of
Maritime Agenda-2020, the Ministry
of Shipping needs to change all the
major ports into landlord ports.
“We have got CCEA clearance
for Container Handling Facility under
PPP model. However, we are yet to
get the MHA clearance for that. Once
it comes we will award the contract,”
added the official when asked about
the other projects that are taken up
on PPP model.
The capacity of port of
Visakhapatnam is 67.33 million
tons as on March 31, 2013 and the
envisaged capacity is 140 million tons
and 149 million tons by 2016-17 and
2019-20, respectively.
The investment proposed for
various capacity enhancement
schemes is Rs 13,940 crore of which
about Rs 7,100 crore is proposed
to be funded through PPP mode in
three phases, said a senior official
of the port.
NHAI urged to settle disputes
with road developers
The Road Ministry has asked
the National Highways Authority of
India (NHAI) to expedite the process
of resolving disputes with highway
developers by the independent
committee set up under the Authority
to review individual cases and send
its recommendations to the NHAI
board.
Since its inception earlier this
year, the committee has taken up
seven cases of pending claims but
is yet to resolve any of them, said
ministry officials. At present, about
227 cases with Rs 10,963 crore of
developer dues are stuck under
arbitration or are pending in court.
“We have asked them to meet
more frequently and would like them
to sit each week, so that they can
resolve multiple cases swiftly,” said
a highways ministry official, who
didn’t wish to be named. Many of
these claims are due to delays in
land acquisition, change in scope,
officials’ reluctance to sign off on
deviations and cost escalations
permitted under the contract,
restricting the ability of developers
to bid for new projects.
In November 2012, the NHAI
board had approved a three-stage
system to resolve disputes under
which pending claims and cases
are first referred to a committee of
chief general managers from the
NHAI. Then it is taken to the threemember independent settlement
advisory committee (Isac), which
reviews the recommendations and
can communicate and negotiate with
contractors.
Their recommendations are then
taken to the board for approval. The
seven pending claims are currently
stuck at the second level. The ministry
hopes to fast-track settlement of
claims, some of which go back to
projects awarded as far back as 199798, and release the much-needed
capital -- stuck in financial disputes
-- back into the funds-starved sector.
6
French aid agency
may extend loan to
Kochi Metro by Dec.
French financial agency, Agence
Française de Developement (AFD),
is likely to make its final commitment
on providing loan to the Kochi Metro
project by the end of December
2013.
A team of transport experts from AFD
led by Xavier Hoang held discussions
with Elias George, Managing Director
of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd and E.
Sreedharan, Principal Adviser, Delhi
Metro Rail Corporation.
This is the second team visiting
Kochi to evaluate the project. The next
team from AFD is expected to visit in
September.
The French agency is expected
to provide a loan of up to euro 130
million (roughly Rs 1,000 crore) with a
tenure of 20 years plus a moratorium
of nine years. The rate of interest will
be 2 per cent. The project needs
an external borrowing of about Rs
2,170 crore.
The AFD representative said
they had visited sites and collected
information for evaluating the project.
The third team would make the
detailed investigation based on which
their board would finalise its decision
to extend the loan.
Addressing the media, George
said, “After deliberations with the
AFD, we believe that we are in
line with the pre-requisites for the
funding. If things go well, we will get a
commitment by the end of this year.”
He added that both Kochi Metro and
AFD agreed that more attention had
to be given to environmental and
social impact and replacement and
rehabilitation (R&R).
Kochi Metro has already invited
expression of interests from
international agencies for preparing
the social impact and R&R policy.
Meanwhile, Kochi Metro handed
over Rs 34.18 crore for land
acquisition to the Ernakulam district
administration on April 22. The fund
will be used mainly for acquiring land
at Muttom, near Aluva. With this,
KMRL had already handed over Rs
76 crore for land acquisition.
The total estimated cost for Kochi
Metro is Rs 5,180 crore, and it is
scheduled to be completed by 2016.
The first phase will have 22 stations
and a system length of 26 km. KMRL
has also sought financial aid from
the Japan International Co-operation
Agency (Jica).
The loans expected from AFD and
Jica work out to about 42 per cent
of the total project cost. The state is
expected to pool in Rs 2,009 crore
(including land acquisition cost) and
the Centre Rs 1,002 crore.
Impose penalty for
delaying nods to infra
projects: Montek
Planning Commission Deputy
Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia
has suggested introducing some
form of penalty for delays in statutory
clearances to infrastructure projects
being executed in the public-private
partnership mode.
“Most projects are delayed because
statutory clearances are not delivered
on time. One way to handle this is to
introduce penalties on behalf of the
government,” said Ahluwalia at a Ficci
conference recently. “If the project is
delayed, the government will have to
pay penalty. While it may be raising
cost of the project, it will also create an
incentive not to delay clearance.”
The tardy pace of clearances in
India is often blamed for the low level
of private sector participation in key
areas, especially infrastructure, which
in turn inhibits growth. Ahluwalia said
speedy clearances at the government’s
end is essential to attract at least
50 per cent of the estimated $1
trillion needed to be pumped into the
country’s infrastructure sector in the
12th Five-Year Plan.
Private sector participation in
infrastructure PPP projects has grown
from 10 per cent of the required
investment in the 10th Plan period to
37 per cent during the 11th Plan.
“In the 12th Plan period, no less
than 50 per cent of the estimated
investment would have to necessarily
come from the private sector, as there
are zero prospects of the government
being able to finance such projects
beyond 50 per cent. If it can’t be done,
then we had better lower the growth
projection than the average growth
of 8 per cent as stipulated in the 12th
Five-Year Plan,” he said.
Arvind Mayaram, Secretary, the
Department of Economic Affairs in
the ministry of finance, who was also
present at the summit, underlined
the need for adequate resources to
maintain the existing infrastructure,
while scouting for funds for creating
new assets.
“Both the government and the
private sector were beset with the
problem of lack of institutional
capacities to manage concession
agreements over a 20-year period,
and it is time to have a re-look at
such capacities for managing and
maintaining PPP projects,” said
Mayaram.
To help achieve this, Mayaram
suggested allowing easy exit for
contractors once the project is
stabilised as well by enhancing the
credit rating of SPV bonds while private
players can look at setting up facility
management firms.
7. CONSTRUCTION
May 06, 2013
7
‘Make your home a small domestic paradise’
Interiors today are all about
pragmatic and beautiful environments
ameliorating the lives of people at
home and at work. Decorating and
designing home not only gives an
aesthetic feel but it also amends
the whole atmosphere of the living
space.
Since its inception Ansa Interiors
has turned the dreams of many into
reality. With our focused approach, we
have always maintained functionality,
ergonomics and economics. We
ensure that every designed project of
living space speaks volumes of our
work. Making interiors is not a tedious
task, when pared down with a proper
methodology of designing.
Our home:
Vikaspuri Residence
To get a personal feel of your home,
it is important to complement less with
décor, try and discover new innovative
ideas. Nature itself is an inspiration to
endless ideas and themes where the
soothing natural colours manifest and
enrich a style of their own, and give a
sense of joy and satisfaction.
Our three-bedroom apartment was
renovated keeping in mind the tastes
and styles of a nuclear working family.
With summation to basic fundamentals
of good design, consideration was to
complexities of today’s modern society,
such as safety and performance,
creating a barrier-free comfortable
environment.
The significant requirements in
this apartment were a living room,
bedroom, kids’ room where the whole
area is well connected, especially
taking care of noise levels as the
apartment faced the main road.
Living room
The living room is the heart of
every home. While planning interiors
for the living room it is imperative
how you want it to look like -- the
style, accessories, furniture, colours,
lighting system and so on.
The room should possess an exotic
mood to lure whosoever enters it. The
design and interiors of the living room
represent the part of a person we are.
Be it contemporary, modern, casual,
rustic or eclectic.
You can go for neo-classical
styles which are more earthy, beige
and brown tones can be seen as
highlight of the living area, giving it
New Delhi-based interior designer couple Ankush and Sapna Aggarwal
launched Ansa Interiors with a vision to bring to life dreams people have
about their homes or offices. Ansa Interiors is amongst the best conceptual
designer firms in today’s niche market. Their services include making
customised layouts, supervising the site, helping in purchase of materials,
overseeing budgets, etc. The name ‘Ansa’ is derived from Ankush (AN)
and Sapna (SA) and was established in 2003.
Ankush is a graduate in Commerce and post-graduate in Interior
Designing from the International Academy of Design. Sapna graduated
in Home Science from Lady Irwin College and in Interior Design and
Decoration from IAD.
The CEO of Ansa Interiors, Ankush Aggarwal, shares with Remona
Divekar some highlights of their residence Vikaspuri. Excerpts:
an enlightened feel. The choice of
colours is completely the end-user’s
discretion. You may go in for bright
colours such as red, orange or yellow.
If you wish to make it a relaxing and
quiet room, go in with soft colours like
blue, green and purple.
The living room can be accessorised
Whether you choose modern style to
contemporary, simple to traditional, the
beautiful collection of wooden furniture
adds to the beauty of your living room
décor. Leather living room furniture
is another common style adapted
by many Indian homes, available in
different styles, designs, colours and
using a number of furnishings. You can
put wall mirrors, stylish lamp shades,
candles and candle stands in the living
room to make it more delightful.
For our home we have used
bright beige, brown combination of
furniture and sofa sets, wall art, murals,
moldings, lightings and window
treatments as they gives a stylish feel
to the room.
It can be decorated with accessories
of your choice to make it look brisk and
charming, just the way we have done
using bright yellow golden shade
for hanging lamps. For the floors,
wooden, vinyl flooring give an ascetic
look whereas laminated flooring can
be laid relatively easy, giving a fresh
look which can be topped off.
patterns which boast of high durability
and comfort.
Wooden furniture
Today’s furniture is setting a trend
which appears in various forms and
designs. Wooden living room furniture
is graceful with no comparison.
Lighting
Lighting is the most essential part of
every room where installing of aesthetic
lighting is important. Decorating lights
can be placed all over the room while
task light in the false ceiling looks
wonderful. Lamps and decorative
candles also increase the charm of
interior décor of the room.
Bedroom
Bedrooms should necessarily
reflect the user’s lifestyle, his practical
needs, aesthetic preference. To
design an ideal bedroom one must
consider the inner most thoughts and
ideas of the person, his/her cultural
background, the temperament,
storage space required and taste of
the colour scheme.
The colour we have chosen is
subtle instead of dark and bold primary
colours, as light shades and rich-jewel
hues enhance the mood and coziness
of the room. I personally suggest
shades of hues to anyone doing up
their bedrooms.
For the available storage space in
the bedroom you can store your things
out of sight, add other things to fill the
space. Your room should look more
calm and cozy.
A bedside table with some drawers
can hold your personal books and
magazines or other stuff within reach,
but not out of your sight. You can use
a trunk or storage bench to store bed
sheets, pillows and other material.
Use bed panels to store expensive
items, utensils and other kind of stuff
for better storage. Decorative lighting
sets the mood and adds interest in
your work. Essentially after primary
lighting fixtures such as tube lights and
bulbs, you can arrange stylish lighting
fixtures in the bedroom.
Children’s room
A colourful kids’ room fun filled
with colours splashing on one wall, a
white board of the kid’s height and a
wardrobe with drawers below for him
to operate himself. As it is uncluttered,
it gives ample space for the kid to play
freely with no sharp corners, no loose
cabinets, and no breakable items
which ensure the kid’s safety. The
windows of the house are big enough
to ensure sunlight and ventilation, but
at the same time double-glazed to
avoid unwanted noise.
Ideally, the children’s room should
grow with the child, thus the elements
chosen in the room should not be very
long lasting. It should be the most
playful and interesting thing to design
as it needs a lot of creativity, careful
and practical designing.
One must start with the child’s
favourite interest and that should be
the key factor to design anything.
Storage should be adequate as it is
one thing that grows with the child.
The window treatment is very
important as it defines the look of
any room. It should supply sufficient
light and air. They can be simple or
colourful with curtains, films, blinds or
roller shades.
Kitchen with culture
Kitchen lighting should be bright
and functional. Care should be taken to
ensure that light does not cast shadow
on major working areas. Light fitted on
the underside of the overhead cabinets
lights up the counters effectively.
It is important to ascertain individual
preferences over common lifestyle and
eating habits of users. Flooring should
be non-slippery, resilient, hard wearing
and easy to clean.
Marble is the most common choice
but one can also go for Kotah stone,
too. Ventilation is the most important
aspect that should be taken care of
properly. Kitchen walls should be able
to withstand all kinds of fumes and
splashes.
Use good quality plastic emulsion
paint for areas under the sink and
near the wash area. Materials such as
stones, glazed enamel tiles, stainless
steel, laminates can be used for
counters and each has its own pros
and cons.
Some useful tips
Make the best use of sunlight;
ensure that the house is well-ventilated
and well- lit.
A colourful house will have an
element of joy, simple and specific
space for everything.
Since both are working, kitchen
should not to be in a secluded area
for the lady of the house.
If the area of the house is very
small, but because of designing
concepts, the house might look big
and spacious.
When you start with bedroom
furniture, always start out with floor
plan and the space in your room.
The furniture should not be large
or bulky to cover the whole space;
it should be small -- bed or table or
almirah – and it should fit the room.
For a large bedroom, choose big
accessories and table that may fit
into the room. A small bed or a small
dressing table may not be noticed in
that big room.
Limit your furniture in the bedroom;
it is a room for rest not to idealize
time.
Relaxing abode
To sum up, our home is a relaxing
abode, full of life, taking you away from
the madness of daily life. As designers
our exposure to the interior world and
new concepts is homogenous, but
none the less our house has kept the
essence of simplicity intact.
However, it is accentuated by clean
modern lines; a standout feature is
the transparency afforded by the
design with all spaces barring the two
bedrooms, being interconnected.
For instance, the open drawing
room, lounge and dining area ensure
that guests can freely interact with
each other and still be a part of the
home and family. The oneness of the
space is further highlighted as we have
Italian flooring throughout the home,
except for the drawing room.
Also, functionality took precedence
over design of the entire home. Thus,
considering all the above factors, an
interior designer’s only aim is to make
an ambience which is the most loved
by the entire family; a place in which it
is pleasing for all to be together.
Our aim should be to create our
home as a little domestic paradise
where several people find it easy to
move about. It should be attractive
and welcoming, perfectly in tune with
surroundings; a reminder of family
traditions and rediscovered family
values. Finally, it can be said that
this home is simple, with functional
offerings of the design aesthetics and
amenities of an indulgent luxurious
lifestyle.
8. rEAL ESTATE
May 06, 2013
Sinking gold prices and future
of residential real estate
In India, precious metals
are an investment class
that most people will
consider after this basic
desire is satisfied
With gold prices currently on the
descent, many investors are asking
themselves if residential real estate
prices will follow. Gold and real estate
are the two primary investment
routes for retail investors in India,
so this is definitely a valid question
to ask.
The performance of residential
real estate as an asset class is
doubtlessly dependent on the macroeconomic factors that also dictate the
performance of other asset classes,
including gold. Nevertheless, the
correlation between gold and real
estate prices is not as distinct as
one may at first assume.
Supply and demand
Price movements in the real
estate sector are the result of supply
and demand. This is true for gold
as well, but the demand drivers
for real estate are not the same
as for precious metals. Though, in
investment terms, they technically fall
under the category of asset classes,
the demand for residential property
stems from the desire for home
ownership that is hard-wired into
the Indian psyche. It is demand from
end-users that dictates investors’
appetite for residential property.
In India, precious metals are an
investment class that most people
will consider after this basic desire
is satisfied. Moreover, the prices
of precious metals
are not locationspecific – they rise and
fall uniformly.
This is hardly the case with real
estate, which performs differently at
different times in different cities and
micro-locations. In a vast country
like India, it stands to reason that
various markets will display varying
pricing dynamics.
Real estate valuations also
range from rational to irrational in
different areas within the same cities,
depending on the levels of supply,
demand and investor activity. At the
same time, other cities continue to
remain uniformly rational because
they are largely end-user driven.
Market
knowledge
There is no one-sizefits-all formula for the viability of
residential real estate as an asset
class for investment. Different
investors have different levels
of expertise, experience, market
knowledge and risk appetites when
it comes to different asset classes.
Those with insufficient expertise in
stock trading are not likely to see
satisfactory ROI from their activities
on the stock market.
Likewise, investors who lack the
requisite knowledge and research to
make winning real estate investment
decisions will not meet with much
success in this vertical. Real Estate
They are the most cost-effective residential options for people who prefer to
own rather than rent, especially in projects close to workplace hubs
Inflexible demand
There is a steady and inflexible
demand for studio apartments, both
in metros and tier-2 cities. These
apartments are usually the first to be
sold out in a residential project that
features them. Without doubt, they
are the most cost-effective residential
options for people who prefer to own
rather than rent, especially in projects
close to workplace hubs.
Another factor that drives demand
for such units is the ease with which
they can be rented out or sold at a
profit on the secondary market. This
also makes studio apartments a
prime target for investors. Moreover,
story are extremely strong.
Even in this turbulent economic
environment, India remains the
cynosure of interest by global MNCs
and investors who see the limitless
potential of a young, growing
economy, a wealth of highly trained
workforces across the manufacturing,
IT/ITeS and services industries.
All this translates into assured job
creation, and therefore demand on
the residential real estate market.
However, Indian residential real
estate is definitely not the best route
for short-term investors. When it
comes to opportunistic trading, gold
is doubtlessly a far more suitable
asset class – not least of all because
one can purchase it in small or
large amounts and liquefy it quickly.
Turning a profit with gold is really only
a matter of timing the market.
Conservative banking
The enduring studio apartment
Technically, studio apartments
comprise single large rooms that
encompass the bedroom, living and
dining areas, with compact kitchens
and bathrooms attached. When they
first made their appearance on the
Indian residential landscape, studio
apartments found favour largely with
bachelors and small families who
spend most of their time at work.
Even today, the demand for
studio apartments comes primarily
from software professionals and
executives from the manufacturing
sector. Such professionals have
generally spent over a year stationed
in a metro and find that they prefer
to pay EMIs on an affordable,
maintenance-friendly living unit
rather than pay high rents for flats
and serviced apartments.
8
studio apartments do not attract
much maintenance costs and make
for hassle-free purchases as well as
resale.
Logical choice
The typical Indian home buyer
prefers larger homes, and will go in
for more generous formats whenever
possible. However, the rate of
property price escalations in our
primary cities has narrowed things
down considerably. Simultaneously,
proximity to the workplace remains a
priority in an evolving economy, and
the studio is the logical choice for
investors who have sufficient market
knowledge or work with experienced
real estate consultants will not fail
to see lucrative returns on their
investments.
Three parameters for successful
investment in any asset class are
when to invest, how much to invest
and when to exit. In real estate,
three additional variables are
where to invest, into which size and
configuration, and in which location.
Short-term, long-term outlook
In the short term, residential real
estate prices in different cities will
either remain steady, see minor
upward or downward fluctuations. In
the long term, they will rise again. The
fundamentals of the India real estate
those who cannot or do not choose
to buy larger units.
Studio apartments are also popular
with mid-management level buyers
who tend to reside in certain cities
for extended periods. Rather than
pay for a serviced apartment or hotel
room, they prefer to acquire studio
apartments and sell them off when
they no longer need them.
There is also a lot of demand from
single working individuals and newlymarried couples who need to set up
a home immediately and eventually
upgrade to larger size homes later
Of course, this applies for
residential real estate, as well.
However, thanks to a conservative
banking system that makes ‘flipping’
extremely unattractive, residential real
estate as an investment class is a
very different ballgame in India.
More and more regulations are
being brought in to subdue the
appetite for speculation in this
sector. Also, the lowest entry point
is definitely much higher than for
gold. Finally, it requires a minimum
‘incubation’ period in order to bring
‘appreciable’ returns.
Even after one has satisfied all
the basic investment criteria -- good
location, right size and configuration,
right entry point and right entry price
-- one needs to stay invested for the
mid-to-long term in order to garner the
best possible returns. As a general
yardstick, an investment horizon of
three to five years is ideal.
Anuj Puri
Chairman & Country
Head, Jones Lang
LaSalle India
on. As already stated, the demand for
such units on both the primary and
resale market is consistently high.
Fastest-moving products
When the downturn hit the Indian
real estate market, practically the
only residential configurations which
continued to see demand were studio
apartments and cost-effective 1BHK
flats. The demand for larger units has
meanwhile revived considerably, but
studio apartments are still the fastestmoving products on the market.
The margins are low, but it is
definitely a high volume vertical
and many developers bank on such
configurations as a sure-fire sales
proposition, with almost instant
absorption if the location is right. This
provides them with instant working
capital. The demand is even greater
for furnished studio apartments,
and many developers offer these
as well.
The current demand for studio
apartments is percolating down from
the equally high demand for serviced
apartments, and is still picking up
from there. Eighty per cent of the
overall demand for studio apartments
in cities like Mumbai, Delhi NCR,
Bengaluru, Pune and Chennai is
driven by software professionals and
recently relocated manufacturing
sector executives. Price points
vary according to city, location and
amenities offered, but generally
range between Rs 12-35 lakh.
Om Ahuja
CEO-Residential
Services, Jones Lang
LaSalle India
9. equipment
May 06, 2013
9
Tata Prima 2528.K Tipper – tough performer
The Construck PRIMA range of
tippers from Tata Motors is especially
suited to provide the necessary
momentum in the construction
and mining sectors. Coming from
Tata Motors, the leaders in truck
manufacturing in India, PRIMA
construction tippers are equipped
to facilitate the pace of progress
for mammoth projects undertaken
throughout the country.
It is imperative for new
infrastructure developments to
employ the latest reliable
technology and superior equipment
– including the latest tippers. Thus,
in order to meet steep
deadlines and negate
losses incurred
e f f i c i e n c y. I n a d d i t i o n , l o n g e r
maintenance intervals, coupled with
a wide range of low maintenance
or maintenance-free components,
increases economy even further.
through machinery failure, PRIMA
tippers from the Construck range
function as the backbone for all
construction and mining
applications.
Advanced features that
spell power, productivity
and faster returns on your
investment:
Prima 2528.K has been built
s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r s t o n e q u a r r y,
limestone, irrigation projects, offroad mining, iron ore, tunnel work,
road construction applications,
etc. Considered a tough performer
that can successfully tackle every
challenge in heavy-duty operations,
its high level of robustness comes
with stronger chassis, especially
designed 1200X24 mining tyres
and durable 48T heavy duty bogie
suspension. A reliable power train
ensures that possible loss of power
or dissipation from the engine
to the wheels is mitigated and
kept minimum, thereby increasing
New Sandvik CH550 cone crusher for
peak performance
The star of the show insofar as
the Sandvik booth goes was the
company’s new CH550 cone crusher.
This 18.9-ton crusher attacks material
with a 442 horsepower motor and can
be configured for either secondary or
tertiary crusher applications.
The CH550 is based in the
company’s Hydrocone design. An
automatic setting system delivers
optimal material reduction and shape,
and one of three eccentric bushings
with cover 90 percent of the application
range.
Wear parts have been adapted for
a long lifetime per ton produced and
new drive arrangements precisely
align the V-belts more effectively
transfer power.
Compared to earlier models the
CH550 results in lower energy use per
ton, reducing emissions of CO2 by 30
tons a year and reducing operating
costs.
Superior Technology that makes
it stand apart:
Common Rail 270 HP Cummins
ISBe engine; Bigger 430 mm Clutch;
Reliable ZF 9S 1110TD–9 Speed
Gear Box with Crawler Gear; Tata
RA 210 HR-T Hub Reduction Rear
Axle; Best in Class 48 Ton Bogie S
uspension;
Bigger 12.00 x 24 Mining Tyres;
16 Cum Rock Body (Hardox) & Box
Body; Best in Class Gradeability
57.8%; Data logger for optimum
operation management; Cruse PTO
for faster and smoother tipping
operations. Longer oil change.
Most comfortable features that
make DRIVERS operate more
duration.
Fully 4 point Suspended World
Class Tiltable Cabin; Cabin with HVAC
(Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning)
for all weather operations; Remote
key less entry with Central Door
locking; Fully Suspended pneumatic
seats; Smaller Adjustable Steering
Wheel; Instrument Cluster with Multi
functional display.
Hyundai’s new
mini excavator R25Z-9A
Hyundai Heavy Industries presented
its new 2.6-ton class mini excavator at
the Bauma show, the R25Z-9A. It said
the market had requested such a
model, and that it filled a big gap in
the Hyundai range between models
R16-9 and R27Z-9.
The new mini excavator has a Tier 4
Mitsubishi engine with Z rating – Zero-
US too. Hyundai Heavy Industries
9A series was launched last year.
Apart from mini excavators, the
range includes wheeled and crawler
excavators up to 120 tons operating
weight, right up to 6m3 class wheeled
loaders. They are driven by Perkins
and Cummins engines with EGR
and diesel particulate filters (DPFs)
Turn-Radius, which means that it can
turn within its own contours and so can
work in confined spaces – and can be
fitted with buckets with a capacity of
up to 0.07m3.
The mini excavator will be supplied
on the European market with a glass
ROPS/FOPS cab. It has a springloaded seat, foldable pedals, sensitive
joystick and storage space. Hyundai
said this was particularly important for
small construction equipment, as mini
excavators are often used in difficult
work environments, such as demolition
work inside buildings with poor visibility
or lighting.
The model is mainly aimed at the
European market, although Hyundai
felt there might be some sales in the
standard for machines over 130kW.
There is no DPF for Cummins engines
under 130kW.
A number of innovations are said
to make it easier than ever to work
with these machines. For example,
the joysticks on the HL780-9A will be
electrically controlled for particularly
delicate work. Some of the wheeled
loaders in generation 9A onwards
are fitted with automatic differentials
and converter lock up, which is said
to reduce fuel consumption further.
Lockable differentials are available as
an option for various configurations.
The high performance Hyundai
wheeled loader HL780-9A has an
automatic lockable differential for the
front axle as standard.
Komatsu WA270-7 wheel loader
decreases fuel use by 10 pc
Improve efficiency and decrease
f u e l p r o d u c t i o n w i t h Ko m a t s u
America’s WA270-7 wheel loader,
which delivers 149 net horsepower
via a Tier 4 Interim SAA6D107E-2
engine, and lowers fuel consumption
by up to 10 per cent compared to the
WA250-6.
The 28,836-pound machine
features Parallel Z-bar loader linkage,
which offers both a parallel lift linkage
and high tilt forces. For quick and easy
bucket loading, the PZ linkage delivers
a 10 per cent increase in lift force.
The Komatsu Variable Geometry
Turbocharger and an Exhaust Gas
Recirculation valve delivers better
precision, better air management and
longer component life. Komatsu’s
diesel particulate filter has an
integrated design and a smart system
that enables a high percentage of
passive regeneration.
SmartLoader Logic delivers the
preferred engine torque for the job at
hand, while simultaneously saving fuel
by decreasing engine torque when not
needed. The hydrostatic drive train
boasts an increased pump capacity,
improving efficiency and boosting
responsiveness while eliminating
brake wear through the dynamic
braking effect.
The system also includes a traction
control system that helps performance
on soft or slippery terrain. A variable
speed control system enables the
operator to set speeds based on the
application.
The WA270-7 also features a new
cab. The front glass is lower than
previous models for improved visibility,
and a redesigned seat-mounted right
hand console has a multi-function
mono-lever with proportional control
for the integrated third spool.
Connecting devices such as mp3
players is made easy via an auxiliary
input with two 12-volt ports. The cab
also includes a 7-inch high res LCD
monitor that allows the operator to
modify settings and check operational
records.
Maintenance is simplified through
convenient service access and
increased cooling capacity, wider
cooler fin spacing and an autoreversing fan. Komatsu’s Equipment
Management Monitoring System
provides enhanced diagnostic and
troubleshooting features.
10. REAL ESTATE
May 06, 2013
Sahara to develop
Rs 149-cr plot in Bengaluru
The group operates through
different brands including Radisson
Blu, Radisson, Park Plaza, Park Inn
Radisson, Country Inns & Suites and
Hotel Missoni.
The India properties span several
of these brands. The average level of
occupancy is estimated to be about
65 per cent which is likely to grow as
economy picks up.
The hospitality sector according to
research study predictions is likely to
get into a buoyant phase by 2015-16,
where demand may outstrip room
availability.
Premium flats in
Chennai by Radiance
Indian housing project makes
waves in Sri Lanka
India will build over 40,000
homes in Sri Lanka’s war-ravaged
northern and eastern areas. The
Indian Housing Project is a housing
reconstruction project funded
by the Government of India and
implemented through a MoU with the
Government of Sri Lanka.
The Steering Committee for the
Indian Housing Project has placed
on record its appreciation for the
progress made in terms of selection
of beneficiaries and release of funds
during Year-1 of phase-2 of the
housing project.
As on March 31, 2013, a sum
of Sri Lanka rupees 2.28 billion
has been disbursed as installment
Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata
amongst other fast growing cities
across the country.
For this reason, Mumbai along
with few other cities has started
implementing MRTS to serve the
growing population owing to heavy
influx from rural pockets.
Recognising the need, the state
government and urban infrastructure
authorities in Mumbai have put
together a comprehensive transport
infrastructure makeover plan.
This city is set to witness the most
advanced of its kind integrated multimodal transport system that promises
to shape up the city infrastructure in
an organised framework like never
before.
Apart from the metro projects, BRTS
projects, the city will also be home
to the country’s first-ever monorail
project that urban India is looking
forward to. Scomi Engineering, and
its consortium partner Larsen & Toubro
secured the Mumbai monorail project
from the Mumbai Metropolitan Region
Development Authority (MMRDA) in
2008.
The first reason that makes monorail
a “must have” network in the city is its
limited establishment needs. Mumbai
is a densely populated city and
monorail is the most viable option
available, for it can easily move through
the city’s narrow corridors taking tight
turns. Monorail is said to be the most
suitable mode of travel in urban nerve
centres due to its maneuverability that
Carlson Group will add
10 more properties
Global hospitality chain Carlson
Rezidor Group is planning to set 10
more properties to its portfolio across
its different brands in 2013. The group
operates about 1,400 properties
across various markets and has 64
hotels under its fold in India.
The group has a pipeline of 43
projects to be completed by 2015.
The company has targeted to cross
100 hotels by the year 2015. Last
year the Group added 13 properties
and it expects to add at least 10
more properties before the end of the
current year.
The Sahara Group has bagged a
25-acre plot in Whitefield, Bengaluru
for Rs 149 crore, and plans to build
offices and a hotel there. The realestate-to- retail conglomerate Sahara
has bought the plot of land from the
Asset Reconstruction Company of
India (Arcil), which had picked it up
under the Sarfaesi Act from banks
and financial institutions after BPL
defaulted on its debt payments a few
years ago.
Sahara confirmed the transaction.
“The assets have been acquired from
Arcil and will be utilised as per the main
objects of the company. The payments
were made as per the terms of bidding
process and till date we have paid Rs
100 crore,” said Abhijit Sarkar, Head
of Corporate Communications for
the group.
Sahara is planning to build a
mixed-used commercial building in
the city which will have a hotel and
an office tower, said sources. Sahara,
however, did not specify the kind of
development it is planning.
10
that improves connectivity to a great
extent.
It will easily move through the
city’s narrow corridors taking tight
turns saving much travel time and
decongesting road traffic to a great
extent. The route being linked through
major areas in the city will benefit
the commuters who travel longer
distances with a much better and safer
mode of transportation.
project will have 360 apartments in
three towers and five blocks. While
the 90 studio apartments come in
sizes ranging from 622 sq. ft. to 654
sq. ft., the 54 two-BHK-plus-study
units come in a fixed size of 1,575
sq. ft.
In addition, there are 189 threeBHK units in sizes ranging between
1,780 s.q ft. and 1,911 sq. ft. and 27
four-BHK units of 2,375 sq. ft. each.
The company has announced a
launch price of Rs 6,399 per sq. ft.
huge construction opportunities and
other capacity augmentation projects
ensuring speedy service delivery.
Mass Rapid Transit Systems that have
gained prominence in recent years
serving a bulk of the urban milieu with
urban modes of mobility must be put
to best use for procuring cost-effective
results.
construction quality, value addition to
services and alike.
Moving forward, urban transport
must be an integrated and diverse
system with various modes of transport
–- public and private aligning them to
form a multimodal system supporting
the ever growing demand of rapidly
growing cities.
Thus, the need for greater
infrastructure investment is clear,
but equally important is the need to
sustainably manage such investments.
Sustainable transport is needed
reducing risks of traffic crashes, street
crimes and promoting better social
cohesion, making public transport
attractive and the preferred choice for
commuting.
The global economy currently
is in a severe slowdown, upsetting
developmental targets of economies
across the world. In this situation,
infrastructure remains a top priority
for addressing developmental gaps
as it is considered capable of lifting
economies out of the financial turmoil.
The Indian government should take
a revisit to the existing patterns and
explore newer avenues to help the
sector emerge stronger than ever. We
are bidding for Chennai and other cities
in India. Also, we have a long term view
for India. The Mumbai monorail master
plan proposed the construction of
eight lines is estimated at a cost of
202.96 billion ($3.7 billion).
payments. This includes first
installment payments transferred
to 11,379 beneficiaries, second
installment payments to 3,448
beneficiaries, third installment to 741
beneficiaries and fourth installment
to 18 beneficiaries.
The eastern province phase of the
project will begin soon prioritising
h i g h l y- a f f e c t e d a r e a s a f t e r a n
assessment to indicate the number
of resettled families.
The 36-month project is scheduled
to be implemented from mid-2012
until mid-2015. The specific action of
this project will lead to direct housing
provision through the reconstruction
and repair of 43,000 houses.
improves connectivity to a great extent
saving travel time.
It’s a well-known truth that
acquisition of space for setting up a
railway project is a problem in a city
like Mumbai, but monorail comes with
a default solution to it.
Its construction does not involve
dismantling any of existing buildings
and structures for its tailor-made to
move in routes where there is literally
no scope for road widening. The light
weight of the monorail coaches and
lesser infrastructural requirements
also reduce the time gap between
the foundation and execution of the
project.
Monorail also aims at reducing
pollution caused by other public
transportation systems leading
to much-needed sustainable
development in the city.
Monorail follows the lines of green
transportation as its coach’s move
on rubber tyres on concrete beams
creating less noise and vibration
during operation and is powered
by electric motors which are silent,
efficient and clean. It is estimated to
save approximately 200 tons of CO2
a day in Mumbai.
A fast-growing property
development arm of the erstwhile
EPC major, NAPC, Radiance Realty
will develop properties that are
accessible from both the OMR
and the Pallavaram- Thoraipakkam
Radial Road in Chennai, thereby
offering residents easy access
to both the IT corridor and the
commercial hub of the city.
Offering high-end residential
apartments including a mix of studio,
2-BHK, 3-BHK and 4-BHKs, the
Monorail vs. local railways. Which
is the most practicable option of the
future as a mode of transportation
for the common man?
Monorail will be the most suitable
mode of travel in fast growing cities
like Mumbai due to its maneuverability
Give us an over view of other mono
rail projects in other metros, and
a comparison of Mumbai metro to
them?
India is one of the world’s fastest
growing economies today. With growth
has come an increased pressure
on infrastructure development to
support the economy and as a result
of which we see an increased thrust
on development of transportation
infrastructure in the country.
Government research estimate
shows that there is high pressure on
the present infrastructure facilities.
The only formidable solution now is
improvisation.
The best suited approach is to
increase the efficiency and quality
to seamlessly integrate better and
immediate modes of commuting in
the densely populated metros like
Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata and
other fast growing cities across the
country.
From road to railways
developments must be planned with
According to you what is the future
business outlook of monorail and
plans in coming years for other
cities?
Whilst the need for greater
infrastructure investment is clear, equally
important is the need to sustainably
manage such investments. The Indian
government’s success in infrastructure
provision will be measured not by the
quantum of funds invested, but on
how infrastructure contributes to the
achievement of India’s economic,
social and environmental objectives.
Importantly, infrastructure investment
should be considered as a means to
an end, not an end in itself.
The challenge is to preserve them
in future amidst growing car and
motorcycle ownership rates. The
monorail is here for a long haul and
Mumbai city today is gearing up for
the biggest technological innovation
in the times to come.
But a lot is left to be done. The
next two-three years are going to
be the moment of reckoning for the
construction industry to establish new
benchmarks in efficient management,