Let's make Delhi smart city

Chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on September 11 pitched for the industry's participation in making the national capital a 'smart city' while stressing that departmental procedures were being "simplified" by the AAP government to ensure "ease of doing business".

"We talk of smart cities. We talk of building 1,00, 200 smart cities. Let's make the nation's capital a smart city first. I invite you all to participate... the government will do its part with complete honesty," Kejriwal said at a Confederation of Indian Industry event on September 11.

As an example of efforts to make documentation and procedures simple and corruption-free, the CM informed that the Delhi government will soon introduce "self-attestation" and do away with the need of filing affidavits or getting various certificates attested from officials of a specific rank. He added that this measure would bring relief to the general public who have to go through a tedious process of getting birth, death or marriage certificates signed by officers of gazetted rank or MLAs.

"Let us believe in our people. You (people) give us affidavits and go for self-certification. You will see a complete paradigm shift in getting certificates in Delhi soon," Kejriwal said.

The AAP government's proposal in this regard, however, comes two months after the Centre decided to do away with the need of filing affidavits from a gazetted officer or a notary for a big chunk of government-related work and promote self-attestation of documents instead.

Kejriwal also warned traders against tax evasion. "We have put an end to routine VAT raids. But the level of evasion is very high. In such cases, we will ensure punishment and make an example out of such people," he said.

To facilitate business in Delhi and prevent evasion of taxes, the Delhi government has decided to introduce a new online form-Delhi Sugam-2-with effect from September 15. This DS2 form has been introduced in place of T-2 form.

Source: Magicbricks

Roads, power investments rise

New projects worth Rs. 1.2 lakh crore were announced in the first quarter of financial year 2015-16, up 48 per cent from the same period the previous year, analysis by The Hindu shows.

Projects worth Rs. 1.5 lakh crore were completed in the first quarter of this year, up by 31 per cent over last year.

Over the last week, the government has gone to great lengths to convey its success in getting stalled projects moving and also in boosting new investments, notably in the road sector.

The road transport sector has indeed seen a sharp growth in investment since the Modi government has come to power. The first quarter (April-June) of the current financial year shows a 73 per cent increase in the value of new project announcements in the road transport sector compared to the same period the previous year.

The sector has performed well in this regard even looking at a larger time-frame. While the total value of new projects announced in 2014-15 — the first year of the Modi government — was up 77 per cent over the previous year, this figure was up 185 per cent for road transport and allied services.

Electricity generation, another sector that is critical for the Prime Minister’s Make in India programme, has seen a similar boost in investment.

New projects announced in the first quarter of this financial year were up nearly 500 per cent in value over the first quarter of the previous year.

Looking at the entire year, the electricity generation sector saw a whopping 500 per cent increase in the value of new projects announced in 2014-15 compared to the previous year.

While this can in part be explained by a low base effect (investment in the sector in the first quarter of 2013-14 was at a multi-year low), the value in 2014-15 was also 173 per cent higher than that two years ago.

The sector has not only seen an increase in new projects being announced but also in the projects being completed.

The total value of revived projects in 2014-15, at around Rs. 1.9 lakh crore, is almost the same as that achieved in the previous three years combined.

Source: The Hindu

Akhilesh woos investors to twin cities, Yeida areas

Noida, Greater Noida and Yamuna expressway (NGY) areas have become smart cities with the ideal infrastructure for a preferred destination for investors. This was highlighted during the 'UP Conclave' held in Mumbai on September 10, where a Rs 1100cr deal was also signed between the state government and leading mobile handset manufacturer LAVA.

 

According to officials, the CM was accompanied by several ministers and bureaucrats, including chief secretary Alok Ranjan. During the conclave, the show windows of the state - Noida, Greater Noida and the Yamuna expressway areas - were promoted in a big way. The aim was to create awareness among prospective investors about the rapidly improving business environment in UP and especially in the three happening areas, which are witnessing high-tech development in a big way.

World-class industrial infrastructure, focus on solar energy, single-window clearances, responsive policy environment conducive to promote industry, firming of law and order situation and ensuring 24-hour power supply to the investors, were some of the sops promised to the participants of the conclave.

The areas of Greater Noida and Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development were especially promoted as large chunks of land banks are still available here. "Infrastructural development and good connectivity have played a vital role in the growing demand of these areas," said Ranjan at the conclave. "Through the conclave, our objective was to establish UP and the three areas as investor-friendly destinations," said Rama Raman, the chairperson of the three authorities.

At the end of the conclave, sources said an "intention of cooperation" was inked with LAVA for setting up operations in the Yeida area. The company has already been allotted 100 acres of land in the Yeida area last month. Manufacturing of electronic products, including smart phones, could start within the next two years.

Source: Magicbricks

GULSHAN HOMZ ORGANISES BLOOD DONATION CAMP AT OFFICE

Delhi/NCR: GulshanHomz, with its more than two decades of expertise, has become synonymous with customer satisfaction, transparency and quality construction standards over the years in the realty sector. In continuation of its Human Front, successfully organized a Blood Donation Camp at its corporate office located at Indirapuram.

The Blood Donation Camp was organized in association with the Rotary Club blood bank. Several enthusiastic participants including employees, contractors & their teams and the residents of the company’s project Grand participated in this noble cause. The program continued for the whole day with full enthusiasm. Every donor had to pass through the preliminary medical tests like BP, Hb, weight etc. before donating the blood. The donors were offered a rotary club blood donation card for the future use.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Deepak Kapoor, Director, GulshanHomz said “Blood donation is a noble cause and every blood donor has contributed towards community development. We have a philosophy of giving back to the society and this is a very genuine way of adding a little bit of us towards society. We would like to appreciate the enthusiasm of our employees and residents who participated in this noble cause whole heartedly. We will continue to associate ourselves with the Rotary Club for such initiatives in the near future.”

500 plots in Transport Nagar open for allotment

Six years after the concept of Transport Nagar was announced and nearly two years after it became ready for use, the Noida Authority has finally launched a scheme for the allotment of 500 plots in the area.

The multi-crore project has been developed on 26 acres of land in Sector 69. It has been envisaged to not only benefit thousands of transporters and bus operators, but also help decongest main roads where drivers park their vehicles.

According to officials, the plots on offer range from 120 to 150 square metres in size. "These plots will be allotted to local transporters and bus operators in Noida's notified area," said a NoidaAuthority official. "They can construct their transport office here. The bids will be finalized on October 16," he added.

 

Plots will be allotted through a draw of lots. "A rate of Rs 18,180 per square metre has been fixed. Location charges will be added above this," the official added.

The maximum ground coverage allowed in the area will total 60 per cent, while the floor area ratio will be 1.50. The transport hub will accommodate nearly 2,500 vehicles at a time. The transporters will also have a godown in the basement, offices on the ground floor and resting rooms on the first floor. There will be around 120 shops selling automobile goods as well.

The Transport Nagar will also have two petrol pumps, one of which will be a CNG station. "We have tried to incorporate suggestions made by transporters during the mapping. We also have green belts and wide roads on the site, along with public conveniences and commercial zones," the official added.

Officials said the Transport Nagar will offer Delhi roads a respite from heavy commercial vehicles. Heavy traffic from Bhagpat, Badaut, Meerut, Hapur, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Rohtak, Sonepat and other areas of Haryana will come directly to the Nagar via expressways. Approximately 1,000 to 1,500 commercial vehicles enter Noida on an average every day, officials said.

"The Transport Nagar will solve the illegal parking concerns of the industrial area and help bring the entire logistics solutions under one roof," said Vedpal Singh, president of the Noida Transporter Association.

Source: Magicbricks

Yamuna bridges await Haryana reply on cost sharing

The NCR Planning Board has sought a reply from the Haryana government after the Noida Authority raised the issue of cost sharing of the two bridges planned on Yamuna between Noida and Faridabad. The Authority, which says it has sufficient funds to start the project, has also decided to increase purchase rates of land along the river.

Construction of the two bridges was approved last month in a meeting in Delhi attended by Haryana additional secretary P Raghvendra Rao, Noida and Greater Noida authorities' chairman Rama Raman, NCR Planning and Monitoring Cell (UP) commissioner Kush Verma and Faridabad town planner.

 

"After we raised the issue of cost sharing, the NCRPB has sought a reply from Haryana. Once cost sharing is settled, the projects will further move ahead," said Rajesh Prakash, additional CEO, Noida Authority. "We are going to increase purchase cost of land near the riverbed. We are planning to increase the purchase rate from the existing Rs 2,800 per square metre to Rs 3,500 per sqmts. A proposal will be presented in the Authority's next board meeting," Prakash said.

Chairman of the Noida and Greater Noida authorities Rama Raman, meanwhile, said MoU for the two bridges was being finalized and is expected to take a couple of months, following which tenders will be awarded. "A team is working on the MoU. Once both Haryana government and we finalize MoUs, a date for signing them will be announced," Raman said. The bridges will drastically cut travel time between Noida and Faridabad from two hours at present, to flat 15 minutes.

"The bridge on the FNG corridor, estimated to cost Rs 266 crore, will start between sectors 150 and 149A and end in Tilori village in Faridabad. The length of the bridge is 600 metres and Canal Bridge is 80 metres. The other bridge will start nears sectors 167A and 168 and end near Faridabad's Lalpur village. The 600m-long bridge will cost Rs 315 crore," Raman said. Both the bridges will end on the road leading to Badkal lake crossing. "We have already received environment clearance and hydraulic study will soon be completed," Raman added.

Source: Magicbricks

GOLDEN QUADRILATERAL OF SMART CITIES TO BOOST NCR REALTY MARKETS

August 27^th, 2015 will go down in the Indian history books as a day when our country took a giant leap forward to revamp the current development of key cities to convert them into much better self-sustainable vital regions of the nation. On the D-day, top 98 cities across the nation had beaten the competition to climb the ladder of becoming the smartest future destinations of India. For the same, a central funding amounting to Rs. 48,000 crores was already announced on 25^th June this year for the Smart India Mission where as per the five-year plan; Rs. 200 crores will be allocated this year and Rs. 100 crores for each year remaining. A well-planned and better developed India will not only help in enhancing the lifestyle of the public but will also provide a major boost to the economy by attracting massive FDI, increasing job opportunities, delivering better infrastructure and finally, a sustainable environment for living.

The Multiplier Effect:

Gain of few is a loss for others, but is it so? A question that almost everyone has been asking since several hyped cities missed out on the smart list; but have they really missed out or will they actually extract something out of cities standing near to them. Taking a slice of NCR as an example we’ll now look into how a few selected smart cities such as New Delhi (NDMC), Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Karnal allocated under Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana will form a Golden Quadrilateral of smart cities that will not only assist in directly boosting those cities but will throw a multiplier effect on the regions falling in and around them such as Noida, Greater Noida, Yamuna Expressway, Baghpat, Gurgaon, Sonipat, Panipat and a few others. 

“It has always been observed that whenever one region gets developed; there exists a ripple effect of growth in the neighbouring areas. The refurbishing of New Delhi, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Karnal will create a wave of development that is sure to promote growth and expansion in their nearby regions. Finally, this multiplier effect will in turn gradually aid in boosting the realty market of NCR that will leave a positive impact on the real estate sector of India as well”, states Mr. Ankit Aggarwal, CMD, Devika Group. 

Adding to the view, Mr. Vikas Bhasin, MD, Saya Homes avers “Development of smart cities will require a lot of infrastructural expansion that will pave way for creation of enhanced road networks, rail networks, airways and waterways along with all civic amenities for the public, for a better lifestyle. Now, this expansion will not be restricted within a smart city as its connectivity will be made available to other regions as well, thus encouraging other non-smart city regions to develop as well”.

Golden Quadrilateral of NCR’s Smart Cities:

Out of the total 23 regions of NCR, 4 major regions will be a part of this quadrilateral. Haryana’s both smart cities will be its part with Karnal towards the north of Delhi and Faridabad on its south. Uttar Pradesh’s only NCR city that made to the smart list, Ghaziabad will be on the east of Delhi and New Delhi (NDMC) taking the final corner, opposite to Ghaziabad. “There is actually a quadrilateral forming which will play a crucial role in shaping up NCR’s real estate pockets in and around the 4 cities to be developed under the smart mission. Smart cities will open the gates for enhanced version of infrastructure which is the key requirement for any real estate market to perform. Once the infrastructure starts setting in, demand for housing and offices will come forward which will create a pool of fresh demand for much improved real estate in the regions of this quadrilateral”, states Mr. Rajnikant Sharma, CMD, RJ Group.

Answering the unanswered questions:

There seems to be a mixed bag of reactions since the list of smart cities first came out. Many had favoured Gurgaon over Faridabad due to its exiting developed infrastructure. Several experts believed that Noida could have been a better pitch than Ghaziabad due to its connectivity with the capital and other NCR regions, presence of global giants, existing metro connectivity and several SEZs. But one thing that is not being understood is the existing and planned connectivity between these regions. For instance, FNG expressway links Faridabad, Noida and Ghaziabad which carries two smart cities, one each from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. 

“Noida is sitting right in the middle of FNG expressway with Faridabad and Ghaziabad on the ends. Through FNG expressway, Noida, Greater Noida and Greater Faridabad will be extremely well connected. Now, smart development in Faridabad and Ghaziabad will promote smart growth throughout this 56 Kms stretch and thus, the fallen fruits from the trees will be easily picked up by Noida which will promote its growth parallel to that of smart cities in the vicinity”, explains Mr. Amit Chaudhary, MD, Rhythm Ccounty. Taking another example, if we look at the map again, the smart cities effect from Delhi to Karnal via NH-1 will cover the regions of Panipat and Sonepat thereby signalling another smart cities ripple effect towards these regions, moving north of Delhi. 

Speaking about how Gurgaon does not miss the list of being a smart city, Mr. Kushagr Ansal, Director of Ansal Housing elucidates “Gurgaon is the only city with airport in NCR, most MNCs are present here, existence of expressways and highway, metro connectivity is available and vast industrial & commercial hubs are already in place. Speaking about the property market, most top-notch developers of the country are present with diversified product offerings for all segments of public. Gurgaon is accessible from southern and central Delhi which is dominated by NDMC and it is also the western neighbour of Faridabad. Therefore, it already has a sound system in place to beat several others cities on the list and otherwise, it will always find its share of smart cities effect from Delhi and Faridabad as well”.

A Smart boost to NCR in the upcoming 5 years:

Now, as per the announcement made on the day of list declaration of smart cities; a central funding of Rs. 500 crores per city was announced. This amounts to Rs. 2,000 crores boost coming NCR’s way in the next 5 years. What this signifies is that NCR’s realty market is about to witness a fairy-tale where smart development will not only be observed in the four listed smart cities but regions falling in and around them. “With a funding of Rs. 2,000 crores from the centre allocated for the four smart cities of NCR added by annual state budgets for each, we are heading towards a smart growth of NCR where four regions will promote the growth in almost ten more regions. The most prominent impact will be visible on the property market of NCR as the demand for housing and office spaces is assured to see an upsurge in the upcoming five years”, concludes Mr. Dujender Bhardwaj, Director, Marina Suites.