Ahobilam Viakunta Megaproject_and_Mega_University_Plan

The Ahobilam Vaikunta Mega Project
Ahobilam, Andhra Pradesh
The Nataraja Foundation, Mumbai
Rev 00
28th April‘ 2018
India’s Largest Temple Architecture Project and University Scheme in Two Thousand Years

नमस्ते नरस िंहाय
प्रह्लादाह्लाद-दाययने
हहरण्यकसिपोर्वक्षः-
सिला-टङ्क-नखालये
I offer my obeisances to Lord Narasimha,
who gives joy to Prahlada Maharaja
and whose nails are like chisels on the stone
like chest of the demon Hiranyakasipu.

Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh is amongst the holiest of places for the Hindus
This is the place where Lord Vishnu on being invoked by his ardent devotee Prahalad emerged out a pillar in
his fourth Avatar as Narasimha ( the half man half lion form ) to kill the asura king Hiranyakashipu.
In terms of its Spiritual significance Ahobila therefore ranks even ahead of Tirupati.
It is for this reason that the Ahobila Vaikunta holy city and two other projects have been conceived on a scale
unmatched by any other pilgrim desitination in India.
It is also to be noted that this site is a couple of Million years old. There is no date ascribed to the Vedas. The
foreign historian view of the Aryans writing the Vedas is totally incorrect and written for political reasons to suit
a political narrative.
The Ahobila Vaikunta project has been conceived to re-establish the fact that India’s civilization pre-dates any
other known culture globally and has been a glorious one. This project has been designed to catalyze a
Renaissance in Indian Art, Culture and Science, it is therefore a Strategic National project.
Let the Magestic Roar of the blessed Lord Narasimha be heard arcoss the world and the entire universe.

Ashish Puntambekar is a devotee of the blessed Lord Vishnu . Professionally he is trustee of the Nataraja Foundation, Mumbai and heads its Design Lab. He has over 26
years of experience working with some of the finest talent globally in the Energy and Infrastructure sectors and specifically in the area of large Infrastructure project design
and design thinking where he is a specialist.
He has recently been the convener of an International Advisory Board ( IAB ) with Harvard Economists, Former G – 7 Finance Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors and
Defence Analysts as members. His expertise in the Geopolitics of Petroleum, his deep understanding of Middle East history and politics and his knowledge of technology
shifts in the Energy Industry have earned him a name in the energy analyst community internationally. He is also an expert invitee at the Asian Development Bank ( ADB )
where his work on Urban Equity Withdrawal based financing has been presented. Apart from this he has written articles on Geopolitics, Energy Security
& Military – Industrial strategy for the Indian Defence Review magazine.
Ashish has worked in a number of diverse roles. He started his career as a project engineer working in a large petrochemicals complex and then moved on to various
increasingly senior engineering, business and senior management positions on assignments involving Power plants , Ports, LNG Terminals , Oil Refineries and Pipelines.
He has also worked as an Energy Derivatives Trader for a period of 5 years where he has traded crude oil flat price and petroleum product derivatives on all major
commodity exchanges and OTC Markets / Investment banks around the world.
Over the years, he has designed several multi billion dollar projects which are under active consideration by the Indian Government :
1. The Defence Economic Zone Project
2. The Vivekanand Secondary Education Megaproject
3. The Indian Crude Oil Strategic Reserve Project
4. The Mumbai Megaproject – Eastern Waterfront and Artificial Islands
5. The Indian Healthcare Megaproject ( Under development )
6. The Ganges River Basin Re-Juvenation Megaproject ( Under development )
Strategic Objective : Through his work and ideas the author seeks to make India the worlds largest construction market. The focus therefore is not just on robust project
design, but also on financial innovation which is critical to bring these large projects to life … and in the process create approx. 65 Million New Jobs in India by 2027.
Ashish has a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Masters degree in International Business.
About the Designer

Acknowledgments
The Nataraja Foundation would like to thank the following individuals and senior project experts for their contributions to the
development of this project concept document.
1. Shri. D Murali
2. Shri. S Sampath
3. Dr. Guruswamy Srikanth
4. Shri. S M Pathak
5. Shri. Ganesh Rao
6. Shri. IL Budhiraja
7. Shri. M V Ramamurthy
8. Shri. Sunil Reddy
9. Shri. Shyamanta Kakati
10. Shri. Sankar Kuragayala
11. Shri. N Hariharan
12. Shri. Vikram Pethe
13. Shri Pawan ( Guide at Ahobilam )
14. Shri. Badri Narayan
15. Shri. Ashish K Puntambekar
May the Lord Narasimha’s blessings be on all who participate in this BIG task

 Executive Summary …
 Strategic Economic Impacts of Ahobila Megaprojects …
 Economic, Business Model Overview of the Three Projects within the Megaproject
 Part A : The Ahobilam Vaikunta Holy City
 Ahobila Vaikunta … Macro Project Overview
 Project Strategic Objectives & Purpose
 Regional Development Map … With Tentative Project Locations
 Proposal in Brief
✓ Phase I … Ahobilam Restoration
✓ Phase II … Vaikunta Megaproject … Vatican Scale Centre of Vedic Culture
✓ Mega Statues … A 300 Mts Reclining Vishnu & A 120 Mts Sri Jwala Narasimha
✓ Vishnu Avatar Theme Park … 9 different Theme Parks with Laser Shows
✓ Hampi Restoration & Artists Town … Reviving Indian Temple Architecture on a Massive Scale
✓ Expected Visitor Profile, Revenue Model and Project Financing Sources
✓ Ahobilam Vaikunta Project … Giving Physical Form To Swami Vivekananda’s Ideas
✓ Tentative Project Schedule
 Part B : Ahobilam Narasimha University … Creating The Original Nalanda Lookalike University
 Re-Creating The Original Nalanda … Background
 Proposal in Brief
 Part C : Mega Disneyland & Water Park within a beautiful Rocky Landscape
 Mega Disneyland & Water Park at Kurnool … Proposal in Brief
Contents … Page 1

 Part D … Macro Infrastructure Plan … With Cost Estimates, Investment Case, Economic Multipliers etc
➢ Infrastructure Challenges … Macro Plan & Ballpark Cost Estimates
✓ Transport … Road / Rail and International Airport to handle 15 Million pilgrims and visitors each year
✓ Building Projects in Phases … to ensure financial viability
✓ Ballpark Cost Estimates for Basic Infrastructure
➢ Business case … Target Audience, Value Propositions, Revenue Risk Mitigation Plan
➢ Overall Revenue Model & Investment Case
➢ Project Financing
➢ Investment Multiplier Impacts … For Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
 Project Governance … For Planned & Seamless Regional Development
 India’s Largest Planned Ecologically Friendly Development Project
 Thank You
Contents … Page 2

Executive Summary …
Large Scale Investment Multiplier Benefits of Investment = US $ 500 Billion by 2035. Project to be financed
jointly through private capital and Govt. grants over the next 25-30 years
 The Indian Economy is expected to nearly Triple in Size
from US $ 2.5 Trillion in 2018 … to US $ 7.0 Trillion by
2030.
 This Huge planned expansion of the Indian Economy
provides an opportunity and the Financial resources to
revive India’s nearly disappeared Art Forms … which
suffered under foreign conquest and were neglected even
after independence. Most temples were destroyed by
Invaders. We will re-build it all in the next 30 Years.
Ahobila Narasimha Project: The Ahobila Narasimha Mega
Project has therefore been conceived to Re-Connect with
the Roaring Lion which was the Original India.
Ahobila in Andhra Pradesh is the place where Lord Vishnu
Emerged as Narasimha ( Half Man Half Lion Avatar ) to Kill
Hinanyakashipu in the Satya or Krita Yuga.
The FollowingThree Mega Projects are therefore planned for
Construction over the next 20 – 30 years to bring prosperity to
the Ancient Rayalseema Region of Andhra Pradesh :
➢ The Ahobilam Vaikunta Megaproject $ 30 Billion
➢ The Ahobilam Narasimha Mega University $ 20 Billion
➢ The Mega Disneyland & Ocean World $ 10 Billion
Current GDP
2017-18
Targeted
2030 GDP
IndianGDP,US$Trillion
Source : Trading Economics, Nataraja Foundation
Avg Growth Assumed = 8.75 %
Between 2018 - 2030

Of the Three projects, The first two, Ahobilam Vaikunta and the Ahobilam Narasimha University are Strategic
National Projects with the following Objectives :
1. To Catalyze a Renaissance in Indian Art, Culture and Science… and to Re-attain lost knowledge in Temple
Architecture & heritage that was destroyed by invaders since foreign conquest began in1025 AD
2. Re-constructing the Original 13th Century Nalanda University at Ahobila … as the worlds largest University
with 2000 faculty and 20,000 students. This university was destroyed by the invader Bhaktiyar Khilji in 1193.
Today the Nalanda concept is best represented by Stanford University and the objective therefore is to build
a Stanford University Lookalike in Andhra Pradesh as the original site in at Rajgir in Bihar already hosts a
watered down version of the original nalanda.Andhra Pradesh appears to be more suitable and ready to host
the original Concept of the worlds greatest university.
Stanford University Alumni Create Nearly US $ 3 Trillion in Economic Impact Globally Each Year. We Estimate that the Value
Creation of the Above Two Projects on a Conservative Basis would be of the Order of US $ 3 Trillion over the next 30 – 50 years. The
project will also have a huge Ecological impact, by transforming Rayalseema from a parched water deficient region into a Rainforest with
a highly productive Farming & knowledge driven economy through a partnership with Israeli Agriculture.
In addition to this, the investments made to catalyze a renaissance in Shilpa Kala by restoring Hampi as a strategic project to recover
India’s ancient knowledge of Architecture and sculpture is likely to lead to an increase of Tourism revenue of US $ 20 Billion each year
by 2035 and an increase in global business opportunities for Indian artists by around US $ 10 Billion each year by 2035.
Strategic Economic Impacts of Ahobila Megaprojects …
Ashish Puntambekar, The Nataraja Foundation, All Rights Reserved

Part A
The Ahobilam Vaikunta Holy City
India’s Largest Temple Project in 2000 years

Ahobilam Vaikunta … Macro Project Overview
The Ahobilam Supersite will India’s Largest
Temple Architecture Project in 2000 Years.
Project will consist of the following elements :
A Reclining Vishnu 300 Mts long x 120 Mts high
A Jwala Narasimha 120 Mts high x 90 Mts wide
A Themepark with Laser Shows dedicated to the
Nine Avatars of Lord Vishnu. Once the software for the
theme park has been developed, Similar laser theme
parks can be replicated across India
These two Giant Statues will be surrounded by a
120 Acre Vatican City Scale holy City to be
governed exclusively by the Ahobila Matt
The Holy City will be surrounded by 5000 Acres of
Planned Development in the Middle of a manmade
planned forest
Over 5000 different aspects of Hindu Culture will be
On display within the planned supersite
Project will also cover the full cost of Rs 5000 crores of
fully restoring the Vijaynagar Empire Capital at Hampi
300 Mts X 120 Mts Reclining Vishnu
120 Mts X 90 Mts Ugra Narasimha
Supersite will be on Vatican City Scale
surrounded by 5000 Acres of Planned
Development, Ashrams and Amenities
Theme Park of the Nine Avatars
of Lord Vishnu

Project Strategic Objectives & Purpose …
 Project Objective : To restore India’s Ancient
and Unparalleled Art Tradition through the
creation of a Pilgrim Centre on the Scale of
Vatican City … with the ultimate objective of
Re – Attaining to the highest. summit of
Indian civilization where there was a close
relationship between Spirituality & Art
This Project will catalyse a “ Temple Art ”
Renaissance In India by :
✓ Encouraging Traditional Vishwakarmas who have
pride in their artistic culture and faith in their
spiritual mission. This community and its work over
hundreds of years … was destroyed by invaders
✓ Restoring the basic principles of the Ancient Shilpa
Texts by practically implementing them in India’s
largest Temple project in 2000 years
✓ Initiating a Scientific study of thousands of Indian
temples to Re-Learn the Basic concepts of Indian
Temple Architecture and Science
India Will Invest US $ 30 Billion or Rs 1,95,000 Crores…In Private Capital / Govt Grants over 30 Years to Restore
Our Ancient Architectural / Cultural / Spiritual Traditions through the Construction of the Ahobilam Supersite

In 2017, India earned US $ 230 Billion or Rs 15.24 Lakh Crores from
Tourism. This was 9.4 % of Indian GDP.
Restoring Temples across India could earn an additional US $ 20
Billion each year from a growth in Tourism.
Traditional Indian Art Firms could earn an additional US $ 10
Billion each year through the construction of Artistic projects around
the world.
Robust business case
There is therefore a Robust business case for spending US $ 30
Billion on the Ahobila supersite.

Regional Development Map … With Tentative Project Locations
Ahobilam Vaikunta
Hyderabad
Hampi Restoration
Project
Ahobilam Mega University
 The Ahobilam Regional development project is
the Largest Fully planned development in India
 The best project consultants, Engineers and
Architects from around the world will be brought
in to develop the three projects worth a total of
US $ 62 Billion.
 Overall Tentative Plan :
✓ Both the 5000 Acre Ahobila Vaikunta project and
the 9000 Acre Mega University project are to be
located within a 50 Km radius of Ahobilam town
✓ The 500 Acre Disneyland is a different category
of project. It will therefore be located near the
Tungabadhra / Krishna rivers near Kurnool
✓ The Hampi restoration project will be accorded the
status of a Strategic National project with a total
allocated corpus of Rs 5000 crores
✓ International airport to handle 15 million visitors
each year will be built close to Yaganti village
Bringing in global experts in project design and management
will ensure that the project meets its financial objectives and
target schedule, while consuming only a fraction of Capex
Mega Disneyland & Oceanworld
At Kurnool
International Airport
Near Yaganti to be sized
for 15 Million Passengers each year
Ahobilam Region … with River Courses
Project designed to cover the
entire Rayalseema area with
dense forest by 2040
Farmers will be included as project partners and owners of the projects in proportion of the
value of the land at time of purchase and as a percentage of total investment at each site. This
will be in addition of the market value of the land paid to them at the beginning of the projects

The Ahobilam Vaikunta Megaproject
Proposal in Brief

Phase I : Ahobilam Restoration
Phase I of the Megaproject will be executed within the
holy town of Ahobilam.
 Focus will be on Restoration of Temples / Monuments,
improving the town and building of good roads
 Dozens of small check dams will be built in the area
Including 3 – 4 large check dams in the hills
 Ropeway will be
constructed as per current plan
 A critical design consideration
is to protect Ahobilam’s unique
semi rural identity … and avoid
too many visitors
 Total budget : Rs 1500 Crores
Ahobilam to be
designed and
Restored as
an Eco Town

Phase II : Vaikunta Megaproject … Vatican Scale Centre of Vedic Culture
Phase II of the Megaproject will be the Ahobilam Vaikunta
Project … to be executed within a 50 Km radius of the
Original holy town of Ahobilam
This will be an All India site, unlike Tirupati which receives
visitors mostly from South India
 This will consist of a 120 Acre Vatican Lookalike Holy City
Centre surrounded by a 5000 Acre supersite
 The 300 Mts Reclining Mahavishnu and the
120 Mts tall Jwala Narasimha will be built
within the 120 acre city centre
 The city will have hundreds of small temples
with designs from all over India. City will be
in the middle of a dense forest
 Totally powered by Renewable Energy :
Ahobilam Vaikunta is to be a Eco smart city
powered 100 % … by Solar & Wind energy
Total budget : US $ 30 Billion / Rs 1,95,000 Crores
over a 30 year period ending 2048

Mega Statues … A 300 Mts Reclining Vishnu & A 120 Mts Sri Jwala Narasimha
300 Mts
120Mts
90 Mts
120Mts
Giant Vishnu Statues at Ahobilam will be amongst the worlds largest. These will be illuminated with Laser
light and part of a laser Son et lumière programme for devotees each night at the Vaikunta City Centre

Vishnu Avatar Theme Park … Nine different Theme Parks with Laser Shows
An important attraction within the Ahobilam Vaikunta project
will be the Laser Show Theme Park featuring the Nine avatars
of the blessed lord Vishnu
 The Nine Avatars of lord Vishnu will be fully described and
played out in the form of laser shows. The Laser shows will
feature the latest technology and their quality will be on par
with the Nachiketa laser show in Akshardham
 The laser shows will be the worlds largest
 Total budget : Rs 600 Crores

Hampi Restoration & Artists Town … Reviving Indian Temple Architecture on a Massive Scale
The Vijaynagar Empire was destroyed by the
invaders who then reduced its beautiful capital city
on the Banks of the Tungabadhra river to Ruins.
One of the important objectives of the Megaproject
is to achieve a 100 % restoration of Vijayanagara.
Hampi Restoration Project :
Hampi Resoration project to be a National Project
with all India participation :
✓ Nine schools of Sculpture to be set up
across India to collaborate on Hampi
Re-construction using a High Speed Data
Network and latest technologies
✓ These Nine schools will be developed as
Global Centres of Excellence in Shilpa
Kala ... To train thousands of sculptors
and artists
✓ These schools will set up Artists Guilds
which will target US $ 10 Billion each
year in Foreign Exchange Revenues from
global contracts
Govt Budget Commitment : Rs 5000 Crores
Artists Town At Hampi
Nine Schools of Sculpture / Artist
Towns to be set up across India
Collaborating on High Speed Data
Network
Chamba
Jaipur
Mount Abu
Hampi Konark
Khajuraho
Deogarh
Mahabalipuram
Guwahati

Expected Visitor Profile, Offerings & Revenue Model + Project Financing Sources
Expected Visitor Profile, Offerings & Revenue Model of Ahobila Vaikunta Project after 50 %
construction is completed in phases. Numbers will go up once construction is 100 % complete
Financing Sources
Sl .
No.
Type of Visitor Offerings &
Services to the
Visitors
Number of
Visitors each
year
( in Millions )
Potential
Revenue Each
Year
( Rs Crores )
1 Devotees Darshan, Special
Poojas,
Abhishekams
30 2,600
2 Tourists
( All India and International )
Darshan, Sight
Seeing,
Entertainment
6
( User Charges &
Rentals )
1,950 *
Vatican city earned
$ 300 Million from 5.9
Million visitors in 2011
3 Visitors to the various Ashrams
within the 5000 Acre Ahobila
Vaikunta supersite
Spiritual
discourses and
Darshan
3
( Rentals )
2,700 **
4 Permanent Residents in
Leased accommodation
Residence within
Vaikunta
1
( Rentals )
900 **
TOTAL 8,150
Notes :
1. Unlike Tirupati which is mostly frequented by South Indians, The Ahobila Vaikunta Holy City is designed to have
an All India and Tourist Appeal, Visitors & Revenues are therefore likely to be higher than those of Tirupati
2. ** Assuming a family of 4 people paying Rs 15,000 / month for accomodation at 50 % occupancy per year
Tirupati received Rs 2600 Crores in devotee offerings in 2017
from 21 million devotees
Given approximate revenues of Rs 8150
Crores each year starting from project
attaining a 50 % complete status, the
following are potential sources of
finance. The exact financing structure
can be discussed with interested
parties.
Potential sources of finance :
1.Project Sponsors & Devotees :
✓Ahobila Matt collections
✓Tirupati devasthana (TTD)
✓Specific project sponsors for
individual attractions
✓ High net worth investors / devotees
2.Strategic Investors :
✓Private finance from project developer
groups
✓Venture Financiers
✓Pension funds / Institutional investors
3.Govt.Grant Under Various Schemes

“ Bring in the light; the darkness will vanish of itself. Let
the lion of Vedanta roar; the foxes will fly to their holes.
Throw the ideas broadcast, and let the result take care of
itself. Let us put the chemicals together; the crystallization
will take its own course. Bring forth the power of the spirit,
and pour it over the length and breadth of India ; and all
that is necessary will come by itself .”
- Swami Vivekananda
The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda/Volume 4/Writings: Prose/Reply to the
Madras address
Ahobilam Vaikunta Project … Giving Physical Form To Swami Vivekananda’s Ideas

Ahobilam Vaikunta … Tentative Project ScheduleZeroDate
01stJan‘2019
Jan‘2021
Jan‘2023
Jan‘2025
Jan‘2027
Jan‘2030
Jan‘2032
Jan‘2034
Jan‘2036
1. Set up a Special Project Group to develop the project by June ‘ 2019
2. Put together group of Project Sponsors and establish a Project Collaboration Network. Set up a Project Execution Team who will oversee
the planning, coordination and construction of the Ahobila Vaikunta Megaproject. Prepare scope of work documents
3. Start & Complete process for identifying land for the project … Make Farmers Partners in the project . Approach Govt for Support
4. Issue Request For Qualification ( RFQ ) to potential project contractors
5. Issue Request For Proposals ( RFP ) to qualified parties and evaluate received priced proposals
6. Award construction contracts for Phase 1
8. Construction of Basic facilities under Phase I, Reclining Mahavishnu, Jwala Narasimha Swamy,Nine Vishnu Avatar Theme
Parks and Basic facilities of Ahobila Vaikunta Holy City
9. Phase I Commissioning, Jan ‘ 2026
10. Construction of Phase II 12. Phase II Commissioning, Jan ‘ 2030
Jan‘2038
Jan‘2040
Jan‘2042
Normal Operations Phase I7. Award construction contracts
for Phase II
Normal Operations Phase II
11. Award construction contracts
for Phase III
14. Phase III Commissioning
13. Construction of Phase II
1st Project Revenue Startup : Jan ‘ 2026
Construction of Phase I

Part B
Ahobilam Narasimha University … Creating The Original Nalanda Lookalike University
( Six Vedic Colleges + Mega University )

25
The Ahobilam Narasimha University Campus
Re- Building The Ancient Nalanda University in Ahobilam
Concept Presentation By The Nataraja Foundation
Establishing A New
Benchmark in
Higher Education
In India
28th Apr ‘ 2018
Rev 00

Re-Creating The Original Nalanda University … Background
There is a reason behind this proposal to set up the worlds largest University at Ahobilam. The background for this proposal therefore is being provided here.
There was a Major conceptual flaw in the Nalanda University plan prepared by the Dr. Amartya Sen team, that was set up under the UPA government to conceptualize and re-
create the Original Nalanda University at Rajgir in the state of Bihar.
The Nalanda University that was destroyed in the 13th century had 2,000 faculty and 20,000 students. This university that existed between the 5th century BC and 13th Century
AD was therefore State of the Art … for its time.
The team led by Dr. Amartya Sen lost this “State of the Art “ idea in translation of the concept to the 21st century. They then made several conceptual errors and arrived at a
plan to build a school for Buddhist studies on 443 Acres of land with 3 – 4 departments devoted to ancient studies besides the environment.
Proposed New Nalanda University Concept :
To correct the large scale conceptual errors inherent within the Amartya Sen plan, the Nalanda University Annexe Campus project had been conceived by the Nataraja
Foundation, Mumbai and presented to the Govt. of Bihar. There was however no response from the Govt. of Bihar to the proposal to correct the flaws in the Amartya Sen plan.
Therefore the New Annexe campus that was originally intended for Bihar will be built on approximately 8,000-9,000 acres of land in Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh.
This Mega University will have 120 modern disciplines under 9 – 10 different schools. The campus will be designed to accommodate 20,000 students and nearly 2,000 faculty
members . Among the ultra modern facilities on site will be an experimental nuclear reactor that will part of the Nuclear sciences school. The university will also host a rocket
testing and communications satellite research facility as part of the advanced space exploration programme within the school of Defence and Aerospace studies.
A total investment of US $ 20 Billion is proposed to be invested in the Ahobilam Narisimha University and its affiliated colleges in Andhra Pradesh by 2037.
Of this US $ 20 Billion , a total of US $ 15 Billion will be invested in the University itself and the other US $ 5 Billion will be spent on upgrading the Secondary Education system
and building hundreds of New Secondary schools in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
This will ensure that more students from the surrounding states are able to study at this university. Today India has a huge shortage in secondary school capacity and this
project will make up for this shortage.
In terms of New Job creation, the Ahobilam Narasimha University will create a total of approximately 3,00,000 New Jobs in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil
Nadu.

27
Understanding The Original Nalanda Concept
 The Ancient Nalanda University existed from the 5th Century BC to
the 13th Century AD
 Students came to this university from around the world to study the
most advanced subjects of the time
 It reached the height of its glory in the 9th Century AD and then
declined
 In the year 1193 Muslim invaders destroyed it and burned its
Extensive libraries … The manuscripts it contained are said to
have burned for months
 Pedagogy / Curriculum :The courses were drawn from every field of
learning :
1. Philosophy : Buddhist & Hindu Philosophy including the Vedas & Foreign philosophy
2. Science : Astronomy, Architecture, Medicine & Yoga Shastra among other disciplines
3. Languages & Literature : All major languages at the time
Nalanda was “ State of the Art ” … For Its Time
At the height of its glory
Nalanda University had
20,000 students and
2000 faculty members

Current Nalanda Design … Where did they go wrong ?
 The UPA Government set up a team led by Dr. Amartya Sen to design and
execute a plan to re-construct the ancient Nalanda University at Rajgir in Bihar
 The University they built had the following schools :
✓ School of historical studies
✓ School of Ecology & Environmental studies
✓ School of Buddhist studies , Philosophy & Comparative religions
 The above plan shows that The Amartya Sen team had completely lost the
plot and had failed to understand the basic concepts and thinking
behind the Ancient Nalanda University
 The truth is that Nalanda’s “ State of the Art ” concept was lost in translation
as the ideas were transcribed into the 21st Century
 A proper plan ( This proposal ) was presented to the Govt. of Bihar, but there was
no response. Therefore the project is now being Re-located to Ahobilam in
Andhra Pradesh
Current Nalanda Plan is deeply flawed … and needs to be Re-Imagined and Re-located at
a location outside Bihar where its potential impacts can be better appreciated
Future rendering of the current Nalanda University plan
As Conceived for execution at Rajgir in Bihar

Re-Imagining and Re-Creating
a 21st Century Nalanda University Campus

How do we Re-Imagine ?
One possible way is to Benchmark it against a Modern University
which today has 20,000 Students & 2000 Faculty
The same size … as the Original Nalanda University … and “ State of the Art ” today
One Such University is Stanford University * in the United States
* Suggested by Dr. Arogyaswami J Paulraj of Stanford University

Nalanda Benchmarking Exercise … Against Stanford University
 Stanford University Appears to be the right Benchmark Against
which Nalanda University could possibly be imagined
 The following are Stanford’s Statistics ( 2016 ) :
✓ Faculty strength : 2153
✓ Administrative staff : 12,148
✓ Student strength : 16,336
✓ Land Area : 8,180 Acres
✓ Number of departments : 44
✓ Number of Schools : 7
 Univ. offers both Graduate & Undergrad Degrees
 Approx. Cost of Replicating Stanford : US $ 9 Billion
(2017 dollars)
Question is “ Can we replicate Stanford … or should we build a similar
sized university that is uniquely Indian ?

 Build a Stanford University sized, uniquely Indian university at Ahobilam
 Project will be spread over 9,000 Acres … near present campus.
Will be built in phases …for 2000 faculty + 20,000 students
 Campus will be State of the Art … will be ready by 2037
 One of the Primary Objectives of this University will be to transform the
parched landscape of Rayalaseema into a lush green Forest and Agrarian
economy by deploying advanced water and agriculture management
technologies from Israel
 Innovative Financing … In four tranches to raise US $ 20 Billion
2. Backward Linkages Project … Setting up 2000 New Secondary Schools in Four States
 Large additional investments will be made in Secondary education in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil
Nadu and Karnataka
➢ 2000 New Vivekananda Secondary Schools … based on a “ Teacher Centric “ design
➢ Sharing teachers with an additional 14,000 Existing Govt. Schools across four states
& the establishment of a massive skills development programme at the secondary school level based on
the German & Swiss models
1. The University Campus - Macro Description
Proposed Ahobilam Narasimha University Campus … Executive Summary ( 1 )

4. Project Governance & Control Issues
Project Will Bring Massive Development To Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana and Tamil Nadu
 Project brings in US $ 20 Billion of Investment into the region ( $ 15 Bn in Univ + $ 5 Bn in Social
schemes across 4 states )
 Large GDP Enhancer … Net addition of 6 Million New Jobs across sectors by 2030
 Infrastructure Investment Multiplier effect on Region’s economy > US $ 60 Billion
( conservative ) … with most of the impact to likely to be in Rayalaseema
 Rural Impact across 4 states : US $ 15 Billion … Green Rayalaseema Project using Israeli Technology
 Large Heritage Restoration Project : Four Schools of Vedic Philosophy, Shilpa Kala, Ayurveda and Yoga
3. Project Macro Economic & Social Impact
 Project Execution & Control Imperatives to Achieve Project Targets
➢ Sophisticated IT Reporting System / Protocols to Execute Project … Zero Funds Leakage
➢ Transparent and Highly Centralized Procurement System for all Critical Items / Contracts
➢ Two Stage International Bidding ( Stage I for University Designs, Stage II for EPC )
➢ Empowered Organization to Plan & Execute Project
Proposed Ahobilam Narasimha University Campus … Executive Summary ( 2 )

Ahobilam Narasimha University … Green Rayalaseema Plan
72 Inch
Pipeline
West Header
From TB Dam
90 Inch Pipeline
East Header
From Srisailam
Dam
24 and 30
inch service
lines
Ahobila Narasimha University will deploy Israeli Argiculture and Water Technologies to
Transform the Rayalaseema Landscape dense Green Forest and Bountiful Farmland

Ahobila Narasimha University… Ramp Up Schedule
ZeroDate
01sJune‘2018
Jan‘2020
Jan‘2022
Jan‘2024
$ 900 Million
$ 7 Billion
$ 12 Billion
$ 20 Billion
US $ 900 Million bootstrapping Tranche
For Project Development Work + Land acquisition
+ 100 Vivekananda Schools with teacher sharing, etc
Jan‘2026
Jan‘2028
Jan‘2030
$ 10 Billion
Jan‘2032
Jan‘2033
Jan‘2021
Jan‘2019
Jan‘2023
Jan‘2025
Jan‘2027
Jan‘2029
Jan‘2031
Jan‘2034
Jan‘2035
Jan‘2036
Jan‘2037
University
Construction work
begins

Financing … Ahobilam Narasimha University
➢ Initial phase of US $ 900 Million will be financed through a combination of a govt. grant
from the University Grants Commission
➢ Subsequent phases of the University will be financed & structured independently
➢ School Infrastructure will be financed through the Vivekananda Secondary Education
Megaproject Scheme and the 6 – 7 sources identified as specified in its financing plan by
the Central Govt.
➢ Special project structure could be used to act as Kernel to bring Industry to the Ahobila
Special Project Region
➢ Financing in Four Phases… with all 40 departments Commissioned by 2037
Project financing details can be discussed with interested parties

Ahobila Narasimha University … Collage

Part C
Mega Disneyland & Water Park within a beautiful Rocky Landscape

Mega Disneyland & Water Park at Kurnool … Proposal in brief
 The Disneyland at Kurnool is separate
from the other two Ahobilam Projects
 It is therefore located at a considerable
distance from Ahobilam … but on the
South side of the Krishna River
 The Disneyland will however share the
Yaganti International airport with the
other two Ahobilam projects
 Project is likely to be the largest
Disneyland outside of North America
 Project expected to receive 20 Million
Visitors each year
 Project will be fully commissioned within
5 Years of project launch
 Estimated Project Cost : US $ 10 Billion

Part D
Overall Project Economics & Investment Case … Including Economic Multipliers

Overall Project Economics & Investment Case
Details will be discussed with Interested Parties

Investment Multiplier Impacts … For Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka & Tamil Nadu
Three Large Projects with a
total Capex of US $ 60 Billion
Investment Multiplier = 3
US $ 180 Billion
+
3,000,000 New Jobs
Over a 15 year period
Ahobila Vaikunta Ahobila Narasimha
University
Mega Disneyland
At Kurnool
Direct Impacts Indirect Impacts
3,000,000 New Jobs across Telengana,
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
Enhanced Taxes & Royalties to Four State
Governments
Investment multiplier impact of US $ 180
Billion over 20 years at a conservative
multiplier = 3
Billions of US Dollars in Additional Market
Cap of New Companies set up
Greening of Rayalaseema. Reduction of
ambient temperature by over 4 degrees over
15 years
Massive increse in Technical Capability in the
country due to the Ahobila Narasimha
University . University Alumni likely to add US
$ 3 Trillion to the Indian Economy over a 30 –
50 year period on a conservative basis
Hampi Restoration project is Strategically critical as a Rs 5000 Crores investment is likely to
yield over US $ 20 Billion / year in foreign exchange earnings on an all India basis due to
increased Tourism. In addition this project will result in Export earnings of US $ 10 Billion
each year from foreign sculpting contracts.
Megaproject has very large
Scale Economic Benefits

© Ashish Puntambekar , April 2015
The Planning and Design Lab, a division of the Nataraja Foundation, is a strategic planning & design organization specializing in large scale infrastructure project design and
development.
The Lab has an agenda to provide thought leadership in the areas of Education, Healthcare, Urban Infrastructure, Energy and Defence as well as a number of other matters of
national interest. We seek to bring totally new ideas to our chosen verticals of interest and specifically “ capacity creation ” related issues within these verticals.
Our papers and project designs are based on a rigorous study of the subject at hand and their objective is to provide a unique perspective on meeting large social and economic
challenges. For this reason our work is followed by civil society groups in India and thinkers around the world.
Direct all enquiries to the following address.
The Planning & Design Lab
The Nataraja Foundation
A – 2, Dattaguru
Deonar Village Road
Deonar, Mumbai
Maharashtra, India
Pin : 400088
Ph : 91-22-27707623, 91-9867612368
E Mail : ashish.puntambekar@gmail.com ( Preferred form of communication is e-mail )
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying,
recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright holder.

Thank You For Your Attention
Ashish Puntambekar
The Nataraja Foundation
www.nataraja.org.in
A – 2, Dattaguru
Deonar Village Road
Deonar, Mumbai – 400088
Ph : 91- 22-27707623, 07045414679
Email : ashish.puntambekar@gmail.com
nataraja.Foundation@gmail.com

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