Cir 40 (1) 2014

October 06-12, 2014 1
An MMR, Braj Binani Group Publication Volume 3 l Issue No 40 l October 06-12, 2014 l Price: Rs 100
RBI policy status quo leaves
realty developers disappointed
Infra delays due to design &
planning, unskilled labour,
cost escalations: CBRE
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
held the repo rate steady at 8 per
cent in its recent monetary policy
meeting. In line with easing liquidity
conditions, the access to Export Credit
Refinance (ECR) was brought down
to 15 per cent of the eligible export
credit giving greater room for banks
to manoeuvre.
Real estate developer’s apex body
Credai expressed disappointment
over the RBI’s policy to keep key
policy rates unchanged and sought a
cut in interest rates to boost housing
demand.
In a statement, it said, “The
Confederat ion of Real Estat e
Developers’ Associations of India is
disappointed with the status quo on
the RBI policy rates and demands a
reduction in interest rates to facilitate
lowering of entry barrier and spur
demand for the real estate sector.”
The association said there is need
to devise a formula to make rates
independent of inflation, keeping in
view the mission to provide housing
for all by 2022 and exponential impact
of the realty sector on triggering the
growth.
“The real estate sector has been
dabbling with high cost of land,
labour, material, funds and high rates
of taxation along with the moderate
demand over the past few months.
The industry was looking forward
to a reduction in interest rates and
improved liquidity to usher growth and
development,” said Credai President
C Shekar Reddy.
For the fourth time in a row, the RBI
kept key interest rates unchanged,
maintaining that it will not cut them
unless moderates to anticipated
levels, disappointing borrowers and
the industry in this festive season.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman
& MD, CBRE South Asia, remarked,
“The RBI’s move of keeping base
rates unchanged was expected by
the industry. Gradually weakening
inflationary pressures, along
with improving performances by
the manufacturing, construction
and services sectors have been
encouraging signs for further economic
improvement by the second half of the
year. Any reduction in base rates in
coming months will be a positive
indicator for the real estate sector.”
Chandrajit Banerjee, Director
General, CII, commenting on the
fourth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy said
that the RBI’s decision to maintain
status quo on policy rates is not fully
unexpected as in the growth-inflation
dilemma, the concern is to guard
against the anticipation of upside
risks emerging from inflationary
expectations.
“By all indications, the twin deficits
– fiscal and current account are well
“Public Private Partnership (PPP)
model should have a fourth P –
People,” said Arun Maira, Mentor, India
Backbone Implementation Network
(IBIN) and Former Member, the
Planning Commission of India at the 5th
Regional Conference on Infrastructure
Project Management organized
recently by the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) in New Delhi. CBRE
South Asia P Ltd was the Knowledge
Partner for the conference.
Maira further added that for
manufacturing to excel in a country like
in India, infrastructure development
is the biggest hurdle; which is in
turn related to effective project
management. He called out to all
project managers to ensure that all
physical attributes must be well
thought of and carefully put together
across all levels of operations.
Project managers must be
evangelists of the idea of holistic
project management with a focus
on quality and minimum wastage
of resources and best practices
of project management must be
gathered and shared across the
globe, further added Maira.
Anshuman Magazine, Conference
Chair and Chairman & Managing
Director, CBRE South Asia P Ltd,
while delivering his remarks, said
that it would not be possible to
enhance India’s infrastructure without
improving our project management
capacity.
Magazine also said that CBRE
recently conducted a survey on the
‘Industry Perception towards Project
Management’, with participation from
over a 100 companies.
The survey highlights some
interesting facts like apart from time
and cost, lack of quality and safety
management has an adverse impact
on the delivery of a project. It showed
that over 50 per cent of projects are
affected in some way or the other
due to health and safety issues.
Another aspect highlighted is that
cost overruns are a primary reason for
delay in projects, and organizations
need to look at effective methods of
combating this.
According to the survey results, 85
per cent of the respondents employed
professional project managers in
their organisations while 90 per cent
of the respondents felt that there is a
shortage of trained professionals in
the industry.
Other eminent speakers at the
conference were Bhumesh Gaur,
Vice President-Global Real Estate
a nd Wor kpl a c e En abl eme n t ,
American Express India; Purushottam
Sharad, Facilities Services & Real
Estate Leader, DuPont South Asia;
Syed Moinuddin, Senior Director,
Corpoorate Real Estate-APAC,
Aon Hewitt; Dr Ananya Gandotra,
Head-Technical Services Group, Taj
Hotels & Palaces; Biswajit Ghosh,
Global Head-Infrastructure Sourcing,
Cognizant Technology Solutions;
Chandranathan Udayakumaran,
Head of Facilities-South Asia, Mentor
Graphics Corporation; Amitabh Tyagi,
Regional Director-Design & Technical
Service-South Asia, Starwood Hotels
Asia Pacific; Arun Khanna, Head-
Corporate Real Estate & Logistics,
United Health Group; and Anil
Dhawan, Executive Vice President
Projects-Delhi International Airport,
GMR Group.
(L-R): Arun Maira, Mentor, IBIN & Former Member, the Planning Commission of India;
Anshuman Magazine, CMD, CBRE South Asia; and Ankur Singh Chauhan, CII
Developers euphoric with
over 100 launches this
festive season
Real estate developers in India
(well, those in top real estate markets)
can truly look forward to a joyous
Diwali this year. Their faces have been
lit up this festive season with over 100
launches in the country’s top four real
estate markets – Delhi, Bengaluru,
Mumbai and Pune. Also, this time
around prices have been dropped.
Omkar Realtors Director Gaurav
Gupta observes that the frame of
mind this festive season among
developers is optimistic and cheerful.
His two projects in Mumbai’s western
suburbs of Andheri and Bandra Kurla
Complex will be thrown open soon.
Vishal Malik, Director, Coldwell Banker
India, believes that this festive season
could be the beginning of a revival in
the real estate sector.
Knight Frank Executive Director
(south) Satish BN thinks that stability
in the IT/ITeS sectors, a booming
equity market and steps taken by
the new Modi government to lure
investment will have a positive impact
on residential sales in the festive
season.
Some developers like Rustomjee,
Marathon, Omkar, and Lodha are
aiming at the residential market in
Mumbai, while in the NCR, developers
like Pratham Housing, Ajnara India,
Ansal API and Godrej Properties have
unveiled properties. In the south,
Bengaluru’s Brigade Group has thrown
open 540 units for sale in the micro-market
of Jakkur. In Chennai, Mahindra
Lifespaces is selling the affordable
housing project ‘Happinest .
Abhishek Lodha, Managing
Director, Lodha Group, is hopeful that
demand for real estate will pick up
in the next three to six months. “The
market has already started showing
strength,” he noted,
Vivek Kumar, Head, primary sales
(Mumbai), Jones Lang LaSalle India,
explained that if a two-bedroom
apartment was priced at Rs 1 crore,
buyers might get lured, but at a 20 per
cent higher level, the product would be
hard to sell. Rahul Nahar, Managing
Director, XRBIA Developers, is looking
to sell at least 3,000 units in the next
three months.
under control and core inflation has
been trending downwards. While on
the other hand, industrial production
has been muted. This could have
been a good opportunity for the RBI
to reduce rates. However, the CII does
appreciate the RBI’s view that inflation
needs to be dealt with once and for
all,” said Banerjee.
The ratings firm Care Research
expect the RBI to continue to spell
caution before changing its monetary
policy stance. Thereby, it expects a
status-quo position on interest rates in
the next policy announcement.

IN PERSON October 06-12, 2014 3
‘We’re committed to build
sustainable infrastructure’
The Delhi-based BCC group has
shaped the nation’s skyline both in
terms of residential and commercial
properties in Delhi and the NCR
region. The group has about 6.5
million sq ft under development
projects, and 2.5 million sq ft area
that has been already developed.
As a leading developer for over 30
years, it has successfully completed
its promise of quality construction
across all its projects.
The BCC has expertise in residential
development services and delivered
about 50 projects including prestigious
Bharat Residency, Bharat Apartment
and NBCC Town (a JV between NBCC
and BCC) and many more.
The group has entered strategic
alliances with established industry
giants to cater to people in a larger way.
The company’s vision of ‘People First’
is committed to build a sustainable
infrastructure to address people’s
needs across all verticals.
Real estate is one of the fastest
growing industries in India with
many reckoned players across
the country. When did you foray
and how is your experience in the
industry so far?
BCC Builders is the leading name
in housing townships and independent
housing projects in Delhi and the NCR
region. Since the start of our journey
in the year 1980, the group has
contributed both in terms of residential
and commercial properties in Delhi
and the NCR region.
Businesswise how are you placed
in terms of developing projects,
completions and timely delivery of
homes?
As a leading developer for the
past 30 years, we have successfully
completed our promises with quality
construction across our projects. BCC
Infrastructures started Bharat City in
October 2011 and the project divided
into four phases is slated to complete
by 2016-2017.
We are happy to announce that
we are ready to give out possession
of the first phase by September this
year and have started work on the
second phase with latest pre-cast
technology that will further speed
up the construction process. We are
confident of delivering the ambitious
project on time.
Tell us about your land banking
terms of developed projects and
those under development in real
estate and commercial space. Are
you considering exploring other
places besides Delhi the NCR
Region?
In Delhi-NCR, BCC Infrastructures
has about 6.5 million sq ft land under
development projects, and 2.5 million
sq ft area has been already developed
in our portfolio. The 60-acre land in
Kumar Bharat, Director, BCC Infrastructures Pvt Ltd, in his interaction with
Remona Divekar shares the importance on quality construction practices
followed in his projects which strive to meet the highest global standards.
BCC group’s mission and vision with its core values is ready to meet the
challenges ahead. Excerpts:
IndraprasthaYojana where we are
constructing Bharat City is completely
freehold, which means that flat owners
will have complete ownership of their
properties.
The BCC group has successfully
completed construction projects
in Delhi over 30 years. What is the
reason for keeping low profile amidst
other known competitive players in
the industry then and now?
Till now, BCC Infrastructures has
primarily focused on providing quality
to its customers. In pursue of this,
we have missed the chance to make
ourselves appear prominently in the
public eye.
But seeing the changing scenario
in the real estate industry we have
realized that apart from delivering
quality construction, it is also utmost
necessary to communicate with our
customers. So now BCC has decided
to constantly keep in touch with its
valued customers.
For real estate and infrastructure
developers, the Union budget brought
in a much-needed clarification. How
real estate developments like yours
would impact investment trusts or
Reits and Infrastructure Investment
Trusts or InvITs for tax liability?
We are happy and welcome the
steps taken for boosting real estate
sector in Budget 2014-15. It does
lay an emphasis on growth in the
infrastructure sector. Encouragement
of infrastructure debt funds will inspire
potential buyer and investor to promote
investment in the market.
Also, the Finance Minister’s move
to give affordable housing a boost is
a very positive step for home buyers.
Now buyers will be able to get an
additional interest benefit of Rs 1
lakh on first-time home loans up to
Rs 25 lakh.
Reits will offer investors a viable
option to include real estate in their
investment portfolio. Reits may offer
higher dividend yields which may be
higher compared to other investments.
As we know, rental yields on long term
commercial office space and retail
space tend to be much higher than
rental yields on residential property,
higher than dividend yields on stocks
and are often in the range of returns
that bank deposits offer.
An investor in Reit can thus look
forward to reasonably high annual
dividends as well as some appreciation
in the long term from appreciation in
the capital value of properties owned
by the Reit. Investment in real estate
will therefore be encouraged.
What is BCC group’s strategy to
build sustainable infrastructure and
eco-friendly construction and best-in-
field marketing practices?
Bharat City is an environment-friendly
township and comprises
necessary physical and social
infrastructure components. The
master plan has been conceptualized
principally by considering opportunities
and constraints of the site with a
sustainable and environment-friendly
land use. We are using world-class
environmental factors like bad weather
are also eliminated.
Buildings constructed using this
technology are more robust and
energy efficient than traditional brick
and mortar constructions. We are also
employing water treatment plants, rain
water harvesting, waste disposal and
solar powered lights for outside areas
like parks and sports facilities for
energy conservation and better natural
resource utilization. Our pre-cast
construction will follow laid out Green
construction and safety norms.
Tell us about the mode of strategic
alliances with established industry
giants to cater to people in a larger
way in terms of agility, financial
prudence and meeting the highest
global standard?
BCC Infrastructures has expertise
in residential development services
and delivered around 50 projects
including prestigious NBCC Town
which is a JV between NBCC and
BCC. Presently, we are working on
a 50-50 joint venture with industry
leaders HDFC Portfolio Management
Services (PMS) to construct one of
NCR’s biggest residential townships
– Bharat City.
Government i s focusing on
creating smart cities development
infrastructure and real estate. What
is your take on that?
The decision to create smart
cities is primarily to attract fresh
investments and job creation. For
the real estate sector it will provide
immense opportunities to construct
residential properties, office space,
incubation space and warehouses,
etc at inexpensive rates.
Establishing businesses at an
early stage in these upcoming cities
and creating a brand as a trusted
organization and growing along
with the city will provide long term
prospects for real estate businesses.
Many of these smart cities will be
precast (prefabricated) construction
technology which has already been
used in Europe and the Middle East.
Though precast construction is
still at its nascent stage in India, it’s
rapidly coming to the forefront of
the construction industry and thus,
we have partnered with Germany’s
leading precast construction company,
Weckenmann.
Precast components are fabricated
or assembled offsite, transported
to the project site, and installed
on a prepared foundation. As the
construction is done in a controlled
factory environment the harmful effects
to the environment is minimized as
well as delays and issues caused by
calling for bids for various development
initiatives, which can provide recurring
business. Many startups are in this
space and can be valuable pilot
projects.
What are your future business plans
for the company, especially after the
budget? What would be your prime
focus now?
Presently, we are totally focused
on giving timely delivery of our Bharat
City Phase-1 apartments in coming
months. We are committed to provide
our customers with the best of living
standards at affordable rates on
time.
Bharat City

INFRASTRUCTURE October 06-12, 2014 4
UP-Thailand highway may
miss 2016 deadline
The ambitious trilateral highway
— connecting UP to Thailand -- is
expected to miss its 2016 deadline
due to delays at the end of Myanmar.
According to sources, Myanmar has
not been able to allocate land for
construction of the stretch crossing
the country.
Meanwhile, India is fastracking
work at its end by involving the private
sector. “Since feasibility is the first
stage in the process, the government
has roped in Egis India Consulting
Engineers Ltd to prepare the feasibility
report for the upgradation, design,
cost estimation, etc for the highway in
India,” according to sources.
A major stretch of the highway
is to develop a 3,200-km linking
highway from India to Myanmar and
Thailand. This starts from the Indo-
Myanmar border at Moreh in Manipur
and passes through Tamu across the
border in Myanmar to reach Mae Sot in
Thailand after crossing various villages
in Myanmar.
Myanmar has a major land which
is covered by thick and dense forest.
They are unable to provide environment
clearance and do not want to cut the
forest cover. But talks are on since
there is an international commitment in
place, sources said. For development
of the stretch, India has already given
Myanmar $500 million in loan, a part
of which will be used to fund the
project.
The route initially suggested for the
proposed Trilateral Highway was Moreh
(India)-Tamu- Kalewa-Chaungma-
Yinmabin-Pale-Kyadet-Lingadaw-
Pakokku-Bagan-Kyaukpadaung-
Meiktila bypass-Taungoo-Oktwin-
Payagyi-Theinzayat-Thaton-Hpaan
Kawareik-Myawaddy- Mae Sot
(Thailand).
This route is now to pass through
Mandalay (Tamu-Kalewa-Yargyi-
Chaungma-Monywa-Mandalay) rather
than Bagan, given that the Mandalay-
Yangon section has already been
constructed.
Telangana fully backs
Hyderabad Metro rail project
Top Telangana government officials
met the Union Cabinet Secretary as
well as the Principal Secretary to
the Prime Minister and conveyed to
them that the Telangana government
fully backs implementation of the
Hyderabad Metro rail project.
Telangana Chief Secretary Rajiv
Sharma and B V Paparao, Advisor
to the Government of Telangana,
met the Union officials in connection
with the progress of the Hyderabad
Metro rail project, the Telangana
government said. The Chief Secretary
briefed them and informed that
the Telangana government fully
supports the project and there are
no serious issues pending with the
Telangana government to implement
the project.
The Border Road Organization
has completed half of nearly 9-km-long
Rohtang tunnel in Himachal
Pradesh. Construction of the 8.8 km
Rohtang tunnel in Himachal Pradesh
is under progress by BRO, wherein
4.4 km of tunnel has already been
completed, said Defence spokesman
Col S D Goswami.
Centre tells China to bid
for highways
Despite the hopes created about
FDI inflows from China growing
exponentially from the very low
levels, following China’s president Xi
Jinping’s recent visit to the country,
the government has rejected China’s
proposal to build and fund a host of
highway projects.
The projects that Beijing asked for
are in the engineering, construction
and procurement (EPC) category,
which is funded by the government
through the National Highways
Authority of India (NHAI) and where
the role of the private sector is
restricted to that of job contractors.
China had specifically asked for
award of nine projects — with a
combined contract value of over Rs
9,000 crore — in Punjab, Haryana,
Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
According to a senior government
official privy to the development,
“The investment proposals by China
The feasibility study of Zojila and
Z-Morh tunnel in Jammu -Kashmir-
Ladakh region is already completed,
he said. The construction of Zojila-Z
morh tunnel, which will ensure
all weather connectivity between
Kashmir and Ladakh region, is likely
to commence next year, he said.
A 592-meter-long cable-stayed
under the model suggested by them
would not be feasible. We have told
the China government that they can
participate in the tenders to be floated
for PPP projects being awarded on
the build–operate–transfer (BoT)
mode.
China proposed to take up
construction of 890 km of highways
Tamil Nadu clears
mega infra projects
Centre opts for cement
over bitumen for
new roads
bridge is under construction on the
river Ravi at Basohli in Kathua district
of Jammu and Kashmir. The bridge,
which will connect Doda-Kishtwar-
Kathua belt with Punjab, will be the
first of its kind in northern India and
will enhance connectivity between
Punjab and Jammu Kashmir.
(nine stretches) worth Rs 9,125
crore that the government was
planning to award on the EPC basis
during Chinese president’s visit
to the country. It proposed that
Chinese firms would pick up these
projects, finance them completely
and also bring their own contractors
for construction.
The Tamil Nadu government has
approved the project structure for the
Rs 1.83-lakh crore Madurai-Tuticorin
Industrial corridors and has decided
to set up a new financial institution to
support funding for large infrastructure
projects.
The Board also approved plans to
set up two large sea water desalination
projects to the south of Chennai
to augment drinking water supply
to the city. The project structure
of the Madurai-Tuticorin Industrial
(MTI) Corridor will cover 29 projects
spanning the southern districts of
Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudunagar,
Tuticorin, Tirunelveli, Ramanathapuram
and Kanyakumari. The total outlay
envisaged for this mega project is
about Rs 1, 83,819 crore.
The government has decided to
abandon bitumen, the popular raw
material for road construction, in favor
of cement for all new road projects,
in line with a proposal by Transport
Minister Nitin Gadkari.
The detailed project reports for
new road projects will assess the
project cost factoring cement as
the raw material, according to two
ministry officials. The ministry has also
changed the model for assessing the
project cost.
The projects will now be evaluated
on the basis of the life cycle cost
of the project, against the current
In addition, there are plans to
have an 800 mwthermal power
project in Tuticorin, a Greenfield port
in the Manappad region, and an
entrepreneurship development centre
for small and medium enterprises and
a world-class medi-city at Madurai.
The Board also approved plans
for two Sea Water Reverse Osmosis
(SWRO) plants. One of the units, to
come up at Perur, will have a capacity
of 400 million litres a day at a cost of
Rs 4,070 crore and another 150 mld at
Nemmeli at about Rs 1,371 crore. Both
will be built on design-build-operate
(DBO) basis. The Central government
grants are being sought for the project.
The Infrastructure Development Board
also approved Rs 556-crore water
supply project for Coimbatore.
model of using just the cost of
construction. “We have decided to
now start using cement for all new
projects that are in the pipeline as
long as the cost of construction of
a concrete road is not more than 20
per cent higher than that of a road
made using bitumen.
“The idea is that using cement will
bring down the cost of maintenance
significantly,” said one of the officials.
To be sure, cement will be used as the
raw material for the project unless the
government-appointed consultant for
evaluating the project makes a case
against it.
BRO completes
half of Rohtang tunnel

October 06-12, 2014 5
environment
Cool roofs in vogue
Anchor by Panasonic unfolds
‘Colourful Moments’ for ‘Roma’
India’s leading electrical accessories
manufacturer, Anchor Electricals Pvt
Ltd, a Panasonic group company,
since 2007 and India’s largest switch-manufacturer,
unveiled its new theme
‘Colours Start Playing’ at the launch of
Colour Plates for its flagship Modular
Switch Brand ‘Roma’ at Chennai on
September 24, 2014.
Takaki Oguri, Joint Managing
Director, Anchor Electricals Pvt Ltd,
mentioned, “We are proud to introduce
a brand new assortment of colour
plates, in assorted textures and
finishes to give you 168 new ways to
style up your home. I hope this range
meets your expectations as we offer
you a product catering to the tastes
of the rustic, urbane, and elite.” He
also mentioned about Anchor’s foray
into the Energy Generation Domain
through Panasonic’s Solar Modules
under the brand ‘HIT’.
Ashok Gangar, Vice President,
Sales Marketing, mentioned, “Roma
is synonymous to a Switch! It is the
largest-selling brand of modular
switches in India. Since its origin, the
brand has continued to add value to
the lives of millions of Indians and
catered to the needs of assorted
spaces.
“India is a young country and
Roma has now brought in the youthful
effervescence through its gigantic
assortment in colour plates, which
can help style up the premises in 168
different ways! Along with the colour
plates, we have also added silver
coloured accessories to complement
the aesthetic needs of new-age
homes.”
From being a switch manufacturer
to a complete low voltage electrical
solutions provider, Anchor has come
a long way. Today the company steers
ahead with the manufacturing and
distribution of products contributing to
energy conservation and management.
The cool roofing options
already available
provide great potential
for energy savings and
conservation
The energy crisis the world over a
few decades ago (and which continue
to this day) impelled the roofing
industry towards innovative modified
bitumen roofing alternatives, and
now, today’s energy crisis is already
accelerating a new generation of
roofing technologies.
Roofing manufacturers, power
companies, government bodies and
environmentalist organizations are
collaborating on innovative ways to
conserve energy. There is no doubt
that cool roofing has become a hot
topic the world over.
Vegetative systems
Vegetative roofing and photovoltaic
technologies remain at the cutting
edge of those efforts. However, they
are not likely to gain substantive
market share in the next decade
without governmental intervention in
the form of mandates or incentives
unless energy costs rise high enough
to substantially shorten the return
on investment interval for such
technologies.
In some urban areas, such as metro
cities in India, this is already happening
with vegetative systems, due to their
combined benefits of energy saving
and sewer-water run-off reduction. In
the interim, however, the most likely
scenario for the next decade is for
the roofing industry to see its most
significant growth in the area of cool
roofing technologies.
A green roof or rooftop garden
is a vegetative layer grown on a
rooftop. Green roofs provide shade
and remove heat from the air
through evapotranspiration, reducing
temperatures of the roof surface and
the surrounding air.
On hot summer days, the surface
temperature of a green roof can
be cooler than the air temperature,
whereas the surface of a conventional
rooftop can be up to 90°F (50°C)
warmer.
Simple science
Green roofs can be installed on a
wide range of buildings, from industrial
facilities to private residences. They
can be as simple as a two-inch
covering of hardy groundcover or as
complex as a fully accessible park
complete with trees.
The science behind reflective and
emissive roof systems is fairly simple.
Any traditional roof system is exposed
to radiation produced by the sun.
This radiation is either absorbed or
reflected, based mostly on the colour
of the roof system.
Traditional white roofs reflect more
sunlight than darker roof systems.
But light from the sun comes not only
from visible sunlight, it also comes
in the form of infrared radiation (or
heat). The phenomena associated with
absorbing or reflecting heat is known
as emissivity.
Highly emissive roof systems reflect
a large portion of the infrared radiation.
As the surface of the roof system
heats up, due to absorbed visible and
infrared light, the entire roof sys-tem
heats up.
Although the insulation layers in
the roof system can help reduce the
amount of heat that passes from the
roof’s surface to the building below,
the use of cool, reflective products on
the surface helps to further reduce the
surface temperature thereby reducing
the potential elevation of the building
temperature. There is therefore a
direct relationship between reducing
PED and increasing the reflectivity
and emissivity of the surface roofing
product.
Reflective technology
Unlike vegetative or photovoltaic
solutions, cool roofing frequently
can be achieved cost-effectively
within the confines of traditional
roof top appl icat ions. Today’ s
reflective technologies can be found
in our industry’s most popular product
categories such as coatings, mineral
surfacings, single-ply thermoplastic
membranes, metal roofing, modified
bitumen membranes and many
others. The adaptability of cool roofing
technologies is a major reason why
they are expected to dominate the
sustainable roofing category in the
decade ahead.
In addition, roofing material
manufacturers are expected to develop
original new approaches to achieving
reflectivity and emissivity in response
to the growing market demand for
cool roofing.
Ultimately, the growth of the cool
roofing category will be determined
by the combined influences of
energy and material costs, building
envelope performance requirements,
legislative mandates or incentives
and advancements in roofing material
technologies.
Great potential for energy
savings
The cool roofing options already
available provide great potential for
energy savings and conservation. In
the decade ahead we will see even
more exciting alternatives to increase
the sustainability of the total building
envelope in response to the volatility
of today’s energy market.
What do cool roofs have to offer?
Perhaps the biggest benefit is that they
can get a more durable, longer lasting
roof, without tearing off the existing
roof. Other benefits include:
Reduced energy use: Green roofs
absorb heat and act as insulators for
buildings, reducing energy needed to
provide cooling and heating.
Reduced ai r pol lut ion and
greenhouse gas emissions: By
lowering air-conditioning demand,
green roofs can decrease the
production of associated air pollution
and greenhouse gas emissions.
Vegetation can also remove air
pollutants and greenhouse gas
emissions through dry deposition and
carbon sequestration and storage.
Improved human health and
comfort: Green roofs, by reducing heat
transfer through the building roof, can
improve indoor comfort and lower heat
stress associated with heat waves.
Enhanced storm water management
and water quality: Green roofs can
reduce and slow storm water runoff in
the urban environment; they also filter
pollutants from rainfall.
Improved quality of life: Green
roofs can provide aesthetic value and
habitat for many species.
Resourceful ERCs
Specially formulated acrylic-based
elastomeric roof coatings (ERCs) can
turn almost any existing roof into a
cool roof. ERCs establish a uniform,
seamless surface with the elasticity to
expand and contract with the roofing
substrate.
These roof coatings can also stand
up to tropical climate, heavy monsoon,
severe winter and other weather
elements without cracking or failing.
ERCs, based on 100 per cent acrylic
polymers, protect the roof surface
from ultraviolet light degradation
and degradation caused by extreme
heat. Depending on the condition of
the existing roof, ERCs can usually
be applied directly over the old roof
using spray, rollers, or brooms and
brushes.
Cool roofs generally have a white
or light coloured surface that reflects,
rather than absorbs, sunlight. ERCs
can be roller, brush or spray applied
over a clean, still serviceable roof —
usually in one day, depending on the
size and condition of the existing roof.
All acrylic ERCs are water-based and
non-toxic, so there is no risk of fumes
contaminating the HVAC system.
ERCs not only last longer, but they
can actually protect the roof surface
from ultraviolet light degradation.
And because they extend the life of
those materials, they can provide a
marketing advantage through this
very virtue. Over the past few years
as awareness grew about Green
buildings, the installation of cool roofs
has become the single largest trend
in the roofing industry. Due to heavy
energy consumption in major metros
and suburban areas in the country,
besides environmental concerns,
energy shortages and vastly improved
life cycle costing, cool roofing is finally
receiving the attention and treatment it
rightly deserves.
Ashok Gangar (Vice President Sales Marketing) unveiling he product

PROJECTS UPDATE October 06-12, 2014 6
Modi’s US trip gives Indian
clean energy $1-b thrust
India’s clean energy sector will
be one of the first sectors that would
benefit from PM Narendra Modi’s visit
to US. The sector expects investment
worth nearly $ billion from companies
in the US. To finance sourcing of
components from the US for Indian
renewable power project developers,
the Ireda (the Indian Renewable
Energy Development Agency) and
the US Exim Bank would sign an
agreement.
“The amount would be extended
as tied loans on a project-to-project
basis. There would be a fine balance
for all kinds of renewable-based power
projects. Though the major import
from the US is solar panels, loans
are likely to give much-needed push
to solar power project development,”
said a senior official.
The rider, however, is that 30 per
cent of the total equipment in the
power project should be domestically
sourced. Confirming the development,
K S Popli, Chairman Managing
Director, Ireda, said, “The loan amount
of up to $1 billion is extended by the
US Exim bank to the Ireda for disbursal
to grid-connected projects. Though
there is no sovereign guarantee that
comes with the loan, it would be
extended to anyone who wants to set
up a renewable energy-based power
project with equipment sourcing from
the US.”
The country aims to add about
4,500 mw of solar power capacity
during the current financial year to
the existing capacity of 2,600 mw.
The manufacturing capacity of solar
panels in the country, however, is just
1,500 mw. To invite global players
to the country, the Ministry of New
Renewable Energy would also
host the first-ever renewable energy
global investment promotion meet in
February next year. This goes well with
the mega ‘Make in India’ plan of the
government to boost manufacturing
in the country.
Japan offers help to build
roads in NE
Japan has offered help to India
in building road infrastructure in
strategically important North-East. The
offer was made by visiting Japanese
Minister for Land, Infrastructure
Tourism Akihiro Ohta during his
meeting with Road Transport
Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in
New Delhi.
Ohta said his country, which has
expertise in constructing roads in
mountainous regions, can “actively
cont r ibute” in bui lding suc h
infrastructure in the North-East.
“One of the issues that India
is facing is the ageing of the road
infrastructure. In that regard also I
would particularly like to bring the
topic of the northeastern road network
improvement project. I understand
that the northeastern part of India is
very mountainous and that is very
similar to Japan, so I feel Japan
especially has the experience and the
expertise to make road infrastructure
in mountainous region,” said Ohta.
“We have the technology of tunnel,
also for reinforcement. We have also
technology of making roads in very
narrow spaces. I think that is one
area where Japan can very actively
contribute.... in fact, I understand that
the Japan International Cooperation
Agency ( Jica) is already carrying out a
study from early this year,” he said.
Saudi’s Sabic ties up with ICF
to modernize Mumbai railways
An Indian rail coach manufacturer
has tied up with Saudi Arabia’s
petrochemicals giant Sabic to
develop new passenger-friendly
and durable modular seating for
Mumbai’s heavily-utilized railway
system.
The Saudi Basic Indust r ies
Corporation (Sabic’s) Lexan resin
will be used by the Integral Coach
Factory (ICF) to produce seating
for what is perhaps the most
intensively used suburban rail system
in the world, with added benefits
of enhanced passenger comfort,
easier maintenance and end-of-life
recyclability.
With the necessary support, the
ICF has designed a seating system
using injection-molded polycarbonate
that will replace the conventional
single thermoformed seats for the
Mumbai Rail Vikas Corporation
(MRVC).
“Beyond supplying the Lexan
resin, Sabic was pleased to work
collaboratively with the ICF on a
seating system that responds to
rail industry trends toward greater
sustainability and an increased
focus on the passenger experience,”
said Kim Choate, Director of Mass
Transportation for Sabic’s Innovative
Plastics business.
“The Rail Ministry and passenger
responses to the new seats clearly
signal a win. In addition, the ICF
now has a new solution to offer to its
customers,” he added.
The fresh designs using resin
have performed exceptionally well
under the intense crowds and heavy
passenger loads in the rush hours
during trials. The seats maintained
their colour and gloss despite
exposure to strong sunlight, heat
and chemicals, he said.
Kochi Port invites EoIs
for two mega projects
Repair roads in HP:
CM to PWD, NHAI
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister
Virbhadra Singh has taken a serious
view of the poor road condition and
asked the PWD authorities to repair
roads within a month. Presiding over
a meeting regarding the pending
issues of the four-lane project of
Kiratpur-Manali and Parwanoo-Shimla
national highways, the Chief Minister
made it clear that till the new four-lane
project of the Kiratpur-Manali
highway was not completed, the
National Highways Authority of India
(NHAI) would maintain NH-21. It was
obligatory on the part of the NHAI to
maintain the old highway.
The NHAI also demanded the
short-term permits for setting up
crushers as lots of material would
be required for construction of the
road. Regarding compensation of the
land to be acquired, it was decided
that the DCs of districts would be the
arbitrators for solving the issues.
He said the road width of the entire
project should be same and the DCs
should co-operate with the NHAI for
giving certificates under the Forest
Clearance Act. Both the NHAI projects,
which were to be completed under the
engineering, procurement and contract
(EPC) basis, were to be expedited and
all hindrances regarding the awards be
solved soon.
A bridge in Manali would be made
double lane and the Ministry of Surface
Road Transport would soon be
releasing the amount to the PWD for
undertaking the work on the bridge
soon. While wind turbines in the country
are mostly domestically sourced, 70
per cent of its solar capacity is based
on imported content, mostly from
China and the US. The government
recently quashed the imposition of
dumping duty on imported solar cells
and modules from the US, China,
Malaysia and Taiwan.
Kolkata Port seeks EoI for
floating LNG terminal
The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT)
has invited Expression of Interest for
setting up of non-jetty based Floating
Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU)
or terminal for LNG, after it was alleged
that the port was offering the right on
nomination basis to a private entity.
The KoPT on September 18 had
sought EoI till October 24 for the LNG
facility from interested parties meant
for common use and a pre-proposal
meeting had also been firmed up on
October 13, said KoPT officials.
Haldia Docks Officers’ Forum
general secretary Ramakant Burman
has claimed that it was an attempt by
KoPT to allow H-Energy of Hiranandani
Group to set up the facility without any
tendering or auctioning process.
“I had written letters to the shipping
ministry, Central Vigilance Commission
and even Cabinet secretary about
violation of CVC guidelines and MPT
Act,” he said.
“The chairman, Kolkata Port Trust,
has given water and land rights to
H-Energy of Hiranandani Group of
Mumbai for setting up of (FSRU)
in the Bay of Bengal absolutely on
nomination basis against the existing
CVC guidelines in the matter,” Burman
has claimed in his letter.
The EoI floated by the port did not
mention whether the contract would
be given through tendering or through
auctioning.
To consolidate its position as a
growing maritime hub in South Asia,
the Kochi Port has invited expressions
of interest (EoIs) for two of its mega
projects, Free Trade Warehousing
Zone (FTWZ) and Outer Harbour.
The two projects are jointly worth Rs
22,000 crore.
According to Paul Antony,
Chairman, the Cochin Port FTWZ,
is intended to leverage the potential
of the port to emerge as a key node
in the South Asian supply chain,
taking advantage of its proximity to
Vallarpadam Container Transhipment
Terminal.
The port floated the global tender to
select a partner who will be proposed
as a co-developer under the Sez Act
2005.
The Rs 480-core FTWZ project will
be developed on 40.85 hectares in
Willingdon Island and the port will lease
the plot for 30 years. Ready availability
of the land is a big advantage and
the selected bidder will have the right
to allot it on lease for commercial
purposes.
Kochi’s position on the rim of
maritime highway connecting the Far
East to Europe offers good opportunity
for logistics solutions innovations in a
FTWZ, said Antony.
The presence of Vallarpadam
Terminal, which is projected to handle
3 million teus annually, will give a
further push to FTWZ to make Kochi
a distribution hub for the South Asian
region, he added.
Referring to the outer harbour
project, the Chairman said expressions
of interest have been invited to set
up port- based business ventures
in the project based on technical
and feasibility studies suggesting
construction of two breakwaters at the
port’s mouth to reduce the dredging
cost.
Studies conducted by IIT-Chennai
and CWPRS, Pune, indicated that it
would be possible to develop around
3,200 acres along both the southern
and northern breakwaters which would
facilitate shifting of all future port-related
activities to the new area.
While the Indian Navy has shown
interest in developing 650 acres of the
southern breakwater, 2,600 acres in
the northern breakwater would be put
to use by the port itself, said Antony.

October 06-12, 2014 7
TECHNOLOGY
Achieving engineering excellence:
Rapid subsurface investigations for mega civil projects
Geophysical Surveys for Subsurface Investigations
Method Sensitive To... Typical Applications Advantages Environment
Seismic
Refraction
Changes in strata type
(soil, weathered rock,
rock), rock quality
(jointed, weathered),
elastic properties
Rock interface, overburden
mapping, rock quality, degree
of weathering/ jointing, faults,
fracture mapping
Quick to apply,
continuous information of
subsurface, rock profile
Land or
water
Resistivity
Imaging
Moisture content
variations, conductivity,
water table, porosity
Soil-rock profile, water table
determination, weak zone
delineation, detection of weak
zones under rock interface,
buried channels.
Capability to see beyond
rock interface, detects
loose zones, cavities etc.
Land or
water
ReMi
(Refraction
Micro-tremor)
Change in shear
properties of medium
Determination of shear
wave profiles (to determine
liquefaction potential,
earthquake response)
Determines shear
wave profile without
any boreholes. More
advanced and easier
than MASW/SASW
Land or
water
Crosshole/
downhole/
uphole
Difference in elastic
properties. Variations in S
Wave or P Wave velocity.
Detailed analysis to obtain
P and S wave velocities with
depth for dynamic moduli:
Poisson’s Ration, shear
modulus, bulk modulus,
Young’s modulus
Determines elastic
modulus for even very
thin layers. Able to detect
small, thin layers in
subsurface.
Land
Seismic
Reflection
Difference in acoustic
impedance (velocity x
density)
Detects interfaces, maps
faults/ fractures/ water lenses/
shear zones along tunnel
routes
Detailed investigation of
tunnel route. Penetration
possible upto 1000
meters.
Land
Ground
Penetrating
Radar
Change in dielectric
properties
Detection of buried pipes and
cables, with exact location
and depth. Also used for
inspection of concrete
structures.
Avoids costly mistakes
(foundation over pipe)/
accidents/ damage to
utilities
Land
Micro Gravity Changes in Density of
Subsurface
Detection of buried voids/
cavities
Quick to apply, avoids
costly mistakes Land
Advances in processing
and imaging software
have made it possible
to detect, display,
and interpret small
geological features with
great accuracy
(Part 1)
Modern major construction is
inconceivable without high-level
engineering explorations, which play a
major role in increasing the economic
efficiency of capital investments. For the
design of structures it is indispensable
to procure comprehensive high-quality
information about the subsurface,
within very short periods. The
study of diverse natural conditions
predetermines a variety of methods
and technical means which can be
used for carrying out exploratory
work.
Any major construction work like
power plants, high rise buildings,
bridges etc., calls for a well-considered
approach in view of the restricted
timeframe and finance. In planning
and development of project adequate
knowledge of the geotechnical
conditions at site is important besides
the other factors that are involved.
Application of tools and techniques
that are helpful in enhancing efficiency
of the geotechnical evaluation study is
therefore preferable.
Reliable knowledge
Engineer ing geophysics i s
an efficient means of subsurface
investigation. The merit of application
of this low cost aid lies in its ease of
deployment and rapidity in providing a
reliable knowledge of the underground
over a large area, substantiating the
requisite geotechnical evaluation
studies thereby. Technological
advancements and development
of portable digital data acquisition
instrument systems have increased the
versatility in evaluating underground
conditions and site characterization.
The state-of-the-art subsurface
geophysical investigations are helpful
towards minimizing involvement of
the conventional direct exploration
methods, aiding in accelerated and
economical development of the
construction projects.
It is an established fact that a
single geophysical method cannot
resolve all the problems associated
with subsurface investigations. As an
example, seismic refraction cannot
‘see’ low velocity zones under rock
interface, which might be present
under certain geological conditions.
There is therefore need for integrated
application of various geophysical
techniques like seismic refraction,
resistivity imaging, ReMi, Crosshole/
downhole/uphole seismic and seismic
reflection, to determine various
properties of subsurface like bedrock
quality and depth, low velocity zones
(even under rock interface), fault/
fracture/ shear zones, water lenses,
tunnel route geology, etc. Present
paper discusses various geophysical
techniques with emphasis on their
integration to provide unique solutions
to subsurface challenges. The paper
also presents few case studies where
integration of two or more geophysical
techniques helped resolve complex
problems.
Powerful tool
Sub-surface imaging by means of
geophysical survey is a powerful tool for
site assessment and mapping which
historically has been under-utilized
world-over. Continuing improvements
in survey equipment performance
and automation have made large
area surveys with a high data sample
density possible. Advances in
processing and imaging software have
made it possible to detect, display, and
interpret small geological features with
great accuracy.
Some of the unique advantages of
geophysical survey:
*Geophysical methods are quick
to apply, saving in terms of time and
money.
*Light and portable equipment
allows access to remotest of sites.
*Provides information on critical
geological features like faults/ fractures/
weak zones/ shear zones, not visible
from surface information
*Large areas mapped quickly and
inexpensively
*Researchers can assess site
conditions, and target specific
locations for detailed investigations
by drilling, while avoiding others.
*Geophysical methods can quickly
produce subsurface geology avoiding
delays during execution due to meeting
the unexpected.
*Shear wave profiles can be quickly
obtained for ascertaining liquefaction
potential and earthquake response.
*Buried utilities, pipes and cables,
can be detected before drilling/
excavation, avoiding damage to
utilities and costly accidents.
*Co n c r e t e s t r u c t u r e s c a n
be quickly scanned to ascertain
integrity and detect defects like voids,
honeycombing, etc.
Critical issues
A detailed survey plan is worked
out in consultation with the client, to
address to critical issues. The right
combination of various available
tools should be chosen to resolve the
problem in unique manner.
Surveys which are both successful
and cost-effective must satisfy a
(Part 2 continued in next issue)
Dr Sanjay
Rana
Director, PARSAN
Overseas Pvt Ltd
the quality of data while in the field
is mandatory, and post survey data
processing must be both appropriate
and mathematically sound.
The chosen geophysical contractor
should have experienced personnel
and advanced instruments to carry out
high resolution geophysical surveys
for geotechnical investigations. The
survey methodology and tools to be
used should be decided in consultation
with the client and depending on site
conditions and objectives of survey.
A technical report describing the
work, including high resolution maps
with detailed interpretation, should
be presented to the client upon
completion of analysis.
Geophysical methods
The appropriate techniques for
investigations should be chosen
based on:
*Objective of investigations;
*Resolution required; *Depth
penetration required; *Physical
property to be defined; *Geology of
the area; *Nature of target host
material
It is a proven fact the in most
of the cases, use of just a single
geophysical technique will not reveal
unique results, as there is a vast
overlap of any physical property
for various geological materials. It
is therefore recommended to use
an integrated approach to uniquely
resolve the issues.
number of basic requirements.
They must be implemented using
appropriate and properly configured
survey equipment. The data sampling
strategy and density must be matched
to the spatial resolution and statistical
requirements of the survey. Monitoring
Description of various geophysical
methods commonl y used for
geotechnical investigations has been
provided in following sections. Table
hereunder presents capabilities and
limitations of various techniques:
GMR to set up `750-cr
convention centre at
Hyderabad
The GMR Group will set up an
expo-cum-convention centre near the
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in
Hyderabad. It will invest Rs. 750 crore
to build the facility on a 50-acre plot
in the airport city that the company
will develop near the airport.
A GMR delegat ion made a
presentation to Telangana Chief
Minister K Chandrasekhara Rao at
the Secretariat on September 26
and sought his help in taking up the
project.
The delegation included Group
Chairman GM Rao and Chairman of
Airports Business Srinivas Bommidala.
The representatives told the CM that
the airport city project would provide
jobs to 15,000-20,000 people.
The CM has asked the firm to build
a new airport in the north of the city
as well as a hospital at Shamshabad
and a theme park. Earlier too, the
CM had expressed the view that
Hyderabad would require one or
two more airports as it evolves into
a major city.
Rao assured the GMR team that
the government would ensure zero
corruption in administration and offer
single window clearance system too.
Taxes, too, would be reduced when
compared to neighbouring states,
according to a government release.
Representation only

REAL ESTATE October 06-12, 2014 8
Ahmedabad real estate
in Modi’s era
Nonetheless, in recent quarters,
noteworthy growth was registered
in residential real estate prices.
Residex, the index published by the
National Housing Bank covering price
movements in urban and semi-urban
areas, showed that Ahmedabad
residential real estate prices have
grown faster than other major Indian
Vivek
Sahasrabudhe
Analyst, Research
Real Estate
Intelligence Service,
JLL India
Towards 100 smart cities
The uninterrupted
electricity and water
supply, the wider roads
and the rapid bus
transit system have
helped Ahmedabad to
cement its position as a
manufacturing hub
rapid bus transit system have helped
Ahmedabad to cement its position
as a manufacturing hub. In the past,
despite the city being known for its
industries, particularly its textile and
pharmaceutical enterprises, it did not
create a sector-specific demand for real
estate, unlike the IT/ITeS sector did for
Bengaluru and Pune. Up until recently,
the city produced mostly blue-collar
jobs and those employed preferred
affordable housing, particularly in the
unorganized real estate sector.
Well-rounded growth
To attract the participation of
the organized real estate sector,
affordable and well-connected real
estate developments were on the
checklist of the Ahmedabad Urban
Development Authority. The planning
resulted in well-rounded growth as
Ahmedabad, unlike other cities, did
not have any geographical constraints
on expansion. Also, the committee
refrained from giving any specific city
node an undue advantage, due to
which capital value appreciation was
held in check for many years!
Pune: Harnessing the
boom at Dhanori Charoli
Cities with an approved
Master Plan or minimum
5,000 acres of available
land for economic and
housing needs are to be
Pune is a growing city that delivers new investment considered
hotspots with remarkable regularity
to be publicized, the national vision
identifies creating these 100 cities as
‘satellite towns of larger cities’ and
through modernization of ‘existing
mid-size cities’. The government
has so far announced just a few of
these cities — Ponneri in Tamil Nadu,
Krishnapatnam in Andhra Pradesh,
Tumkur in Karnataka (all three in the
Over the past couple of months,
no other Indian state has been talked
about as much in the Indian media as
Gujarat. Be it about Narendra Modi,
former chief minister of Gujarat who
is now Prime Minister of the nation or
the growth model of the state.
This fast developing province
has seen the decade-long efforts
start to bear fruit in the area of
infrastructure development, especially
in Ahmedabad, the commercial capital
of the state. In recent times, the city
has become the symbol of the state’s
progress story.
The uninterrupted electricity and
water supply, the wider roads and the
Ever since the new government’s
announcement of its intent to build a
hundred smart cities in India, the nation
has been abuzz with definitions of, fund
allocations for, and city identification of
such development. With good reason
too, since the implementation of such
ambitions would ultimately result in
national wealth creation — to help our
cities become sustainable and livable
urban centres of growth.
Turning to the key steps needed
to create one, a careful study of
sustainable cities around the globe –
from Copenhagen, Curitiba and Cape
Town to San Francisco, Sydney and
Singapore – would reveal the following
points that are common to all:
Smart governance at the municipal
level
Holistic urban planning approach
for economic, social and environment
sustainability
Smart policies being more effective
in early development stages over
investment quantum
Citizen involvement
Smart technology
Integrating green initiatives with
human development focus
Addressing challenges of informal
urban settlements
Satellite towns
Although a specific timeline and
implementation process plans are yet
funding avenues.
The opportunity of private sector
participation is being considered too,
along with a Special Purpose Vehicle
to execute the project. A first concept
note prepared by the MoUD has
estimated the project development
cost over 20 years to be around Rs
6.86 lakh crore, of which it proposes
cities over the past four quarters.
It is true that current market
sentiment has turned positive following
the country’s recent general elections,
but physical indicators have played
a vital role too. The employment
opportunities generated by the
industrial/manufacturing segment have
contributed most to the evolvement of
real estate activity in recent times.
With improved infrastructural
facilities, many new manufacturers
of automobiles, engineering and
inst ruments have establ ished
themselves in the city and existing
industries have been expanding their
plants, especially on the outskirts of
Ahmedabad in Sanand and Changodar.
To support the manufacturing hubs,
logistics activity has also been growing
fast.
Newly generated employment has
looked at organized real estate to
fulfil its housing needs as prominent
developers have been offering small
ticket size affordable dwellings in the
outskirts of the city.
Another growth driver relates to the
fact that Gujarat is part of the Delhi
Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC),
which is an ambitious project aimed
at developing industrial zones.
to earn Rs 39,000 crore from a slew of
‘Green’ taxes.
To encourage the development
of smart cities, moreover, the
requirement of the built-up area and
capital conditions for Foreign Direct
Investment has also been reduced
from 50,000 sq m to 20,000 sq m
and from $10 million to $5 million,
respectively, according to Budget
2014–2015 announcements in July
2014.
The government for its part may
deliver on the infrastructure front, but in
the final count it is the city — complete
with metropolitan administrative
agencies and citizen bodies — that
needs to initiate as well as sustain such
‘smart’ development.
Whether it is the use of smart mass
transit systems and Green construction
technology, the extent of water usage
and energy consumption, the city’s air
quality, its carbon footprint, or quality of
life — citizens like us have to engage
with municipal authorities to make
our cities Green, economically and
ecologically sustainable, and livable.
Chennai–Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
region),
Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, the
Greenfield Gujarat International
Finance Tec-city (GIFT) and Guwahati
in Assam —apart from other ‘industrial
smart cities in seven states of India’
(presumably along the Amritsar–
Kolkata Industrial Corridor region).
The Ministry of Urban Development
(MoUD), the Government of India, is
expected to come out with a document
soon to announce the names of
existing cities (mostly those with an
urban population ranging between 1-4
million, and a city each from the seven
sisters in the north-east) that it plans to
convert into ‘smarter versions’.
Cities with an approved Master
Plan, or those with a minimum 5,000
acres of available land for economic
and housing needs are likely to be
considered by the ministry. Now it
remains to be seen whether these key
steps (mentioned earlier) for creating
a smart city will be adhered to by the
MoUD in India.
Funding avenues
In terms of funding, the Centre has
allocated Rs 7,060 crore for initiating
smart city development for the current
fiscal. Meanwhile, options such as
infrastructure bonds, public–private
partnerships, and the municipal bond
market are also being considered for
Anshuman
Magazine
CMD, CBRE South
Asia Pvt Ltd
Ahmedabad Bengaluru Chennai Delhi Hyderabad Kolkata Mumbai Pune
Location is everything in real estate
-- and never more so than in Pune,
which is among India’s most exciting
and active housing markets. Pune
has not only emerged as a IT-driven
hotbed but also a powerhouse of
manufacturing activity, even as the
excellent education and healthcare
institutes in the city consolidate its
reputation as the most preferred ‘City
to Live in’.
Naturally, Pune’s real estate market
is in a boom phase which shows no
signs of slowing down. The challenge
for property investors who want to
make their fortunes in this city lies in
finding the right locations among the
confusing array of options.
The areas that have seen the
highest appreciation in previous years
(such as Kalyaninagar, Vimannagar,
Kharadi , Koregaon Par k and
Magarpatta) are by now either over-priced,
almost saturated or both. Price
appreciation has slowed down in these
locations after peaking out at very high
levels, making them unaffordable to
mid-income home buyers and retail
investors alike. The time has once
again come to widen the search net
for areas which are still at the cusp of
their growth trajectory.
Investment hotspots
Luckily, Pune is a growing city that
delivers new investment hotspots with
remarkable regularity. With IT / ITeS
and manufacturing still remaining the
key drivers for property investment
success in Pune, investors now need
to identify locations that benefit from
both while still being on the first lap of
their growth cycle. Two of these areas
are Dhanori and Charoli.
Dhanori in East Pune began its rise
to prominence only a few years back.
Apart from its proximity to the large
industries and IT/ITeS firms located
Yerwada, Vishrantwadi, Kalyani Nagar
and Kharadi, it also had the advantage
of being close to Pune Airport and
having sufficient availability of land.
By now, the area is already in a fairly
advanced stage of development.
Despite the fact that Dhanori enjoys
good connectivity and access to the
necessities of modern life, the entry
points for property investment still
remain attractive. Dhanori still has
good availability of options in the
mid- homes bracket, and demand is
predominantly driven by end-users.
Dhanori’s growth will also be helped
by the coming of Pune’s much-awaited
Ring Road, from which it stands to
benefit directly.
Charoli in the Northern part of
Pune is another location that has been
attracting investor interest for various
reasons. Firstly, it is located a mere
6 kilometres from Pune Airport. In
previous years, before its emergence
as economic microcosm in its own
right, proximity to the airport was the
most important trigger for the real
estate boom on Nagar Road. Like
Dhanori, Charoli benefited from being
close to this key transport hub, which
plays an important role in keeping the
gears of almost every industry in Pune -
Information Technology, manufacturing,
retail and healthcare - well oiled.
Also, Pune Airport is a massive
employment generator in its own right.
Charoli is seeing an upsurge
in property demand because it is
advantageously located along the
planned 170-kilometre Ring Road
around Pune and Pimpri Chinchwad.
The connectivity that this road will
provide to inter-connectivity to various
workplace and logistics hubs will
ensure that real estate growth in
Charoli will be considerable over the
next few years. The arrival of a massive
400+ acre township in this key location
is also serving as a big profile boost
to Charoli.
Arvind Jain
Managing Director,
Pride Group
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EQUIPMENT October 06-12, 2014 9
Zoomlion ElectroMech supplies
flat top tower cranes to NCC
CASE announces
new dealership for S K’taka
CASE Construction Equipment
announced the opening of its new
dealership Afro Asia Equipments for
south Karnataka, which will market
its earthmoving, construction, and
material handling equipment.
The dealership was inaugurated
by Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for
Agriculture, Government of Karnataka,
during a ceremony at Afro Asia’s
Corporate Office in Bengaluru.
Afro Asia Equipments Private
Limited is part of MB Group, which
is also a dealer for CNH Industrial in
other countries.
“MB Group has been successfully
d i s t r i b u t i n g CNH I n d u s t r i a l
Construction products in South Africa
and has now embarked upon further
enhancing our association with their
entry in India for the distribution of
CASE Construction Equipment range
in the territory of South Karnataka. The
new dealership builds on the strong
relationship that exists between CNH
Industrial and MB Group, and aims to
support a sustainable development
of the earthmoving sector in the
state,” said Piero Arrivabeni, CNH
Industrial Brand Leader Construction
Equipment, APAC Region.
With many development projects
in the pipeline for the infrastructure
sector, south Karnataka offers
excellent scope for earthmoving and
construction equipment. Considering
the large base of existing CASE
customers combined with the demand
for new equipment arising from these
works, Afro Asia is ideally positioned
to increase the value proposition to
existing and new customers.
Speaking on the occasion, Abhijit
Gupta, Managing Director CASE
India, said, “With the appointment
of Afro Asia, CASE brings a ‘One
Stop Solution’ to South Karnataka
customers. Buying construction
equipment today involves big
money, and top notch servicing
by a professional hand and timely
availability of parts are a must. Afro
Asia will be close to customers in
South Karnataka to provide them with
professional sales and after sales
support.”
Afro Asia will sell and support
CASE backhoe loaders, vibratory
compactors, skid steer loaders and
other construction equipment from
the brand’s wide product offering.
Their territory will cover Bengaluru,
Kolar, Mysore, Mandya, Tumkur,
Chamarajanagar, Shimoga, Udupi,
Dakshina, Kannada, Kodagu,
Hassan, Chikmagalur, Ramnagara
and Chikballapur districts.
“CASE is an established brand,
holds the market leadership in
Vibratory Compactors and is a
strong player in Backhoe Loaders in
India. With our dedicated Sales and
Service team covering the entire South
Karnataka territory, we aim to maximize
uptime of machines with enhanced
parts availability and timely service
support, improving our customers’
profitability. We aim to become a true
partner to their Business, meeting all
their needs,” said T A Mugundam,
Managing Director, Afro Asia India
operations, at the event.
“In a short time we have established
branches in critical points in South
Karnataka viz. Bengaluru, Mysore
and Mangalore from which we are
covering other districts. With this
network in place, we are geared up
to offer timely, quality solutions to our
customers,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by a
wide gathering of people associated
with the construction industry and
key CASE customers. Following the
inauguration, representatives from
CASE and Afro Asia handed over keys
to 25 customers who bought the new
fuel efficient CASE 770 EX Backhoe
loaders and company’s vibratory
compactors.
CASE is recognized around the
world as a leading backhoe loader
manufacturer with over 600,000 units
sold. In India, it is a major player in
this segment leveraging its expertise
and strong local manufacturing
capabilities.
Metso offers complete
fleet management,
automation systems
Remote monitoring of crushing
data from quarries is becoming a
crucial element in mobile crushing and
screening applications.
Metso, one of the leading providers
of process solutions, offers complete
fleet management and automation
systems, designed for all Lokotrack
range mobile applications.
The Metso Fleet Management
system consists of an IC process
control system, a satellite uplink and
a Metso DNA Report portal. It collects
and presents a daily overview of the
operating Lokotrack fleet including
effective operating hours, fuel
consumption, location of the units,
alarms and parameter changes.
Metso IC process control system,
a standard feature in all Lokotrack
crushing plants, collects crusher
data continuously. With the new fleet
management tool, this information is
being sent from Lokotrack uplink via
satellite daily to be used in internet
portal. The crushing data can be
accessed via internet.
“Without this system, collecting
operating hours and other data
manually is time consuming. There
are also delays before the numbers
are at your fingers and the data can be
inaccurate. Metso Fleet Management
provides daily operating data
automatically wherever you are, saving
time and enhancing the accuracy of
information,” comments Julius Mäkelä,
Project Manager at Metso Mining and
Construction.
“Maintenance, ordering the spares
and wears and re-fuelling can be
organized in a more effective way when
you know the exact fuel consumptions
and operating hours of individual units.
Here, the fleet management tool can
provide valuable assistance,” added
Mäkelä. Parameter changes have
direct effect on crushing and screening
process. Data and parameter changes
are collected by the Metso DNA Report
portal and data can be accessed
anywhere using internet.
In the Report portal, data can be
compared between the units, days or
weeks. Repeating alarms due to the
misuse of the unit cannot be hidden
anymore.
B e s i d e s a c t i v e p r o d u c t
development, Metso has continuously
developed new tools to ease customers
operations and make those more
profitable. In addition to the fleet
management, Metso launched last
year the ICr remote monitoring system
for Lokotrack plants, providing wireless
real time operating data and unit
control to the excavator cabin for the
operator.
T h e ICr s y s t em impr o v e s
working safety and comfort while
the operator can adjust all basic
crushing parameters without leaving
the excavator cabin, using a handy
colour display.
For complete mobi le plant
automation, a Metso DNA automation
system is available, featuring full
process controls for feeders, crushers,
conveyors, screens and hoppers. The
system controls material feed rate,
re-circulation and crusher loads, for
example.
Target values for automatic controls
are given in a control room and they
are gathered as production recipes
that can be easily created, edited and
uploaded by operators. The Metso
DNA control cabin with its displays
provides real-time process information
and camera images.
The first Metso DNA’s for mobile
and portable crushing plants have
been already installed and are in
operation at North European crushing
contractors in demanding operation
environment. The feedback thus far
is very positive: plant automation
secures a continuous production of
high quality end products and makes
the operating environment safer and
more comfortable.
Ribbon cutting by Krishna Byre Gowda,
Minister for Agriculture, Govt of Karnataka and
Piero Arrivabeni, CNH Industrial Brand Leader
Construction Equipment, APAC Region at Afro
Asia’s Corporate Office in Bengaluru
Inaugural address by Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for Agriculture, Govt of Karnataka and from
left Abhijit Gupta, MD CASE India; Piero Arrivabeni, CNH Industrial Brand Leader Construction
Equipment, APAC Region on the dais
Zoomlion ElectroMech India Pvt
Ltd (ZEIPL), one of the leading tower
cranes manufacturers, supplied two
high-end flat-top tower cranes to
the Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna
Construction Company (NCC) for
construction of one of India’s largest
cooling towers at a coal-based
thermal power project at Nellore.
Both cranes have been delivered and
commissioned at the project site.
Two TCT7527-20 (Model Name)
cranes, the high-capacity flat-top
tower cranes from Zoomlion’s product
portfolio, have been installed at the
center of the project for the construction
of two 170m tall Natural Draught
Cooling Towers (NDCT). These NDCT
are being built to provide cooling to the
1320MW coal-based thermal power
project at Muthukur Mandal, in Nellore
district of Andhra Pradesh.
Zoomlion TCT7527-20 Tower Crane
offers heavy capacity lifting of 20t and
tip load of 2.7MT at the 75m jib end, or
3.2MT at the 70m jib end, which helps
in reducing downtime and improving
efficacy. The tower cranes have several
innovative features such as VFD
motion in all drives, provision of soft
anchoring (sling support), enhanced
drum capacity, localized 415V 50Hz
power connection, anemometer,
jib counter jib dismantling device
and double trolley automatic reeving
change system.
The cranes are especially finished
with a unique ‘heavy anti-corrosion
coating scheme’ developed by
Zoomlion to endure hostile conditions
at thermal power plant site. Additionally,
the crane can dismantled in one
section at a time, after the completion
of the project.
The innovative TCT7527-20 Flat-Top
Tower Cranes are specially designed
for cooling tower applications. The
biggest advantage they offer is that
once the cooling tower construction
has been completed, the crane can
self-dismantle one section at a time.
This is very important, considering
the fact that a 75m jib needs to be
dismantled, whereas the top opening
of the cooling tower in which the crane
will be standing is 78m in diameter.
Tushar Mehendale, Managing
Director, Zoomlion ElectroMech India
Pvt Ltd said, “Indian infrastructure
construction market has been
expressing great interest in heavy
capacity tower cranes of late with
renewed focus on infrastructure
development.
“Zoomlion ElectroMech is in ideal
position to cater to this potential
demand and our solutions are best-suited
for the infrastructure industry.
We are happy to partner with NCC
group, which is a name synonymous
with infrastructure development in the
state of Andhra Pradesh.”
capability along with spare stock of
consumables to guarantee crane
performance.”
To support NCC in this project,
ZEIPL has provided on-site training
along with a consumables spare stock
to guarantee crane performance and
develop customer specialty. The Indian
infrastructure construction market
is expressing great interest in heavy
capacity tower cranes.
With successful execution of the
Tower Crane for the NCC’s power
project, Zoomlion-ElectroMech has
made it amply clear that it offers an
excellent solution to the emerging
Indian infrastructure industry.
Further, M Madhu, Senior Manager
(PE), NCC said, “We choose our
vendors and suppliers on merit after
thorough scrutiny, and we are satisfied
with our preference for Zoomlion
ElectroMech on the back of their
professional service. We appreciate
that Zoomlion has also provided
on-site training to strengthen our

aelr aeestt October 06-12, 2014 10
Lotus Greens to build realty
projects in NCR
Real estate firm Lotus Greens
Developers will build four new projects
in the national capital region (NCR)
with expected sales of Rs 4,400 crore
over the next four years. Lotus Greens
was founded last year by Nirmal Singh,
one of the promoters of the realty firm.
It has acquired 925 acres in Delhi-NCR
for real estate projects.
Private equity firm Red Fort Capital
has invested Rs 365 crore in Lotus
Greens’ projects and plans to pump
in up to Rs 1,000 crore. It had infused
Rs 365 crore in form of unsecured non-convertible
debentures (NCDs).
“We are coming up with four
projects at one go in Gurgaon, Noida
and Yamuna Expressway comprising
over 5,000 apartments. These projects
are worth Rs 4,400 crore in terms of
sales value,” said Lotus Greens Vice
Chairman P Sahel.
The company would develop 300
plots and over 1,000 flats in Noida,
while another 3,200 flats would come
Narela could be the next major
housing hub in the capital with the DDA
focusing its resources on developing
over 20,000 flats here over the next 2-3
years. The Authority has listed more
than 6,500 flats of the total of 25,000
flats offered in its current scheme in
Narela. Now, in a presentation made to
the urban development minister, DDA
has offered to construct 25,522 flats.
One half of that number will come up
in Narela.
In a recent presentation made to
Urban Development Minister, Venkaiah
Naidu, the DDA listed 12 locations
where they plan to construct these
flats. Of them, 12,753 flats will be built
in Narela. 3,393 will be meant for the
economically weaker section or EWS
category, and there will also be 9,360
two- and three-bedroom flats.
Construction at some of these
locat ions has al ready begun.
The Pride Group has launched Pride
World City (PWC), a mega township at
Charoli, near Pune. Spread over 400
acres, it involves a total investment of
Rs 6,500 crore. “Charoli’s unmatched
environmental attributes prompted
us to create Pride World City here,”
said Arvind Jain, Managing Director,
up on Yamuna Expressway. Lotus
Greens would also construct a mixed
use project in Noida comprising 300
serviced apartments, a 5-start hotel
and 2.5 lakh sq ft office space. In
According to DDA Vice Chairperson
Balvinder Kumar, Narela will be the
best bet for flat aspirants in years to
come. “Most of the land elsewhere in
Delhi is already occupied. So we have
decided to put in all efforts to exploit
options in developing Narela.
Of the 6,500 flats offered in DDA’s
Pride Group. The city is divided into
14 sectors and will have 25 million sq
ft of built-up area of which 20 million
sq ft has been allocated for 20,000
residential units — 1-4 BHK ultra-modern
apartments in towers ranging
from 12-30 storeys, as well as marina-facing
bungalows.
Gurgaon, the company would develop
1,000 flats. Noida-based Lotus Greens
also has plans to develop hospitality,
healthcare and education projects,
said Sahel.
current housing scheme, most new
ones -- 6,422 -- have been offered
in Narela’s G2 and G8 sectors. From
the old inventory, there are 12 two-bedroom
flats, 41 one-bedroom flats,
89 expandable Type A flats, and 19
PWC’s first phase will be ready for
possession in two years’ time. “PWC
will generate employment for 15,000
people per year and will house 1.5
lakh people, 80,000 of whom will
be residents while the others will be
working professionals,” Jain said.
Next housing boom to
happen in Narela
Pride Group to launch township in Pune
Parsvnath sells
140 acres to Supertech
for `665 cr
New Yo r k ’ s Me t r o p o l i t a n
Transportation Authority (MTA) has
published a five-year, $32 billion
(£19.5 billion) capital programme,
which includes $5.5 billion (£3.3
billion) to expand the network.
T h e p r o p o s e d $ 3 2 b i l l i o n
programme is designed to renew,
enhance and expand the MTA
network, which moves 8.7 million
customers every day. “The MTA
network is $1 trillion asset, and it
needs constant investment so it can
serve everyone who relies on it now
and can grow to serve more people
in future,” said MTA Chairman CEO
Thomas Prendergast.
The largest element is a package
of safety and reliability projects
worth $22.2 billion to renew MTA’s
transportation network. The programme
also proposes investing $4.3 billion in
new technology, communications
systems and rail infrastructure.
The $5.5 billion for expansion
includes $1.5 billion to begin the next
phase of the Second Avenue Subway
from 96th Street to 125th Street, $2.8
billion to complete funding for the
East Side Access project to bring
the Long Island Rail Road into Grand
Central Terminal, and S$743 million
to begin the Penn Access project to
bring Metro-North New Haven Line
service into Penn Station and build
four new stations in the Bronx.
Centre to ease norms for
FDI in 100 smart cities
The Narendra Modi government
is set to substantially ease norms for
foreign investment in the construction
sector, hoping to drum up interest
in the Prime Minister’s plans for 100
smart cities as well his affordable
housing initiative.
The government is considering
the removal of all restrictions on size
and minimum capitalisation for smart
cities as well as affordable housing
projects. The proposal could be
moved for the Cabinet’s consideration
in early October. The new foreign direct
investment (FDI) regime may allow
developers to exit after completion of
the project or through approval of the
Foreign Investment Promotion Board
(FIPB) against the three-year lock-in
period currently imposed a condition
that has been a big deterrent to foreign
investment in the sector.
Developers will be exempt from
restrictions related to minimum
capitalisation and exits if they commit
30 per cent of the project cost to
affordable housing. “The thrust will
be on affordable housing and smart
cities. The proposal is that they be
exempted from the conditionality to
attract more foreign investment. There
is a need to channelize investments in
the affordable housing segment,” said
a government official.
The minimum built-up area has
been proposed to be cut to 20,000
sq mt from 50,000 sq mt while the
minimum capitalization requirement
will be halved to $5 million from $10
million. The sector attracted $1.2 billion
in FDI in 2013-14, down 8 per cent
from 2012-13.
Janta flats at various areas.
In the new project, THE DDA is
planning to take up construction
of 12,753 flats in Narela’s sectors
A1 through A4. This would take the
number of total flats coming up in
Narela alone in the next two to three
years close to 20,000.
30 Indian firms
showcase products at
Kuwait expo
An India pavilion had been set
up at the international construction
technology exhibition in Kuwait
where 30 leading Indian companies
showcased their products and
expertise.
The exclusive ‘India Pavilion’ at the
International Construction Technology
Building Materials Trade Exhibition,
held from September 22-24, had
been placed at the ‘The Big 5 Kuwait’
section by the Confederation of
Indian Industry, with support of the
Ministry of Commerce Industry.
The Indian Ambassador to
Kuwait Sunil Jain inaugurated the
‘India Pavilion’ at the Mishref Fair
Ground. The 30 leading companies,
representing the India Pavilion,
displayed a wide range of products,
including building materials and
construction equipment; bathrooms,
kitchens and sanitaryware; marble,
ceramic and stone; decorative
products and facilities management
services, among others.
Lodha Group eyes
`9,000-cr revenue on
luxury houses
Riding high on growing demand
for its high-end luxury residential
offerings, city-based Lodha Group
is expecting nearly Rs 9,000 crore
revenues this fiscal. The company
launched ‘Lodha Estrella’, a 55-storey
tower designed by Kelly Hoppen for
Yoo at New Cuffe Parade in Wadala in
Mumbai area of northeastern fringe of
the megapolis, which will have 2- and
3-BHK apartments.
“We h a v e b e e n o f f e r i n g
international standard designs to
our customers in most of our projects
as they are expecting nothing less
than a truly world-class product.
Considering the growing demand
for our products, we expect to clock
at least Rs 9,000 crore in sales this
fiscal,” said Managing Director
Abhishek Lodha.
In August, Lodha along with
Donald Trump launched the ultra-luxury
75-storey Trump Tower, at
the Lodha Park in the central part of
the city at Worli. “We have already
launched two super luxury projects
-- Lodha Estrella and the Trump
Tower. We will be launching another
7-8 million sq ft and construct around
6,000 units this fiscal,” he said,
adding the development will be
funded by internal accruals. Last
November, the group made foray into
the overseas market by buying the
iconic Macdonald House of the High
Commission of Canada in central
London for Rs 3,000 crore.
Lodha further said the company will
also continue to scout for properties
in Mumbai and Pune. “We foresee
growth in Pune as it is emerging
as an IT and manufacturing hub.
Apart from this, many infrastructure
projects are also coming up in the
city making it an attractive destination
for real estate development,” added
Lodha.

Cir 40 (1) 2014

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