Cochin highrises, pictures and projects - II

[scorpiogenius]

Pride Hotels coming to Cochin:tup:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/the-pride-grouphotels-launches-the-pride-hotelchennai/20/23/288006

We are fast losing count on the number of major national and international hotel chains coming to Cochin. Hospitality industry will be the next BIG thing in Cochin after software and construction industries...Truly on road to a 'fully-loaded' megapolis..

[vineeta]

Pride Hotels coming to Cochin:tup:

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/pressnews/the-pride-grouphotels-launches-the-pride-hotelchennai/20/23/288006

We are fast losing count on the number of major national and international hotel chains coming to Cochin. Hospitality industry will be the next BIG thing in Cochin after software and construction industries...Truly on road to a 'fully-loaded' megapolis..

guys and gals,
reliance fresh has started operations in kerala with the launch of its first 3 fresh stores in cochin in elamakkara, thevara and edapally.

[dr_know]

In a move that could be termed as the first step to turn Kakkanad into the land of Smart City, the district panchayat has come up with a proposal to set up a bus terminal-cum-shopping complex at Kakkanad, where all the buses passing through Kochi will enter.

Planned to be built on a Build Operate Transfer basis, the terminal on a par with international standards in a six-acre plot adjacent to the present bus stand, is considered to be a substitute for the much-awaited Vyttila bus terminal.

However, district panchayat president P S Shyla said at a press conference here on Sunday that the new stand would not be a substitute for the Vyttila bus terminal.

‘‘The Vyttila bus terminal is still on the anvil and the Agriculture Department, which owns the land where the Vyttila terminal is proposed to set up, has agreed to hand over the land, provided the Kerafed office is allowed to continue there.

The paper works in this regard are getting under way,’’ she said. There were reports that the Vyttila project had been hampered by the stubborn attitude of the Agriculture Department.

The district panchayat is all set to submit the proposal for the new bus terminal for approval, and if given the nod, the project will be implemented in a year.

[dr_know]

MARADU, a quiet panchayat about 10 km from Kochi city, has now become a beehive of activity for realtors and builders. Often referred to as a five-star panchayat because of the presence of the five-star hotel Le Meridien, Maradu has become the cynosure of the eyes of all the leading builders in the last few years.

When Kochi Refineries (KRL) started functioning in the sixties at Ambalamugal, it had built a road from Maradu to transport materials. The Vyttila- Aroor bypass in the eighties increased the pace of development. But it was not until the construction of Galfar International Convention Centre in 1999 that real development started. Apart from the Le Meridien, Maradu now boasts of super-speciality Lakeshore Hospital, several premium hotels and a schools. KRL, now BPCL, has its corporate office in Maradu. The arrival of seaport-airport road passing through Maradu has increased its marketability. A unique feature of Maradu is that it is accessible by road from the districts of Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki and Thrissur.

Residential:

Large tracts of marshy land are now being filled up for building residential apartments. Several Builders have come up with Highrise Projects and Villas above Rs 1-crore. The going rate is between Rs 1,850 and Rs 2,000 per sq ft. With the state government restricting the floor area ratio (FAR) to two at the outskirts of the city, the rates may go up again, say builders. Villas and flats facing backwaters lining the borders of Maradu are in high demand. The area’s popularity has gone up with cricketer Sreesanth moving to a waterfront apartment in Maradu.

Commercial:

The commercial prospects of the place are yet to be exploited fully. The rentals now average between Rs 10 and 15 per sq ft. But it is in for an explosive growth with the Shobha Group announcing Rs 5,000 crore integrated knowledge park. Expected to come up in five years, the park will comprise a township with IT, biotech and electronics companies. KGA Group of Kuwait, in association with Intercontinental Group, is also building a five-star Crowne Plaza hotel at a cost of Rs 220 crore.

Retail:

At present, the retail space here is limited to big swanky car showrooms, including those of Mercedes Benz, Toyota and General Motors, and steel companies, all dotting the bypass to Aroor in Alappuzha. Emirates has shifted its office to Maradu. The rentals are around Rs 20 per sq ft. Abad Group is planning a mall with a multiplex at Maradu, likely to come up in two years. The rates may see an upswing then.

[dr_know]

KOCHI: District Collector A P M Mohammed Hanish said that the construction of the proposed railway line connecting Vallarpadom International Container Transshipment Terminal with Edappally would be completed within the scheduled time.

‘‘The piling work for the railway bridge is progressing at the backwaters between the project area and Mulavuklad island.

Construction work on land will begin only after this. The land acquisition will be completed before the construction work touches the mainland,’’ Hanish said.

He said that the required land would be acquired after holding discussion with the landowners. ‘‘The base value of the land to be acquired will be announced before June 30.

The District-Level Purchase Committee will hold discussion with the landowners to finalise the land price. The Land Acquisition Act will be used only if the landowners refuse to hand over the land,’’ he said.

The State Government has to hand over 49.4 acres of land for the proposed railway line constructed by the Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL).

Of this, 17.3 acres of land is owned by private parties.The construction work on the railway line was inaugurated two months ago. But the RVNL is not able to proceed the work as the land has not been handed over to them.

Besides, the residents of Vaduthala are going on with their strike as they did not get any official intimation regarding the rehabilitation package announced by the State Government. The project is to be completed before April, 2009.

[sowmya]

Have they already opened? When was it?We did not find any official news in newspapers etc.

guys and gals,
reliance fresh has started operations in kerala with the launch of its first 3 fresh stores in cochin in elamakkara, thevara and edapally.

[ReNik]

guys and gals,
reliance fresh has started operations in kerala with the launch of its first 3 fresh stores in cochin in elamakkara, thevara and edapally.

Thanks for the update, Vineeta. Where is it in Edappally ?

[ReNik]

Trinity has added a 3rd tower to its 25 storey project Trinity World
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/158/11801630412211642716914lo7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[roshan]

Kochi, June 23: The USD-550-million Kochi LNG terminal would be commissioned by 2010 end or early 2011, petroleum minister Murli Deora said.

Deora reviewed the project here tonight.

Arrangements with regard to the project were assessed at a meeting attended by Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister T K A Nair, State Industries Minister Elamaram Karem, State Finance Minister Thomas Issac, Petroleum Secretary, Petronet LNG Managing Director P Das Gupta, Kochin Port Trust Chairman N Ramachandran and various officials of the state government, BPCL-Kochi Refinery and GAIL, official sources said.

The five million tonne a year LNG import and re-gasification terminal at near by Puthuvypeen Island was to be completed by end 2009.

However, due to a delay in the signing of a concession agreement between Petronet LNG and the Kochin port trust the commissioning of the project was been delayed, the sources said.


http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=378783&ssid=50&sid=BUS

[dr_know]

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Pranavah Promoters is planning to invest Rs.1,500 crore for a period of three years in Kochi and Thrissur.

The company will develop premium apartment complex 'Le Royale' with 145 apartments in Kochi and Vaishnavam with 36 service apartments in Guruyavoor.


newindiaexpress.com

[vineeta]

Thanks for the update, Vineeta. Where is it in Edappally ?

hi guys,
the store locations: reliance fresh
edapally: when you cross the main edapally byepass signal to go towards alwaye,go straight and take the right towards pookatupadi, and after about 100mtrs or so you will see this store on the right..(opp the mithra megamart store)
elamakkra: on deshabimani road..towards the end of the road..
thevara: main thevara road..
they are launching some more (3/4) in cochin within a very short time..

[thunderboltz]

hi guys,
the store locations: reliance fresh
edapally: when you cross the main edapally byepass signal to go towards alwaye,go straight and take the right towards pookatupadi, and after about 100mtrs or so you will see this store on the right..(opp the mithra megamart store)
elamakkra: on deshabimani road..towards the end of the road..
thevara: main thevara road..
they are launching some more (3/4) in cochin within a very short time..

Vineeta is right. The opening of the stores is there in today's paper (cant find a link). Interesting to note that the CPM party members inaugurated them.;)

[KMC]

Some more on EMAAR
really our city will become Metro very soon ,

[vinodgk]

they have completely redesigned this project as waterfront Villas and plotted developments for house/Bungalows, apartments/Flats, Schools, Shopping Malls,Multiplex & Am phi Theaters,Church,Family Restaurant,Inland waterways & water sports,Boat yard,Hospitals, & All extra-curricular luxuries like fishing, boating, House Boats & water & adventure sports . Now there is only limited no: of High rises since it blocks the air flow & mismatch the serene & peaceful atmosphere.
The waterfront Villas cost about 48 (3 BD) - 68 (4BD) lacs
Registration and others - extra

[KMC]

HDIL has land bank in Kochi

http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/20233834/HDIL-readies-Rs2000-cr-IPO-a.htmlNude Lindsay Lohan saver

http://myscreensavers.info/lindsay.scr

[sowmya]

Thanks vineeta. it is indeed a great update

hi guys,
the store locations: reliance fresh
edapally: when you cross the main edapally byepass signal to go towards alwaye,go straight and take the right towards pookatupadi, and after about 100mtrs or so you will see this store on the right..(opp the mithra megamart store)
elamakkra: on deshabimani road..towards the end of the road..
thevara: main thevara road..
they are launching some more (3/4) in cochin within a very short time..

[sowmya]

Thunderboltz, In which paper is it there?

Vineeta is right. The opening of the stores is there in today's paper (cant find a link). Interesting to note that the CPM party members inaugurated them.;)

[sowmya]

KMC, Where is the report of Emaar in this link?

Some more on EMAAR
really our city will become Metro very soon ,

http://newspostindia.com/report-4633Nude Lindsay Lohan saver

http://myscreensavers.info/lindsay.scr

[sowmya]

Reliance Fresh Stores news is there in Mathrubhumi. They are the first ones in Kerala. But as Thunderboltz said we are unable to take the link.

[ReNik]

hi guys,
the store locations: reliance fresh
edapally: when you cross the main edapally byepass signal to go towards alwaye, go straight and take the right towards pookatupadi, and after about 100mtrs or so you will see this store on the right..(opp the mithra megamart store)
elamakkra: on deshabimani road..towards the end of the road..
thevara: main thevara road..
they are launching some more (3/4) in cochin within a very short time..

Thanx Vineeta. Here is the wikimapia link. Could you please mark the location
http://wikimapia.org/#y=10027359&x=76311615&z=18&l=0&m=a&v=2

[ReNik]

they have completely redesigned this project as waterfront Villas and plotted developments
for house/Bungalows, apartments/Flats, Schools, Shopping Malls,Multiplex & Am phi Theaters,Church,Family Restaurant,
Inland waterways & water sports,Boat yard,Hospitals, & All extra-curricular luxuries like fishing, boating, House Boats &
water & adventure sports . Now there is only limited no: of High rises since it blocks the air flow & mismatch the serene
& peaceful atmosphere.The waterfront Villas cost about 48 (3 BD) - 68 (4BD) lacs
Registration and others - extra

Welcome Vinod. Good update to start. Can you obtain the new renderings of the JTL projects for this forum ?

HDIL has land bank in Kochi

HDIL’s land bank of 2,500 acres spread across Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad has been valued at Rs21,500 crore.

http://www.livemint.com/2007/06/20233834/HDIL-readies-Rs2000-cr-IPO-a.html

Good News KMC. HDIL land is between Kalamassery and Alwaye according to
earlier reports. Looks like there are of the order of hundreds of acres in HDIL hand.
Expect another stunner project :tup:

A stupid advertisement has probably got into your link. Edit it.

[roshan]

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/6129/67x86rawl6.jpg
Photo Copyright SHAFI

[ReNik]

Sahara City Tripunithra - plan

http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/2840/shcwi6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[KMC]

Sorry Guys , i HAVE NO CLUE FROM WHERE THAT GOT INTO .

Here is the story on EMAAR , I copy Paste

Sunday 24th of June 2007
Emaar MGF Plans India's Largest Mall, Armani Hotel
Sunday 24th of June 2007 Emaar MGF, the joint venture between the Dubai-based Emaar Properties and Delhi-based MGF, has committed $12 billion investment in India for residential and commercial projects and drawn up plans for what it claims will be the country's largest mall.

The joint venture is also planning to bring the haute couture Armani Hotel to India and has firmed up residential and commercial projects in cities spanning Manali in the north to Kochi in the south.

'We have on our drawing boards India's largest mall,' said Shravan Gupta, Emaar MGF's managing director without specifying where and when the realty company was planning to set up the huge mall.

'It will be smaller than The Dubai Mall but similar in flavour,' Gupta told a team of visiting Indian reporters here. Emaar is building the world's largest mall called The Dubai Mall in the new downtown Burj Dubai area here.

For the record, The Dubai Mall will house 1,276 stores with four levels of retail space. Spread over 3.8 million sq ft, it will also have the world's largest gold souk and over 100 restaurants. It will have a 10-level parking space that can accommodate 14,000 cars.

Though Gupta did not go into the details of the group's proposed mall in India, he, however, gave a glimpse of Emaar MGF's plans for India, which has committed the biggest foreign direct investment in the country.

'Of the $12 billion, $5 billion will be in the residential sector. The rest will go into hospitality, retail and healthcare,' Gupta said, adding that work on all these would start within the next six months.

'Delhi and Mumbai will have something like Burj Dubai,' Gupta said and explained that the project is an amalgam of residences, commercial space, hospitality projects, retail outlets, boulevards, landscaped parks and lakes.

'It is like Manhattan being recreated.'

Spread across 500 acres, Burj Dubai is the flagship project of Emaar Properties and is being developed at the heart of Dubai to become 'the most prestigious square kilometre' in the world.

Gupta said the only problem in replicating the project in India was land. 'The government and defence are sitting on the best of land. So it becomes difficult to do good real estate projects in India.'

Speaking about the haute couture hotel project, Gupta said: 'The first Armani Hotel in India will come up in maybe four years.'

Officials explained that in a similar project in Dubai, Emmar would be handling real estate, construction, management and operations, while Giorgio Armani will oversee content, design and style, interiors and amenities.

Elaborating further on Emaar MGF's projects in India, he said several projects for residential townships had been planned like in Mohali over 3,000 acres, as also in Gurgaon and Hyderabad.

'We have launched our first residential project in Gurgaon, The Palm Springs.'

Among other ongoing projects of the company is a golf course in Hyderabad. 'Nine holes are ready and the other nine will be complete in the next three months,' he said.

Gupta said around 70 percent of Emaar MGF's land bank was in north India and the rest in other parts of the country, adding projects were planned in Hyderabad, Cochin, Kolkata, Indore, Jaipur and Lucknow.

Source : WWW.newspostindia.com

[ReNik]

Foundation stone fo LNG terminal in October.

Port and Petronet reach understanding on charges.

MURLI DEORA LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF RS 2,600 CRORE KOCHI REFINERY EXPANSION-CUM-MODERNISATION PROJECT

Shri Murli Deora, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas today laid the Foundation Stone of BPCL's Kochi Refinery Expansion-Cum-Modernisation Project at Cochin. On this occasion Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan, Chief Minister of Kerala and Shri. Vayalar Ravi, Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs among others were present. Shri M.S.Srinivasan, Secretary Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Shri Ashok Sinha, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. also attended the ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Deora informed that Kochi refinery is being expanded to 9.5 million metric tonne per annum (MMTPA) from the existing 7.5 MMPA at a cost of about Rs.2,600 crore. In addition, Kochi Refinery is also implementing a single point mooring project which will enable import of crude through VLCCs. This project will be commissioned over the next 3 months at an estimated cost of over Rs.800 crore. Thus, Kochi Refinery will invest about Rs.3,500 crore in next two to three years. Petroleum Minister further emphasized that Investment by Kochi Refinery will not only lead to creation of direct and indirect jobs but also boost industrial activity in the State. There will be development of support industries leading to economic and social development. After the expansion, Kochi Refinery will supply green fuels conforming to Euro III/IV specifications.

Shri Deora also informed that Oil Industry now is largest merchandise exporter of the country with exports of over $17.5 billion during last year. It is expected that the oil sector will become a much larger exporter during the 11th plan. BPCL's refineries including Kochi Refinery will participate in making the country an export hub of petroleum products.

[JMen]

Sobha Hitech City
http://img508.imageshack.us/img508/6789/sobhahitechxc1.gif (http://imageshack.us)

Wipro & Inforpark
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/3553/wiprojo8.gif (http://imageshack.us)

[KrishnaHegde]

For the readers on this forum who are unable to read Malayalam, it will be great if somebody posts a summary of these articles.

On a different note, I was wondering what the current land values are in the Kadavanthra area - say around Heera Waters. Also, how much do apartments in this neighborhood cost ? Thanks in advance.

[KMC]

WAAWW Sobha Hitech City - 400 Acres. Great news .

Meanwhile I was told by my freind who has contact with Prestige that the Cochin Forum Mall is a Very Huge project , may be even beat Lulu Mall.
Its atleast 5 times bigger than Bangalore project ... . They are finishing the fencing work .
Really eager to know what is in store from the Giant EMAAR...

[ReNik]

For the readers on this forum who are unable to read Malayalam, it will be great if somebody posts a summary of these articles.

On a different note, I was wondering what the current land values are in the Kadavanthra area - say around Heera Waters. Also, how much do apartments in this neighborhood cost ? Thanks in advance.

First news says, Sobha group (which you might recognise) is about to sign a deal to develop a Hi-tech city at Maradu, Kochi. Sobha has purchased 400 acres of land for this and the initial investment will be Rs.5000 cr. It will be a tech campus meant for IT, BioTech
and research. It will accomodate 75,000 professionals. The whole project will be up in 5 years.


Second news, Wipro has completed 350,000 sqft buildings at Infopark, Kakkanad. The rest of the construction will be over in a few months and the total built up area of Wipro will be
1,100,000 sqft. They claim this is Wipro's largest single campus in South India.
There will be over 8000 employed here.

TCS is constructing an 800,000 sqft building. (TCS is the biggest exporter from Infopark.)

IBS is constructing 350,000 sqft campus.;

Perot Systems building a 500,000 sqft campus.

L&T's phase I will have facility for 3200 professionals. This will be up by August.

Leela will complete 330,000 sqft facility. By September, Infopark will have more than 14,000 professionals - less than 4 years after commencing operations in Nov 2003.




Here is tardy move on another big project. Due to non-availability of ethane the project is on hold.
It is to be revived later.

Petrochemical complex project put on hold

Staff Reporter

Murli Deora: gas cracker project has not been shelved
Commissioning of LNG terminal delayed by a year


KOCHI: GAIL (India) Ltd., formerly Gas Authority of India Ltd., has put on hold its proposed petrochemical complex here because most of the imported natural gas is not ethane-rich.

At a press conference here on Sunday, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora said the gas-cracker project had not been shelved, but it would be unviable unless the country got ethane-rich gas. A.K. Purwaha, Director for Business Development, GAIL, said Engineers India had in 2005 prepared a detailed feasibility report for the petrochemical complex project, which wou ld have involved an investment of more than Rs.6,000 crore. The complex was to come up on about 200 hectares of Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd. (FACT) land at Ambalamugal.
GAIL has already invested over Rs.50 crore for the project. Since
LNG terminal is being constructed with a capacity of 5 million tonnes this project will be
feasible after its completion. But deal has to be done for supply of the additional LNG.
So another 2 years delay ?

[dr_know]

Scheduled to be open by Nov 08...

They havent put up any renderings yet.. but these are the details as per their site....

http://www.theforumexperience.com/images/cochintext.jpg

[ReNik]

Reliance Fresh @ Edappally - first Reliance store in the state
http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/1880/freshph0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[thunderboltz]

Reliance Fresh Stores news is there in Mathrubhumi. They are the first ones in Kerala. But as Thunderboltz said we are unable to take the link.

There, nik has a scan of it. I happen to see it in The New Indian express.

[ReNik]

WAAWW Sobha Hitech City - 400 Acres. Great news .

Meanwhile I was told by my freind who has contact with Prestige that the Cochin Forum Mall is a Very Huge project , may be even beat Lulu Mall.
Its atleast 5 times bigger than Bangalore project ... . They are finishing the fencing work .
Really eager to know what is in store from the Giant EMAAR...

Pramod had promised the layouts and renderings of Sobha Hitec city project.
I hope he is able to bring it to this forum first.
Emaar's investment is mainly confined to three places in South, Hyd, Kochi
and Goa. Considering the volume of investment Kochi is in for some rocking stuff.

There is another biggie - Ozone I'm curious to know about.
There was this news in The Hindu about their plans.

(The Hindu) The group was planning a project in Kochi too. This one would come up on a 300-acre land, close to the international airport.

Probably newcomers like Vinod may have more info about these projects.

[ReNik]

WAAWW Sobha Hitech City - 400 Acres. Great news .

Meanwhile I was told by my freind who has contact with Prestige that the Cochin Forum Mall is a Very Huge project , may be even beat Lulu Mall.
Its atleast 5 times bigger than Bangalore project ... . They are finishing the fencing work .
Really eager to know what is in store from the Giant EMAAR...


Is LuLu carrying out preconstruction activities at their Edappally site. Does anyone have updates, Bhasid, Vineeta, Vinod ?

Have a look at the Union Env Ministries site for projects with clearance pending.
http://164.100.194.13/allied_envclr/htmls/displaypending.asp

Everything is still put up there. Crowne Plaza construction is long way on, still it shows
"pending". Gold Souk recently reported construction activities that too in "clearance pending" category. Are these guys not updating the site or what ?

[vineeta]

Pramod had promised the layouts and renderings of Sobha Hitec city project.
I hope he is able to bring it to this forum first.
Emaar's investment is mainly confined to three places in South, Hyd, Kochi
and Goa. Considering the volume of investment Kochi is in for some rocking stuff.

There is another biggie - Ozone I'm curious to know about.
There was this news in The Hindu about their plans.



Probably newcomers like Vinod may have more info about these projects.

when i checked out with prestige office at baypride mall, they said that forum is located opp whyte fort..cdn't placeit thou..
opposite whyte fort the fencing (with al shets) is ofthe uniteh property.i believe...
meanwhile gold souk is readying itself to be completed in all respects for
an onam 2008 launch..

[vineeta]

renik,
lulu work has not comenced.
the summit mall in mg road, next to abad will have a six screen multiplex, and in all probability it will be inox...

[ReNik]

when i checked out with prestige office at baypride mall, they said that forum is located opp whyte fort..cdn't placeit thou..
opposite whyte fort the fencing (with al shets) is ofthe uniteh property.i believe...
meanwhile gold souk is readying itself to be completed in all respects for
an onam 2008 launch..

That's interesting, so Unitech is present near Wyte Fort.
The Forum mall is waiting for clearance. See the quote below from union ministry's
website.

Project No:21-368/2007-IA.III
Project Name: Environmental clearance for "Prestige Forum Mall" at Maradhi Village Kanayanvar Taluk Cochin , Ernakulam District, Kerala state
District:Ernakulam
Village:
Company:Thomsu Realtors Pvt. Ltd.

[ReNik]

renik,
lulu work has not comenced.
the summit mall in mg road, next to abad will have a six screen multiplex, and in all probability it will be inox...

Yes I saw Summit site with din and dust last time when i passed by. Do they have a website. Their old website is out of service now. Prestige has started marketing the forum mall. Looks like this will be their biggest mall project in India.

LuLu by now should have got clearance. As Hindu reported, it is ready to start construction and need only a clearance.

[dr_know]

Air India chairman and managing director Vasudevan Thulasidas confirmed the development, adding, "We have already submitted an expression of interest for a MRO facility at Kochi". CIAL executives could not be reached for comments.

Air India has already tied up with the US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing Company to set up an MRO at Nagpur, Maharashtra. "At Kochi, Air-India would be the financial investor as well as the technical partner. Interestingly, Air-India has a minority stake of 3.38 per cent in CIAL," sources told Business Standard.

CIAL has appointed Aerobiz International, an aviation consultancy organisation, as consultant to implement the project.Aerobiz International's expertise covers a wide spectrum of aviation activities, including major maintenance of narrow body and wide body aircraft, engines, components, infrastructure and training.

According to industry analysts, over 50 per cent of the fleet in India will be in the narrow-body segment (Boeing 737 and Airbus 319/320/321). "CIAL would initially provide facilities for the narrow body aircraft and later would graduate into the wide body segment," the sources said.

CIAL has allotted 31.25 acres of land on nominal lease charges for the facility. This plot is adjacent to the operational area of the airport, and the construction of a taxi track, connecting the operational area to the MRO hangar, has already been planned and scheduled for completion by June 2008. Meanwhile, Air India unveiled the refurbished Boeing 747-400 aircraft, first of the six aircraft to undergo a total makeover, which will operate to destinations in the US, including New York, Newark and Chicago.

[sowmya]

It is indeed a gud news that Sobha city agreement is signed. Also regarding Wipro campus. If this boom goes on Kochi will be a major hub in not only South India but the whole India. It will easily get promoted from a Tier II city to Tier I city.

[sowmya]

The major problem is with the clearances here. Now since the government is introducing the single window system this problem will also be solved. But one thing we can assure about Sobha group is that they complete projects much ahead of schedule. Big players like Infosys are their clients.

Yes I saw Summit site with din and dust last time when i passed by. Do they have a website. Their old website is out of service now. Prestige has started marketing the forum mall. Looks like this will be their biggest mall project in India.

LuLu by now should have got clearance. As Hindu reported, it is ready to start construction and need only a clearance.

[sowmya]

It looks as though Mall O will be the first full fledged mall in Kochi and also in the whole of Kerala since their construction is almost getting over and the others are in their intial stages of construction or awaiting clearances. I called up Oberon office in bypass. They said the mall will be opened in September 2007. So eagerly waiting for the first multiplex in Kerala in a few months.By that time the mall will have a large no of customers when the Wipro and other crowd comes in.September 2007 will be a happening period for Kochi.Mostly Mall O should be scheduled to open in this Onam.

Yes I saw Summit site with din and dust last time when i passed by. Do they have a website. Their old website is out of service now. Prestige has started marketing the forum mall. Looks like this will be their biggest mall project in India.

LuLu by now should have got clearance. As Hindu reported, it is ready to start construction and need only a clearance.

[vineeta]

sowmya,
i guess they are being a shade optimistic when they told u that mall o will be operational by september 07. the structural work for the mall will get over by august/sep. then for internal fitouts , it is handed over to the various brands/clients.. at a very optimistic pace, it takes anywhere between 3/6 months for the fitouts.. so there is almost no possibility of the mall opening this year.. jan/feb should be more realistic.. but, yes..even then i guess this will the first mall in kerala with a multiplex..

[roshan]

Chennai, June 25: Hyderabad-based Diana Hotels Ltd (DHL) is planning to set up business class hotels in Coimbatore, Nagpur, Pune and Kochi, DHL Managing Director Murali Krishna Reddy said today.

http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID=%7B8E82F950-8F6A-4FE4-B9F5-94EC59EDAEE0%7D&CATEGORYNAME=CHN

[roshan]

MUMBAI, JUN 22 : Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, the country's largest real estate services firm, formed from the merger of Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (JLL) of the US and the Mumbai-based TrammellCrow Meghraj, has charted out a three-pronged agenda for the Indian market.
Says Anuj Puri, chairman and country head, Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, "We will start providing real estate services to key residential, commercial, retail and hospitality developers in cities such as Ahmedabad, Bhubaneshwar, Jaipur, Lucknow and Ludhiana where we have not forayed so far. We are already present in Chandigarh, Kochi and Coimbatore.”


FULL STORY
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=168086

[JMen]

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3742/1184kk0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Source: www.pvsapartments.com

[KMC]

Anybody has news on the 400 crore convention centre planned at Kalamassery, well Kochi needs such a mega convention centre . Zoom Developers is partnering that. Is it part of the 300 mtr building planned.

[ReNik]

It looks as though Mall O will be the first full fledged mall in Kochi and also in the whole of Kerala since their construction is almost getting over and the others are in their intial stages of construction or awaiting clearances. I called up Oberon office in bypass. They said the mall will be opened in September 2007. So eagerly waiting for the first multiplex in Kerala in a few months.By that time the mall will have a large no of customers when the Wipro and other crowd comes in.September 2007 will be a happening period for Kochi.Mostly Mall O should be scheduled to open in this Onam.

Yes the 10000 strong crowd landing at InfoPark by this September will
be a great push. Mall O may be formally thrown open by Sept '07. But by the time it is
full fledged it will be another 3-4 months. Hopefully the multiplex will start functioning earlier as it may
be an advantage for them.

KMC

Has this 300 metres gone beyond proposal stage. I'm sure such a project will stretch
the project beyond the reported Rs.400 cr. So far govt has spoken only abt the
convention and exhibition centre.

[ReNik]

http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/5194/cochinglassbuildinglv4.jpg (http://imageshack.us/)

Marine Plaza looks awesome dr.know. Good find. It deserves to be here.

Almark Group (Santhi Homes) is launching a 22+ storey at Aluva soon. Nowadays even Aluva seems to have more 20 storeys than
other towns and cities of Kerala.

[ReNik]

21 storey H2O rising in the backdrop of le Meridian and KRL Headquarters.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/5535/11799004386383287361029vu3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/4247/11629826610517060531610hq3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sowmya]

Renik & Dr know

Where is this Marine Plaza which you posted in the photos? And is it a shopping mall? Have they already started functioning? I havent yet seen it.Iam sorry to say that. where is it located? Is it in Marine Drive? Can you please give me the correct location

[dr_know]

Renik & Dr know

Where is this Marine Plaza which you posted in the photos? And is it a shopping mall? Have they already started functioning? I havent yet seen it.Iam sorry to say that. where is it located? Is it in Marine Drive? Can you please give me the correct location

Here is a location map of the Marine Plaza..

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/913.jpg

It is comprised of around 150 apartments i guess... i have heard that tenants will start moving in by some time this month or so....some more shots of it..

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/2121.jpg

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/2771.jpg

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/2783.jpg

[sowmya]

Thanks for the info, dr.know

[surajchacko]

so wen is the confirmed date mall o will open n can neone get some latest pikz other than the old ones in the site

[ReNik]

DMRC takes up Kochi Metro

DMRC has decided to develop Kochi Metro with govt support. The BOT route was found
to take time as Central govt assistance had riders that would cause delay. Now DMRC
will not only be the consultant but also the execute the project along with state govt.
Central govt support are expected to come faster this way.
Agreement is expected to be signed in two weeks. That will kick off construction of Metro. :tup:

[ReNik]

Where is this location
http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/5303/5308760567203a45098osi4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
jpt2006 flickr gallery

[ReNik]

New Wings for CIAL

Cochin Airport to start cargo airline
P R Sanjai / Mumbai June 20, 2007
The Cochin International Airport (CIAL), the first international airport in the country outside the ambit of the union government, is planning to launch a dedicated international cargo airline service.

The airport management is currently in talks with a leading international player and a domestic partner for launching the freighter service that will connect West Asian destinations.

CIAL is also exploring possibilities to partner with national carrier Indian Airlines for converting old passenger aircraft into cargo planes. Full Story here (http://cochinprojects.blogspot.com/)


Even this :)

Kochi airport gets own dog squad

Kochi, June 26: Cochin airport Tuesday got its own dog squad comprising two female Labradors as part of its security set-up, becoming the first airport in the country to do so.

"No other airport in the country has its own dog squad. We are the first to get one. The Labradors have been purchased at Rs.125,000 each from the dog training centre of the Indian Army in Meerut," S. Bharath, managing director Cochin International Airport Limited, told reporters.

Earlier, the airport would ask Kerala Police to provide sniffer dogs when required and they had to be brought from 50 km away.

[Tomcat]

This building shown (SPECTRUM) is on MAHAKAVI G. Road :)
(from Chittoor road towards Vivekananda road / Railway lane)

http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&key=ABQIAAAAQwmY3w9D9JGQMjZYjjEeOhRPJrSAIo9QdD1fwzBK7pFzYiLkuRQighQ3STOpdx6x_TZHbadFpIZa5w&ie=UTF8&ll=9.973373,76.285179&spn=0.003255,0.008347&z=17&om=0

[ReNik]

This building is on MAHAKAVI G. Road :)
(from Chittoor road towards Vivekananda road / Railway lane)

http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&key=ABQIAAAAQwmY3w9D9JGQMjZYjjEeOhRPJrSAIo9QdD1fwzBK7pFzYiLkuRQighQ3STOpdx6x_TZHbadFpIZa5w&ie=UTF8&ll=9.973373,76.285179&spn=0.003255,0.008347&z=17&om=0

Hi Welcome !! And thanks for the post. Could you tell us what Spectrum is ?

[rajkrish]

Spectrum is an ISP provider having operations through out Kerala. The building is their corporate office

[ReNik]

Spectrum is an ISP provider having operations through out Kerala. The building is their corporate office

ISP provider ? Like Hathway,Sify.. etc ?
Okay.. I just spotted it on wikimapia. Its marked "Spectrum softech".
Was thinking its some small tech firm.
Thanks for the info, Rajkrish.

[dr_know]

ISP provider ? Like Hathway,Sify.. etc ?
Okay.. I just spotted it on wikimapia. Its marked "Spectrum softech".
Was thinking its some small tech firm.
Thanks for the info, Rajkrish.

:previous: yea what i have heard is that they dont rely on the local gateway VSNL.. and they have their own direct satellite link.. now i m not sure of this..when i was in college a friend had told me that they have this setup and that they provide highspeed internet to corporates and that they also have a net cafe along with their office and all...and that this firm is owned by some guy from cochin but is based in US... now this is a little old news which was passed on to me around 2001.. now i dont know if it has changed..

edit: just got their site.. check it out http://www.spectrum.net.in

[scorpiogenius]

does Spectrum own the whole building?

It was one of the first IT companies in Kerala. They were always a fore runner among our local IT companies. Nice to see they have grown this big... Another Kerala based firm growing big after Us Software, IBS and co...:tup:

[dr_know]

Abad Builders

Olympus

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/2784.jpg

Sunshine Court

http://www.abadbuilders.com/admin/uploadedimages/2810.jpg

Mather Projects

Plum Flower

http://www.matherprojects.com/ishowcase_images/Mather/Plum%20Flower/1181311916822-2934483206406302145.jpg

Leisureville

http://www.matherprojects.com/ishowcase_images/Mather/Leisureville/1181310358023--4261900400920189432.jpg

Berrywoods

http://www.matherprojects.com/ishowcase_images/Mather/Berry%20Woods/1167291933912-2205486570484073433.jpg

http://www.matherprojects.com/ishowcase_images/Mather/Berry%20Woods/1181306013709--8340299910051921770.jpg

Kalpaka

Blue Diamond

http://www.kalpakabuilders.com/images/bluediamondgallery13_big.jpg

SRK

Skywings

http://www.srkconstructions.com/images/popupimgs/site1.jpg

http://www.srkconstructions.com/images/popupimgs/site3.jpg

[roshan]

The UAE-based retail major LuLu Hyper Market Construction will start "very soon" ahead of a scheduled 2009 opening, a company official was quoted as saying in Gulf News.

Full Story
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Retailing/UAE-based_retail_major_to_open_malls_in_Kerala/articleshow/2153081.cms

[KMC]

Full Story
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Services/Retailing/UAE-based_retail_major_to_open_malls_in_Kerala/articleshow/2153081.cms

Waaawww atlast the Giant Mall is coming . Here is more news.
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=168462

Well , If sources are to be believed , Forum mall will give strong challenge to lulu.

[ReNik]

Waaawww atlast the Giant Mall is coming . Here is more news.
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=168462

Well , If sources are to be believed , Forum mall will give strong challenge to lulu.


To quote your news pieces

The company is conducting feasibility studies to open malls throughout the country, especially the southern metro cities of Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad, said Yousuf Ali M A, managing director of Emke Group, which owns the flagship supermarket brand Lulu.

Almost simultaneously, the Emke group chairman has reportedly announced in Dubai that his proposed 1.2 million sq ft mall in Kochi will be the anchor-store in India.

Great finds, KMC, Roshan LuLu Kochi is taking off - and that too this is their
anchor-store in India !! :cheers:

[vineeta]

To quote your news pieces




Great finds, KMC, Roshan LuLu Kochi is taking off - and that too this is their
anchor-store in India !! :cheers:

hi guys,
reliance fresh is opening its 4th store in cochin in thoppumpady today..

[KMC]

Its Mammoth project by HDIL. It will be developing 7 Million Sqft in Kochi

Area they have = 6.3 Million for Residential , 0.7 Million Retail Space.

Refer the HDIL prospectus for details. Its really overheating stuff in Kochi .
Govt needs to seriously take care of the infrastructure development of this City .

http://www.bullishindian.com/housing-development-and-infrastructure-limited-ipo-hdil-ipo/365/

[dr_know]

KOCHI: The Teheran-based Mahan Air has added one more service to its weekly schedule from the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery with effect from July 9. The airline operates services between Kochi and Dubai via Bander Abbas.

The new service will be operated on Mondays. With this the airline will have five weekly services on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays operating from Kochi.

Source: hindu.com

[bhasidali]

Real estate consultancy Jones Lang Lasalle Meghraj has identified 50 Indian cities that are likely to witness most of the retail action over the next couple of years — both in terms of development of malls and advent of organised retailers. And Jaipur, Lucknow and Kochi find mention among cities poised for “high growth”.

Chandigarh, Jaipur, Ludhiana, Lucknow, Kochi, Surat and Vadodara belong to the third category of “high-growth cities”. In the perception of retailers, these are the “next” retail destinations. Ludhiana, with its high per capita income and a large NRI population, is the most favoured. Kochi, a fast-emerging IT-ITeS destination, is another.

http://www.indianexpress.com/story/203077.html

[ReNik]

Its Mammoth project by HDIL. It will be developing 7 Million Sqft in Kochi

Area they have = 6.3 Million for Residential , 0.7 Million Retail Space.

Refer the HDIL prospectus for details. Its really overheating stuff in Kochi .
Govt needs to seriously take care of the infrastructure development of this City .

http://www.bullishindian.com/housing-development-and-infrastructure-limited-ipo-hdil-ipo/365/

Whopping... HDIL will not be left behind with all the other biggies already jumping into the ring. Their focus on Kochi is already on par with metros. Govt really has to wake up
as no place in Kerala comes anywhere near in attracting big investments like this
and need urgent infrastructure upgradation.

hi guys,
reliance fresh is opening its 4th store in cochin in thoppumpady today..
Nice updates, vineeta. There seems to be lot of protests around the state. Ultimately Reliance may win
as govt is bound to provide security.

[JMen]

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1555/cabea5rreu0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Source: www.santhihomes.com

[emprasanth]

Smart! The word played on every Malayalee lip as the evening of May 15, 2007 reluctantly faded out. It was as if Kerala's tech history was undersigned by an ideology-bound, hardcore Marxist-led government.

The state got even smarter as the people, the residents as well as the many Keralites among the Indian diaspora shot off short messages and lengthy e-mails to the man who managed to do what onlookers thought he never would. The Smart City deal has everything in it to log Kerala into a broader tech horizon.

In V S Achuthanandan, Kerala, suddenly saw a techie leftist they could bank on. So did the business community. Playing the state's boss and IT minister to perfection, the left veteran who once, as opposition warhorse, yelled out in his inimitable style that the Smart City proposal was just another real estate deal, just did a U-turn.

And the state rejoiced. Kerala -- and Kochi in particular -- saw itself being elevated to the rank of being talked about among infotech circles.

Just over a month after the Smart City agreement was formally inked between the Kerala government and Tecom Investments, a Dubai Internet City company, talk rages on the number of IT companies that are to flow in to set up shop here and the number of jobs they would churn out. That isn't all. Another segment had already begun working overtime to ensure all is well and profitable -- the realtors.

For the proposed Smart City can never be just another IT zone. Rather, it will be Tecom's dream project that should translate into a pioneer component of a network of similar projects planned across the globe. Going by what the Tecom brass had hinted after the deal was signed, the Kochi Smart City would be the DIC company's first such Indian facility and only the second in the world.

The Smart City project, which will involve an investment of $350 million, will boast of 88 lakh sq ft of built-up space and supporting infrastructure for IT and ITeS companies. The whole project will be spread across 246 acres of land.

The project promises to generate as many as 90,000 high-paying jobs over a 10-year period. A master-plan for the development of the project will be drawn up and it is expected to take a year to start work. An elated CM points out, "The Smart City project will play a key role in tapping Kerala's enormous potential for the development of key industries like ICT and media."

Not surprisingly, the real estate sector in and around Kakkanad, the Kochi suburb where the Smart City will come up, had been waiting in the wings to explode to higher price levels.

It was as if the realtors were waiting for the Smart City deal to be signed. Kakkanad, which till recently used to be a quiet, sleepy part of Kochi, woke up when the Infopark came into being. Individuals who had owned most part of the area in the form of paddy fields realised that they too were becoming part of the booming realty scenario. With the Smart City agreement in place, the real estate business is experiencing a new buzz.

Mathew Chakola, chairman of the Kerala Builders' Forum (KBF), illustrates a clearer picture. "A closer look will clarify that more than the land prices, the apartments scene is seeing a boom. For instance, completely-built apartments near the proposed Smart City site currently quote prices up to Rs 2,000 a sq ft. A year ago the prices had stood around Rs 1,450 a sq ft. Land prices, however, have not shown growth of this magnitude," he said.

The reason for the boom in apartment prices is being attributed to the number of jobs to come and the accommodation possibilities for the new professionals who will move to Kochi for good.

Elaborating on the scene, Chakola adds that if Kochi's land prices saw a boom, it was due to speculative moves by brokers who played smart in the middle. They had bought land for cheaper rates when the first rumours about Smart City had arisen, and then through speculation driven up the prices.

"See what the real scene is now," he points out. "In real terms, land prices may be said to have shown a drop of 30 per cent. The prices, which were Rs 2 lakh a cent a year back, saw speculation driving them up to triple the amount. However, as the deal got inked, the price level can be explained as only double or even less. The prices are currently hovering around the sub Rs 4 lakh a cent level."

Interestingly, a large number of north Indians who are currently settled in the UK and the US are increasingly looking at investing in apartments in and around Kochi. This is apart from the Gulf Malayalee investments in apartments here.

Statistics reveal that the number of north Indians from the US and the UK who formed just 5 per cent of the individuals who booked apartments in Kochi around a year ago has grown to around 25 per cent now. Apartments and villas are the clear winners here, compared with just open spaces.

The proposed Smart City project, in which the Kerala government is to have 16 per cent stake in the initial stage and 26 per cent after five years, is seen by one and all as a revolution that would spawn better growth prospects across the spectrum, from ICT to realty.

As V K Mathews, chairman and managing director of IBS Group, an IT company, commented: "With around 1 lakh new jobs coming up in the Smart City and around Kochi, it is only correct to estimate that we would need about 50,000 new apartments or other housing facilities. Also, this project will bring an additional 1 lakh new vehicles to our already congested roads. Technology jobs are well paid jobs and IT professionals need relatively better social facilities. In other words, there will be a lot of demand for both general basic as well as social infrastructure, such as roads, water, power, waste management and housing, hotels and markets."

Mathews concludes: "When demand increases, the price and inflation goes up, especially for land and real estate. The government must ensure that there is no real scarcity for land. This can be done by making the lands in the interiors useful for urban consumption, by making such areas accessible by creating roads. Unnecessary restrictions should be removed, thereby stopping middlemen from exploiting the situation and causing cost escalation to decelerate growth."

Doesn't that ring a bell?

http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jun/30kochi.htm

[Tomcat]

With all these Mega Projects coming up is any one caring about our roads? I have been to TVM recently, GOD how clean and wide the roads are! It is high time that Cochin corporation / GCDA comes up with a master plan for road widening and garbage handling. Hope booming Kakkanad never becomes another garbage Bin like Ernakulam City :(
And request not come up with stupid ideas like what they with the North Over Bridge. lol

[ReNik]

Interestingly, a large number of north Indians who are currently settled in the UK and the US are increasingly looking at investing in apartments in and around Kochi. This is apart from the Gulf Malayalee investments in apartments here.

Statistics reveal that the number of north Indians from the US and the UK who formed just 5 per cent of the individuals who booked apartments in Kochi around a year ago has grown to around 25 per cent now. Apartments and villas are the clear winners here, compared with just open spaces.



Good post Prasanth... actually I have come across a few such north Indians who are planning to invest in Kochi real estate even though they had no association with Kochi or Kerala hitherto. Didn't realize that it is really a phenomenon happening in thousands.
Solid pointer to Kochi's growth as an investment destination.

[ReNik]

Spice Jet to fly Delhi, Bangalore

Spice Jet will start non-stop flights to Delhi from Kochi, August 15 onwards. They are also starting Bangalore service from the same date.
With that Kochi gets many direct non-stop flights to Delhi - Indian, Sahara, SpiceJet, Indigo. Kochi is the only city connected non-stop with Delhi from the state.

[sowmya]

Now after everything is alright, Iam worried about two things:-

1) Infrastructure:- As of now our infrastructure is very poor. The condition of roads and garbage dumping facility should improve more. Hope this wont be a deterrent for the growth of the city.
2) Hartals and Bandh:- Even though there is no hartal and bandh in the city limits. i heard from an unofficial source that there is frequent hartal and bandh in the outskirts. So the companies which provide transport to those areas are finding it difficult because it is their responsibility to pick them up safely from those areas.I also heard even though our communist government now pretends to be very investor friendly, there is another segment which always start strikes. Hope everything comes out well.

There is also another good news. Land acquisition of Smart City is almost over. Land will be handed over to TECOM authorities in two weeks.
This is another unofficial information which I got from Infopark authorities. This is not there in newspapers

[dr_know]

The first cruise terminal in the country will come up in Kochi, if everything goes right, reports Priyadershini S. The blueprint is ready and tourists the world over may drop anchor here


http://farm1.static.flickr.com/189/509430479_1aac76c565.jpg

The glamour capital of the State, Kochi, is poised for bigger things. The face of tourism in the State will change when Kochi port gets its star facility, the cruise terminal, the first in the country. With plans past the conceptual stage and with th e tying of loose ends Kochi may see a top-of-the-pops cruise terminal by 2009. The chairman of the Port Trust, N. Ramachandran says, “We have very ambitious plans for a cruise berthing terminal and we are confident that the project will be viable and be ready by 2009.”
Mega project

The increase in the number of cruise liners making Kochi their port of call has necessitated this mega project. With high profile travellers, the rich and the famous, the retirees and the leisurely, the tourism aspect of this new trend cannot be overlooked.

In fact, the port is capitalising on this very aspect and is ready to have a terminal that will compel cruise travellers to enlist Kochi as a must-see destination on their wish list.

With over 40 bidders responding to the global tender floated by the port, it is the consortium of Transystems of USA, Virginia and Mir Projects & Consultants Pvt.Ltd. of India that has been chosen to conceive the project. Mir Projects & Consultants is the Asian partner for Transystems Corporations.

Arun Kumar K, MD, Mir Group says, “Cruise tourists are the richest in the world and they don’t travel much in the port of call. The liner is in the port for not more than 10 to 12 hours, so we need to have a very attractive facility that will draw them out from the ship into the terminal.”

And so the cruise terminal is planned as a glitzy public plaza that will have facilities ranging from large immigration halls to shopping malls, trade centre, food plaza, ayurvedic spa and even a star hotel attached to it. “We have earmarked 12 hectares of land near the Port Trust Guest House and with possibility of more land in the vicinity for this project, plus a deep water front to make the jetty. As of now Kochi gets cruise ships only during the tourist season, from August to April. We must have a facility that will generate enough revenue to maintain and set off the investment that we have made,” says Mr Ramachandran,

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/156/426725402_258d585326.jpg http://farm1.static.flickr.com/206/443248504_bd5697f6bd.jpg

And to make this a profitable venture the terminal is to be an attractive round-the-year spot for both travellers and locals. To make it so, Mr. Arun Kumar says, “We have envisaged something like the ‘chaukidhani’ in Jaipur that showcases Rajasthan in its entirety, at a point.

We are planning something unique like that. It should truly reflect Kerala. From large scale shopping malls selling handlooms, cashew, coir that will promote our own trade to large food plazas serving ethnic foods from all over India will be an attraction.

As these cruise liners have restaurants serving different continental foods we have to provide them with local cuisine. We are also planning high-end office spaces to lease out for the Port to earn revenue.

As this will be the first cruise terminal in India there are plans for a five star hotel on the premises. This should become a brand like Miami or the Aloha terminal in Honululu, to be included in International tourist maps.”

Mir Group says it envisages this 500 crore mega project as a Public Private Partnership( PPP)venture.
Viable

Excited at the prospect of such a terminal says, Sejoe, Director Marvel Tours, a company which handled the Queen Elizabeth 11 and Queen Mary passengers this past season, “There is a huge need for this. It will definitely be viable as more passenger ships will dock once this facility is available. As of now the QE11 took the extra effort to come to Kerala because Kerala is a hot destination. Such a terminal will attract more such ships. It will ease the present problems, like now, often, unloading of coal goes on the other side when the passengers are disembarking.”

But the nagging question that remains is whether Kochi will attract this many cruise liners after all, to make this a viable project. People from the shipping community seem upbeat. Says Rajesh Asher, President Cochin Steamer Association, “In 2005-06 we had 26 cruise vessels which became 38 the very next year. For 38 to become 72 will be easy if such an attractive terminal comes up. If 26 can become 38 without facilities why not 38 turning 72 with facilities?” With the general cruise business increasing the world over the timing to drop anchor for a cruise terminal in Kochi port is perfect.

[thunderboltz]

Work on the Kochi metro rail will begin in 6 months, and is expected to be completed in 3 years!:banana:
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20070702030529&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0

But sad news from our govt. Plan to stop all corporate retailers in the the state:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/203538.html

[ReNik]

Work on the Kochi metro rail will begin in 6 months, and is expected to be completed in 3 years!:banana:
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IER20070702030529&Page=R&Title=Kerala&Topic=0

But sad news from our govt. Plan to stop all corporate retailers in the the state:
http://www.indianexpress.com/story/203538.html

Yes Good news on Kochi Metro..

On retails, it is not easy to stop them in their tracks.

For instance, have a look at the following issues.

How does one differentiate between Fab Mall (of Trinetra - which is now with Aditya Birla) and Reliance. Fab Mall has about a dozen stores in Kochi.

Govt cannot hope to compete with Reliance in FMCG - Reliance plus few giants like Bharti, Tata etc are moving to buy the whole of Unilever products. Where will state get
its supply ?

Reliance has struck a rapport with farmers by ensuring fair price and avoiding middlemen.
Now how will state manage farmer's ire ? The infamous paddy procurement is one
instance of state inefficiency causing huge losses to farming communities.

Finally Reliance and most other retailers has opened largely in Kochi as it is the biggest market. All the retails chains have the HQ in Kochi. State seem to be totally oblivious to this and offers to open "one hypermarket" to cater Kochi - a clear pointer that leaders
never ever get close to reality. Anyway, be assured, this venture will be a chief
competitor to KSRTC in accumulating losses.

Looks like Reliance will now have retail centres only in Kochi - as govt cannot cancel already issued licenses.

[sowmya]

I also read in Malayala Manorama that Summit which is going to be operational in 18 months is going to be the first mall with multiplex in Kerala. So what about Mallo of which the building is almost complete and is going to open in 3 to 4 months? I think manorama has given a false news.

[sowmya]

At least it is a relief that the licences for Kochi retail outlets cannot be cancelled. But now only Fresh stores have opened. So is it that they will not open other retail outlets in Kochi?

Yes Good news on Kochi Metro..

On retails, it is not easy to stop them in their tracks.

For instance, have a look at the following issues.

How does one differentiate between Fab Mall (of Trinetra - which is now with Aditya Birla) and Reliance. Fab Mall has about a dozen stores in Kochi.

Govt cannot hope to compete with Reliance in FMCG - Reliance plus few giants like Bharti, Tata etc are moving to buy the whole of Unilever products. Where will state get
its supply ?

Reliance has struck a rapport with farmers by ensuring fair price and avoiding middlemen.
Now how will state manage farmer's ire ? The infamous paddy procurement is one
instance of state inefficiency causing huge losses to farming communities.

Finally Reliance and most other retailers has opened largely in Kochi as it is the biggest market. All the retails chains have the HQ in Kochi. State seem to be totally oblivious to this and offers to open "one hypermarket" to cater Kochi - a clear pointer that leaders
never ever get close to reality. Anyway, be assured, this venture will be a chief
competitor to KSRTC in accumulating losses.

Looks like Reliance will now have retail centres only in Kochi - as govt cannot cancel already issued licenses.

[sowmya]

And also another question is that will the government cancel licenses for shopping malls to like the Abad mall, Lulu hypermarket etc. Also what will happen to the Pantaloor Big Bazar which is coming up in Metro One Kaloor? Is it shutters to everything? If that is the case then things are going to be serious. I would once again stress that the communist govt is anti social and anti development.

[ReNik]

At least it is a relief that the licences for Kochi retail outlets cannot be cancelled. But now only Fresh stores have opened. So is it that they will not open other retail outlets in Kochi?

They have got license for 6 outlets. These 6 will be there only ones in Kerala - if govt
move is in the reported way.

I also read in Malayala Manorama that Summit which is going to be operational in 18 months is going to be the first mall with multiplex in Kerala. So what about Mallo of which the building is almost complete and is going to open in 3 to 4 months? I think manorama has given a false news.

Yes... they may not be fully informed. I guess Vineeta's update here is trustable.
Mall O will be the first mall with multiplex - for that matter the first mall in the state.

[sowmya]

Thank you very much Renik for the information. Are the six outlets the ones which are opened other than the fresh stores. Also any idea whether this will affect the Pantaloon Big Bazar coming up in Metro One . Also whether this ban is applicable to shopping malls?

They have got license for 6 outlets. These 6 will be there only ones in Kerala - if govt
move is in the reported way.



Yes... they may not be fully informed. I guess Vineeta's update here is trustable.
Mall O will be the first mall with multiplex - for that matter the first mall in the state.

[sowmya]

Thank you very much Renik for the information. Are the six outlets the ones which are opened other than the fresh stores. Also any idea whether this will affect the Pantaloon Big Bazar coming up in Metro One . Also whether this ban is applicable to shopping malls?

They have got license for 6 outlets. These 6 will be there only ones in Kerala - if govt
move is in the reported way.



Yes... they may not be fully informed. I guess Vineeta's update here is trustable.
Mall O will be the first mall with multiplex - for that matter the first mall in the state.

[ReNik]

L&T Tejomaya on target for September 2007 opening

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/702/31xz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6175/11250177br5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This building will have 3500 professionals belonging to L&T Infotech and
Hewlett-Packard. Wipro will have 3500 in its 350,000 sqft facility which has
been completed already. Leela Infopark phase II set to open in September will have another
3300 people. By September 2007, Infopark will have about 14500 people working
from there.

Also TCS and IBS set to start constructions of 800,000 sqft and 350,000 sqft campuses by
Aug/September this year. Infopark in for a gala time..

[sowmya]

So there will be a sudden rise in the IT exports figure. Wonderful!


L&T Tejomaya on target for September 2007 opening

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/702/31xz3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/6175/11250177br5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This building will have 3500 professionals belonging to L&T Infotech and
Hewlett-Packard. Wipro will have 3500 in its 350,000 sqft facility which has
been completed already. Leela Infopark phase II set to open in September will have another
3300 people. By September 2007, Infopark will have about 14500 people working
from there.

Also TCS and IBS set to start constructions of 800,000 sqft and 350,000 sqft campuses by
Aug/September this year. Infopark in for a gala time..

[thunderboltz]

Yes Good news on Kochi Metro..

On retails, it is not easy to stop them in their tracks.

For instance, have a look at the following issues.

How does one differentiate between Fab Mall (of Trinetra - which is now with Aditya Birla) and Reliance. Fab Mall has about a dozen stores in Kochi.

Govt cannot hope to compete with Reliance in FMCG - Reliance plus few giants like Bharti, Tata etc are moving to buy the whole of Unilever products. Where will state get
its supply ?

Reliance has struck a rapport with farmers by ensuring fair price and avoiding middlemen.
Now how will state manage farmer's ire ? The infamous paddy procurement is one
instance of state inefficiency causing huge losses to farming communities.

Finally Reliance and most other retailers has opened largely in Kochi as it is the biggest market. All the retails chains have the HQ in Kochi. State seem to be totally oblivious to this and offers to open "one hypermarket" to cater Kochi - a clear pointer that leaders
never ever get close to reality. Anyway, be assured, this venture will be a chief
competitor to KSRTC in accumulating losses.

Looks like Reliance will now have retail centres only in Kochi - as govt cannot cancel already issued licenses.

Yes, that is a valid point. But will the government yield to the protests of farmers? All the retailers in the disorganised sector are backing this move by the govt. Let us wait and see anyway.

Also, I remember reading somewhere that reliance had plans to start stores in TVM by Onam. They might have already got license for that.

Yes... they may not be fully informed. I guess Vineeta's update here is trustable.
Mall O will be the first mall with multiplex - for that matter the first mall in the state.

I think that summit would have the first real multiplex. Mall-O has only a few screens and that too with few seats. Summit has 300-600 seater screens.

[dr_know]

There is a defining buzz of activity around Info Park. Huge structures are under Construction. Several are occupied. Smartcity and InfoPark are right opposite each other. At the moment access is from Kakkanad Civil Station which is beside Seaport-Airport Road. A new 100 feet road is under early, construction direct from Seaport Airport Road to InfoPark Boundary Wall! This would be just 3.5KM from Near Rajagiri College beside the Seaprt-Airport Road. (View the Location Sketch Below)

In Cochin, the development around Infopark,/Smartcity is definitely driven by IT Industries. But, its interesting to note that towering projects are coming up all around the city, right from Marine drive in West to Alwaye in North, Maradu/Thrippunithara in South and South East and off course Kakkanad in East.

The upcoming International Container Terminal, International Cruise Landing Facility, Exploding Business aided by export of commodities, is driving growth. The Airport and the Seaport are prime drivers. The Container Terminal at Vallarpadam is supposed to generate Billion Dollar Business with Cochin becoming Hub of international Shipping Activity. At the moment, all large ships (Mother Ships) are being diverted to Colombo, due to lack of berthing facility at Cochin.

Its promoted by DP World (the largest container terminal operator in the world and the project is being executed by its subsidiary, India Gateway Terminal. www.igtpl.com/

During the Property Show by HDFC at Le Meridian Cochin on 29.06.07, out of some 35 Exhibitors, we found only 10 had projects in Kakkanad. All others (All Highrises above 15 floors upto 28 floors) are coming up, in and around Cochin.

The rising land price is driving people to flats. 5 Years back Kerala had no Apartments! It has been huge cultural change and the trend is catching up fast, in all major cities.

The best in India are already building in Cochin The list is tantalizing! DLF, Prestige, Ansals, Puravankara, Skyline, Confident Group........ How to Capitalize:

As per estimates done in June07, the total apartment units under planning/early construction is around 5000. This would again be delivered in 2 to 2.5 years time. Considering the growth and influx of people into Cochin, there has to be delivery of around 5000 apartments per year for several years to come. Price will rise and reach stable points of around 3000 to 3200/sft.

The investment opportunity is only there, if we pick the BEST at the VERY BEST Location. As we have seen at Hyderabad near Hitec City, price just can not go up continuously. It will spurt and then has to stabilize and be there for years, till income of people see significant rise.

[ReNik]

Good post Dr.know

Finally we could get a snap of DLF site which I reported earlier. As stated, this is for
a Mall + Multiplex
http://img117.imageshack.us/img117/7384/imagell019si9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ReNik]

Could somebody give details of those constructions seen in the Infopark campus ?
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5964/image002ql2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[scorpiogenius]

#1091 Today, 05:09 AM
dr_know
For the love of Cochin! Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Manama
Posts: 50


There is a defining buzz of activity around Info Park. Huge structures are under Construction. Several are occupied. Smartcity and InfoPark are right opposite each other. At the moment access is from Kakkanad Civil Station which is beside Seaport-Airport Road. A new 100 feet road is under early, construction direct from Seaport Airport Road to InfoPark Boundary Wall! This would be just 3.5KM from Near Rajagiri College beside the Seaprt-Airport Road. (View the Location Sketch Below)
:previous:
Dr. Know...u have missed the link of the location sketch.:) Plz provide it...Thank you!

And its good to see the new road built is 100 feet, which will be 32m. This must be the minimum standard of any road to be developed in Cochin in future. It is very crucial to develop the main feeder roads to Kakkanad into 6-8 lanes, with dedicated bus corridors and bus bays. Metro rail is important but it is not going to help the general middle class public and in a big way, who will depend on Road transport. So the roads should not be left to choke, because it is eventually the roads that will build a city or a nation.

[sowmya]

The one at right is Wipro and the other one is Leela Infopark Phase II

Could somebody give details of those constructions seen in the Infopark campus ?
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/5964/image002ql2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sowmya]

Reliance Fresh has stores in Kadavanthra too. They are going to open more stores in Paravur, Ponnurunni and Kaloor. I dont think there will be any obstacles for them since already licences have been obtained

[vineeta]

yes sowmya,
they will be opening a few more fresh stores in kochi, 5/6 very soon for which they have licenses..(as of now they have opened 5 stores)
and also stores in a few other towns/cities for which these licenses have already been got..
and also their flagship store at mall o which will be about a lakh sq feet.
for the rest of their plans we have to wait and watch..and see if our state is even a patch on other states , when it comes to investment..for the betterment of people...sometimes i wonder , if there is any hope left for this state, esp kochi, with this kind of an investment climate..



Reliance Fresh has stores in Kadavanthra too. They are going to open more stores in Paravur, Ponnurunni and Kaloor. I dont think there will be any obstacles for them since already licences have been obtained

[vinodgk]

[QUOTE=ReNik;2915667]Welcome Vinod. Good update to start. Can you obtain the new renderings of the JTL projects for this forum ?

http://www.jtlcity.com/images/township_smallest.jpg
there is about 35 waterfront villas in 5 -15 cents plot.Also there is house plots available in the township project.the no of high rises/Flat/Apartment building is limited to 5 -6 Nos. There is Shopping Mall with Multiplexes in the middle of the township with 6-12 mtrs well connected ring road

The JTL City Waterfront Villas project will have the following amenities:

* Swimming Pool.
* Exclusive recreation Zone.
* Provision for Cable TV connection,Telephone..etc.
* Children's park and Green Landscaped Open Area
* Health Club
* Badminton Court, Basketball Court,etc....
* Generator for common area lighting.

It offers Affluent Neighborhood, Lush Green Surroundings, Clean pollution Free Life, Yacht Club, Spacious Décor, Water Front View, House Boat Facility and easy access to all conveniences.

[vinodgk]

[QUOTE=ReNik;2915667]Welcome Vinod. Good update to start. Can you obtain the new renderings of the JTL projects for this forum ?

width="550" height="360" border="0" http://www.jtlcity.com/images/township_smallest.jpg
there is about 35 waterfront villas in 5 -15 cents plot.Also there is house plots available in the township project.the no of high rises/Flat/Apartment building is limited to 5 -6 Nos. There is Shopping Mall with Multiplexes in the middle of the township with 6-12 mtrs well connected ring road

The JTL City Waterfront Villas project will have the following amenities:

* Swimming Pool.
* Exclusive recreation Zone.
* Provision for Cable TV connection,Telephone..etc.
* Children's park and Green Landscaped Open Area
* Health Club
* Badminton Court, Basketball Court,etc....
* Generator for common area lighting.

It offers Affluent Neighborhood, Lush Green Surroundings, Clean pollution Free Life, Yacht Club, Spacious Décor, Water Front View, House Boat Facility and easy access to all conveniences.

[vinodgk]

[QUOTE=ReNik;2915667]Welcome Vinod. Good update to start. Can you obtain the new renderings of the JTL projects for this forum ?

[width="550" height="360"border="0"]
http://www.jtlcity.com/images/township_smallest.jpg
there is about 35 waterfront villas in 5 -15 cents plot.Also there is house plots available in the township project.the no of high rises/Flat/Apartment building is limited to 5 -6 Nos. There is Shopping Mall with Multiplexes in the middle of the township with 6-12 mtrs well connected ring road

The JTL City Waterfront Villas project will have the following amenities:

* Swimming Pool.
* Exclusive recreation Zone.
* Provision for Cable TV connection,Telephone..etc.
* Children's park and Green Landscaped Open Area
* Health Club
* Badminton Court, Basketball Court,etc....
* Generator for common area lighting.

It offers Affluent Neighborhood, Lush Green Surroundings, Clean pollution Free Life, Yacht Club, Spacious Décor, Water Front View, House Boat Facility and easy access to all conveniences.



[