CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary L K Tripathy on Sunday visited the city airport and held discussions with the officials on the airport expansion project.
Sources said that Tripathy spoke to the top officials over the land acquisition for the new airport planned at Manapakkam village in Kanchipuram district.
On Dec 5, 2007, the Madras High Court had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from proceeding further on acquisition of lands of Manapakkam village, after 15 persons approached the court to stay the land acquisition.
The government has identified 1,070 acres in Sriperumbudur taluk for the expansion of the Chennai airport.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Transportation/Airlines__Aviation/TN_Chief_Secy_holds_talks_on_airport_expansion_project/articleshow/2626223.cms
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Protests rage against airport expansion projects
CHENNAI: What do you do when something you struggled to build with blood, sweat and tears is threatened? With the government planning to acquire their lands for the airport expansion project, the 1,000-odd families in Gerugambakkam are facing some of their worst fears.
Most residents of in the area are daily wage earners, who paid for the land in instalments. Unmindful of this, the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), have chosen Gerugambakkam for the construction of a parallel runway.
"Many of us have bought the land by saving money earned from years of hard labour. Now, we have no place to go," said Hafeez Hussain, a resident of the area.
Some people have not completed the registration of their plots due to financial constraints. They fear that they may not be eligible for an alternative site due to the lack of registration. Villagers allege that the village administrative officers (VAOs) did not inform residents about the government decisions.
"Earlier, some of the officials told us not to worry as the government had dropped the idea of using our locality. However, after a few months, other officials told us that we would be asked to vacate by January. We have not been able to know what the real picture is," said Jagadambal, a resident.
On approaching the officials of the village administration department, residents were reportedly told that land had been allotted for them in Kovur, though no such assurance was given.
Villagers charge that many parts of Gerugambakkam are approved as purely residential areas. Despite this, the government has given permission for the construction of the runway. Residents also question why the AAI, which had previously dropped the idea of using the land, terming it "unfeasible", chose to use it now.
They add that even if the runway is constructed, it will be prone to floods as the Adyar river, flowing through the area, gets flooded during the rainy season.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071123000337&Page=E&Headline=Protests+rage+against+airport+expansion+projects&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
Most residents of in the area are daily wage earners, who paid for the land in instalments. Unmindful of this, the government and the Airports Authority of India (AAI), have chosen Gerugambakkam for the construction of a parallel runway.
"Many of us have bought the land by saving money earned from years of hard labour. Now, we have no place to go," said Hafeez Hussain, a resident of the area.
Some people have not completed the registration of their plots due to financial constraints. They fear that they may not be eligible for an alternative site due to the lack of registration. Villagers allege that the village administrative officers (VAOs) did not inform residents about the government decisions.
"Earlier, some of the officials told us not to worry as the government had dropped the idea of using our locality. However, after a few months, other officials told us that we would be asked to vacate by January. We have not been able to know what the real picture is," said Jagadambal, a resident.
On approaching the officials of the village administration department, residents were reportedly told that land had been allotted for them in Kovur, though no such assurance was given.
Villagers charge that many parts of Gerugambakkam are approved as purely residential areas. Despite this, the government has given permission for the construction of the runway. Residents also question why the AAI, which had previously dropped the idea of using the land, terming it "unfeasible", chose to use it now.
They add that even if the runway is constructed, it will be prone to floods as the Adyar river, flowing through the area, gets flooded during the rainy season.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE920071123000337&Page=E&Headline=Protests+rage+against+airport+expansion+projects&Title=Chennai&Topic=0
Radio taxis set to storm airports, cities in south
NEW DELHI: As a part of its ambitious expansion, Carzonrent India Private Limited plans to tap the market in south Indian cities by launching its popular radio taxi services.
"Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are the immediate focus market for the company," said Rajiv K Vij, Managing Director Carzonrent India (P) Ltd, talking about the firm's foray into the Southern market.
The firm has bid for tenders floated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd and Bangalore International Airport to operate radio taxis. Both these airports will be operational in the first quarter of 2008.Carzonrent, which is the sole licensee for Hertz International in India, had launched the Easy Cab services with 350 radio taxis in the national Capital in December 2006.
"We are planning to hit the road with a fleet of 1000 easy cabs each at both these airports," Vij said adding that firm had earmarked Rs 100 crore to buy these cabs that are fitted state-of-the-art technology like GPRS technology, digital fare meters and thermal printers for issuing bill.Besides operating in these airports, Carzonrent is also planning to serve the locals in both cities. "We plan to introduce around 500 easy cabs each in these cities", said Sakshi Vij, marketing manager, who had toured the South recently to ascertain market potential in both the cyber cities.
A recruitment drive is on to induct 7000 chauffeurs who will serve in these two cities. To make the ride in the easy cabs a pleasant experience all the selected chauffeurs are being subjected to written, spoken, attitude, psychology, road knowledge and behaviour.
In Chennai, the firm is planning to launch 250 radio taxis initially in the New Year. Modelled on the lines of Yellow Cabs in New York, the USA, and Comfort Cabs in Singapore, Easy cabs is also offering swipe machines for payments through credit cards.
For this purpose, Easy Cabs has tied up with ICICI bank.Vij, who broke even with 10-12 per cent profitability after launching the service with 350 cabs in the Capital, is planning to strengthen the fleet in the city with 300 more such cabs. Pune and Jaipur will be other second- tier cities where the firm plans to set its foot soon.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20071227141820&Page=B&Headline=Radio+taxis+set+to+storm+airports%2C+cities+in+south&Title=Business&Topic=0
"Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad are the immediate focus market for the company," said Rajiv K Vij, Managing Director Carzonrent India (P) Ltd, talking about the firm's foray into the Southern market.
The firm has bid for tenders floated by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd and Bangalore International Airport to operate radio taxis. Both these airports will be operational in the first quarter of 2008.Carzonrent, which is the sole licensee for Hertz International in India, had launched the Easy Cab services with 350 radio taxis in the national Capital in December 2006.
"We are planning to hit the road with a fleet of 1000 easy cabs each at both these airports," Vij said adding that firm had earmarked Rs 100 crore to buy these cabs that are fitted state-of-the-art technology like GPRS technology, digital fare meters and thermal printers for issuing bill.Besides operating in these airports, Carzonrent is also planning to serve the locals in both cities. "We plan to introduce around 500 easy cabs each in these cities", said Sakshi Vij, marketing manager, who had toured the South recently to ascertain market potential in both the cyber cities.
A recruitment drive is on to induct 7000 chauffeurs who will serve in these two cities. To make the ride in the easy cabs a pleasant experience all the selected chauffeurs are being subjected to written, spoken, attitude, psychology, road knowledge and behaviour.
In Chennai, the firm is planning to launch 250 radio taxis initially in the New Year. Modelled on the lines of Yellow Cabs in New York, the USA, and Comfort Cabs in Singapore, Easy cabs is also offering swipe machines for payments through credit cards.
For this purpose, Easy Cabs has tied up with ICICI bank.Vij, who broke even with 10-12 per cent profitability after launching the service with 350 cabs in the Capital, is planning to strengthen the fleet in the city with 300 more such cabs. Pune and Jaipur will be other second- tier cities where the firm plans to set its foot soon.
http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEB20071227141820&Page=B&Headline=Radio+taxis+set+to+storm+airports%2C+cities+in+south&Title=Business&Topic=0
Cos line up for Kolkata, Chennai airports
NEW DELHI: Global construction majors have lined up for the Rs 3,700-crore airport modernisation plans in Kolkata and Chennai. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has received 11 applications for the Rs 1,900-cr Kolkata project and 14 for the Rs 1,800-crore Chennai expansion programme.
Apart from Indian majors like L&T (which is building both the Delhi and Mumbai airports), the global names include Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately-owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke. The AAI is also going to appoint a project management consultant who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Firms like US-based Louis Berger have applied for becoming the consultants.
AAI has taken up Chennai and Kolkata airports as a sort of challenge, mainly to prove a point that it can also build good airports, especially when private majors like GMR and GVK already implementing projects in Delhi and Mumbai airports.
"Several leading construction firms from Korea, Thailand, US, Europe and some Indian top names have applied for building the two airports. Both Chennai and Kolkata have to get integrated domestic-cum-international terminals. Chennai would see major work on the runway too," said a senior official.
The AAI has projected a total investment of Rs 12,430 crore in the 11th plan and a bulk of this would happen over the next three years when airports in Kolkata, Chennai, 35 non-metros, Agatti, Leh and J&K would be upgraded. In addition, the authority will also undertake major modernisation work on air traffic management and communication and navigation services.
"The next fiscal will see an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. We will raise about Rs 1,000 crore from the market using instruments like bonds and ECBs. Given our AAA rating, getting funds is not an issue. We are already being approached by banks," said the official.
The AAI will build terminals and operational areas in the non-metros and do complete modernisation at Kolkata and Chennai. The city-side development at non-metros will be done the PPP way. Already infrastructure majors like GMR, GVK, L&T and Omaxe have expressed interests in the city side projects that would include developing parking areas, hotels and commercial areas inside the terminals.
India is projected to witness an investment of Rs 41,000 crore in airport sector through private, AAI and JV ventures that could take the number of operational airports from over 100 to nearly 500.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Cos_line_up_for_Kolkata_Chennai_airports/articleshow/2656652.cms
Apart from Indian majors like L&T (which is building both the Delhi and Mumbai airports), the global names include Greece's AEGEK General Construction; Malaysia's Muhibbah Engineering and Britain's largest privately-owned construction firm Laing O'Rourke. The AAI is also going to appoint a project management consultant who would oversee the implementation of these two projects on a turnkey basis. Firms like US-based Louis Berger have applied for becoming the consultants.
AAI has taken up Chennai and Kolkata airports as a sort of challenge, mainly to prove a point that it can also build good airports, especially when private majors like GMR and GVK already implementing projects in Delhi and Mumbai airports.
"Several leading construction firms from Korea, Thailand, US, Europe and some Indian top names have applied for building the two airports. Both Chennai and Kolkata have to get integrated domestic-cum-international terminals. Chennai would see major work on the runway too," said a senior official.
The AAI has projected a total investment of Rs 12,430 crore in the 11th plan and a bulk of this would happen over the next three years when airports in Kolkata, Chennai, 35 non-metros, Agatti, Leh and J&K would be upgraded. In addition, the authority will also undertake major modernisation work on air traffic management and communication and navigation services.
"The next fiscal will see an investment of Rs 3,000 crore. We will raise about Rs 1,000 crore from the market using instruments like bonds and ECBs. Given our AAA rating, getting funds is not an issue. We are already being approached by banks," said the official.
The AAI will build terminals and operational areas in the non-metros and do complete modernisation at Kolkata and Chennai. The city-side development at non-metros will be done the PPP way. Already infrastructure majors like GMR, GVK, L&T and Omaxe have expressed interests in the city side projects that would include developing parking areas, hotels and commercial areas inside the terminals.
India is projected to witness an investment of Rs 41,000 crore in airport sector through private, AAI and JV ventures that could take the number of operational airports from over 100 to nearly 500.
Link:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Business/India_Business/Cos_line_up_for_Kolkata_Chennai_airports/articleshow/2656652.cms
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Chennai airport to be upgraded
Chennai airport to be upgraded New Delhi, Dec 20: Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today submitted a fresh proposal of Rs 1,800 crore to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi for upgradation of the existing airport in Chennai.
The proposal was submitted after the state government failed to acquire land for a new greenfield airport in the state.
After the failure, the Aviation Minister decided to upgrade the facilities at the existing airport in Chennai for which the state government has promised acquiring of additional land for carrying out renovation activities.
Patel would be flying down to Chennai next month for giving a detailed presentation.
The Civil Aviation Minister also informed Karunanidhi that his ministry would be carrying out upgradation work in Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi. (Agencies)
Published: Friday, December 21, 2007
Link:http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={D16373F2-9422-46B3-8E59-B88E8A8FB578}&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA
The proposal was submitted after the state government failed to acquire land for a new greenfield airport in the state.
After the failure, the Aviation Minister decided to upgrade the facilities at the existing airport in Chennai for which the state government has promised acquiring of additional land for carrying out renovation activities.
Patel would be flying down to Chennai next month for giving a detailed presentation.
The Civil Aviation Minister also informed Karunanidhi that his ministry would be carrying out upgradation work in Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thoothukudi. (Agencies)
Published: Friday, December 21, 2007
Link:http://www.chennaionline.com/colnews/newsitem.asp?NEWSID={D16373F2-9422-46B3-8E59-B88E8A8FB578}&CATEGORYNAME=TAMNA
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)