Surmount Energy HQ gets LEED Platinum certification

The U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Commercial Interiors Platinum Rating to Surmount Energy’s corporate office in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai.

 

The 19-year-old public building that sits atop the CBD Belapur Railway station has used its own green energy consulting expertise to convert the space into a sustainable space using the most advanced conservation measures for energy and water that it could pursue. The space has also been redesigned to provide a high performing indoor environment for its employees.

Surmount intends to use the space as one of the first green showrooms in India where architects, contractors, sustainability specialists and students would be able to learn about sustainable features, products and technologies. Surmount will also use it to display its own BuildTrack automation product suite that can deliver sustainability, safety, security and convenience to residential and commercial spaces.

Balbir Khera, CEO of Surmount Energy, says, “We, at Surmount have been enabling many MNC’s and developers take the Sustainable road to construction through both LEED and GRIHA. We have one of the largest and best LEED and GRIHA certified professional team with hands on experience. Therefore, it is gratifying to achieve one of the world’s top green certification honors, and we strongly believe that the invaluable experience that we have earned, allows us to serve our clients even better.”

LEED consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods. LEED includes four levels of certification Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum. LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection and indoor environmental quality.

Surmount Energy is a leader in Green Building Consultancy Services; Automation Solutions for Home, Township & Offices; and CCTV & Surveillance Systems. Its services and solutions currently serve 2.2 million sq. meters of space in India across 100’s of new and existing buildings. The automation solutions offered under the BuildTrack brand are designed to meet the safety, security, comfort or convenience needs in a broad range of residential, commercial or retail situations. Visit www.SurmountEnergy.com to learn more about our solutions.

DTCP website fails to provide layout plan details

Much to the discomfort of people who want to verify Tamil Nadu's District of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) approved layout before buying a plot or housing site, the website of the authority http://www.tn.gov.in/dtcp/) , which provides such vital information has been out of service for the last more than a week now.

The Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu (ELCOT), which has the onus to maintain the entire government website, has been groping in darkness to rectify the error.

According to sources in DTCP office in Anna Salai, “The website’s layout, master plan and DD plan checking section has been down for more than a week now and our efforts to bring it on track have not produced any results as ELCOT, the government entity, has to do their part. Many people approach us every day to enquire about the possibility of checking the authenticity of the layout plan. We have uploaded hundreds of layout to the website after scanning the same for the benefit of the people, who want to check it before buying a property.”

Another official, who requested anonymity, said, “The server has exceeded its capacity due to continuous uploading of layout plans from DTCP offices across the state. Efforts are on to increase the storage capacity and also delete some unwanted files, which can create space in the existing server. The website should be working in a week’s time. But nothing can be said, it may take more time also.”

An e-mail sent to S. K. Prabakar (IAS), Chairman of ELCOT,  for his comment did not evoke any response.

With the absence of checking layout plan online, the only option left for the people is to go for conventional way by paying a nominal pay at the DTCP offices to extract the file and compare the layout plans given to them by the developers/seller with the copy available in these offices. But this will take at least one month, informed an official in charge for such activity at the DTCP office.

Eveready launches lantern portfolio with rechargeable range

New Delhi: Eveready Industries India Ltd, the largest marketer of dry cell batteries and flashlights, has come up with a complete range of new-age, emergency rechargeable lanterns to empower every urban and semi-urban household in India by improving their quality of life through access to uninterrupted supply of light during power cuts.

Amritanshu Khaitan (Executive Director, Eveready), speaking on the occasion, said “The power blackout that recently engulfed most of India, was a grim reminder of the fact that there is a power crunch in India. To combat the current power crisis Eveready has launched three new rechargeable lanterns and upgraded the light output in its current portfolio of battery operated lanterns.”

The new range of rechargeable lanterns comes with LED technology and provides uninterrupted light upto 15 hours with very low recharging time.

In a country where around 40% of the households do not have access to enough electricity and require basic sources of light to sustain them, Eveready provides portable lighting solutions to more than 60 million households.

In the mid-nineties, Eveready launched its first major advertisement campaign with the famous slogan "Give me Red". The advertising byline of the popular Red series of batteries, it is today symbolic of the empowered urban lifestyle that the brand reflects.

Eveready is India’s largest marketer of dry cell batteries selling about 1.2 billion units annually. Apart from selling 20 million torches (per annum) the company has also sold 5 million pieces of lanterns from the time of its launch (in 2009-2010). Eveready offers a basket of FMCG products that find place in every household. This includes rechargeable batteries, rechargeable lanterns, CFL & GLS lamps and packet tea.

Eveready has one of the most extensive distribution networks in India of over 4000 distributors. Its products are available in more than three million outlets across the country.

 

Manish Aggarwal takes over as North India operations lead at C&W

Chennai:  Cushman & Wakefield, a global real estate consultancy announced the appointment of Manish Aggarwal, Executive Director, India as the North India operations lead for all service lines.

Manish will be responsible for providing strategic direction to Cushman & Wakefield’s Northern India business and facilitate enhanced service delivery.  He will also focus on identifying new business avenues and evolving innovative and sustainable solutions that provide value to partners and clients.  Prior to taking on this new role, Manish was the Executive Director, Capital Markets for Cushman & Wakefield India.

Commenting on the recent appointment, Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director, South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield shared that “This is a strategic business move by C&W to stay ahead of the changing business environment and the needs of our clients. Northern India is witnessing rapid development across asset classes which, is expected to pick up further pace, as more locations across the region start coming up as economic centers. This made it imperative for us to create a strong leadership in the region to provide our clients with pertinent and timely advice.”

Sanjay further added “Manish has made unparalleled contributions to the firm in various roles across business lines and has successfully established services of Capital Markets and Land and Industrial businesses in the country.  I’m confident that under Manish’s leadership, C&W India will continue to mobilize its vast knowledge and resources to deliver the most comprehensive, creative and innovative real estate services to our clients.” 

Manish Aggarwal will play a significant role in company’s operations in Northern India and will spearhead the client focused approach at Cushman & Wakefield in the region, thereby driving meaningful value to the partners, clients and the company.

Expressing his delight on the appointment, Manish Aggarwal, Executive Director, India said “I am pleased to be leading the Northern India operations as this role will be both challenging and professionally appealing given the quantum and dynamism that the market is experience currently. It has rather been an exciting journey at C&W and I’m looking forward to my new role and create greater value for our clients and employees.”

Working with Cushman & Wakefield for over 11 years, Manish successfully managed the Retail and Office Leasing business and was then entrusted with starting Land & Industrial business in India. He has managed a vast gamut of services for the company in India, which includes verticals like Investment Sales, Land, Valuations and Capital Markets besides offering guidance to other leasing teams. Manish is a commerce graduate and has his degree in Masters in Business Administration (MBA).

J&K Projects Get Investment Clearance

The Planning Commission has given investment clearance to “Construction of Flood Protection Works in the form of Embankment, Spurs and Revetment to project Defence Posts along river Basanter and Devak in J&K. 

Estimated to cost of Rs 8 crore, the project will be completed by 2013-14 and plan accounts will be closed by 31st March 2014. The project may accordingly be executed as per the approved outlays in the State Annual Plan. The State Finance Department would restrict the expenditure to the approved cost and no additional expenditure beyond approved cost may be permitted.

For ensuring safer passage of flood water through villages as well as intra village and inter village drainage of flood water, the State Government should provide non-return valves at suitable locations of the flood embankment so that flood water from country side may discharge into the main channel. 

Work may also be done to strengthen local drainage within villages. MGNREGA funds may be used for this purpose as this is a permissible activity under the recently issued Operational Guidelines for MGNREGS. Regular maintenance should be ensured by State Govt. before and after each monsoon season as well as even during execution, a PIB release said.

Centre approves Rajgarh Irrigation Project in Rajasthan

The Planning Commission has accorded investment clearance of the scheme Rajgarh Medium Irrigation project (New Medium) of Rajasthan. It is estimated to cost Rs 192.13 crore at Price Level 2010-11.

The project shall be completed in the financial year 2015-16 and Plan accounts would be closed by 31st March 2016. Project may accordingly be executed as per the approved outlays in the State Annual Plans. The State Finance Department would restrict the expenditure to the approved cost and no additional expenditure beyond approved cost may be permitted.

The project Authority must seek the approval of the “Command Area Development Plan” from the Planning Commission. Also the CAD works will be executed concurrently with the project implementation so that the participation of the stake holder farmers is ensured right from the stage of project planning through implementation to maintenance. This will ensure that the outlay on the project is converted into enduring outcomes in the form of assured and sustainable irrigation benefits to the farmers. The pari-passu implementation of the CAD works would be monitored by the Planning Commission.

State Government of Rajasthan shall ensure the completion of the rehabilitation and resettlement works before the submergence begins. The beneficiary farmers may be encouraged to take over the system after completion for operation and maintenance. Monitoring of the ground water level in the post project condition should be ensured to take ameliorative measures to combat water logging.

After demolition drive, govt now starts restoring Anna Arch

  Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inspects the Anna Arch renovation work.

 Chennai: The restoration work of the iconic landmark of Chennai, Anna Arch, has begun after a brief inspection by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa along with officials on Wednesday. The Arch was earlier ordered to be dismantled and shifted to elsewhere by the high-way department to make way for Rs 117 crore flyover proposed to be constructed to ease the traffic congestion in the interjection of Poonamalle High Road to Anna Nagar.

After inspection, The CM said, “I came here to oversee the restoration work which commenced today.” Earlier, the Chief Minister in a review meeting held at the secretariat on Monday directed officials to take up restoration work from Wednesday.

Highways secretary Niranjan Mardi explained the measures to be undertaken by the department to the reporters. According to officials, restoration work would be completed in four months as the damaged steel rods would be replaced and strengthened with additional rods.

In a bid to strengthen the structure, a higher grade of cement concrete would be used, the official said, adding if needed, the department would seek the help of a consultant in restoration work.

Earlier, two mammoth cranes were pressed into service along with diamond cutters to cut the huge arches, which were built by AIADMK patriarch and former chief minister M G Ramachandran in 1986. The demolition was stalled by the incumbent chief minister after lot of hues and cry were raised over dismantling of the iconic structure. Since doubts were raised over the safety of the arch by a section of the media, government decided to restore the structure with its original glory.

Mayor’s apology

Meanwhile, Anna arch issue turned Chennai corporation council meet on Wednesday into a battleground with ruling AIADMK and DMK slamming each other for demolition move.

Not only the opposition, even the ruling AIADMK zonal chairman Santhanam slammed the Mayor and the council for adopting a recent resolution favouring demolition of the arch for construction of a grade separator.

Sensing trouble, the mayor expressed regret and said the council just processed the proposal mooted during the previous DMK regime and was unaware of the intention.

Pella Corp teams up with Abir Trademart to enter India

US-based Pella Corporation, a world leader in designing, testing, manufacturing and installing energy-efficient windows and doors, has recently joined hands with Abir Trademart (ATM) Pvt Ltd to enter the multi-crore Indian luxury windows and doors market. Further, ATM plans to open 10-12 exclusive brand outlets (EBOs) across the country over the next two years. It also aims to garner 20 per cent market share of the wooden windows and doors industry, with 10 per cent each coming from the company-owned outlets as well as its franchisee and distribution network pan-India.

Commenting on its India foray and plans ahead, John M Sullivan, head, international business, Pella Corporation, said, “Indians are looking for enhanced lifestyle and living standards with modern design and concepts, which offer a great potential for our products and brand. Targeting the premium segment, Pella would bring high-quality fashionable window and door products that are environment-friendly, energy-efficient and protected from dust and damage. We have already laid out a retail plan and created an aggressive marketing strategy to support it. At present, we are looking to recruit dealers who are preferably architects, interior designers or people with real estate experience.”

The windows and doors industry is largely an ‘unorganised’ market in India and is currently pegged at Rs 6,000 crore. Out of this, an estimated 25 per cent market share is of the wooden doors and windows. Pella has chartered out a strategic roadmap to expand its operation here. In terms of value proposition, the company has initially decided to target the premium segment and the top end of the mass segment.

Amit Sabharwall, COO, Pella India (Abir Trademart Pvt Ltd), added, “We have started our operation from New Delhi and plan to foray into other parts of the country including Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata. In the phase II of our expansion, we will reach out to costumers in major tier II towns, which will include cities like Ludhiana, Lucknow, Jaipur, Srinagar and the like.”

For an average farmhouse, the price point of Pella products will range from Rs 1.5-2.5 crore, while for an average 3,000 sq ft house, it could range anywhere between Rs 15-42 lakh. The company wants to differentiate in the premium segment using innovative technology and materials and at the mid-premium segment through design differences.

HDFC Property Fund To Raise Offshore Realty Fund

PE arm of Housing Development Finance Corporation, HDFC Property Fund is planning to raise $500 mn real estate offshore fund by end of 2012. The firm is supposedly in talks with international investors like the Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC, Qatar Investment Authority along with American and Japanese investors.

The fund has a net IRR target of over 20% and would be investing into redevelopment projects and commercial development across the metro cities of Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Bangalore and Delhi, according to a media report.

HDFC Venture Capital Limited (HVCL) is the fund manager to HDFC Property Fund managing two schemes of the Fund – HDFC India Real Estate Fund (Corpus – R1000 Cr) and IT Corridor Fund (Corpus – R464 Cr). The R1000 Cr seven year domestic fund was raised in 2005 (during which HDFC entered the PE business with HDFC Property Fund) and has made 16-18 investments so far.

Recently, HDFC Property Fund invested R50 Cr for a 21% stake in Bangalore based Fortuna Projects’ SPV in February.  Among other real estate offshore funds in the pipeline, there is ASK Property Investment Advisors, the property fund arm of ASK Group, which had planned to launch $200 Mn international real estate fund next month, Red Fort Capital had raised $500 Mn from overseas investors in January for its Red Fort India Real Estate Fund II with half the corpus already invested.

In February, JP Morgan announced the raising of $500 Mn India focused offshore realty fund, Tata Realty and Infrastructure had planned to tap domestic and overseas investors for acquisition and creation of malls to form a mall chain this month and Piramal Healthcare’s real estate fund, Indiareit Fund Advisors was also planning to raise $500 Mn offshore fund to invest in Indian development projects.

Property consultant JLL had stated that post FDI being allowed in real estate in 2005, India received investment of $14 Bn and funds witnessed an exit of around $2 – 3 Bn in the last four years.

The fund raising plans also comes on the back of Federal Reserve’s announcement to boost liquidity by the QE3 mechanism along with the ECB injecting more money for liquidity purposes.

China to surpass US in number of skyscrapers

China will surpass the US with most number of skyscrapers, or buildings more than 152 metres in height, in the next five years, according to a report.

China will have 802 such buildings by 2017, compared to 539 in the US. And in 10 years, the number of skyscrapers in China will reach 1,318, compared to 563 in the US.

Currently, the US tops the world with 533 skyscrapers, compared to 470 in China, the research organization MotianCity said in a report. There are 332 such buildings under construction in China, with an additional 516 in the pipeline, the Shanghai Daily reported Monday.

In contrast, only six skyscrapers are under construction in the US at present, with another 24 in the planning stage.

The skyscrapers are set to rise not only in major cities like Shanghai and Beijing but also in second and third-tier cities.

Krrish Group launches super luxury homes in Gurgaon

Leading Delhi-based developer Krrish Group is launching ‘Monde de Provence’, a Ground +22 floors super luxury apartments and penthouses in Gurgaon. Being built on 8.98 acres, the size of each apartment will be 5450 Sq. ft while Penthouses will be 10,100 Sq. Ft. with only two units per floor.  

Elegant finishes is just one of the few things at Monde de Provence that would greet the residents before they push open the doors. Monde de Provence offers its residents a tropical beach pool, the first of its kind in any Indian residential hub integrated with exclusive ladies and kids pool with heating facilities for round the year use. Sports buffs can pursue their passion in the badminton, tennis, skating, TT and even billiards in the Club House. 

Monde de Provence, Gurgaon

Flanked by the picturesque Aravalli range and the TERI Golf Course, Monde de Provence is located a gear-shift away from South Delhi on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Expressway. Each of the apartments and penthouses boasts of breathtaking 360 degree views and have proximity to hospitals, malls, offices and schools. The site is one minute drive from TERI Golf Course, Two minute from Jaunapur Farmhouses, three minutes from Golf Course Road and 25 minutes from Indira Gandhi International Airport.

The project is designed by CP Kukreja Associates, a leading master planning and engineering firm, who bagged Best Architecture in India (Residential) award by CNBC and Crisil in 2007. 

Here airy bedrooms greet the Aravallis. Tastefully fitted living rooms overlook the central greens. Dining halls are spacious, bathrooms are very well appointed and the modular fittings are the making of a fabulously slick kitchen. The ultimate amalgamation of class, comfort, luxury and modern convenience in the interiors is brought to life by Wilson Associates from New York.

Fitness fanatics have a state-of-the-art gym and fitness centre with spa and Jacuzzi. For those seeking spiritual health, take solace at the yoga meditation centre. For the idyllic leisure seekers, there is a park for senior members, which is vehicle-free. The proximity to the TERI Golf Course is sure to send a tingle down the club of any golf enthusiast, but that's not all, Monde de Provence is appointed with its very own golf chipping and putting facilities.

Club House at Monde de Provence houses a banquet area, departmental stores, food court and French styled cafe and patisseries. An ATM and a business centre are also part of the Club House.   At Monde de Provence, utmost attention has been paid to the little details. Doctor on call, earthquake resistant structure, 100 per cent power back up, 24x7 water supply and round-the-clock security are some of the amenities provided by the builder to the residents. 

Furnishings

Residents at Monde de Provence will also be pampered to the immaculate interiors designed by internationally acclaimed firm, Wilson Associates (New York) - whose client list includes more than 20 of the world's top 100 billionaires. To match up with your taste we have also partnered with one of the leading international furniture brands. 

Christopher Guy : The creator of the world's most fabulous furnishings, a contemporary mood with classic values, that is  the Christopher Guy look. Well-known for fusing classicism with modernism, Christopher Guy's style can be described as "contemporary with classical values". A singular vision and uncompromising sense of style and pursuit of elegance have driven Christopher to continually redefine the aesthetics of design.

Rupee depreciation led to higher NRI remittances, says ASSOCHAM

A sharp decline in the rupee value in the last one year resulted in a surge in the NRI remittances in the fiscal 2011-12 and going forward, these inflows will only improve in the current financial year, an ASSOCHAM study said. The main source however, was from NRIs investing in real estate sector in India compared to investing in government bonds or other investment options available for them.

The rupee depreciation, to the extent of about 25 per cent in the last one year, has had a positive impact on the remittances by the non-resident Indians (NRIs), making up more than the negative impact that could have been seen on these inflows because of severe slowdown in the western economies, the study said.

India received US dollar 66 billion in the FY 2011-12 on account of remittances by Indians abroad, showing a surge of 19 per cent over the inflows in 2010-11. Going forward, even though the rupee may not see as much depreciation as it did in the last 12 months, the remittances would remain robust and may well cross US dollar 75 billion in 2012-13, the chamber study indicated.
“There are two reasons why the NRIs would continue to send funds back home. One, expensive dollar results in better yields for them when the foreign currency gets translated into the Indian currency and second, the liquidity in the western markets are likely to improve. This, in turn, would find way into India as well, also through the remittances route along with the foreign institutional investors,” it said

Commenting on the issue,  ASSOCHAM President Rajkumar N Dhoot said “ a robust repatriation of money by the Indians abroad prove a great support for India’s current account deficit, which otherwise remains a matter of concern in view of continuous and worrisome deceleration in exports of merchandise goods”.
  The current account deficit in the fiscal 2012-13 is projected to be 3.6-3.7 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. India received NRI remittances of US dollar 56 billion in 2010-11 and US dollar 54 billion in the fiscal 2009-10.

According to   RBI data, North America, the Gulf countries and Europe are the major sources of the repatriation of money from Indians abroad. Though there is a big chunk of emigrants to the Gulf countries, the funds from North America, including Canada, are greater because of different profiles and income level of Indians employed and engaged in these regions.

ASSOCHAM’s optimism in terms of better NRI receipts also stems from the  fact when the going gets tough in the developed economies, the Indians there tend to save more and would like to park their surpluses in their home country.

However, the remittances from Europe are very likely to come under pressure as the wage levels and the rate of unemployment increases in the troubled area, especially in the Eurozone, excepting Germany.

The situation in North America would not change much, excepting that Indians would tend to save more while the Gulf the demand for Indian labour force would remain stable, the ASSOCHAM study said.

L&T ECC Wins Inno GeoCity Corporate Sports Olympiad 2012

Chennai: Inno GeoCity, a flagship residential project by Inno, a global investment group focused on real estate with operations in Europe, Middle East and India, in association with F5 Ventures, concluded the 6th edition of Corporate Sports Olympiad 2012with a grand finale in Chennai.

L&T ECC bagged gold after maintaining the lead right from week one of the event. Chief Guest, Anaka Alankamony, Sqaush Asian Juniors Under 19 Gold Medalist, presided over the function and gave away the prizes. The occasion was graced by the sponsors of the event and representatives from leading corporate houses.

L&T- Chamipons of Inno GeoCity Corporate Sports Olympiad 2012

Inno GeoCity Corporate Sports Olympiad 2012 offered fourteen disciplines, appealing to employees across all cadres. The sporting event includes Cricket, Volleyball, Football, Swimming, Bowling,Golf,Table tennis and Chess. The games were played at the best of the venues, including popular stadiums, clubs, indoor and outdoor locations and exclusive gaming zones. For convenience, all the events were conducted on weekends or public holidays, or late in the evenings, enabling maximum participation.

Commenting on the occasion, M. Harinath, Director - Sales and Marketing, Inno GeoCity said, “We saw intense action during the Grand Finale, as all teams had come with the best of Athletes, with performances matching a National level meet. We are happy to see that the Inno GeoCity Corporate Sports Olympiad has evolved over the years. This event has provided corporate houses an enriching opportunity for young professionals to participate in sporting events, thereby creating a competitive spirit across diverse fields.”

The event was spread over two months starting from July 28, 2012 on weekends and other public holidays. This year’s participants were L&T ECC, TCS, Wipro, Verizon, HCL, HP, Ford, Renault Nissan, Barclays, Scope International, Danfoss, Zoho Corp, etc.

Indiabulls Power to commission 270 MW project in Dec 2012

Indiabulls Power Ltd has successfully conducted the boiler light up for the first 270 MW unit of its 1350 MW Power Plant at Amravati, Maharashtra. Following the boiler light up, commercial operation is expected to commence in December 2012.

The Indiabulls Power Ltd stock was trading at Rs.12.28, down by Rs.0.12 or 0.97%. The stock hit an intra-day high of Rs.12.45 and low of Rs.11.82.

The total traded quantity was 5.93 lakhs compared to 2 week average of 4.55 lakhs.

Stocks trade briskly

Indiabulls Power is currently trading at Rs. 13.50, up by 1.22 points or 9.93% from its previous closing of Rs. 12.28 on the BSE.

The scrip opened at Rs. 12.70 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 13.90 and Rs. 12.55 respectively. So far 12, 08,000 shares were traded on the counter.The BSE group 'B' stock of face value Rs. 10 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 20.70 on 05-Mar-2012 and a 52 week low of Rs. 8.10 on 29-Dec-2011.

Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 13.90 and Rs. 11.50 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 3,567 crore.The promoters holding in the company stood at 60.79% while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 23.05% and 16.16% respectively. 

Indiabulls Power has successfully conducted the boiler light up for the first 270 MW unit of its 1350 MW Power Plant located at Amravati in Maharashtra. Following the boiler light up, commercial operation is expected to commence in December 2012.

Indiabulls Power was established to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the Indian power sector. It develops and intends to operate and maintain power projects in India.