Build Intec 2012 to focus on technology and green building concept

Coimbatore: To add more thrust to the burgeoning construction industry in this region, the sixth edition of international construction exposition Build Intec 2012 will be held in this southern Indian city from February 17 to 20, which, according to the organizers, will witness a massive congregation of world's construction industries' best brains at the Codissia Trade Fair Complex. 

Expected to draw more than 8000 visitors and showcase new and efficient constructive ideas, the thrust area of this edition of Build Intec 2012 would be ‘Green Building Concept' said its Chairman, S Manivasakam. 

Hosted by Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CCODISSIA), around 200 exhibitors from Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala and Delhi and representations from the US and China are expected to participate in the event. 

Building materials and components, building technology, construction materials and equipments would be show-cased in an area of around 3,000 sq m said Codissia President, M Kandhaswami. 

The line of items put on exhibit during the event is quite extensive too, ranging right from construction machinery, brick making tools, tower cranes and coir products, to landscaping devices, storage appliances, building management systems and housing finance services.

Build Intec is one of the leading building and construction industry related trade fairs in India. The show serves as a convenient platform for qualified experts from this sector to closely deliberate upon the latest market trends and developments. The show gets its global flavor from the large contingent of foreign participants, hailing from countries like Pakistan, Germany and the United States, who are present here.

 The expo would provide excellent business networking opportunities for the participating companies and the visitors.

Playing host to more than 200 exhibiting companies, showcasing a vast range of construction tools, products and machines, some of the main items to be exhibited at the show are industrial adhesives, ceramic tiles, flooring solutions, electrical products, bath fittings, aluminum composite panels, hardware, plumbing accessories and waterproofing products. Damage resistance tools, safety and security equipments, air conditioning systems, cables and solar energy tools are also to be showcased along with brick making equipments, construction machinery, tower cranes, transmission instruments, stone cutting tools, housing finance services and trade publications.

Several eminent industry professionals from the construction sector, including architects, contractors, promoters, distributors, interior decorators, builders and consulting engineers are expected to register their presence in the expo, which would also witness participation of leading property developers, project managers, structural engineers and facility planners.

Green Building – The Only way

At the curtain raiser event was organised by Build Intec and Codissia at Hotel Aloft here on Wednesday. Speaking on the occasion, chairman of the Coimbatore Chapter of Indian Green Building Council, Rajesh B. Lund, said there would be a seminar on ‘Green Building – The Only way' on February 18, where the focus would be on green houses and conversion of existing factories to green factories. He said the green building concept was catching up, albeit slowly. 

The President of the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Coimbatore, Dr M. Krishnan, said such events would serve as platforms for showcasing Coimbatore globally. ‘Though the city has grown, we have failed to market the city,' he told The Hindu. 

Lead Bank Manager, J Vanangamudi, said there was a slight reversal in trend with bankers now approaching various builders evincing their interest to participate in such fairs. “Banks participation would also help visitors have a fair idea of the product offerings of different banks, make a comparison of the interest rate, and understand the market trend,” he added.

2000 govt staff to get new flats in Coimbatore

COIMBATORE: Family members of 2,000 government employees rejoice as their dilapidated housing board flats in the Race Course area of Kavundampalayam will be converted into brand new flats with modern facilities.

Thanks to the state government’s initiatives which has allocated Rs 300 crore recently to demolish the ruined flats and construct 2000 new flats with modern amenities like lift at Kavundampalayam, a little away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Though the detailed estimate will be prepared later, construction works will be carried out at an estimated cost of Rs 300 crore, a media report quoting government officials having said.

The houses will be categorised  as A, B, C, which will be 1,200 sq ft, 1000 sq ft and 800 sq ft respectively. This is 200 sq ft more (in each category) than the older government housing.

The new complex will have 10 floors and the construction will be able to sustain large earthquakes and other natural calamities, the report said, adding, the building will have lifts and residents will have adequate space to relax within the compound.

However, the residents continue to live in the TNHB flats, despite being served their notices by the government to vacate to facilitate demolition and re-construction of flats. S Nirmala, a resident at DFO Colony has been living there for the past 25 years. She confirms that they have received their notices, but no alternative living arrangements have been made so far by the authorities, thereby, making it difficult for them to move out.

"Time and again we have complained about the poor maintenance and the need to repair many of the buildings. But our pleas fell on the deaf ears," said P Vijay, another resident.

It should be remembered that in October 2007, 13 people, including three women, were killed and 12 injured when a block of 24 housing board flats collapsed in the city. The poorly maintained three-storey building was reportedly 30-years old and located in Ukkadam, a middle income group locality.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-01-24/coimbatore/30658871_1_housing-board-flats-government

Graphisoft Brings ArchiCAD STAR (T) Edition 2012

Graphisoft has released ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012, the latest addition to its entry-level Building Information Modeling (BIM) solution.

The edition is based on the robust BIM technology of ArchiCAD 15, but with a feature set and price tailored to the needs of small architectural practices, home builders and building contractors, a company release said.

ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2012 contains all the tools necessary to create the BIM model from which the entire architectural documentation and the list of materials can be derived. Also, it offers the full benefits of the intelligent GDL object technology of ArchiCAD. The new release introduces functions to STAR (T) Edition users including:

• Intelligent Element Connections – automatic connections between building structures and elements to help the creation and maintenance of the BIM model while preserving the flexibility architects need.

• 3D Design Space - 3D guidelines and editing planes to help the creation of the BIM model in the natural 3D environment including axonometric and perspective views.

• Latest DWG - DXF file exchange capabilities with the 3rd party applications of consultants.

An English version of STAR (T) Edition 2012 together with the German and Austrian versions is available BIM users.

About GRAPHISOFT

GRAPHISOFT® ignited the BIM revolution with ArchiCAD®, the industry first BIM software for architects. GRAPHISOFT continues to lead the industry with innovative solutions such as the revolutionary GRAPHISOFT BIM Server™, the world’s first real-time BIM collaboration environment, and the GRAPHISOFT EcoDesigner™, the world's first fully integrated building energy modeling application. GRAPHISOFT’s innovative solutions have fundamentally changed the way architects around the world design and collaborate. GRAPHISOFT® has been part of the Nemetschek Group, since its acquisition in 2007.

 

CRR cut: Realty players seek rate cut

NEW DELHI: Reeling under high interest rate regime for the last few months, the Indian real estate industry has seen some positive movement in Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s latest move to  revise  the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) by 50 basis point, but industry sources said lending institutions should follow suit by cutting the interest rate immediately to win back home buyers.

Aditya Verma, Senior Vice President & COO of Makaan.com opined, "CRR cut from RBI is a welcome step and is viewed by the industry as an early indicator for a softening stance in the coming months. The step will easy the liquidity in the system which is good for the real estate industry. Major benefit will actually accrue only when there is softening of the repo and reverse repo. This is expected over Feb-March 2012 period. The actual benefit to the property seekers will start to flow from April 2012 onwards."

India real estateReal estate major DLF also had positive take on the CRR cut. "While this is the first positive step after a long time, it is really not adequate to give a fillip to growth," Rajeev Talwar, group executive director of DLF, said. "All I can say now is that this is a positive signal. We have been reeling under a high interest rate regime and essentially there has been a crisis of confidence due to successive rate hikes."

Talwar told ET that that housing and construction industry was largely buyer-funded and thus rates need to come down to get them back to the market. "With every rise in sentiment, you get a great boost to demand."

Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Associations of India (CREDAI) also welcomed the move. "We are happy that the RBI has taken cognizance of the plight of the productive sector and has lowered the CRR. This move will help curb to some extent the negative sentiments in the economy in general and real estate sector in particular," Gaurav Mittal, governing council member of CREDAI & MD of CHD Developers, said.

“The CRR cut will bring in liquidity. It will help the Real Estate Market which is cash starved. However it is important to see the interest rate that shall has to come down to facilitate the home seekers to buy homes,” said Lalit Kumar Jain, National President CREDAI & CMD of Kumar Urban development.

Sathish Kumar of Anandam Foundation, one of the leading developers in Chennai, said, “CRR rate cut is a good beginning as this will make banks to reduce the interest burden on the housing loans. This will intern bring back customers to the industry, which has been plagued by serious macro-economic problems for the last two years.”

Kamal Khetan, MD, Sunteck Realty said, “The cut of 50 basis point will surely bring liquidity in the market. The move will tame inflation and act as a stimulus to growth. For the real estate industry, there won’t be immediate effect on borrowing however we could expect a reduction of interest rates in the months ahead.”

Earlier two of the leading industrial bodies FICCI and ASSOCHAM have welcomed the RBI’s move to cut the CRR.  This is a bold step to rein in inflation and address concerns over growth, which are now taking centre-stage with the GDP growth rate likely to touch 7 per cent in 2011-12, said ASSOCHAM in a statement. 



"The RBI decision to reduce the CRR from 6% to 5.5% is a welcome step,” reacts R V Kanoria, President, FICCI. However, given the uncertain growth prognosis for the current fiscal, a cut in repo rate may have acted as a strong enabling factor in spurring investment activity, he opined.

Khadakpurna river project given one year extension

New Delhi: India's Planning Commission has approved extension of time period for completion of Khadakpurna Irrigation Project in Sindkhed Raja tehsil of Buldana district in Maharashtra by one year. 

The Maharashtra government had earlier requested the Planning Commission to extend the time period of completion of the irrigation project from March 2012 to March 2013. The extension was requested due to the land acquisition and rehabilitation and resettlement issues.

The state has also signed a MoU with the Ministry of Water Resources for availing the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme assistance in the extended period and in the MoU they have agreed for completing the project during the extended period within the cost of Rs 917.95 cr for which the investment clearance has been accorded by the Planning Commission.

The secretary to Ministry of Water Resources who is also the Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Ministry of Water Resources for the Irrigation, flood control and Command Area Development and Water Management Projects has also agreed for the extension of time period of one year.

Khadakpurna River Project

The ambitious irrigation project promises to provide irrigation to 18,000 hectares land and drinking water to four parched tehsils in one of the most backward districts of the Vidarbha region.

Khadakpurna Irrigation Project is one of the ten major irrigation projects in Vidarbha, handed over to the VIDC. The project based on the Khadakpurna river was granted administrative clearance in 1989. The project is to benefit 18,000 hectares of farming land in Sindkhed Raja, Deulgaon Raja, Chikhli and Mehkar talukas and also promises to provide drinking water to these parched areas.

Originally estimated to cost Rs 83 crore, the cost escalated to Rs 178 crore in 1997, when it was taken over by the VIDC. The current cost of the project is estimated at around Rs 200 crore.

Interestingly, the project does not face the usual problems associated with any major irrigation project. The project involves complete submergence and thus displacement of only six villages, while 53 villages - 40 in Deulgaon Raja and 13 in Sindkhed Raja.

Reconstruction work at Cuddalore to be completed soon: Minister

Cuddalore: With relief and restoration works in cyclone-Thane ravaged Cuddalore district gaining momentum, Tamil Nadu Rural Industries Minister M C Sampath said buildings damaged in the cyclonic storm will be constructed and repairing works done soon.

Government has sanctioned rs 2.53 crore for the purpose, he said after visiting government school buildings damaged in the storm in various areas, a NDTV report said.

Cyclone Relief Special Officer Gagan Deep Singh and Cuddalore Collector Rajendra Ratnoo also accompanied him.  

The Collector said works will be completed soon to speed up restoration of power supply to 35343 agricultural sector power connections in the district. Power supply to houses in the entire district has been restored.

Trees uprooted in the agricultural fields will be removed by power saws. Workers of National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREGA) scheme will be engaged for clearing the fallen trees, the Collector said.

Messe Frankfurt Partners with ELCOMA for Light India 2012

Mumbai: Global trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt is partnering for the first time with the Electric Lamp & Component Manufacturers Association of India (ELCOMA) for the 2012 edition of Light India which will be held from October 5- 8 this year at Pragati Madian, New Delhi.

Touted as India’s largest lighting exhibition in terms of exhibitor and visitor numbers, according to Shyam Sujan, Secretary General of ELCOMA, the show will provide support to the local lighting industry, which is seeing an incredible technological advancement in products and services.

Commenting on the new partnership with ELCOMA, Raj Manek, Managing Director, Messe Frankfurt Trade Fairs India Pvt Ltd said, “Messe Frankfurt is looking forward to bringing its expertise to Light India. Currently, we organise three of the most respected lighting industry shows in the world. We have the bi-annual Light + Building held in Frankfurt, which is the world’s biggest lighting and building show, the annual Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition held in Guangzhou, China which is Asia’s biggest and most comprehensive lighting forum, and also the annual Light Middle East held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

In addition, Light India will host a three-day technical seminar focusing on emerging new technologies and applications such as energy-saving and green lighting technologies. Some of the world’s leading experts and specialists will deliver Technical Papers on subjects most relevant to India and recommendations made during the seminar will form a white paper which will be submitted to the government for decision making and future policy guidelines.

Light India will cover a gross area of 16,000 sq m and will offer a comprehensive trade and marketing platform in categories such as  Electric lamps,  LED lighting products, Compact fluorescent lamps (CFL), Architectural lighting,  Decorative lighting, etc.

Manek remarked, “ In addition, with the support of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Ministry of New & Renewable Energy, CPWD and the Council of Architecture, Builders Association of India and the Indian Society of Lighting Engineers (ISLE), Light India is the platform to interact with the bulk buying government and private agency decision makers.”

India’s lighting industry

During the last seven decades, India’s lighting industry has transitioned from being an importer of finished products, to an assembler of components, and now to a self sufficient producer of lighting systems.

Currently has a turnover of USD 1.8 billion and is growing between 10 to 12 percent per annum,  the local market is more international, offering a full range of products and systems as the Indian government has adopted a liberalised economic policy which gives consumers global product choices.

The import of lighting products is estimated at more than USD 18 million per year, growing at 15 percent. In addition, duties are being lowered and new technologies are being encouraged.

H S Mamak, Advisor to ELCOMA said,  “As India is one of the world’s fastest growing economies with a GDP growth of around 8 percent, the years ahead should be even better for the lighting industry, especially with an increased surge in CFL, LED, HID and lighting fixture products due to consumer awareness of energy efficient lighting. In addition, India’s construction boom and industrial development is presenting a great opportunity for lighting manufacturers.