[Sathyalal]

Please post news items related to Trivandrum projects in this thread

[Sathyalal]

Thiruvananthapuram, March 5: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Kerala government Monday said it would soon set up a Technocity here, a project it had opposed when in the opposition.

Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan informed the Kerala Assembly that the Technocity would come up near the Technopark campus.

An attempt of the previous Oommen Chandy government to give a push to the project failed at the outset when the youth wing of the CPI-M, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), went on a rampage during a meeting called to discuss the Rs.50 billion Technocity campus. The project was shelved thereafter.

Achuthanandan Monday told the assembly that the master plan for Technocity was ready and the project would come up in an area of 507 acres.
"This has been taken up in the fast-track project and when completed it would provide 100,000 jobs directly and 300,000 jobs indirectly," said Achuthanandan.

In the proposed Technocity, IT, bio-technology companies, residential complexes and schools are planned.

[sudheeshnairs]

:previous:

This is a tentative layout of the Technocity project being developed by Technopark with private participation. This layout is part of a presentation available on the TP site. :)

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/7733/technocitylayout7nu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sudheeshnairs]

22 floors
NH Bypass
Masterplanner: M/s Surbana, Singapore
Local Architect: M/s Sony Mathai Lalichan
Developer: Skyline SFS.

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1671/cyberpalms1kw8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/5260/dsc00645fd9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A slightly modified view, from the front

http://i17.tinypic.com/2aikiko.jpg

[sudheeshnairs]

Thiruvananthapuram Central to be made a world-class station

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

New complex to have a built-up area of 10-lakh square feet

Thiruvananthapuram:

Steps are being taken to convert the Thiruvananthapuram Central railway station into a world-class one.The expression of interest (EOI), invited to identify those interested in the project, will be opened on March 17 by the divisional railway authorities. Later, tenders would be invited for carrying out feasibility studies for the proposed project, a top railway official told The Hindu .

The new complex of the railway station will have a built-up area of 10-lakh square feet. It will have all modern facilities including an office and commercial complex. A one-km long strip of land is needed for laying the track for the proposed station complex that would have platforms at different levels.

The proposal under consideration of the Railways is to shift the intermediate over hauling (IOH) facility located near the second entry on the Power House road, five pit lines and three stabling lines on the Central station premises and use the land for setting up the new complex.

The IOH facility, along with five lines and a goods shed, would be set up on the land owned by the Railways at Nemom. The Railways own 10.52 hectares of land in Nemom. An equal area of land will have to be acquired.

Since the Railways have already cleared the Mainline Electric Multiple Units (MEMU), the divisional authorities will also have to find out land for a suburban terminal in the capital. According to the official, the proposal is to set up the suburban terminal at Nemom or Putharikandam maidan.Since the expansion project of Thiruvananthapuram Central is a massive one, only a consortium would be able to take up the project.

Thiruvananthapuram Central is the largest railway station in the State and one of the busiest railway hubs in South India. The station is among the 16 major railway stations in the country selected to be converted into world-class standards. Union Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad had laid the foundation stone for the expansion and modernisation of the station in December last.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/07/stories/2007030712450500.htm

A one million sq ft. terminal with multi-level platforms and commercial facilities will be truely world class.

[sudheeshnairs]

:previous:

These are the shots of Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) Central Railway Station. The new terminal building of 1 million sft would be coming up on the opposite side. At present there is a second entry and station building on that side too.

photo copyright rikkiandmatt

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/6974/trainsrikkinandmattze6.jpg

pic courtesy: Jimmy Jose, IRFCA.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/867/tvmcentralsidingsqm6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Park infront of Central Railway Station and Bus Station at Thampanoor

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/5143/dsc00482wy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5913/dsc00483bh7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://tinypic.com/9glrhw.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9glu6a.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9gv6ua.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9gva02.jpg

http://tinypic.com/9gvct1.jpg

SECOND ENTRY

http://i16.tinypic.com/2q30ho5.jpg

Old Photo, taken before 'Electrification of the lines'

http://tinypic.com/9gvhtt.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Sudheesh, Nice coverage of Trivandrum central; Largest and Busiest station under southern railway after Chennai.

[Sathyalal]

IISER, India's first space university,AIIMS, will join RGBIT,C-DAC, SCIMST,CET, ISRO,VSSC,RRL etc to make the city unique in India in the area of Science & Research

Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 5: The Union government has agreed in principle to set up an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Kerala, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan informed the assembly today.

The IISER would come up here in Thiruvananthapuram and the district Collector and higher education secretary have been asked to identify suitable land for the purpose, he said, while replying to a calling attention motion on establishing IISER, IIT and in upgrading the status of Medical College here to that of AIIMS.

The Centre has sanctioned Rs 100 crore for developing Thiruvananthapuram medical college and the state government was in the process of preparing development projects, he said, adding that efforts would continue to upgrade the status of the medical college.

[Subin]

To add to what Sudheesh posted

1. Copyright : Unni.K - Flickr

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/7800/tvc2unnikbf1.jpg

2. Copyright : Unni.K - Flickr

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/8525/tvc1unnikns7.jpg

3. Reservation Counter Copyright : Miran Rijavec - Flickr

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9941/tvc3miranrijavecqi8.jpg

[rajkrish]

Animation School in KINFRA video and Film park @ Kazhakkoottam

The central govt has agreed to provide assistance for setting up an Animation School @ the renowned KINFRA Film & Video park, Trivandrum. The park which is a notified SEZ lies along the IT corridor hosts well known studios like Prasad, Vismaya and has churned out many projects for Hollywood majors like Time Warner, Disney and Columbia Tristar. It is thought that the setting up of Animation School would give impetus to the growth of digital film making in India and the park coupled with the animation giant TOONZ which is based in Technopark, Asia's biggest IT park, has all the potential to be the digital movie making hub of South Asia.

[Subin]

Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal Project to be retendered

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday decided to invite fresh tenders for the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Terminal Project. Earlier bid for the project had been cancelled on account of objection from the Union Government on security grounds about the presence of two Chinese companies in the consortium that successfully bid for the project.

Source : Hindu: March 8th (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/08/stories/2007030820280500.htm)

Vizhinjam is a natural port located 16 km south of Thiruvananthapuram on the West coast of India. As you can see in the 2nd picture the cruise ship is comfortably anchored in the harbour without the need for any dredging.

To add to that, some advantages that Vizhinjam port would have over other ports :
* Proximity to international shipping route and East-West shipping axis
* Availability of 20m contour within a nautical mile off the coast. Minimal littoral drift along the coast and therefore hardly any maintenance dredging
* Immediacy to national/regional road, rail network
* Flexibility in design and expansion being a Greenfield project close to Thiruvananthapuram city that has an International airport, human resource and social infrastructure
Source: Wikipedia

1. Vizhinjam Port Site :::: Copyright :Ajay

http://img126.imageshack.us/img126/3121/vizhinjamajayyg7.jpg

2.Cruise ship at Vizhinjam :::: Copyright :Ajay

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/5259/img0509rsmd4.jpg

[Subin]

Presenting the budget in the Assembly on Friday Mr. Isaac said the Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO) would commence preliminary activities for setting up a Telecom city this year. The proposed city would be set up in association with the Indian Telephone Industries (ITI)

Read More : Hindu March 10th (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/10/stories/2007031022780500.htm)

News from Manorama Online (http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bin/MMOnline.dll/portal/ep/malayalamContentView.do?contentType=EDITORIAL&programId=1073753765&articleType=Malayalam%20News&contentId=2122249&BV_ID=@@@)

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3807/telecomcity1wc3.jpg
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2919/telecomcity2nj4.jpg

Report says that 25 acres has been identified in the Capital city for the project. This 300 crore project is expected to generate around 6000 jobs.

[Subin]

Telecom city to be set up in Trivandrum
Rs.13 crore for third phase expansion of Technopark
A permanent festival centre for the Thiruvananthapuram International Film Festival
Attukal Development Scheme
Rs.196 crore has been provided in the budget for the development of Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram cities under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
Rs.250 crore would be made available from Sustainable Urban Development projects to implement another scheme for the development of urban infrastructure facilities. It will be implemented in five Municipal corporations, including Thiruvananthapuram
Fresh tenders would be invited for the development of Vizhinjam port. Rs.5 crore has been earmarked in the budget for strengthening the share capital of Vizhinjam International Seaports Limited that provides infrastructure facility
The State Government would provide Rs.20 crore matching grant for the Rs.100 crore development of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College
The Regional Cancer Centre here would get Rs.9.5 crore.
The Thiruvananthapuram International Film Festival, which has already received international acclaim, would be provided Rs.50 lakh for setting up a permanent festival centre
Rs.2 crore for the conservation of four colleges that has heritage buildings. This includes the landmark University College
N. Krishna Pillai Foundation and The Institute of Journalism, Press Club, Trivandrum would get Rs.10 lakh each

Source: Hindu March 10th (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/10/stories/2007031022780500.htm)

[Subin]

The Government has decided to renew the agreement with Thiruvananthapuram Road Development Company Limited (TRDCL) to resume work on the stalled City Roads Improvement Project, Minister for Public Works T.U. Kuruvilla said on Saturday.

"Work has already resumed at Bakery Junction to resurface the roads dug up for the construction of a flyover." the Minister said. He adds that a detailed schedule had been worked out to hand over all the land before June 30.

Read more : Hindu Online March 11th (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/11/stories/2007031119660500.htm)

42 kms of city road is being developed as part of this program. :cheers:

[Subin]

The Railways have initiated steps for the second phase development of the Kochuveli railway terminal by handing over to the revenue authorities the notification for acquiring land for the project.

A sum of Rs.22 crore was sanctioned in the supplementary budget of 2006-07 for the second phase development. Union Minister for Railways Lalu Prasad had allocated Rs.1 crore in the 2007-08 budget for the purpose.

Funds are available with the Railways to commence work on the project. We can even divert funds from the Rs.39 crore earmarked in the 2007-08 Railway Budget for traffic facilities," the official said.

Source : Hindu March 11th (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/11/stories/2007031119610500.htm)

The project is due to be commissioned in March 2009. Along with proposed upgradation of Trivandrum Central Station and the commissioning of suburban services the Kollam-Nagercoil stretch is going to see immense developement :cool:

[Subin]

Report from Mathrubhumi Dhanakaryam(Financial Supplement)

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/4673/infytvmms6.jpg ;)

Report says that Infosys COO, Kris Gopalakrishnan has informed that work on first phase of the Infosys campus at Trivandrum would commence shortly and that it would be over in 12 months. The first phase is expected to generate around 5000 jobs. This number would triple to 15000 once the work on entire campus is completed.

Recently 50 acres of land was handed over to Infosys by GOK. Infosys's current headcount in Trivandrum is around 1100 :)

[rajkrish]

Beggruen hotels is in TVM. They have acquired land near housing board Junction.

Photo courtesy : Vinodtnt
http://i11.tinypic.com/2dtylcj.jpg

[rajkrish]

Kerala govt to partner K Raheja, Chalet in $35-m biz hub plan

Source:http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=157830

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MARCH 14 : K Raheja Corp's $35-million business hub plan near Technopark is set to wear the public private partnership (PPP) garb. The Kerala government has insisted on 26% equity on the project, including a convention centre, exhibition and retailing centre and a four-star resort.

An special purpose vehicle (SPV) to this effect will soon take shape, sources told FE. The realty majors have not been adverse to the change of equity structure.

Chalet Hotels, alongwith K Raheja Corp had secured the mandate for the IT-related business tourism project, as early as two years ago. Chalet Hotels is a joint venture between K Rahejas Corp and IDFC Private Equity. However, following the change of guard in Kerala, the project had hit rough weather.

The PPP outfit now alters things. The tourism arm of the government has already bought 46 acres from the State-run Technopark for this at a price of Rs 5.55 crore.

One caveat, that Technopark has dug its heels on, as part of the land deed, is that the private developers should not be allowed to develop the land as an IT/ITES facility, in competition with Technopark or its upcoming expansion facility Technocity.

Curiously enough, the land for the K Raheja plan is to be transferred on a 90-year lease, a sensitive issue with the LDF government. To extend the 25-year lease with Dubai Tecom for $300-million SmartCity project in Kochi, the State had to wreke out a difficult nod from the LDF's top political bosses. In contrast, in the case of the Mumbai-based realty giant, the thumbs up for 90-year lease came, escaping the media glare.

[Sathyalal]

Breggruen Hotels - backed by the US-based Breggruen Holdings - has decided to set up the first of its 38 boutique budget hotels in Trivandrum

The bhoomi pooja of the first Keys Hotel in the country was performed by Breggruen Hotels CEO Sanjay Seth at a site near the Housing Board Junction on Thursday.

In fact, Thiruvananthapuram was chosen after much care. “We have been actively pursuing sites in south India like Pondicherry and Chennai. But with Thiruvananthapuram growing as an industrial and IT centre as well as a hub for medical tourism in the recent years, this is an opportune time for Keys to mark its foray into the burgeoning hospitality industry in the region,” chief marketing officer Partha Chatterjee said.

[Sathyalal]

Chennai to emulate Trivandrum and Delhi on parallel corridor concept

The parallel corridor concept, introduced in cities such as Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi, which helps in thinning traffic on arterial roads, is a possible solution, points out Dr. Srinivasan. For instance, Thiruvananthapuram now has four alternative corridors to reach the city airport. Similarly, in Pune, traffic signals are synchronised in five corridors for faster vehicle movement

http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/13/stories/2007031316990400.htm

[Subin]

Decks have been cleared for the setting up a Rs.100-crore International Convention Centre Complex (ICCC) near Akkulam tourist village in the city with 26 per cent equity participation of the State Government.

A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be formed to implement the project, which will give a fillip to MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention and Exhibition) tourism in the capital city and southern region of the country.

Official sources told The Hindu that a private partner - Chalet Hotels and Properties Pvt. Ltd. along with M/s Raheja Corporation Pvt. Ltd. - had been selected through a bidding process.

The agreement was being worked out and Chalet Hotels and Properties (Kerala) Pvt. Ltd. had been registered.

To be taken up under the Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) concept, the ICCC will come up on 46 acres of land on the left side of the road leading from Akkulam tourist village to the Kazhakuttam-Inchivila NH 47 bypass. The site is close to the land acquired for the development of the Technopark.

The ICCC will have a total built-up area of 16,480.86 sq. m. It will have a convention and exhibition centre, resort, retail, marina and on-site infrastructure in the first phase. Proximity to the international airport, Technopark, railway terminal, and the beach resort of Kovalam are cited as the main reasons for Akkulam being selected to set up the ICCC.

:yes:

Full Article: Hindu (http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/17/stories/2007031724010500.htm)

[rajkrish]

Suburban trains to start service soon'

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister Vijayakumar on Friday told the Assembly that suburban train services connecting major metro cities and small cities would be started taking into consideration the severe travelling problem in the State.

Minister also indicated the first suburban train service would be started from Kollam to the state capital possibly by this year itself. More details are awaited.

Last year, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation had proposed to run trains between Kollam and Neyyatinkara at 30 minutes duration during the peak hours using the existing infrastructure facilities.

The proposals had been accepted in principle and it was decided to implement the proposals with the assistance of the DMRC using Central Government funds at the earliest

[rajkrish]

MCH becomes fully computerised
Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital (MCH) has become the first ever Government Medical College in the State to become fully computerised.

The hospital information management system implemented at the MCH by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) includes a campus-wide network of 250 nodes with fibre optic backbone and helps in patient admission, ward management, staff scheduling, laboratory management and pay-ward reservations and enquiries.

All patient care activities at the MCH have thereby become automated, with all records, registers and lab reports readily available in the system.

Detailed News:
http://www.hindu.com/2007/03/17/stories/2007031724040500.htm

[rajkrish]

Decks have been cleared for habitat center too
Mathrubhumi reports:- as per minister Benoy vishwam, decks have been cleared for habitat center @TVM and will be set up soon..
Read :-
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newsFrm.php?news_id=1213822&n_type=NE&category_id=3&Farc=

cheers ...:tup:

[rajkrish]

R.R.L. becomes "NIST"

The Regional Research Laboratory (R.R.L), Trivandrum has been a premier R&D institution for the last three decades has changed it's name to "National Institute for Inter Disciplinary Science and Technology" as the Council for Scientific Research and Development decided to expand the existing research facilities which is expected to bring the institute into greater prominence in R&D landscape.

Here is the Mathrubhumi news
http://www.mathrubhumi.com/php/newsFrm.php?news_id=1213738&n_type=NE&category_id=3&Farc=

:tup:

[Subin]

Source : Manorama

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1797/ethihadnewsan8.jpg

Report says UAE's national Airlines, Ethihad Airlines will fly to Kochi and Trivandrum 4 times a week from next month onwards.. :notacrook:

[rajkrish]

Great news :notacrook:

[Subin]

The Greens

4 towers Prakrithi, Haritham, Sangamam, Viharam : 16 floors


MIR Realtors have announced their 11 acre Township in Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2493/mirgreenspf9.gif

Location
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3808/locationhd3.jpg

Apartment

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5417/aptsaa3.jpg
:tup:

[rajkrish]

This looks awesome. I guess this is their biggest project in Kerala

[Sathyalal]

MILFORD, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Degree Controls, Inc. (DegreeC), the global leader of state-of-the-art thermal and airflow technologies for the electronics and telecommunications industries, announced today that it has strengthened its Asian operations by appointing Ven Holalkere to the newly created position of Regional Director, Asia. Mr. Holalkere will be based in Trivandrum, India and report directly to DegreeC’s President and CEO, Jag Sisodia.
In eleven years DegreeC has become a leading provider of thermal and airflow solutions for challenging telecommunications and medical applications. Degree°C is now applying its chassis-level thermal expertise to mission-critical room-level spaces, primarily sophisticated data centers and clean rooms.

DegreeC began its operations in Trivandrum, India in 2004 and has seen rapid growth since that time.

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20070314005569&newsLang=en

[rajkrish]

Minister D. Purendashwari has announced that Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) will be coming up in Trivandrum during 11th plan.

With this latest entrant Trivandrum, which already has a plethora of premier educational and R&D institutes has reaffirmed its place as the knowledge capital of Kerala if not South India.

[rajkrish]

Leela IT park and IBS towers @ Technopark

Photo courtesy : Sudheesh Nair

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1623/dsc02932du6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

IBS building u/c as seen from Bhavani. This is the main building, two 12 & 13floor towers will be coming at both sides

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/4546/dsc02938po8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)[/QUOTE]

[Subin]

Source: New Indian Express (http://newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070320232113&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&)
Three locations have been identified in the district for setting up the proposed Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER), Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan told the Assembly on Tuesday.

The Jersey farm at Vithura, Bonakkad Estate at Vithura and the Kariavattom campus of the Kerala University are the proposed locations, he said in reply to a question by V Sivankutty. The State Government has also informed the Centre of its readiness to lease out land on a long-term basis for setting up the IISER.

He said that the Planning Commission has given in-principle approval for the project.

Following the nod by the Union Human Resources Ministry, the government had appointed the Higher Education principal secretary to find suitable locations. :cool: :cool:

[Subin]

Source:New Indian Express (http://newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070320232113&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&)

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan informed the Assembly that land acquisition for Technocity would be completed by September this year. The project needs a total of 507 acres. He also said that problems related to acquisition of land for Technopark expansion would be solved.

Recently Embassy group, Ascendas, Raheja's and Emaar-MGF had held discussions with Technopark regarding Phase III and Technocity :tup:

[sudheeshnairs]

AQUA VISTA, 15 Floors,106 Apartments, Akkulam Waterfront, with an Infinity pool (over the portico). This is a project by PTC Builder, and is close to NH Bypass. It is after the proposed 'Waterscapes' by SFS on the NH Bypass-Kuzhivila-Akkulam-Ulloor road.

The architect is C2WY Studio, Singapore.


http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2397/aquavista1lg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/6936/aquavistaje9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The location

http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/1382/akkulam1ta4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2313/akkulam2nj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

This looks stunnig :tup:

AQUA VISTA, 15 Floors,106 Apartments, Akkulam Waterfront, with an Infinity pool (over the portico). This is a project by PTC Builder, and is close to NH Bypass. It is after the proposed 'Waterscapes' by SFS on the NH Bypass-Kuzhivila-Akkulam-Ulloor road.

The architect is C2WY Studio, Singapore.


http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/2397/aquavista1lg6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/6936/aquavistaje9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The location

http://img457.imageshack.us/img457/1382/akkulam1ta4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2313/akkulam2nj0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

Condor Marigold

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2929/condorapartment5tt.jpg

[rajkrish]

Condor Daffodils

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/1042/dafodilswc7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sudheeshnairs]

Heera Swiss Town

18 floors, three towers.


http://img185.imageshack.us/img185/4240/heeraswisstowndm2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

Artech's Samrudhi Retreat @ Muttada, Pattom

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/817/11658145821562660305016ao2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Sathyalal]

Be proud of home grown companies like suntec,ibs etc

SunTec software to power DBS Bank


SunTec, the Thiruvananthapuram-based relationship-based pricing and centralised billing solutions company, has entered into an agreement with Singapore-based financial service firm DBS Bank to deploy its flagship product TBMS-F.

A SunTec source said here that DBS, which is one of the largest financial services player in the whole of Southeast Asia, will use TBMS-F to examine better ways to serve its customers, through innovative bundling and pricing of its product offerings.

http://www.business-standard.com/iceworld/storypage.php?leftnm=8&subLeft=1&chklogin=N&autono=279077&tab=r

[Rummy_123]

BANGALORE/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: RELIANCE Industries (RIL) is likely to join the race for the $1-billion Vizhinjam port on the Kerala coast, with the state government deciding to call for fresh tenders, sources said. RIL was looking at participating in a major port project on the west coast which could rival Colombo’s prominence, and hence the early interest in Vizhinjam International Seaport (VISL) that falls on the international shipping line, sources added. RIL’s substantial exports, both dry and liquid operations, are mainly driven through large jetties at Dahej and Hazira. Further, RIL is also developing Rewas Port closer to its mega SEZ projects in Navi Mumbai.When contacted, an RIL spokesperson declined to comment.

The private sector behemoth’s interest was in initial stages and it was premature to comment on what progress it would make, sources said. But multiple sources said RIL could be among those who show initial interest when the state kicks off the new tender process in the coming months as it was showing interest in other port projects on the west coast.

Former BPL Mobile promoter and infrastructure entrepreneur Rajeev Chandrasekhar has already signaled interest in Vizhinjam project located near Kovalam, which has been in the making for over a decade now. The Kerala government has initiated moves for re-tendering the Vizhinjam port project, after previous round of bidding for the project had to be dropped because of the Centre’s disinclination to clear the winning bid involving a Chinese consortium on security concerns. The previous round bidding saw 16 firms, including Port Authority of Singapore, showing interest in the Rs 4,360-crore project.
VISL officials said the re-tender was expected to be floated within a few months. They said the request for proposal (RFP) documents for the project were being revised and that tenders would be called for once that exercise was completed. IL&FS has been entrusted the job of the RFP revision, VISL officials said.

The Kerala government proposes to have equity participation in the project and had also sought viability gap funding from the Centre. The first phase of the project involving close to Rs 2,000 crore is scheduled to be completed in three years after obtaining the Centre’s clearance.However, a section of the observers believes that the future of Vizhinjam port could be in jeopardy with Tamil Nadu pushing for a similar project at Kolachel just about 40 km away. The move could strip the strategic locational advantage of Vizhinjam on the international shipping line.


http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Energy/Oil__Gas/RIL_may_join_race_for_Kerala_port_project/articleshow/1817895.cms

[rajkrish]

Thejaswini (Biggest single office structure for IT/ITES in India) as seen from
Bhavani (erstwhile topper w.r.t to space :tup: )

Photo courtesy : Sudheesh Nair

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/9476/dsc02935lm8cs6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

M-Squared building, Technopark

Photo Courtesy : rajeshdxb

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/4637/picture036mik4zy0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Technopark Club

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/9058/picture038mak5ua8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/1150/picture040mkm6fo6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

Taj Ginger

Photo credits: Sathyalal

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/7598/tp11fi1iw2.jpg

[Sathyalal]

Raj, Your M2 building photo reminds me the following

Yes, many are wondering why there are no hypes or advertisements for built up space in Technopark, Trivandrum. The answer to the question can be guessed from the following information table. It is sellers market.
Many of our media friends are not even aware of the private buildings like Padmanabham,Mrithupanya and M2 in TP.
Whatever the built space announced is booked before the start of construction.Gov should see this fact and compare this with players(not in Trivandrum) taking many years to sell smaller buildings or finally convert the IT space to some other purpose even after lot of adv and media coverage.

The biggest IT Park in the country has changed the investment image of the state and is the most sought after place.

Hope the Government will act soon.There will be an IT revolution in the state.

Raheja ,Leela Scottish Lace, Ascendas, Embassy ,Emaar and Chesterton are planning big and just waiting for the land


http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1148/tpde7.jpg

Source: http://www.technopark.org/landrequest.htm

[Subin]

Many of our media friends are not even aware of the private buildings like Padmanabham,Mrithupanya and M2 in TP.

Great post Sathya. :tup:

Padmanabham :Sept 2006 Snap. Photo Courtesy: Sudheesh

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/8383/padmanabhamfl2.jpg

Its owned by the Softex group which has software and BPO operations from Technopark. Padmanabham is a 60,000 sft facility in 5 floors. Apart from their own use, Softex have leased it to Asian School of Business. (ASB). ASB have recently tied up with a Singapore architect for their campus in 15 acres. They would functioning from Padmanabham till the new campus is ready.

[rajkrish]

Very true Sathya. Though I heard abt Raheja, Ascendas, Emaar and Embassy, I never knew that these many companies had requested for land. Wonder why Govt is silent on this?. They should have given the land much earlier

Less said, the better about the media. They are biased and we all know how they reported the inauguration of Thejaswini. So you can't expect anything better than this from them. ;)

And it is truly amazing to see how TP has progressed from from a fledgling IT Park to an IT infrastructure behemoth without any hype and hoopla from the media. I believe the future would be just fantastic and would firmly place Trivandrum as a knowledge hub.

[SREEKUMAR]

Great News Sathya... Unbelievable ......
:frog:
[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2727237]Raj, Your M2 building photo reminds me the following

Yes, many are wondering why there are no hypes or advertisements for built up space in Technopark, Trivandrum. The answer to the question can be guessed from the following information table. It is sellers market.
Many of our media friends are not even aware of the private buildings like Padmanabham,Mrithupanya and M2 in TP.
Whatever the built space announced is booked before the start of construction.Gov should see this fact and compare this with players(not in Trivandrum) taking many years to sell smaller buildings or finally convert the IT space to some other purpose even after lot of adv and media coverage.

The biggest IT Park in the country has changed the investment image of the state and is the most sought after place.

Hope the Government will act soon.There will be an IT revolution in the state.

Raheja ,Leela Scottish Lace, Ascendas, Embassy ,Emaar and Chesterton are planning big and just waiting for the land

[Sathyalal]

Thanks sreekumar.

Great News Sathya... Unbelievable ......
:frog:
[QUOTE=Sathyalal;2727237]Raj, Your M2 building photo reminds me the following

Yes, many are wondering why there are no hypes or advertisements for built up space in Technopark, Trivandrum. The answer to the question can be guessed from the following information table. It is sellers market.
Many of our media friends are not even aware of the private buildings like Padmanabham,Mrithupanya and M2 in TP.
Whatever the built space announced is booked before the start of construction.Gov should see this fact and compare this with players(not in Trivandrum) taking many years to sell smaller buildings or finally convert the IT space to some other purpose even after lot of adv and media coverage.

The biggest IT Park in the country has changed the investment image of the state and is the most sought after place.

Hope the Government will act soon.There will be an IT revolution in the state.

Raheja ,Leela Scottish Lace, Ascendas, Embassy ,Emaar and Chesterton are planning big and just waiting for the land

[rajkrish]

Kalpana heights : Fully taken up by BIB BAZAAR for 27 lakhs /month

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/8379/kalpanahtsoj3gm0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/7964/dsc03015fh1si9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Sathyalal]

Long queue for IT space. Now it will be turn for animation studios...

50 Animations studios!:)


KERALA TO SET UP ANIMATION SEZ
Chhavi Dang, Mumbai
The Economic Times

.....
Kinfra, the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation, a statutory body of GoK, is developing this park where it expects around 50 large animation studios from major centres to move in. “This is the second phase of development happening in the park and we have decided to make it an exclusive animation SEZ. It is the first of its kind in India,” said Kinfra films and video park project manager K Sudhakaran.
....
currently, an MoU has been signed with animation studios like Toonz Animation, Dimensions which are currently headquartered in Kerala and Chandigarh-based Compact Disc. The organisation is also in talks with Chennai-based Accel Animation Studios, a mobile gaming and animation company also to move into the animation SEZ, which will be operational in three months.

[Sathyalal]

The Foreign Investment Proposal Board (FIPB) has cleared the Damas-Flemingo joint ventrue, according to official sources. Damas will be selling its gold jewellery brands like harmony and legacy and its diamond brands at major airports. Damas has already been allowed to set up shops at Chennai, Trivandrum and Jaipur international airports. Operations at these airports are expected to begin within a month.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Cons_Products/Fashion__CosmeticsJewellery/Damas_allowed_51_in_FDSPL_venture/articleshow/1830465.cms

[rajkrish]

One of the city's most exclusive clubs, the NRI Club is building a swanky, new building to house its luxury hotel and club facilities, again at Pattom.

Photo credits : Ajay

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6403/picture037rswk9.jpg

[rajkrish]

New JOSCO showroom set to open

The new JOSCO showroom, the second in the city, is all set to open up at Pattom. Bhima Jewellery is also opening an outlet in Pattom. With the completion of the Condor Mall, Pattom will soon be a up-market retail destination in the city.
Photo credits : Ajay

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8042/picture036rscr4.jpg

[rajkrish]

This is going to be one of the most expensive apartment complexes in Kerala.
:rolleyes:

Price for 2 Bedroom Villa : 53 Lakhs
Price for 3 Bedroom villa : 64 Lakhs
Price for 4 Bedroom villa : 71 lakhs - 1 Crore +

And 4 out of 7 one crore villas have already been sold.


The Greens

4 towers Prakrithi, Haritham, Sangamam, Viharam : 16 floors


MIR Realtors have announced their 11 acre Township in Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/7537/townshipxw2.jpg

Location
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3808/locationhd3.jpg

Apartment

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5417/aptsaa3.jpg
:tup:

[Subin]

This is going to be one of the most expensive apartment complexes in Kerala. :rolleyes:
Price for 2 Bedroom Villa : 53 Lakhs
Price for 3 Bedroom villa : 64 Lakhs
Price for 4 Bedroom villa : 71 lakhs - 1 Crore +

:shrug: :cool: :D

[Subin]

Condor Mall

With the completion of the Condor Mall, Pattom will soon be a up-market retail destination in the city.
Raj, Add this too :notacrook:

Photo credits: Sudheesh

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7194/condormallwp3.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/3305/condormall1kb6.jpg

12-14 floors - Retail space + an hotel. Seems they have changed the design.

The initial design

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/8640/condurmall1dqdx3.jpg

[Subin]

Five star deluxe hotel by Taj

-- The white big building on the left with a little red dome is the new Five star deluxe hotel by Taj (Dodla are the property owners).

-- The building u/c infront of the frame is SFS Fairmont.

-- The under construction building, with partial green net covering is the new Four Star Hotel by S P Fort group (15 floors-finishing stage)

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/9339/dodla5nb.jpg

Photo Courtesy :Sudheesh

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/744/dsc02470fg7.jpg

[Subin]

Malabar Gold Mall

Pantaloons is said to have taken up space here. ;)

Photo Credits: Ajay

http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/9914/img0611rsgn8.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/1399/img0616rsst9.jpg

[Subin]

Varkey's Tower

- Coming up in Statue
- Construction going on

Photo Credit: Ajay

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2631/varkeycopy8af0oh.jpg

and the construction update ...

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7572/img0629rsfg9.jpg

[Subin]

Heera InfoCity near Technopark

Photo Credit: Sudheesh

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1139/finalheerainfonitewj5.jpg

[Subin]

Muthoot Corporate Office

Vellayambalam - 10 floors (37 m) :tup:

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/8469/muthootcoop6xq.jpg

[Subin]

Jose Alukkas Wedding Centre

Photo Credits: Ajay

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/38/img0618rshm4.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/7531/img0620rssp8.jpg

[Subin]

One more hotel Project - One of the city's landmark's, The Luciya, has finished its renovation and upgradation. It is due to open as a full five-star shortly

Photo Credit: Ajay
http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/8961/img0619rskt5.jpg

[Subin]

IBS CAMPUS, Technopark.

Tower 1 -12 Floors-1,60,000 sft.
Tower II- 13 Floors-1,80,000 sft.

Credits: Sudheesh
http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/7184/ibs1bl0.jpg

[Subin]

Oceanus Blue Mount

Credits: Sudheesh
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8164/airfviewcroppedrk7.jpg

[rajkrish]

Great update Subin :tup:

[rajkrish]

Kuwait company to invest $136 million to set up three hotels in Kerala | INRnews
Kochi, India, March 01, 2007 - The Kuwait based KGA Group of companies is to invest $136 million to set up three hotels in the Southern Indian state of Kerala.

The plans include a 210 room hotel with conference facilities in Kochi in collaboration with Crowne Plaza, and one hotel each in Kovalam and Thiruvananthapuram. :previous:

[rajkrish]

Oceanus is in the process of acquiring 50 acres near Technopark for integrated IT and Residential project

Oceanus Blue Mount

Credits: Sudheesh
http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/8164/airfviewcroppedrk7.jpg

[rajkrish]

Varkey's towers look stunning:previous:

Varkey's Tower

- Coming up in Statue
- Construction going on

Photo Credit: Ajay

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/2631/varkeycopy8af0oh.jpg

and the construction update ...

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/7572/img0629rsfg9.jpg

[rajkrish]

Beacon - Green Leaves

Photo credits : Shafi

http://i12.tinypic.com/47l66ie.gif

[rajkrish]

SI Bains Court

Photo credits : Ajay

http://tinypic.com/9uau5k.jpg

[rajkrish]

Gayathri, Technopark

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img271.imageshack.us/img271/6774/tp64ul.jpg

[rajkrish]

Skyline Tiara @ Kumarapuram

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://tinypic.com/9zpyiu.jpg

[rajkrish]

Now see the biggest and busiest Railway Station(after Chennai) down south.

Photo credit : frmNeo999

http://img315.imageshack.us/img315/7255/jvc00017yj.jpg

[rajkrish]

NABARD office. This structure uses the space frame concept

Photo credit : Sudheesh Nair

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/1196/dscn62672eu.jpg

[rajkrish]

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img358.imageshack.us/img358/3359/dscn62683iy.jpg

[rajkrish]

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/3479/dscn62697ws.jpg

[rajkrish]

Malabar Builders plans to construct shopping malls, townships and apartments in Kozhikode, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c.php?leftnm=10&autono=278971

[rajkrish]

Etihad Airways - Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national airline, is set to expand its services to India with the launch of two *** routes from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) and Kochi (Cochin) in the southern Indian state of Kerala.

Highlights...

* Flights from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram will begin from 31st May, 2007
* Etihad will operate Tri-weekly to Thiruvananthapuram and the routes are expected to increase to daily flights from October 2007.
* Etihad will operate a three cabin Airbus A340-500 aircraft to Thiruvananthapuram, with the capacity to carry 240 passengers with 12 in first class (diamond zone), 28 in business class (pearl zone) and 200 in economy (coral zone)

[rajkrish]

Poovar Island Resort

View of the 'floatels'

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/5711/poovar14he.jpg

[rajkrish]

Sunken Bar and Pool

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6471/poovar28tf.jpg

[rajkrish]

Inside view of 'Floatel'

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/6830/poovar32me.jpg

[rajkrish]

Pool side party area

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/5965/poovar47et.jpg

[rajkrish]

Now some midrises

Nikunjam Estates Nxt

Photo Credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1531/nikunjamestatesnxt7rc.gif

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Monarch

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/3655/nikunjammornarch4fq.jpg

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Royale

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2797/nikunajmroyale3xe.jpg

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Towers

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2980/nikunjantowers2bg.jpg

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Estates

Perspective credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/6720/nikunjamestates9lz.jpg

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Retreat

Perspective credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/1963/nikunjamretreat7mr.jpg

[rajkrish]

Hotel Chaithram

Photo Credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/7893/chaithramgall046mc.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/6972/chaithramgall011xh.jpg

[rajkrish]

Hotel Samudra, Kovalam

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2623/samudragall019lv.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3652/samudragall038bj.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2021/samudragall040ob.jpg

[chandrurajan]

Great Pics Rajesh & Subin...:)

[rajkrish]

Thanx Chandru. Now see some pictures of one of the best resorts in India. The Taj Green Cove- 5 Star deluxe resort which adopts a Balinese theme.


Swimming Pool

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/3006/dsc02882ws2.jpg

[rajkrish]

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/5532/dsc02883sk8.jpg

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/716/dsc02887mt0.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/161/dsc02865nn5.jpg

[rajkrish]

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/5953/dsc02861bv6.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/6017/dsc02862on1.jpg

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/2883/dsc02874kb3.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/405/dsc02875rv0.jpg

[rajkrish]

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/2136/dsc02879ba2.jpg

http://img66.imageshack.us/img66/1752/dsc02871ed4.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4576/dsc02872ve0.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/5552/dsc02873pe1.jpg

[Subin]

US lab comes calling

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is setting up its India operations in collaboration with Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram. The laboratory is in the final stages of a $350-million project to provide a modern campus for the next generation of `great science.'

Frost and Sullivan estimates that the R&D outsourcing market in India will grow from $1.3 billion to about $9 billion by the year 2010.

The latest entrant into this happening sector is a science and technology laboratory behemoth in the US - Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). It is setting up its India operations in collaboration with Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram.

Read Full Article (http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/ew/2007/04/02/stories/2007040200110300.htm)

[chandrurajan]

This is great news !!!

[Sathyalal]

TIA is growing at a rapid rate(fastest in India).



Source Airport Authority of India
http://www.airportsindia.org.in/traffic_news/TRDEC2006_1.pdf

2.1.1 TOTAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:
The total aircraft movements (International and Domestic) handled in December 2006 has shown an increase of 27.0 per cent as compared to the aircraft movement handled in December 2005 (referred to Annexure-I).
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIC):
• Chennai
41.7%
• Srinagar
34.2%
• Bangalore
31.9%
• Nagpur
68.4%
• Hyderabad
27.9%
• Pune
35.3%
•Trivandrum
84.2%
• Guwahati
37.3%
• Cochin (CIAL)
37.1%
• Mangalore
81.3%
Higher growth in traffic at above airports is due to increased operation by low cost airlines and increase in frequency of existing airlines. Number of foreign airlines started operations at international airports other than Mumbai and Delhi airports.

2.1.2 INTERNATIONAL AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:
The international aircraft movement has increased by 6.6 per cent during the period under review. Growth rates of different categories of airports are mentioned in Annexure –I and airport-wise details are given in Annexure-IIA.
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIA):
• Chennai
12.0%
• Cochin (CIAL)
20.8%
• Bangalore
16.3%
• Amritsar
49.6%
• Trivandrum
35.9%
• Jaipur
109.2%
Air Arabia started their operation at Trivandrum Airport from December 2006. Air Arabia started operation at Jaipur Airport from May 2006 and also, Haj flight operations at Jaipur during the reporting month contributed to higher growth. The higher growth in traffic at other airports is due to increase in frequency by existing Airlines / start of operations by new airlines.

2.1.3 DOMESTIC AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS:
The domestic aircraft movements increased remarkably by 33.3 per cent during December 2006. Growth rates of different categories of airports are mentioned in Annexure –I and airport-wise details are given in Annexure –IIB.
Major increases are at (Annexure-IIB):
• Chennai
53.9%
• Cochin (CIAL)
55.4%
• Hyderabad
36.4%
• Guwahati
38.3%
• Trivandrum
198.6%• Pune
36.1%
• Nagpur
70.9%
• Port Blair
251.6%
• Srinagar
44.4%
• Mangalore
72.9%

[rajkrish]

Trivandrum International School (TRINS)

The only International School in Kerala, the Trivandrum International School is set in a serene 15 acre campus on a hilltop on the outskirts of Trivandrum. It is about 20 km north of Trivandrum The curricula offered are ICSE, (University of Cambridge) IGCSE and `A` Levels and International Baccalaureate. The present body of students are of parents currently residing in USA, UK, Switzerland, Singapore, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Thailand, Columbia...... and, of course, Kerala and the rest of India.

Trivandrum's cosmopolitan ambience - international IT corporations, the high profile space research center, national laboratories and centres of excellence, and a legacy of fine-art and culture - offers the perfect backdrop to Kerala's first international school

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/4026/trins23hl.jpg

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/9180/trins8fu.jpg

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/6697/trins42lx.jpg

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/4820/trins37xa.jpg

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/2674/trins68ju.jpg

http://img310.imageshack.us/img310/4861/trins50xi.jpg

[rajkrish]

Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). Winner of Kerala Government's Medical Tourism Awards. This is a super specialty hospital providing world class treatment facilities to a large international as well as domestic clientèle

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/7731/10006118mq.jpg

[rajkrish]

Now its play time.

Trivandrum has some great clubs. Trivandrum Tennis Club (TTC) is one among
them

Photo credits : Sudheesh Nair

http://tinypic.com/97i5gh.jpg

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/1464/trivandrumtennisclub7om.jpg

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/5709/tennisclub0jw.jpg

[rajkrish]

The next big outsourcing hotspots will not be from the usual metro cities but from Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mangalore, Nagpur, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram and Visakhapatnam, according to a study conducted by Alsbridge, an outsourcing, offshoring and shared services advisory firm.

http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage_c_online.php?leftnm=11&bKeyFlag=IN&autono=21955

But I guess TVM attracts more software developments firms in place of BPO comps if you look at the companies in Technopark

[rajkrish]

Hong Kong-based multinational company QI would invest upto $200 million in India in the next five years.It was also looking into the possibility of setting uphotels in tier II and tier III cities in South India like Madurai, Combatore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore. Besides these, some towns in AndhraPradesh were being considered for setting up business class hotels.

[rajkrish]

More facilities at airport soon for domestic passengers

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

AAI to commission Rs.45-lakh facilities next week

# One more X-ray machine to be installed
# Two more airline counters to be set up to avoid rush

Thiruvananthapuram : The Airports Authority of India (AAI) will commission next week the Rs.45-lakh passenger facilities in the domestic terminal of the international airport to cater to the heavy movement of travellers in the domestic sector.

An additional 300 square metres of space is being made available by the AAI on the city side and airside in addition to the existing 4,465 square metres in the domestic terminal. Under this project, 240 square metres on the right side of the canopy of the domestic terminal was annexed to the terminal building to make available more space for the domestic passengers.

Air-conditioners have been provided for the comfort of the passengers and tiles have been laid on the floor. The X-ray machine now placed inside the building would be shifted outside so that the domestic passengers can screen their baggage and proceed straight to the terminal.

Two more airline counters would be set up inside the building to avoid rush. With this, the number of airline counters in the domestic terminal would go up to eight. Conveyor belts would be extended to all counters.On the airside, the authorities have extended the security-hold area by 60 square metres to accommodate more passengers....

Airport Director K. Natarajan told The Hindu that the additional facilities being set up by AAI at a cost of Rs.45 lakh would be thrown open by the weekend.

The heavy movement of domestic passengers forced us to provide more facilities in the domestic terminal, he said.The AAI would place more chairs in the security hold area for the benefit of checked-in passengers. One more X-ray machine would soon be installed for screening the baggage in the domestic terminal, he said.

As per the latest traffic figures, Mr. Natarajan said the increase in domestic aircraft movement through the airport was an astounding 225 per cent. The movement of domestic aircraft alone had gone up from 284 in January 2006 to 924 in January this year. "This had prompted us to provide more facilities for the passengers in the domestic terminal," he said.

[rajkrish]

An ambassador for Vizhinjam project
Friday April 6 2007 08:36 IST
T’PURAM: The State Government’s efforts to enlist Russian help for setting up the deepwater container transshipment hub at Vizhinjam received a boost on Thursday with the Russian Ambassador to India Vyacheslav I Trubnikov assuring all help for the project.

Russian officials will participate in the Vizhinjam Project Investors’ Meet that will be organised on April 17 in Thiruvananthapuram, Trubnikov told Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan at a meeting here.

In the city for the Russian Cultural Festival, Trubnikov also promised to take up the state’s request for using part of the ‘Rupee-Rouble’ fund for setting up the Rs 4,350-crore project at Vizhinjam, some 16 km from the city.

Trubnikov was accompanied by Russian Consul General for South India Vladislav Antonyuk and head of the cultural department of the Russian Embassy Fyoder Rozovskiy. Law Minister M Vijayakumar was also present on the occasion.

After the Central Government shot down Chinese participation in the Vizhinjam project, the State Government had chosen to float fresh global bids.

Rosoboronexports Corporation, the Russian agency through which all its defence deals are conducted, had shown interest in the project. Russian officials had also met Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan in New Delhi two months ago.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during his January visit to New Delhi, had announced his nation’s readiness to use the ‘Rupee-Rouble’ fund for infrastructure projects in India. The State Government, on its part, had requested the help of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Defence Minister A K Antony for getting Russian aid for the project.

Apart from the Russians, heavyweights who have shown interest in taking up the multi-crore project include BPL patriarch T P G Nambiar and entrepreneur Rajeev Chandrasekhar.

In his meeting with the Chief Minister, the Russian Ambassador also evinced his country’s interest in investing in the tourism sector and collaborative projects with the Travancore Titanium Products. It was also decided at the meeting to hold discussions on the proposed investments shortly.


http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070405221443&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0&

[rajkrish]

Thiruvananthapuram airport gets DGCA licence

S. Anil Radhakrishnan

Third airport in the country to get this licence

# Increase in passenger movement
# Top slot for Thiruvananthapuram airport

Thiruvananthapuram: The premier international airport of the State has become the third airport in the country to obtain Aerodrome licence from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for adherence to safety and security standards.

Thiruvananthapuram airport is the third after the metro airports in Chennai and Kolkatta to get the mandatory licence for landing and departure of aircraft. Under the international aviation standards, individual airports have to get licences on the basis of maintaining safety and security standards.

Effectively from November 2005, the licence from the DGCA is mandatory for all airports in the country to carry out flight operations. "The licence valid for six months had been issued last month by DCGA under Rule 78 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937," Airport Director K. Natarajan told The Hindu

Security audit

The aerodrome licence was issued on the basis of the security and safety audit carried out by a team of officials from the DGCA directorate in New Delhi. The inspection focussed mainly on ground flight safety such as safety of runway, apron and that of the approach lights among other things.

Meanwhile, as per the latest traffic figures, the international airport witnessed a 94.8 per cent increase in aircraft movement in January 2007 compared to the same period last year. In comparison to 954 movements in January 2006, the airport registered 1,858 movements in January this year.

Mr. Natarajan said the increase in domestic aircraft movements through the airport had been an astounding 225 per cent.

The movement of domestic aircraft had gone up from 284 in January 2006 to 924 in January this year.

In the case of passenger movement through the airport, there has been a 46.9 per cent increase in January 2007. Compared to 1,19,849 passenger movement through the airport in January 2006, the airport registered 1,76,053 passenger movement in January this year.

A performance monitored survey carried out for the Airport Authority of India (AAI) has revealed that the premier airport of the State is on the top slot with a percentage of 99 per cent and has got best rating from the passengers and visitors. As per the survey, Thiruvananthapuram airport has overtaken Amritsar, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Bangalore, Goa and Kolkata airports.

Mr. Natarajan said the survey carried out during January to December last covered attitude of the AAI personnel, general cleanliness of the airport, adequacy of seating arrangements, general comfort, air-conditioning, availability of drinking water and glasses, cleanliness of toilets, availability and quality of trolley for the passengers in the airport.

[rajkrish]

B'Canti Little Queen - A villament @ Jawahar Nagar

Perspective credits : Shafi

http://i16.tinypic.com/34fkxl5.jpg

[rajkrish]

B'Canti Royal Crest

Photo credits : Shafi

http://i14.tinypic.com/47mzqlf.jpg

[rajkrish]

One more Banglore based construction group is right here at kerala. 'Nakshatra Group'

They have projects in Trivandrum.

In Trivandrum they are having 94 villa projects of which 42 is already booked.


Location Map Courtesy : Shafi

http://i12.tinypic.com/3zqiejk.jpg

[rajkrish]

Qatar Airways to start freighter service



First of its kind to operate from Thiruvananthapuram airport

Thiruvananthapuram: Qatar Airways, the national airline of Qatar, would soon commence freighter service from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram international airport.

"The airline is expecting the third freighter to joint the fleet in the last week of July and we hope to commence the service from August," Regional Manager, Cargo, India Sub-continent, Anil Bhagat, told The Hindu here.

As per the proposal worked out by the airline, the freighter service from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram would be on a weekly basis. In the return direction, the freighter will proceed via Colombo to Doha.

On introduction, the freighter service would be the first of its kind to operate to the premier airport of the State.

The freighter service would be able to carry 42 tonnes of cargo at a stretch. The freighter would have a pilot, co-pilot and a loadmaster as the crew.

The airline is eyeing the unaccompanied baggage of Non-Resident Keralites and the export of perishables, especially fruits and vegetables, from Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram to the Middle East.

Qatar Airways has 11 per cent share in the cargo being uplifted from Thiruvananthapuram. At present, the airline uplifts five tonnes of cargo daily in the regular flight that is operated from Doha to Thiruvananthapuram using A-321 aircraft. In the case of Nedumbassery, three tonnes of cargo is being uplifted daily in the regular flight that is operated using A-321 aircraft.

Mr. Bhagat said the introduction of freighter service to Thiruvananthapuram would be subjected to the approval of the landing rights from the Union Government and mandatory clearance of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)............

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/10/stories/2007041010770400.htm

[rajkrish]

Marriott to start construction on the International Convention Center.


The Marriott Group will be starting a convention center in Trivandrum in July.....

http://www.moneycontrol.com/india/news/business/keralasanjaykaul/keralatourism06/market/stocks/article/275136

[Sathyalal]

Seaview, US firm ink new pact


Targeting higher volumes in healthcare documentation services and bringing in newer areas of healthcare solutions under its fold, Thiruvananthapuram-based BPO player Seaview Support Systems has entered into new contracts with UK-based outsourcing major DScribe.

Tele-radiology is a new area in the rapidly growing outsourcing domain whereby X-rays and medical imaging reports are sent through digital transmission for analysis and reporting, he said.

The company’s core business is medical research and legal transcription including software development in related areas.

http://www.business-standard.com/iceworld/storypage.php?leftnm=8&subLeft=2&chklogin=N&autono=280793&tab=r

[Sathyalal]

See what the national & Inernational media says
Financial express

The Deepsea trans-shipment facility at Vizhinjam is expected to generate revenue of Rs 1,000-crore per year for Indian exporters. The Vizhinjam port has two advantages. One, it needs no dredging, and two, it falls very close to the international shipping route.
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=161345

The Hindu

Experts said the port will be able to cater to container vessels of up to 8,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU) in the phase I and 10,000-12,000 TEU in subsequent phases.
http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200704171322.htm

Portworld, UK

Vizhinjam is close to international shipping routes.Industry sources say up to 50% of the nearly 20,000 ships that pass through the Suez canal per year could anchor at Vizhinjam.
Vizhinjam port project could provide serious competition to Colombo, Singapore and Dubai
http://www.portworld.com/news/2007/04/67526

[rajkrish]

Habitat centre work to begin

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) and the Kerala State Housing Board (KSHB) signed an agreement on Tuesday for construction of a habitat centre in Thiruvananthapuram on the lines of the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.

A new company will be formed for construction of the centre with equal equity participation from HUDCO and the Board. The project, which will include building of an international convention centre, club, hotel and office complex, will cost Rs. 60 crore.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041814340400.htm

[rajkrish]

Big players at global investors' meet on Vizhinjam

Ten leading international firms specialising in building ports have arrived for talks that began here on Tuesday to hold pre-tender consultations with the Kerala government on developing a world-class port at Vizhinjam near here.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, leading the state team, told the representatives of the 10 foreign firms - including Maersk - and 37 Indian companies that Vizhinjam has been a long-standing dream for the people of Kerala and the government was committed to making the dream come true.

“We pledge total support, both governmental and political, for this venture which would change the face of the country,” said Achuthanandan while addressing the investors.

A detailed presentation would be made to the representatives of these companies and their response announced later.

Teams have arrived from the US, Britain, Italy, Singapore and France, apart from national companies like Reliance, Gammon India and Mumbai-based Zoom Developers.

The meeting is being held to get suggestions from these firms and incorporate them when they float a global tender for Vizhinjam port, which is to be constructed on a built-operate-and-transfer basis.

Speaking on the occasion, Ports Secretary L Radhakrishnan said that the tender would be floated in May and the technical bid would take place in November. Construction work for the port would begin in December 2008.

This is the second time that an attempt to build the Vizhinjam port is being undertaken.

During the previous Oommen Chandy government (2004-06), after selecting a consortium of two Chinese and a Mumbai firm through a global tender, the central government had at the last moment decided not to give its sanction, citing security reasons for the proposed Rs 43.60 billion Vizhinjam port.

The central government decided against giving security clearance as the Chinese companies had business interests in ports in Pakistan.

A major advantage Vizhinjam has over all other ports in India is that it needs no dredging. The natural depth at Vizhinjam is 24 meters, the best in comparison to all other ports in the world.

Another advantage is that the proposed port lies very close to the international waters, which is a busy route.

It is to be built on an area of 150 acres and there would be no displacement of local fishermen. The port would be able to handle 4.10 million containers annually.


Source : The New Indian Express

Also : http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041806340700.htm

[Subin]

Big players at global investors' meet on Vizhinjam

Great News !!! :tup:

Cyber Palms Update (Courtesy: Sudheesh)

Five towers. The fifth one SILVER (left most) is only 21 levels (2+18+terrace). OLIVE, PEACH, CHERRY & IVORY have 22 levels (2+19+terrace).


http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8169/cyber5blockspt8.jpg

[rajkrish]

Sanskruthi ,Kaudiar
Builders: Yamuna Mansions

Perspective credits : Shafi

http://i17.tinypic.com/47v73gl.jpg

[rajkrish]

Meadows, Perrorkkada
Builders: Cityline Builders

Perspective credits : Shafi

http://i15.tinypic.com/2upg5tx.jpg

[rajkrish]

Thara towers, Vellayambalam, hosts the Spencer's Daily

Photo credits : Shafi

http://i17.tinypic.com/2eygwnm.jpg

[rajkrish]

ParkCentra, Kariavottom, near Techno Park

Perspective credits : Shafi

http://i11.tinypic.com/29q1fkp.jpg

[rajkrish]

IT Productivity Centre (ITPC) proposed for Technopark


The proposal to set up an IT Productivity Centre (ITPC) in Technopark Campus is under the active consideration of the Dept. of IT, Govt. of India. When established, the centre will cater to the productivity enhancement efforts of the companies in the Campus. The ITPC will form part of the Entrepreneurship development activities and Technopark IT/ITES companies can make use of the development platforms and software tools for the purpose of increasing their productivity. ITPC will act as a support facility that can supplement the other Technology Business Enablers in the Campus.

[Sathyalal]

The Vizhinjam terminal was seen as a crucial project for the Indian shipping sector
The proposed seaport has the capability to handle over 6 million twenty foot equivalent units (TEUs) of containers shortly
The state capital's city limit was just 7km north of the proposed port and this was an advantage as the city offered good quality human resources and supporting social infrastructure
A container shipment economics study says that Vizhinjam will cut down the cost of operations compared to other ports for containers from and to from hinterland locations as well as main locations
Vizhinjam has caught the fancy of the Ambani brothers
Mukesh Ambani controlled Reliance Industries and Anil's ADA Group sent their senior vice-presidents to attend the investors' meet organised by Kerala government on April 17
Apart from this overseas majors like shipping giant Maersk of Denmark, Alberg Ports of Australia, Japan's Nissin Corporation, UK's Beckett Rankine, Dubai Ports World, Cyan Holdings BV of the Netherlands and Ranhill Group of Companies, Malaysia are interested.
From India, the PSU shipping company Shipping Corporation of India, Mundra Port & SEZ, Ashok Leyland Project Services, Emmar MGF, Essar Constructions, Zoom Developers and JM Baxi were among those who attended the meeting. The meet was attended by a consortium comprising US-based Obocon Inc, Kuwait's KGL Transport, Indonesia's Astra international and Unity Infrastructure of Mumbai as well.
This site had a natural depth of 20 metres as close as one nautical mile from the coastline.
This high natural depth meant minimum capital dredging would be required and thus the project would enjoy lower costs.
For instance, the country's largest container port at present, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), was all set to dredge its shipping channel to 14 metres against current 12.5 metres
Reliance Industries can use Vizhinjam as strong base for its mega retail network. For Anil Ambani, Vizhinjam port would be strong link to evacuate cargo with his container trains. Anil has already secured container train operating licence
National Highway (NH) 47 and the NH-47 Bypass are in close proximity, with the bypass just 3km away and the NH 10km away. The national rail network was less than 12km from the proposed port site
read more..
http://www.business-standard.com/economy/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=1&autono=282039&tab=r
If politicians had acted before some 30 years Kerala would have been a Singapore now. Instead they have spent billions in cleaning the mud of some other part. Even 1/100 th of that would have offered a gateway port to India. Now they are realizing that it is high time to act.

[Sathyalal]

Again one more group from the city show the world that they are not hypers and they believe in reality.

President urges Torque to build an Entrepreneurship Knowledge Platform for the benefit of the student and youth community in India


THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Torque Technology Solutions, a business incubated company formed by a team of Thiruvananthapuram Engineering College students, has received an encouraging pat from President AP J Abdul Kalam for innovative efforts in technology.

The Technopark-based $2.5 million-worth firm run by a 30-member team of young professionals was urged by the President to build an Entrepreneurship Knowledge Platform for the benefit of the student and youth community in India, who can use it to access information and details on how to create startups and become technoprenuers.

“I have seen and interacted with thousands of students but this is a first time a group of students have come up to me and told me that they dreamed to be job creators and not job seekers. This is a very fascinating and happy moment for me to see the changes that students are trying to bring in our country,” Kalam said during his meeting with the Torque team headed by CEO Sanjay Vijayakumar.

According to Vijayakumar, Kalam shared ideas of mobile services for village communities and the vision to create a global cadre for human resource development. The Torque CEO added that the team presented the President with a project report titled Dawn of a Silicon Coast, which aims to promote 100 student startups and act as a catalyst to promote student entrepreneurship in Kerala and the country.

The project aims to create a Mobile Hub at the Technopark here along with support to students incubation would be the first students initiated technology initiative of this scale in the world if taken up by the Kerala government.

Torque had recently stepped into the big league by launching a Kochi-based arm, MobME. The new company caters to the mobile, media and entertainment segment. The arm has the backing of angel investors and NRI investors have pumped in $1 million into the new venture.

Torque, which hosts star portals and has successfully made its m-commerce foray, is now looking at expanding to cities such as like Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai in the next few months.

http://www.ciol.com/content/search/showarticle1.asp?artid=96620

[rajkrish]

New Delhi, Apr 26 : The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval for the setting up of Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST).

It also approved initial investment of Rs. 270 crores and annual recurring cost of Rs. 40 crores into the IIST.

"The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has been experiencing severe shortage of highly talented graduate and post-graduate scientists and engineers during the last few years to take up the challenges of research and development in the areas of space science and technology," a Cabinet release said.

The IIST being set up on the lines of Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs),will provide high quality undergraduate and postgraduate education and research programmes in space science and technology.

It will also offer integrated Masters in space science with customised curriculum to meet the high technology requirements of the ISRO.

The courses are proposed to commence from the academic year 2007-08, at an alternate campus in Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.The campus and other infrastructure facilities will be put in place within 24 months, the release said.

The institute will offer 150-200 seats annually. The entire expenses of the course will be supported by ISRO in the form of scholarships and assistantships, and the brighter lot would be directly absorbed by the ISRO.

[Sathyalal]

After IT could it be commercial satellite launch for India? City is getting ready.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/PoliticsNation/PSLV_launch_proves_Indias_commercial_competence/articleshow/1953621.cms

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The successful launch of the PSLV-C8 carrying Italy's Agile satellite has proved Indian space programme's commercial competitiveness and reliability, a senior official said on Wednesday.


The launch marks a new beginning which will attract prospective clients to India for the commercial launch of satellites, said Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) director B N Suresh.

We feel jubilant as this has made us confident to take up more commercial launches in future. This was the first time that we commercially launched a foreign satellite using our vehicle from our soil, Suresh said on returning from Sriharikota.

The Advanced Avionics Module (AMM), launched with Agile, had functioned as expected and would be used in future PSLVs, GSLVs and MARK-III launches, he said.

Suresh and his colleagues were given a rousing reception at the Thiruvananthapuram airport by VSSC employees

[Sathyalal]

Italian CEOs term Kerala as 'ideal' for tourism investment

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 28: A team of young CEOs and entrepreneurs from Italy, who are here on a study tour, today said Kerala was an ideal destination for investing in tourism, real estate, IT and food processing.

The 30-member-team, which includes experts in real estate, infrastructure companies, e-banking, electronics, IT and food processing, had held discussions with businessmen and government officials yesterday

The delegation would also visit the Technopark here, he added.

[Sathyalal]

JAI HIND TV

'The day-to-day administration of the channel will be run by a board of three non-resident Keralite businessmen, including two Dubai-based businessmen - BBN chief Aniyankutty, JHC chief Vijyan Thomas, Doha-based Kerala businessman C.K. Menon, Kochi-based E.M. Babu, Chennai-based Regi Abraham, and me,' said Hassan.

On May 1, Defence Minister A.K. Antony is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of the proposed studio complex at a two-acre plot of land purchased by the channel in the Kinfra Film and Video Park on the outskirts of the capital city.
Kerala Education Minister M.A. Baby is likely to inaugurate the studio complex the same day and ace film director Adoor Gopalakrishnan will officially release the channel's logo.

[rajkrish]

Big Bazaar zooms in.....

Photo credits : Ajay

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/5792/picture010rssh0.jpg

[rajkrish]

1. Fabmall planning 10 stores in Trivandrum

2. Lulu has acquired 11 acres of land near NH Byepass for its first Hyper Mall + Multiplex project in TVM.

3. Pantaloon has taken up space in TN Samrudhi chambers, Vazhuthacaud

4. Parthas developing a mall along NH Byepass on 15 acres of land

[rajkrish]

Varkey's Towers


Photo credits : Ajay

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2324/picture012rsrh7.jpg

[Sathyalal]

State's knowledge hub is always the pioneer in installing new technology.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Apr 30, 2007

A virtual stride ahead for CET
Monday April 30 2007 10:49 IST

T’PURAM: Virtual Reality. We all know it now — An artificial environment or system created with computer hardware and software. And this revolutionary technology has now arrived at the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET).

A virtual reality (VR) lab, a first of its kind in any engineering college in the state, has been installed and commissioned at the CET Department of Computer Science and Engineering by Tata Elxsi Ltd. The Systems Integration Division of the company in the city has set up the lab for advanced 3-D viewing and immersive visualisation effects.

So what exactly does it mean? “For example, today car manufacturers design and make several models digitally and decide on which model to launch after seeing and experiencing the various digital prototypes virtually on a VR lab,” says Jeemon Thomas, area manager, Systems Integration Division, Tata Elxsi, Thiruvananthapuram.

To enter this environment and interact with the system, one makes use of special peripheral devices such as goggles, head-mounted devices, special gloves and force feedback devices.

“Stereographic image projection creates virtual reality with the help of sophisticated hardware and software,” says Jeemon. The application areas of the technology include digital prototyping, CAD/CAM, automobile, 3-D content and game development, aerospace, drug discovery, molecular modelling, training and education, history museums, oil and gas exploration, architecture, defence and medical field.

The college has procured the facility as part of the World Bank-aided Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme of the Government of India, says V Santhakumari, professor and head, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, CET. “The facility was installed recently and our staff will now be trained in dealing with the technology,” she says.

The CET aims at providing cutting-edge technology infrastructure to students and researchers.


Tata Elxsi has commissioned and maintains many VR installations in the country. It delivers outsourced product design and R&D services and solutions to customers worldwide and provides solutions through product design services, design and engineering services, system integration services and visual computing labs.

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEO20070430002753&Page=O&Title=Thiruvananthapuram&Topic=0

[rajkrish]

India-Italy business incubation centre to come up at Technopark

India-Italy business incubation centre to come up at Technopark
Thiruvananthapuram, 30 April: Following the visit of a 35-member industrial delegation from Italy, which toured the state Technopark campus here Monday, discussions have begun to set up a business incubation centre between the Technopark and Italian companies.

Speaking to IANS, M. Vasudevan, business manager at Technopark, said that Monday's visit was just a curtain raiser meant for familarising the Technopark's activities to the delegation.

"This visit has been a great boost. The state government would work out a plan to set up a business incubation centre to facilitate discussions to see that Italian companies come to the Technopark," said Vasudevan

The Technopark currently houses more than 75 IT and IT-enabled companies that employ more than 12,000 people.

The Italian delegation comprising young CEOs represents various industries such as IT, tourism, real estate, food processing, construction and engineering.

They held discussions with the Technopark authorities and also exchanged ideas with CEOs of various companies in the Technopark.

The Italian delegation is led by Roney Simon, director of FICCI's (Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry's) Italy office and has been in the state capital for the past three days.

The visit has been organised by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corp with help from Kerala's private sector.

--- IANS
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=24007

[rajkrish]

Kerala to have IIC-like forum for international studies

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Seeking to promote studies and debates on international affairs, a forum on the lines of the India International Centre in New Delhi will soon be set up here.

The Board of Trustees of Kerala International Centre (KIC) includes former diplomats of Indian Foreign Service like K P S Menon, T P Sreenivasan and Thomas Abraham.

It would aim at creating a forum to bring together those interested in foreign affairs and share their interests and insights, Sreenivasan told a press meet here.

The focus of its activities would be international relations as they impact India and would seek to provide a perspective on the regions and issues in which Kerala had a special interest like the Gulf and Sri Lanka.

He said Kerala had been a window to the world since ancient days.By virtue of the presence of Keralites in different parts of the world and Kerala's natural and intellectual resources,the state had much to contribute to making and promoting India's foreign policy, he said.

Besides holding seminars and conferences, the forum would offer guidance for competitive examinations, consultancy services and a modern library service.

Governor R L Bhatia will inaugurate KIC on May 19 here.

[rajkrish]

Noon Info launches T`puram operations


BS Reporter / Chennai/ Thiruvananthapuram May 04, 2007
Noon InfoSolutions, an IT and ITeS joint venture between Bahrain-based Noon Investment Co WLL and Mumbai-based Mastermind Financial Services, will start its operations from the Kerala state capital on Saturday (May 5). The company would be investing Rs 3.5 crore in its Thiruvananthapuram operations.

Announcing the launch of the company’s Thiruvananthapuram operations from Kanakanagar at Kowdiar in the city, company directors said that Noon InfoSolutions would initially be a 100-seater call centre and would cater to servicing inbound and outbound calls originating from the US.

The company has already recruited 50 professionals and more will be picked up to man the new facility in the coming days, the directors said.

Noon InfoSolutions becomes the latest addition to the IT and ITeS scene in Kerala and will offer jobs to graduates after providing them with necessary training, company officials said. It will begin service with 50 seats.

On the expansion plans, the directors said they were looking forward to having Noon InfoSolutions’ own campus at the proposed Technocity in the state capital suburbs.

http://www.businessstandard.com/iceworld/storypage.php?leftnm=8&subLeft=2&chklogin=N&autono=283346&tab=r

[rajkrish]

Shashi Tharoor, Kerala's IT Ambassador

Source : Technopark

Mr. Shashi Tharoor, former Under Secretary at the United Nations visited Technopark and met with CEO's of Technopark Companies and officials of Technopark. Mr. Tharoor also visited Infosys Technologies & US Technology Resources and had discussions with the officials there. Mr. Tharoor said he was completely bowled over by the developments in IT in Technopark and said he would be Kerala's IT Ambassador to the world.

[rajkrish]

It is truly amazing to see the requests for space and land in Technopark which duly confirms the fact that the Trivandrum is the IT hub of Kerala

Please take a look at the following links

Request for land (http://technopark.org/landrequest.htm)

Request for space (http://technopark.org/spacerequest.htm)

[rajkrish]

Kinfra apparel park taking off

DESPITE a slow start, the apparel park run by the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) at Thumba on the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram is slowly "taking off". Dr G.C. Gopala Pillai, Managing Director, Kinfra, told Business Line that two new units would soon come up at the apparel park.

The Lucknow-based All India Handloom House is in the process of setting up a major unit, in collaboration with a Japanese firm, at the apparel park, said Dr Pillai. An Italian-Australian joint venture is also on the cards, and its application for land at the park is being processed, he added. These two new ventures will be in addition to the three units that the Mumbai-based Leela group has committed to establish at the apparel park.

While agreeing that the work on establishing the park had taken a little more time than scheduled, Dr Pillai pointed out that the apparel park is now fully geared to meet the needs of entrepreneurs. All infrastructure required for the park to function effectively were ready, he added.

The apparel park currently has four operational units - three apparel manufacturing units owned by the Leela group and a cleaning services unit owned by a city-based entrepreneur, explained Mr Sasidharan Nair, Managing Director, Kinfra International Apparel Park. In fact, the Leela group has already started exporting apparel produced by its units in the park, he added. The four operational units between them currently provide employment to around 800 people, many of who are from the surrounding villages, he said.

The nearby Kinfra Small Industries Park is also attracting significant interest from entrepreneurs, said Mr Nair. The park, which can accommodate around 25 units, already has nine operational units, he added.

Though there is no restriction on the nature of the activity to be carried out in the small industries park, the authorities are targeting units that will provide ancillary services to the businesses in the neighbouring apparel park, the officials said. According to Mr Nair, the firms that are currently operating in the small industries park cover a range of industries including food processing and light engineering.

Between them the apparel and small industries parks occupy an area of approximately 90 acres and are close to the city's airport. On the infrastructure front both parks offer dedicated power supply and continuous supply of treated water.

The apparel park also offers other facilities such as a common bonded warehouse, canteen, convention and business centre and so on. The small industries park too offers access to several such common facilities including a guesthouse and a healthcare centre.


http://www.blonnet.com/2003/04/19/stories/2003041901041300.htm

[rajkrish]

Kinfra Apparel Park expansion nearly complete

The second phase of development of the Kinfra International Apparel Park near Thiruvananthapuram is almost complete.

According to Mr A.S. Suresh Babu, Managing Director, Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra), almost all the land available in the 90-acre apparel park has now been allotted.

SECOND PHASE


The second phase of the development included the installation of a common effluent treatment plant, enhancement of the park's power distribution system and establishment of a crèche within the park.

This development activity was carried out with assistance from the Union Textile Ministry under its `apparel parks for export' scheme, he added.

A three-storey building has also been constructed under the scheme, he said. With a built-up area of 75,000 square feet, the building can accommodate six units.

Five of these units have been allocated to the New Delhi-based Creative Home Fashions Pvt Ltd, which has commenced operations in this facility.

Leela expansion


Meanwhile, Leela International Ltd, part of the Leela group, which operates three units in the apparel park, is in the midst of expanding its capacity.

The company currently employs around 1,100 people in the park and this figure is expected to rise to 2,500 when the expansion process is completed.

Other companies that are in the process of setting up units in the park include All India Handloom Fabrics Marketing Cooperative Society Ltd and the Bangalore-based Texport Syndicate.

http://www.blonnet.com/2006/10/11/stories/2006101100771900.htm

[rajkrish]

India : TTK medical fabric unit coming up at Kinfra Apparel Park
February 14, 2007


TTK Healthcare Services Pvt Ltd is developing a medical fabric unit at Kinfra Apparel Park in Kazhakoottam, with technical guidance for the unit to be given by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST).

Park has rented 1.6 acres land area for the facility at a cost of Rs23.51 lakhs. Unit will feature a two-storey building, with 14,000 square feet area on ground floor and first floor occupying about 4,500 square feet. Construction of the building is almost over.

TTK Healthcare will start production activities by December this year, with allotment finalized in 2005. But it is waiting for clearance from the Pollution Control Board. Unit should be functional before May 2007.

According to Kinfra Apparel Park’s Managing Director Krishnakumar, fabric unit’s products will comprise cardiac repair path fabric, components of heart-valve, polypropylene mesh for hernia and vascular graft prosthesis. Textile products will be mostly related to medical devices.

[Sathyalal]

BBC grabs UK rights for Toonz’s Wolverine series

ECONOMY BUREAU
Posted online: Saturday, May 05, 2007 at 0000 hours IST
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, MAY 4: BBC has grabbed television rights in the UK for First Serve Toonz’s (JV between Toonz Animation India and First Serve International) new animation series based on the iconic Marvel character Wolverine. The rights are for the first series of 26 half-hour episodes, First Serve Toonz has said, here.
BBC deal confirms Toonz’s standing on the platform of ‘quality programming’, P Jayakumar, CEO, Toonz Animation India said. Toonz Animation in Technopark in Kerala Capital is India’s biggest ink animation studio. The issual of rights was for a huge undivulged fee, Toonz sources said.

http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=163193

[sudheeshnairs]

Reliance Retail would be coming up here

Varkey's Towers


Photo credits : Ajay

http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/2324/picture012rsrh7.jpg

[sudheeshnairs]

PANTALOON Retail Ltd's BIG BAZAAR at MG Road, Pazhavangadi.

Two more BIG BAZAARs are slated to come up at Kesavadasapuram and Vazhuthacaud.

This hyper market has 5 levels of shopping space, from groceries to white goods/electronic items/furniture. All 5 levels are connected by escalators.


http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/1372/dsc03425pv9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/1148/dsc03438mk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/2695/dsc03439ba9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/8325/dsc03426ps7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4087/dsc03427wg9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5805/dsc03428gz0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sudheeshnairs]

BIG BAZAAR contd..

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/3382/dsc03429md9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1857/dsc03430em1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/2515/dsc03432qo3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/539/dsc03433gf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9546/dsc03434kv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4013/dsc03435uy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4651/dsc03436mo9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/1439/dsc03437fn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[sudheeshnairs]

SFS PATTOM SQUARE.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/3326/sfspattomsquareca6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

SFS RICHMOND, Sasthamangalam, tall one with 16 floors

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/104/sfsrichmondni3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

SFS CAPITAL ONE, Vellayambalam, it will have an infinity pool at the top floor.

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/2434/sfscapitolone1aa2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

SFS FAIRMONT, M. P. Appan Road, Vazhuthacaud.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/7849/sfsfairmontdx8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[rajkrish]

Bangalore based Vineyard Homes has announced their Villa project in 5 acres.


Project layout

http://www.vineyardhomes.in/valley/images/layout_big.jpg

Wait for the pics......

[rajkrish]

Nikunjam Harmony @ Vellayambalam

Picture credits : Chandrurajan

http://i8.tinypic.com/664tzrt.jpg

[ReNik]

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/9769/ksrtcfk6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ReNik]

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5269/signaturetowerbq5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ReNik]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1363/akulam1od5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[ReNik]

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4195/tataexlsiaz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[elm07]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/1363/akulam1od5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

wow! This looks nice ....