L&T Hyderabad metro gets rail coaches from Hyundai-Rotem

Source: Business Line  may 21, 2014

L&T Metro Rail Hyderabad Ltd (LTMRHL) has announced the arrival of the first metro train for the project at the Uppal depot here from South Korea made in Hyundai-Rotem plant.

SN Subrahmanyam, Whole-time Director and Senior Executive Vice-President, Construction and Infrastructure, L&T, was a part of the team which welcomed the rolling stock in Uppal depot in Hyderabad.

After review of the project, he emphasised on the completion of the project within the scheduled time, cost and quality.

‘New era begins’

NVS Reddy, Managing Director, HMRL, in a statement, said “It is the beginning of a new era in the transportation history of Hyderabad.”

VB Gadgil, Chief Executive and Managing Director, L&T Metro Rail (Hyderabad), said, “It is a significant milestone for the project and an indication that we are ahead of time in bringing the trains to Hyderabad.”

Subsequent to the rollout ceremony of the first train at the Hyundai-Rotem’s Changwon factory, it was shipped to India in April 2014 after successful completion of all factory acceptance tests.

The train cars were moved from Changwon to Masan Port, Korea and loaded into a ship.

The journey

After travelling for about two weeks by sea in Hyundai Glovis Ship, they arrived at Chennai port on May 9. After clearances, all the three train cars of first train of Hyderabad Metro Rail, were unloaded from the ship and were transported to Hyderabad by road. They were then moved through three individual trailers from Chennai to Hyderabad by road. All the cars reached here today.

The train cars are being unloaded on the depot track and later assembled to carry out the required testing.

The metro authorities expect to commence trial runs on the phase one stretch of 8 km shortly and operations early next year.

Hyderabad Real Estate Market Overview

Source: Briefing wire   15/5/2014

Since the Telangana bill there have been many reviews on how it will impact the economy and real estate sector. Despite being one of the most developed cities in India, Hyderabad went through a general period of uncertainty in the political front. Impact was clearly seen in many industries in the state of Andhra Pradesh. 2014 saw the rise of Telangana and Seemandhra, the twin states after years of political struggle. The bifurcation coupled with the general election further created an ambiguity and in the realty sector. In spite of the different conditions, Hyderabad has emerged as a strong hold of the realty sector today.

2014 will see the real estate industry flourish in the city with many deals and offers for prospective home buyers. The buyers will capitalize on the low prices, pushing sales in the city. The unsold inventory in the city is seen to be sold at competitive prices making way to new projects in Hyderabad. The residential real estate market for now seems to be a buyer centric market. Affordable housing options are many to choose from, improving buyer sentiments. Compared to other metros like Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai where prices are sky-high, Hyderabad with affordable pricing in the market is a refreshing change. One can avail apartments in Hyderabad with a reasonable price band in areas of Miyapur, Gachibowli, Lingampally, Kukatpally etc. These localities boasts of close proximity to the IT hub of the city.

Rentals is also said to improve in Hyderabad with the development of good office spaces. Demand for organized commercial real estate has been stagnant for now, but this will change in the next six to eight months. If buyers are looking to rent or buy a flats in Hyderabad, this is the right time as everything is readily available in good prices, favourable the buyer and the tenant. Currently one can rent a 3BHK apartment or individual house in HITEC city or neighbouring areas like Kompally for as low as INR 16,000 per month. This is very low when compared to other metros in India namely Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and Chennai. Kolkata can be considered to be in par with Hyderabad when it comes to low property prices.

HITEC city is the biggest driver of employment and real estate in Hyderabad. IT/ITes sector is said to further grow in the region and the builders are sure to benefit greatly from this. The commercial real estate market is also said to revive with investors gaining confidence after the finalization of the bifurcation.

The Hyderabad realty sector is in its nascent stage if experts are to be believed. Its development is not only because of low prices or political uncertainty. But also because the city offers good infrastructure facilities for its residents. Buses run by APSRTC have mapped the city very well. The upcoming Hyderabad metro rail project will also give the city a five star status. In the next 5 years, we are ready to see a shift in the Hyderabad real estate market. This upward trend is going to greatly benefit the state’s economy and real estate.

Sulabha is an expert in India real estate. She has also authored many studies for builders in Hyderabad and real estate experts.

Hyderabad Metro Rail

Gated Community Apartments near Metro Rail Sation

Metro Work in Progress - L&T Hyderabad Metro Rail

Gated Community Apartments at Nagole near Metro Rail Station

Metro coaches en route

Source:  May 13, 2014

The first of Hyderabad Metro Rail’s coaches are en route to the city from Chennai.

The train had arrived from Hyundai-Rotterdam’s South Korean plant by sea few days ago.

The rolling stock had also obtained the customs clearance to be brought here by road.

Trial runs next month

When contacted, Hyderabad Metro Rail Managing Director N.V.S. Reddy said the trial runs were likely to commence next month at the Uppal-Nagole depot.

Property Prices Likely to Increase After Elections: Survey

Source: PTI  May 13, 2014.

Property prices in India are likely to increase only after six months when the country will get a new government, a survey said in Mumbai on Monday.

The Housing Sentiment Index (HSI) assessed by IIM Bangalore and Magicbricks.com forecasts that home buyers across 8 of 10 cities surveyed expect real estate prices to go up over the next six months.

Cities like Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Noida, Gurgaon, Bangalore and Chennai were surveyed.

"Indian real estate is bound to remain attractive in the medium term with faster growth expected in the Tier II cities. Competitively priced urban pockets such as Noida, where robust supply is backed with a promise of better infrastructure, received a thumbs-up from end users," Magicbricks.com business head Sudhir Pai said in a statement.

"However, active interest will take another six to nine months, since consumers expect prices to go up only after six months, post the 2014 elections," he said in a statement.

The national HSI remained positive at 108. An HIS score of 100 suggests that prices would remain static.

According to the survey, Mumbai posted a housing sentiment index of 106, turning positive for the first time.

"Healthy demand from Navi Mumbai and Thane resulted in this gain. Infrastructure developments in Navi Mumbai including Trans-Harbour Link and the proposed international airport are turning this location into an attractive investment option."

Bangalore topped the list of cities with an HSI of 140, witnessing a further 15 per cent jump in HSI from the previous quarter.

Strong demand from the infotech sector and comparatively affordable prices make this city an attractive option, the survey said.

Hyderabad, with an HSI of 97, witnessed a 4 per cent drop this quarter, after the Telangana issue weighed down sentiments in this city, it said.

"While the average waiting time has dropped to a little over eight months this quarter, the range-bound increase witnessed across cities and sectors indicate that people are awaiting election results to make real estate decisions."

"Clarity will set in, based on election results and well after the new government takes charge," IIMB-Century Real Estate Research Initiative lead researcher Uma Sitaraman said.

'Influence zones' proposed near metro rail stations in Hyderabad

Source: Times of India  Dt: May 7, 2014.

If Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority's plans materialise, only high-rise buildings with minimum 40 metre height will be encouraged in 'influence zones' (an area in a radius of 300 to 800 metres) around metro rail and MMTS stations soon. Also, mixed land use, where property developers can exploit real estate for commercial, residential, recreational and other purposes, will be allowed in these zones.

The HMDA has prepared development regulations (building rules) for 19 proposed influence zones in the city. The authority has already decided to promote Transit Oriented Development (TOD) around the metro rail stations. To take it further, the development regulations have been formulated by the HMDA.

Officials said the influence zones would focus on all-round development. In the influence zones, commercial space, budget hotels, coffee shops, day-care facilities, restaurants, service apartments, hospitals, cyber cafes, health clubs, entertainment centres apart from residential purpose would be allowed. Banquet halls, car showrooms, bus depots, electrical sub-station and automobile repair shops would not be permitted in the zones.

"The authority will encourage minimum 2.5 hectares plot area with 40-metre height (10 to 12 floors) buildings in the area. The developers will be given concessions. For instance, instead of 12-metre setback, only eight metre will be insisted upon. Parking space requirement will be reduced in the development regulations," a senior HMDA, who is involved in preparation of rules, told TOI.

Since open spaces were not available in many areas in the city, the authorities would encourage plot owners to go for amalgamation of plots and redevelopment. "Building permission in below one acre will also be given, but the builders and owners have to follow the guidelines in the influence zones. If the owners want to exploit their space, they can go in for redevelopment on the lines of Road No. 36, Jubilee Hills," the official said.

Officials said the aim of TOD and influence zones was to make use of public transport and discourage personal vehicles. People should walk to the nearest station and take the public transport like citizens do in some developed countries. Over a period of time, the initiative would result in less usage of personal vehicles and reduce pollution to a great extent. "Pedestrian-friendly environment is being created like the frontage of buildings (six-metre setback) will be used for footpaths," sources said.

To create a model for the influence zone development, the HMDA has asked a consultant to prepare a concept plan for its 18.5 acre land at Moosapet, where the Authority plans to construct multi-storied structures. "The draft development control regulations will be approved by the HMDA at its meeting on May 9. The draft regulations will then be sent to the government for approval. Later, a notification will be issued seeking objections and suggestions from the public before notifying the rules," a senior consultant of the authority said.

INFORGRAPH:

Proposed Influence Zones: Miyapur, Kukatpally, Balanagar, Moosapet, Bharatnagar, Ameerpet, Punjagutta, Erramanzil, Khairatabad, Nampally, Nagole/Uppal, Tarnaka, Mettuguda, Parade Grounds, Rasoolpura, Hi-Tec City, Raidurg, LB Nagar and Moosarambagh

*Locations have been tentatively finalized based on parameters like densification, scope for redevelopment, pedestrian facility, parking space, access to transit stations and multi-modal transportation