Entertainment scene set to change

Entertainment scene set to change
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

21 Dec, 2006 2305hrs IST

HUBLI: People of this once sleepy commercial hub of north Karnataka can look forward to an altogether new shopping and entertainment experience with a number of shopping malls, multiplexes and retail chain stores becoming a reality.

Though BDK Group was the first to start a super bazaar here some four years back, off late a few branded stores have also come up on Koppikar Road.

But these developments did not help Hubli much in shedding its tag of an overgrown village. But two factors that made investors sit up and act were the fast development of the organised retail sector country-wide and projection of Hubli as a Tier-II destination for IT/ITeS companies which were finding Bangalore too over-crowded and costly for future expansion.

In the retail sector, a well-known retail chain offering household durables is set to open on Club Road. A Delhi-based retailer is also planning an outlet here and another mall is under construction on Club Road.

On the entertainment front, Raikar Exhibitors took the lead in planning a multiplexcum-mall in Hubli.With over 10 cinema halls, they are leading exhibitors in north Karnataka.

But their proposed mall-multiplex will have space for branded stores and food courts. Mall-multiplex promoter Ramesh Raikar said permissions from half-a-dozen agencies are required before getting the building plans approved by the municipal authorities.

"I have already obtained NOC from four of them. The two remaining are on the way and I hope to start construction
within a month,"he said.

A leading business house, which has presence in petrochemicals, telecom, textiles and recently entered the retail business, is now coming up with its first fruits and vegetables outlet in the city on Station Road in a couple of months.

So, no more jostling in overcrowded cinema halls and weekly vegetable markets for those looking for a complete shopping and entertainment experience.

And also no more jaunts to Mumbai or Bangalore for those trying to keep up with the Joneses.

Karnataka aka aviation hub

Karnataka aka aviation hub
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 0213hrs IST

BANGALORE: The government is considering a proposal to build small and costeffective greenfield airports to make Karnataka an aviation hub, chief minister H D Kumaraswamy said on Tuesday.

Speaking at an interaction between captains of aviation industry and the government, the CM said the government has planned to expand the Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum airports, besides operationalising Mysore and Bellary airports. The government also plans to develop greenfield airports at Hassan, Shimoga, Gulbarga and Bijapur.

The existing defence airports at Karwar and Bidar will be opened for civilian operations soon. Infrastructure secretary V P Baligar added that the defence ministry has okayed the state request to permit civilian operations. The CM has now written to the civil aviation minister to build terminal buildings at these two airports Baligar said the Bidar airport requires only a terminal building since the Air Force station has adequate runways whereas Karwar airport, which is used by the Navy, a separate runway has to be built.

He said the government is in the process of sorting out issues raised by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Mysore airport expansion. The airport requires 20 acres of land for the terminal building and a case in this regard is pending in the court. AAI regional executive director Ramalingam also sought 93 acres of land for expanding the runway.

As for the Hubli airport, the masterplan prepared by the AAI envisages either acquiring 400 or 650 acres of land. The intention is to make Hubli an international airport for which 650 acres will be required. For the Belgaum airport, money has already been released to acquire 370 acres of land.

For Hassan and Gulbarga, 474 acres of land has been allocated in Hassan and 567 acres of land in Gulbarga. The government has earmarked Rs 20 crore each to build the two airports. Air Deccan has agreed to operate flights to these destinations, Baligar said.

As for the Shimoga airport, the government has identified about 1,000 acres of land. The government wants to develop Bijapur as an important tourist destination and has identified 1,000 acres of land. Jet Airways GM (South) U Shenoy said the airline is ready to operate if appropriate infrastructure is provided at the new airports. Air Deccan head, corporate planning, R Krishnaswamy said his airline has given a commitment to help the government build greenfield airports. Developing Karwar airport could also bring international charters.

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms

Govt okays HDMC land for IT firms
M L Kapur - TIMES NEWS NETWORK

20 Dec, 2006 2333hrs IST

HUBLI: At long last, there is a ray of hope for small and medium IT/ITeS players planning to set up shop in Hubli. The state government has given the green signal for allotment of 50 acres of Hubli-Dharwad Municipal Corporation's land at Rayapur to the industry.

The proposal for allotment of land between Hubli and Dharwad was sent by HDMC to the state government for approval some time in July, but the inordinate delay of five months in taking a decision has led to withdrawal by big players like TCS and Quest.

Revenue and district in-charge minister Jagdish Shettar told The Times of India on Wednesday that the urban development and finance departments had raised basic objections to the HDMC's proposal saying that the land cannot be allotted to IT/ITeS at subsidised rates.

They pointed out that as per rules, if the corporation land has to be alienated, it is only through open action and not by allotment.

Or else, only the government can waive this condition and clear the proposal as a special case. Shettar said: "The chief minister cleared the file last week. The cabinet will ratify the government's decision at its next meeting. It is only a formality. The entire land will be allotted to IT/ITeS companies recommended by a committee constituted for the purpose by the HDMC."

The HDMC had sent the proposal in pursuance of the council's resolution adopted in the wake of the Hubli IT Investors' Meet held here in May. Later, the proposed Karnataka Law University, expected to become functional from the next academic session, also staked claim for the same land.

Initially, HDMC's IT land allotment committee had recommended 25 acres of land each to Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Quest.

But TCS declined the offer saying its requirement was 50 acres, and that too in an IT-specific SEZ. Quest also backed out after waiting for five months. HDMC later recommended the land declined by TCS to some other IT/ITeS firms.

The better-known among them are Bangalore-based electronics software design company Sankalp Semiconductors, and NS Infotech, a BPO start-up operating from Hubli.

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'

`Hubli airport will be upgraded if State provides more land'
The Hindu - Special Correspondent

An additional 650 acres of land is needed for the purpose: AAI

BANGALORE: In a boost to the State's civil aviation infrastructure, the Airports Authority of India has expressed willingness to upgrade the facilities at the Hubli airport to meet international standards if an additional 650 acres of land is provided by the State.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting of airline operators here on Tuesday, AAI Southern Regional Executive Director K. Ramalingam said the State had requested the AAI to upgrade the Hubli airport to meet international standards.

The meeting was held to apprise the operators of the initiatives taken by the State Government in building civil aviation infrastructure and to invite suggestions from them.

It was possible to upgrade the facilities only if additional land was provided. Also, permission had to be obtained by the Union Government, he said.

Night-landing facilities


At present, the AAI was providing night-landing facilities at the Hubli airport and preparing a master plan for development of the terminal building and extension of runway, Mr. Ramalingam said.

Infrastructure Development Principal Secretary V.P. Baligar told reporters that the Government was willing to acquire additional land. However, the actual process of upgrading might take some time. But the land would be acquired now itself to ensure that there were no obstacles for upgrading the domestic airport. The issue would soon be brought up before the State Cabinet, he said.

Earlier, addressing airline operators, the Chief Minister said that the State had taken up the matter with the Union Ministry of Defence to allow defence airports at Karwar and Bidar to be used for civilian operations.

The Government had decided to develop airports in tourist destinations and trade centres.

It would also upgrade the airports at Mangalore, Hubli and Belgaum besides operationalising the Mysore and Bellary airports, Mr. Baligar said.

Mr. Baligar said that while the Defence Ministry had agreed to open up Bidar airport for civilian operations, certain conditions such as acquiring of land for construction of a separate runway had been laid for allowing civilian operations at the Karwar airport. Dr. Ramalingam said there was no proper transport connectivity between the airport and the city centre in some cities such as Mangalore and Hubli as the airports were located on the outskirts. He suggested that the State Government take up a special plan to provide transport arrangements between the airports and the city.

He also expressed concern that escalation in the prices of construction materials such as cement, steel, sand and bitumen was coming in the way of speedy completion of airport projects.

Functional airports


Tourism and Kannada and Culture Secretary I.M. Vittal Murthy said that steps should be taken to construct "functional airports" at tourist destinations such as Bijapur instead of waiting for the acquiring of the total extent of land required.