Renewal of Cities: Leaves little expectations

India has now entered third year of the Urban Renewal projects initiated in the cities across the country. We are burdened by exhausted administrators and monitoring committee who are supposed to take the initiative forward. Too much work and lack of coordination / management in the urban renewal projects is buzz going around the capitals of states. The participation of citizens in the effort is negligible with guidelines imported from external agencies, central and state government. The local bodies are burdned with works which seems alien to them and administrative preparedness for such an excercise is missing.

Most of the municipalities are falling short of the professionals like planners, engineers and contractors who can participate in these efforts. The capacity building is rarely undertaken seriously among the line and rank profile of the municipal administrators. We are left with thin force who are overburdned and often commit mistakes which are technical and in some cases financial.

Delhi is running fast to catch the Common Wealth Games, Mumbai busty to sort out water and waste problems, Kolkata and Chennai is fixed in transportation issues, where as second tier metros are left to cope with the shortage of manpower. The expediture is fine but there seems to be little commitment in the recovery of cost (as pledge in MoA with central government) by city managers. They are yet to reach citizens with escalated costs fearing political repurcursions during the present inflanationary trends in economy.

What makes situation very serious to urban managers? Much expectations from the citizens and government machinery about the turn around of the cities. Little hopes lies in completed projects related to infrastructure..but most of the objectives like housing, solid waste, environment, heritage, social infrastructure remain untouched. No amount of funding would ease the situation in metroes unless the professionals are enhanced and time scale is eased out for the projects. The cake is eaten fast by the developed states like Gujarat, Maharastra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu investing heavily on large metros or state capital leaves little for small and medium towns to improve. Yet we would tend to focus on the SEZ and SIR and foresee a better urban India!!

Making Indian cities global

We are still harping on the traditional methods of city improvement while the present renewal programs in the Indian cities tend to overlook the demands of the modern and young citizens. The quality of services in most of the town has rarely been improved rather we are busy in keep it afloat owing to pressure both demographic and system failures.

We care to boots about the living environments and concerns of majority of citizens. We just survive on borrowed oxygen from the central and state government (lacks financial self sufficiency). We do not know whether our citizens would like to have better and improved gardens, roads, playgrounds, drinking water, information systems or not. Our big visions does not carry this agenda for our metropolitan cities. We keep our self busy with larger prespectives and forget the smaller requirements for the citizens and those who give business to the cities.

Whether its small vendor or industrialist we are yet to see forward looking local government who are prepared to meet the 21st century at ease. Of course the local bodies are never surplus with resources and technology which can be utilized for such a demand. What we need is apart from core hardware of world class standard a new set of soft products a city can provide to citizens. We are only asking for what we had 50 years ago..gardens, library, transportation, etc in Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi to our new generation of towns.

Bullets are not the answer to development

Following is the editorial in DTE April 21, 2010
Bullets are not the answer to development (Editorial by Sunita Narain) in Down To Earth

The massacre of 76 policemen in Dantewada by naxalites is reprehensible. Yet we cannot brush aside the underlying poverty, deprivation and sheer lack of justice that are breeding tension and anger in vast areas of rural, tribal India. We cannot say that these developmental issues are long term—as the Congress spokesperson has reportedly said—while the immediate task is to annihilate the Naxalites. Because, unless we can fix what is broken here, let us be very clear, there is no real solution at hand.
I have written earlier about the devastating irony that vast parts of our country, that are the richest in terms of minerals, forests and water, are also where the poorest people live. Again I ask, again and again: what is wrong with our development model that the poorest people live in the richest lands of the country?
We know naxalites profit from the anger against the collective loot of the resources these lands possess. These are the lands we get minerals from; the electricity that lights our homes is enabled here. But the people who live there have no electricity. They should own the minerals, or forests; they should profit from development. But they get no benefit from the resources that are simply extracted. By policy and design, their lands are taken away, their forest cut, water polluted, their livelihoods destroyed. Development makes them poorer than they were.
But we want to hear none of this. A few years ago, in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, while releasing our detailed report on mining and environment, I saw how intolerant we have become. The state’s governor was to release the report. But even before we arrived, there was a media buzz our critique of mining policies and practices meant we were partners with naxalites. At the release function, the room was “filled” with mining-at-all-cost supporters. They shouted down any voice that spoke of the problems, and poverty, mining had caused in the region. The governor was visibly in a bind. He could not deny our data and analysis. But he was also desperate to brand us as insurgents who raise uncomfortable issues.
The next day, the machinery whirred into action. It openly challenged us. It presented no data on how it had shared revenues of mining with people. It did not explain how it had controlled the enormous and deadly pollution from the sponge iron factories that encircled the region. It did not also explain why it was allowing open manipulation and misuse of laws to dispossess people from their lands, against their will. It only incited violence against us, saying since we had questioned mining policies and were seeking new answers, we were against development. The next step: we were against the state, so we were with naxalites. With us or against us. This is a Bush slogan, but also a war syndrome, which cannot buy us peace at any cost.
We have to rethink the development India has practised so far. Let’s just think forests. These are the very lands where India’s tree wealth exists. Some 60 per cent of the country’s dense and most bio-diverse and economically rich forests are in these tribal districts. Think minerals now. The bulk of what we need for growth—iron ore for steel, bauxite for aluminium and coal for power stations—is located here. These are also the same districts—poor and backward—our beloved tigers roam in. Here’s where the country’s major watersheds are located.
How can we build a growth model which uses the wealth of the region for local development first? Such a development model would mean listening to people who live on these lands, about what they need and want for their growth. It means seceding to what people want: the right to decide if they want a mine in their backyard, or the forests cut. It means taking democracy very seriously.
If this is accepted, protests will have to be seen in a new light. There are no misguided people, or naxalites, holding up Vedanta in Orissa, or Tata in Chhattisgarh. These many, and there are many, mutinies will have to be carefully heard. This country cannot brush aside people’s concerns, in the name of a ‘considered’ decision taken, in Delhi or somewhere else. Government must stop believing it knows what is best.
Once we accept local veto over development decisions, the tough part begins. For, this means seriously engaging with people to find ways that benefit all. It means sharing revenue from minerals with villagers, not the poisoned peanuts they get now. It means changing priorities: valuing, for instance, a standing forest as protector of water, wildlife, even a low-carbon future. It means paying directly to local communities so that they decide to protect forests, because it benefits them.
Ultimately, listening to dissenters means reinventing development. Accept we cannot mine all the coal, bauxite, iron ore—whatever—that lies below forests people live in, and depend on. It will make us get careful about how to use less minerals for more growth? Can India do more with less? There’s a lesson India’s poor teach: walk lightly on the earth you have. Let us not riddle them with bullets.
Comment: http://cseindia.org/content/bullets-are-not-answer-developmentRead this online: http://www.downtoearth.org.in/cover_nl.asp?mode=1

Volcanic Ash: Major Disaster in Making?

As we all are aware of the recent volcanic eruptions in iceland since March 2010 to April 2010, since last 200 year ago such eruptions has taken place. Most of Europe is being affected by plume emerging from the ashes. The scale of ash dispersal is huge and its likely to affect not only the flights but also health of the people living the area. The dispersal of clouds and ashes from the mountains is likely to continue for few more days before it subsides. A less understood earth has kept people looking to god to save them from upcoming disasters to mankind in europe.

People in Europe are busy in just calculating the economic losses rather the attempt should be immediatly prepare for settling of ashes on the towns and settlements in Europe. Natural catstrophe like this is hard to imagine in recent years, the climatic effect of this can be immense on the coming summer season in Europe and rest of world.

Hope the administration and people prepare themselves for the immense stoppage of wheel of life in the continent. Keep mailing on us at gercbrd@gmail.com to get more updates.

Absolutely, no Reality In Realty

This is an article sent by Mr. Kamlesh Shah, Hats off to his analysis!!

Next time,you find any article in newspaper or TV programme saying realty /property Prices will go up. Remember it is a paid article at the instance of some big developer/builder.

HUDCO or Govt Deptts should stop heaping any further or bigger insult and making mockery of lower or middle class population by twisting , tweaking and defacing the definition of Affordable House.
Correct Definition of Affordable House is as under : Affordable House = 3 or 4 x Average per capita income of particular City. Importantly budget house should be decent in terms size, shape and dimension ( 2 BHK admeasuring 900-1000 sq.ft) and made up of standard building materials with all basic amenities nearby. As per recent report, the national average per capita income in India is approximately Rs.33,400/- per annum. For Instance, If Ahmedabad has a population of 60 Lakhs and the average annual salary is Rs. 40,000. Still taking Rs. 70,000 on higher side : Affordabale House = 4x70,000 = Rs. 2,80,0000 This is indicative of the part that shows that majority ( 50-70%) of Ahmedabaad population can not afford to have House priced over 3,00,000 for 2 Bhk. However, some of the organizations with a bunch of fools or wicked persons are abusing the word Affordable House by saying 400 sq.ft of 2 Bhk = Rs.4-5,00,000 for Slum Dwellers. They should better go to understand the basics of Affordable Housing rather making such insolent and absurd comments via different forums and print or electronic media. Does it not surprise you when you hear that a 2 BHK flat with 1000 sft is priced at Rs. 22-30 lakhs depending on area whereas the equal area in a mall is now being sold at Rs. 4.55 to 8.55 lakhs depending on area in Ahmedabad. This itself shows that residential units are all overvalued to a great extend merely with the intention of looting people. Affordable housing word was coined with a vision to give House for all and its price can’t be different for different strata of society . It simply means the house which can be purchased by masses . It does not mean houses purchasing power depending on individual's financial strength. Moreover, it should be ensured that it does not fall into the clutches of multiple house holders and rather it should go to the hands of genuine house seekers so that Inflation and Recessionary trend can be arrested by increasing the purchasing power of general mass. Reducing bank’s home loan interest rate does not enthuse house seekers as learnt from our past experiences. Only remedy to bring cheer on street is to lower the house prices . Governement should build on top priority at least 5 lacs affordable houses for general mass in Ahmedabad. Since some builders are trying to fleece money from house seekers by comparing Ahmedabad with cities like Pune, Mumbai, Kolkatta or Bangalore . Most of the time, comparison is drawn with Mumbai.

Importantly, property prices’ of Ahmedabad can not be compared with that of Mumbai housing prices on knowing the start difference between the two :
a) Mumbai has tall structures/skyscrapers/high rise buildings because of paucity of space. Ahmedabad has a large track of open land in the mid of Ahmedabad city at various places.
b) Mumbai’s builders and rich class people even live in flats whereas Ahmedabad higher class society lives in Bungalows or Villas.
c) Mumbai sees Vertical Development ,Ahmedabad witnesses Horizontal Development.
d) Mumbai’s streets are crowded and even millionaires commute by local trains. Ahmedabad affluent class people use their own person cars.
e) Mumbai have a large street vendors who offer affordable food whereas Ahmedabad is city of Restaurants and Hotels with a very few street vendors.
f) Mumbai has a lot of business or employment opportunities , Ahmedabad in comparison to major cities has lesser opportunity.
g) Over the years, Mumbai population has exploded whereas Ahmedabad population is increasing very steadily.
h) Mumbai does not show largely any units in buildings unoccupied, Ahmedabad’s most of the buildings shows 50 or less occupancy. In last 5-6 years, the units added have remained largly unoccupied and idling in Ahmedabad even in posh areas like S.G Highway, Satellite, Vastrapur, Science City etc.
i) Mumbai has a very few multiple house holders in comparison to Ahmedabad. First time house buyers are neglible inAhmedabad.
j) Mumbai shows a fast track construction, whereas the project started in 2004 is still at many places not completed in Ahmedabad at a posh location because owners don’t feel that there is enough buyers at this price in market.
k) Ahmedabad' main street posh locations show bungalows on either side of streets and many pockets of open land at prime locations. Is it seen in any other city or town.
m) There are more house sellers in comparison to virtually no house buyers at this overvalyed price which is evident from the classifieds of any daily.
m) Out the total retail space of 3 million tonne in around 12 malls of Ahmedabad, about 50% space is lying vacant. It is a sign of retail graveyard. The symbol of retail graveyard- S G Mall, Acropolis Mall, Dev Arc Mall, Sukan Mall, Shital Varsha Mall, Sapneel, Shakun, Balaji and so on.Some malls are ghost malls. Even Red Carpet Multiplex have been learnt to be closed down and other multiplexes are bring down their ticket sales.

Therefore , Let us not make the mockery of whole building systems and various house seekers. What is the rationale of holding seminar/workshops on Infrastructure and Realty without working on basics.

Is is organised to :
a) To show how good our speakers r in english language.
b) To kill their time in idle things and enjoy the feeling of being speaker on dias.
c) To talk about all idle things without hit bulls' eye and improve the conditions of general mass for the betterment of society.

Though India being an agrarian country , its economy is largely dependent on Housing and Realty and Infrastructure sector. One can say, Construction is the backbone of Indian economy and it has cascading effect on all tiers of other sectors . Malls and Multiplexes are failing constantly because their heads/CEO were duffers who did not do proper studies that their format will be successful only if there is enough purchasing power of common men. MORE, Subhiksha, Next etc retain chains have already closed their shutters and many are in pipeline. ' Who is responsible for increasing unemployment and mass unrest leading to burgeoning of evils like chain snatching, burglary, loot, theft, kidnap, murdars, suicides, fights , etc. Does it not surprise you that some in Ahmedabad have got over 20 bungalows or villas in their own possission. On the other hand, majority looking for one small house. As per Times of India newspaper report, average 19 burglaries a day has been found in year 2009 in Ahmedabad. Just see the meterioc rise in crime. Certainly, Ahmedabad is not known for such things. We are apeing the infamours cities like Bihar perhaps surpassing them just because poors and middle class people are being suppressed.. Is Ahmedabad known for this evils say 10 years back. It is all because of loot been done by higher class society and abnormal rise of housing prices and essential good prices. Realtors & their connies like brokers are responsible for bringing India to the brink of very big recessionary period because of their inflated housing prices no genuine buyers are coming forward and investor are shying because they are not able to sell their units. No construction , No India. If India has to be saved from the cruel clutches of Economic Slowdown and downturn. Construction has to be carried out sustainably which is possible only if genuine house buyers come forward in masses and this is possible only with True Affordable Housing--- A house which at least 70% of city population can afford to purchase without going to financial institution. Inspite of knowing that Cement sector still has not seen any competition and there is cartelisation, why Govt is sleeping over the issue and not allowing more cement companies to come up so that prices go down drastically of cement and then construction. Also, since cement cos are selling flyash based cement in which they add about 35% flyash which is free of cost available from power plants, then prices of cement should go down. Additionally, there is no check whether they r adding 35 % or 50% flyash by weight of cement. Sustainability can exist only if there is affordability, accessability, availability and equality in society. Our national TV news channel is hell bent on promoting Cricket and Daily tv soaps only. Wondering if there is any news or it is channel of promos and commercials -advertisements only. Please don't make the fun of people with such fabricated stories of real estate boom. It is humble request from all poor and lower middle class people. God, please help.

Why the Government not collect or levy tax on all lakhs of houses/shops lying vacant for years. Not being given either on rent or sold. The first sign of Mall burst is seen at sight with one developer has decided to turn its Mall into a Hotal at West A'Bad.The same mall ie. Gallops Mall is 1st mall in A'bad.

If you want to see the truth behind realty boom, next time you drive your car or riding your bike or remain pillion ridder , just keep your eyes open to observe the following :

a) How many housing units are being constructed and at what price and for whom.
b) Whether it is bungalow or high rise building on the road side.
c) How much open spaces or unoccupied land are there in Ahmedabad.
d) How much vacancy in the mall or How many people turn up in Multiplex
e) How many bungalows or flats have been occupied.
f) How many units in old buildings are lying unoccupied and importantly for how many years.
g) How much time does a construction project takes to complete inspite of use of fast track construction mathodology and Ready Mix Concrete.
h) If possible, what is the salary given to employees of builders and how many civil engineers does he employ to make tall claims about green,intelligent and earth quake resistant building.
i) How many high rise building are being constructed.
j) If S .G Highway is the most plush area of A'bad, just see how many buildings are coming up and how much land on either side of road is lying unattended for years. God knows how to teach Humans a Lesson for their Greed.

In India, what a growth ? 40 million popuation still do not get food and neither do they have any means....!!!! As per one report , over 7 lakh govt workers in Ahmedabad are being paid less than Rs. 2500 per month. Can they even imagine of owning house without taking bribe. In Ahmedabad and across India, teachers,peons, clerks, lower and middle level employees in small or medium class companies are paid merely salary between Rs. 2500 to 8000 per month. Even in Governmenet organisation, it is only very top class employees who get salary of Rs. 25000/- p.m. How can one expect them to buy house worth Rs. 20 lakhs or even 8-10 Lakhs. Remember, majority of population lie in the bracket of this chunk earning salary in the range of Rs. 3000 to Rs. 6000 in all cities like Ahmedabad. In India, nothing will change no matter how shrill your voice is and hitting the rooftop. We can send SMS to make Taj amongst 7 wonders and in disguise help Telecom companies to make profit ,but we fools can not ask for what is right and is in the interest of whole society. India can be the most super power provided we all wish it !!! Only a small section enjoys all privileges.

Thanks again Kamlesh!!

Serious Trouble in Middle Class: Tension Builds Up

It is true that the Indian middle class has grown in number in the last two decades. During these decades a sizable chunk of the middle class is facing cute crisis due to soaring prices, unemployment, growing insecurity of life, steep increases in family expenditure due to high cost of education, health, transport etc., which have become privatized to a great extent and had gone beyond the reach of a significant section of the middle class.

Despite the numerical growth of the middle class it is at a receiving end. Hence we see that the growing frustration in large sections of the middle class is forcing them into streets for their demands as witnessed in strikes and other forms of struggles by teachers, government employees, students, and even shopkeepers who are affected by the shopping malls and FDI in retail sector. Another important factor has to be noted—most of yesterday's luxury consumer goods have become today's daily necessities. And the list of necessities is growing by the day with the large-scale proliferation of consumer goods and the promotion of consumerism by the market-place. Hence frustration is growing among members of this class as they are unable to procure these goods since much of their incomes have to be spent on the basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter.

Middle class is terribly affected by such issues as price-rise, insecurity, corruption, unemployment for their children, high cost of education and health-care, threats from real estate mafia etc. Keeping these in mind, it is high time the middle class blow up wristle against the powerful capitalists supported immensly by the government. Our budget is more oriented towards Industrial and trade organisations, the people were just provided with token budget share of less than 15% of the taxed amount.

As this is the outcome of our present development scene,

"A person with a body mass index of less than 18.5 is malnourished. According to National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau, 33 per cent of adult Indians have a BMI of less than 18.5. If you disaggregate this, over 50 per cent Scheduled Tribes have a BMI of 18.5 or are undernourished.
"The WHO says that any community of which over 40 per cent population has a BMI of 18.5 per cent is in a state of famine. By that standard, many communities in India are living in a state of famine. Orissa, whose 40 per cent population is undernourished, too, fits the bill."