Hyderabad: Cadbury India on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh Government that will see it set up its largest manufacturing plant in the Asia-Pacific region.
The proposed plant, which is to come up on a 134-acre site in SriCity, Chittoor, with an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore, will be functional by mid-2015.
Part of the $35-billion Mondelez International Inc, Cadbury India plans to develop the project in four phases by 2020, eventually increasing its annual production capacity to 250,000 tonnes.
Manu Anand, President-India & South Asia, said the plant will be able to serve the southern region and possibly other markets as it gets implemented in phases.
India is rated among the top 10 markets in the company’s global business. The MoU was signed by Anand and K. Pradeep Chandra, Andhra Pradesh’s Industries Principal Secretary, in the presence of Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy and others.
“The plant will employ about 1,600 people when fully developed and account for nearly 50 per cent of Cadbury’s overall capacity (it currently has six plants). Cadbury manufactures products under five broad categories: chocolates, powder beverages, gum, candy and biscuits,” said Anand.
Typically, some of the suppliers, too, set up plants where Cadbury locates its facilities, he added.
The Chief Minister said Chittoor being the home of dairy companies has capacity to supply Cadbury about 500,000 litres of milk per day, initially, and possibly 100,000 litres per day by phase two of the project. And the demand of about 200 tonnes of sugar per day could boost the prospects of sugar mills.
He said that in the three years since he took over as the Chief Minister, he had cleared proposals worth Rs 1.35 lakh crore, covering 75 factories, making AP a favoured destination for investments.
Success in my Habit
Sunday, December 1, 2013
MHRD to provide for 5000 faculty positions in higher education
New Delhi: The Ministry of Human Resource Development proposes to provide for 5000 faculty positions in the higher education under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) during the current Five Year Plan, ending 2017. Support will be provided to fill positions in the category of Assistant Professors or equivalent cadre against vacancies. A fixed amount of Rs. 5.8 lakh per year for each faculty position will be given by the Centre and any excess over and above this amount due to higher scales, grade pay or DA increase has to be borne by the State Government. The 99,000 crore rupee programme was approved by the Union Cabinet last month to boost the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 30% by 2020 from the present about 19%.
All the State universities will be eligible to receive grants under this programme. The recruitment process will have to adhere to UGC norms and regulations. The funding priorities are as follows:
Commitments of States to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme (after 5-8 years, depending on the year in which such positions are sanctioned).
Priority will be given to those states where more recruitment has taken place in the universities and colleges during the last 3 years.
Lowest number of unfilled faculty positions.
Better student-teacher ratio.
Priority will be given to new institutions.
Second priority shall be given to those states which have a faculty-student ratio between 15:1 to 20:1.
States with more than 20:1 ratio will have to first commit to sanction and fill positions to bring down the faculty-student ratio ration to 20:1.
All the State universities will be eligible to receive grants under this programme. The recruitment process will have to adhere to UGC norms and regulations. The funding priorities are as follows:
Commitments of States to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme (after 5-8 years, depending on the year in which such positions are sanctioned).
Priority will be given to those states where more recruitment has taken place in the universities and colleges during the last 3 years.
Lowest number of unfilled faculty positions.
Better student-teacher ratio.
Priority will be given to new institutions.
Second priority shall be given to those states which have a faculty-student ratio between 15:1 to 20:1.
States with more than 20:1 ratio will have to first commit to sanction and fill positions to bring down the faculty-student ratio ration to 20:1.
MHRD to provide for 5000 faculty positions in higher education
New Delhi: The Ministry of Human Resource Development proposes to provide for 5000 faculty positions in the higher education under the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) during the current Five Year Plan, ending 2017. Support will be provided to fill positions in the category of Assistant Professors or equivalent cadre against vacancies. A fixed amount of Rs. 5.8 lakh per year for each faculty position will be given by the Centre and any excess over and above this amount due to higher scales, grade pay or DA increase has to be borne by the State Government. The 99,000 crore rupee programme was approved by the Union Cabinet last month to boost the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 30% by 2020 from the present about 19%.
All the State universities will be eligible to receive grants under this programme. The recruitment process will have to adhere to UGC norms and regulations. The funding priorities are as follows:
Commitments of States to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme (after 5-8 years, depending on the year in which such positions are sanctioned).
Priority will be given to those states where more recruitment has taken place in the universities and colleges during the last 3 years.
Lowest number of unfilled faculty positions.
Better student-teacher ratio.
Priority will be given to new institutions.
Second priority shall be given to those states which have a faculty-student ratio between 15:1 to 20:1.
States with more than 20:1 ratio will have to first commit to sanction and fill positions to bring down the faculty-student ratio ration to 20:1.
All the State universities will be eligible to receive grants under this programme. The recruitment process will have to adhere to UGC norms and regulations. The funding priorities are as follows:
Commitments of States to take over the liability of faculty positions at the end of the scheme (after 5-8 years, depending on the year in which such positions are sanctioned).
Priority will be given to those states where more recruitment has taken place in the universities and colleges during the last 3 years.
Lowest number of unfilled faculty positions.
Better student-teacher ratio.
Priority will be given to new institutions.
Second priority shall be given to those states which have a faculty-student ratio between 15:1 to 20:1.
States with more than 20:1 ratio will have to first commit to sanction and fill positions to bring down the faculty-student ratio ration to 20:1.
India, Belgium agree to enhance cooperation in renewable energy
New Delhi: India and Belgium have agreed to work on signing an MOU to enhance cooperation in renewable energy. This was discussed at a bilateral meeting between Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and Her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium. Princess Astrid is currently visiting India as head of the Belgian Economic Mission to India. She is accompanied by Mr. Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and European Affairs and Mr. Kris Peeters, President of the Region of Flanders and Flemish Minister for Economic, Foreign Policy along with a large business delegation.
Dr. Abdullah briefed the visiting delegation on the energy situation in India and the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector in India. He spoke of India’s plans to add over 30 GW of renewable energy to its energy mix in the next 5 years. He dwelt on the success of the wind programme as well as the significant cost reductions in solar energy through the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). He also highlighted India’s conducive and investor friendly policy framework for promoting renewable energy in a big way. Dr. Abdullah suggested that India and Belgium had great potential for enhancing cooperation in promoting renewable energy and offered to provide all possible assistance for the purpose.
The Belgian delegation recognized India’s considerable achievements and strengths in renewable energy and noted that India had made large strides in this field. The business delegation accompanying the official delegation also made brief presentations on their activities and reciprocated India’s desire for enhanced energy cooperation between the two countries.
After detailed discussions, the two sides agreed to start work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Renewable Energy between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India and the Government of Belgium in order to strengthen, promote and develop renewable energy cooperation between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Both countries also agreed to explore possibilities of coordination in renewable energy through joint Research and Development programmes of mutual interest.
Dr. Abdullah briefed the visiting delegation on the energy situation in India and the rapid growth of the renewable energy sector in India. He spoke of India’s plans to add over 30 GW of renewable energy to its energy mix in the next 5 years. He dwelt on the success of the wind programme as well as the significant cost reductions in solar energy through the Jawahar Lal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). He also highlighted India’s conducive and investor friendly policy framework for promoting renewable energy in a big way. Dr. Abdullah suggested that India and Belgium had great potential for enhancing cooperation in promoting renewable energy and offered to provide all possible assistance for the purpose.
The Belgian delegation recognized India’s considerable achievements and strengths in renewable energy and noted that India had made large strides in this field. The business delegation accompanying the official delegation also made brief presentations on their activities and reciprocated India’s desire for enhanced energy cooperation between the two countries.
After detailed discussions, the two sides agreed to start work on a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the field of Renewable Energy between the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Government of India and the Government of Belgium in order to strengthen, promote and develop renewable energy cooperation between the two countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. Both countries also agreed to explore possibilities of coordination in renewable energy through joint Research and Development programmes of mutual interest.
Indian Angel Network to invest in startups in UK, Singapore
New Delhi: The Indian Angel Network, the country's oldest and largest angel investor network, will now scout for investment opportunities in the United Kingdom and Singapore. The decision to invest in UK and Singapore-based early-stage ventures has been taken to provide companies in its portfolio access to global markets, tap into the Indian diaspora as well as to rope in international investors to participate in domestic startups, according to IAN co-founder Saurabh Srivastava. "A fifth of our members are based outside the country and they have identified great opportunities in these markets," said Srivastava. IAN has previously invested across geographies, including Sri Lanka, Canada, France and Hong Kong. It has invested over $2.5 million (Rs 15.6 crore) in 10 startups in the island nation, along with Google India managing director Rajan Anandan's early-stage fund Blue Ocean Ventures. "The idea is to unlock as much early-stage capital as possible, because of its paucity," said tech evangelist and IAN member Sharad Sharma. IAN, which expects to have its British operations up and running within the next three months, has been working with various government institutions such as UK Trade and Investments and UK-based angel networks, as it looks to establish its presence there.
"We have started the investment process, and if things fall in place, we should announce our first deal within the next six months," he said.
IAN will formally start its operations in Singapore in the latter half of 2014. In February, it had invested an undisclosed sum in Singapore and Seattle-based search portal startup Mobilewalla, a round that was led by its members Sharad Sharma and Venkat Raju. "We want to do this by design, rather than as one-off investments, which has happened earlier," Srivastava said. The angel investor network, which typically invests less than $1 million (Rs 6.3 crore), with its sweet spot ranging between $400,000 (Rs 2.5 crore) and $600,000 (Rs 3.8 crore) for stakes of between 15% and 30%, will apply the same investment mandate in the UK and Singapore.
"No one has really done this before, and therefore, it will be a learning process as we go ahead," Srivastava said.
IAN, which looks to stay invested for about three to five years, has invested in over 40 ventures, across sectors such as internet, information technology, education, travel and tourism and mobile.
It counts companies such as online education company Aurus Network, data security company Druva Software and social gaming venture HashCube among its portfolio. It recently exited mobile video streaming startup Jigsee in February this year.
IAN, which has about 260 members globally, counts prominent angel investors like Hero Cycles managing director Sunil Munjal, HCL cofounder Ajai Chowdhry and Sanjeev Bhikchandani, cofounder and chief executive of internet company Info Edge, in its network.
"We have started the investment process, and if things fall in place, we should announce our first deal within the next six months," he said.
IAN will formally start its operations in Singapore in the latter half of 2014. In February, it had invested an undisclosed sum in Singapore and Seattle-based search portal startup Mobilewalla, a round that was led by its members Sharad Sharma and Venkat Raju. "We want to do this by design, rather than as one-off investments, which has happened earlier," Srivastava said. The angel investor network, which typically invests less than $1 million (Rs 6.3 crore), with its sweet spot ranging between $400,000 (Rs 2.5 crore) and $600,000 (Rs 3.8 crore) for stakes of between 15% and 30%, will apply the same investment mandate in the UK and Singapore.
"No one has really done this before, and therefore, it will be a learning process as we go ahead," Srivastava said.
IAN, which looks to stay invested for about three to five years, has invested in over 40 ventures, across sectors such as internet, information technology, education, travel and tourism and mobile.
It counts companies such as online education company Aurus Network, data security company Druva Software and social gaming venture HashCube among its portfolio. It recently exited mobile video streaming startup Jigsee in February this year.
IAN, which has about 260 members globally, counts prominent angel investors like Hero Cycles managing director Sunil Munjal, HCL cofounder Ajai Chowdhry and Sanjeev Bhikchandani, cofounder and chief executive of internet company Info Edge, in its network.
Oracle India ties up with IEG
Hyderabad: Oracle India has signed an agreement with the Institute of Electronic Governance (IEG) of Andhra Pradesh to implement Oracle Academy’s computer science curriculum in 400 educational institutions in the State.
About 50,000 students and 1,000 faculties in the State will be exposed to Oracle technologies. Oracle Academy content and courseware will also be offered as elective modules in at least 100 institutions.
“As part of the MoU, 150 faculty members will participate in train-the-trainer courses, enabling them to use Oracle Academy infrastructure to train other teachers. Faculty training will begin in January 2014,” an Oracle press release said.
“The Oracle Academy offers a comprehensive programme that helps students gain industry relevant technology skills needed to succeed in today’s job market,” Yatin Kantak, Senior Director and Group Head (Geo-expansion) of Oracle India, said.
About 50,000 students and 1,000 faculties in the State will be exposed to Oracle technologies. Oracle Academy content and courseware will also be offered as elective modules in at least 100 institutions.
“As part of the MoU, 150 faculty members will participate in train-the-trainer courses, enabling them to use Oracle Academy infrastructure to train other teachers. Faculty training will begin in January 2014,” an Oracle press release said.
“The Oracle Academy offers a comprehensive programme that helps students gain industry relevant technology skills needed to succeed in today’s job market,” Yatin Kantak, Senior Director and Group Head (Geo-expansion) of Oracle India, said.
India takes its first step into shale gas, oil exploration
New Delhi: On Tuesday, ONGC will dedicate the first shale well spud in Gujarat’s Cambay Basin to the nation in the presence of Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas, M. Veerappa Moily.
ONGC had first struck shale gas in a pilot project at Ichhapur in Burdwan, West Bengal.
“The drilling of Jambusar-55 (well in the Gujarat block), the first well under the pilot programme, started on October 27,” said N.K. Verma, Director-Exploration, ONGC.
As on November 24, the well has been drilled to a depth of 1,735 metres, and further drilling is in progress.
On the cost involved in shale drilling, Verma said, “The cost, at present, is similar to what is spent on drilling a conventional onland well.”
A conventional well costs about $6-7 million. “But, since this will require further assessment, the cost will be slightly higher – cushion of a million dollars more,” he added.
Conoco pact
ONGC had signed a memorandum of understanding with the ConocoPhillips, US. The two undertook joint studies of the four basins: Cambay, Krishna Godavari, Cauvery and Damodar.
Based on the studies, a shale gas pilot drilling programme was firmed up in the Broach depression area of Cambay Basin in technical collaboration with Conoco.
Asked whether Conoco will be a partner in the block, Verma said the US firm did not want to share the costs, therefore, ONGC was doing it on its own.
Other projects
ONGC plans to follow this pilot project in Cambay Basin with similar drilling programmes in other basins, according to the guidelines of New Shale Gas Policy announced recently.
The policy allowed ONGC and OIL the right to explore shale gas and oil in their nomination blocks. While ONGC will take up 175 blocks, Oil India will do it in 15 blocks in three assessment phases.
According to the policy, ONGC will get 50 blocks in the first phase, another 75 blocks in the second and 50 blocks in the third phase. Oil India would take up five blocks each in all three phases.
The US Energy Information Administration estimates India’s total reserve recoverable shale gas at 96 trillion cubic feet (TCF).
ONGC had first struck shale gas in a pilot project at Ichhapur in Burdwan, West Bengal.
“The drilling of Jambusar-55 (well in the Gujarat block), the first well under the pilot programme, started on October 27,” said N.K. Verma, Director-Exploration, ONGC.
As on November 24, the well has been drilled to a depth of 1,735 metres, and further drilling is in progress.
On the cost involved in shale drilling, Verma said, “The cost, at present, is similar to what is spent on drilling a conventional onland well.”
A conventional well costs about $6-7 million. “But, since this will require further assessment, the cost will be slightly higher – cushion of a million dollars more,” he added.
Conoco pact
ONGC had signed a memorandum of understanding with the ConocoPhillips, US. The two undertook joint studies of the four basins: Cambay, Krishna Godavari, Cauvery and Damodar.
Based on the studies, a shale gas pilot drilling programme was firmed up in the Broach depression area of Cambay Basin in technical collaboration with Conoco.
Asked whether Conoco will be a partner in the block, Verma said the US firm did not want to share the costs, therefore, ONGC was doing it on its own.
Other projects
ONGC plans to follow this pilot project in Cambay Basin with similar drilling programmes in other basins, according to the guidelines of New Shale Gas Policy announced recently.
The policy allowed ONGC and OIL the right to explore shale gas and oil in their nomination blocks. While ONGC will take up 175 blocks, Oil India will do it in 15 blocks in three assessment phases.
According to the policy, ONGC will get 50 blocks in the first phase, another 75 blocks in the second and 50 blocks in the third phase. Oil India would take up five blocks each in all three phases.
The US Energy Information Administration estimates India’s total reserve recoverable shale gas at 96 trillion cubic feet (TCF).
India-Iran bilateral trade expected to top $20 billion
Hyderabad: India and Iran’s bilateral trade is expected to soon cross the $20 billion mark, up from $15 billion it logged during 2012-2013, according to a trade delegation from Iran.
While the imports continue to be dominated by oil, both the countries are keen to bring a balance by increasing exports from India, representatives of the delegation said.
Promising figures
The first six months of the current financial year, April to September 2013, Indian exports have zoomed to $2.45 billion from $1.45 billion recorded in the same period last year, Rafeeq Ahmed, President of Federation of Indian Export Organisation said.
“With UCO Bank opening letters of credit (LCs) close to $0.5 billion on a monthly basis, this will take the exports close to $6 billion. Once the facility of import for re-export is implemented, we may be adding another $2-3 billion to our exports,” he said.
Yahya Ale-es-hagh, President, Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, said: “There were some concerns with regards to banking and also visa issues. All these are being addressed and we hope they will be sorted out thereby helping in accelerating the trade between the two countries and also expanding the number of goods.”
Scope for increased trade
There is immense scope to boost Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, agriculture produce and mining items, he explained. Iran now is the second largest producer of natural gas but expects to become the largest soon as the available resources indicate, said Mohammed Reza Bakhtiarti, Deputy for International Affairs at the Teheran Chamber.
“The gas availability shows that we have enough gas to supply for 250 years and beyond. India-Iran trade is set to top $20 billion soon,” he added.
to boost trade growth
S. Chandrasekharan, Executive Director of UCO Bank, said that the Ministry of Commerce has initiated several steps to boost and accelerate trade growth. For a smoother trade between the two countries, the RBI has approved a rupee payment mechanism which is beneficial to traders.
Representatives from Iranian delegation and their counterparts see this interactive meet as an opportunity to open up more business channels.
While the imports continue to be dominated by oil, both the countries are keen to bring a balance by increasing exports from India, representatives of the delegation said.
Promising figures
The first six months of the current financial year, April to September 2013, Indian exports have zoomed to $2.45 billion from $1.45 billion recorded in the same period last year, Rafeeq Ahmed, President of Federation of Indian Export Organisation said.
“With UCO Bank opening letters of credit (LCs) close to $0.5 billion on a monthly basis, this will take the exports close to $6 billion. Once the facility of import for re-export is implemented, we may be adding another $2-3 billion to our exports,” he said.
Yahya Ale-es-hagh, President, Tehran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, said: “There were some concerns with regards to banking and also visa issues. All these are being addressed and we hope they will be sorted out thereby helping in accelerating the trade between the two countries and also expanding the number of goods.”
Scope for increased trade
There is immense scope to boost Indian exports in pharmaceuticals, agriculture produce and mining items, he explained. Iran now is the second largest producer of natural gas but expects to become the largest soon as the available resources indicate, said Mohammed Reza Bakhtiarti, Deputy for International Affairs at the Teheran Chamber.
“The gas availability shows that we have enough gas to supply for 250 years and beyond. India-Iran trade is set to top $20 billion soon,” he added.
to boost trade growth
S. Chandrasekharan, Executive Director of UCO Bank, said that the Ministry of Commerce has initiated several steps to boost and accelerate trade growth. For a smoother trade between the two countries, the RBI has approved a rupee payment mechanism which is beneficial to traders.
Representatives from Iranian delegation and their counterparts see this interactive meet as an opportunity to open up more business channels.
Shipping Minister Launched Inland Waterways Projects at Kolkata
New Delhi: The Minister of Shipping Shri G.K. Vasan has said that it is the government’s endeavour to make all the ports of the country profitable. He was speaking after flagging off coal barges of 2100 DWT (Deadweight tonnage) of Jindal ITF Ltd, to formally launch the recently started movement of imported coal on National Waterway-1 (the Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly River System) by inland vessels from Sandheads in Bay of Bengal to Farakka Thermal Power Plant of NTPC Ltd. in District Murshidabad, West Bengal. The minister said that this is a unique project where government, public and private sectors joined hands together to provide a good alternative mode of transport. Shri.Vasan pointed out that the Kolkatta Port Trust would also get revenue out of this project. The minister also inaugurated a Transport terminal of the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) at the function at Garden Reach Jetty-2 in Kolkatta Port Trust area today.
Shri.Vasan said that in due course of time IWAI would develop more such inter-modal transportation hubs with rail and road connectivity for movement of not only the coal but also for other bulk cargo like coal, fertilizers, foodgrains etc. This additional supply of coal through inland waterways, an eco-friendly, economical and fuel efficient mode of transport, will augment coal supply to NTPC Power Plant at Farakka enabling increased power generation and employment opportunities.
The minister expressed happiness that for the first time in the country a private entrepreneur has made a substantiate investment in the IWT development. Jindal ITF Ltd has invested about Rs. 500 crore for transshipper at Sandheads, 23 coal carrying barges, inland water terminal at Farakka with state-of-art coal unloading cranes and a conveyor belt system. The operator, Jindal ITF Ltd. will transport minimum three (3) million tonnes of coal per annum for seven years.
Speaking on the occasion the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Shri Vishwapati Trivedi said that this project has been set overcoming great difficulties. He emphasized on the importance of further developing the riverain ports of the region. Shri Amitabh Verma, Chairman, IWAI, Shri R.P.S. Kahlon, Chairman, KoPT and other senior officials also participated in the function.
Kolkata being a transportation hub on the Ganga, the new terminal would serve states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the North-Eastern Region. The construction of this RCC Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) terminal was taken up in Kolkatta Port Trust area at a cost of about Rs. 38 crore and it will give a fillip to inland navigation in the region.
This is the first project for bulk movement of coal through National Waterways. It is also the first time when a private entrepreneur has made a substantiate investment in the IWT development for in the country. A conveyor belt system from the jetty on National Waterway-1 to the coal stockyard of NTPC power plant was also set up at Farakka.
The Inland Water Transport is economical, environmental friendly and is most suitable for bulk cargo movement. IWAI is developing first 3 National Waterways namely NW-1 (on the Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra) and NW-3 (on the West Coast Canal system) for shipping and navigation by providing navigational channel with targeted depth and width for most part of the year. Intermodal connectivity with rail and road has also been planned for selected locations depending on the hinterland cargo projections. The infrastructure so far created will be further developed if any other specific projects targeting large quantity of bulk goods like steel, cement, jute, fertilizers, and foodgrains etc. are identified and committed for transportation on National Waterways.
At present 10 Thermal Power Stations are operational in the proximity of National Waterway – 1. Another 11 are expected to come up along the NW-1 in the next 5 to 8 years with the total installed capacity of 15000 MW. National Waterway – 1 is fully ready to cater to the transportation needs of NTPC, and other industrial units for transportation of bulk cargo required for the plants located on the banks of the Ganga. Inland Waterways also has potential to create of employment opportunities for people in the vicinity of waterways.
Shri.Vasan said that in due course of time IWAI would develop more such inter-modal transportation hubs with rail and road connectivity for movement of not only the coal but also for other bulk cargo like coal, fertilizers, foodgrains etc. This additional supply of coal through inland waterways, an eco-friendly, economical and fuel efficient mode of transport, will augment coal supply to NTPC Power Plant at Farakka enabling increased power generation and employment opportunities.
The minister expressed happiness that for the first time in the country a private entrepreneur has made a substantiate investment in the IWT development. Jindal ITF Ltd has invested about Rs. 500 crore for transshipper at Sandheads, 23 coal carrying barges, inland water terminal at Farakka with state-of-art coal unloading cranes and a conveyor belt system. The operator, Jindal ITF Ltd. will transport minimum three (3) million tonnes of coal per annum for seven years.
Speaking on the occasion the Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Shri Vishwapati Trivedi said that this project has been set overcoming great difficulties. He emphasized on the importance of further developing the riverain ports of the region. Shri Amitabh Verma, Chairman, IWAI, Shri R.P.S. Kahlon, Chairman, KoPT and other senior officials also participated in the function.
Kolkata being a transportation hub on the Ganga, the new terminal would serve states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and the North-Eastern Region. The construction of this RCC Inland Waterways Terminal (IWT) terminal was taken up in Kolkatta Port Trust area at a cost of about Rs. 38 crore and it will give a fillip to inland navigation in the region.
This is the first project for bulk movement of coal through National Waterways. It is also the first time when a private entrepreneur has made a substantiate investment in the IWT development for in the country. A conveyor belt system from the jetty on National Waterway-1 to the coal stockyard of NTPC power plant was also set up at Farakka.
The Inland Water Transport is economical, environmental friendly and is most suitable for bulk cargo movement. IWAI is developing first 3 National Waterways namely NW-1 (on the Ganga), NW-2 (Brahmaputra) and NW-3 (on the West Coast Canal system) for shipping and navigation by providing navigational channel with targeted depth and width for most part of the year. Intermodal connectivity with rail and road has also been planned for selected locations depending on the hinterland cargo projections. The infrastructure so far created will be further developed if any other specific projects targeting large quantity of bulk goods like steel, cement, jute, fertilizers, and foodgrains etc. are identified and committed for transportation on National Waterways.
At present 10 Thermal Power Stations are operational in the proximity of National Waterway – 1. Another 11 are expected to come up along the NW-1 in the next 5 to 8 years with the total installed capacity of 15000 MW. National Waterway – 1 is fully ready to cater to the transportation needs of NTPC, and other industrial units for transportation of bulk cargo required for the plants located on the banks of the Ganga. Inland Waterways also has potential to create of employment opportunities for people in the vicinity of waterways.
Plastic firms to invest Rs 3,000 cr in Gujarat
Ahmedabad: About 150 plastics manufacturers are expected to invest nearly Rs 3,000 crore in the upcoming plastics park at Dahej in Bharuch district of Gujarat.
These firms, from the small-scale sector, have already booked plots to set up their units in the 200 acres allotted by the State Government, Raju Desai, Chairman, Plastivision India 2013, said.
Each of these units would invest Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore. The first units will commence production in 2015.
He also said the Ninth Plastivision India 2013, an international exhibition being organised by All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), will be held in Mumbai from December 12 to 16. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate .
These firms, from the small-scale sector, have already booked plots to set up their units in the 200 acres allotted by the State Government, Raju Desai, Chairman, Plastivision India 2013, said.
Each of these units would invest Rs 10 crore to Rs 25 crore. The first units will commence production in 2015.
He also said the Ninth Plastivision India 2013, an international exhibition being organised by All India Plastics Manufacturers’ Association (AIPMA), will be held in Mumbai from December 12 to 16. Over 1,500 exhibitors from 30 countries will participate .
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