Horizon June - July 2012

Horizons Volume 2

ANDHRA PRADESH REAL ESTATE DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION

A P ’s

m o s t

Issue 5

c r e d i b l e

Rs.50

r e a l

June - July 2012

e s t a t e

m a gazine

Realty addresses ecology issue Enriching interiors

Ban on sand mining

Art on your walls

Discussing service tax

Hyderabad Property Bank

Choosing the right home loan provider HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

1

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

2

June-July 2012

contents

Contents

The sand tangle and the way out - Page 4

Home loans with a difference - Page 12

service tax on construction sector- Page 10

Vaastu, the eternal science of well-being - Page 26 The A to Z of good design

- Page 28 How to spruce up your living room with art - Page 34

attire speaketh the The Canton Fair, an person - Page 38

exhilarating experience Dindi, the jewel of - Page 18

Heart Matters - Page 40

Konaseema

- Page 44

Economics of landscaping

- Page 46 From the news pages & sites...

- Page 48 real estate on offer

- Page 54

Printed, published by P. Prem Kumar on behalf of AP Real Estate Developers Association, owned by AP Real Estate Developers Association, printed at Paper Craft Center, 2-3-514/4, Umanagar, Ameerpet, Hyderabad, A.P. Published from AP Real Estate Developers Association, # 102, Tirumala Shah Apartments, Yellareddyguda, Ameerpet ‘X’ Road, Hyderabad, A.P.- 500 073.

Editor: Chalapathi Rao Rayudu, RNI. No. APENG 03278/01/1/2011-TC

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

3

June-July 2012

Cover Story

The

sand tangle and

Sand mining under way at a reach in the State.

This article discusses measures to tackle the difficult situation caused on account of the ban onmining of river bed sand in AP and is based on the outcome of the “Panel discussion on “Natural sand alternatives” convened by APREDA in Hyderabad

T

he construction industry in Andhra Pradesh is currently in the throes of a very tough situation on account of the ban on sand mining in the State imposed by the High Court with effect from 01 April 2012, and the refusal of the Supreme Court of India to lift the ban. A tonne of sand which used to cost about Rs. 650 just a few months ago, now costs anything between Rs. 1,200 and Rs. 1,500 and there is all-round scarcity. Builders and all the other stakeholders are facing acute problems which are causing delays in projects, and resultant cost overruns. According to estimates, projects worth Rs 37,000 crore in the private sector and Rs 90,000 crore in the government sector, covering irrigation canals, roads and buildings and housing schemes have been hit by the shortage of sand. The government sector

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

4

June-July 2012

consumes 60% of the sand available in the State, while therealty sector takes up 30% of the sand, and the balance of 10% is consumed by others.

Loss of jobs The real estate sector is the largest contributor to the GDP next only to agriculture and provides employment to a very large section of the population.

The crisis over sand, a critical input for any structure or construction activity, threatens to directly affect the employment of thousands of skilled and unskilled labourers. Currently, 80 per cent of the construction activity in the State has come to a standstill and some one lakh construction workers have been affected, says Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Developers Association (APREDA) president Mr Prem Kumar, adding that if the same situation continues,

Cover Story

d the way out

construction activity in the State will come to a complete halt.

The abnormal increase in the price of sand following the ban on quarrying has also affected the sales of allied industries such as steel and cement, which are dependent on construction activity, says Mr R Chalapathi Rao, APREDA vice- president. He asks if it is fair to completely stop sand quarrying due to the mistakes of a few people? On some other measures that could have been taken by the government, he suggests that deterrent steps should be put in place to stop the exploitation of river beds. The government can monitor the sand mining process with the help of NGOs and enable serious inspection at various levels in the process, he says. Why and how of quarrying While it is acknowledged that sand quarrying, on a reasonable scale, is desirable

because it prevents channel shifting, progress of the flood plain and curbs the ill-effects of erosion on the either banks of sand-bearing areas, indiscriminate quarrying of sand, poses a great danger to the entire eco- system.

To go back a little into the whole issue of sand; the process of using manufactured stand in construction industry was started as early as the year 2003 in the State of Andhra Pradesh. There was a government order in this regard by the Panchayat Raj Department issued in the year 2008 and the same was not taken seriously due to various reasons. It is important for the government to ensure that the resources are well utilised and are not exploited to such an extent that the coming generations will face great scarcity due to an environmental degradation.

On its part, APREDA, with a credible

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

5

record of concern for the environment (its support for projects such as translocation of trees and promotion of cloth bags), deliberated on ways to preserve the eco-system.

Regarding the shortage of sand in Andhra Pradesh it is ironical to know that Andhra Pradesh alone has a law in place with regard to carrying out sand mining. This matter has been brought to the attention of the Supreme Court by the AP Government. The court while accepting this position has also noticed that the enforcement of the works contracts was not up to the desired standards and as a result was unable to lift the ban. The court has directed that environmental clearance from the Ministry of Forests be obtained prior to resuming the mining operations. The state of Andhra Pradesh has also the dubious distinction of having to face numerous

June-July 2012

Cover Story

PILs filed against the government on sand mining unlike any other state, where sand mining goes on unhampered. As a matter of fact sand has become a precious commodity.

As of now there are no rules laid down for obtaining environmental clearance for mining of minor minerals, either at the state or at the national level. The rules are now being formulated and are in an advanced stage of finalisation. AP is in the select group of states for formulating these rules for implementation at the national level.

Tackling the crisis To overcome the crisis the Government of Andhra Pradesh is taking the following measures: 1. The government has issued permits to the AP Mining Development Corporation (APMDC) for carrying out mining operations in patta lands. About 30 to 35 such permits have been issued by the government and the quantity of sand available in these areas is estimated to be about 30 lakh cubic metres.

2. The government has also released 20 temporary permits to APMDC for mining of sand in submergence areas.

These 20 permits added to the earlier 4 existing permits will be able to provide up to 40 lakh cubic metres.

3. For the sand reaches which are auctioned regularly, the government is obtaining clearance for about 37 reaches out of which 23 have already been cleared by the Groundwater Department and a further 14 have been cleared for underwater (river bed mining).

The MoF at the state level is likely to give approval for these 37 reaches by the end of May 2012.

4. Regarding the existing leases which are due for renewal the government has instructed the leaseholders to approach their MoF for giving environmental clearance for continuing the mining operations.

Expert’s opinion In the panel discussion organised by

The Palais Royale in Bombay, which is under construction. Manufactured sand has been used in the construction of this building.

APREDA on “Natural Sand Alternatives”, Dr S.A. Reddi, former Gammon India Deputy MD, gave a visionary talk and presentation on the use of manufactured sand as an alternative to river sand. A man with very rich experience, Dr Reddi has been a value engineering consultant for prestigious projects such as the tallest building in India (Palais Royale, Mumbai) and the longest completed pre-stressed concrete bridge in India at Aknoor. He was instrumental in the design and construction of more than 300 concrete bridges and flyovers and has published over 400 papers in

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

6

June-July 2012

Indian and international journals.

Dispels fears Allaying the doubts of the builder community Dr Reddi said that all had not been lost yet. He said he was surprised that a question is being asked in the year 2012 whether manufactured sand can be used for all construction purposes, in place of natural sand. He said that there was an Indian standard code formulated more than 50 years ago which clearly specifies the standards for coarse aggregates and fine

Cover Story aggregates. Sand falls under fine aggregates and it is defined that it may comprise rock sand or natural sand or a mix of both. He mentioned that he was a member of the committee which formulated this code and every government contract has this code as a part of the standards.

He said that there needs to be no apprehension whether manufactured sand will meet the required standards.

The code clearly says that we can use either river sand or manufactured sand.

The only caution that we need to exercise is that we must not use crusher dust.

Note of caution Many suppliers sell crusher dust in the name of manufactured sand. Crusher dust is harmful because there is no control over the size of the aggregates and it is truly dust.

There is a general statement that manufactured sand or rock sand is the best alternative to natural sand. The size of the sand aggregates must be 0-2 mm for non-concrete applications and 0-4 mm for concrete applications. This size aspect must be borne in mind. The sand used must be manufactured with VSI technology and not with jaw crushers.

He said that there were two Indian standards for use of manufactured sand.

One is IS-386 for concrete applications and the other IS 1542 for non-concrete applications. So there is no dearth of sanction for use of manufactured sand for both concrete and non-concrete applications.

Plastering Internationally, plastering is done using plastering machines. Rock sand is used and is supplied in bags. Plastering is done using a plaster spraying machine which operates on a 3 or 5 HP motor. The plaster mixture is prepared at ground level and is sprayed on the surface by a trained operator and not by a mason. Dr Reddi said by doing this we can control the quality better.

He said that in Singapore construction activity is done using plaster spraying machines.

APREDA President P. Prem Kumar welcoming Dr. S. A. Reddi, value engineering consultant, to the monthly meeting of APREDA. Australian experience Drawing on the Australian experience, he said that country faced similar problems like India is facing now. In fact they faced more severe problems. But they did not raise any issues on use of manufactured sand. They have also released a book on guidelines for use of manufactured sand. This book is freely available and can be downloaded from the Internet.

He said virtually all countries use manufactured sand and recognise it as a suitable alternative to natural sand. He said in Dubai too all buildings areconstructed using manufactured sand as the sand from dunes is not suitable.

In one of the tallest buildings in India, Palais Royale, in Bombay, the construction is being done by using M-80 concrete. This concrete is self compacting and does not require a vibrator.

The finished surfaces are so smooth that they do not require plastering. We can directly apply putty and finish the surfaces. He said he was the consultant for construction of this building, and had recommended importing sand from Gujarat because

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

7

he wanted silt free sand, which was not freely available in Bombay. After a while the government of Gujarat placed a ban on the export of sand from the state. To tide over this problem he recommended that manufactured sand be used. The manufactured sand is meeting all specifications and 80% of the construction work is now complete.

Precast walls made of self compacting concrete will further reduce dependence on river sand as plastering work is eliminated.

Wastage of cement On the use of cement, Dr Reddi said that most builders in all cities were using more cement than is required. He said builders use 30% more cement than is required and felt that we could save on costs by using cement replacement materials like fly ash and slag which are freely available. Cement is also not going to last forever because our reserves of limestone are limited.

Concluding, he said that there was no apprehension in use of manufactured sand in place of natural sand for all applications of building construction. This matter has been approved in many international conferences he had at-

June-July 2012

Cover Story

Raw material for the production of rock sand tended.

New technologies Talking on new technologies, Dr Reddi said in 30 or 40 years concrete itself will become obsolete with the rise of new materials. He said work is under way for use of geo-polymers in place

Mr. Vijay K Kosuraju of concrete. As of now, this technology is in a nascent stage and is not cost effective but he said he clearly foresees a day when concrete itself will become obsolete.

The story of Robosand Another valuable presentation was made by Mr Vijay Kumar Kosaraju, MD of Robo Silicon Private Limited, said that his first project to produce manufactured sand was launched in Keesargutta, Hyderabad, in 2001, with a capacity of 55 tonnes per hour. They also

imported VSI equipment from New Zealand.

He said that he had travelled across the country to find out how sand is being used and how he did a survey of rocks available around Hyderabad.

The rocks were crushed and manufactured sand was produced and it was sent to many recognised laboratories in India and abroad to be tested to find out how suitable the manufactured sand was as a replacement to natural sand. He said that the results were very encouraging and affirmed that it was a suitable replacement for natural sand and in cases even better as it was free from impurities.

However, since it was a new product acceptance in the market was not very encouraging. But over a period of two or three years they have been able to convince the users and have now expanded their capacity and have set up 14 plants across the country, including Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore and Hyderabad, besides other places.

They also supplied to reputed companies such as GMR and earned their confidence. He said that there were about 20 manufactured sand units around Hyderabad.

does not cause much wear and tear to expensive equipment, has consistency in quality and is available round the year. The table below illustrates how it has an edge over river sand.

Production capacity He said that these 20 units have a capacity of producing about five lakh tonnes a month. According to his estimates Hyderabad consumes about 18 lakh tonnes a month. He said that he had made an offer to the government that if they provide support in the form of supply of raw materials and acceptance of manufactured sand for government constructions, they would be able to double their production capacity within a short span of 2 to 3 months.

He said that manufactured sand can meet at least half the requirement of Hyderabad.

COMPARISON OF IMPURITIES (River sand Vs Robosand)

River Sand Marine products 2 – 4% Nil Oversized material 6 – 8% Nil Clay and silt 5 – 8% Nil Moisture 4 – 5% Nil

17 – 25% Nil Now, coming back to the issue of sand, it is hoped that the timely steps taken by the government would make available about 30 million cubic metres of sand for the stakeholders. It is reliably learnt that by the first or second week of June the situation will improve and stabilise.

Advantages On the advantages of manufactured sand, Mr Kumar said it was environment friendly, cost-effective, was endowed with perfect gradation, enhances the performance of concrete, is economical and low on wastage,

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

8

June-July 2012

Real estate regulator

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

9

June-July 2012

Tax & Laws

Service tax on construction sector

By Varun Jakkinapalli

S

ervice tax on the realty sector has always been a topic of discussion. Is the new Budget’12 going to help the sector? Well, this budget has proposed the implementation of service tax by negative list. The proposal contained in the budget seems to redefine the service tax applicability on the construction contracts.

The pre-budget scene prior to the announcement of the budget, three categories were meant for the construction industry – 1. Commercial or industrial construction service 2. Works contract service 3. Construction of residential complex service Service tax was levied under the above three categories in respect of construction of various small and large buildings, by whatever names they were called. Under commercial or industrial construction service, the essential ingredients were that services are provided or are to be provided to any person, the service has to be provided by any other person, the service should be in relation to commercial or industrial construction.

Similarly, under the construction of complex service, construction of resi-

dential units was chargeable to service tax. Under works contract service, the essential ingredients are that the service shall be provided to any person by any other person and the service shall be in relation to execution of works contracts for providing both the material (which is subject to VAT) and services.

Every head had its own benefits, for instance, abatement at specified rates was allowed in case of commercial or industrial construction service, composition scheme was applicable in case of works contract and in case of construction of residential complex service, exemption was being granted to the construction of up to 12 or less residential units/flats. Thus, all the schemes had their own benefits.

The post-budget scene The budget in 2012 has proposed the service tax by negative list. The services specified in the negative list are specifically excluded from the purview of service tax. The negative list primarily contains the services of public utility. As far as the construction industry is concerned, the list contains the construction services pertaining to road, bridge, tunnel, terminal, pollution control or effluent treatment plant, etc. subject to certain conditions. These exemptions in the old scheme were pro-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

10

June-July 2012

vided by way of giving the exclusion clause in the definition of the respective services. Besides, the services of public utility, services by way of erection or construction of original works pertaining to airport, port or railways, single residential unit otherwise as a part of a residential complex, low-cost houses by approved authority up to a specified area, or in relation to a housing project, are also excluded. Further, valuation rules, abatement scheme and reverse charge method have also been amended having major impact on the realty sector.

Analysis of pre/post budget scenario I.Only works contract scheme survives – Prior to the budget, there were three specified services of treating various types of construction projects. However, after the budget, there seems to be only one category which is included in the declared list of activities specified in Section 66E. This section includes the “construction of a complex, building, civil structure or a part thereof, including a complex or building intended for sale to a buyer, wholly or partly, except where the entire consideration is received after issuance of certificate of completion by the competent authority”.

Thus, in this clause, the entire construction industry has been covered and the description of this service gives insight of the works contract service.

Further, no abatement has been proposed for any other service under the new notification no. 13/2012-ST dated 17.3.2012. Also, the reverse charge method has been extended to the works contract scheme under notification no. 15/2012-ST dated 17.3.2012.

II. Construction on behalf of buyer covered – It is to be noted that where the owner of the land undertakes the construction for the prospective buyer for a consideration whether or not received in piecemeal will be covered under works contract.

III.Exemption to one residential unit only -- Under negative list, exemption has been granted to the services provided by way of erection or construction of original works pertaining to single residential unit otherwise as a part of a residential complex. Thus, single residential unit has been exempted, which

Tax & Laws has narrowed the scope of exemption previously contained in the construction of residential complex service.

In this service, construction of up to 12 residential units was exempted in the definition itself. But the proposed scheme exempts only one residential unit, that too pertaining to original works. Here ambiguity arises in what context the word “single residential unit” is used. Whether the single residential unit is to be checked assessee- wise or place wise or period wise. This has not been clarified and may lead to litigation.

Amendments by the budget and the impact I. Increase in rate: The rate of works contract is increased from 4% to 4.8%. The increased rate is affective as from 1.4.2012.

II. Reverse charge method extended to works contract: Under reverse charge method, the recipient of taxable service is notified as the person liable to pay the service tax. The reverse charge method has been extended to the works contract scheme vide notification no. 15/2012ST dated 17.3.2012, effective from the date the finance bill gets the approval of the President. In this notification, liability of paying the 50% service tax is cast on the recipient of works contract service and remaining still lies on the provider of the service. However, it is still uncertain as to how the value is going to be calculated for the purpose of paying the service tax? Whether it will be calculated separately by the service provider and service recipient?

No clarification is available. Further, it is difficult to understand the logic behind fixing the liabilities on two persons in respect of one amount? This simply increases the costs and tension on part of both the parties involved therein.

III. Valuation of works contract amended: At present, the value of works contract is determined as per Works Contract (Composition Scheme for Payment of Service Tax) Amendment Rules, 2007.

Budget, 2012 has proposed to introduce the negative list of service and to line up with the same it is proposed that the valuation of works contract

to be done is in accordance with the Service Tax (Determination of Value) Rules, 2006. For this a new rule – 2A is being substituted vide notification no.

11/2012-ST dated 17.3.2012 which is effective from the date negative list comes into effect. This rule states the following features for the valuation of the works contract service:-

for the purpose of paying the service tax:4. Cenvat Credit of duty paid on inputs will not be allowed Difference between old method & new method of valuation The manner of determining the gross amount charged for the Works Contract has been slightly changed.

Value of Works Contract = Gross amount charged – Value of transfer of property in goods. However, VAT or sales tax is not includible in the value of material supplied.

In old rules, the value of works contract to be taken for the purpose of taxation was simply as accounted by the service provider. However, in the new rule 2A, in the cases where VAT is not paid

Nature of works contract

Service tax payable

Execution of original works

Service tax payable on 40% of total amount charged for works contract. Where total amount includes the value of land, it will be 25% of total amount charged

Other works contract, including completion and finishing services like glazing, plastering, floor and wall tiling, installation of electrical fitting not covered above.

Service tax payable on 60% of total amount charged for works contract.

Notes: 1. Value of works contract service shall include the labour charges, amount paid to sub-contractor for labour and services, charges for planning, designing and architect’s fee, hire charges for machinery and tools, cost of consumables such as water, electricity, fuel, etc., cost of establishment of contractor relatable to supply of labour and services, profit earned in relation to supply of labour and services.

2. In cases where VAT has been paid on actual value of transfer of property in goods, then this value will be considered while calculating the value of works contract.

3. If VAT is not paid on the actual value, the assessee will calculate the same for the purpose for service tax and it will be deductible from the gross value. However, if the actual value is not ascertainable, then the following percentage will be the taxable value

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

11

on the actual value of transfer of property in goods, value is to be taken on the basis of fixed percentage.

Also, under old rules, the cost of machinery and tools used in the execution of the said works contract were specifically excluded.

However, there is no mention of the same in the new rule 2A. However, the charges of obtaining them on hire have been specifically included as in the old method.

June-July 2012

Varun Jakkinapalli is a chartered accountant and partner of M/s Kumar & Giri. He also teaches tax to students aspiring to become CAs.

Home Finance

Home loans with a difference There’s more to loans than just interest rates.

Making the right choice of housing financier makes all the difference. This article highlights the advantages offered by HDFC Housing Finance Ltd.

B

uying a house requires a great deal of planning and involves substantial financial considerations. Unless the homebuyer is an expert himself he needs help and guidance in understanding the intricacies of the home buying process. Hence the first step towards a home is the careful selection of a housing financier.

The basic financial implications that can be compared by the home buyer include 1) Processing fee 2) Pre-EMI interest rate and policy thereof 3) Policy of loan disbursal, particularly release of final instalment 4) EMI amount and Number of EMIs (not just interest rate) 5) Advance EMIs collected, if any?

6) Payment of charges for legal and technical valuation service 7) Loan fore-closure procedures and fees thereof

8 ) Any other charges, ex. loan administration charges 9) Responsibility regarding production of documents Apart from the above one needs to look into the entire package like assistance on project details, track record of the developer, assistance/guidance on documents, storage and retrieval of property documents, post disbursement services, expertise, quality of service, in-depth domain knowledge, the company’s level of commitment and transparency, company’s loan procedure, the product range, fine-print that goes along with, and other relevant documents of the property deposited as a security for the housing loan on closure of the loan, are critical. All these things are important considerations as a housing loan is a long-term commitment. The ability of the lender to provide all these is critical.

While buying a property there are a number of issues like the quality of the builder, issues with regard to resale properties or properties purchased from development authorities and their related documentation and these issues differ from town to town, city to city , state to state. In this backdrop, choosing a good housing finance company to handhold the customer right through his home buying process has gained far

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

12

June-July 2012

greate r importance.

Hence one needs to also bear in mind as to how easy/ difficult it is to contact the home loan provider.

About HDFC HDFC has been focused on housing loans, which has been our core business for decades. Years of experience has helped us understand the market dynamics of the real estate industry.

DFC offers the widest range and valueadded products like the Home improvement Loan, Home Extension loan, Top up loans, Loans for NRIs, Loan against property and delivers professional services through its specialist team of trained and experienced professionals. We follow a single window concept supported by robust systems and processes aimed at maximizing customer convenience at every stage of the home buying process.

The company has always believed in a single-window concept where customers get legal and technical approvals by its experienced in-house counsellors.

This allows a customer to apply for a loan from any of HDFC’s offices for a property located anywhere in India and service the loan through any office. It can also provide information on developers projects across the country. This

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

13

June-July 2012

Home Finance

saves a lot of efforts, money and time.

During the entire loan process, from the moment a customer is briefed about the options available to them; till they avail a loan and throughout the repayment period, HDFC guides customers at every step.

Our rich experience of over 34 years has made it possible for us to innovate and provide customised repayment options that would assist our customers and all these repayment options at no extra cost.

Step Up Repayment Facility (SURF) The objective of SURF is to provide the customer with a repayment schedule, which is linked to his expected growth in income. It also helps a customer get a larger amount of loan as compared to the loan under the normal housing loan. The customer can avail of a higher amount of loan and pay lower EMIs in the initial years.

Flexible Loan Instalment Plan (FLIP) This product offers a customised solution to suit the needs of customers whose repayment capacity is likely to alter during the term of the loan. The loan is structured in such a way that the EMl is higher during the initial years and subsequently decreases in the latter part proportionate to the reduced income of the customer. For instance, if the husband has 10 years of service left and wife 15 years to retire then a 15year loan can be structured such that a higher EMI (serviced out of both the incomes) is paid for first 10 years and a lower EMI (serviced out of only wife’s income) is paid for the five years.

Acceleration of EMI Under this facility, the customer has an option to increase the EMIs every year in proportion to the increase in his income. For example if a customer avails of a loan with repayment period of 20 years and increases his EMIs every year by say 10%, he would repay the loan in 9 to 10 years approximately.

The advantages of this facility are as under: a) Customer repays the loan faster and saves on interest for the remaining term. b) He retains liquidity as he need not make lump sum payments.

n As

buying a home involves verifying documents of property, HDFC’s trained loan counsellors will guide you through all the legal and technical requirements. n HDFC loans do not carry any commitment charges. n Option to view details of home loan account online via our website www.hdfc.com. n Widest range of home loan products and services like home loan, home improvement loans, home extension loan, loan for professional for office or clinic, home equity loan (loan against property) short term bridging loan, etc., n Free and safe document storage n Top up loan for our existing customers to help raise money on their house investment without having to dispose it off to fund various needs related to higher education, purchase of furniture,

Value additions: Loan approval even before selecting a property One can get a loan even before selecting a property.

This is made possible for the customer after verifying his steady annual income and other details.

Through this service the customer stands a better chance for bargaining with the builder for his choicest property because his loan is approved before finalising a property.

Help in selecting property The company provides in-house assistance to customers with end to end solution to select a property.

Housing loans to agriculturists (Rural Housing Finance) The company also provides loans to people based on the produce from their agricultural land. This service is to facil-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

14

June-July 2012

business requirement, etc. n HDFC has a wide network of 304 offices (which includes 74 offices of HDFC’s wholly owned distribution company HDFC Sales Private Limited) catering to over 2,400 towns & cities spread across the country. It also has offices in Dubai, London and Singapore and service associates in the Middle East region, to provide housing loans and property advisory services to Non- Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs).

Awards

HDFC is the sole Indian company figuring in a New York City think tank’s fifth annual list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. n HDFC was awarded “Best Home Loan Provider” at the Outlook Money Awards, 2011. n

itate investments or buying of property for people from the rural areas.

Fixed deposits Another unique but lesser known feature of the company is that they also provide fixed deposits.

With largest mobilization of deposits, the company accepts bulk deposits from corporate houses and retail deposits from individuals and trusts.

It has ‘AAA’ rating to its credit for deposit products for highest safety from both CRISIL and ICRA, and has something to offer for everyone from a college student to a retired person.

(For assistance on home loans, call Ms Lakshmi and for property assistance, call Mr Naveen Kumar on 040-67699000 or mail us at lakshmiv@hdfc. com or nkumar@hdfc.com)

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

15

June-July 2012

Market rates

Property Rates

Locality

Price (Rs/Sq.Ft.)

Hyderguda

3000-3500

Attapur

2800-3100

Hasmathpet

2300-2800

A S Rao Nagar

3000-3200

Hydernagar

2500-2800

Barkatpura

4500-4800

Jeedimetla

1800-2100

Bachupally

1500-2100

Jamai Osmania

2300-2500

Bandlaguda

2000-2200

Jubilee Hills

6800-7800

Banjara Hills

5800-7000

JNTU Road/Kukatpally

3200-3800

Bollaram

2000-2200

Kondapur

3600-4200

Chintal

1800-2000

Lingampalli

2000-3400

Domalguda

3500-4500

L B Nagar

2500-2800

East Marredpally

4200-5000

Marredpally (Secunderabad) 3400-4300

Erragadda

3200-3800

Mehdipatnam

3000-4200

Gachibowli

3600-4500

Nampally

2800-3900

Hi-Tech City/Madhapur

3600-4500

Habshiguda

3000-3500

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

16

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

17

June-July 2012

Study Tour

The Canton Fair,

an exhilarating experience

APREDA members enjoying the cruise on their trip to the Canton Fair.

O

ur trip to China to visit the 110th Canton Fair was a memorable one in more ways than one. The Canton Fair is conducted twice a year and draws about 60,000 visitors daily. It is a well planned event with huge areas marked out for each section. There are different halls for building materials, tools, lighting and heavy machinery.

The main reason for the rapid develop-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

18

June-July 2012

ment in China, as per my observation, is the work culture. The entire country, irrespective of the age of its population, works tirelessly with passion and commitment. While the entire land belongs to the government, development takes place on the leased lands. There are no freebies from the government and every person needs to work hard for his or her survival.

As there is no need for the govern-

Study Tour

An enchanting tree light on display at one of the emporiums. ment to please the people with popular schemes and welfare measures, it can freely undertake development, without reservations about hurdles from any quarter. In our trip, we never saw any policemen manning signals or controlling the traffic. The traffic moves quickly and quietly.

This trip was a promise made by APREDA president, Mr Prem Kumar, to us and his suggestion that a foreign tour

once a year could be useful to members to understand the developments in other countries, to know about new technology in the construction industry and to be conversant about new materials. When we saw the huge landmark projects in China, we felt that our cities too should aim to build such iconic projects. This would also help the city get identified with that structure and attract tourists from around the world. Like in

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

19

all our monthly meetings, we enjoyed each and every moment of our stay in China by sharing our experiences.

The most memorable one was the onehour cruise in the river passing through Guangzhou in lovely climate. The lighting all along the cruise on both sides of the river was worth experiencing. The buildings were illuminated in a splendid way and it was amazing to see one of the

June-July 2012

Study Tour

APREDA team members in a relaxed mood while on tour.

We all enjoyed the trip like a big family on tour, unmindful of each person’s age or other considerations. The senior members also joined the group at every occasion and seemed to enjoy more than the youngsters. Our member, Bhoopathi Raju, popularly called “anna” thrilled us with his witty comments and jokes. While we were taking it a bit easy, elders such as former APREDA president Murali Mohan garu and Haribabu garu were on the dot and were the first to board the bus every day.

While Haribabu ensured punctuality by collecting a penalty every day from those who were late, he himself ended up paying a penalty on the last day for no fault of his. However, we missed Suneel who brings life and ‘josh’ to the parties and Ramana who insists on occupying the ‘key position’ while taking group photos. I will conclude with two of my personal experiences. While alighting from the bus in Macau, I forgot my laptop in the overhead luggage box. When I asked for it the next day, the tour guide got in touch with the driver and delivered it by afternoon!! Back in Hyderabad, while my driver forgot to take two bags from the trolley at the

The plush environs of the China Import and

airport, the GMR security staff handed over them to the airport staff. While we went half heartedly not knowing whether we would get back our bags, to our surprise they noted down the list of items and handed them over to us.

The security staff also refused to accept tips from me. Kudos to the GMR Airport staff.

Top view of a model oof a plush house.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

20

June-July 2012

By Vijaya Sai Mr Vijaya Sai is the Chief Coordinator of APREDA and was a member of the delegation which visited the Canton Fair in China.

Study Tour

d Export Fair.

A visit to a swank, beautifully illuminated outlet in Guangzhou.

Lessons from China I was lucky to be a part of the APREDA team, along with our president, Mr. Prem Kumar, former president, Mr. Murali Mohan, and several others which visited the Canton Fair in the city of Guangzhou in China in April. Our hosts were the Ministry of Commerce, People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and the organisers of the trip were the China Foreign Trade Centre.

On the first day of the tour, we visited the building materials exhibition and construction industry’s outdoor equipment. Day two and three were taken away by our visits to the building elevation, project model making factory, ceramic industry display unit and the furniture mall.

The Chinese are a very practical people, with their feet firmly planted on the ground. They have a strong work ethic and their duty appeared to be their sole activity.

Gender equality is their lifeline and although they are not very proficient in English, the Chinese are past-masters in doing business and according hospitality. They use numbers on their calculators as the mode of communication.

When we enquire and discuss about the products in their stall, their enthusi-

asm is enlarged and the smile is never forgotten.

On day four and five of the tour, we rubbed shoulders at the Canton Fair with the nationals of many other countries and major stakeholders in the building and construction industry across the globe. Thus we became global citizens for a while, exchanging greetings and smiles with Europeans and others.

We were blown off our feet with the variety, pricing, innovation of the building materials and false ceiling material which were put up on display, at unbelievable prices, at the fair. Doors and their frames, sanitary material, bathtubs, swimming pools, ceramic tiles, you name it and it was there.

We learnt that Chinese labour is not inexpensive, and power too is more expensive than in India.

The big question bugging us was ‘how is this possible’. The answer was simple and straight ‘numbers’. The Chinese people are workaholics and are engaged in mass production of goods.

Yes, Chinese products are the most widely sold across the world, including the US. Not only this, they have earned praise for their quality and competitive

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

21

pricing too. To sample some interesting and innovative products.

1234567890@xyz.com sounds interesting. The above format is duplicated from one of the stall representatives’ visiting card. Put up your mobile number as the user id and add to your company web domain. Simple, fast and reliable. Marketing and management, what a great combination in sales.

Endless swimming pool at www.sanspa.com. This is “an endless swimming pool” in which you swim, swim and only swim till you do not want to swim any more.

Walk-in bath tub for elderly people at www.caresee.com. Health mate sauna. com which says investment in health is the best investment you can make.

Portable for home or office, infrared healing effects, timely delivery, which can be up in less than one hour. Timely delivery again is one of the Chinese mantras. Rose mosaic, volcano-rose. com handcrafted mosaics is the convergence of life and art. Stone chip coated steel , roof tiles, kitchen cabinets, doors with luxury handle and also

June-July 2012

Study Tour

World-class furniture on show at the fair. double security cylinder, wood flooring, window blinds, telescopic engineered climbing, European decorative materials factory, aluminium, stainless iron, brass gate, door till, garden furniture, you name it and it was there.

In the section on outdoor machines and equipment for construction we saw a sand-excavation ship, cranes like truck crane, crawler crane, also bulldozer, paver, excavator, tractor and readymix concrete of different types. The

certificate of ISO9001 quality system, invention patent licensing, are some of the common certificates published in all these brochures.The 111th Canton Fair pocket guide speaks about business opportunities. Lighting solutions, green building systems, digital electronic products, motorized treadmills, massage chair, which added a fashion quotient to the exhibition stalls. On day six, seven and eight we travelled and stayed in Macau before we landed in Hyderabad.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

22

June-July 2012

Mr Sridhar Rao M. is a member of APREDA and was part of the delegation which visited the Canton Fair in China.

By Sridhar Rao M.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

23

June-July 2012

Events

Events

Diary

Can Fin Homes branch inaugurated Mr P. Prem Kumar, president of APREDA, inaugurated the Gachibowli branch of Can Fin Homes Ltd (Canara Bank) at Sai Teja Enclave, near Outer Ring Road, Indira Nagar, Gachibowli, on April 23, 2012. This is the 55th branch of Can Fin Homes. Also present at the inaugural ceremony was Mr C. Ilango, MD, Can Fin Homes Ltd.

Sridhar Rao is vice-president ISB Alumni Association

Mr M Sridhar Rao, MD, Sridhar Constructions has been appointed vice-president of the Hyderabad Chapter of ISB CEE Alumni Association for the year 2012-2013. Mr Sridhar Rao is also a core committee member of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur Alumni Association.

Monthly meetings in April, May lively affairs

The monthly general body meeting for April 2012 was conducted on 24 April 2012 at Hotel Kens, Srinagar

Colony. The meeting was hosted by Sri. Ch Srinivasa Raju, Managing Partner, Sri Rama Constructions, Banjara Hills, Hyderbad and by Sri. Siva Prasad Koneru, Managing Partner, Aakruti Constructions, Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad.

The monthly general body meeting for the month of May 2012 was conducted on 22 May 2012 at Film Nagar Cultural Centre, Film Nagar, Jubilee Hills. The meeting was hosted by Sri. V Venkata Durga Prasad, MD, Vamsi Constructions Pvt Ltd, DK Road, Ameerpet, Hyderbad and by Sri. Kali Prasad Damera, Director, Earth Pavers (Hyderabad) Pvt Ltd, Anand Nagar colony, Khairatabad, Hyderabad.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

24

June-July 2012

Appointed Consul of Republic of Bulgaria

Y. Kiran Kumar, MD of Suchir India Ltd and Governing Council Member of APREDA, has been appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Bulgaria with his consular district covering the State of Andhra Pradesh. His appointment has been recognised by the President of India and the same will be published in the Gazette of India.

Recognition as In-House R&D Unit

Pragati Bio Pharma Pvt Ltd. has been recognized as the in-house R&D unit by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. Pragati Bio Pharma Ltd is owned by Dr G B K Rao, CMD, Pragati Green Meadows & Resorts Ltd and Advisory Committee Member of APREDA.

Elected to Lions Past District Governors Forum Mr Bhawarlal Jain, MD, Labham Estates Pvt Ltd. and executive vice president of APREDA, has been unanimously elected Chairman of Past District Governors Forum for the State of Andhra Pradesh.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

25

June-July 2012

Vaastu

Vaastu, the eternal science of well-being Beginning this issue, we start a series on the ancient Indian science of Vaastu shastra which has come to gain immense importance today

V

aastu refers to ‘abode’ or mansion and shastra or vidya means science or knowledge. An ancient science, vaastu shastra helps one get the natural benefits freely offered by the five basic elements of the universe – akash (sky), prithvi (earth), jal (water), agni (fire), and vaayu (wind). Vaastu shastra can be applied by keeping in harmony these basic five elements of nature. The ancient Indian science of vaastu shastra, which was developed thousands of years ago, has become extremely popular today.

Its application today is purely architectural and its principles are based on becoming one with nature. Many vaastu rules are derived from ‘Vaastu Purusha Mandala’ which is depicted as a man lying with his head pointing to the north east, in a grid of usually 64 squares. The different directions and

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

26

June-July 2012

sectors are assigned to different gods and guardians. In keeping with the vaastu of any place, i.e. home, workplace, building, factory, land or plot one should try to harmonise the place with regard to the five basic elements called the Panchbhootas, namely air, water, fire, earth and space. Harbinger of prosperity The use of these five elements in harmony, it is believed, will ensure prosperity in terms of health, wealth, relationships, etc. Let us deal with the five key elements.

Water: Water bodies in north or east are considered good. As far as the flow of domestic water is concerned, it should be borne in mind that such water should be drained out in the North East. Wells, tubewells, swimming pools, etc. should all be in the North East.

Water from the toilets and bathrooms, too, should be drained out in the North

Vaastu

East. The North East direction is always auspicious and suitable for water. With regard to the sewer systems in the cities, the septic tanks or the flow of sewer systems should be towards the North West. The flow of rain or fresh water should be towards the North East.

Fire: The direction of fire is south east.

The kitchen, fireplace, geysers, etc. should be placed only in this direction. Alternatively, these could also be placed in the North West, because it is at 180 degrees to the South East.

The fire element should take care of the South East corners of all rooms and aim for happiness in the family, good health, sound finances, and a stable married life. As the south east belongs to Agni, he can create enough trouble for inmates.

Therefore, the South East corner of every room should be well taken care of. One can keep Agni cheerful by having a spotlight or lantern in the South East corner with light or burning flame pointing to the roof. One can have the electrical gadgets like television, VCR, fridge, computer, fire- place, microwaves, radio, etc. placed in the south east corner.

Air: Air should enter the building from the north east. All the openings and media for the entry of air such as

doors, windows, ventilators, coolers, air-conditioners, verandahs, balconies, etc. should be in this direction.

Space/ sky: The open sky influences us greatly. We can get the effect of terrestrial energies uninterruptedly from the sky. But buildings prove a barrier to the effects of the open sky.

Therefore, the importance of roofs or lawns gets emphasised, but Vaastu shastra has refrained from deliberating in detail over this, because it is related chiefly to building construction and we will discuss only this aspect. Traditionally, every house in India used to have an open space (courtyard) in the centre of the house.

This provided the dwellers not only the open sky but also sunlight and cross-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

27

ventilation of air.

Plot shapes: Favourite plot shapes are regular which are square or rectangular. Irregular shaped plots should normally be avoided. Obstructions such as big trees, open wells, pillars and posts before arrow-like roads are to be avoided.

Ideal location: A building should be constructed preferably in a square plot and the house should be constructed in the centre and in a rectangular plot it should be nearer to the construction in the south, south west and west sides, preferably leaving more open space in a plot in the north and east. “L” is not considered suitable for house as corners will be “U” shaped, leading to occupants missing opportunities.

June-July 2012

The A to Z of good design

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

28

June-July 2012

Interiors

By Kalpana Ramesh

Y

our friend invites you to his house warming party. You walk in. The house is all new, bright and smelling mint fresh. See an interesting colour on a wall. A very contemporary sofa, abstract aesthetic painting, tastefully done up floor, vibrant tiles. But something seems missing.

While each part in the house looks very good, when you look at in toto, somehow things seem disjointed. They don’t seem to work well together. Isn’t this a common thing?

What makes a house interiors work?

What makes it seem aesthetic and pleasing? What gets you that “wow” as you walk into the house? What makes the forms and function blend effortlessly with the colours and aesthetics. This is what good design is about. Enabling the requirements that the house owners have, with individual pieces of furniture, material, and other selections they make, and blending them all together into that pleasing aesthetic “whole” is what good design is about.

Each one of us knows what we want deep down. If we were to look for houses, or even smaller elements such as furniture or tiles, when we look at something we can clearly tell if we like it or we don’t. But if you were to probe further, they wouldn’t be able to tell exactly why they like something or do not like it. In other words, at a high level each of us knows what we want. But being able to articulate what we need or like is not always easy. And not getting carried away by that single sofa that was on display in a store, or that colour of wall that was nice in a friend’s house or a specific kitchen you liked or any individual element. This is a temptation that is not easy to control. And this is one key factor in ending up with a disjointed house.

So, stepping back before any work starts, and listing down a set of requirements is the necessary starting point.

This could be functional like the kind of rooms, or spaces or functions the house must enable. A little corner for that arty daughter to play with messy paints, or a study area for the profes-

A combination of good aesthetics and perfect placement stand out to show the prominent features of good design. sional in the house to take late night calls, or a separate utility to hide away all the messy works that would otherwise be in the kitchen. and more such. Then list down some of the design elements -- colours, features in walls, materials like drapes, preferences for flooring, et al.

The first step in realising this in the new house is the structural element.

The layout and features that need civil works. Basically, a design of the core skeletal structure of the interiors that can be given to the developer or builder for building/alterations. Both as the internal layout and also other feature elements in the structure like walls or major nooks/projections in the walls and such. An extension of this will be the accompanying backbone elements like electrical wiring, plumbing, any other structural elements in the walls and elsewhere. (This is to ensure we avoid situations like this common sight -where we planned a TV on a wall, but ended up with a power point at the floor level, leaving that ghastly sight of a wire dangling from the TV to the floor, as opposed to having the wire completely

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

29

hidden and plugged into a socket that was thoughtfully put up behind the TV area on the wall. Likewise, for split airconditioners and a lot more).

This is supplemented by the future detailing. On how a room will look when finished. How that feature wall blends

June-July 2012

Interiors

Artefacts add up to lgive a pleasant feeling. into the French window, where will the sofas be, is there a carpet, how does the ceiling detailing blend with the rest, etc . Few views of each major area in the house are critical in ensuring a good idea of how things will turn up before actually doing anything or buying anything.

Then come the individual selections.

From floor choices (wood, marble, tiles,..) to specific selection of tiles.

Wall tiles, wardrobe design and so on.

Whether to go for modular or get it carpenter made, furniture in each room, the kitchen, tiles in the kitchen, bath fittings, tiles, colours, various feature elements (like focus walls) finishes, paint material and colours, wood trims, ceiling detailing, air-conditioning, etc.

Each of the major parts of the house will need a lot of thought and coordination. If you were to look at kitchens alone, the modular furniture detailing to

ensure the function and utility expected in the kitchen by the owners, to the tiles on the wall, to the shape and material in the big chimney, to the colours on the walls, to any frills like picture frames or art work in kitchen and more -- all of these have to come together as one to create that homogenous blended “one kitchen” feel. And this extends to how all the areas blend together. What is the overall colour scheme in the house, the theme for materials such as drapes or furnishings, etc. Now, picking a theme doesn’t mean that the same colour or drape is used in all the rooms. While this will vary based on the taste of the occupant of each room, this can still fit in an overall theme.

Finally, comes the bigger task of ensuring that all the areas work well together. Getting a good house, where all your ideas are actually realised in a functional and aesthetic, blended

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

30

June-July 2012

single entity is just as easy as above.

No kidding! And this is where a good designer’s assistance can be of great help. And unlike often perceived, this doesn’t mean an increase in cost. While a good designer does come for a fee, he or she also comes with a lot of good ideas and a very good understanding of the market, materials, stores, sourcing alternatives, skilled workers, etc. Each of this can help reduce costs and more importantly get better choices and materials, increasing the probablity of realising the ideas one has.

Kalpana Ramesh is an architect & interior designer based in Hyderabad and has an interior design diploma from the US. kalpana_designscape @yahoo.in

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

31

June-July 2012

Auspicious days

June 2012 Date Day Time (IST) 14 Thursday From 8.40 am to 12.40 pm

and after 7.24 pm 15 Friday Upto 12:51 am 24 Sunday Throughout the day 26 Tuesday After 9.32 pm 27 Wednesday Upto 7.08 pm 28 Thursday After 4.00 pm to night 29 Friday Upto 1.23 am

Auspicious days

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

July 2012 5 Thursday From 1:30 pm 6 Friday Upto 11.30 pm 7 Saturday From 11:00 pm 8 Sunday Upto 11:30 pm 10 Tuesday From 03:00 pm 11 Wednesday Upto 05:00 pm 25 Wednesday From 10:30 am 26 Thursday From 09:00 am 27 Friday Upto 08:00 am

32

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

33

June-July 2012

Room Decor

How to spruce up your living room with Small art prints put up alongside each other reflect the taste of a person.

By Priyanka Poogalia iving room paintings and art prints are a great way to enhance the otherwise drab walls of a living room. They also express the personal style and taste of the home owner. If you are an art lover, incorporating a wall painting by your favourite artist or fine art prints into your room decor makes a perfect style statement.

L

There are many types of paintings that can be used to decorate walls of living rooms, including the traditional wall paintings and oil paintings. Don’t worry, if one finds them too expensive there are inexpensive paintings too like reproductions of oil paintings for living room décor.

Artist Priyanka Poogalia in this article discusses some basic questions on room decor.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

34

June-July 2012

art

Personal choice

Collecting and decorating one’s living spaces with art is a very personal choice. An interior decorator may be mostly concerned with decorating or setting up a home or room whereas an art collector or enthusiast may select an artwork solely based on how collectible the piece is. People often buy a work of art based on emotion. Someone may be impressed with a print of an unknown artist because it evokes an emotion within him or her that is enjoyable. Using artwork for purely decorative purposes is an art in itself. Staging a room can be tremendous joy. Rooms can be staged by colour or theme, they can be decorated to produce feelings of excitement, peace and calm, mindfulness, or any emotion, including the bittersweet feelings of nostalgia. Decorating with art can help define a room’s

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

35

June-July 2012

Room Decor

purpose.

Aesthetic value

Paintings are the best option for interior decoration and they add a pleasant aesthetic value to the rooms. Wall paintings for living rooms are available in all sizes. Whether to choose a painting or reproduction from one’s favourite artists or go in for classical or contemporary painting is an individual choice.

However, one should always consider the overall living room decor when buying a painting so that it matches with the decor and the living room space. An antique

space. Art prints are great for making a small room look big. For example, to include an over-sized print of a landscape or seascape gives your living room the illusion of largeness. For living rooms with low ceilings, hanging an art print with long vertical lines gives a sense of height. An overly bright room can be easily softened and warmed up with the right art print. Living rooms are decorated with passion by people.

There are many people who love to experiment with different types of paintings for living room decor.

from the unique colour combination used for making these paintings. There are many alternatives regarding usage of oil paintings; for instance, if someone has a collection of beautiful frames, they can match and hang oil paintings using these frames. Oil paintings can also be made from photos. Then there are oil paintings on canvas and oil painting reproductions, etc. If one is looking for inexpensive paintings, then the most discounted items are the Indian and Chinese oil paintings. If cost is not an issue then one can even go for classics and buy original paintings of maestros like those of Raja Ravi Varma, which are ideal for living rooms.

Modern oil paintings usually include canvas oil paintings and look good too. Reproductions of oil paintings of maestros -- old as well as contemporary -- too are available for decorating walls of living rooms.

Other than wall paintings, another option to decorate a living room is art prints. They provide the perfect touch to the beauty of a living room. They instantly breathe life into the space and not only add colour but also expand space, create themes, add emotion, and unveil the personality of the master of the house.

wall painting would definitely look odd with contemporary furniture of a modern living room!

When it comes to size, oversized wall paintings look great in both larger and smaller rooms. For larger living room walls, over-sized paintings cover a lot of bare territory, while on smaller walls, over-sized paintings can create the illusion of largeness. Paintings hung in the hallway offset the drabness.

Decorative paintings and art prints come in different design options when it comes to re-envisioning your home

There are others who take paintings as just one of the many wall decor items. In whatever way paintings are used, they truly liven up your living room. However, this needs a little thought, creativity and research because if you just buy any painting and hang it in your living room, it can sometimes either deteriorate your whole living room decor or overshadow the other aspects of interior decoration. So, let’s discuss how to choose paintings for living room so that they complement your room’s decor.

Picking the right medium

Among all types of paintings, oil paintings create unusual interest that comes

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

36

June-July 2012

The ideal size of paintings

Where most of the decorative things should be used in proportion to your living room size, paintings can be all large or all small but then you have to be a little cautious about their numbers and placing position. For example, a large painting will look good in both large as well as small living rooms but then you must hang only one large painting on a wall of a small room. In large living rooms, if your wall is large enough to accommodate two large paintings, you can hang them side by side. You may also use some other decorative items in between them such as a wall sconce between two identical paintings. When

Room Decor

Large paintings (oil on canvas) lift the ambience. using small paintings, you can always hang them in line, one after the other.

But just choose to match them so that they do not look odd!

Style of the works of art

The type of paintings, which one chooses, depends upon your individual taste for the artwork. You can go for decorative paintings, oil paintings, watercolours, paper, cardboard or canvas paintings -- anything that satisfies your creative urge. But just remember to pick the one that goes with your living room decor. For example, you might have a living room that is decorated in contemporary style with all sleek and angular furniture. You cannot plan to hang an antique painting there, can you? Or imagine, you have traditional living room decor and you suddenly buy a painting -- an absolutely abstract one at that -- will this go with your living room decor? So, be realistic while choosing a living room painting. However, there are certain paintings that

mostly go with all types of living room decor. Evergreen paintings include styles such as landscapes, flower paintings, still life works, etc.

Sky is the limit

Now that mostly depends upon how much can you spend. There is no limit on the cost of paintings if you decide to spend on them. You can get original paintings of maestros for a fortune just if you can spare that kind of money or you can settle for reproductions if your pocket doesn’t allow that. However, one thing is clear; that inexpensive paintings do not mean that they are second class.

It may just mean that the particular ‘inexpensive painting’ has been made by an upcoming artist who wants to establish himself. Sometimes, extraordinarily expensive paintings may sometimes look out of place among very ordinary objects of a living room! So, choose a living room painting according to one’s own budget.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

37

How art impacts life

Did you ever consider that the artist who creates the piece of art you love is a healer? Decorating with art is healing.

Sitting in a room with a lovely piece of art to gaze at can quieten or excite the mind and stimulate the body’s chemistry. Did you ever consider that artists are chemists? When we have feelings we release powerful hormones such as endorphins. The next time you consider adding a piece of artwork to your collection, think about how the piece makes you feel. Does it excite you?

Does it make you feel at peace? Does it remind you of a fond memory? At this point, when one experiences the benefits of feeling good, collectability means little. When a piece can elicit both emotion and potential increase in value this is a bonus.

You can visit my website www.artsfromheart.com

June-July 2012

Etiquette

Attire speaketh the person

By Carolann Philips

A

s the saying goes, the first impression is always the best impression. And what people usually see first is our clothes.

Different businesses and professions have different dress codes. However, there are staple colours of every business wardrobe. They are Navy Blue, Charcoal gray, Black, Khaki and White. Regardless of how formal or casual or whether male or female, these are the colours to start with. This is not to say that business dressing is all about drab colours. The idea is not to choose a color that speaks louder than the spoken word! Let’s first take a look at a few executive wardrobe suggestions for women.

Blouses with pants and skirts are the popular

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

38

June-July 2012

Etiquette

choice here. The best way to determine if a piece of clothing is suitable for the business environment is to sit down in it facing a mirror.

If you are concerned about the view in any way then it isn’t appropriate. Any clothing made of transparent material is inappropriate. High-quality cotton or a micro fibre blend are good choices because of the climate here.

The ethnic ‘salwar kameez’ is a popular choice with Asian women. However, bright colours and those with excessive decorative work must be avoided.

The ‘dupatta’ must be pinned up appropriately so as to allow the arms move freely. Shoes must be comfortable, functional, and clean.

Shoe heels may be as This article may not be used for any other purpose or published in any other magazine except ‘Horizons’ without the written consent of the author high as an inch and a half or two inches, but much higher than that looks unprofessional.

Never wear white shoes, slippers or worn out, scuffed shoes for work. These are serious faux pas! understated. Necklace shapes must be matched to the collar of your garment.

Avoid chunky, dangly earrings and bangles as these can be distracting and also a hindrance to work. Limit rings to no more than one on each hand! Avoid extremes of nail length and polish colour and do not overpower your appearance with heavy perfume.

Needless to say, jeans are NOT business wear! Women wearing abayas should ensure that they are wrinkle free and clean; free of stale fragrances.

Head scarves should be pinned firmly in place and allow for comfortable hand movement. Men do not have as many options as women. Long sleeve white or light blue shirts with point collars (since they look good both with and without a tie) are popular business choices. Socks must be the color of trousers and should be mid-calf in length.

Do not wear light colored socks with a

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

dark pant/suit. White socks are unacceptable in business.

A pant’s cuffs must always brush the top of the shoes. Ties should be coordinated with the suit/shirt and the tip should rest at the top of the belt’s buckle.

A properly fitted business suit should be comfortably loose but not baggy, the jacket extending to the end of your curled fingers when your arms are relaxed.

The bottom button of a business suit always remains unbuttoned.

The other buttons should be buttoned whilst standing and unbuttoned whilst sitting.

This article may not be used for any other purpose or published in any other magazine except ‘Horizons’ without the written consent of the author Jewellery must be kept simple and Men wearing traditional dress should ensure that their clothing is well pressed and spotlessly clean.

The sleeves of the dishdasha should not be so long as to inhibit efficient movement of hands. These are just the basics. Clothes are truly important in business as they are a professional representation of yourself and your organization.

Also, it is said that if you dress with your next position in mind, you are more likely to get there! This article may not be used for any other purpose or published in any other magazine except ‘Horizons’ without the written consent of the author

(Carolann Philips is a certified etiquette and protocol consultant and behavioural skills coach. She is the managing director of Hallmark Events, a company that focuses on designing and developing programmes with emphasis on organizational behaviour and thinking, based in Muscat, Sultanate of Oman.)

39

June-July 2012

Fitness

Heart Matters

C

ardiovascular exercise is any type of activity which increases the work of the heart and lungs. Whether it is running, cycling or climbing those stairs that seem to go nowhere, it’s all about cardio exercise.

From running and walking, to swimming, elliptical cross-training, biking, stairmaster, the physical benefits of cardio exercises are many. Reduced risk of heart disease, improved blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, im-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

40

June-July 2012

proved heart function, reduced risk of osteoporosis, and good muscle mass are some of the vital benefits of cardio exercises.

To improve cardiovascular endurance, experts recommend 20 to 60 minutes on three to five days per week. Running is the best option for calorie burning. Be it outside or on a treadmill, this is the best exercise because you’re burning calories and you’re strengthening your legs and heart. Beginners

Fitness should start with 20 minutes and work their way up.

It takes about 20 minutes for the body to get going, and then it starts to kick it to another level. Ideally, one must run for about 30 or 45 minutes. For those with bad knees, the elliptical machine is a good choice.

The treadmill is a popular piece of workout equipment because it can be used at home or in the gym for consistent, heart-healthy exercise. Whether you walk or run, the treadmill provides a safe surface to exercise, without the worries of bad weather or road traffic.

Many people choose to simply walk or run for a period of time; however there are many other options for treadmill workouts. Timing intervals, using incline features and increased speeds, all provide the possibilities of jump starting your metabolism and fighting workout boredom. Choose the treadmill exercise routine that best fits your goals and attire in safe and supportive workout clothing.Choose whether you want to run, walk or climb in your 20 to 30 minute quick routine. This will set the pace and the incline for your interval-based workout. If your fitness level only allows you to walk on a flat surface, then you should opt for a walking workout of at least 30 minutes.Put on running or walking shoes with good cushioning and arch supports. Wear flexible clothing. Put a towel and water on your treadmill for a healthy and safe workout. Calculate your maximum heart rate: This is 220 minus your age. You should aim to be at 70 percent of your maximum heart rate for most of your workout, according to your treadmill’s

heart rate monitor. If your treadmill does not have a heart rate monitor, you may choose to invest in a monitor that goes around your wrist, arm or stomach in order to ensure you are exercising at aerobic levels, as recommended by most doctors. Warm up by walking for 3 to 5 minutes at 2.8 to 4 miles per hour (MPH). If you plan to run or climb, you will want to warm up between 3 and 4 miles per hour. Begin 1 minute intervals. Increase the MPH to between 5 and 6, and speed walk or jog. If you are climbing, increase the incline to between

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

41

3 and 4. Do 5 to 6 more intervals of 1 minute with a 2 minute rest period at the lower speed. Experiment with raising the incline as you speed walk or jog to between 1 and 3 for a little extra resistance during your 1 minute sprints. If you are climbing, adjust your interval to between 5 and 6 for your sprints, and lower it to between 1 and 3 during your resting periods. If you use the treadmill regularly, you should replace your running or walking shoes at least every year. Indoor athletic shoes often maintain their appearance on the outside, but the footbed and supports break down with constant use. Each treadmill is different, so you should adjust your workout based on your workout abilities. Create a treadmill routine by watching a 30-minute show on cable TV. Walk during the programme and then sprint or speed walk during the commercials. Cardio exercise gets your heart pumping, burns excess calories and, done often enough, helps reduce your risk of developing heart disease and some cancers. Activities like walking, running and step aerobics raise your heart rate; so do sports like tennis, soccer and racquetball. You can get your cardio exercise at home, the gym or outdoors, but check with your doctor before beginning any cardio exercise programme.

June-July 2012

Subscripton

SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS

AS A PRE-LAUNCH WE ARE ENROLLING SUBSCIPTIONS FOR FINANCIAL YEAR 2012-13 (6 BI-MONTHLY ISSUES) Requests for subscription can be sent to the following address.

Andhra Pradesh Real Estate Developers Association (APREDA)

l The annual subsription amount payable is Rs.300/l The amount includes courier charges for the six issues.

102, Tirumala Shah Apartments, Yellareddyguda Road, Ameerpet X roads, HYDERABAD - 500 073 Phone: 655 72184, 99898 44467 email: apredahorizons@gmail.com Web: www.apreda.org

ADVERTISEMENT TARIFF DETAILS S.No.

Item

Size

Regular Rate

1 issue

3 issues

6 issues

1.

Back Cover

8’x10.5’

Rs.27,500/-

Rs.19,500/-

Rs.54,000/-

Rs.1,00,000/-

2.

Front Inner Back Inner’

8’x10.5’

Rs.23,500/-

Rs.16,250/-

Rs.45,000/-

Rs. 84,000/-

3.

Full Page

8’x10.5’

Rs.19,000/-

Rs.13,000/-

Rs.36,000/-

Rs.66,000/-

4.

Half Page

8’x5’

Rs.13,000/-

Rs. 9,000/-

Rs.24,000/-

Rs.42,000/-

5

Quarter Page

3.75’x5’

Rs. 7,500/-

Rs. 6,000/-

Rs.15,000/-

Rs.24,000/-

Ad Material can be sent To The above address.

Humour corner

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

42

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

43

June-July 2012

Travel

Dindi, the jewel

Konaseem

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

44

June-July 2012

Travel

By Sushreeta Mitra

I

of

ma

t is strange but true that many people are not aware there is a ‘God’s own country’ tucked away among the swaying coconut trees and the verdant greenery on the banks of the Godavari in our own State of Andhra Pradesh. On the banks of this mighty river is located this haven of peace and tranquillity, Dindi, a small village in Malkipuram mandal of East Godavari district. The vast tracts of tall coconut and palm trees, with shimmering water all around, lush green paddy fields, and waves lashing the shore welcome the tourists with a lovely earthy fragrance. No wonder that this sleepy town is gaining popularity by the day among the growing tribe of tourists.To promote this site as a prominent tourist attraction, the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) is introducing many additional facilities for tourists.

To begin with, the APTDC has started the Haritha Coconut Resort for comfortable stay, wholesome food and recreation. The place has a swimming pool along with other modern amenities. It also has introduced house boat cruises, for the first time in AP. Sailing downstream and taking in the beauty around, literally, makes onefeel peaceful, happy and relaxed. This cruise will certainly make you forget your tension and worries. More important, one can have the feel of the Kerala backwa-

ters right in the backyard of Andhra Pradesh.

The APTDC has also added a new flavour to the Konaseema experience. Imagine, plush air-conditioned 3-bedroom houseboat cruises. Fully furnished boats accommodating up to four adults can also be hired. Each has two double bedrooms with attached bath and a sit-out-cum-dining area on the deck.There are trained attendants on board to take care of your hospitality. If you have more than four members in your group, you will have to pay just Rs 300 extra.

The boat can house a maximum of 12 members. The cruiser which sets sail at 10 a.m. from Dindi will take you along the winding tributaries of the Godavari – the Vynateyam and Vasista. It sails upstream to Rajolu town and downstream to Narsapur. Food is served, breakfast and lunch (veg.), on the boat and dinner (non-veg.) on an island in typical rustic style. The menu is a combination of the best of ethnic cuisine -- fresh vegetarian fare and spicy non-vegetarian food -- to bring you the true taste of Andhra dishes.

Tourists can stay in the boat, which gets anchored near the resort. After a day-long journey along the river, a pleasant scene of the sun setting over the western horizon and later the stars coming out will give you the ultimate soothing feeling. So what are you waiting for!

Pack your bags and head to Dindi, which is eagerly waiting to welcome you!

FACTFILE Accommodation:

For booking your stay you can contact APTDC offices in your city. There are even private resorts, which are close to the Haritha resort. The Haritha resort has 3 non A/c rooms, one 4-bedded dormitory, 6 A/c suites, 26 A/c rooms, and two conference halls to accommodate 100-200 people, which can be hired for six hours. There is an A/c restaurant too.

Cost per day

A/c suite: Rs 2,400/head, A/c room: Rs 2,200/ head. The APTDC conducts a 2 days and 1 night package tour, which covers Dindi, Antharvedi, and pilgrim centres such as the Sri Lakshmi Narshimhaswamy temple, Ksheera Ramalngeswaraswamy temple at Palakollu, the Dwaraka Tirumala temple near Eluru and the Kanakadurga temple in Vijayawada. This package tour costs Rs 3,200 per person. For houseboat stay you have to pay Rs 5,500 per day, which provides accommodation for four adults and 4 children (excluding food).

For additional information:

Telephone numbers: APTDC: 040-66746370, 040-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

45

66745986, 09848540371 Konaseema Tourism: 91-40-69998111, 918008727111, 91-8008727222 Dindi Resorts: 08862-226662, 91- 9951355005

Getting there By train

There are daily trains from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam to the nearest station to Dindi, Palakollu. From there you can reach Dindi by road. There are daily trains even for Narsapur from Hyderabad, Bhimavaram and Visakhapatnam. Nearest stations are Palakollu and Narsapur

Hyderabad to Dindi by road:

The distance from Hyderabad to Dindi is 373 km and the places en route are Suryapet – Khammam – Ashwaraopet – Kovvur – Rajahmundry – Amalapuram – Razole -- Dindi.

This place is 30 to 35 Km from Bhimavaram.

Rajahmundry to Dindi is 80 km. Kakinada to Dindi is 74 km.

Dindi by air:

The nearest airport to Dindi is Rajahmundry Airport.

June-July 2012

Landscaping

Economics of landscaping

T

he first question which most clients ask is ‘WHAT WOULD BE THE COST OF THE LANDSCAPE PROJECT”. Unlike the construction of structures where one can give an approximate cost per unit, depending on a few specifications, in landscape projects each site is unique and there are many different variants which play an important role in determining the actual cost of a landscape design.

The main factors which impact landscaping costs are: *The location of the site *The size of the area to be landscaped *The physical condition of the site (soil, contours, etc) *The landscape design with the features desired by the client *(Lighting, water body, gazebo, pool, etc.) *The cost of the soft landscape *The time frame for completion of the project Every site presents an unique opportunity for landscaping but with it come along some unique challenges. The topography, the soil condition, drainage, all have to be taken into consideration while designing a landscape, Likewise, while estimating the project cost, the hardscape is one aspect which takes up a chunk of the cost. For example, the brick walls of planters are standard

but when it comes to the finishing, that is the cladding, this is where the cost goes up.

Every additional feature such as a gazebo, an ornamental bridge, etc, add up to the final cost.

If the client is in need of a finished garden the cost again increases, as older plants are costlier, compared to the younger ones.

Keeping in view all these factors, to generalise and give an approximate cost would be incorrect. A realistic estimate can be given only after the design for the landscape has been finalised.

As clients, rather than asking for an estimate one should work with the landscape professional, who can help one understand what is possible within your budget, as there are various options which can fit into your budget.

The best way would be to be upfront about what you want to spend, this helps the designer suggest the design

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

46

mode, feature and material in your cost range.

Queries (Any queries regarding landscape design will be answered by our landscape designer Geetha Prasad in our upcoming editions. Please mail your queries to calloshortus@yahoo.com)

June-July 2012

GEETHA PRASAD BFA (Murals) J.J School of Fine Arts PGD in Landscape and Horticulture (JNTU) M/s Callos Hortus Landscape Designers Mobile: 9246191992

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

47

June-July 2012

News

From the news pages & sites...

Hyderabad third most affordable office location in 2011

H

yderabad has emerged as the world’s third most affordable office location in 2011 in a list prepared by global realty consultant DTZ, which has also named Chennai and Pune among the top five such positions. According to DTZ’s latest study ‘Global Occupancy Costs - Offices’, Surabaya in Indonesia and Qingdao in China were placed in the top two positions of the chart as the most affordable office locations in the world last year.

While Tier II cities in India and China dominate the list of top 10 most affordable markets globally, Surabaya in Indonesia remains number one,” DTZ said in the report. The consultant said Hong Kong, London, Geneva, Tokyo and Zurich were the five most expensive office markets in 2011. DTZ said Surabaya and Qingdao saw average rentals of $ 1,680 and $ 2,380 per workstation a year, respectively in 2011. Hyderabad, Chennai and Pune followed the top two places with rentals of $ 2,430, $ 2,570 and $ 2,590 a year per workstation, respectively, it added. The study showed that Hong Kong was the costliest office place with an annual rental of $ 25,160 per workstation in 2011, followed by London and Geneva at $ 22,590 and $ 18,740, respectively. DTZ, however, said many cities across the world are likely to witness a decline in their

“

rentals during this year. “Under the downside scenario, 2012 offers occupiers a window of opportunity in which to realise cost savings as rents decline... In the top five least affordable cities of Paris, Tokyo, Geneva, London and Hong Kong, office rents fall in 2012 under the Euro breakup scenario,” it added. Occupiers in Rome and Milan are likely to benefit from falling occupancy costs over the next five years as sharp decreases in rents are expected in 2012 and 2013, DTZ said.

It further said office rentals in low-cost Indian cities may see double-digit falls in this year. DTZ said despite lease prices falling in some cities and occupiers still enjoying relatively low costs in Tier II locations, the booming economy in China and India will lead to continued rental increases in big cities. “There were significant in-

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

48

creases in outgoings other than rents across many markets, driven by high inflation (India and China) and rising energy prices,” the study pointed out. DTZ said there will be minimal change in ranking of the cities by 2016. “We forecast little change to our top 10 and bottom 10 markets by 2016, although there will be a slight shift in ranking. At the lower cost end, the secondary Indian cities will shift slightly on the back of strong growth in costs,” the report said. In the most expensive category, Tokyo will regain its position in the top three, it added.

“Looking forward, our base case forecasts show yearly increases in occupancy costs across all regions over the five year period. Asia Pacific is projected to have the highest levels of increase (3 per cent), particularly in China (3 per cent) and India (5 per cent),” DTZ said.

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

49

June-July 2012

News

Hi-Tec City RoB to be ready by August

H

i-Tec City-Kukatpally RoB will be ready by August 2012, according to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA).

The 910 metre-long RoB starts at Kukatpally Housing Board Phase IV and after crossing Cyber Towers, ends at Hi-Tec City railway station on the spinal road. The RoB will not only ease congestion on the busy road, but also reduce travel time for those heading towards the Cyber Towers.

The RoB will cut the distance between Mehdipatnam and Kukatpally by as much as 7 km. With traffic congestion on the MiyapurKukatpally stretch due to the Hyderabad Metro Rail works causing inconvenience to commuters, the RoB can prove to be a great boon for those who need to travel to thi s part of the city. The bridge, except the railway portion, which is about 120 metres, is almost ready.

Electronics hardware cluster

T

he State government has proposed a 400-acre electronics hardware cluster in the Maheshwaram area, near the Fab City.

“The proposal to set up an electronics cluster in Hyderabad was given by the electronics hardware manufacturers of the State. Now, the proposal has been approved by the State IT&C Department, and has been sent for the approval of the Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC),” Sanjay Jaju, secretary, IT&C Department, AP government, told the Business Standard.

Hyderabad houses around 500 electronics hardware manufacturing units, which are scattered throughout the city. This cluster will bring all the units together, and provide common logistics and facilities. Once the cluster comes into place, more than 90 per cent of the units are expected to shift their base to the cluster, he said. This facility is expected to boost the business of the electronic system design and manufacturing (ESDM) units in Hyderabad.

Metro rail Phase I by 2014

T

he first phase of the Metro Rail project will be commissioned by 2014, according to Larsen & Toubro, which is implementing the country’s largest elevated metro rail project in Hyderabad.

The project consists of three corridors covering a total distance of 71.16 km to be implemented in four phases. Corridor-I will extend from Nagole to Shilparamam (27.51 km - 23 stations), corridor-II from Miyapur to L. B. Nagar spread over 28.87 km with 27 stations, while corridorIII will be from JBS to Falaknuma stretching over 14.78 km with 23 stations. VB Gadgil, CEO & MD of L&T Metro Rail, said the first phase includes the stretch from Nagole to Mettuguda and from Miyapur to Ameerpet. He said that “work will simultaneously go on in the other phases as well. We will finalise vendors for rolling stock, telecom, signalling systems by June,” Mr Gadgil said, adding that four firms had bid for supplying the rolling stock, including the Canadian aircraft and railway coach maker Bombardier, a consortium led by Hyundai and BEML and a Chinese and Spanish company.

For the Rs. 16,336 crore project, the company has so far invested Rs. 3,400 crore as equity. The viability gap funding for the project provided by the government is Rs. 1,458 crore and the banks have lent the company Rs. 11, 478 crore as term loans for the project.

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

50

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

51

June-July 2012

News

Another radial road to ORR

T

he Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority is all set to add another radial road for better connectivity to the Outer Ring Road from Hakimpet with funds from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The HMDA has planned 33 radial roads to enable smooth traffic flow from the inner ring road to ORR. While the works on three radial roads are at the tender stage, the HMDA is planning to lay another radial road. While 33 radial roads are envisaged as part of the growth corridor, works on seven radial roads have been completed.

Depending on the volume of taffic these roads will either be four, six or eight laned. In addition to this the Hakimpet RR has been proposed and the government is said to have approved the project.

Consequently, the HMDA is planning to float tenders to this effect. The civic authority is determined to keep the radial roads ready even before the 158 km ORR project is completed.The HMDA has already called for tenders for the radial road from Gandimaisamma-Dundigal, ECIL crossroads-Keesara and Nagole-Gourelli. According to of-

ficials, seven roads such as Indian School of Business to Gachibowli ORR, Agriculture University, Rajendranagar to APRL, Langer Houz to Vikarabad, a four-lane road from Tippu Khan bridge to Gandipet (Narsingi), Byramalguda junction towards Nagarjunasagar road to ORR and Pahadisharif to Tukkuguda on Srisailam State highway, of nearly 50 km length were expanded at a cost of Rs 380 crore.

Based on traffic density, the roads were widened to four, six and eight lanes and road development plans, including construction of footpaths, central medians with lighting and beautification works, are being taken up on these stretches.

Two international property awards for Aliens Group

T

he Aliens Group, the construction and infrastructure company, headquartered in Hyderabad, has won two prestigious international property awards -- Highly commended apartment and Highly commended mixed-use development -- for its project Space Station at Gachibowli in Hyderabad. With over 200 participant companies from India and over 600 companies from the Asia Pacific Region, the Aliens Group emerged as one of the promising companies to win International Property Awards (Asia Pacific) 2012. The Asia Pacific Property Awards are part of the long established International Property Awards and its award winners’ logo is recognized as a symbol of excellence throughout the global industry. Winning two of these coveted awards is evidence of the group’s ability in beating some exceedingly strong contenders within the highly competitive Asia Pacific property arena, including major Indian companies.

Aliens Space Station is being developed on the concept of “Intelligent Living” whereby the entire living space is designed around the needs of the residents. Space Station is one of the first Indian projects to incorporate technology so extensively. The entire project has been built using the raft foundation and transverse slabs, two concepts that speed

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

up development while adding to the strength of the building. Space Station also bears the unique S-shaped design which uniformly disperses sunlight, wind and ventilation across three sides, leaving each apartment fresh and airy.

It has also integrated the green building concept extensively so that homes manage heating and cooling more efficiently. “Home automation is one of our greatest features, and this is also a key differentiator for Space Station.

Home automation allows homeowners to remotely manage their home and track maids, adjust lighting, call up the lift to avoid the wait and many more facilities,” says Mr. Hari Challa, MD of Aliens Group. “Space Station is at the cutting edge of technology and delivering it requires a culture of excellence and ownership which we have successfully built. We have a team that is from some prestigious institutions in the country like the IIMs and IITs and the team and culture we have built at Aliens is a key factor in building this iconic project that has helped us put Hyderabad on the global real estate map,” says Mr Challa.

52

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

53

June-July 2012

Classifieds

r e a l e s tat e o n o f f e r APURUPA INFRA PROJECTS Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: : : : : : :

Apurupa’s Srinivas Heights Uppal 2 & 3 BHK 975sft to 1565sft 040 23351675 sales@apurupainfra.com www.apurupainfra.com

Celestial Grand Project Name Location Property Type Telephone No. Email: sales.

: Celestial Grand : Road No.1, Banjara Hills : Duplex Apartments : 9949949439 : megasri@gmail.com

CHOICE INFRASTRUCTURE PVT LTD Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Guru’s Choice Residency : Tukaram Road, Malkajgiri : 2 & 3 BHK Independent Flat : 1126sft to 1414sft : 9441115599 / 40068899 : info@choiceinfra.com : www.choiceinfra.com

Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

54

: N-95 : Nandagiri Hills, Jubilee Hills : 4 BHK Apartments : 4016sft : 9441115599 / 40068899 : info@choiceinfra.com : www.choiceinfra.com

June-July 2012

Classifieds

DOYEN CONSTRUCTIONS PVT LTD Project Name : Doyen County Location : Near Patancheru, Mumbai Highway Road Property Type : Independent houses Contact Person : Minoo Telephone No. : 65582929 / 23733267 / 9848302929 Email : doyencon@yahoo.com

HALLMARK CONSTRUCTIONS Project Name Location Property Type Rate Per sft Unit Size range Completion By Contact Person Telephone No. Email Website

: Hallmark KSN Residency : Kondapur : 3 BHK Apartments : Rs.3500 per sft. : 2300sft – 2800sft : Ready for Occupation : O.V.V.S.Murthy : +91 98490 56529, 040-23000263 : info@hallmarkconstructions.com : www.hallmarkconstructions.com

JANAPRIYA ENGINEERS SYNDICATE Project Name Location Property Type Rate per sft Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Janapriya Arcadia : Kowkur : 2 & 3 BHK Independent Flat : 1895 per sft : 850sft to 1500sft : 23222999 / 666 / 333 : sales@janapriya.com : www.janapriya.com

KONCEPT AMBIENCE Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No.

Email Website

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

55

: Anthem Vistas : Kompally : 3 BHK Independent Villa : 4343sft to 5034sft : 27813413, 27813754, 66310801, 99490 55552 : anthemvistas@konceptambience.com : www.konceptambience.com

June-July 2012

Classifieds

The Neighbourhood Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: The Neighbourhood : Kompally : 4 BHK Independent Row House : 218 Sq. Yards : 8121081210 : neighbourhood@konceptambience.com : www.theneighbourhood.in

Palm County Rows Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website Address

: Palm County Rows : Manikonda, Hyderabad : 4 BHK Independent Row Houses : 243 to 284 Sq. Yards : 67297440 / 41 : mail@konceptambience.com : www.konceptambience.com

RAJAPUSHPA PROPERTIES PVT LTD Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: The Retreat : Gandipet, Hyderabad : 2 & 3 BHK Independent Flat : 1220 sft to 1795sft : 4003 8181 / 8282 : info@rajapushpa.in : www.rajapushpa.in

Open Skies Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

56

June-July 2012

: Open Skies : Kokapet : 4 BHK Independent Villas : 4150sft to 5100sft : 4003 8181 / 8282 : info@rajapushpa.in : www.rajapushpa.in

Classifieds

Cannon Dale

Silicon Ridge

Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Cannon Dale : Kokapet : 4 BHK Luxury Villas : 4200sft to 4500sft : 4003 8181 / 8282 : info@rajapushpa.in : www.rajapushpa.in

: Silicon Ridge : Attapur : 2 & 3 BHK Independent Flat : 980sft to 1791sft : 4003 8181 / 8282 : info@rajapushpa.in : www.rajapushpa.in

SRI SRI GRUHA NIRMAAN Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Sri Sri Antahpuram : Nagarjun Sagar Road : 4 BHK Independent House : 120 to 150 Sq. Yards : 9000480300 / 9550369053 / 24069596 : srisrihomes@gmail.com : www.srisrigruhanirman.com

Sri Sri Avenue Project Name : Sri Sri Avenue Location : Gurramguda Village, Sagar Highway Road Property Type : 2 BHK Independent House, 3 BHk Duplex House Unit Size range : 600sft to 900sft Telephone No. :9000480300 / 9550369053 / 24069596 Email : srisrihomes@gmail.com Website : www.srisrigruhanirman.com

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

57

June-July 2012

Classifieds

Green Grace Project Name Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Green Grace : Gachibowli : 3 BHK Independent Flats : 2010sft to 2870sft : 9966981888 : info@greengrace.in : www.greengrace.in

S AND S GREEN PROJECTS PVT LTD Project Name Location Property Type Rate Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

: Green Meadows : Gachibowli Extension : 3 BHK Independent Flat : 30 Lakhs : 1045sft to 1445sft : 9966981888 : info@greenmeadows.in : www.greenmeadows.in

VENKUSA ESTATES Project Name

Location Property Type Unit Size range Telephone No. Email Website

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

58

June-July 2012

: Venkusa Estates Phase – II & III : Yapral, Kowkur : 3 BHK Independent Villas : 267 Sq. Yards : 9866217605 /9542607999 : venkusaestates@gmail. com : www.venkusaestates.com

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

59

June-July 2012

HORIZONS AP’s most credible real estate magazine

60

June-July 2012