We walked into a shiny-looking metro station after getting off the train from Vienna. The Austrian capital's transport system had rubbed off so well on us that I suppose we were secretly expecting Budapest to be the same. Which is why we (my travelling companion more than I) could not help but betray the calm exterior she had when the train rolled into the underground station.
'That's the train?' my friend asked me. 'I guess so'. Don't get me wrong. It's not like the train had made it to our stop after passing through a war zone. It just felt like it was a few decades behind. Each carriage was a steel ribbed container with paint that was barely up to speed. Before groaning out of the station, the doors slammed shut so hard I shudder to imagine what would happen to someone foolish enough to make a dash for it. Did I mention the train did not have air-conditioning? (Not like we needed it but it was an interesting observation) Perhaps this was how it was during the good old days of Communism, we thought to ourselves.
Indeed, a walk along the Danube seemed to suggest that a storm was brewing on the streets, notwithstanding that up in the clouds. There is a sense lacking through the city, though one might be quick to point out the many cafes and restaurants that line the Pest side of the city. But I'm not sure I was just imagining things. Even the Marriott looked tired.
Of course, Budapest is more than just its metro and bleak looking evening of that first day. The city is more beautiful than I could imagine it would be. An Austrian citizen from Vienna, whom I met in Budapest, confirmed my sneaking suspicion.
'Budapest has a zest for life, there's an energy here that's missing in Vienna', he told me.
'Do you think it's because of its recent history-the breakaway from Communist rule?' I asked. 'In some measure, I guess.'
Just as Prague (the Czech capital) has pulled down and left its iron curtain to rot, so has Budapest. But the Hungarian capital has far from forgotten its tumultuous history. Whereas in Prague, the Museum of Czech Communism is hidden from view, Budapest's House of Terror sits prominently on 60 Andrassy ut or Andrassy Avenue. The guard who opens the door for you to the museum does so with a wry smile, so much so that as you step inside you get a nasty feeling he had been waiting for you to enter this one-way street, as it were, for dissidents. You see, the House of Terror was where the political deviants during the Nazi and later Communist era were interrogated. The building looks like any other on Andrassy ut (on the UNESCO World Heritage list) and I can only imagine what it looked like before it was turned into this excellent must-see museum.
A major focus of this site is the years leading up to the 1956 Hungarian uprising, which the Soviets were to crush with brutal force. In the basement are various cells used to hold prisoners. There are windows that open up to the level of the street but the walls of the building were built to double its thickness so as to mute any screams emerging from the cells.
On a brighter note, the Buda side of the city is home to arguably the most visited tourist attraction this city has to offer - Castle Hill. It is here that you find several museums and the Hungarian National Gallery, home to some of the finest art the country has produced. This is also where you get gorgeous views of the concrete jungle that is Pest. Here's a little tip-don't bother going up Fisherman's Bastion, a lookout point next to Matthias Church. It gives you possibly just another two or three meters of an advantage.
Back on the Pest side, you could consider visiting the Jewish quarter where you'll find the Great Synagogue, the largest in the world outside of New York City. The building was built in the mid-19th century and was renovated in the 1990s largely with private donations. A tour of the synagogue will include admission to the Jewish museum adjacent to it and a walk around the compound, where stand memorials to the Jews who lost their lives during the Holocaust.
There is another monument that was built to honour those who perished during the dark period, along the Danube River on the Pest side. Called Shoes on the Danube, you will find 60 pairs of footwear sculpted in a haphazard manner on the bank of the river. It was from this point that members of the fascist Arrow Cross Party in 1944 shot dead and threw into the Danube several Jews. You'll also find small size shoes that belonged to children. A further reminder of the city's troubled history stand quietly in the older parts of Pest - in the form of bullet holes and shrapnel damage from the '56 uprising. Some walls up at Castle Hill also bare the brunt of the Soviet crackdown.
The past notwithstanding, the city remained the most memorable part of my trip. Sure, Vienna is wellorganised, and Prague is pretty with all its architecture; but Budapest quietly lingers on.
It also helps that it was a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film that kept me in awe of the city. His blockbuster Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) was shot in the Hungarian capital. Remember the scene during the title song when Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai run towards each other on a bridge? That's the famous Chain Bridge, linking Buda to Pest. The closest I got to finding my Nandini (the name of Aishwarya's character) was a girl who only wanted a photo taken with the bridge as the backdrop.
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festiva ...
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festival aims at achieving.
With its 'Citizens for the city' event held at AlphaOne mall, the who's who of Ahmedabad joined in for a discussion, followed by an artistic expression of their perception of the city. Keeping with the 'making sacred' theme of this year's festival, each individual gave their views on the words 'Ahmedabad', 'sacred' and 'divine' and combined the three to form their vision of what makes this city. The likes of environmentalist Madhu Menon, poet and playwright Chinu Modi, singer Viraj Amar, art critic S D Desai, Alliance Francaise director Philippe Martin, filmmaker Abhishek Jain and photographer Parmanand Dalwadi were among those who participated in the event. "Ahmedabad to me is invigorating and energetic, and I see a great mix of Islamic, Hindu and Jain architecture along with a blend of cultures. This is what I put on my canvas," said social worker Tomo Kawane.
S D Desai recited a poem titled 'My City' and Philippe Martin put down a verse by Sufi poet Bulleh Shah.
At 'Sacred Cloths', another event of the festival conducted by Paulomi Lalbhai at Parijat Studio in Shahibaug, Amdavadis got to try their hand at block printing taught by local craftsmen.
AIAF contact details:Cell: 08108010450; Email: aiaffestival@gmail.com / www.aiaf.in
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which ...
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which it had contributed 50%. The state and NMC had together contributed the remaining 20% and 30% respecively. The NMC had spent Rs 18 crore for getting the projects' plan made by a private company. Till April 2012, the civic body spent around Rs 127 crore, with an additional Rs 13 crore spent this financial year. It is now also planning to take aloan for Rs 100crore.
Many of the projects in the scheme that were to be completed from 2008-2010 are still underway, even as an NGO has accused the civic body and the contractor of siphoning funds, which has allegedly resulted in the schemes' incompletion.
On September 12, beneficiaries of Bhimwadi, Ganjamal, took a morcha to the NMC's headquarters demanding that basic facilities be provided at their transit camp. While officials visited the camp in the evening on that day, the slum's dwellers say that nothing was done following the visit. Residents at the camp also blamed contractors for not paying attention to their needs as well as that of the project.
Given the project's poor pace, a 'Calling Attention' motion is to be moved at the next civic general body meeting.
Sanjay Patkar of Pawar-Patkar Constructions, the contractor in charge of the housing scheme, said, "We are constructing housing units for 6,000 tenants in three packages with 2,000 units in each package. Of these 6,000 units, 3,660 are nearing completion. In each of the 25 buildings, 80 tenants will be accommodated."
Citing reasons for the delays in completion, Patkar said that their firm got the work order on May 15, 2008 with the date of completion being May 14, 2010. The bhoomipoojan was done on July 14, 2008 but due to the monsoon, work started in October. The contractor said that for 42 of the buildings work could not begin due to land-related problems.
"The land was not suitable for construction so the NMC gave us another work order from August 27, 2009 to February 26, 2010. The deadline for main building was May 14, 2010 but the new work order for excavation came on February 26, 2010. Costs for cement and steel had increased by then," Patkar said.
According to the contractor there is no escalation clause in the tender, which, according to government norms, should be included. "A resolution on this was passed in the general body on January 1, 2012 and the deadline was extended to December 31, 2013. It is a rule that within 90 days of handing over the work, the corporation should hand over the site for construction purposes or else the contractor has the right to reject the work and finalize the bill."
Officials of the NMC say that the clause has always been included. A senior engineer of the PWD said, "We do give the difference of cost in steel and asphalt and we are also drawing an attention motion in the general body over the issue."
In the Nashik East division, six buildings with 80 flats each and 460 tenements were proposed. Since land acquisition problems stalled the project only a single building is now being constructed. The beneficiaries of Bhimwadi, Ganjamal, were shifted to the transit camp some months ago and even at then there was some MSEDCL problem due to which the contractor claims to have paid Rs 5.9 lakh in pending bills.
"We got the place for the transit camp on April 4, 2011, that is after the deadline for completion. In Satpur, again there were land problems and we got the site only 8 months ago. We have started the constructing the plinth. We were given the work on March 18, 2010 and the deadline was March 17, 2010. In Gangapur, the work started on November 11, 2011 but on November 21, 2011, people stopped the work. Now the plinth is under-way for three buildings," said Patkar.
The project at the social forestry's land opposite Motiwala College was stopped after environment activists opposed it. The project was then shifted to Samangaon on December 22, 2011 with the original deadline wbeing March 2, 2011. In this case, too, the deadline was extended to December 31, 2013. In Panchavati, 1120 housing units are to be constructed.
Officials of the PWD agree that land problems and locating beneficiaries did consume time but said that added that soon one or two projects would be completed and soon, beneficiaries would be handed over the completed houses.
An NMC official said that in Chunchale, only finishing work was pending and infrastructural work like creating a shopping market, maternity home and electric sub-stations have begun. It is being planned as a mini township here. In Wadala, while the process for handing over units to beneficiaries is underway, the project behind Sai Palace is nearing completion. In Bhimwadi, work has just began while in Shivajiwadi, work is nearing completion, an official said.
But even after constructions are complete, beneficiaries will not get the houses immediately until a society is formed and ground floors handed over to the handwith a lot drawn for the remaining beneficiaries.
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, ...
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, has been drawing curious stares from passersby on EVR Periyar Salai because the exterior of the western wing is an off-white colour. Officials immediately sought to reassure people that this was just a primary coat. "This is the colour of the limestone mixture, mixed with ground gall nut and jaggery. It will be painted pure white," said the commissioner.
Work on the western wing, which began in end-2009, is expected to be completed in two weeks. The rooms of the mayor and deputy mayor were completed four months ago, allowing workers to start on the Eastern wing on the second floor. The offices of the commissioner and the three deputy commissioners, now on the first floor, are likely to shift to the western wing in 2-3 weeks. "We have finished 50% of the work on two of the floors," said Karthikeyan.
Plastering and grouting of the exterior are likely to be halted during the rains but workers will have a chance to focus on the interior, said an official. "Lime plastering may dissolve if exposed to water before it sets, but we can work on the ornamentation and wiring of the inner walls," said an official.
External refurbishing of four large offices in the western wing, likely to be occupied by the commissioners, is complete, say officials. "We have shuttered and repainted the walls, floors and doors were completely replaced with fresh wood and polished. Each room has four light fittings that will each have three CFL bulbs. AC vents too have been fitted," said a worker.
The commissioner has insisted the external wiring structure remain same to retain the heritage look. "The electric wiring will be replaced but not changed," he said. To improve the water connections, all toilets on the second floor have been demolished, he added.
The two circular stairways and short wooden passageway in a corner of the western wing, an evidence of the Indo-Sarcenic architecture, will be replaced, said a worker. "On the first floor the wood structures will be replaced. The design will remain the same," said a construction supervisor.
The 7.7 crore renovation of the 98-year-old building, sanctioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, faced a number of delays. Strengthening limestone walls by plastering and shuttering was one cause, say officials.
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used ...
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used for construction of railway halt station to facilitate the local community for easy access to railways and boarding or de-boarding from the train," Srikant Kumar Jena, Minister of Statistics and Programme Implementation said.
Under MPLAD, each MP has the choice to suggest to the district collector works to the tune of Rs 5 crore per annumto be taken up in his or her constituency. As per the new guidelines, if railways are also contributing for such activities, the accounts of expenditure will be strictly maintained separately for both MPLADS and Railways to avoid any duplication in accounting, the report added.
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
Notice No. KUD/tender/kw-4/2012-13
Organization Details: Karnataka University, Dharwad, Pin:580 ...
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) i ...
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) including architectural finishing of these two stations on Mukundpur Yamuna Vihar corrider ( Line-7) of Phase- III od Delhi MBTS
Last Date of Submission 20-07-2012 15:00:00
Notice No. DMRC/20/III-065/2012
Organization Details DELHI METRO RAIL CORPORATION LIMITED
5th Floor, Metro Bhawan, Fire Brigade Lane,
Barakhamba Road, Connaught Place,
New Delhi
Pin:01
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is ...
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is scheduled to meet on May 22.
"The developer (Ansal) has requested for denotification of the (IT/ITeS) SEZ due to economic meltdown, lack of demand andimposition of minimum alternate tax (MAT) and dividend distribution tax (DDT)," the BoA agenda said.
The BoA, headed by Commerce Secretary Rahul Khullar, will also consider the requests of developers like Uttam Galva Steels,Mumbai SEZ Ltd and Mahindra and Mahindra which have sought more time to execute their projects. In addition, another 10 developers have asked for more time for their projects.
The Board has approved 46 cases of de-notification since December 2008 to March 15 this year.
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to ...
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to lessen accidents and improve the train movement said railway officials. The Chief Public Relations Officer of NCR, Sandeep Mathur added that this should be completed within three to four years.
The NCR zone, which consists of Allahabad, Jhansi and Agra divisions, is counted to be amongst the most engaging zone; for the most part it is the Howrah-Delhi route. This route extends from Mughal Sarai (in Chandauli district near Varanasi) to Delhi, at the same time Jhansi and Agra divisions extend from Bina (in Madhya Pradesh) to Palwal (in Haryana). Accordingly Mathur stated that “For this year, only nominal amounts have been sanctioned to prepare the surveys, drawings and feasibility reports.” In alllikelihood more funds will be added because last year, the zone got seven ROBs, four RUBs and three LHSs. This will help the train to move without any disruptions and add to the reliability and regularity of trains.
There are over 650 manned level crossings across the zone, along with more than 450 unmanned level crossings. “But so far, most of the major crossings will be covered under these 391 structures. A large number of crossings are also on the branch lines. But there, neither the road traffic nor the rail traffic is too heavy,” said an NCR official.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'pub ...
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'public purpose' to ensure that the government does not acquire land for private businesses.
According to the report, the government should not acquire any land for infrastructure and projects executed under public-private partnerships.
The committee has suggested that land acquisition for any purpose should be brought under the purview of the proposed legislation, which currently exempts land acquired under 16 Acts listed in the Fourth Schedule from its ambit.
The 16 Acts include the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958; the Atomic Energy Act, 1962; the Cantonments Act, 2006; the Metro Railways (Construction of Works) Act, 1978; the National Highways Act, 1956; the SEZ Act, 2005; the Railways Act, 1989 and the Works of Defence Act, 1903.
The committee has said that any conflicting legislation should be altered to align with its proposed legislation. It has unanimously proposed that the exemption should not be permitted as most of the land acquisition takes place in the mining, power and other infrastructure sectors, and would find exemption under one or the other legislationslisted in the Fourth Schedule.
The committee is of the opinion that the government shouldn't acquire any land that will be used 'for profit'. Since the government can acquire land citing 'public purpose' under prevailing norms, a tighter definition of this clause is required, the committee has proposed, arguing that all economic development can be explained away as public purpose.
If the bill is accepted, it will spell major setback to the projects proposed on PPP models and for industrial development in the country. The industry has been lobbying for an expansion of the clause of 'public purpose'. CII has said that 'public purpose' should "be adequately expanded to empower the state to acquire land not only for infrastructure or defence purposes but also for developing land for potential use by private sector-led industrial, commercial or institutional purposes, creating wealth and employment".
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announ ...
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announced access to external commercial borrowing (ECB) for affordable housing, however, the industry wasn't excited due to low margins in this category. The policy will include increasing the floor space index (external commercial borrowing) and easing of density norms. Compulsory parking lot norms will also be relaxed.
"We realise that ECB will work only if affordable housing is attractive. Therefore, we are coming up with this policy as a package, along with ECB, in the segment on the linesof what the Rajasthan government has done. The policy will have provision for interest subsidy and capital subsidy to builders," said an official at Mhupa.
Besides, the new housing policy will also say that government land will be auctioned and given to those developers who promise to build the highest number of units for the economically weaker section (EWS) and for the low income group (LIG). The ministry defines affordable housing at 300 sq ft for EWS, 500 sq ft for LIG and 600-1,200 sq ft for the middle income group (MIG).
Also, a mechanism to get clearances will be simplified, in place of the present 20-25 separate clearances.
We walked into a shiny-looking metro station after getting off the train from Vienna. The Austrian capital's transport system had rubbed off so well on us that I suppose we were secretly expecting Budapest to be the same. Which is why we (my travelling companion more than I) could not help but betray the calm exterior she had when the train rolled into the underground station.
The city of Ahmedabad is home to many prominent figures from across the globe. So much so, that it has become a melting pot of global cultures, ideologies and perceptions. But what brings them all together is their love for this city. And this is exactly what the Ahmedabad International Arts Festiva ... 
The housing scheme for slum rehabilitation under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), being implemented at various places in the city, has been delayed due to several issues engulfing the project.
The central government had approved Rs 325 crorefor the project, of which ... 
The renovation of Ripon Buildings will be completed by the end of April when the heritage structure will be seen in its traditional pure white, Chennai corporation commissioner D Karthikeyan has said.
The historic building, next to the brick-red Victoria Public Hall and Chennai Central Station, ... 
The government has given green signal to the members of Parliament to use funds provided under the Member of Parliament Local Area Development scheme (MPLAD) scheme for construction of railway halt stations, reports agency.
"According to the modified guidelines, funds from MPLAD scheme can be used ... 
Construction of building for Dr DC Pavate Institute of Mathematical Sciences (First Phase) at Karnataka university campus Dharwad
Last Date of Issue 21-06-2012
Last Date of Submission 02-07-2012
Notice No. KUD/tender/kw-4/2012-13
Organization Details: Karnataka University, Dharwad, Pin:580 ... 
For Design an construction of twin tunnel between shalimar bagh and netaji subhash place stations by shield TBM Twin box tunnel and underground ramp on shakurpur side of netaji subhash place stations and the two stations nemely shalimar bagh underground and netaji subhash place ( Semi underground) i ... 
Following the imposition of minimum alternate tax and global economic uncertainties, Ansal SEZ Projects has approached the government seeking to surrender its special economic zone (SEZ) in Gurgaon. The request for denotification of the SEZ will be placed before the Board of Approval (BoA), which is ... 
An approximate of 400 road over bridges (ROBs), road under bridges (RUBs) and Limited Height Subways (LHSs) will be constructed by the North Central Railway (NCR) zone. This will involve removal of crossing points connecting road and rail traffic on the level-crossings. This act has been taken up to ... 
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Rural Development has proposed tougher norms for acquiring land for industrial use, as it finalised the new Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Bill. In a report due to be tabled in the House on 17 May proposes a more stringent definition of 'pub ... 
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (Mhupa) is framing an affordable housing policy, which is likely to be finalised in two months. The new policy would attract the developers and meet the shortage of around 25 million houses in India.
Earlier, the Union Budget had announ ... 
Rogers Marvel Architects & Peter Walker and Partners will redesign Constitution Gardens east of the ...
Together, these illuminate the complex, ongoing interaction in Scolarias work between architecture a ...
The most drastic impact of this on the environment is the increased amount of post-consumption waste ...
The National Design Awards were conceived by the Smithsonianas Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
The Technical University of Graz, Faculty of Architecture and IE School of Architecture & Design, Ma ...
