The Kakinada anchorage (old) port, languishing for the past three to four years, received a shot in the arm during 2011-12 financial year, with the Union Government deciding to lift the curbs on non-basmati rice exports.

The lifting of ban on rice exports could not have come at a better time.

From September 2011, till the end of the financial year, nearly two million tonnes of rice was exported through the old port.

The workers, steel barge owners and the trade dependent on the old port heaved a huge sigh of relief.

OTHER COMMODITIES

According to the Port Officer, Mr B. Adinarayana, apart from 19,82,628 tonnes of rice, 1.42 lakh tonnes of sugar was also exported from the port during the year.

Besides, 9,36,389 tonnes of maize was exported and 40,000 tonnes of cement.

On the whole, the old port handled 31.48 lakh tonnes of cargo during the year valued at more than Rs 5,800 crore.

“It is quite a creditable achievement and it was badly needed at that juncture, as the port was suffering for want of cargo,” he said.

REVENUE

In all, 195 vessels sailed from the port during the year and the port earned a revenue of Rs. 24.16 crore during the year.

Expressing happiness over the revival in the fortunes of the port, the Chairman of the Cocanada Chamber of Commerce, Mr D. Surya Rao, said that nevertheless, certain infrastructural problems plagued the port during the year.

The roads leading to the port should be improved and all steps should be taken to remove bottlenecks.

INFRASTRUCTURAL PROBLEMS

Trade sources also said the State Government as well as the Union Government should take long-term measures with regard to the anchorage port and the fortunes of the port should not depend on a single commodity such as rice.

In view of the large number of workers dependent on the port, the Government should take the long-term view, it is felt.

Mr Adinarayana said steps would be taken soon to improve the infrastructure at the port.

vzchs@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.TheHinduBusinessLine.com /  Industry & Economy> Logistics / by CH. R.S. Sarma / Kakinada, April 20th, 2012

The annual earnings of the Vijayawada division of the South Central Railway have gone up by 14.34% to Rs 2291.19 crore from Rs 2003.88 crore last year, a top official said today.

In the total earnings, revenue from goods stood at Rs 1706.45 crore and passenger revenue contribution at Rs 501.05 crore, divisional railway manager Anurag told reporters here. Kakinada and Krishnapatnam ports are major contributors in goods earnings, having a collective share of 75%

He further said that works worth Rs 52.86 crore are currently under progress to remodel the Vijayawada station yard to improve the movement of trains. He said that a new ‘Route Releay Interlocking’ system is being fitted at the yard and also all lines at the station are being interlinked for easy movement of trains. This remodelling work will be completed by December.

source: http://www.MoneyControl.com / News> Business> Business News / PTI / Monday, April 16th, 2012

Hyderabad, Apr 12 (PTI):

DuPont today announced opening of its first integrated ballistic facility in Asia Pacific region in the Andhra Pradesh capital, to help development and testing of protective gear catering to the specific requirement of Indian security agencies.

The facility located at the DuPont Knowledge Centre (DKC) here has a ballistics testing range, 600-ton helmet press and stab testing equipment and is an example of inclusive innovation,” DuPont President (South Asia), Rajeev Vaidya told reporters. “This facility is an example of inclusive innovation and how you can collaborate with value chain partners to bring solutions to people who protect us,” Vaidya said, adding DuPont is committed to bring its science-powered innovations to meet global challenges of food, energy and protection in India.

The facility will allow DuPont to provide its customers and end-users, including law enforcement agencies and security forces, with application testing facilities that follow international standards. It will help develop solutions that can be tested under local conditions and against local ammunition and will enable introduction of a broader portfolio of Kevlar materials, DKC Technology Leader Yati Waghray said.

“Indian defence and internal security forces have unique and challenging ballistic protection requirements and this facility will help in developing appropriate ballistics solutions and applications for protective vests and helmets,” he said. Reacting to a query, Yati said DuPont is looking forward to collaborate with agencies like Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) that can help it understand the requirement of its end-users.

Without disclosing the financial aspect that went into setting up the Indian facility, which is the first DuPont site in Asia Pacific apart from those located in US, Switzerland and Brazil, Vaidya said “India is a strategic and crucial market for us where we really want to work and strategic investments have been made.”

source: http://www.ibnlive.in.com / Home> Wires> Latest News / PTI / April 12th, 2012

Hyderabad

Hyderabad has absorbed 214,000 sq ft in first quarter this year, while new supply of SEZ space is about 360,000 sq ft. While the city witnessed stable leasing and pre-leasing activity during the first quarter, companies have expanded and consolidated their requirements by shifting from CBD and SBD areas to suburbs to take advantage of relatively lower rentals.

According to Jones Lang LaSalle’s quarter review, the city’s Grade B buildings in all submarkets continue to witness healthy leasing of small spaces ranging from 5,000 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft.  However, some companies vacated space in the central business district (CBD) and moved to suburban locations in order to take advantage of the lower rentals.

In a related development, suburbs saw the highest leasing activity during the first quarter this year. Hi-Tech City and Gachibowli which saw strong absorption pace remained modest during the period. The preference for SEZ continued to remain strong amongst tenants and a few of them were inclined to move to locations such as Uppal and Pocharam in the suburban areas.

Among the major transactions in first quarter, specific mention must be made about Broadridge leasing about 200,000 sq ft in the Wipro building at Hi-Tech City and Genpact pre-leasing about 133,000 sq ft at KRC Mindspace East SEZ, at Pocharam.

Rentals are up by 6-6.5% in suburbs of Hitec City and Gachibowli during the first quarter.  IT SEZ spaces commanded higher rentals due to preference by tenants and the supply exceeding demand.  While investments continued to remain subdued due to political uncertainty, capital values increased in Hi-Tech City and Gachibowli by 12-13% in 1Q12 over previous quarter.

Outlook

It is expected that strong pre-leasing activity will lead to increased net absorption during this year.  Despite political uncertainty, the inherent infrastructure development and potential across the city have encouraged corporates to sustain and expand the operations with the result leasing activity is expected to remain stable.  The demand and supply of SEZ space will lead to rentals witnessing a nominal increase or remain stable during the year.  Capital values are expected to increase moderately as leasing activity will remain stable.

V Nagarajan, Property Consultant

source: http://www.content.magicbricks.com / Home> Property News> Other cities / Friday, April 13th, 2012