Sarjapur ORR is a good place for Investment

A long-term investment in this belt will yield high rental returns and capital appreciation, and acts as a hedge against inflation.

The IT boom ushered in demand for residential property in localities close to the areas where IT development was happening. Improved connectivity, expansion of existing facilities, and further demand led to capital appreciation and growth in rentals. This fuelled demand and price rise in the belts where IT was the primary driver of demand for spaces.
 
IT belts in the city are Whitefield, Electronic City, Outer Ring Road (from Marathahalli towards Old Madras Road), parts of the CBD, and Bellary Road (towards Hebbal). Sandeep Trivedi, Director (Development Consulting), Cushman & Wakefield, says, “Whitefield and Outer Ring Road (Marathalli-Sarjapur stretch) are the key IT belts in the city that have witnessed significant commercial development in the last three to four years. North Bangalore and areas in close proximity to Hebbal are the emerging micro markets with potential for future commercial development over three to five years.” This is largely due to the improved connectivity as well as potential for development of social infrastructure and residential development.
 
When it comes to investing in an IT belt, a leased commercial IT space garners a yield of around 9-12 percent. This acts as a hedge against inflation. Zahed Mahmood, Director, Silverline Realty, says, “The capital appreciation seen in the IT belts over the last two years was around 25-30 percent. A rental return of 9-12 percent can be expected depending on the quantum of investment.”
According to him, nowadays, investors who want to invest in commercial spaces are bringing in lesser capital, pooling it into a large facility and leasing it out to quality tenants. “An investor has the option to bring in as low as Rs 50 lakhs for a 1,000 sqft space in a tech park. The entire space can be owned by say, 10-20 owners and can be leased out to one or more companies. This will give you assured returns along with a quality tenant”, he adds.
 
According to a report by Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, the Whitefield and Sarjapur-ORR belts have been the fastest-growing belts in the last few years.

You can read the complete article at http://blog.propertynice.com/whitefield-sarjapur-orr-belt-good-for-investments/

Khata certificates without paying bribe

Kudos to folks at Sachidananda Nagara Nyaya Para Andolana. It takes lot of courage to not give in or give up! We must get rid of the 'facilitation fees' for Khata certificates in Bengaluru and everywhere else!

Check this amazing story https://sites.google.com/site/snnacampaign/

Let us say 3 cheers for these folks and try to follow them :)

45 speed-breakers on a 6.5-km stretch

Somebody...hump...save...hump...our...hump...spine...hump

An SOS from Bangalore residents who have to tackle 45 speed-breakers on a 6.5-km stretch of Haralur Road connecting Bellandur to Electronic City...and, there’s more

Bangalore is clearly polarised between those who want speed-breakers and others who don't. As of now, the former have the upper hand, but this week, Bangalore Mirror readers — Vadiraja Bhatt, Sudhakar Pai, Prem Singh and Murali — drove on two busy roads to show how speed-breakers have reduced certain stretches to a dangerous roller coaster ride.

Kasavanahalli Main Road (connecting Sarjapur to Electronic City) and Haralur Road (Bellandur and Outer Ring Road to Electronic City) together have 74 humps on a 13 km stretch. That works out to at least five humps for every kilometre.

Not only that, the humps have been built in an unscientific manner, turning them into hazards and traffic bottlenecks.

Vadiraja Bhatt, president of Lake Shore Homes Residents' Association, which is on Kasavanahalli Road (also called Hosa Road), said, “Four wheelers and BMTC buses, especially the A/C ones, get stuck at these speed-breakers because they have been constructed badly. In the morning hours, this leads to a massive jam as vehicles slow down at each hump.”

Home Minister Dr V S Acharya admitted as much in the Legislative Council while proclaiming that all unnecessary speed-breakers, specifically the unscientific ones, would go. He promised results in a month's time. “These humps not only harm the spine, but speeding vehicles often meet with accidents if they fail to slow down at these humps,” he had said.

Despite this, humps continue to rule our roads.

According to Vadiraja Bhatt, some time ago, a group of residents from Bellandur had requested the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) to remove unscientific road humps on Kasavanahalli road, but there was no response.

“Recently, after Home Minister V S Acharya promised that unneccesary road humps would go, we sent a detailed illustration to both the police and the Joint Commissioner of Mahadevapura showing how the humps pose problems to motorists and residents, with possible solutions. But, we are yet to get a reply,” Bhatt, a US-returned IT professional, said.

The humps had been built into the roads at the behest of locals. When Hosa Road was laid three years ago, locals and traders insisted on a number of road humps. However, norms were flouted during construction. Plus, the placing of some humps raised suspicion about commercial interests being at play.

“Some speed-breakers are right in front of liquor shops,” Prem Singh, a resident of Lake Shore, said.It is the same story at Haralur Road. “The humps are not even visible,” said Murali D, president of Reliable Residency on Haralur Road.

M N Sreehari, advisor to the state government on traffic, transport and infrastructure, said, “According to the Indian Road Congress, speed-breakers are not required. Humps may be provided for minor roads, but only if absolutely necessary. In Bangalore, most are laid at the behest of influential people residing on those streets.”

NORMS FOR road humps

Sreehari said that speed-breakers should be parabolic in shape with a height of 15 cm and length of 3.5 metre. They should have zebra stripes and cat's-eye reflectors to increase visibility.

'SPEED-BREAKERS WILL GO'

On July 8, Home Minister Dr V S Acharya proclaimed in the Legislative Council that all unnecessary speed-breakers, specifically the unscientific ones, in the city would go. He promised results in a month's time.

“These humps not only harm the spine, but speeding vehicles often meet with accidents if they fail to slow down at these humps. Many are unscientific and unnecessary. The government will initiate steps to identify and remove bad road humps and replace them with more scientifically designed ones.

“We have already directed the BBMP, BDA and district authorities, police, public works department officials to remove unscientific speed breakers.''

Buses get drummers' help to gain commuters

The village drummers of yore are back. As in the past, today too their annoucements are loud and clear.

This time, their theme was Bus Day and their message to commuters at every junction: "Use BMTC buses."

Drummers Prashanth Kumar and Naveen from Mandya walked on the streets of Bangalore on Thursday and Friday to popularize the 8th Bus Day to be observed on Saturday. A horse chariot (tonga) accompanied them with hoardings of Bus Day.

S Viswanath, general secretary of Outer Ring Road Companies Association, who organized the unique awareness campaign, said such announcements have drawn a huge response, with many techies showing willingness to use public transport. "The drummers went around the city asking people to use BMTC buses and directly help in reducing traffic jams. They also created awareness on BMTC's safety and security aspects," he added.

The drummers met techies at the `eco-space corridor' on Outer Ring Road, Iblur, Marathalli and marched along the bus route from Bellandur to Majestic in a span of two days.

BMTC managing director Syed Zameer Pasha said the number of people opting for buses is increasing by the day, thanks to Bus Day celebrations. "Bangaloreans have realized that public transport is cost effective. On Bus Days, there will be 8-10 per cent increase in the number of commuters," he added.

MORE BUSES

On Saturday, 100 additional buses will ply across the city, especially on Bannerghatta Road, ITPL stretch, Old Madras Road and Mysore Road.

Palike makes big promises for infrastructure

As speculated, there was considerable stress on many developmental projects in the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike budget.

The budget announced many works under the Central government’s JNNURM scheme and other schemes.
It also announced `40 crore for the development of the approach road to the Bengaluru International Airport.
The budget also allocates money for construction of over 50 grade separators in the city.
As much as `64.44 crore would be spent on construction of Railway Under Bridge and Railway Over Bridges, he said, adding that greater thrust would be given to ‘Bottom up’ planning and decentralisation in governance through various information technology interventions.
Also, storm water drains would be upgraded to prevent flooding. There would also be widening of roads and improvement of arterial and sub-arterial roads, construction of subways, road underpasses and flyovers at important junctions.
According to the budget, there would be efforts to encourage wall paintings and beautification of bus bays.
Under the comprehensive investment plan, `3248.40 crore of the `22,000 crore would be used for development.
Arterial and sub-arterial roads stretching to 512 kms and seven dedicated signal-free corridors would be developed under this scheme and an additional `1,000 crore would be earmarked to provide link to the state and national highways with the central business district.
Many other projects would be taken up under public-private partnership.
To enable signal-free traffic movement from Yeshwantpur Circle to Outer Ring Road  (about 3.5kms), a project would be taken up in consultation with the Bangalore Development Authority and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited at the cost of `3.95 crore.
A flyover would also be constructed at the cost of `178.24 crore to provide non-stop traffic from Sirsi Circle to Nayandahalli.

Residents of Iblur unite to save Ambalipura Lake

Troubled by the fact that a fairly large water body was disappearing in their backyard, residents of Iblur decided to take the matters in hand. Residents have collected Rs. 1 lakh and are planning to revive the lake along with BBMP.


Ambalipura Lake is one of the oldest among the 34 lakes in the Bommanahalli Assembly Constituency. The Lake is a 2.9-hectare water body, and is one of the most polluted lakes in the city, but however residents from Iblur are working towards reviving the lake.

K. Rajesh Rao, resident of Trinity woods, says it too suffers the same fate every day as over 400 million tons of sewerage flows into it. “I want the lake restored to its former glory. It is home to 30 species of birds, including the rare Lesser Whistling Duck. The lake must retain its biodiversity,” said Mr. Rao.

The lake is one of the 17 water bodies the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is trying to rejuvenate under Project 2 at a cost of Rs. 1 crore. “We were happy when the BBMP announced the lake's revival. We are working with the authorities to revive the rich biodiversity of this lake,” said Mr. Rao, whose family is one of the 200 residing in Trinity Woods, a condominium that adjoins the lake. They are also part of Forward 150; federations of resident welfare associations (RWAs) of Bellandur ward working with the BBMP to rejuvenate the lakes.

Ambalipura Lake, a 2.9-hectare water body, is encircled by buildings. While Trinity Woods is on one side, the other three are flanked by the Park Vista, Red Wood and Mantri Flora apartments. “This lake could not be traced for many years. The only sign that it existed was the bund where water was accumulating,” said Murali, local resident.
The lake, which was earlier under the Forest Department, almost died at one point of time as the urban sprawl ate into its inlet and outlet streams. Moreover, sewage was being let into it. The rise in water logging and contamination killed nearly 250 acacia trees on the wetland. And the expanse became a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

 “Despite this sorry state, the lake attracted many birds,” said Mr. Rao, showing the videos and pictures of the avian visitors to the lake, which faces his balcony.
The residents, who had brought this condition to the notice of the Forest Department, actively participated in Project 2 when the lakes in their vicinity were selected for rejuvenation. “Our task became easy as the Project 2 team of the BBMP was receptive to our suggestions towards conserving the biodiversity,” said Mr. Murali.

Residents of all the four apartment complexes were involved in bringing several modifications in the detailed project report on the lake. As many as 24 mounds have been created on the wetland, while a big island has been created at the water accumulation point. Residents collected Rs. 1 lakh and bought saplings of 70 different fruit-bearing and other trees that will be planted on the mounds and on the island.

Asked about working with the Government, Mr. Rao said: “If you benefit in the long run, you have to be proactive in all ways. You have to be practical in what you demand and should know what you will reasonably get.”

Ring Road comes full circle

The Magadi Road-Mysore Road link of the Outer Ring Road has been completed 30 years after this idea was born

Bangalore’s famed Outer Ring Road (ORR) is set to be completed 30 years after it was conceived.

Though the seeds for the project were sown in the eighties, the work began only in 1994. Now, the last part of the Ring Road, a 5.76-km stretch linking Magadi Road and Mysore Road via Nagarabavi, is ready for inauguration.

Final touches are being given to the railway under bridge, a part of the ring road project. Sources in Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) say the bridge is likely to be ready by October 2. According to sources, the work on this phase was taken up late as the terrain was treacherous.

TRAVEL TIME CUT

Once the road is thrown open for traffic, it will reduce the distance between the two destinations by 10 km and travel time by over an hour. At present, vehicles coming from the Magadi Road side need to take a long detour to reach Kengeri. This would mean reaching the Mysore Road through Vijayanagar, reaching Kengeri and then the Ring Road junction.

This road will cut across Nagarabavi before joining the existing Ring Road-Mysore Road junction near Nayandahalli.

NO SIGNALS

Interestingly, this stretch will be the first signal-free corridor on the Ring Road.

It will also provide easy access to motorists from Nagarabhavi, National Law School of India University (NLSIU) students. Once this stretch is complete, people can travel from Magadi Road to Mysore Road in 10 minutes.

According to sources, it is also expected to ease congestion in the Bangalore University (Jnanabharati) campus. Currently, motorists go through the varsity campus to reach the Mysore Road to avoid Kengeri, which is always chock-a-block with traffic.

PARK ON BRIDGE

Another interesting feature is the garden coming up on a one-and-a-half-acre area atop a grade separator.

Apart from manicured lawns and ornamental plants, it will have fountains, solar lamps and rain water harvesting facility.

Sriprakash, executive engineer (infrastructure division), BDA, told Bangalore Mirror, "Nowhere in the city is this kind of lung space available. The park will be open for the public from 6 am to 8 pm. We are sure the park will attract a lot of people."

A sum of Rs 84 crore is being spent on the multi-level grade separators, which may be opened for public use on October 2.
He said this last stretch of Ring Road will provide easy access to motorists on Mysore Road, Magadi Road and Tumkur Road. Incidentally, the Metro Rail station is located just 100 metres from the grade separator.

Nayandahalli railway station and bus stations too are located close to the grade separator.

STRETCHING IT EASY

» New stretch will help commuters reach Bengaluru West (Magadi Road and Tumkur Road) quickly
» It is a short route to Bangalore International Airport for motorists from Bangalore South; they can avoid chaotic traffic on Mysore Road and the central business districts