Hemmed in between the shale-brown hills of India's Western Ghats, a new city is about to be born.
Spread over almost 9,500 hectares, it comprises Mediterranean-style waterfront villas, hotels, schools and a technology park. A golf course designed by the British golfer Nick Faldo is also planned, along with a football academy operated by Manchester City football club, and a Hollywood-style theme park by the global entertainment giant MGM.
The picture-perfect Lavasa - a 1.4 trillion rupee (Dh114.73 billion) project being built in four phases by the Hindustan Construction Company controlled by Ajit Gulabchand, a property tycoon, is due to be home to 200,000 people by 2021 when it is fully completed.
"Lavasa cannot be termed as a real estate project," Mr Gulabchand says. "This is more like a city state; a whole new urban centre with hospitality, tourism and education at its centre."
Such futuristic cities - also known as integrated townships - replete with modern infrastructure and self-sustainable habitats, are the new buzzwords in India's property sector.
Urban planners say they offer a promising solution to the Gordian Knot of congestion and chaos choking Indian cities and stifling economic growth.
The UN says the world's urban population is set to almost double to 6.3 billion from 3.4 billion by 2050. With its soaring population, India will be at the forefront of this population explosion. About 340 million Indians live in cities. In the next 30 years, an additional 400 million people from the countryside are expected to arrive in cities.
Most of them are bursting at their seams as increasing numbers migrate to them in search of economic opportunity. Mumbai, India's financial capital, which is a magnate for migrant workers, crams in more than 6,000 people per square kilometre. Almost two thirds of the city's population lives in grubby slums or decrepit tenements, often without a clean water supply or adequate sanitary facilities.
Although India's villages house most of the population, its cities generate more than two thirds of the country's GDP and account for 90 per cent of government revenues. Enhancing the productivity of India's cities, experts say, can accelerate economic growth and curb poverty.
"India lacks the infrastructure to accommodate and sustain growth," says Sanjay Dutt, the chief executive of Jones Lang LaSalle Meghraj, a global property services company in Mumbai. "These large developments are needed to align infrastructure with economic growth."
The urban development minister Kamal Nath says India suffers an "infrastructure deficit". The country's choked ports, shoddy airports and heavily potholed roads and motorways shave between 1 and 2 per cent from its GDP annually. The country needs US$1tn (Dh3.67tn) of investments over the next six years for infrastructure projects.
In the past few years, several property companies have launched integrated township projects around India that are expected to fill that gap.
Sahara Prime City, a large property company in northern India, is developing 88 integrated townships across the country under the title of Sahara City Homes. The company plans to build such projects in 217 urban centres around India.
"In new integrated townships, planners are looking at solutions to increasing pressure on existing urban infrastructure and rapid urbanisation," Sushanto Roy, the chief executive of Sahara Prime City, said last year.
India's urban development ministry recently sought an assistance of 185bn rupees from the central government to develop seven cities spanning six states between Delhi and Mumbai. These are expected to be world-class, eco-friendly cities with 24-hour electricity, full fresh water supplies, and efficient public transport systems. These cities will also be developed as industrial hubs that are expected to provide employment and boost industrial production and exports over the next decade.
Of the total investment, 175bn rupees is earmarked for building infrastructure - roads, bus and rail-based public transport, sewage and waste recycle plants, and flood management systems. The first of these cities is likely to be in the Dholera Special Investment Region of Gujarat, about 100km from the state capital Gandhinagar.
At least 17 similar cities are being planned in other parts of India. The government of the southern state of Karnataka recently invited proposals from developers to plan four cities - in total of about 3,650ha - near the state capital Bangalore. The government of Chhattisgarh, a state in central India, also invited similar proposals to set up a new capital city about 25 sq km in area near the capital Raipur.
Economic activity is expected to be at the heart of integrated townships. Commercial units set up within or near the townships are expected to be a magnet of economic activity, with the bonus of reducing travelling time to work, developers say.
Traffic snarl-ups are frequent on congested roads into and within cities. The number of cars projected for India in 2030 is expected to rise to 70 per 1,000 people from the current rate of eight per 1,000 people, adding much pressure to India's poor road infrastructure, says the Centre for Science and Environment, based in New Delhi.
But only about half of the 200 planned projects are up and running, even though most of them were launched in 2007 and 2008 during the peak of India's economic boom.
Procuring large land parcels for such developments is a key challenge. Because most of these projects are away from cities, developers must also deal with rural governments badly equipped to tackle the necessary infrastructure needs.
Many projects, including Lavasa, are caught up in the legal wrangle of procuring land from restive farmers who are unwilling to part with it. Land rights activists accuse Hindustan Construction Company of coercing farmers to sell their land at throwaway prices. The company denies any wrongdoing.
But the biggest challenge for such projects is acquiring environmental clearance. In November, Jairam Ramesh, India's environment minister, halted the construction of Lavasa. Mr Ramesh contended the project was illegal because approval had not been sought from New Delhi and was responsible for causing environmental damage in the region. He asked for the project to be razed.
Mr Gulabchand challenged his decision in court, which later ordered an inspection of the development. Hindustan Construction Company, which carries a debt burden of 17bn rupees, is losing 50 million rupees a day because of delays in construction. The company's proposed $440m initial public offering this year has been postponed indefinitely.
business@thenational.ae
Company%20Profile
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Expert input
If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?
“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett
“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche
“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox
“I think I’d buy a defunct footwear brand; I’d like the challenge of reinterpreting a brand’s history and changing options.” Kris Balerite
“I’d stir up a creative collaboration with designers Martin Margiela of the mixed patchwork sneakers, and Yohji Yamamoto.” Hussain Moloobhoy
“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Race card
6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 (PA) US$100,000 (Dirt) 2,000m
7.05pm: Meydan Classic Listed (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,600m
7.40pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (D) 1,600m
8.50pm: Nad Al Sheba Trophy Group 2 (TB) $300,000 (T) 2,810m
9.25pm: Curlin Stakes Listed (TB) $175,000 (D) 2,000m
10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 2,000m
10.35pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 1,400m
The National selections
6.30pm: Shahm, 7.05pm: Well Of Wisdom, 7.40pm: Lucius Tiberius, 8.15pm: Captain Von Trapp, 8.50pm: Secret Advisor, 9.25pm: George Villiers, 10pm: American Graffiti, 10.35pm: On The Warpath
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now
Meydan race card
6.30pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (Dirt) 1,200m
7.05pm: Handicap; Dh170,000; (D) 1,200m
7.40pm: Maiden; Dh165,000; (D) 1,900m
8.15pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 2,000m
8.50pm: Handicap; Dh185,000; (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap; Dh165,000; (D) 2,000m
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
Best piece of advice to someone looking for a career at Google?
If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410
Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission Six-speed manual
Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm
Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
The specs: 2018 Opel Mokka X
Price, as tested: Dh84,000
Engine: 1.4L, four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: Six-speed auto
Power: 142hp at 4,900rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 1,850rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L / 100km
Day 1, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Dimuth Karunaratne had batted with plenty of pluck, and no little skill, in getting to within seven runs of a first-day century. Then, while he ran what he thought was a comfortable single to mid-on, his batting partner Dinesh Chandimal opted to stay at home. The opener was run out by the length of the pitch.
Stat of the day - 1 One six was hit on Day 1. The boundary was only breached 18 times in total over the course of the 90 overs. When it did arrive, the lone six was a thing of beauty, as Niroshan Dickwella effortlessly clipped Mohammed Amir over the square-leg boundary.
The verdict Three wickets down at lunch, on a featherbed wicket having won the toss, and Sri Lanka’s fragile confidence must have been waning. Then Karunaratne and Chandimal's alliance of precisely 100 gave them a foothold in the match. Dickwella’s free-spirited strokeplay meant the Sri Lankans were handily placed at 227 for four at the close.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ferrari
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Book%20Details
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
THE BIO
Age: 33
Favourite quote: “If you’re going through hell, keep going” Winston Churchill
Favourite breed of dog: All of them. I can’t possibly pick a favourite.
Favourite place in the UAE: The Stray Dogs Centre in Umm Al Quwain. It sounds predictable, but it honestly is my favourite place to spend time. Surrounded by hundreds of dogs that love you - what could possibly be better than that?
Favourite colour: All the colours that dogs come in
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Test series fixtures
(All matches start at 2pm UAE)
1st Test Lord's, London from Thursday to Monday
2nd Test Nottingham from July 14-18
3rd Test The Oval, London from July 27-31
4th Test Manchester from August 4-8
The specs
Engine: 5.0-litre supercharged V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 575bhp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: Dh554,000
On sale: now
'Will%20of%20the%20People'
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
THE BIO:
Favourite holiday destination: Thailand. I go every year and I’m obsessed with the fitness camps there.
Favourite book: Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. It’s an amazing story about barefoot running.
Favourite film: A League of their Own. I used to love watching it in my granny’s house when I was seven.
Personal motto: Believe it and you can achieve it.
