Rane Group plans expansion

Rane group, manufacturers of auto components is emabarking an expansion programme. A new plant has come up in Kanchipuram which will produce ball joints for exports. The company is also setting up a new unit in Uttaranchal at a cost of Rs. 90 million and the project is expected to be completed by April 2007.

Balmer Lawrie plans expansion of CFS

Balmer Lawrie & Co is imeplementing an capacity expansion of its container freight station (CFS) by an additional seven acres in Manali in Chennai. The project is estimated to cost Rs. 120 million including the cost of land and the expense is met by interal accruals.

BHEL bags new order

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (Bhel) has received a Rs 9500 million order to set up a 99 MW captive power plant for Bharat Oman Refinery Ltd (BORL) in Bina in MP. The project is be executed on a turnkey basis. The project is likely to be completed in 26 months. The scope of work includes design, engineering, manufacture, supply and commissioning of the power plant.

IVRCL receives new order

IVRCL Infrastructures & Projects Ltd has received an order worth Rs 3290 million for water transmission works of Rs 2840 million in Gujarat and Kerala and building works of Rs 450 million.

Indo Asian Fusegear received order worth Rs. 210 million

Indo Asian Fusegear Ltd has received an order worth Rs 210 million from Saudi Arabia for the export of electrical equipment, used in the manufacture of lighting products. The order consists of electrical equipment including HID lamps, CFLs and components of lighting products

M&M plans new design facility

Mahindra & Mahindra is planning to set up a new design facility near Mumbai. The new design centre will cater to in-house design work, and creating concepts based on M&M's existing range of vehicles. The company has short-listed this location

New Wind Farm unit in Karnataka

Bhagyanagar India, as a part of its diversified activities, plans to establish a 5-MW wind energy project in Karnataka and is in talks with Suzlon for plant and machinery

Bokaro Power Supply Co plans new 2 x 250 MW

Bokaro Power Supply Corp, the joint-venture of DVC-SAIL has announced plans to set up a 2 x 250 MW units as a green field project. The new unit is likely to come up in 750 acres in Jharkhand. MECON has completed the feasibility study for the project. The project is estimated at a cost of Rs. 22000 million. It may be mentioned the company is managing a 302 MW unit where its actual capacity has dropped to 200 MW. SAIL is installing a new boiler for this unit, to be supplied by Alstom, for increasing generation capacity.

BESCL plans new 2 x 250 MW thermal unit

Bhilai Electric Supply Company Pvt Ltd (BESCL), the 50:50 joint venture between SAIL and NTPC, is setting up 2x250 mw units. The total cost of the project is estimated to be around Rs 26000 million. BHEL has been awarded the turnkey contract to build the plant. BESCL has entered into a long-term agreement with South Eastern Coalfields Ltd for supply of 2.7 million tones of annual requirement of coal and this would be supplied from Chhal and Barud blocks of the Raigarh coal fields. As of August 2006, all the required clearances for the project has been obtained

New Contract for Transmission Lines from MPPKVVCL

ICSA India Ltd has secured a work order from Madhya Pradesh Paschim Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company Ltd, Indore, for erection, testing and commissioning of a 11kV, LT lines, 11/0.4 kV distribution and service lines. The turnkey order is worth Rs 17.21 crore

New Captive Power plant for Madras Cements

Madras Cements Ltd is doubling the capacity of its captive power plant at its Jayanthipuram factory in Andhra Pradesh with an investment of Rs. 1120 million. Thermax has bagged the contract. It may be mentioned that its first unit of 18 MW is expected to be commissioned by March 2007.

New 1000 MW hydel plant from THDC

Tehri Hydro Development Corp has received approval from CCEA for its 1,000 MW Pumped Storage power plant in Tehri in Uttaranchal . The project is estimated to cost Rs. Rs 1,657.60 crore.

New Nuclear plant in WB

A New nuclear power plant is likely to be set up in West Bengal and the central government has given its in principle clearance. Consulting Engineering Services (India) Private Ltd (CES) is conducting a for feasibility study on the project and the project may likely come up in Egra area.

New 2000 MW thermal power project for Delhi

Delhi government is planning to set up a 2000 MW thermal power plant in Chhatisgarh with an investment of Rs. 100000 million to meet the capitals electricity needs. Bids will be soon floated to invite private parties to invest in the power plant.

New 1000 MW thermal project from Essar

Essar Power is planning to set up a 1,000 MW with an investment of Rs. 40,000 million in Chattigsarh. The project will have a 2 x 500 MW and the power unit will supply power to its upcoming Essar Steels 3.2 million steel unit in Dantewara. The steel plant will require around 300 MW and the balance will be supplied to the state grid. The project is likely to be completed in 2 years time.

New 64 MW plant in Orissa

Nava Bharat Ferro Alloys Ltd is setting up a 64-megawatt, coal-based, power plant in Orissa. The plant will be set up in the eastern state next to its 30 megawatt project over and the company’s board approval has been received and the project is likely to be completed in two years time.

NHPC plans 3 hydel project in Uttaranchal

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Ltd (NHPC) is setting up 3 hydel projects with a total capacity of 1045 MW in the state of Uttraranchal. The company has signed an agreement for these three projects viz. Kotli Bhel-IA (195 MW), Kotli Bhel-IB (320 MW) and Kotli Bhel-II (530 MW)

New 600 MW hydel project at Uttaranchal

NTPC is planning to set up a 600 MW hydel electric power project at Loharinag-Pala in Uttaranchal at an estimated investment of Rs 3,2820 million. The company ‘s board has approved the project. It may be mentioned that this is NTPC’s first foray into hydel power generation.

Navi Mumbai Airport

After successfully completion of corporatisation of the Delhi and Mumbai airports, the govt. is keen on to promote this model on other airports. This is a green field airport and an estimated investment of Rs. 2500 crores in the first phase. Technical aspects are being explored by ICAO. Contracts will be awarded to private sectors for the green field facility. As of Aug 2006, Navi Mumbai is the likely location as two new SEZs are being set up nearby.

New Airports in WB

The WB govt. has embarked on a plan to revive a number of small airports in Purlia, Malda, Coochbehar and Bankura districts and also the Behala flying club near the outskirts of the metropolis. It is reported that govt. is keen to set up a cargo airport between NH-2 and NH-6 near Kona Expressway following requests from many investors including the Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani group. The government is looking for 1,000 acres of land and further progress may been on acquisition of land.

New Thermal Unit at Parichha

Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd is setting up a thermal power plant in the State. It has recently awarded a contract to BHEL for setting up 2 x 250 MW MW power plant, (units 5 and 6) at Parichha Thermal Power Station (TPS) Extension in UP. The project is expected to be commissioned by 2009-10, The scope of work includes manufacture, supply, test and commission the main plant package along with associated auxiliaries and civil works. The equipment for the project would be supplied by BHEL's plants at Haridwar, Tiruchy, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Bhopal and Jhansi, it said. The company is already executing a contract for setting up two units of 210 MW capacity each (units 3 and 4) at Parichha TPS Extension, of which has already been commissioned.

New BOT Contract for Sadbhav Engineering

Sadbhav Engineering Ltd announced has bagged a Rs 560-crore road construction project to improve and widen the 76 km Sardar Patel Ring Road around Ahmedabad from the Ahmedabad urban development authority(AUDA). The project is to be carried out on BOT basis. The project is to be completed by end April 2008 which includes a new bridge over Sabarmati river near village Bhat.

New Terminal building at Udaipur and Jaipur

Simplex Infrastructures Ltd has bagged two orders of Rs. 637 million and Rs. 465 million from AAI, New Delhi for construction of a new international terminal building and allied works at Jaipur and Udaipur. The company has started execution of the Udaipur airport project

Development in Nagpur Airport

A new company will be formed with participation from MADC (Maharashtra Airport Development Co and AAI to develop the Nagpur airport into a multi-modal international airport . The facilities planned include a cargo hub and an international standard terminal.

Mega Green field Harbour Project at Vizinjam

Vizhingam Seaport Ltd is all set to start construction of the new International Container Transhipment Terminal once Prime Minister lays the foundation stone. Vizhingam is a ancient sea port 17 kms away from Thiruvananthapuram. The new mega green field harbor project is estimated to cost Rs. 43600 million A consortium-led by two Chinese companies Kaidi Eelectric Power Company and China Harbour Engineering Company and Zoom Developers has bagged the bid for developing the terminal on Build Operate Transfer (BOT) basis. The state government will also be spending Rs. 8000 million on building roads, rail link and water supply to the port.

Airports Modernization programme of AAI

AAI has embarked on a modernization and development programme on the airports of Ahmedabad, Raipur and Goa and other airports.
For Ahmedabad, a new 300 passenger capacity domestic departure terminal, is being set up. In Raipur, the existing runway of Raipur Airport is being extended at a cost of Rs. 100 million and the govt. of Chattisgarh has acquired the required land . The runway at Belgaum Airport is being re-carpeted at a cost of Rs 14 crore. At Nagpur, the expansion activities include creating additional facilities like parking base, recarpeting main runway, building a 13 kms long road along the security operation wall.

New Major Road Projects for GMR

GMR group has receive a contract for three major road projects at an estimated cost of Rs 1,5000 million. The projects are be implemented on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis for a concession period of 20 years include widening of a 100 km stretch from a 2 – lane to 4 –lane on National Highway 7 between Adloor Yellareddy and Kalakallu in Andhra Pradesh.

New Chemical unit in Mangalore SEZ

A new production unit is likely to be set up in Mangalore SEZ by Lanxess. It is a German-based chemical company with production sites and agencies all over the world, has shown interest to invest in the Mangalore SEZ (special economic zone). The SEZ Tne new unit is to be established on 100 acres of land in the SEZ, with employment opportunities for 1,000 people in the first phase.

New Mega Petrochemical complex in Dahej

ONGC is planning a mega petrochemicals complex in Dahej, will involve an investment of about Rs 136 000 million along with downstream polymer plants. The plant will have a capacity of 1.1 million tones per annum of ethylene capacity dual cracker along with associated polymers of HDPE, LLDPE, PP and styrene butadiene at Dahej in Gujarat. The project is likely to be commissioned mid-2010. Further developments may be seen as ONGC may float a SPV for
this purpose with or without other partners.

New Hydro Diesel Treating plant

Bongaigaon Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd is planning to set up a diesel hydro treatment project in Assam. The
project is estimated to cost US$320 million and is likely to be funded in the debt-equity ratio of 1:1.

Expansion Programme at RCF

Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilisers Ltd has embarked on an expansion programme with an investment of Rs. 7500 million. The expansion programme includes modernizing the ammonia plant at Trombay and the methanol plant . the company is also setting up a an argon plant at Thal at a cost of Rs 95 crore, besides planning to manufacture load-bearing gypsum panels out of phospho-gypsum, a waste product, at its Trombay plant.

CPCL plans mini expansion

CPCL is on a mini-expansion project under which its capacity will increase by 1.7 million tonnes (mt) from the present 9.5 mt. The Rs 330-crore project consists of two parts — de-bottlenecking of the Unit-III at a cost of Rs 130 crore, which will add 1 mt, and revamping of the old Unit-I at a cost of Rs 200 crore, which will raise capacity by another 0.7 mt. CPCL is planning to Rs 560 million to set up fuel tankages to store crude oil, to meet the additional need for storage capacity after the expansion. Each of the proposed two tanks can hold 50,000 kilo litres of crude oil. Presently, CPCL has a storage of 62,000 kilo liters.

New Refinery from Bharat Oman Refineries

Bharat Oman Refineries Ltd which is setting up a 120,000-barrel-per-day refinery, has achieved financial closure from a consortium of 20 banks lead by the State Bank of India . The total investment funded by the banks are estimated at Rs. 63.87 million (US $1.4 billion) The company is also setting up of a crude oil terminal at Vadinar in the western state of Gujarat, a 935-km (580-mile) pipeline connecting the terminal to the refinery and a 126 MW
captive power plant, The project is expected to go on stream by January 2010.

New Technology in Condoms & Syringes

Hindustan Latex has recently introduced "Bsure"— re-use prevention syringe — in partnership with Becton and Dickinson, one of the world's leading healthcare products companies. The syringe employs a unique plunger breaking mechanism to eliminate its possible re-use. The company had earlier come out with "Autolok"— auto destructive syringe — for the national immunisation programme. It has teamed up with Gambro BCT, a Swedish company and global leader in automated blood collection technologies, for marketing the latter's "blood component therapy aphaeresis systems" in India. The new introductions planned by the company are vibrating ring condom and three-in-one-condom (dotted-ribbed-form fitted).

Expansion programme at Industrial Organics

Industrial Organics Ltd on has embarked on an expansion programme with an investment of Rs. 729.5 million. The company has plans to increase its capacity of Ibuprofen plant from 1500 TPA 1800 TPA.

New Sugar Refinery in Kakinada SEZ

new sugar refinery is being set up in the port-based special economic zone (SEZ) in Kakinada at a cost of over Rs 300 crore. The refinery is planned as a joint venture between EID Parry (India) Ltd of the Murugappa group and Cargill International Ltd. Sugar is to be imported from Brazil, refined in the unit and exported. The unit is expected to be commissioned by December 2007. A captive power plant is also planned for the proposed sugar refinery. It will be one of the major units coming up in the SEZ.

New garment unit in Palani

Royal Classic Group plans to set up a trouser manufacturing facility with an investment of Rs. 350 million at its existing plants in Palani in TN. The company has imported machines from Germany and the factory will have a capacity of 800 trousers/day. Production is expected to start by October 2006.It may be mentioned that the company has also invested Rs 45 lakh in importing sewing machines from Japan to scale up shirt production capacity at its factories from 500 shirts per day to 1,000 in a couple of months.

Tata Motors expands production in Pune

Tata Motors is planning to to expand its production capacity at its Pimpri, Pune passenger car manufacturing facility. Sources indicates the company plans to increase its production to 1,000 units per day from the current level of 750-800 units per day. The expansion is expected to be completed in three months. The last expansion took place in 2004 when production capacity was expanded from 500 to 750 units per day.

Amararaja Batteries plans expansion

Amara Raja Batteries planning to double its battery capacity by 50% with an investment of Rs. Rs 882 million to increase automotive battery capacity. The planned expansion is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2007-08.

Tata Auto Plastics plans expansion

Tata Auto Plastics (TAPS), is planning an expansion programe in its plants in Pune, Bangalore and Baroda. The company will be doubling its production capacity at its Hinjewadi and Pune plants for various plastic body parts. It may be noted the company is supplying its bulk to GM’s manufacturing facility which situated nearby.

New Automobile plant in Haridwar

Hero Honda is planning to set up a new plant in Uttaranchal with an investment of Rs. 19,000 million. The initial plant capacity will be 0.5 million units and is to be scaled up to 1.5 million units by 2010. The plant will come up in a 275 acre plot in Haridwar Integrated industrial estate.

New Investment in Ashok Leyland R&D

Ashok Leyland is planning to invest Rs 700 million in its R&D facilities at Hosur (Karnataka) and Ennore (Tamil Nadu) in the next five years. This will facilate the company to spruce up its production engineering and supply chain for its recent acquisitions.

New Tyre Plant near Chennai

Apollo Tyres is planning to set up a Rs 5200 million automobile tyres manufacturing plant near Chennai. The plant is likely to come up in an 135 acre facility in Oragadam Industrial Park promoted by SIPCOT. The plant will produce tyres exclusively for for manufacturing truck, bus and light truck radial tyres, along with high and ultra-high performance passenger car radial tyres for the domestic and export markets.

New Plant in Khargapur for TELCON

Telcon, the 60:40 joint venture between Tata Motors and Japan's Hitachi Construction Machinery Co (HCMC) on plans to set up a new manufacturing plant in Khargapur in West Bengal with an investment of about Rs 2500 million. The plant is likely to come up in area of 60 hectrares and construction will begin by year end and will be completed by 1st quarter of 2008. The new plant will manufacture backhoe loaders, mini excavators, off-highway dump trucks, wheel loaders and large mining shovels. The new unit will also house a R&D unit with technology support from HCMC.

M&M plans new greenfield facility

Mahindra & Mahindra plans to set up a greenfield facility with an investment of Rs. 10,000 million. The greenfield facility will have an initial annual production capacity of 1,00,000 units, eventually to be scaled up to 500,000 units. The company has shortlisted TN, Karnataka, Uttaranchal, Maharashtra and AP for the project. The Nashik plant is also undergoing an capacity expasnsion from 80,000 units/year to 1,50,000 units/year. The Greenfield is likely to become operational by 2009.

New mega project in Jharkhand

Jindal Steel West (JSW) is planning to set up a 10-million tonne steel plant with an
investment of Rs. 350000 million at Nimdih block or Chandil block of Jharkhand
where it has identified a combined 7000 acre land . The mega project also includes a
800 MW captive power plant.

New Hospital in Bangalore

Trinity Hospital and Heart Foundation is setting up a new multi-speciality facility in
Bangalore at a cost of Rs 40 crore. The new 125-bed healthcare centre would have
extended facilities such as nephrology, and orthopaedic care and surgery. The
hospital is likely to be completed by end 2007.

New Hospital in Surat & Rajkot

Wockhardt Hospitals is adding Surat and Rajkot to its hospital chain after Bangalore.
The two mid-sized Rs 250-crore greenfield hospitals are in addition to the Rs
500-crore expansion the group embarked on in 2003. The group has recently
commissioned its 400 bed Bangalore multi-speciality hospital. These new hospitals
are likely to by April 2007

Mittal plans new integrated steel plant

Mittal Steel is planning to set up integrated steel plants in both Jharkhand and
Orissa. The company is in the process of appointing consultants for the Orissa
project. It has been reported that 4-5 sites has been shortlisted and the company is
waiting for the rehabilitation policy from the state government and a final decision
will be taken by September 2006.

New expansion in Steel Processing Capacity

Tata Ryerson Ltd, a 50:50 joint venture of Tata Steel and Ryerson Inc, USA is
planning to increase its steel processing capacity from 1.5 million tpa to 2.0 million
tpa with an investment of Rs. 1510 million. Tata Ryerson is setting up a full-fledged service centre at Pantnagar at an estimated
investment of Rs 45 crore to serve its ACE utility vehicle manufacturing unit.

RINL plans expansion programme

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) is planning to set up a double its liquid steel
production capacity to 6.3 million tonne per annum with an investment of Rs. 8690
million. The central government has cleared the expansion which is to be completed
in two stages. In the first stage, the plant would produce 6.3 million tonne of liquid
steel per annum by October, 2008, while the second stage would be completed

Kiburn bags orders worth Rs.54 million

Kilburn Engineering Ltd has bagged orders worth Rs 51 million from United
Chemicals and FMP Engineering Technik . The company has also received orders
worth Rs 64.1 million, which includes an order worth Rs 30 million from Nirma Ltd for
supply of a fluid bed dryer cum cooler and a Rs 34.1 million order from SPIC for
supplying rotary calciner and cooler and flash dryer. Kilburn specialises in
engineering, manufacture, supply and installation of drying systems for chemical,
food, oil and gas industries and is a member of Kolkata-based Williamson Magor and
Co Ltd.

New contract for Punj Lloyd joint venture

Punj Lloyd Ltd , an engineering and construction company with its joint venture
partner, Malaysian construction company, Persys has bagged a Rs 1420 million order
from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for undertaking construction and
structural works. The work has to be completed within 30 months and the scope of
work includes design and construction of elevated via-duct for a length of 4.784 kms.

New Order for GEI Hamon

GEI Hamon Industries Ltd , Bhopal based company has secured a Rs 21.95 crore order
from Larsen & Toubro Ltd to supply aircooled heat exchange packages for booster
compressor station at the ONGC off-shore platform,. The supply order is scheduled for
completion during the current financial year, it said.

New Contract for Punj Lloyd

Punj Lloyd (PLL) has received a EPC contract worth Rs. 8230 million to set up the 2 x
250 MW Chabba Thermal power station from Rajasthan Vidyut Utapadan Nigam Ltd,
Jaipur on a fast track basis. The scope of work includes complete mechanical,
electrical, instrumentation and civil work. The contract is scheduled to be completed
in 24 months.

New Order for Patel Engineering

Patel Engineering has received a contract from NHAI for Rs. 4470 million and
Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The scope of work includes Rs 4410
million annuity-based Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project from NHAI and a Rs 371
million contract from Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai for the modernization
of sewage system.

New order for Asian Electronics Ltd

Asian Electronics Ltd has received an order worth over Rs 530 million from
Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (MSEDCL). The scope of work
includes supply, construction, erection, testing and commissioning of transmission
and distribution lines and distribution transformers on turnkey basis.

New Order for BHEL

BHEL has received two contracts worth Rs 8420 million from RVUNL for setting up a
250 MW unit at Suratgarh TPS and a 195 MW unit at Kota TPS. BHEL's scope of work
in the present projects includes design, manufacture, testing, erection and
commissioning of main plant along with associated auxiliaries. In Rajasthan. Both
the units are expected to become operational by 2008-09.

New Order for Goldstone Teleservices

Goldstone Teleservices Ltd has received an order for supply of 25 KV polymer
insulators to from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)

New Order for Goldstone Teleservices

Goldstone Teleservices Ltd has received an order for supply of 25 KV polymer
insulators to from Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)

New order for KEC International

KEC International Ltd had received orders for building transmission line from Power
Grid Corp Ltd. The contract is worth of Rs. 1.98 billion .

New 5 Star Hotel in Bangalore

Nitesh Group, has announced plans to set up a 5-star luxury hotel in Bangalore with
an investment of Rs. 5000 million. The hotel will have capacity of 500 rooms and is
expected to come up in central business district off Residency road. It is reported that
the company is also looking for tie-ups with international chains.

W S Industries announced new unit

WS Industries India has announced plans for an expansion programme. It is planning to increase its capacity by 60 % by way of brown and green field units. A second manufacturing unit at cost of Rs 1000 million is set up to manufacture porcelain insulators. The company in alliance with global major PPC Insulators, from US and Europe and is being part funded by Schroder Credit Renaissance Fund Ltd. The new capacity is expected to become operational by April 2008.

Coal Ministry's new initiatives

Coal Ministry has approved allocation of 19 blocks with reserves of 7436 million tones to meet the rising demand of coal . The recent initiatives will also empower state government to promote industrialization by making more coal available. Out of the allotted 19 blocks, the Mara-II-Mahan block in Madhya Pradesh with a capacity of 955 MT has been jointly given to Delhi government and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Ltd for electricity generation purposes. Besides, the government has already allocated 40 captive coal blocks to various private and public sector companies in power, steel and cement sectors.

Nanjangud Temple

A 1000 year old temple you can find enroute from Mysore to Chamrajnagar. A golden sandy brown color rajagopuram welcomes you. The temple is big as any south Indian temple and has huge prakarams and stone sculptures. You will find a blend of Hoysala and Vijayanagar architecture. The Kapila river, a tributary flows silently around the temple. On the whole, a quiet town near Mysore. The temple had patronage of Mysore Wodeyars and Tipu Sultan. It is said that the sultan believed that his elephant was cured of diseases by the
grace of the presiding deity of this temple and hence he made endowments to this temple.

How to reach there ? The nearest towns are Mysore. From Mysore there are plenty of transport and the nearest airport is Bangalore.

Time to spend : 4--5 hour.

Nagarjuna Tiger Reserve

Truly the biggest tiger reserve in this country. If you like a vast and arid place of 3000 sq.kms with miles away from humans, this is a place in south India. Very vast and dry and you will wild plateaus, gorges, valley and dam sites across krishna river.

The flora is exciting. Bamboo trees, thick grass, unknown species of tree. Veru quiet and unspoilt place. Tribes do still live here. As seasons come and go, the scenery changes from decidious and evergreen. Each having its own charm. For adventurous, one can camp here with permissions from forest dept. Though, naxals do infest here and be cautious as locals are very un-cooperative for fear of naxals. Though claimed to have variety of fauna, sighting them is difficult because of vastness. The elusive tiger and king of this reserve is very much nocturnal. With luck you may hear the growl.

How to reach there ? The nearest towns are Srisailam, Markapur, Atmakur, Kurnool etc.,
Connectivity by road is the best and nearest rail station is Markapur. Airport is Hyderabad.

Time to spend : One -two days.

Where to Stay : APTourism Punami cottages at Srisailam are excellent around Rs.700/- for A/c and Rs.500 for non-AC cottages. If you like to stay in Jungles, I recommend camp gears.

Three Forest Range

Three forest range Bandipur Tiger Park, Mudumalai, Neelambur forest reserves packed jointly forms an excellent bio reserve. Any time of the year, you can spot elephant herds, packs of deer, peacocks, wild buffaloes, leopards here in dusk. A state highway passes through these forest range for 60 kms as the forests borders TN, Kerala and Karnataka.


You can take a ride into the forests with the elephant in Bandipur or Mudumalai. With luck, you may see tiger. A statistic display on the board gives details on the last tiger sighted.

Accomodation provided by TTDC and KSTDC or excellent. Though you have to go early or book in advance. You also need to book your dinner the moment you step in. I missed the cook first day and travelled to the sleepy Masinagudi town to fix my stomach

The Moyar river flows through the forest and the calm surroundings here gives you eerie feel. Overall a nice place and I feel guilty in promoting and sending urbanites to such a wonderful ecosystem.

How to reach there ?
You take the road from Bangalore to Mysore and
then proceed to Chamarajnagar. From there you proceed to Gudalur. A private vehicle is excellent to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Time to spend :Two-Three days.
Where to Stay : TTDC at Masinagudi or KSTDC cottages in Bandipur.
Costs : Around Rs.500/- for non-AC cottages.
What to take: Tropical cottons, fully loaded cameras.

Chenchu Tribal Museum

You will find a unusual tribal museum in Srisailam, giving us brief history of Chenchu tribes and their strict customs and skills. The forest here is dense and the tribes lead undisturbed life. Things changed in 1952, when AP govt. constructed a motorable road to this place. Now we can see some tribes interacting with tourists showing their drums and other wares.

The museum has two floors, each cell describes about different tribes. You also a find a percussion room, where you can try your drum beating skills here and enjoy some different sounds.

How to reach there ?

You take the road from Hyderabad and reach Atmakur or drive from Ongole and take Guntur-Kurnool road from Dornala to reach Srisailam. There are no roads from other sides. The museum is visible and is at the entrance of the Srisailam town.

Time to spend : 1 Hour
Entry tickets : Rs. 5/- per person
What to take : Cameras not allowed , though you may get special permission if you request them.

Alamparai Fort, an amazing history

This is an ancient town (now Kadapakkatrum village) with a history dating back to centuries. This tiny place on the east coast was used as a port to export zari, pepper, salt and ghee in ancient times. Also we gather that this famous ECR was once a beaten road to Rameswaram for pilgrims. Must have been a buzzing place in those days. Even ancient poems refers this place as

Idaikazhainadu

The ruined fort in the picture was built by musilm rulers during 1746 AD by Nawab of Carnatic Dost.Alikhan. However, by 1760, this fort was destroyed by the Britishers. This fort was also destroyed by 2004 tsunami.

Now it looks like a small fishing hamlet with scenic backwaters.


How to reach there ?

You take the ECR from Chennai and drive past Mahabalipuram, you will find a small sign post on the left side guiding you. If you zip past you might miss.

Time to spend : 30-45 minutes.
Entry tickets : Nil, this place is in ruins and anyone can walk in .
Ask the fisherman around, to take you a ride on the water to view the fort from sea.

A nice place for lovers of history to explore the fort ruins.

Srisailam Temple

After a 60 km drive from Dornala, 10 km on the Nallamalai hills you will reach Srisailam. This place was inaccesseblile from other sides. This is a part of the largest forest tiger reserves in the country. Very quiet motorable road and one can see peacocks, lizards in dusk. If you have time, also visit the hydroelectric project and dam.

The ancient temple is of religious signifiance where you can worship Lord Malligarjunaswamy and his consort Bhramaramba Devi. The temple has excellent sculptures carved in its outer walls like you find in Hampi.
A refreshing, calm and serene place amidst mountains.

How to reach there ?
You take the road from Hyderabad and reach Atmakur or drive from Ongole and take Guntur-Kurnool road from Dornala to reach Srisailam. There are no roads from other sides.

Time to spend : One day.
Where to Stay : APTourism Punami cottages are excellent around Rs.700/- for A/c and Rs.500 for non-AC cottages.

Markapur Temple

The place around Markapur is internationally famous for its granite and slate pencils. You can see many quarries and houses built of broken stones, enroute to this place
Another attraction is the Sri Lakshmi Chennakesava Swamy temple , built by the Vijayanagar rulers during 15th century.
It has a slim and tall gopuram, with beautiful sculptures.The pillars in the main mandapam are also famous for their sculptures. The temple window is constructed in such a way that sun rays falls at Chennakesava deity's feet during the auspicous month of December -January.

Overall, Markapur, is a small town 94 kms from Ongole on the banks of the river Gundlakamma river.
You may drop on the way to Srisailam temple/Tiger reserve.

How you reach there ?
You take the NH5 road from Chennai or take State highways to reach Kurnool. The place is remote and situated in a dry belt. The nearest major towns are 100 kms apart. So plan your lunch/stay elsewhere.

Time to spend : 1 Hours
What to take : Cameras allowed till the main mandapam.

Ranganthittu, the perfect Bird Sanctuary

One of the best bird sanctuary I ve seen.
A very quiet place with birds minding their business in the cool Cauvery river.

You can do many things here. Take a quiet nap in the tree shades as time goes by. If you are an avid bird watcher, take the boat ride and
spot as many varieties you can identify.

Birds are quiet and so are the crocodiles basking in sun.
But your heart will miss a beat or two if you
spot the crocks nearby your boat.


With the boat, rowing slowly, you enjoy them as if they
You are watching a movie, where one bird replaces other. You get amazed by the sheer number of birds and their colors and you will feel sad, as the boat ride comes to an end.

So, when you are anywhere near Mysore next time
Don’t rush past and miss this beatufiful place.

How you reach there ?

You take the Mysore road from Bangalore (the roads are being widened now and it takes more time), and drive upto Srirangapatna, then take the road to Hunsur and the Rangathittu road. You will end up in the sancturary. It is beatuiful with bamboo groves and a peaceful atmosphere. Do go there on week day so you can miss the weekend picnic people.

Time to spend : 2 Hours to 3 Hours (For bird watchers in days)
Entry tickets : Rs. 20/- per person + cab charges
What to take : Cameras and lot of film rolls or battery+memory cards, mineral water and eatables.

Pichavaram Mangroves

Pichavaram is an area of around 3000 acres full of mangroves.
.
These are rare kind of ecosystem, where plants grow in the inter-tidal zone.

You enjoy these watery trees from a boat with the boatman acting as
your guide. He will reel out stories, escapades, cinema shootings and
also amazingly some of the botanical names of the birds, flora and fauna.

If you are lucky, you may see some water snakes or fox cubs.

Some of the mangroves are dense and and you have to bend, crawl
to get around those overhanging trees.

Totally you take them as a unique experience where you would
have discovered yet another nature's dimension.

How you reach there ?
You take the ECR from Chennai, the well built and the scenic road to Pondicherry and continue upto Chidambaram. Before Chidambaram, you take a left turn to Pichavaram. The nearest railway station and airport is Trichy which is 168 kms away.

Time to spend : 2 Hours to 3 Hours
Entry tickets : Rs. 25/-
What to take : Cameras and lot of film rolls or battery+memory cards, mineral water and eatables.

Munnar, the perfect holiday

A must see place in Kerala in south India. Munnar has expansive tea estates, lush mountains, silver like water falls and breathtaking sceneries.

How to reach there ?

You take the road from Madurai and travel to Usilampetti-Theni-Bodinayakkanur roads. The roads are scenic and less populous. (Or from Kochi, which has an international airport and drive to Munnar)

After Bodinayakannur, the climb starts where
you go through hair pin bends and the treachery roads.

As I am writing this (Mar2006), the new mountain roads and bridges
are being built and the roads are closed during daytime.

After TN border, you drive straight into tea estates, cardomom plantations and the winding roads welcomes you to Munnar.

If you have 3-4 days and the need to unwind, Munnar is the perfect place. A very calm town, with few people to bother and yet you get most modern comforts.

You have serene lakes, with picturesque sceneries where you step into a powerboat and get the thrill of the mountain winds or a pedal boat and disappear into a different world.

At every corner, waits a view which makes to pull your car aside to enjoy the view


Some highlights of Munnar

Nyayamakad (10 km from Munnar)
– Breathtaking waterfalls from 1600 meters

Matupettty dam – A beautiful picnic spot with facilities for power boats

Rajamala (15 km from Munnar)
The natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr, where you can find them in small herds.


Eravikulam National Park – A Wildlife animal reserve, where you can find mountain ranges so beautiful comparable to the best in the world.


Top Station

Note : Do enquire around in the place you stay to get some idea of the place before you explore.

Chittanavasal Fresco Paintings

Sittanvasal , 15 kms away from Pudukottai is a rock cut jain temple, international renowned for painting of 2000 years old. These were painted in fresco style with mineral colours. You will find paintings of lotus pond, lillies, fish, elephants and buffaloes. These paintings are comparable only to the paintings of Ajanta

How you go there ?
You get down to Pudukottai by road which are decent State Highways.

The nearest airport is Trichy, from there you may take a cab.

Time to Spend : 1 to 2 Hours
Time to reach from Trichy : 2 Hrs.

Expense : Rs. 5 for Indians and US$100 for Foreigners

Note : Cameras not allowed inside

You may find rare collections of archeology, anthropology, geology in a nearby Government museum in Pudukottai. This museum is open on all days except Fridays and second Saturdays.

Rock Fort Temple, Trichy

Location : Trichy, (320 kms from
Chennai, nearest
International Airport,
Tamil Nadu, INDIA


Rockfort is an ancient temple tunneled in oldest rocks and built as an fort. This engineering marvel belongs to 8th century AD built by Pallava Kingdom. The rocks are said to be 3800 years old (older than Himalayas)


You reach the top of this fort by climbing 417 steps (100 metres ) and can enjoy the panoramic view of the river cauvery and city of Trichy.

How you go there ?

You get down to Trichy which has an airport,
well connected by bus, train and roads.

Rockfort temple is in centre of the town and a landmark of its own.
You make a short climb, which may be little tiring
but worth it. After halfway, you
get refreshed by nice breeze flowing out of small windows
cut through the walls of the fort.

At a fork, left is Thayumanaswamy temple and right
is the way to top. Both are worth visiting.
Don't miss the archeological sculptures on the way to top...

Time to spend : 2 Hours to 3 Hours
Time Allowed : Morning 5 AM to Evening 9 PM
Expense : Neglibile Entry tickets
What to take : Cameras and Camera permission ticket

Highlights are :

• Thayumanaswamy temple, an architectural wonder with 100 pillar hall with many sculputres and paintings.
  
• The colossal painting of ambal on the ceiling, where the eyes
  of ambal will look at you from any angle like the famed Monalisa.

• Famed tunnel underway, which is claimed to reach Uraiyur Palace, a town few kms
  away from the fort (Closed now by Archeological Survey of India)

My first blog post

Asatomaa satgamaya -- lead me from untruth to truth
tamaso maa jyotir gamaya -- lead me from darkness to light
mrutyormaa amrutam gamaya -- lead me from death to eternity

Upanishad

Ever since humans started to think, these things ponder in ones mind.

Who created universe ?,
Where was I before my birth?
Why war and famine happen ? and why people suffer ?
Where do I go from here ?

Early man started to move around to find these answers
as if they could be found some where in universe.

Sometimes, these thoughts occur even in our current buzzing life.
Making us wonder about our futility of our current life.

Sometimes, our life gets into a tangle and
we need to get some answers
which are not easy to come by in our daily routines.

We find the need to travel to discover something within.

Travel aids our quest for knowledge, it expands our mind horizon

In this journey, one may find the true answers to the first question.

Till that time, the journey continues….



In this space, I keep writing about travels and places