Jungle Lodges chain to expand in Karnataka - One in Khanapur, Belgaum

Jungle Lodges & Resorts (JLR) of the state tourism department is expanding its operations in Karnataka to promote eco-tourism under public-private partnership, a top official said Monday.

'Besides opening up five more resorts in select tourist hot spots, we are inviting entrepreneurs from the health sector to set up health and wellness centres in strategic locations across the state to promote tourism in a holistic way,' Jungle Lodges managing director N.D. Tiwari told reporters here.

The profit-making state-run agency is investing Rs.5-7 crore in each of the five resort projects over the next 12 months to create and expand capacity for stay and leisure activities.

'Our game plan is to see more natural vistas are opened up to travellers or tourists in the state and facilitate that they experience the rich flora and fauna, heritage, weekend getaways, wildlife and allied leisure in the state,' Tiwari said.

The three-decade-old JLR operates 13 eco and wildlife resorts at exotic locations in the state, with about 80 percent occupancy rate round the year.

The new eco resorts are coming up at Vilaspur in Bidar district, Talakalale at Jog in Shimoga district, Hampi in Bellary district, Pilikula Nisarga Dhama in Mangalore district, at Khanapur in Belgaum district and Yagachi in Hassan district.

'Resorts at Vilaspur, Talakalale and Hampi will be completed by 2011, while those proposed at Khanapur and Yagachi are awaiting approval from the central government and the central zoo authority,' Tiwari said.

In fiscal 2009-10, the resorts had about 80,000 guests, including 40 percent repeat customers.

Unlike in the past, the profile of guests has undergone a sea change, with domestic tourists accounting for 75 percent of the total guests.

'About 70 percent of the domestic tourists are from this tech hub comprising techies, executives, nature lovers and their families,' Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) Managing Director Vinay Luthra said.

As the country's largest eco and wildlife resort chain, JLR has been providing authentic nature experiences to travellers in idyllic settings.

Tatler's Travel Guide has rated JLR's Kabini River Lodge as one of the top wildlife resorts in the world.

The company is also developing a night safari in Bannerghata national park on the outskirts of Bangalore at an estimated cost of Rs.80 crore.

Though JLR survived the impact of slowdown last fiscal with a flat revenue generation of Rs.27 crore as against Rs.26 crore in previous fiscal (2008-09), it is projecting Rs.32 crore turnover this fiscal (2010-11), with about 90,000 guests.

The company posted Rs.4.24 crore net profit in fiscal 2009-10 as against Rs.4.02 crore in fiscal 2008-09.

World’s largest steel maker ArcelorMittal has shortlisted four sites in Bellary, Koppal, Bijapur and Dharwad districts in north Karnataka to set up its six-million tonne integrated steel plant at an investment of a whopping Rs 30,000 crore

The company officials recently inspected these places for land. They will finalise a location within a few days and inform the Government before the next high-level clearance committee meeting, where the project will be taken up for clearance. The steel giant requires around 4,000 acre land to set up its plant. ArcelorMittal plans to invest a total Rs 50,000 crore in the State in two phases. Besides a steel plant, they want to set up a 750 mega watt power generation plant. These projects, if implemented, will provide employment to 10,000 people, Chief Minister Yeddyurappa told reporters after holding a meeting with ArcelorMittal Group Management Board Member Sudhir Maheshwari and Executive Vice President Vijay Kumar Bhatnagar and other company officials on Friday. “Only preliminary discussions have been held with the company officials on the project. The final decision will be taken shortly. The Government has assured its full support to these projects,” he stated. Industries Minister Murugesh Nirani said: “Once the high-level clearance committee headed by the CM clears the project, the Government will acquire the required land for the company within six months,” he added. Vijay Kumar Bhatnagar said the company was yet to finalise the site. The plant would require about 300 million tonnes of iron ore, and the State government has assured to provide incentives and concessions as per the 2009 Industrial Policy of the State. Chief Secretary S V Ranganath said it would take six months for the Government and the company to enter into an agreement for implementing the project. It would take another three to four years for the company to start the production in Karnataka. Company Chairman and CEO Lakshmi N Mittal in a release after the meeting, said: “It will be an honour for ArcelorMittal to be part of Karnataka’s industrial development and we are looking forward to work closely with the State government as the project progresses. Our team had a constructive and positive meeting in response to an invitation from the Karnataka Government.”

Army recruitment rally on November 4

Source: http://www.hindu.com/2009/10/23/stories/2009102354740500.htm


Belgaum: The Army Recruitment Office, Headquarters Recruiting Zone, Bangalore, will hold a recruitment rally in Bangalore on November 4 for posts of ‘X’ and ‘Y’ of the Havildar Education Group of Education Corps of the Indian Army.

Candidates who are permanent residents of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bidar, Bagalkot, Bellary, Dharwad, Gulbarga, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal and Raichur districts are eligible to take part in the rally. The other eligibility conditions are M.A./M.Sc./MCA or B.A./B.Sc./BCA with B.Ed. pass for the post of ‘X’ post. Those who are applying for the post of ‘Y’ should have passed B.A./B.Sc./BCA/ with B.Ed.

According to a press release here on Thursday, the physical and medical tests for the candidates will be conducted on November 4, while the written tests will be held on December 20. The admission cards to the candidates will be distributed through the Recruitment Office in Belgaum Fort between October 24 and 28. The candidates should appear before the officers concerned along with all the necessary testimonials and documents. For details, contact 080-25006567/25006569, 0831-2465550 or 0824-2458376.

Karnataka identifies 1.6 lakh acres for industrial layouts (Foundry Park in Belgaum)

Bangalore (PTI): Karnataka government has identified 1,60,039 acres of land for forming industrial layouts, Large and Medium Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani said on Monday.

He informed the Legislative Assembly that the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) had initiated action to acquire the land and develop it in a phased manner.

The Minister noted that the Government had approved, in the 2009-10 budget, for forming industrial areas in 1,000-2,000 acres not fit for agriculture in each district at an investment of Rs 1,000 crore.

Listing the initiatives for intensive industrial development in north Karnataka, Nirani said 10,000 acres of steel zone would be established in Koppal, Bellary and Bagalkot districts.

"Foundry park will be established through KIADB on 500 acres in Macche village of Belgaum district", he said. "Spice park will be established on 120 acres in Byadagi in Haveri district through Food Karnataka Ltd.".

The Minister said an auto park would be set up on 20-25 acres adjoining national highway of Basavakalyana in Bidar district, adding artisans engaged in preparation of silver ornaments in Mangur village in Belgaum district would be provided with living-cum-worksheds and other infrastructure facilities on 50 acres.

Army recruitment rally next month

DHARWAD: Belgaum’s Army Recruitment Unit will conduct army recruitment at the district stadium in Haveri from May 4 to May 9. Candidates in the age group of seventeen-and-a-half to 23 with a pass in SSLC or PUC are eligible. The recruitment rally is open for candidates of Belgaum, Bijapur, Bidar, Bagalkot, Gulbarga, Koppal, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Bellary and Raichur districts.
The candidates will be selected through physical test and then a written test, a release said. — Staff Correspondent

A onestop shop for you at the rly station @ Bangalore City, Shimoga, Hassan, Bellary, Dharwad

Source: http://www.topnews.in/onestop-shop-you-rly-station-2130722

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd (IRCTC) is planning to set up one-stop food stores in railway stations across India by June this year.

And here's the best part. Bangalore will be the first city to have such a facility. "Passengers have to go stall-hopping for colas, snacks and books. We are trying to integrate stalls scattered across stations into six to seven large format stores where passengers can buy everything under one roof," IRCTC chief regional manager (South Western Zone) S Gagarin said on the sidelines of the CII 9th annual tourism summit. IRCTC is also trying to rope in KFC and McDonald's for standalone outlets at the stations.

With 85 percent of IRCTC's revenue coming from the food segment, Gagarin expects the kitty to grow with the plan. IRCTC is also planning to roll out fast food joints across nine stations in Karnataka —Bangalore City, Shimoga, Hassan, Bellary, Dharwad.

Sobia Khan/ DNA-Daily News & Analysis Source: 3D Syndication

Sunil Mantri unveils Karnataka plans

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/news/Sunil-Mantri-unveils-Karnataka-plans/368008/

Mumbai-based real estate major Sunil Mantri Realty Ltd (SMRL) would promote projects worth around Rs 20,000 crore across the country in the next eight years, a top official of the company said.

Launching a residential project christened 'Mantri Royale' in Bangalore, Sunil Mantri, chairman of SMRL, said the projects would be part-funded through a mix of internal accruals and debt.

SMRL is betting big on Karnataka and Tier II and Tier III cities. He said the projects with an overall outlay of Rs 2,500 crore would be promoted in Karnataka in the next five years. The company's equity in Karantaka projects would be around Rs 500 crore and another Rs 500 crore will be a debt fund while the remaining funds would come from customer advances.

He said the company would launch two residential projects in 2008 and six mega township projects each with minimum of 25 acres in 2009 in Bangalore. SMRL has earmarked Rs 350 - Rs 400 crore for these projects, he added. In addition a township project covering 200 acres would be developed in Belgaum, a Tier II city in Karnataka. Other Tier II cities in Karnataka under the company's scrutiny are Mysore, Bellary and Hubli, he added. Currently, SMRL has presence in 15 cities and will spread across to another 25 cities by 2012. He also said that budget houses in the range of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh would also be promoted in the coming years.

16 cities in State to get FM

Source: Deccan Herald (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan132008/scroll2008011346380.asp?section=updatenews)


The private FM radio explosion will soon embrace the hinterland of India, going into the smallest of towns, and among the beneficiaries will be residents of 16 places in Karnataka.
The Broadcast Engineering Consultants India Ltd (BECIL), a government body tasked with formulating the growth plan of FM radio, has said in a report that the Phase-III of private FM radio expansion should focus on small town India.
Accordingly, BECIL has suggested to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) that the Phase-III expansion should focus on 237 ‘C’ and ‘D’ category towns in addition to some ‘A’ and ‘B’ category cities.
Expansion process
mooter_page_section="AdUnit2";

If the expansion process goes ahead as envisaged after TRAI gives its recommendations that will be formulated after receiving the inputs of all stakeholders to a consultation paper it has issued earlier this week.
People of Karnataka will be one of the major beneficiaries of this expansion as a number of places will be brought under the FM radio map when it is implemented.
According to the list of cities suggested by BECIL where FM stations should be allowed in the State are Belgaum, Bellary, Devangere, Hubli-Dharwad (all four stations each), Bijapur, Bidar, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Gadag Betigeri, Hospet, Hassan, Kolar, Raichur, Shimoga, Tumkur and Udupi (all 3 stations each).

MUSIC TO EARS
According to the list of cities suggested by BECIL where FM stations should be allowed in the State are Belgaum, Bellary, Devangere, Hubli-Dharwad (all four stations each), Bijapur, Bidar, Chitradurga, Chikmagalur, Gadag Betigeri, Hospet, Hassan, Kolar, Raichur, Shimoga, Tumkur and Udupi (all 3 stations each).