Blackberry Lab likely in Vizag

By SNV Sudhir

 Visakhapatnam, Jan 17, 2014:  Canadian handset maker, Blackberry is likely to set up its innovation lab “Rubus Labs’ in Vizag on the lines of a similar one at Kochi’s Startup village. The centre will be set up in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government.  

According to sources in department of of information technology and communications (IT & C), a team of officials from state IT department and union minister of state for IT office visited Kochi and interacted with Blackberry team and offered AP’s value proposition.

State government also invited the team to Vizag to see the facilities available here in the city. It will be a joint venture of state government and Blackberry.  The Rubus Labs engage student developers converge and brainstorm app ideas to solve real world problems.

The Canadian handset giant’s Kochi facility is its first innovation zone in Asia Pacific.  Rubus Labs are to nurture a substantial number of young entrepreneurs to work on mobile technology.

Through Research in Motion (RIM) of Blackberry students will get great support through training sessions under Blackberry Apps under students entrepreneur scheme. It is an effort to showcase the latest in BlackBerry technologies to inspire future entrepreneurs.

 Blackberry is looking at localised apps through various centres across India to develop applications relevant to the local community.

Currently, Blackberry has close to 46,000 registered developers. “Blackberry team also met state IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah and the department secretary last year during their visit to Valuelabs in Hyderabad. We have interacted with the Blackberry team and understood the model of their proposed labs and invited them to visit Vizag.  We have given our value proposition from our side. At present they are busy with issues related to change in the management at the company,” said source at state’s IT & C department told this correspondent.

 Vizag Development Council (VDC) and Rushikonda IT Park Association (RITPA) president, O Naresh Kumar said that Vizag needs to be promoted as the next IT destination in the state to attract more companies both big small and medium that provide more employment to local youth. 

Bheemili port on track, Consultant submits DFR

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 13, 2014: Things on the proposed satellite port at Bheemili seems to be on fast track. The consultant appointed by the Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT), Architecture, Engineering, Consulting, Operations and Maintenance (AECOM) Technology Corporation to study the proposal has submitted its Detailed Feasibility Report (DFR) last week.

The VPT authorities are now busy evaluating the report. The VPT officers will be sending the report back to the Consultant with comments on certain issues after which a final report would be sent to the union government after fine tuning it for further procedure.

AECOM studied topographical, hydrological and other relevant aspects like projected traffic down the line two decades, to establish a port. The DFR was prepared for both satellite port and a fishing harbour at Bheemili after calling global tenders. 

Around 12 firms including some globally renowned, responded to the global tenders. The consultant firm submitted the report in two covers one – technical proposal and another financial proposal.  VPT is likely to begin operations with an initial cargo handling capacity of 15 to 20 million tonnes at Bheemili port.

VPT has 172 acres at Mulakedu near Bheemili with waterfront area of two kilometers. The land was allotted by the revenue department in lieu of 240 acres VPT surrendered for the expansion of INS Dega Airport.

“The consultant had submitted the report and we are evaluating it. We have had some queries regarding traffic. The consultant had said traffic from the present Vizag port can be diverted to the proposed port at Bheemili. But we want the new port to be self sustainable. We will be sending our remarks and comments very soon to the consultant. They have also gave 3 to 4 layouts and we will have to choose the best economically viable layout,” VPT deputy chairman, GVL Satya Kumar told this correspondent.

The financial aspects of the minor port will be decided by the union government after the VPT finalises the DFR. 

BJP for changes in T Bill

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 10, 2014:  Desperately trying to gain ground in Seemandhra, due to its sagging image in the region with the stance taken on the state bifurcation and the Samaikyandhra stir, BJP leaders from coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema have asked the party central leadership to tell the Centre to make certain amendments to the AP Reorganisation Bill when it is introduced in parliament.

The BJP’s Seemandhra leaders also want their party leadership to insist on voting on the amendments to the Bill proposed by them to gain some points in the region. Seemandhra leaders would be again visiting Delhi to meet the party’s key leaders on Jan 18 and 19 during BJP national executive meeting.

The Seemandhra BJP leaders had already submitted a note to their party national leaders on the changes that are to be made to the AP Reorganisation Bill. They have pointed at least 10 changes that are to be made related to revenue sharing, common capital, constitutional amendment, solid and time bound assurances on various infrastructure projects in Seemandhra and most importantly, issues related to construction of Polavaram project like inclusion of Badhrachalam division into Seemandhra, to change Polavaram project into multipurpose project than a mere irrigation project as mentioned in Bill.

A delegation of BJP leaders from Seemandhra led by the party national disciplinary committee member and former MLA, Kambhampati Haribabu met BJP national president Rajnath Singh during his  recent visit to Hyderabad and reiterated their demand that the central leadership should ensure that the concerns of Seemandhra be raised in the parliament when the Bill is tabled.

It was reliably learnt that this time the Seemandhra leaders have also asked the central leadership to introduce the amendments to be made to the Bill for the benefit of Seemandhra and also go for voting on them. The strategy is that the party can claim in the ground that they have fought for the benefit of the region and also expose the stance of ruling Congress MPs and other parties involved in the issue.

“The Bill has nothing to offer for Seemandhra region. Union government has meted out a raw deal to the region. They have done it unilaterally with severe injustice to the region. They should make changes to the Bill. No doubt BJP is for the division at the same time Seemandhra interests has to be protected. If BJP government comes to power at Centre in 2014 under the leadership of Narendra Modi we will ensure that Seemandhra gets its right share and fair deal,” Kambhampati Haribabu told this correspondent.

The BJP has already begun its mission of showing Congress in poor light in the region over the raw deal to Seemadhra in the Bill. On Friday BJP cadres in large scale staged protests across the 11 districts of Seemandhra against the AP reorganization Bill. In Vizag party cadres in large numbers  gathered at the Gandhi statue opposite to GVMC office and staged protest raising slogans against Congress led UPA. 

Eleven wonders: Big push for tourism projects

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 10, 2014: In a welcome move which can change the face of Vizag as tourists’ destination, the state government had finally agreed to a revenue sharing mode in launching various tourism projects that were proposed long back and then pushed into cans.

It was reported in these columns earlier that the policy of state tourism department to entrust the projects to private players on lease basis instead of Hyderabad model of revenue sharing, had discouraged many potential private parties to take up the projects.

The state GoM on tourism promotion, which met recently, gave in principle nod for revenue sharing mode. Fresh bids will be called in this month and the agreements with the private parties will be signed by March 31. 

The consultant appointed by the Centre and the state government, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) prepared more than 11 Detailed Project Reports (DPR), two years back and 29 firms responded to the global expression of interests called last year for five of the DPRs. However, none came forward to sign the agreements with the state government to kick start the works.

After identifying the city’s tourism potential and its rich natural resources, the union government in 2011 entrusted the job of preparing a blue print of ‘attractions’ to be set up in Vizag to India's leading infrastructure development and finance firm, IL&FS.

The IL & FS officials have prepared DPRs for around 11 mega tourism projects at a cost of Rs 1,800 cr. Of the 11, around 5 projects at a cost of Rs 850 cr were approved in principle by the union tourism ministry.

Global tenders were also called for 5 projects. Around 29 submitted their technical and financial bids, out of which, 28 were qualified. The tourism department had also finalised the tenders after receiving request of proposals from the successful qualified bidders.  But no firm has evinced interest in signing the agreements after looking into the actual modalities of handling the project.

The state government had fixed the land price at Rs 4 crs per acre and asked the successful bidders to pay 5 percent of the price as an annual lease amount per acre. The lease policy has discouraged the potential bidders.

The IL & FS has recently written to the state government to review the policy to attract investors.

“The GoM has given its nod to revenue sharing mode. We will very soon begin the bidding process again probably by this month. The agreements are expected to be signed by March 31 and subsequently works will begin,” IL & FS, vice president and south head, S Srinivas told this correspondent.

The 5 DPRs belonged to Multi Theme Park at Madhurawada in 100 acres, Wonders of the world park at Yendada in 40 acres, international convention centre at Madhurawada in 20 acres, science city near Thotlakonda in 25 acres and Arogyadham-traditional health care centre at Madhurawada in 20 acres.

The remaining 6 projects are giant Ferris wheel, Vizag Eye, on the lines of London Eye,  fourth generation aqua Marine Park with 180degree view, for which a suitable location is identified at Endada, a sea cruise terminal, dedicated tourism train to Araku, rope way at
Meghadrigedda and another theme park. All the works would be taken up under PPP mode.

PCPIR: No plan to preserve Buddhist heritage

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 8, 2014 : Heritage lovers are surprised to know that the authorities of PCPIR have ignored valuable heritage sites connected to Buddhism and that there are no plans to preserve them from the large scale industrial projects proposed between Vizag and Kakinada.

In reply to an RTI query it was revealed that the PCPIR authorities have not so far consulted the Department of Archaeology on the location of these archaeological sites and the areas surrounding them which are to be protected under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010.

In an attempt to attract global investments in petroleum sector, union government planned PCPIR in Andhra Pradesh between Vizag and Kakinada.  Accordingly state government formed a special purpose vehicle- Visakhapatnam- Kakinada Petroleum Chemical Petrochemical Investment Region Special Development Authority   (VK PCPIR SDA) and a G O 373 was issued in this regard in 2008.

Several archaeological sites dating back to the 1st century BC are in the area notified under PCPIR between Vizag and Kakinada. They form extremely valuable heritage of the country as well as the region.

Some such sites like Rakasimetta and Gopalapatnam have been partially excavated, some like Veeralametta, Seetamma Konda, Boobi Konda, Gudivadametta and Amalapuram  have been identified by the department of archeology, but not yet excavated and some like Peda Uppalam have been surveyed superficially but yet to be fully investigated. However no thorough investigation has so far been conducted to identify, classify, excavate and protect the sites which lie in the area.

As per initial estimates the PCPIR corridor was to be developed in a total area of 603. 58 sq kms comprising 110 revenue villages in 10 mandals of both Vizag and East Godavari districts. Now it has been enhanced by 640sqkms. 

State government appointed APIIC as the nodal agency for development of PCPIR and planning to invest around Rs 19, 031 crores to provide infrastructure. Government aimed to attract Rs 3.43lakh crore investments with employment potential of 12 lakhs. 

“If the PCPIR goes ahead acquiring land and setting it apart for use for industry without consulting the department of archaeology, it is likely that some of the areas protected under the  Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (Amendments & Validation) Act 2010 will get encroached upon, in violation of the Act,” said Rani Sarma, member of INTACH, who filed a petition under RTI Act with the department of archeology.

 She also filed another petition with the VK PCPIR Special Development Authority (SDA) seeking if there was any plan to protect these sites for which the reply was in negative.  “The PCPIR authorities should refer the matter to the Department of Archaeology immediately, have a survey conducted, identify the ancient sites, and take all measures to protect the sites before any construction activity takes place in the notified area of PCPIR,” she added. 

Mystery of sunken Pak submarine

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 20, 2014: The mysterious sinking of the Pakistani submarine Ghazi during the 1971 war in the approach channel at Vizag harbour continous to pose many questions. While the Indian Navy claims to have intercepted it before it neared the harbour approach channel and exploded it using depth charges released by INS Rajput, the other version is that that the presence of the submarine under the sea was known only after an accidental explosion aboard the submarine while the Pak crew was laying mines to hit the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and other key installations in Vizag.

According to a veteran eye witness, captain Lawrence Nathanieal, founder president of War Veteran’s Party (WVP),  who was working on a Visakhapatnam Port Trust (VPT) crane MV Hanuman at the harbour channel at the time said that it was the local fishermen who had located the submarine as the navy personnel were not sure about its whereabouts.

“ The then Eastern Naval Command (ENC), chief, vice admiral Krishnan announced sops to the fishermen and also felicitated them at Jagadamba junction on a grand note for identifying the sunk submarine,” captain Lawrence told this correspondent. He worked on INS Vikrant as a sailor from 1962-64 and later joined merchant navy and started working as master mariner.

Explaining the incident, the captain said that at around midnight on Dec 3, 1971, people from night show cinema were returning home, when an earthquake like situation occurred. The window panes of the guest house they were residing opposite King George Hospital broke. “We all came running from first floor to ground floor and lots of people gathered at the junction, started talking about earth quake,” he said.

Captain Lawrence had to report Vizag Port Control (VPC) next day morning to collect shipping movements’ timings. “To my surprise VPC was fully taken over by Navy. Through reliable sources I came to know that there was an explosion out at sea and the Indian Navy was groping in dark. Vice admiral Krishnan alerted fishermen with good incentives to those who locate any suspicious object floating. Three lucky fishermen found the sunken submarine Gazi which was under buoyancy floating below water level in a submerged condition at a depth of around 30 meters. The admiral kept his promise and there was a function at Jagadamba theatre later to felicitate the fishermen,” he said.

PNS Ghazi (SS 479) was a United States-built submarine that was leased by Pakistan in 1963. It operated in the 1965 and 1971 wars between India and Pakistan and was Pakistan's first submarine and remained the flagship submarine for Pakistan Navy until it sank in 1971.

The Pak submarine was capable of laying mines. The debris of the submarine is still lying at the sea bed close to harbour channel and shown on navigational maps to avoid that route while entering port.

Gazi sailed almost 1800kms from west coast to east coast of India via Colombo to sink Vikrant.

Retired Lt General JFR Jacob, who was considered as hero of the 1971 India Pakistan war, also in an earlier occasion said that in December first week he received a call from Vice Admiral Krishnan, who said that fishermen had found some floating wreckage, and that he had gone to the site where the wreckage was found. Krishnan said he had no doubt that the wreckage was that of the Ghazi and that the sinking of the submarine i was an act of god. He stated that the Navy was unaware that the Ghazi had sunk. He had rewarded the fishermen who had found the wreckage. 

Land delay holds up IT centre

By SNV Sudhir

Visakhapatnam, Jan 16, 2014: While the state government’s IT incubation centre, which is under construction at Rushikonda is being delayed, the proposal to develop another incubation centre by Union government’s department of IT and communications' Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), has remained a non- starter.

It has been more than two years that the Centre has the administrative nod, released funds, but the state government has failed to allot land for the proposed IT Incubation and Innovation centre in the city with plug and play facilities.

Though the facility was initially planned at the APIIC’s IT SEZ in Gambheeram, the location was dropped as it was far away from the city.

Later, Vuda allotted a site which was leased to a private party earlier near its office. However, the allotment ran into rough weather, as the site lease owner approached a court questioning the cancellation of lease.

“It is unfortunate that the state government could not allot a piece of land in the city for the IT incubation centre which can actually attract lot of small, medium IT companies to city. These companies generate lot of employment opportunities to locals. There is also no promotion policy in place. The concentration in and around Hyderabad is still on. The proposal to set up incubation centre by STPI has been pending for some years,” said Rushikonda IT Park Association vice- president, O. Naresh Kumar.

Another site that was identified by Vuda was also leased to another private firm to develop an IT tower under Public-Private Partnership mode. But the allottee has delayed to launch works.
The incubation centre under construction at Rushikonda has not seen much progress yet either.
The construction of the centre was supposed to be finished by the end of 2013, but only 40 per cent was completed.

IT minister Ponnala Lakshmaiah had laid the foundation stone for the incubation centre in January last year.

STPI currently operates an incubation facility at Duvvada near the Visakhapatnam Special Economic Zone.

The Duvvada facility has 150 seats.

“We are in touch with the Vuda and the talks regarding incubation centre proposal are in final stage. Very soon the works will begin. We are planning a plug and play facility in an area of one lakh square feet,” said an STPI senior official.