Concrete

Mumbai, the top pick for realty investors: Knight Frank

Published

14 years ago

November 25, 2012

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Buyers across India looking at realty for pure investment reasons should consider Mumbai as the top pick, says real-estate consultant Knight Frank. According to Knight Frank’s investment advisory report released last week the top three investment destinations from across India where prices have risen more than 125 per cent are from Mumbai – Ulwe, Chembur and Wadala.

Ulwe topped the list of 13 destinations where prices may rise between 91 per cent and 145 per cent over the next five years. Prices in the area are expected to jump from an average of Rs 4,000 a sq. ft in 2012 to a forecasted average price of Rs 9,800.

The consultant rated Ulwe as the top pick, as Ulwe will immensely benefit by the upcoming Seawood urban-suburban rail network, which shall connect it to prominent office hubs through a mass rapid-transport system.

With property options ranging from Rs 3,200 a sq. ft to Rs 15,000 a sq. ft and investor returns in the range of 18.6 per cent to 29 per cent a year, residential real estate will emerge as a promising asset class for the next five years, said Gulam Zia, Executive Director (Retail, Advisory And Hospitality), Knight Frank.

From Mumbai, Delhi-NCR, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune, 13 destinations were identified from over 100 urban centres in the country based on assessment of real-estate drivers including employment, physical infrastructure, connectivity to important locations, access to social infrastructure, planned development, proximity to premium office spaces and land availability.

Concrete

Cement Firms to Invest Rs. 130 bn in Green Energy by FY28

Cement companies plan to expand clean energy capacity to 6 GW by FY28

Published

1 day ago

September 17, 2026

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India’s major cement companies are set to raise their clean energy capacity to 6 GW by March 2028 from around 4 GW at the end of March 2026, according to ratings agency ICRA. The planned expansion is expected to involve investments of Rs. 130 bn over the next two years.

The additional capacity could generate annual savings of Rs. 62 bn to Rs. 67 bn, resulting in an estimated payback period of 1.8 to 2.2 years. Cement is an emission-intensive industry, and leading producers have established net-zero roadmaps covering the next 15 to 20 years.

The calcination process accounts for 57 to 60 per cent of the sector’s total emissions, while fuel combustion contributes 27 to 30 per cent and electricity consumption accounts for 10 to 13 per cent. ICRA said the figures highlighted the need for a broad decarbonisation strategy involving green power, blended cement, alternative fuels and improvements in clinker efficiency.

Green energy is considered one of the most commercially attractive decarbonisation options because it can reduce emissions while lowering operating costs. Every 5 per cent increase in green power replacement can reduce power and fuel costs by Rs. 15 to Rs. 16 per tonne. A 25 per cent replacement level could therefore save Rs. 75 to Rs. 80 per tonne and expand operating margins by 140 to 160 basis points.

Cement producers are also assessing carbon capture, utilisation and storage, although high implementation costs, energy requirements and limited transport and storage infrastructure are expected to slow commercial adoption. The government has proposed Rs. 200 bn over five years to support deployment across key sectors. Meanwhile, companies are targeting thermal substitution rates of 10 to 15 per cent over the next three to five years, compared with the current industry level of around 6 per cent.

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Centre Defers Clearance for Limestone Mine Near Bustard Habitat

Panel seeks revised mining plan and safeguards for pipelines and wildlife

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Centre has deferred environmental clearance for a proposed limestone mine near a Great Indian Bustard habitat in Ramgarh, Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. The critically endangered species has an estimated wild population of about 130 in India.

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Telangana to Supply Subsidised Cement for Indiramma Houses

Poor families allotted Indiramma houses to receive cement at Rs. 230 per bag

Published

2 days ago

September 16, 2026

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The Telangana government will supply cement at a subsidised price of Rs. 230 per 50-kg bag to poor and low-income families allotted Indiramma houses. The prevailing market price is between Rs. 310 and Rs. 320 per bag, the Assembly was informed on Thursday.