Indian Economy-News & Updates

[Nilgiri]

@waz @WAJsal Could we make this thread a sticky given its popularity, growing size and depth of material?

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...ourneys-to-go-places/articleshow/53802211.cms

Maruti cars may take more train journeys to go places

NEW DELHI: Maruti Suzuki could be teaming up with an unlikely partner. The country's largest carmaker is planning to push sales by ferrying its cars to remote areas of western, eastern and north-eastern India using Indian Railways' network.

The Gurgaon-based carmaker transports a little over 5 per cent of its vehicles via railways. It plans to increase this manifold if the railway network can support it. At present, Maruti Suzuki loads auto wagon rakes at the Gurgaon railway station for transportation to Bengaluru in Karnatakaand Mundra in Gujarat, from where the vehicles reach distributors by road. "Depending on improved speed, turnaround time, infrastructure and connectivity, more destinations would be developed in west, east and northeast to enhance car availability in far-flung regions," said a spokesperson for Maruti Suzuki (MSIL).

The carmaker has invested Rs 50 crore in developing three flexi-deck auto wagon rakes with the railways' Research Design & Standards Organisation. Recently, it also obtained an automobile freight train operator licence from the railways, becoming the first carmaker in India to do so.

The licence will allow it to develop, procure and operate its own auto-wagon rakes. Maruti Suzuki's logistics division is aiming to halve the transit time between Gurgaon and Bengaluru to 70 hours with the induction of high-speed rakes. Reduced transit time will result in shorter lead time and faster deliveries to customers.

The flexi-deck auto-wagon rake procured by Maruti Suzuki can carry 318 cars, up 20 per cent from the twindecker rakes it currently uses for rail transportation. The new rakes can move at speeds of up to 95 km per hour as compared with 65 km per hour for the existing rakes. The new rakes have reduced carbon emission too. While the scale of auto transport via railways is limited, at present, cost savings can be substantial once traffic flows are established both ways from a particular region.

The company spokesperson said, "Cost advantage in railways is destination-specific as compared with other modes of transport. Rakes are best used for bulk transportation to major distant destinations and are beneficial if there is traffic both sides. Transporting cars by rail reduces carbon emission and consumption of fossil fuel, thereby, making it more environment-friendly. Use of railways also helps in de-congesting the highways...it can be viable if it's well connected."

Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki's closest rival, refused to comment on the matter. As per industry estimates, transportation of vehicles by rail is 10-15 per cent cheaper than by road. Rail transportation also negates tampering of goods.

To increase auto transportation via railways, Maruti Suzuki said addition of facilities like loading and unloading terminals, route clearances, etc., are required. Developmental activities for the same are being carried out and projects are being evaluated with separate government agencies.

"We will scale up operations on the basis of clearances on these projects. It will require investment towards berthing, loading, unloading facilities", said a company executive. Under its initiative to develop a green, environment-friendly sustainable supply chain, Maruti Suzuki is developing multimodal logistics (road, rail and waterways) for dispatch of cars to domestic destinations and to gateway ports for export.

The company has also signed an MoU with the Inland Waterways Authority of India(IWAI) to ferry vehicles using the country's national waterways.

@Ryuzaki

 

[anant_s]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...presented-in-January/articleshow/53801821.cms

More budget procedural reforms happening quick!

End of British-era legacy? Next Budget may be presented in January

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/...presented-in-January/articleshow/53801821.cms

@anant_s @PARIKRAMA @Abingdonboy @Local_Legend @proud_indian

They are even ending Plan and Non Plan expenditure heads and categorizing into better Revenue and Capital heads.
Good move!

 

[proud_indian]

This guy!

the passion, the knowledge, the articulation

 

[Nilgiri]

@anant_s you were asking about this:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-for-policy-research/articleshow/53802119.cms

Urjit Patel will take long-term view on clean up of NPAs: Rajiv Kumar, Centre for Policy Research


MUMBAI/DELHI: Companies struggling to repay loans and banks saddled with stressed assets are likely to heave a sigh of relief with the appointment of Urjit Patel as successor of Raghuram Rajan, governor ofReserve Bank of India. In the last one year, Rajan has forced banks to clean their books by ensuring that hidden bad loans are declared and provided for. As a result, many banks posted historic losses while corporates suffered as their line of credit was cut off with banks classifying them as non-performing loans.

"Having served as a director of the country's largest bank, State Bank of IndiaBSE 4.15 %, for over two years he would draw experience on the constrains under which commercial banks operate," said a senior bank official who did not want to be named.

"Thus there are expectations that going forward, the RBI may not be as tough as Rajan in dealing with bad loans, although it is unlikely that RBI would relax existing norms on bad loan," he added.

Patel will soon resign from the SBI board as the post is for the rank of deputy governors. These views are also supported by a member of selection committee that choose Patel over other candidates.

"He (Patel) represents continuity...he will, because of his focus on inflation, ensure that the target of 4% is met but will balance it with employment generation. He will take a longer-term view on bank NPA clean up and not bleed the patient to death," said Rajiv Kumar, a member of the selection committee and senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research.

The rising share of NPAs in the books of banks is eating into their earning and driving down the valuation of banks.

The stressed loan book - gross non-performing loans as well as restructured loans -touched 10% and a number of banks have posted losses for the third consecutive quarter ending June 2016 due to higher provisions.

Rajan waged a war of bad loans in December 2015, when the RBI directed banks to downgrade 150 accounts and make accelerated provisions of them. It was one of a rare exercise known as asset quality review aimed to ensure banks' reflect the actual stress in their books.

 

[A_Poster]

@anant_s you were asking about this:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-for-policy-research/articleshow/53802119.cms

Urjit Patel will take long-term view on clean up of NPAs: Rajiv Kumar, Centre for Policy Research


MUMBAI/DELHI: Companies struggling to repay loans and banks saddled with stressed assets are likely to heave a sigh of relief with the appointment of Urjit Patel as successor of Raghuram Rajan, governor ofReserve Bank of India. In the last one year, Rajan has forced banks to clean their books by ensuring that hidden bad loans are declared and provided for. As a result, many banks posted historic losses while corporates suffered as their line of credit was cut off with banks classifying them as non-performing loans.

"Having served as a director of the country's largest bank, State Bank of IndiaBSE 4.15 %, for over two years he would draw experience on the constrains under which commercial banks operate," said a senior bank official who did not want to be named.

"Thus there are expectations that going forward, the RBI may not be as tough as Rajan in dealing with bad loans, although it is unlikely that RBI would relax existing norms on bad loan," he added.

Patel will soon resign from the SBI board as the post is for the rank of deputy governors. These views are also supported by a member of selection committee that choose Patel over other candidates.

"He (Patel) represents continuity...he will, because of his focus on inflation, ensure that the target of 4% is met but will balance it with employment generation. He will take a longer-term view on bank NPA clean up and not bleed the patient to death," said Rajiv Kumar, a member of the selection committee and senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research.

The rising share of NPAs in the books of banks is eating into their earning and driving down the valuation of banks.

The stressed loan book - gross non-performing loans as well as restructured loans -touched 10% and a number of banks have posted losses for the third consecutive quarter ending June 2016 due to higher provisions.

Rajan waged a war of bad loans in December 2015, when the RBI directed banks to downgrade 150 accounts and make accelerated provisions of them. It was one of a rare exercise known as asset quality review aimed to ensure banks' reflect the actual stress in their books.

An analysis done in last year's economic survey states that Top10 stalled projects account for 28.67% in value and so on with Top100 projects accounting for 82.55% in value.

Page 71: http://indiabudget.nic.in/budget2015-2016/es2014-15/echapvol1-04.pdf

This NPA crisis seems to be manufactured by corrupt congress to benefit its political supporters in Industry.

In service sector, biggest reason for stalling of projects is lack of promoter's interests. Thus it should be questioned as to how come they got money from banks in first place?

 

[proud_indian]

Indian Railways: Meet on ultra high speed rail travel on September 2

Railways is organising a conference next month on the emerging high speed rail travel technologies available worldwide.

By: PTI | New Delhi | Published: August 20, 2016 10:17 PM
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It is expected to be attended by global players involved in ultra high speed rolling stock, capable of travelling with maximum speed of 500 kmph or more. (PTI)

Railways is organising a conference next month on the emerging high speed rail travel technologies available worldwide.

The day-long meet on September 2, comes in the wake of a global Expression of Interest (EOI) floated by Railways for creation of a levitation technology-based Railway system, which will be developed on PPP model.

It is expected to be attended by global players involved in ultra high speed rolling stock, capable of travelling with maximum speed of 500 kmph or more.

According to Railways, the conference aims to bring focus on ultra high speed rail travel technology which is today owned by a limited number of countries like the USA, Germany, Japan, China and South Korea.

Currently, Railways is working on to introduce bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad with Japanese help.
​

The aim is to reduce the travel time between the two financial hubs drastically by running the train at a maximum speed of 350 kmph, a senior railway official said.

Besides, trials of Spanish Talgo at 150 kmph speed is being carried out between Mumbai and Delhi.
At present, the recently launched Gatimaan Express is running at 160 km per hour between Delhi and Agra.

http://www.financialexpress.com/ind...high-speed-rail-travel-on-september-2/352893/

 

[proud_indian]

@anant_s plz put some light on this project

 

[anant_s]

@anant_s you were asking about this:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com...-for-policy-research/articleshow/53802119.cms

Urjit Patel will take long-term view on clean up of NPAs: Rajiv Kumar, Centre for Policy Research


MUMBAI/DELHI: Companies struggling to repay loans and banks saddled with stressed assets are likely to heave a sigh of relief with the appointment of Urjit Patel as successor of Raghuram Rajan, governor ofReserve Bank of India. In the last one year, Rajan has forced banks to clean their books by ensuring that hidden bad loans are declared and provided for. As a result, many banks posted historic losses while corporates suffered as their line of credit was cut off with banks classifying them as non-performing loans.

"Having served as a director of the country's largest bank, State Bank of IndiaBSE 4.15 %, for over two years he would draw experience on the constrains under which commercial banks operate," said a senior bank official who did not want to be named.

"Thus there are expectations that going forward, the RBI may not be as tough as Rajan in dealing with bad loans, although it is unlikely that RBI would relax existing norms on bad loan," he added.

Patel will soon resign from the SBI board as the post is for the rank of deputy governors. These views are also supported by a member of selection committee that choose Patel over other candidates.

"He (Patel) represents continuity...he will, because of his focus on inflation, ensure that the target of 4% is met but will balance it with employment generation. He will take a longer-term view on bank NPA clean up and not bleed the patient to death," said Rajiv Kumar, a member of the selection committee and senior fellow at the Centre for Policy Research.

The rising share of NPAs in the books of banks is eating into their earning and driving down the valuation of banks.

The stressed loan book - gross non-performing loans as well as restructured loans -touched 10% and a number of banks have posted losses for the third consecutive quarter ending June 2016 due to higher provisions.

Rajan waged a war of bad loans in December 2015, when the RBI directed banks to downgrade 150 accounts and make accelerated provisions of them. It was one of a rare exercise known as asset quality review aimed to ensure banks' reflect the actual stress in their books.

Its a bitter pill to swallow (Cleaning of NPAs), but we have to do it. Even if it means sacrificing growth and reducing liquidity in system by means of allocating money every year for some time to write off bad loans.
Problem is Big parties of persons often get away without re-paying loans using political influences and/or using loop holes in legal provisions and populism leads government to fore go loans by farmers.
This not only affects banks but also power utilities (in several states, they are in real bad financial position).
banks on other hand donot wish to declare Bad assets/liabilities and ultimately its the system that rots.
Dr. Rajan atleast had the guts to force banks to declare bad loans and then take up systematic cleanup and even though his work is far from over, atleast treatment has begun.
WB last year went on record to mention Dr. Rajan as a lone warrior and only central banker in world to be fighting for correcting fundamental problems in banking system and at a time where everyone was reducing interest rates, he stood his ground to keep borrowing rates high.
This has kept inflation in control and although this has reduced liquidity in system, structurally, we are a very sound economy. These steps may not have any visible impact on growth right now, but in a decade from now when printing money tactic (Stimulus package) by most European and US economy runs out of steam, we will see how this fiscal discipline adopted by India bears fruit.
In context of above, incoming governor has his work cut out, but luckily for him his predecessor has already prepared a good roadmap and developed a rare consensus between Banks, Financial Institutes and market to walk that road. Luckily for us, Mr. Patel seems to be some who will continue this prudent policy framework.

@Rain Man @Levina

 

[anant_s]

View attachment 327991

@anant_s plz put some light on this project

Interesting!
I knew of one factory being setup at Kolar (Karnataka).
I'm not to sure but i think this factory is for EMU exclusively (heard about this in Railbiz as some foreign players were lining up for the project).
Will get back on this.

PS: Is anyone else to facing problems with notifications today? I seem to be receiving none of them

 

[Nilgiri]

Its a bitter pill to swallow (Cleaning of NPAs), but we have to do it. Even if it means sacrificing growth and reducing liquidity in system by means of allocating money every year for some time to write off bad loans.
Problem is Big parties of persons often get away without re-paying loans using political influences and/or using loop holes in legal provisions and populism leads government to fore go loans by farmers.
This not only affects banks but also power utilities (in several states, they are in real bad financial position).
banks on other hand donot wish to declare Bad assets/liabilities and ultimately its the system that rots.
Dr. Rajan atleast had the guts to force banks to declare bad loans and then take up systematic cleanup and even though his work is far from over, atleast treatment has begun.
WB last year went on record to mention Dr. Rajan as a lone warrior and only central banker in world to be fighting for correcting fundamental problems in banking system and at a time where everyone was reducing interest rates, he stood his ground to keep borrowing rates high.
This has kept inflation in control and although this has reduced liquidity in system, structurally, we are a very sound economy. These steps may not have any visible impact on growth right now, but in a decade from now when printing money tactic (Stimulus package) by most European and US economy runs out of steam, we will see how this fiscal discipline adopted by India bears fruit.
In context of above, incoming governor has his work cut out, but luckily for him his predecessor has already prepared a good roadmap and developed a rare consensus between Banks, Financial Institutes and market to walk that road. Luckily for us, Mr. Patel seems to be some who will continue this prudent policy framework.

@Rain Man @Levina

Agree with your analysis overall

Actually Urjit Patel worked hand in glove with Rajan to implement the NPA and anti-inflation policies that were the hallmarks of Rajan tenure.

It is good continuation and I am sure Urjit will update Rajan and keep him in the loop even after Rajan leaves....to get feedback/advice/opinions etc.

It is interesting to note that Urjit Patel became Indian citizen only in 2013....not exactly a typical selection one would expect by BJP (Esp before).....so it goes to show that Modi is truly more concerned about the merits of the individual and his character, temperament and wisdom in such key positions with large responsibilities. In fact I didn't find one notable analyst who had something negative to say about this appointment.

There will be good continuity. There may be a hit on short bond market given he is unlikely to reduce interest rates for some time (till more of the NPA situation resolves)....but that is a small price to pay for the longer term structural strength India will receive....especially in concert with GST effects kicking in around that time too.

I am just glad that more technocrat/merit based appointment is becoming the defining feature of this administration. Long may that continue. If this temperament continues along with more reforms on the anvil (esp labour)...I will migrate to giving 7/10 for this administration on economy from the 6/10 I have given thus far.

 

[Nilgiri]

PS: Is anyone else to facing problems with notifications today? I seem to be receiving none of them

All ok here chief...just the usual mass tags not showing up sometimes.

 

[proud_indian]

Interesting!
I knew of one factory being setup at Kolar (Karnataka).
I'm not to sure but i think this factory is for EMU exclusively (heard about this in Railbiz as some foreign players were lining up for the project).
Will get back on this.

PS: Is anyone else to facing problems with notifications today? I seem to be receiving none of them

There are conflicting reports of EMU/Metro/Trainsets factory setup at this particular place.

All ok here chief...just the usual mass tags not showing up sometimes.

same here

1. 
   
   
   • fter Bihar, railways plan metro coach unit in West Bengal
     

• 
  
  

SUMIT MOITRA | Wed, 9 Dec 2015-08:05am , Kolkata , dna

Revives much delayed project originally planned to make city train coaches; bids for the project open on Thursday; Railways will 26% in the unit

After awarding a Rs 40,000 crore project to Alstom and GE Transport for locomotive projects in Bihar last month, Railways has embarked on a second major initiative.

It is set to open tender for a delayed metro coach factory at Kanchrapara in West Bengal on Thursday, for which global transportation and engineering biggies including Bombardier Transportation, Siemens, Hyundai, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Spain and Alstom had evinced interest.
This time the Railways is offering more amenable terms to attract private players, but it it is not yet known if they are still interested given the time and cost overruns.

Initially, the project was for manufacturing just Electric Multiple Units, or EMU, the technical nomenclature for coaches used in city trains, as per the Request for Qualification floated in October. Now, the joint venture partners would be allowed to manufacture metro coaches as well, sources said.
With this, the number of responses is expected to be higher as the closing date for bid draws near.
As per estimates of National Transport Development Policy Committee, there would be a requirement of 30,000 EMU and MEMU coaches by 2032.

However, metro coaches are more profitable using greater use of material and technologies, sources said.

The Cabinet had approved the project at an estimated cost of Rs 860 crore. The cost has now been revised at about Rs 1,000 crore as per the Request for Proposal document, which may again get revised following feedback from the bidders.

The project, which plans to manufacture about 5,000 coaches over 10 years, would be using state-of-the-art propulsion system, using materials like stainless steel and aluminium to build the coaches to ensure energy efficiency and longer life.

This factory at Kanchrapara, located close to Kolkata, would be set up on Railways's land and site works related to filling of land, widening of roads and provision of power supply is nearing completion which would save significant time for the developers.

The JV partner is to be selected through international competitive bidding and the Railways would hold about 26% of the equity.

Railways last month awarded contracts to global giants Alstom and GE Transport for setting electric and diesel locomotive factories in Marhora and Madhepura in Bihar, marking the first major FDI in rail projects after the limit was raised by the government in select Railways sectors.

The government also expects the Bengal project to attract such marquee names.

“The factory will attract significant FDI apart from creating opportunities for direct and indirect employment. There will be transfer of technology to India to manufacture various equipment including propulsion system,” Railways had said while launching the project.

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-railways-plans-metro-coach-unit-in-west-bengal-2153522

@anant_s @Nilgiri

 

[Nilgiri]

There are conflicting reports of EMU/Metro/Trainsets factory setup at this particular place.




same here

1. 
   
   
   • fter Bihar, railways plan metro coach unit in West Bengal
     

SUMIT MOITRA | Wed, 9 Dec 2015-08:05am , Kolkata , dna

Revives much delayed project originally planned to make city train coaches; bids for the project open on Thursday; Railways will 26% in the unit

After awarding a Rs 40,000 crore project to Alstom and GE Transport for locomotive projects in Bihar last month, Railways has embarked on a second major initiative.

It is set to open tender for a delayed metro coach factory at Kanchrapara in West Bengal on Thursday, for which global transportation and engineering biggies including Bombardier Transportation, Siemens, Hyundai, Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles of Spain and Alstom had evinced interest.
This time the Railways is offering more amenable terms to attract private players, but it it is not yet known if they are still interested given the time and cost overruns.

Initially, the project was for manufacturing just Electric Multiple Units, or EMU, the technical nomenclature for coaches used in city trains, as per the Request for Qualification floated in October. Now, the joint venture partners would be allowed to manufacture metro coaches as well, sources said.
With this, the number of responses is expected to be higher as the closing date for bid draws near.
As per estimates of National Transport Development Policy Committee, there would be a requirement of 30,000 EMU and MEMU coaches by 2032.

However, metro coaches are more profitable using greater use of material and technologies, sources said.

The Cabinet had approved the project at an estimated cost of Rs 860 crore. The cost has now been revised at about Rs 1,000 crore as per the Request for Proposal document, which may again get revised following feedback from the bidders.

The project, which plans to manufacture about 5,000 coaches over 10 years, would be using state-of-the-art propulsion system, using materials like stainless steel and aluminium to build the coaches to ensure energy efficiency and longer life.

This factory at Kanchrapara, located close to Kolkata, would be set up on Railways's land and site works related to filling of land, widening of roads and provision of power supply is nearing completion which would save significant time for the developers.

The JV partner is to be selected through international competitive bidding and the Railways would hold about 26% of the equity.

Railways last month awarded contracts to global giants Alstom and GE Transport for setting electric and diesel locomotive factories in Marhora and Madhepura in Bihar, marking the first major FDI in rail projects after the limit was raised by the government in select Railways sectors.

The government also expects the Bengal project to attract such marquee names.

“The factory will attract significant FDI apart from creating opportunities for direct and indirect employment. There will be transfer of technology to India to manufacture various equipment including propulsion system,” Railways had said while launching the project.

http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-railways-plans-metro-coach-unit-in-west-bengal-2153522

@anant_s @Nilgiri

Siemens is at Aurangabad currently right? Choosing Alstom would be good for more competition since Bombardier already has a facility in Gujarat, Hyundai is partnered with BHEL.....I'm not sure about the spanish one.

Metro rail is going to continue to take off so we need as much local production and competition as possible!

 

[proud_indian]

Siemens is at Aurangabad currently right? Choosing Alstom would be good for more competition since Bombardier already has a facility in Gujarat, Hyundai is partnered with BHEL.....I'm not sure about the spanish one.

Metro rail is going to continue to take off so we need as much local production and competition as possible!

Alstom already has a Metro rolling stock manufacturing unit at Sri City Hyderabad and even exporting metro coaches to Queensland Australia.

 

[Nilgiri]

Alstom already has a Metro rolling stock manufacturing unit at Sri City Hyderabad and even exporting metro coaches for Queensland Australia.

OK then maybe need to look at the spanish maker seriously then. The more the merrier.

But of course let the bidding wars commence!