What is Shapoorji Pallonji Group’s Vanaha Springs?

Located in Pune at one of the largest townships in India, Vanaha Springs is one of Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate’s many thoughtfully designed residential projects. These homes are spread amidst 4.6 acres within the massive township of over 90 acres of open spaces and is surrounded by abundant greenery with over 400 species of flora and fauna. 

Vanaha Springs has 3 residential towers set within lush green spaces that are not too far from the congested city. The homes within these towers range from 1, 2 & 3 BHK to 3 BHK Grande and 4 BHK Duplex, overall starting at a mere Rs.39.5 lakh. Residents of these homes can enjoy modern and sustainable features including rainwater harvesting, organic waste converter, water treatment plant, and security with sprinkler and smoke detector systems and CCTV coverage in the main entry, lobby, and lift areas.

Apart from these features, a host of exciting amenities are also available to residents:

Leisure amenities – Terrace Café, Kids’ Pool, Swimming Pool, Jacuzzi, Pool Deck, Indoor Games Room, Electronic Games Room, Barbeque Zones, Recreational Sky Deck, Sky Deck for Stargazing, Putting Golf, Seating Areas, Party Lawn, Space for Spa, Pet Area

Sports amenities – Crossfit Yard, Multi-purpose Court (Basketball, Volleyball, Cricket, Badminton, Tennis), Cricket Practice Pitch, Golf Putting Greens

Health amenities – Gymnasium, Walking/Jogging Track, Yoga Deck, Dance Studio, Senior Citizen’s Garden

Community amenities – Kids’ Play Area, Amphitheatre, Clubhouse, Multi-purpose Hall with Party Deck, Party Lawn, Outdoor Meeting Area/Open Theatre, Work From Home Lounge, Day Care/Creche, Retail Plaza, Business Centre, Guest Rooms, Classroom

That’s not all. Vanaha Springs is also convenient and accessible in terms of its location. The landmark of Chandni Chowk is just 6 kms away while Ryan International School, Business Square, DSK Ranwara Commercial Complex

Neelam Market, and Chellaram are in a 5 km radius. Various hospitals as well as

commercial and business hubs are also within 10 kms from the desirable homes at Vanaha Springs.

Residential projects by Shapoorji Pallonji Group

 

Shapoorji Pallonji Group is the powerhouse behind many landmark real estate projects, not just in India but around the world. Their projects span across a variety of sectors including everything from residential and commercial to industrial as well. Combining thoughtful design in prime locations and at reasonable prices, let’s take a look at Shapoorji Pallonji’s contribution to the construction of residential properties.

Shapoorji Pallonji has constructed residential projects across major cities in in India:

Imperial Towers, Tardeo, Mumbai (2009)

This landmark in Mumbai features 2 talls towers of 60 stories each including 9 podium levels, apartments ranging from 5,000 sq. ft. to 10,000 sq. ft., and a range of amenities including swimming pools, gym, club house, and more.

Sarova Township, Kandivali, Mumbai (2018)

This residential complex comprises 4 high-rise towers that accommodate 1,227 rehab dwelling units.

One Indiabulls BLU, Worli, Mumbai (2018)

This housing complex comprises 3 premium residential towers that accomodate 305 dwelling units and other civil and structural works.

Sun Court Tower, Greater Noida (2012)

This construction project involved civil, structural & MEP works for 20-storied twin towers.

AWHO Housing Complex, Noida (2019)

This residential project created for army personnel comprises 2 high-rise towers that accommodate 298 dwelling units.

Raisina Residency, Gurugram (2014)

This residential complex features 9 high-rise towers that accommodate 336 dwelling units as well as an EWS block of 60 units, a club house, shopping complex and 4 exclusive villas.

DLF – The Primus, Gurugram (2018)

This high-rise residential complex has 9 apartment blocks that accommodate 624 dwelling units.

Godrej Frontier, Gurugram (2015)

This design and construction project involved 10 high-rise towers that accommodate 456 dwelling units and 19 penthouses along with an EWS block of 84 dwelling units.

Hiland Park, Kolkata (2005)

The construction of this residential project involved civil, structural and architectural finishes for 6 towers.

Mantri Pinnacle, Bengaluru (2018)

This is a high-rise premium residential tower with 46 floors that accommodate 133 dwelling units.

Brigade Cosmopolis, Bengaluru (2018)

This premium residential complex comprises 9 apartment blocks built using aluminium formwork, accommodating 654 dwelling units.

Brigade Panorama, Bengaluru (2019)

This residential complex comprises 7 apartment blocks built using aluminium formwork, accommodating 1,035 dwelling units.

New Haven, Bengaluru (2017)

This high-rise residential complex comprises 35 towers built using precast concrete construction technology, accommodating 1,892 dwelling units.

Elita Promenade – Phase A, Bengaluru (2008)

This high-rise residential complex comprises 10 towers that accommodate 944 dwelling units.

Elita Promenade – Phase B, Bengaluru (2013)

This residential complex comprises 7 high-rise towers that accommodate 629 dwelling units.

Parkwest – Phase 1, Bengaluru (2018)

This premium residential complex comprises 3 high-rise towers that accommodate 703 dwelling units.

DLF Westend Heights, Bengaluru (2017)

This residential complex comprises 19 high-rise towers that accommodate 1,830 dwelling units.

Mahindra Windchimes, Bengaluru (2018)

This premium residential complex comprises 4 high-rise towers built using aluminium formwork, accommodating 400 dwelling units.

Assetz MarQ – Phase 1, Bengaluru (2019)

This residential complex comprises 4 apartment blocks built using aluminium formwork, accommodating 469 dwelling units.

Air Force Naval Housing Complex, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (2013)

This residential complex made for Indian air force employees accommodates 372 dwelling units of various types.

Shapoorji Pallonji is also the force behind a number of international residential projects:

• Al Khail Heights, Dubai, UAE
• Mudon Town Houses, Dubai, UAE
• Imperial Avenue, Dubai, UAE
• Al Quoz Residential Complex Phase 2, Dubai, UAE
• Taj Grandeur Residences, Dubai, UAE
• Abdulla Al Habbai Housing, Mirdif, Dubai, UAE
• Abraj Quartier, Doha, Qatar
• Abraj Quartier Residential Towers, The Pearl, Doha, Qatar
• Al Alam Palace & Al Khor Mosque, Muscat, Oman
• Altair, Colombo, Sri Lanka
• Housing at Setif, Algeria

What is a Solar Energy Storage System?

While solar panels are great for many reasons, they come with one limitation – they produce electricity only when the sun is out there shining. But what about the time when the sun is not shining? Our peak electricity consumption tends to happen in the evening – thereby causing a demand and supply issue.

However, it would be good to know that solar panels generate enough energy to be utilized throughout the day, even during peak demand. This brings forth the efficient and very necessary usage of solar energy storage systems.

What are they and how can they help you? Let’s take a look inside.

What is a Solar Energy Storage System?

A solar energy storage system is a battery, which is charged by connecting it to a solar energy system – such as photovoltaic (PV) – to be used later in the day. This helps the homeowner or buyer to efficiently store energy and then consume it at any time of the day or night.

Benefits of Solar Energy Storage

The surplus energy can be used for various purposes and can also help you cut costs, provide better energy grids, and on a wider level – it even reduces fossil fuel emissions. The primary benefits include –

Balancing electricity loads – As mentioned earlier, the stored energy can be spread around the day for consumption even when there is no sunlight outside. It creates an energy reservoir, which can be put to use when the energy generation is low and consumption is high.

Short-term back-up – During times when there is a disruption in the weather – such as passing clouds or routine maintenance of your solar panel – you can still have a consistent power supply with solar energy storage systems. 

Reliability – Sometimes the power grid may fail, causing an outage or disruption of electricity in your home. These solar energy storage systems provide a respite in such times. Be it a wildfire or severe weather – the energy storage creates a protective bubble by decentralizing where we get our power from. 

Types of Solar Energy Storage Systems

There are mainly three classifications for these storage devices –

AC storage system – Typically used in public grids with frequencies of 50 and 60 Hz. It separately connects to the solar grid – which contains the inverter of the solar energy system. It has a built-in inverter that converts AC voltage back to DC voltage – however, this double conversion sometimes leads to higher losses when compared to a direct DC storage system. The advantage is that they can easily be retrofitted with PV systems.  

DC storage system – These direct current storage systems are installed before the inverter – and come with the advantage of lower conversion losses because they are only converted once when released from the storage. 

PV battery storage – When you are choosing between a storage system, you can choose between lead-gel, lead-acid, and lithium-ion batteries. Lately, however, lithium-ion batteries are becoming more and more popular, as they last around 15-20 years, have very high cycle stability, have a discharge depth of 100 per cent, and cause very little electricity loss, and in contrast to lead accumulators, they emit zero gasses. 

To conclude, with solar energy storage panels, what we are looking at is an affordable and consistent energy supply, beneficial to the environment. To know more, head on to the Sterling and Wilson website. 

What is a Large-Scale Solar Power Plant?

 

When it comes to the growing popularity of the renewable energy source known as solar power, there is also an increasing variety of projects that can be created to supply this power. Large-scale solar is a frequently used term when it comes to commercial or industrial level solar power plants. However, it is surprising to notice that, given its popularity, there is no commonly accepted definition of what constitutes a large-scale solar project. 

As the name suggests, large-scale solar can broadly be defined as a plant that has the ability to generate anywhere from hundreds of kilowatts to thousands of megawatts of solar power. That being said, there is still a wide range of sizes and no definitive agreement on what can be accepted as a minimum threshold for large scale solar plants. 

Renowned, global solar EPC solutions providers like Sterling and Wilson Solar have large-scale solar (also known as utility-scale solar) projects ranging from a 7 MWp Solar Power Plant in Niger to a 1177 MWp Solar Power Plant in Abu Dhabi.

Although there is uncertainty in the size defining a large-scale solar power plant, the structure and process of electricity generation are straightforward. These solar power plants typically use solar photovoltaic (PV) panels that convert the energy from sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. This DC is then converted into alternating current (AC) through inverters to be integrated into the electricity grid.

All in all these utility-scale solar projects are a large step forward in the industry’s endeavor to build faster generation capacity than ever, while constantly improving the efficiency of renewable solar energy. 

5 Amazing Shapoorji Pallonji Projects in Oman

 Oman Shapoorji Company or OSCO was started in 1975 and as of now has become a very integral part of Oman’s growth story. Shapoorji Pallonji group has delivered some of the finest infrastructure construction in the Oman – with its diverse portfolio containing various government buildings, ministries, educational institutions, hospitals, army camps, naval bases, mosques and more.

A Look at Shapoorji Pallonji Projects in Oman

With over 6500 employees and over 45 years of successful presence in Oman, Shapoorji Pallonji has been changing the Oman landscape and infrastructure for many years to come. From the Military Technical College and Robat Stadium in Salalah to residential buildings, treatment plants and mosques, Shapoorji Pallonji has been delivering consistently and has become the most trusted partner in the Sultanate of Oman.

Let’s take a look at some of Shapoorji Pallonji’s projects in Oman below.

Wadi Kabir Township

Established in 2011, Wadi Kabir Township is a residential complex that comprises seven multi-storey buildings. Out of these seven buildings, four provide affordable housing, one consists of studio apartments, another for executive staff, and one common facility building. 

Qasr Al Alam Palace

Qasr Al Alam Palace is another one of the many international projects of Shapoorji Pallonji Oman, built in 1975. One of the finest examples of Islamic architecture, its construction involved the structure, MEP, sea wall, jetty, ladies and children’s wings, palace office and more. It is Oman’s biggest tourist attraction in Muscat and is the ceremonial palace of Sultan Qaboos.

Municipality Building

The municipality building in Muscat, Oman, established in 1992, has been the most awarded project within the country. It also won the ‘Best Architectural Building’ award from the Arab Cities Organization. 

Cabinet Building

Another one in Muscat, Oman by Shapoorji Pallonji group is the cabinet building, built in 1985. This government building was originally built for the Diwan of Royal Court Affair. The Omani 50 rial note also features the linear facade of the building. 

Al Rawaq Commercial Complex, Qurum

A six-storey A-grade commercial complex in the heart of Muscat’s commercial district, this building was built in 2011 and is complete with aluminium glazing, motorized sun louvres and much more!

A Look at the Stamp Duty Rates in Nairobi, Kenya in 2021

 

There are various transactions carried out in any particular country or state – however, out of all of those transactions, fees and rent on land contributes the most to revenue generated by the government. Other charges or taxes include railway development levy, excise duty, import duty, and catering levy, among other things.

In this article, we take a closer look at one of such charges, which is stamp duty, particularly the stamp duty rates in Nairobi, Kenya, as of 2021.

Stamp Duty Act of Kenya

Stamp duty refers to the charge or tax levied on certain transactions such as stocks, shares, and transfer of properties. Stamp duty is one of the primary sources of revenue for the Kenyan government and these rates are determined by Kenya’s Ministry of Land. It includes a physical revenue stamp that is impressed upon the relevant document in order to prove the legality of the transaction. However, in recent times, many places do not require an actual stamp for the stamp duty and other means are used for the same. 

As per the Stamp Duty Act of Kenya, whenever you purchase a property, it is mandatory to pay a fee or revenue to the government. It may help to have a lawyer during the process as that would ensure smoothness of the transaction and also uphold its integrity. 

The stamp duty needs to be paid and the document needs to be signed within 30 days of the acquisition of your purchase. Failing to pay the required amount is considered a criminal offence under Kenyan law. 

Stamp Duty Rates in Nairobi, Kenya – 2021

Stamp duty rates are based on the value of the transaction or are nominal rates on financial exchanges or instruments, as discussed below.

• Stamp duty of four per cent is levied on the transfer of land in towns.
• Stamp duty of two per cent is levied on the transfer of land in the rural areas. 
• A stamp duty of one per cent is charged when increasing the share capital of a company. 
• Stamp duty of 0.05 per cent is charged when registering debentures or mortgages for collateral securities. 
• Properties on lease are charged with a stamp duty of one per cent for the annual rents for three years. After three years, the stamp duty comes to two per cent on the yearly rent. 

There are also times when stamp duty charge is not levied, such as:

• When a company is being registered for very nominal share capital.
• When transferring shares in companies registered under the Nairobi Securities Exchange.
• During Sukuk arrangements or transactions.
• Transfer of houses under the affordable housing scheme.

Kenya Stamp Duty Forms

13 years ago, The Kenya Revenue Authority took over the collection of stamp duty within the country, they have certain guidelines on the handling of stamp duty forms. Some of these guidelines include:

• All forms are completed via the Ministry of Housing and Lands. 
• The quadruplicate is received after the relevant documents are presented. This is what gets the stamp duty. 
• The quadruplicate is handled by an agent, advocate, or duty payer. It is either taken to a National Bank or Kenya Commercial Bank for payment.

After the above-mentioned steps have been completed, this follows:

• The original copy of the payment form is retained by the individual who is carrying out the presentation.
• The quadruplicate is yellow in colour and remains in the bank. The triplicate is green in colour and is forwarded to the registrar of titles and lands. 
• The duplicate is blue in colour and is forwarded to the Commissioner of Domestic Taxes by the bank. 
• The original white copy remains with the duty payer. 

Each valuation of stamp duty is done before a collector starts endorsing a property. 

Following a proper stamp duty process, you can also call Mi Vida your new residential address. Created through a joint venture between Actis, and Shapoorji Pallonji Real Estate (SPRE), one of the largest conglomerates in India – Mi Vida was officially launched in July 2019. It offers a minimum of 3000 middle-income housing units over the course of the next five years. 

Mi Vida homes are a beautiful combination of affordable houses, modern engineering, innovative design, trusted construction, and impeccable record. For more information on Mi Vida homes, head on to their website.