Aviation ministry proposes AC shuttle bus service from airport to city

We’ll start today with some good news. Well, not quite good news, but light-hearted stuff that’ll make you titter. CNNgo’s photographer wondered what it was about paunches – and captures and talks to paunchy Mumbaikars in a delightful photo-feature.What is with this city? A flat sells at Rs 38,000 per square foot. “A residential property, situated in Prabhadevi, measuring 1,700 square feet, was sold for a total value of Rs 6.5 crore. The property commanded a capital value of approximately Rs 38,000 per square foot. This Central Mumbai location is seen as a prime residential location as it's not too far away from the current CBD and from the new office destinations of BKC and Lower Parel,” reports The Economic Times.[caption id="attachment_146217" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Civil aviation minister Ravi Valayar is looking into the feasibility of a proposal to start AC shuttle bus services from the domestic as well as international airports to various parts of the city. Roslan Rahman/AFP"][/caption]Prices shoot up and yet there is so much inventory? “The current edition of the 'Economy & Realty@Glance' from Knight Frank India reveals a detailed performance analysis of Mumbai's residential market. Approximately 63% of the total unsold inventory is concentrated in the Peripheral Central Suburbs, Thane, Navi Mumbai and the Western Suburbs beyond Borivali. Unsold Inventory has also doubled in the Western Suburbs, Navi Mumbai and the Peripheral Western Suburbs since Q2 FY11 to approximately 30% levels,” says Moneycontrol.On the one hand we have property prices going into stratosphere and, on the other, we have a murder over a Rs 300 dispute. “A tiff over Rs 300 claimed the life of a 20-year-old who was stabbed to death by his friend on Wednesday in Dadar. The accused has been identified as Rajendra Kannadi, 26, who stabbed his friend Manish Thorat to death for not returning his borrowed money,” reports DNA.More pain for travellers. “Black-and-yellow taxis at the domestic airport have threatened to go on a strike on Friday morning to protest against the inauguration of a stand for private prepaid share AC taxis to Pune. The new taxis, most of which will be six-seater Innovas, will ply passengers on a share-basis directly from the airport to Pune. The fare has been fixed as Rs 375 per person and an extra Rs 195-for toll tax-to be shared among the passengers,” reports The Times of India.What will taxi drivers do if this plan becomes a reality? “Civil aviation minister Ravi Valayar is looking into the feasibility of a proposal to start AC shuttle bus services from the domestic as well as international airports to various parts of the city. The proposal was submitted by V Citizens Action network (VCAN) to ease the increasing number of air traffic passengers as well as the excess burden on the airport infrastructure following the increasing number of vehicles parked at the airport,” reports The Times of India.And now, less pain for travellers. “The hi-tech sophisticated trains for Mumbai Metro project have arrived at Mumbai port this week awaiting custom clearance. These rakes are fully tested and ready for operations. A total of 18 trains of 4 cars each with a capacity to carry more than 1500 passengers per four-car unit have been ordered for the first phase of the rapid transport system. Of the 18 trains, one has already been delivered and is currently stabled at the depot. Two trains are under custom clearance and the rest are at advanced stages of manufacture, commissioning and testing. All the trains are expected to be delivered by mid-2012,” says Indiainfoline.And even better news for commuters. “If all goes as per plans, the ride to Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport will soon turn into a joyride. The Rs 287 crore Sahar elevated road project, which has been delayed by over 11 months, got a boost on Thursday with the demolition of 350 houses at Bamanwada near the Western Express Highway,” reports Hindustan Times.