Two more banks for Financial Hub

Yesterday was the closing date for applications for participation in this round of bid for Financial Hub in New Town. Vijaya Bank and Karnataka bank have applied formally and their bid appears to be in order and after scrutiny, these will be put up to the Standing Committee of the Cabinet on Infrastructure  for approval. With these, the number of Financial Institutions who has taken part in Finance Hub New Town becomes 21. The others include: SBI, UBI, Allahabad Bank, UCO, Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Syndicate Bank, Canara Bank. Punjab National Bank, Bandhan Bank, Andhra Bank, Union Bank, WBFC, WBIDFC, National Insurance Corporation, Shriram Credit, Direcorate of Revenue Intelligence and others. SBI is also building a National Institute of Training nearby.
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The Columbia Asia has recently bid for a 3.73 acre plot in New Town for Rs 65 crores. The papers are being scrutinized and will be put up to the Standing Committee of the Cabinet shortly. This will be the second campus in Kolkata of the international chain the other one being in Salt Lake.

I visited a day centre of Apollo Clinic in New Town recently. This is in DLF Galleria building. This will be opened shortly. I was impressed by the lay out, machines and planning of the outlet. A photo on my mobile:

At DLF Galleria Building

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New Town ranks 30th in the list of Smart Cities. We were a bit disappointed not to have been among the first 20 but are now working full time to make the most of the "Fast Track" opportunity accorded, including quick implementation of Unit Area System of Property Taxes and intensive effort to collect water taxes from bulk consumers. The Fast Track Smart City List:

 The Round 2 list is as follows:

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Clippings:

Ei Samay dt 30 Jan 2016

Ei Samay dt 29 Jan 2016

Hindustan Times dt 28 Jan 2016