MAM
Sahara group announces Rs 1180b infrastructure, housing projects
MUMBAI: The Sahara India Pariwar, with total estimated assets of Rs 320 billion, has unveiled its ambitious infrastructure and housing projects valued at Rs 1180 billion (USD 25.65 billion).
Sahara Infrastructure and Housing will strive to develop well planned townships; build cities within cities in India to promote growth in areas of infrastructure, retailing and entertainment.
According to a release, Sahara City Homes, the new initiative of Sahara Infrastructure and Housing, which is being developed in 202 cities across India. The total cost of this venture is estimated to be worth Rs 830 billion (USD 18.04 billion). It will be spread over 18,575 acres (75.17 million sq.m) of land with a built-up area of 6.88 crore sq. m (69 million sq.m) having more than 6.75 lakh (0.67 million) houses.
The release adds that the other projects under Sahara Infrastructure and Housing include Amby Valley, Sahara Lake City, independent India’s first planned and finest hill city shall be spread over 10,000 acres (40.47 million sq.ft.) and is estimated to be worth Rs 340 billion (USD 7.4 billion).
Announcing the mega expansion plans of Sahara Infrastructure and Housing at a press conference in Mumbai, Sahara India Pariwar managing worker and chairman Subrata Roy Sahara has been quoted as saying: ” Sahara India Pariwar believes in the spirit of nationalism, which it seeks to propagate across all sections of the society and every effort of ours will contribute to sound nation building. Our new projects will create abundant infrastructure facilities and provide quality housing to fellow Indians”.
He further added: “Every project of Sahara Infrastructure and Housing will implement and maintain international quality certification systems along with earthquake resistant construction.”
Sahara City Homes will stake its claim to be the world’s largest chain of quality residential township. The release says that the value added facilities and services offered by Sahara City Homes shall include broadband Internet connectivity; digital communication network; modern health care services with 24-hour emergency medical aid supported by well-equipped ambulance, telemedicine; primary and secondary schools to impart quality education and e-learning through electronic media – computer and TV.
The release adds that a highlight of these townships is an enchanting ambience with 55-60 per cent area dedicated to greenery and open spaces with comprehensive multilevel security measures. The township is backed up by well integrated infrastructure and efficient transportation facilities including petrol filling stations, 16 to 30 mts. wide, well-lit metalled roads with organised civic amenities and facilities. Bharat Maa Naman Sthal (worship place for motherland- India) is an integral part of every township – claims the release.
Recreation and entertainment will be provided in all Sahara City Homes with the star attraction being the mini artificial seashore, snow theme and water parks. Each city will also be equipped with a club with indoor game facilities, swimming pool, gymnasium and playgrounds for outdoor games like cricket, hockey and football. The nationwide chain of 202 shopping malls and 202 multiplexes with 808 screens located at the Sahara City Homes townships will be the largest chain in the field of retailing as well as entertainment.
Roy reiterated that “Sahara City Homes will address all the basic requirements of a self-sufficient township while additional efforts have been put in to include top of the line, international facilities and services”. The price of houses shall be from Rs 4.5 lakhs onwards (0.45 million).
Sahara has also announced its intention to develop another global destination project – apart from Amby Valley Sahara lake city in Lonavala – which will be unique and first in world. Spread over 26,000 sq. km of water area, which is the biggest delta in the world and shall provide facilities for accommodation, shopping malls, and entertainment avenues like theaters and even restaurants. An exclusive sea beach of five km along with tourism attraction likes river cruises, water sports, wildlife and adventure tourism will ensure that this project is the greatest and a grand global destination.
Brands
33 per cent of women believe the salary scale is rigged: Naukri report
Voices @ Work study finds rising calls for equal pay audits and lingering bias
MUMBAI: Progress may be visible in India’s workplaces, but many women still feel the need to tread carefully. A new report by Naukri reveals that one in two women hesitate to disclose marriage or maternity plans during job interviews, worried that such information could influence hiring decisions.
The findings come from the second edition of Naukri’s annual Voices @ Work International Women’s Day report, titled “What Women Professionals Want.” Drawing insights from more than 50,000 women across over 50 industries, the survey sheds light on evolving workplace aspirations alongside the biases that continue to hold women back.
One of the report’s most striking insights is the growing demand for equal pay audits. The share of women calling for regular pay parity checks has climbed to 27 per cent this year, up from 19 per cent a year ago. The demand now stands alongside menstrual leave as the most sought after workplace policy.
Interestingly, the call for pay transparency grows louder higher up the income ladder. Nearly half of women earning between Rs 50 lakh and Rs 1 crore annually say equal pay audits are a priority, suggesting that pay gaps become more visible as women move up the career ladder.
At the same time, confidence and ambition appear to be rising. About 83 per cent of women say they feel encouraged to pursue leadership roles, a significant jump from 66 per cent last year. Cities in southern India appear particularly supportive, with Hyderabad leading the way as 86 per cent of respondents there reported encouragement to step into leadership positions. The education sector recorded the highest sense of encouragement at 87 per cent.
Yet the report also highlights a growing trust deficit around pay equity. Nearly one in three women, or 33 per cent, say they do not believe men and women are paid equally at their workplace. That figure has risen from 25 per cent last year, pointing to widening perceptions of disparity as careers progress.
Bias in hiring and promotions continues to be the biggest hurdle. About 42 per cent of respondents say workplace bias is the main challenge for women from diverse backgrounds. The concern is consistent across major metros, with Chennai and Delhi NCR reporting similar levels.
Reluctance to discuss personal milestones during hiring processes is also widespread. While 34 per cent overall said they hesitate to share marriage or maternity plans in interviews, the anxiety increases with experience. Among professionals with 10 to 15 years of work experience, the figure rises to 40 per cent.
Info Edge group CMO Sumeet Singh, said the data reflects both progress and unfinished work. “Behind every data point in this report is a woman who is ambitious. The fact that 83 per cent feel encouraged to lead is something to celebrate. However, the fact that one in two still hide their marriage or maternity plans in interviews tells us the work is far from done. As India’s leading career platform, it felt not just important but necessary for us to shine a light on these gaps through the second edition of our report,” he said.
The report suggests that while ambition among women professionals is growing, structural changes around pay transparency, fair hiring and supportive policies will be key if workplaces hope to keep pace.
