New Delhi, March 12, 2025: Magicbricks, India’s leading real estate platform, has observed a growing preference for plotted developments among first-time investors, who are drawn to their higher appreciation potential and long-term capital returns. According to a recent poll conducted by Magicbricks surveying approximately 2,200 homebuyers, 58% of respondents preferred investing in plots, followed by commercial spaces (17.1%).

Platform insights from Q4 2024 (October-December) indicate that Bengaluru accounted for the highest demand for plots (36.5%), followed by Chennai (11.0%) and Lucknow (8.9%). Notably, Lucknow recorded the highest preference for plotted developments, with 42.66% of property buyers in the city opting for plots over other property types.

The platform further revealed that plots ranging between 1,000–2,000 sq. ft. commanded 46.76% of the total demand in Q4’2024, highlighting a preference for mid-sized land parcels. Additionally, 50.83% of investors preferred plots priced up to INR 50 lakh, reinforcing the growing interest in affordable land investments.

According to Magicbricks, the average price of plots in Hyderabad stood at INR 2,765 per sq. ft., with Shadnagar, Kadthal, and Sadashivpet emerging as the leading supply hubs. Lucknow (INR 2,836 per sq. ft.) and Chennai (INR 3,208 per sq. ft.) were also identified as affordable cities for plotted investments.

In contrast, Gurugram (INR 21,901 per sq. ft.) and Noida (INR 22,523 per sq. ft.) were positioned as premium markets for plotted developments. However, Greater Noida, with a relatively affordable average price of INR 7,654 per sq. ft., can potentially emerge as a promising investment destination within the NCR region.

With plotted developments witnessing strong investor interest and developers responding with integrated township projects, this segment is set to play a key role in shaping India’s evolving real estate landscape.

Gurgaon, India, 12 March 2025: Hyderabad’s real estate growth is rapidly expanding beyond its core hubs, with peripheral areas emerging as the city’s new growth frontiers. Fueled by prominent upcoming infrastructure projects such as the Metro Phase II extension, proposed Regional Ring Road (RRR), and industrial corridors, Hyderabad’s peripheral areas hold immense growth potential in the coming years. Additionally, supportive government policies such as Information & Communication Technology 2.0, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) policy, Data Center policy, etc., a conducive business environment, and relatively affordable real estate price points are set to make Hyderabad’s peripheries increasingly attractive for businesses and investors.

While established hotspots in the West & Central Hyderabad will continue to drive real estate activity, peripheral areas including North, South, East, and West peripheries are expected to account for 12-15% of Hyderabad’s Grade A office stock and 5-10% of annual office space demand in the next 3-5 years, according to Colliers’ latest report, ‘Hyderabad: Emerging Real Estate Growth Hotspots’. The residential market is also set to witness significant traction, with property prices in the peripheral areas projected to rise 10-20% over the next 3-5 years.

“Hyderabad’s office market continues to mature, driving one-fifth of the demand and over one-fourth of the new supply across the top 6 cities in India during 2024. The city’s peripheral areas are set to enter a transformative growth phase, fueled by upcoming infrastructure projects and supportive government policies. The West Periphery micro-market in particular, including Kokapet, Neopolis, Narsingi, etc. is likely to witness heightened commercial activity, driven by price arbitrage compared to established IT hubs of Gachibowli & HITEC City and enhancements in metro connectivity. Both demand and supply of Grade A office spaces are likely to grow multifold in the next few years. Although average rentals in the West Periphery micro market could potentially increase by 10-15% from the current levels, the price arbitrage will persist and continue to be an attractive proposition for domestic & global occupiers, including GCCs.” says Arpit Mehrotra, Managing Director, Office Services, Colliers India.

Micromarket Definition- Old City includes Charminar, Nampally, Malakpet, Lakdi-ka-pul, Mehdipatnam, Attapur, Towlichowki, Karmanghat, etc.Central Hyderabad includes Jubilee Hills, Banjara Hills, Ameerpet, Punjagutta, Begumpet, Secunderabad, Somajiguda, Malkajgiri, Alwal, etc.

West Hyderabad includes Kondapur, Kukatpally, Kothaguda, HITEC City, Raidurg, Madhapur, Gachibowli, Financial District, Nanakramguda, Manikonda, etc. West Periphery includes Narsingi, Kokapet, Neopolis, Mallampet, Gopanpally, Nalagandla, Lingampally, Miyapur, Patancheru, Bandlaguda, etc.

While existing established markets in Hyderabad such as HITEC City, Raidurg, Kondapur, Gachibowli, Nanakramguda, etc. will continue to drive the office market, peripheral areas are likely to increasingly complement established office micro markets in the next few years. Emerging areas in the city’s periphery are likely to account for 20-25% of Hyderabad’s Grade A new supply, significantly up from a current share of less than 5%. Moreover, areas including Kokapet, Shamshabad, Uppal and Pocharam are expected to see notable rise in Grade A space uptake. Resultantly, peripheral micro markets can contribute up to 10% of Hyderabad’s annual leasing activity in the next 3-5 years. Additionally, Grade A stock in the peripheral areas can increase to 20-25 million sq ft in the next few years, from around 13 million sq ft currently. With heightened demand, average rentals across the four peripheral micro markets, too can rise further by 5-15% in the near-mid-term.

West Periphery is likely to see heightened office & residential activity Office: Driven by proximity to established IT hubs in West Hyderabad, and anticipated infrastructure upgrade in the form of Corridor 5 of Metro Phase II, peripheral areas like Kokapet & Neopolis can witness spillover office space demand in the next few years. Interestingly, the majority of the upcoming supply in the micro market already holds pre-LEED certification. Both Grade A office space demand & supply in West Periphery is projected to grow multifold times. Consequently, we can anticipate Grade A office stock in the micro market to double up and reach close to 22 million sq ft in the next 3-5 years.

Residential: Housing prices in the Western Periphery micro market have already surged by over 50% in the last five years, with further increase of 10-15% expected in prominent localities like Kokapet, Neopolis, Nalagandla etc. While upscale residential developments will continue to focus on these areas, affordable & mid-segment housing will gain larger ground in Tellapur, Lingampally, Bandlaguda and Miyapur.

Strong intra-city connectivity to drive real estate developments in South Periphery Industrial & warehousing: Within the South Periphery micro market, areas like Shamshabad, and adjoining localities such as Kothur & Shadnagar are primed for industrial & warehousing growth, benefiting from manufacturing clusters near Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), the upcoming airport metro connectivity and proposed Hyderabad-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor.

Data Centers: Data Center market in Hyderabad is likely to see robust growth in the coming years driven by the State Data Center policy and the updated Information & Communication Technology policy. Leading operators have already announced their expansion plans and are likely to set up more than 350 MW of Data Center capacity in the South Periphery micro market in the next 3-5 years.

East Periphery growth to be driven by affordability & proximity to Tier II CitiesResidential: The upcoming Corridor 8 of the Phase II metro project and the proposed Hyderabad -Warangal Industrial Corridor is likely to spur residential real estate of East Periphery micro market across housing categories including plotted development and luxury villas. Areas such as Uppal, Pocharam, Nagole, Hayath Nagar, LB Nagar, etc. will continue to see strong housing demand amidst improved connectivity, and price arbitrage of 40-50% compared to central areas of the city.

Industrial & warehousing: Existing connectivity to Warangal & Vijayawada and the upcoming industrial corridor are likely to fast-track greenfield project development and catalyse demand for warehouses, logistics hubs, and manufacturing units near Pocharam, Ghatkesar, Rampally, etc. Ancillary industry development in the EV sector can also add to the warehousing demand over the course of the next few years.

“Apart from office and industrial & warehousing segments, Hyderabad’s peripheral areas are experiencing a surge in residential real estate activity. Upscale offerings in Kokapet, Neopolis, and Nalagandla etc. of West Periphery micro market are likely to witness significant traction due to its proximity to established commercial hubs. At the same time, locations within the East Periphery micro market such as Uppal, Pocharam, and Hayath Nagar, can witness an uptick in housing sales across all segments, particularly in the affordable and mid-range categories. Additionally, rental housing in industrial hubs such as Medchal in the North Periphery micro market is set to gain momentum, driven by affordable land prices and demand from industrial workers & migrants.” says Vimal Nadar, Senior Director & Head of Research, Colliers India.

North Periphery to witness traction in industrial & warehousing as well as alternative segments
Industrial & warehousing: The North Periphery micro market, led by proximity to existing industrial hubs in Medchal, Kompally, and Shamirpet and proposed infrastructure projects such as the Regional Ring Road and Hyderabad-Nagpur Industrial Corridor will drive demand for Grade A warehouses in the long-term. The micro market will continue to significantly contribute to Hyderabad’s industrial & warehousing demand driven by Third-party Logistics (3PL), retail and electronics segments. Additionally, with the influx of state-of-the-art warehouses, supply-side constraints can be mitigated to a large extent over the next 3-5 years.

Life sciences: The North Periphery micro market, driven by its proximity to Genome Valley and key R&D clusters, has the potential to complement the city’s life sciences and pharmaceutical industry. Real estate requirements and investments for innovation, research, manufacturing centers, and ‘plug & play’ laboratories are expected to rise further in the coming years. Overall nascent alternative segments such as life sciences can witness quantum growth over the next few years, backed by anticipated segment-specific policies, and incentivization of dedicated manufacturing clusters.

Rajula, Gujarat – March 12, 2025 – APM Terminals Pipavav inaugurated a new sanitation block consisting of waiting lounge and ten units of toilets at Smt. TJBS Girls School, Rajula.  The initiative marks a significant step in enhancing hygiene and sanitation facilities for the school’s 1,200 students. The school, which had been providing secondary and senior secondary education for over 63 years, lacked modern sanitation infrastructure until this initiative.

In addition to constructing the sanitation block, APM Terminals Pipavav collaborated with Coastal Salinity Prevention Cell to train students on menstrual hygiene management. This helped inform, educate and sensitise pupils towards health and hygiene education for young girls. These efforts highlighted the company’s consistent focus on community welfare, particularly in education and women empowerment.

Speaking at the inauguration, Seema Ben, Principal of Smt. TJBS Girls School expressed her appreciation and gratitude for APM Terminals Pipavav’s contributions. “The company’s initiatives, especially in education and women’s empowerment, have made a significant impact on our students and the community as a whole,” she said.

Over the past six years, APM Terminals Pipavav has constructed over 3,500 household sanitation units in surrounding villages and a sanitation block at Kumbhariya Primary School. These efforts aligned with the company’s broader vision of improving hygiene and sanitation standards in local communities.

New Delhi, 12^th March: Vietnam Airlines, the flag carrier of Vietnam, is proud to announce the launch of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad to Hanoi, further expanding its footprint in the rapidly growing Indian market. Starting May 2025, the airline will operate four weekly flights from Bengaluru (BLR) and three weekly flights from Hyderabad (HYD) to Hanoi, using its modern Airbus A321 aircraft.

With the addition of Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vietnam Airlines will now operate from four major Indian cities, including Delhi and Mumbai, further solidifying its presence in the region.

Passengers traveling on the new routes can expect a premium flying experience onboard the Airbus A321, featuring comfortable seating, modern cabin interiors, curated Indian meal options, and Vietnam Airlines’ renowned hospitality. These flights will also provide seamless connectivity from India to popular destinations across Japan, Korea, China, Australia, and ASEAN countries, making travel more convenient for Indian passengers.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Hieu, Country Manager India, Vietnam Airlines, expressed his excitement about the expansion, stating, “India is an extremely important market for Vietnam Airlines and South India has witnessed a surge in demand for travel to Vietnam. We are excited to cater to this growing segment with the launch of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad. We are reinforcing our commitment to providing world-class service and seamless connectivity for passengers from all parts of India.’’

This strategic expansion marks a major milestone in strengthening air connectivity between India and Vietnam, offering seamless access to one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic travel destinations. It also reinforces Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to serving the increasing demand for business and leisure travel between the two countries.

Adding to this, Mr. Abhishek Goyal, Executive Director, Aeroprime Group (India GSA, Vietnam Airlines), said, “The expansion into Bengaluru and Hyderabad is a game-changer for Vietnam Airlines in India. These new routes will make travel more convenient for business and leisure travelers alike while offering an enhanced flying experience onboard with world-famous Vietnamese hospitality.”

 According to Google Trends, Vietnam was the most searched international destination by Indian travelers in 2023. With the introduction of direct flights from Bengaluru and Hyderabad, Vietnam Airlines aims to further strengthen this travel trend and offer unparalleled convenience to Indian passengers.

Bangalore, March 12, 2025: Canadian International School, Bangalore, teachers Ms. Misti Mokros and Mr. Nicholas McGregor placed 1st each in the 41–50 age group category male and female respectively — at the Bergman Olympic Triathlon held in Mysore recently.

Bergman Triathlon, organised by the Deccan Sports Club (DSC), is a premier endurance sports event in India. Established in 2019 by two triathletes, DSC is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting triathlons, duathlons and marathons. The club brings together athletes of all levels, offering events across India and abroad, and is committed to community engagement through various CSR activities.

Their victory at the Bergman Olympic Triathlon came with its own set of challenges. The Olympic triathlon category involves a 1,500-meter swim, a 40-kilometer bike ride and a 10-kilometer run – all of which they conquered with disciplined preparation and mental resilience. “It was a tough course, with extreme terrain and climate, but we gave it everything we had,” said Ms. Misti and Mr. Nicholas.

The couple, who have long been advocates for fitness and student engagement, began their endurance journey in India in 2023 when the CIS community introduced them to the IRONMAN challenge in Goa. Initially intrigued by the event, they soon found themselves forming a CIS team to participate in the Goa IRONMAN. With the support of the school community, they took on the challenge despite not having prior experience in long-distance triathlons. “We weren’t in the best shape when we moved to India two years ago. We always try to stay somewhat fit, but we weren’t in great shape. The wide variety of endurance competitions in India gave us the motivation to push ourselves further,” said Mr. Nicholas.

From that first experience, their passion for endurance sports only grew. They began training rigorously, participating in various triathlons and endurance races across India, including the Devil’s Circuit, Yoddha and Spartan races. Their journey became more than personal – it turned into a family and community movement.

“We run at the lake, we bike at another lake, and we started noticing more CIS parents and children getting involved,” said Ms. Misti. “It’s become a whole-family affair and that’s what motivates us. Our kids see us training, and now they want to join in. It’s important for them to understand that you don’t have to stop just because you’re 40 or 50; you can keep doing it and still be successful.”

Beyond their personal achievements, their commitment to fitness has had a lasting impact on the CIS community. In just two years, they have built a thriving track team at CIS from scratch, growing it to nearly 60 athletes. Their dedication continues to inspire students to push their own limits, instilling in them the mindset that success – whether in sports, academics or life – requires consistent effort and perseverance.

“At Canadian International School (CIS), nurture, challenge and empower are at the heart of our community. It is truly inspiring to see our teachers not only uphold these values but also serve as real-life role models, motivating our students every day. As a triathlete myself, I am inspired by the achievements of Misti and Nicholas – it exemplifies dedication, resilience and the relentless pursuit of excellence”, commented Ms. Shweta Sastri, Managing Director, Canadian International School, Bangalore.

 “You don’t just wake up and win races. You train, you struggle, you push through and then you succeed,” the couple emphasised. “We want our students to see that hard work pays off, whether it’s in the classroom, on the track or in life.”

Their journey is a powerful reminder that discipline, resilience and the courage to challenge oneself can lead to incredible achievements. As they prepare for future races, they continue to inspire not just their students, but an entire school community to embrace an active and determined lifestyle