Marg's impressive portfolio showcases infrastructure projects as diverse as IT parks, power, ports, roads, retail, commercial and residential. G.R.K. Reddy speaks to Dilip S. Phansalkar about some key projects the company has undertaken.

How many IT parks has Marg constructed, and what's on the anvil?
Marg has completed construction of three IT parks spread over 5.44 acres covering an area of 0.7 million sq. ft. The space is leased to Satyam Computer Service, Tata Consultancy and Scope International. On the anvil are IT parks planned within Marg's new city - Swarnabhoomi which encompasses two SEZs, one for multi-services and the other, light engineering.
Marg and Hudco had signed an MoU for a fishing harbour project in Kanyakumari district. At what stage is the project?
The fishing harbour at Rajakkamangalam is planned to be a joint venture between Rajakkamangalam Thruai Development Trust; Marg and Consolidated Construction Consortium. The project work will commence in May 2008 and construction of the harbour will take around 2 years. At present, we have appointed L&T Ramboll to do a detailed project report and to carry out all necessary tests and surveys required for the project. The initial design and drawings for the harbour have already been done by them and the same has been submitted to the Fisheries Department.
Marg is building Karaikal Port project. How is it progressing?
The port in Karaikal is developing very well. Work is in progress with the creation of the channel, breakwaters and preparation of berths. The first phase of Karaikal Port is planned to be operational by early 2009.
The company has also acquired a cutter suction dredger, 'Marg Cauvery.' The event also marks entry of Marg into the fast-growing dredging industry. The dredger has a capacity of 2,000 cubm per hour. A non-propelled cutter suction dredger, it can dredge at depths in the range of 5 to 25 m. The vessel designed to 1191 GRT/ 358 NRT is of 73.20 m length and 15 m in breadth with keel to mast height of 12 m. The dredger is presently deployed in the dredging works of Karaikal Port being developed by us.
In February this year you announced the launch of a mega infra project called Marg Swarnabhoomi. Tell us more about it.
Marg Swarnabhoomi is a city with the promise of plenty, peace and prosperity. The complex is strategically located off ECR (east cost road) with a scenic ambience in the midst of large water bodies. It encompasses 2 notified SEZs designed as engines for economic growth and wealth creation. Spread over more than 1,000 acres, the 2 notified SEZs have 'multi services' and 'engineering sector,' including auto ancillaries. Designed as a global inclusive city with world- class civil and social infrastructure, Swarnabhoomi delivers the perfect setting for a work-life balance while promoting the walk-to-work concept.
The SEZ projects will cover 612 acres and Marg group has purchased in excess of 1,000 acres of land outside the SEZ for a wholesome development of the zone. Basic infrastructure for SEZ projects like road connectivity, power supply, sewage treatment facility and water supply is planned to be completed by 2009. The mega infrastructure project will be completed in 3 phases; the first phase by December 2009, followed by phase-II March 2011 and then fully by December 2013.
Located in Latur block, Cheyyur taluk, the project will be an engine for massive employment generation. Swarnabhoomi is expected to generate employment for over 1 lakh people once the SEZs are fully developed.
What are your expansion and diversification plans?
Infrastructure will drive the second generation of reforms in India. Enhanced infrastructure will work to reduce the gap between rural and urban economies. Equitable growth could lead to open democratic societies. There is tremendous potential lying ahead for Indian infrastructure and the real estate market and an urgent need for private players to participate in building national infrastructure. India needs a lot of infrastructure hardware i.e. superlative roads, bridges, public transport systems, ports, power plants, airports, high speed railways and so on.
An ISO 9001:2000 certified company; Marg is one of India's fastest growing companies. Soon into the future, the company will grow to be a leading global infrastructure and realty major. The company has championed regional development with the launch of its mega infrastructure projects, Swarnabhoomi and Karaikal Port.
We have a blueprint to extend our business footprint pan-India across tier-2 cities and soon onto global presence. As an organisation, we will foster a culture of innovation and dynamism in business development and earn recognition as the best workplace in the sector and in India. The group's business verticals are broadly classified as port & logistics, industrial clusters, commercial infrastructure and homes, and the business thrust will be focused accordingly.
What is the company's USP?
Our USP or the driving force is the Spirit of Visioneering. This force is the moral fiber, the lifeblood of Marg. The attitude earlier represented our foresight which was to identify opportunities first, ahead of other players, in the marketplace. Over time it has emerged as the attitude that keeps our focus on continuously envisaging who our customers are going to be and what their needs just might be. This way of thinking is well illustrated in all our projects and endeavours.
Swarnabhoomi, a future city, will prove to be a winner for future citizens of Chennai. A new city which arrests the rupture of a beautiful city like Chennai and gives people an opportunity to live life to the fullest in a new city geared with the requisite civic and social infrastructure. Affordable housing in the new city is a brilliant tool for corporate customers to address employee attrition by offering homes in the vicinity of the workplace. For the salaried class, it would be a dream come true to own a home in a global city.
Tapovan, a silent garden, has emerged as a perfect antidote for stress that celebrities and other professionals encounter every day.
Leading the transformation in the hinterland is Karaikal Port. The port is planned to emerge as the finest port on the East Coast of India and will raise the bar for other ports on the anvil. Geared for international maritime trade, technology will be the backbone of the port. A riverside mall, including multiplex and business hotel on the IT corridor will be a godsend for the over 4,00,000 people working and living in the neighborhood.
Reaffirming the corporate philosophy of inclusive living, GLSDI will train 5,000 youth in the villages surrounding Swarnabhoomi. This initiative will enhance employment opportunities, create entrepreneurs and herald the promise of a better life for the local community. And as it is said, that true success is only when it is shared equitably. A pool of trained workforce in the vicinity will be a boon for the industries as they set up operations in the SEZ. Recognising that it is ultimately people who drive transformation, the organisation is geared up with a human capital of over 300 people with experience across numerous sectors.