 BT-GALLUP
SURVEY: 2001
India's
Best Cities For Business
Since our last such
survey in 1998, fortunes of India’s top cities have swung wildly. How
much and how exactly? The stories that follow tell you all.
Mumbai: A Revival
India’s business
capital is back to where it belongs: right on top of the heap. And, no,
that’s not just because software chips are down Mumbai has moved up
because, hey, things still happen here.
Chennai: Binary Boost
Automotive companies love
it, retailers love it, and now the code jocks do too. In barely four
years, Chennai has shaped up its infrastructure and given Bangalore a run
for its money. Exploring Chennai’s new Zeitgeist.
Bangalore: So Far, So
Good
Its power situation is
grim, pollution levels soaring, and the software gravy train pitching a
bit. But Bangalore still retains its lustre for investors, has hopes of
delivering on the biotech revolution, and has a side-bet on healthcare.
Chandigarh: Planned
Scalability
In terms of its sheer
infrastructure facilities, Chandigarh beats all the other cities hands
down. But its structural rigidity may limit its growth. Still, keep your
eyes on Chandigarh.
Mysore: More Than Just
Palaces
Just like Pune benefited
from its proximity to Mumbai, Mysore is basking in the reflected software
glory of Bangalore. A cool weather, low cost of living, and cheap manpower
are encouraging companies to explore Mysore for business. The flipside?
There’s literally no life after work.
Pune: Make Me Mumbai
Not too long, the only
people who wanted to buy a one-way ticket to Pune were retirees. Not any
more. With Mumbai running out of space, a host of new businesses—from
software to retail—is discovering the charms of Pune.
Hyderabad: a.k.a.
Hyderabad?
Quite simply, the biggest
let-down of the survey. The culprit? Its overworked infrastructure, which
doesn’t seem to have grown in tandem with the city. As a result,
companies are crying themselves hoarse over the high cost of power in
Cyberabad.
Coimbatore: A New
Direction
Thanks to the city’s
strong entrepreneurial spirit, the local business is not only recovering
from its setbacks in the textile business, but making progress in
software, biotech and precision engineering industries. Its strategic
proximity to Chennai and Bangalore is helping too.
Delhi: The Rot
Continues
It’s the original
paradox. There’s no shortage of businesses in the city, and thanks to
Gurgaon, more are pouring in. Still, stifling bureaucracy, burgeoning
population, and teeming roads are making India’s capital a poor
straggler in the race for business.
Thiruvananthapuram:
From The Shadow Of Labour
For years, industry kept
off God’s own country, because of a militant workforce. But the death of
Communism and a new, realistic industrial policy are building business
confidence.
Editorial
C U 2Nite@McLuhan's...
Features
Managing
Tomorrow
On November 30, Business
Today kicked off its Managing Tomorrow Series in Mumbai. Snapshots from
the event that got corporate Mumbai talking.
Trends
Leader: Superman V: Murasoli Maran
Dis-Intermediation: Trade
In, Drop Out
Greener Pastures: Selling
The State
IBP: Going,
Going, Gone
BT
dot.com
ISP Woes
Too many internet service
providers, and not enough customers. How are ISPs to survive?
What
Works
How passenger car giant Maruti
Udyog has wired its supply chain.
What's
Hot
Why there are no buyers for
Tehelka.com.
Dot
Column
The secret of marketing in the
connected world.
People
Starring: Rakesh Gangwal and
Rana Talwar, formerly of US Airways and Standard Chartered, respectively;
Michael Mascarenhas of Air India; and Ingo Schweder of Mandarin Oriental. Columns
Essay By
R. Sukumar
Business
Revival By Pradeep Chanda
Going By The Book By Diljeet Titus
Leadership Secrets By Harish
Bijoor |
