Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH) announced on Monday the commencement of enabling works and site facilities for its $400 million 1.62 km India Entertainment City development in Navi Mumbai. It includes site offices, boundary fences and other areas that will assist contractors to perform other infrastructure related work. It also announced that Phase II of the infrastructure work on the project, comprising 75 percent of the total area, will commence in February 2010. ADIH awarded a contractor Phase II of the infrastructure work which includes civil works and roads network. Remaining infrastructure work includes electrical, telecommunication and data services; central gas network and district cooling; in addition to a landscaping and pavements. India Entertainment City is one of a series of Shariah-compliant “Entertainment Cities” funds created by ADIH, first of which is currently being developed in Doha, Qatar. The concept is an embodiment of a mixed-use development, encompassing residential, commercial/retail and entertainment components. The entertainment component will include film and multi-media studios, movie theatres, convention halls and other cultural elements. The residential area will consist of medium to high living areas including branded villas and neighborhoods. India was selected as an “Entertainment City” destination due to a few contributing factors such as the resilience of the Indian economy, government's support to economic boost as well as expected growth of demand on Real Estate - from both investors and end users. This is in addition to the Entertainment industry which presents boundless opportunities. The project is believed to contribute to the economy where it will provide numerous new job opportunities. Moreover, the chosen location for IEC, the rapidly developing commercial and industrial hub of Navi Mumbai, which is located on the outskirts of Mumbai City, will ensure that IEC becomes the heart of the entertainment industry. The sites are strategically located at the confluence of several arterial roads and in close proximity to several large infrastructure projects. The area has access to well-developed rail linkages as well as one of India's largest and most modern seaports - Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. The area is also located in close proximity to other large industrial areas, providing access to several feeder industries. Further, its location on the Pune-Mumbai-Thane knowledge corridor provides the site with instant access to skilled manpower in the region. A formal ground breaking ceremony of the Economic Development Zone of which India Entertainment City is a component will take place in February this year. India Entertainment City has a team of experts supporting it, including RTKL - project master planners, in addition to an Advisory Board which comprises of international leaders within the entertainment industry.
