The name Indore originated from the historical temples of Indreshwar and Indrapur. With time this was changed to Indore. Indore has got a Big History behind it, but the City of Indore was Planned and built by the brave holkar queen 'Rani Ahilyabai Holkar'. Ahilyabai was the daughter-in-law of Malhar Rao Holkar who was the last male ruler of this region. Rani Ahilyabai was brought into Indore when her father-in-law and her husband, both perished at war and left her widowed. There after she took the responsibility of Indore into her own hands. Her astute leadership took Indore through a most troubled period.


Climatic Conditions

It is having moderately cool climate with an average annual rainfall of 40 inches. The variation in daily temperature in this region is from about minimum 24°C to maximum 45°C in summers and in winters it ranges from about 4°C minimum to 25°C maximum. The range of relative humidity varies from a minimum of 60 % to a maximum of 90%.


Developments

With well developed transport system & telecom connectivity it is the largest city in Madhya Pradesh Indore The city offers the right mix of hi-quality industrial and social infrastructure comparable to that available in other metros, but at lower costs.


Connectivity

The city is well connected via rail, road and air transport services.
Airport- Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport connects Indore directly to Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Raipur, Nagpur and Bhopal in India with major airlines such as Indian, Jet Airways, Air Sahara, Kingfisher Airlines and Deccan Aviation operating on these routes. By the year end Indore airport will function as International Airport. International cargo service is under testing. This airport has good infrastructure and facilities. It has also started a free wireless internet connectivity using Wi-Fi technology.
Railways- Indore is one of the major commercial railway stations of Western Railways. It comes under the Ratlam Division of Indian Railways. Indore is well connected via train services to all parts of the country including the four metros. Indore junction is the main station serving most of the important and long distance trains. Indore lies on the longest functional meter gauge line in India between Jaipur and Purna.
Roads- Indore is fairly well connected to other parts of Madhya Pradesh and India with national and state highways. The Agra-Bombay national highway (NH3) passes through Indore. There are many National Highways passing through Indore. 1) NH3 2) NH69, 69A 3)

 NH86

Telecom- Indore has the proud to be the first private Telephone Exchange and internet service in the country by bharti Airtel (India's first and the largest private telephone service provider), Who launched its first private telephone & internet setvice in Indore. It is the only State in India to have four basic telecom providers including three in the private sector. The city is having Good Network of Public & Private Telephones, Cellular Phones & 6 Internet Service Providers.


Education

Indore is a major educational center of Madhya Pradesh and has many well-known institutions. The city boasts one of India's best business schools - The Indian Institute of Management (The 4th IIM of India.)

There are also a number of good engineering colleges, like:
Shri Govindram Seksaria Institute of Technology and Science, SVITS, MITM, Institute of Engineering and technology which are imparting quality education to the students in the field of technology and engineering .

The Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College is well known, both nationally and abroad. In addition, the Holkar Science College has been regarded as one of the most prestigious colleges of science in the country for much of the last century.
Raja Ramanna Centre for Advance Technology(CAT), formerly Center of Advance Technology, is one of India's foremost scientific research institutions. It is primarily devoted to atomic research.
Indore has developed as a big hub for preparing students for higher education. There are a number of coaching centers that prepare students for entering into various Indian and international educational institutions.


Trade & Commerce

Textile trade has flourished since decades. Although, most of the mills had shut down but again chances of the cotton market have become bright and now the news in the air is that by 2010 the faded business will bloom again. Automobile manufacturing industry which is located in Pithampur where Kinetic, Honda, Bajaj Tempo, Hindustan Motors, Eicher Group, Bridgestone and others have units is the other sector for which the city is famous for.

Indore also boasts of being the best shopping destination in central India. Indore is the highest revenue-paying city of the state, contributing as much as 60 per cent of the total collection.
It is a favored test market for industries owing to the diversity of its population. Indore is going to be now wi-fi & a Software Park is also coming soon.

City mall culture also blooming in Indore. Recently, new shopping malls like Treasure Island, Mangal City, Orbit-the real mall, Mega Mall and Cine Mall have come up and has given raise to the city's trade & Industrial Infrastructure
Indore has taken various prestigious projects of industrial infrastructure development in and around Indore. It has as well its own industrial areas where a big number of large, medium and small scale industries are located. These are.--

• Pithampur Industrial Area
• Polo ground Industrial Area
• Sanwer Road Industrial Area.
• Laxmibai Nagar Industrial Area.
• Electronics Complex at Pardeshipura
• Readymade Garments Complex at Pardesipura
• Optel Software Technology Park pardeshipura

-INDORE is also known in the map of Asia as one of the largest producer of Pharmaceuticals like basic and bulk drugs formulations, tabulating, capsulling etc. There are more than 1000 small and big Pharmaceutical units like Syncom formulations pvt. ltd. Ranbaxy, Nicholas & Piramal, Cipla located in and around Indore.
-INDORE has also been a Famous for Soybean cultivation with most major companies in soya processing operating from here. Ruchi Soya Industries Limited is the largest edible oil company in India engaged in refining and trading of edible oils, soybean oil extraction, and export of soybean meal. It has an annual turnover of over US$ 550 million. The company has its edible oil refinery at Indore in 2003. The plant capacity is 1000 tones per day.
-INDORE has been a hub for the automobile, steel & alloy and Software Industries. The city houses many leading industries offices and some of the top IT companies of the country.


 

Banks and Financial Institutes

Madhya Pradesh Financial Corporation is having its head office at Indore. Indore, being a large Industrial & Commercial city, has presence of all the leading banks and financial institutions of the nation like SIDBI, NABARD, IDBI, SBI etc. The State Bank of Indore has its Head Office at Indore.


IT & INDORE- (Next IT off shoring Location)

Indore occupies a prominent place in the changing contours of India's IT map. According to a recent study metros have reached a stage of saturation, and it is now the turn of tier- II cities to witness the Next IT off shoring Locations. Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Chandigarh, Kolkata and Indore are identified as the next preferred IT off shoring locations for India. The research highlights that these five cities fulfill the requirements that companies look for when deciding on off shoring locations in India, namely availability and costs of labour and real estate, business environment as well as physical and social infrastructure. They are getting high returns at low investment & labour. Today Madhya Pradesh Agency for Promotion of Information Technology (MAPIT) has emerged as a nodal point for IT growth and policy. To help sustain its technological edge, the State has also made huge investment in IT education.
Indore is one of the fastest growing Tier II cities in India, Indore provides the industries with complete civic and industrial infrastructure. Major initiatives are being taken for attracting investors to enjoy the privileges of a developing center. The government has drawn ambitious plans, including the master plan, to develop the city at par with the metros.
This makes Indore a very attractive proposition for the IT sector. Indore is on the radar of a number of IT companies. with th declaration of two big projects.

1. The Madhya Pradesh government has earmarked 2,000 acres of land for an IT SEZ (Special Economic Zone) in Indore.
2. The Devi Ahilya Holker Airpot Indore is being proposed for an international airport and the procedure for its upgradation and expansion is under way. The airport itself will be a catalyst for future It development.

The possibility of IT companies opening though in Indore, are still at a nascent stage but anticipation of the boom has already spurring social & economic infrastructure development of the city. IT companies are visiting to explore avenues and some foreign investors have already invested huge sums of money in concurrent projects going on in and around Indore


INDORE REAL ESTATE

The inter- relation between IT and real estate development is very conspicuous. A study of Indian real estate activity reveals that the threshold of the IT sector in any city, metro, mini-metro, Tier 1, Tier 2 or Tier 3 city, boost the real estate industry and develop the local economy with a high returns. Thus, Indore is witnessing the inflow of investment from major real-estate developers, IT companies, and the so-called "old-world industry" companies. The companies like Omaxe, Raheja, Ansal, Parsvnath, Eldeco has entered & strike the Indore real estate market.

This real estate boom has been slowly ushering in comprehensive changes in Indore. The city observed high blast in real estate business relative to growth of prices of various types of properties in the last one year. The record shows uneven price appreciation. Some areas recording phenomenal hike like north-east area of the city covering A B Road and Bypass where prices have almost become beyond the reach of common man. Even financial analysts reveal that Indore is a profitable and advisable destination for an investor who is looking for rapid capital appreciation and high rental income. The location and future prospects of the city generates a very good opportunity for the development of Indore real estate market.

Being the commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, demand for commercial and retail spaces in the city are being catered to by developing retail malls and commercial complexes along MG Road, Ring Road and A B Road. The entire stretch bristles with impressive shopping complexes, upcoming malls, sprawling institutes and schools, and hotels. EWDPL's Treasure Island (0.6 million sq ft), located on MG Road, was the first organized retail format in the city. Indore already has a number of national and international brands and still city retail industry is looking forward for ushering more prospects in the city

Residential properties are in high demand in the city, and which are mainly in the form of plot developments, though there are a few apartment project are going in and around the city. The growth in demand for apartments is partly because of rising immigrants from other cities and also due to a 47 per cent increase in population in a decade. According to the research, there is a demand for at least 1,00,000 residential units a year in Indore to accommodate the increase populace.


UPCOMING PROJECTS OF INDORE

1. Economic Development Projects
2. real estate Development projects

1. Economic Development Projects
-SEZ (Special economic Zone) :
The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) Policy was announced in "April 2000" with a view to attract larger foreign investments in India so as to bring economic growth in the country. The business done here would help vastly in the infrastructure development of the country. Therefore, this policy is supported by quality infrastructure complemented by an attractive fiscal package, both at the Centre and the State level, with the minimum possible regulations.

The objectives of SEZ:

(a) generation of additional economic activity (b) promotion of exports of goods and services; (c) promotion of investment from domestic and foreign sources; (d) creation of employment opportunities; (e) development of infrastructure facilities

Thus, The Madhya Pradesh Government to implement the Central Government's policy of providing an internationally competitive environment for exports has come up with creation a Special Economic Zone scheme in Indore with the Madhya Pradesh Audyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam Ltd (MPAKVN)

M.P. AKVN is developing SEZ in INDORE over 1038.57 hectares (2500 acres) of land near Pithampur which is the the most advanced and developed industrial center in central India. The sector is developing in two phases amounting Rs.3674 crores (700 million dollars). It has five functional units, of which four are production-based, while the fifth is trade-based

A Special Economic Zone is coming soon to boost software exports. Some big Indian companies, like TCS, are expected to start there operations once the SEZ is in place. Developers like K Raheja and Unitech have already been allotted land in the proposed IT SEZ. With lots of industries to be set up under the scheme, it would generate a large number of employment, subsequently increasing the purchasing power of the people, and ultimately resulting in human, cultural and infrastructure development besides industrial development of the state & country.

- Asia's Largest Testing Track :
The development of mini auto cluster in Pithampur is being promoted by the Government of India. The government has declared a budget of Rs. 5000 crores for building the Asia's largest testing track for ground breaking research and development

- Crystal IT Park :
A noteworthy development is the Crystal IT Park on 24 acres of land at Khandwa Road. Prospective growth of the IT sector has fuelled the growth of residential real estate in the city. Indore is on the radar of a number of IT companies.

2. Real Estate Development Projects

-Eredene Capital Investment :
Eredene capital plc, London UK, specialized investor in India real estate funds announced two investments in Indore real estate market. The Company is carried on with 2 projects in the city ie on MR-3 & MR-10, which are being expected to commence within the current year and will be accomplish by 2011. .

The company invested in an integrated residential township located in a prime site on the outskirts of the city of Indore. The township will be situated on a 100 acre site located off the main Agra-Bombay National Highway and next to the proposed MR-3 arterial road in the area of Bijalpur, some 6 km from the centre of the city of Indore. The site benefits from direct access to the city centre and airport. The site is also on the route between Indore and the 2,600 acre Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Pithampur, which is one of the hubs for industrial activity in Madhya Pradesh State.

The company also invested in the development of a combined retail, office, hotel and residential complex. The complex will be situated on a 19.52 acre site near the junction of the Indore bypass and the proposed Major Route 10. It will include a 1,160,000 square feet shopping mall, 343,750 square feet of commercial office space, a 150 room 4 star hotel comprising an area of 125,000 square feet and residential towers comprising of 500 units within a 760,000 square feet area.

-Omaxe - A Multi Million Real Estate Major :

Omaxe, a multi-crore group, north India's fastest growing real estate major, founded in 1987, is a premier ISO 9001:2000 has executed more than 100 reputed projects and carved a niche in the field of housing, institutional, commercial and industrial construction. The group Omaxe is coming out with Omaxe City - an integrated ultra modern township in Indore.

The town ship 'Omaxe City' will be on NH-3, Agra-Bombay bypass. It is a modern suburbia containing everything from residential plots, expandable villas, hospitals, commercial complexes and schools. The Township is Spread over an area of 89 acres with an investment of Rs.200 crore. The project is already approved by Town and Country Planning, Madhya Pradesh and the demarcation of land and initial phase of construction has already started.

-Sahara Infrastructure & Housing :

Sahara Infrastructure & Housing, is the largest real estate developing Company with an array of multi-dimensional ventures like Mini & Mega townships, Shopping Malls & Commercial Complexes across India.

Sahara Infrastructure & Housing (Sahara I&H) announced the launching of "Sahara City Homes project", a chain of 217 self sufficient high quality townships to be built across the country. The renowned architect Hafeez Contractor has designed these townships introducing for the first time a fully air-conditioned township, which reflects an International standard of living. Residents will experience an exclusive lifestyle at par with International standards

The construction work of Sahara City Homes, in Indore has been planned on the bypass at Bicholi Mardana on 89 acres of land. The company have received all the approvals from Central & State level government and construction work on the townships have commenced.

-Suncity Projects Pvt Ltd :

Suncity Projects Pvt Ltd is a pioneer in promoting & establishing urbane real estate projects ranging from Leading Edge Township, group housing, luxury apartments to advanced shopping Malls & Office Complexes.

The company launched its project in Indore by name " VISTARA" a modern integrated township. The township township is spread over 150 acres on NH-3 Agra Mumbai highway which is few minutes drive from centre of Indore . This township has been designed with facilitation of all modern amenities with wide roads, 3 tier securities, shopping complex, a star hotel etc to bring a Metropolitan Lifestyle to its residents.

Besides this, there is news that a number of national-level multiplex operators have also announced their entry.


TRIVIA (FACTS)

1. The gates of Lalbagh Palace, Indore, are a replica of the gates of Buckingham Palace, London. They were cast in England and then shipped to Indore.
2. Indore has a huge Cricket Bat called "Vijay Balla" made out of concrete with names of the players of the Indian team who won the 1971 series against Gary Sobers' West Indies team.
3. Indore has 40 feet high idol at Bada Ganapati which is the largest idol of Lord Ganesh in the world.
4. CAT, The Center for Advanced Technology is India's main Research center on Laser Technology is in Indore.
5. The famous Radio Mirchi 98.3 FM was started first in Indore then spread to ten other cities of India including 4 metros.
6. Until early 1990s, Bollywood movies were released on the Thursdays in Indore, which elsewhere used to be released on the Fridays. This provided the first reviews about the movie before it was released in rest of India.
7. First private telephone service in India was launched in Indore by Airtel.

NOTABLE CITIZEN FROM INDORE

1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, father of the Indian Constitution and campaigner for Dalit rights was born in Mhow.
2. Swar Kokila Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India was born in Indore to Pandit Dinanath Mangeshkar.
3. Kishore Kumar, famous playback singer and actor, who belonged to Khandwa had studied at the Indore Christian College and used to stay in the hostel.
4. Jony Walker, famous comic actor was born in Indore.
5. Salman Khan, an Indian film actor who appears in Bollywood movies was born in Indore.
6. Ustad Amir Khan, celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist, born in Indore 1912. Referred his unique, unprecedented style of khyal singing as "Indore Gharana."
7. M.F. Husain, eminent painter, he spent his childhood in Indore.
8. Colonel C.K. Nayudu, first Indian Test Captain in cricket. He led India between 1932 and 1934.
9. Captain Mushtaq Ali, Colonel Nayudu's team-mate in the Holkar team and in the Indian team. Popularly known as the 'Errol Flynn' of Indian cricket.
10. Raj Singh Dungarpur, former president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and a former selector. An ex-student of Daly College, Indore.
11. Rahul Dravid, an Indian cricketer, and the current captain of the Indian cricket, born in Indore.
12. Narendra Hirwani, a leg spin bowler and former member of Indian cricket team moved to Indore when he was a teenager.