U.S. Asks Indian Cos to Rebuild New Orleans

[Courtneyjo]

"Indian construction companies are set to gain entry into the United States."

"In the aftermath of devastation by Hurricane Katrina, the US administration has announced a $200 billion reconstruction package. And several Indian companies like Punj Lloyd have been approached to facilitate the reconstruction."

'According to Atul Punj, chairman of Punj Lloyd, “US companies have approached us but the major hurdle is visa restrictions. We have asked for special visa permission for this purpose so that the reconstruction can be completed on schedule.” With New Orleans having been devastated, major reconstruction potential exists and Punj wants to take advantage of this opportunity. The construction giant is also planning to mop up over Rs 500 crore from the capital market.'

http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/1...483%2C0002.htm

[Karin]

Well this is news and what happens to the "local" construction companies that are qualified to do the work?

[Courtneyjo]

It would be nice to have more details about the business deals that are going on. What do you do if you had a local construction company and lost most of your equipment to the storm, and your crews have scattered to the four winds? They need to work now, not wait for a contract for work next month or next year. The companies in the larger cities, e.g. Baton Rouge perhaps will be able to take on some of these projects.

There are companies from all over the U.S. looking to drum up business in the Gulf States, so we will have to see who ends up with what.

[brotherhrolf]

I am a division manager for the contractor's licensing board. The workforce of Louisiana has been scattered to the four winds. There are 400,000 unemployed workers in Louisiana. While it would be ideal for us to use local contractors, and our governor is certainly adamant about this, until such time as we can get housing for these workers and get them returned to Louisiana, we will have to rely upon those contractors who can marshall their forces, provide transportation, food and shelter for them, and get them into the area ASAP. Yes, Louisiana contractors could rebuild the state but it would take them decades. The use of out-of-state contractors is simple pragmatism, nothing more.

[Faithful One]

Originally Posted by brotherhrolf

The use of out-of-state contractors is simple pragmatism, nothing more.

It may be but the workers are still going to need a place to live.... unless they plan to commute. Temporary living quarters is the major problem we are having here currently.
Gads! Most of the people I know who are simply trying to get back to inspect & clean up there own homes have no place to stay, every hotel & motel in the state is booked for 2 -3 months; every available room ANYWHERE is occupied by triple the number of people considered to be max. safety risk.

Maybe the Feds can put their Indian crew in the extra 10,000 rooms on the 3 Cruise ships (originallyintended for victims) which they rented for $230 million. That's right $230,000,000 ...

[Karin]

Originally Posted by Faithful One

Maybe the Feds can put their Indian crew in the extra 10,000 rooms on the 3 Cruise ships (originallyintended for victims) which they rented for $230 million. That's right $230,000,000 ...

Why did they do this...rent them out that is?

[Faithful One]

Originally Posted by Karin

Why did they do this...rent them out that is?

I think the original intent was to help the evacuees; but I think only 1500 people were actually housed and it was mostly relief workers, etc.
See:
http://www.local10.com/news/5030118/detail.html

Doesn't exactly sound like 'simply a matter of "pragmatism"' to me.

[Ani Ibi]

Originally Posted by Faithful One

I think the original intent was to help the evacuees;

And many of the evacuees had had enough of water and declined to stay on the ships.

[brotherhrolf]

The two cruise ships have been a deep mystery to us here. All we have been told is that they are being used to house relief workers (and not many of them). I don't know why they aren't bringing evacuees back from the shelters in Baton Rouge and putting them on the ships. I don't think it's a question of being on the "water" since the Mississippi has always been a presence in the life of every New Orleanian and, they are tied up to the dock. Something else is definitely going on.

The first of FEMA's travel trailer parks is scheduled to open within days here in Baton Rouge (actually the suburb of Baker). It is out in an old cow pasture a mile out of the town of Baker proper. These are not mobile homes but camper type trailers. Each trailer will have a tiny refrig/freezer, a tiny shower/toilet, a tiny stove top powered by propane, bed and fold out bed/sofa. No TV. If the evacuee wants TV, they must pay for it and for cable. Meals will be served three times a day at a communal chow hall. FEMA has not arranged for transportation into town or for security.

If I were an evacuee, I would opt for the cruise ship. Swimming pools, recreational facilities and tied up at the dock in downtown NO not in some cow pasture in the boondocks of Baton Rouge. If they aren't going to allow me access to cooking my own meals (which seems to be the intent in Baker since they aren't providing transportation into town), I think I'd be better off on the cruise ship. At least I'd be home..........so, why aren't they utilizing the cruise ships that they paid soooooo much money for? Methinks there is something rotten in New Orleans.

[Courtneyjo]

I saw a report on TV that showed a real displaced family onboard one of those ships. They did like the amenities and said it was worth every penny. I don't know if they realized how many pennies it actually is costing, though.