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Sunday 14 April 2013

HDIL looking to acquire 15 acre Digvijay Mills land parcel at Lal Baug

This story first appeared in DNA Money edition on Saturday, Feb 16, 2013.

Realty company Housing Development Infrastructure (HDIL) is looking to acquire a 15 acre land parcel in South Mumbai. The plot in discussion has been identified as the National Textile Corporation's Digvijay Mills at Lal Baug near Chinchpokli.

The said land parcel is originally held by Byramjee Jeejeebhoy Pvt Ltd (BJPL) and was given to NTC on a 99 year lease that expired in 1999. Interestingly, NTC and BJPL are engaged in a court battle over handing over the 4,50,000 square feet plot to BJPL that is worth over Rs 1,000 crore. The matter is currently in the Supreme Court.

Last month, Sarang Wadhawan promoter and vice chairman, HDIL, had sold 50 lakh shares in the open market to raise Rs 57 crore. The money thus raised was to be used by HDIL to fund second tranche of a land acquisition, the details of which were not disclosed then.

While refraining to give out any specific details, Hariprakash Pandey, vice president - finance, HDIL, confirmed that the fund raised by HDIL vice chairman was in connection with the Digvijay Mills land parcel and the court case between BJPL and NTC Mills.

"Yes this is the same case being referred to and the matter is still in the court. A hearing happened on February 8, 2013 post which we have filed a rejoinder and are awaiting announcement of the next hearing date," said Pandey during an analyst call to discuss third quarter financial results for fiscal 2013.

During the October to December 2012 quarter, HDIL reported consolidated sales turnover of Rs 423.17 crore and a net profit of Rs 107.35 crore. Other income for the quarter stood at Rs 8.88 crore. Its consolidated sales turnover was Rs 422.57 crore and net profit was Rs 155.80 crore and other income at Rs 17.75 crore.

In a media statement on Wednesday February 14, 2012, Wadhawan, said that the company is focusing on execution and delivery of existing projects. "The steady pace in approvals would enable us in launching new projects and reduce debt. The company is well positioned in the liquidity scenario and comfortable with the debt repayment schedule," he said.

HDIL's standalone debt has come down by Rs 202.5 crore and stands at Rs 3466.94 crore as on December 31, 2012. According to Pandey, standalone debt is likely to decline further by approximately Rs 200 crore on account of Metropolis sales to be affected in fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. @ashishktiwari

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