Assam inks MoU with Tata Group for 5-star hotel in Kaziranga
Despite opposition from various wildlife and environmental organisations, the Assam government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited (APPL) and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), subsidiaries of Tata Group companies for a 5-star hotel in the proximity of the Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The MoU was signed between Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) managing director Padmapani Bora, IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal and APPL MD and CEO Sukhjeet Singh Malhotra in, at a function held in Guwahati in presence of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
The MoU was signed by ATDC managing director Padmapani Bora, IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal, APPL MD, and CEO Sukhjeet Singh Malhotra.
As a part of the MoU, a Taj Resort and Spa will be opened with an investment of Rs 120 crore. Moreover, under the MoU, Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited in collaboration with Indian Hotels Company Limited will establish hotel and hospitality infrastructure with modern facilities at Kaziranga.
ATDC on behalf of the Assam government will be acting as a nodal agency for the construction of the big hotel project.
Expressing his gratitude to Tata Group of companies for partnering with the Assam government in the promotion of eco-tourism, chief minister Sarma said that the venture would help the state for the overall development of tourism.
Sarma said that once fully operational, the project would generate not less than 200 direct employment generation and will significantly contribute towards the luxury hospitality experience in Kaziranga.
Terming it a landmark day, as the state witnessed the successful manifestation of two projects namely bhumi pujan for a semiconductor unit at Jagiroad and the MoU for a star hotel in Kazirnaga on a single day, the chief minister believes will be a game changer for the development of the state.
The chief minister said that he had been requesting the Tata Group for setting up a luxury five-star hotel in the state and with this MoU, the need for a five-star hotel in Kaziranga will become a reality. He moreover, said that with this understanding, Assam’s economy will get a new momentum. He thanked the Tata Group for selecting Assam its investment destination, which according to him reflected the core commitment of the company.
Sarma also assured all help from the state government for the successful implementation of the projects that Tata Group is partnering with Assam.
Speaking on the occasion, Tata Sons chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran hailed Assam and its natural beauty and said that the landscape of the state is mesmerizing and has got all elements to become world class tourist destination. Thanking Sarma, the Tata Sons chairman said that under the chief minister economy of the state received a new impetus.
He announced that the Vivanta, a chain of hotels under Indian Hotels Company Limited will be upgraded to Taj Hotel in Guwahati. He also said that somewhere between Guwahati and Jagiroad, the Tata Group will also set up Taj Gateway hotel.
Tourism minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, handloom and textile minister UG Brahma, labour and employment minister Sanjoy Kisan, chief secretary Ravi Kota, principal secretary (tourism) JB Ekka, MD and CEO Indian Hotels Company Limited Puneet Chhatwal, MD and CEO Amalgamated Plantations Pvt Ltd Sukhjeet Singh Malhotra, MD and CEO Tata Electronics Randhir Thakur, MD ATDC Padmapani Bora and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
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