ATDC inks MoU with IHCL and APPL for setting up hotels and hospitality infrastructure
CM Dr. Sarma terms MoU as a stimulator for economic development
In a move to provide a fillip to tourism industry in the state, Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) signed an MoU with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited (APPL) and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), subsidiaries of Tata Group companies, at a function held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Chairman Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
It may be noted that MD ATDC Padmapani Bora, CEO IHCL Puneet Chhatwal and MD and CEO APPL Sukhjeet Singh Malhotra signed the memorandum of understanding. 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 Government of Assam will be acting as a nodal agency to implement the project.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma while expressing his gratitude to Tata Group of companies for partnering with Government of Assam in the promotion of eco-tourism, said that the venture would help the state for overall development of tourism. He said that once fully operational, the project would generate not less than 200 direct employment generation and will significantly contribute towards luxury hospitality experience in Kaziranga. Terming it a landmark day, as the state witnessed successful manifestation of two projects namely bhumi pujan for a semiconductor unit at Jagiroad and MoU for a star hotel in Kazirnaga on a single day which 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 of 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. Dr. Sarma also assured all help from State government for the successful implementation of the projects that Tata Group is partnering with Assam.
Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran while speaking on the occasion hailed Assam and its natural beauty. He said that the landscape of the state is mesmerizing and has got all elements to become world class tourist destination. Thanking Dr. Sarma, the Tata Sons Chairman said that the 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 Dr. Ravi Kota, Principal Secretary Tourism Dr. 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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