HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 3: In a bid to provide a fillip to tourism industry in the state, Assam Toursim Development Corporation (ATDC) signed an MoU with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited (APPL) and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), subsidiaries of Tata Group companies, said an official statement on Saturday.
The MoU was signed a function held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in presence of chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and chairman Tata Sons Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
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“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 in Kaziranga. ATDC on behalf of Government of Assam will be acting as a nodal agency to implement the project,” the statement added.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister expressed his gratitude to Tata Group of companies for partnering with Government of Assam in the promotion of eco-tourism.
“The venture would help the state for overall development of tourism. Once fully operational, the project would generate not less than 200 direct employment generation and will significantly contribute towards luxury hospitality experience in Kaziranga,” the statement quoted Sarma as saying.
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 Sarma opined that a game changer for the development of the state.
He further 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.
“With this understanding, Assam’s economy will get a new momentum,” he added.
He further 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 State government for the successful implementation of the projects that Tata Group is partnering with Assam.
On the other hand, Tata Sons chairman hailed Assam and its natural beauty.
“The landscape of the state is mesmerizing and has got all elements to become world class tourist destination,” he added.
Thanking Sarma, the Tata Sons chairman said that the under the chief minister economy of the state received a new impetus.
He also announced that the Vivanta, a chain of hotels under Indian Hotels Company Limited will be upgraded to Taj Hotel in Guwahati, adding, “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.
