STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam Government and IHCL (Indian Hotels Company Ltd) of the Tata Group have joined hands to translate the motto 'terrorism to tourism' into a reality. The case the two parties have taken at hand right now is the development of the tourism sector in the Manas National Park, a world heritage site.
ATDC (Assam Tourism Development Corporation) and IHCL signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) today in the presence of Tourism Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) CEM (Chief Executive Member) Promod Boro, MP Pabitra Margherita and Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Manindra Singh, besides the senior officials of ATDC and the Department of Tourism.
Managing Director Kumar Padmapani Bora signed the MoU on behalf of ATDC and vice president Anika Gupta on behalf of IHCL. And both sides agreed to evaluate the possibilities of setting up the 'Green Field Hotel Project' at Bansbari in Manas National Park under PPP (Public-Private Partnership) mode.
As per the expression of interest shown by IHCL, the State Cabinet approved the proposed tie-up with the Tata Group.
Tourists shied away from visiting Manas National Park over the years because of insurgency. When the situation improved in the BTR, the Covid-19 pandemic kept Manas National Park secluded. To reverse the trend, the State Government and Tata Group took on the task of developing tourism infrastructure in Manas National Park. The two sides hope that the execution of the hotel project will exponentially increase the footfall of quality tourists in Manas National Park, besides boosting the hospitality industry there.
Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said, "I thank Tata Group for its brand like IHCL evincing interest in Manas National Park. Back in the day, tourists didn't dare to visit Manas. The Bodoland has no armed outfits now. All insurgent groups in the BTR have signed an accord with the government. BTC CEM Promod Boro also played an important role in bringing all the insurgent groups to the negotiation table. Now tourists want to visit Manas, but the infrastructure there needs improvement. The credit for today's development goes to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who took the initiative to make this happen."
Promod Boro said, "It is a memorable day for the BTR. We are happy and feel privileged. Manas has 52 tigers now. We aim to raise the tiger population in the national park to 100. The park, spreading across the bordering areas of India and Bhutan, is enriched in fauna and flora. The execution of this hotel project will woo quality tourists."
ATDC will provide 3.7-acre land to IHCL for the hotel project.
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