Date:23/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/23/stories/2007112353690400.htm

New Delhi

DTC makes out a case for budget hotels

Staff Reporter

‘Can be constructed on bus depot land’

Two companies interested in the project
Could make DTC financially viable

NEW DELHI: With the new Master Plan for Delhi-2021 making a provision for construction of budget hotels at Delhi Transport Corporation depots, a presentation on the subject was made before Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit at Delhi Secretariat here on Wednesday.

It was pointed out in the audio-visual presentation, which was attended by a number of senior Delhi Government and DTC officials, that the budget hotels can easily be constructed on the depot land without hampering the working there.

The need for the presentation was felt since two companies have evinced keen interest in setting up such hotels in Delhi.

There being an acute shortage of hotel rooms on the one hand, and DTC looking for more and more avenues of revenue, the project, it is felt, will provide a way forward into making the Corporation – which is also going in for a major expansion of its bus fleet – more financially viable.

Formal plans

Sources said with the presentation showing how the plan can be implemented, now moves would be initiated to formalise various plans.

Once the Delhi Government approves of the scheme, necessary permissions pertaining to change of land use would also be obtained from the Union Urban Development Ministry to construct these budget hotels.