The Orissa government is soon going to issue new tenders for 17 properties belonging to the state tourism department which failed to attract any bidder in the tendering process held earlier. These properties include wayside tourist amenities centres. The tourist properties in locations like Kapilash, Patharajpur, Dhabaleswar, Daringibadi and Nrusinghanath evoked good response from the bidders while the properties at Parlakhemundi and Bargarh failed to attract even a single bidder.

The decision to opt for re-tendering of the 17 properties was taken at a recently held high-level meeting chaired by T K Mishra, Chief Secretary, Orissa. Mona Sharma, Tourism Secretary, Orissa and other high level delegates were also present at the meeting. “The state tourism department had identified 31 properties for renovation by the private players and it was decided that these properties would be offered to private players on a long-term lease of 30 years. The tenders were identified for 31 properties out of which we got 28 bidders for 14 properties. The tenders for the remaining 17 properties drew a blank and we have decided to opt for re-tendering of these properties.”

The state tourism department is planning to rope in private players to give a face lift to these properties which have been rendered decrepit due to lack of maintenance. While the state government will continue to hold ownership of such properties, the onus will be on private players to refurbish and maintain them. The renovation of the properties will be done on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model.

“We are waiting for the necessary government order to start the process of renovation of these properties. After the issue of the government order, we expect to sign agreements with the selected private players within a month.

The private players, who will refurbish and maintain the properties, will give us an upfront payment besides paying the usual annual royalty. Though the 28 bidders have no prior experience in the hospitality business, they are keen to invest in the sector,” added Sharma.