According to a PIB release, with a view to take stock of the various arrangements related to the augmentation of hotel accommodation coming up for the Commonwealth Games, (CWG) 2010 in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi, a high level meeting of the Task Force was held under the chairmanship of Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism in New Delhi recently. The meeting was attended by land owning agencies namely Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the Government of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and other stakeholders namely Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), New Delhi Municipal Council, Ministry of Urban Development, Department of Delhi Jal Board BSES and India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC).

Banerjee reviewed all the new hotel projects coming up for the CWG 2010 along with the licensed guest houses, B&B establishments, DDA Housing flats located at Vasant Kunj, which will be operated by ITDC. The review of the Task Force indicated that there are 11,793 ‘definite’ rooms showing an increase of 812 rooms since the previous review. Further, 8,659 rooms have been completed, out of the overall 11,793 ‘definite’ rooms.

The performance of Haryana has been consistent with nearly 93 per cent of the ‘definite’ 7,221 rooms having been completed. The review indicated commendable performance by Uttar Pradesh since the last meeting of the Task Force held in April 2010. There are 377 functional rooms and 609 ‘definite’ rooms showing an increase of 71 rooms and 303 rooms respectively in Noida. In respect of Greater Noida, the ‘definite’ rooms have shown an increase by 408 rooms and thus 569 rooms have now been placed in the ‘definite’ category. As regards Ghaziabad, there will be 672 functional rooms and the ‘definite’ category now stands at 1,363 rooms showing an increase of 295 rooms.

Banerjee stressed on the need to ensure timely completion of the remaining 3,134 ‘definite’ rooms by DDA, Haryana and other land owning agencies and desired that all efforts may be made to complete the maximum of ‘likely’ rooms into a ‘definite’ category. He requested that all the land owning agencies should also take up the upgradation and beautification of the surrounding areas and approach roads to the new hotel projects which are coming up. It was again emphasised that setting-up of a ‘Single Window System’ for the grant of various clearances to the hotels would be a positive step in this direction.

He also added that the issue of clearances was critical for the hotels, as benefits announced by the government of the five-year Tax Holiday will be available to two, three and four-star category hotels under sections 80-ID of the Income Tax Act, only if they start operations by July 31, 2010. The upgradation of the DDA Flats located at Vasant Kunj was also reviewed. It was stressed that DDA may strictly adhere to the completion plans so that they can be handed over to ITDC for furnishing as these process should be completed by August 31, 2010.

It is estimated that around 11,028 rooms would be available from the licensed guest houses in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. MoT is providing skill development training to the owners and the staff of these identified licensed guest houses through IHM, Pusa.

Beautification / upgradation of the surrounding areas to guest houses in Karol Bagh and Pahar Ganj was reviewed and MCD was directed to complete all the works regarding upgradation / beautification of the identified major and internal roads, urinal blocks, rotaries, parks and signages. Banerjee advised that these works may be reviewed on a more regular basis to ensure that these are completed by June 30, 2010.

As regards the ‘Bed & Breakfast’ establishments, presently there are a total of 2,007 rooms in the NCR of Delhi (1,230 rooms in Delhi and 777 rooms in the NCR namely Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad). Representative of Government of NCT of Delhi informed that efforts are being made to expedite all pending applications and for wider publicity of the scheme to enlist more homeowners to join the scheme. Banerjee directed that the list of the Bed & Breakfast establishment should be updated on the official website of the Games Travel Office for wider publicity.

Banerjee while appreciating the efforts made so far, directed all the concerned agencies / departments to regularly review and monitor the development of accommodation and measures for upgrading the infrastructure being undertaken so that sufficient time is available for booking and reservation by tourists well before the CWG 2010.