In a significant move to boost the tourism industry in Assam, the Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amalgamated Plantations Private Limited (APPL) and the Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), both subsidiaries of Tata Group companies. The signing ceremony took place at Lok Sewa Bhawan in the presence of Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran.
The MoU was signed by MD ATDC Padmapani Bora, CEO IHCL Puneet Chhatwal, and MD and CEO APPL Sukhjeet Singh Malhotra. Under this agreement, a Taj Resort and Spa will be established with an investment of Rs. 120 crore. Additionally, the collaboration between APPL and IHCL will lead to the development of modern hotel and hospitality infrastructure at Kaziranga. ATDC will act as the nodal agency on behalf of the Government of Assam to implement the project.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma expressed his gratitude to the Tata Group for partnering with the Government of Assam to promote eco-tourism. Moreover, he highlighted that this venture would significantly aid the overall development of tourism in the state. Once fully operational, the project is expected to generate at least 200 direct jobs and contribute significantly to the luxury hospitality experience in Kaziranga. Dr. Sarma marked the day as a landmark event, noting the successful manifestation of two major projects: the bhumi pujan for a semiconductor unit at Jagiroad and the MoU for a star hotel in Kaziranga.
Dr. Sarma had previously requested the Tata Group to establish a luxury five-star hotel in the state, and with this MoU, this need will become a reality in Kaziranga. Further, he emphasized that this agreement would provide a new momentum to Assam’s economy and thanked the Tata Group for selecting Assam as its investment destination, reflecting the company’s core commitment. The Chief Minister assured all necessary support from the state government for the successful implementation of the projects.
Tata Sons Chairman Natarajan Chandrasekaran praised Assam’s natural beauty and highlighted its potential to become a world-class tourist destination. Furthermore, he announced that the Vivanta hotel chain in Guwahati would be upgraded to a Taj Hotel. Additionally, the Tata Group plans to set up a Taj Gateway hotel between Guwahati and Jagiroad. Chandrasekaran thanked Chief Minister Sarma for his efforts in providing new impetus to the state’s economy.
The event was also attended by 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 other dignitaries.
