Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok drives into sunset

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 11: Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, once a familiar address that hosted many VIPs and VVIPs in the city, besides being a venue for many high-profile events, is all set to pass into the pages of history.  The Assam Tourism Development Corporation (ATDC), which is currently looking after the hotel has issued the notification in this regard on Friday announcing its decision to close down the hotel from 1st September.  In fact, the fate of the hotel overlooking the mighty Brahmaputra was sealed the day the Government of Assam formally took it over by buying the remaining majority share from the Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). While the ATDC already held 49% stake in the hotel, the State government bought off the remaining 51% share from the ITDC.

Even though there are now speculations that the hotel may be leased out to a third party, the Friday’s notification was silent on its future or that of the hotel’s employees. 

After taking over, Dispur had announced that the hotel will be converted into another State Guest House, taking the number of such guest houses to three.

However, the buzz going around is that Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok will be leased out to a third party for running it as a guest house. If true, it is likely to generate much heat in the days to come. The move may raise criticisms as it may cost the State exchequer while not accruing any fincial benefit.

“The hotel might be developed for future projects on public-private-partnership mode,” a source said.