Badal inaugurates ''Baradari Palace" Heritage Hotel

Patiala, Sep 21 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today inaugurated ''The Baradari Palace'', a heritage hotel of the Neemrana Group of Hotels located in the pristine surroundings of the Baradari Gardens here.

The project is a collaborative effort of the Department of Tourism, Punjab and the prestigious Neemrana Group of Hotels to restore the over-a-century old Rajindra Kothi through public-Private Partnership.

Describing the hotel as the ''first of its kind in the state,'' the Chief Minister said that the Government would consider restoring other heritage properties using the same Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, wherever feasible.

Stressing that creation of excellent infrastructure, including high quality heritage and budget hotels was essential to boost tourism , the CM said that the State Government was working with UN World Tourism Organisation to come up with an attractive tourism policy in order to attract greater investment.

On the occasion, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Hira Singh Gabria informed that the 19th Century Rajindra Kothi used to house the State Archives. As some of its parts had become dilapidated and unsafe, it was decided to re-vitalise it as a Heritage Hotel and a deal was struck with the Neemrana Groups of Hotels.

A 30-year lease agreement had been signed with the Neemrana Group on a profit-sharing basis for the sprawling 4.65 acre property. Apart from the lease rental, the lessee will pay 5 per cent of the gross revenue generated in this hotel to the Government, he said.

To ensure transparency, the entire revenue generated will be credited into an Escrow account and 5 per cent of the gross revenue will be apportioned to the Punjab Government.

The scope of work of the lessee included the restoration, conservation and maintenance of the Heritage Building as per the guidelines and specifications prescribed by INTACH, the tourism minister said.

Chairman Francis Wacziarg and Co-Chairman Aman Nath of Neemrana Group of Heritage Hotels informed that at present the Baradari Palace has 17 suites and rooms along with a Restaurant and Conference facilities.

These have been created at an investment of about Rs 4 crore.

More facilities like a Cafeteria, Bar, Swimming pool and various other facilities, which any top-class hotel provided were slated to be added shortly, he said.

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