Mumbai's 26/11 target Trident-Oberoi Hotel reopens

Mumbai, Apr 25 (ANI): The tower block of Mumbai's Trident-Oberoi Hotel, one of the targets of 26/11 attacks, has reopened after a 40-million dollar renovation.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Ashok Chavan reopened the hotel on Saturday.

The 550-room Trident, which brings in nearly a quarter of annual revenue of the Oberoi-owned East India Hotel Limited (EHL), was a favourite of foreign business executives because of its location in the business district and sweeping view of the Arabian Sea.

Twenty-two guests and 10 staff members were killed during the attack. ccording to the management, the hotel has been completely transformed to offer the highest standard of facilities.

Addressing the occasion Chavan complimented hotel authorities for taking a brave step to move forward.

"I congratulate Mr. Oberoi, hotel staff and other people on this occasion today and hope that we all forget the past. Today we also remember the families who have lost their members but life should move on," Chavan said.

The new hotel will now have 287 guest rooms. The suites have been increased to 73 from 22 including two presidential suites.

"I live in Mumbai...for a couple of years, so, we used to come here quite frequently before 26/11. And today...we thought it would be nice to come back and support the hotel, we had lunch here," said Peter, a visitor.

Ten gunmen landed on Mumbai shores by boats at sunset on November 26, 2008, and fired indiscriminately at a busy railway station, the Chabad House, a restaurant and two luxury hotels.(ANI)