By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 04, 2019: THE Union Cabinet approved the plan and authorised India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO) to transfer 3.7 acres of land at Pragati Maidan on a 99 year fixed leasehold basis at a price of Rs 611 crore in favour of the SPV, which would be formed by India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) for development and operation of a five-star hotel.

The implementation of the International Exhibition and Convention Centre (IECC) project is in full swing and is scheduled to be completed in the year 2020-21.

In order to ensure completion of the hotel project at Pragati Maidan in a fast track mode, the SPV would take necessary steps including selecting a suitable developer and operator third party through a transparent competitive bidding process to construct, run and manage (directly or through a professional brand) the hotel on a long-term fixed lease basis.

In line with the vision of Government to revolutionise India's infrastructure and tourism with the best of standards and service, ITPO is implementing its mega project of redevelopment of Pragati Maidan into world-class IECC. Throughout the World, a hotel facility is an integral part of any Meetings, Initiatives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub/destination.

The hotel facility is an integral part of IECC project which would promote India as a global Meetings, Initiatives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) hub and promote trade & commerce along with employment generation. The hotel would add value to IECC project and would benefit Indian trade & industry.

Additionally, the International Trade Fair which has lakhs of visitors and small traders participating every year would also benefit from this transformation of Pragati Maidan. Increased facilities and modern amenities would greatly benefit the participating traders, entrepreneurs and visitors. This would ensure higher turnout at the Trade Fair, revitalising it and providing a vibrant platform to expand their business horizons and promote Indian goods and services.