In what has taken many by surprise is the decision of the State tourism department in signing a ‘Lease Agreement’ with the Shillong-based Hotel Polo Towers Pvt. Ltd to develop a 4/5 Star Hotel with a Mall in Dimapur and a 4/5 Star Hotel in Kohima.
The Tourism department has decided to lease out the Tourist Lodges located in Dimapur and Kohima (erstwhile New Millennium). As per the agreement, both the projects would be under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and would operate on a Design, Build, Maintain, Operate, Manage, and Transfer (DBMOMT).
Several prominent citizens of Shillong when asked disclosed that there were other more popular hotels in Shillong like Taj Vivanta or Marriot hotel or even the famed Pinewood hotel.
It was not known whether the Tourism department’s lease has come after floating any letter of interest for interested parties particularly noted hoteliers from the state or even collaboration with reputed hoteliers.
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony at hotel Japfu here, minister for tourism and higher education, Temjen Imna Along emphasised on the need for Naga boutique hotels with Naga consciousness. He suggested that the upcoming hotels should be based on Naga motives, which the Naga people carry. He said that this was just a step to building and empowering the people.
Along said Tourism as an industry has been growing in the state and beyond.
CEO and director of Hotel Polo Towers Pvt. Ltd., Deval Tiberwalla, informed that the projects were aimed to generate employment and contribute to economic growth.
He said that it would at the same time boost the hospitality sector. Tiberwalla said the project was aligned with their vision of setting up hotels in Northeast cities.
Kevipodi Sophie, MLA, said that Nagas had the potential to establish good hotels.
Stating that so far there were not much hotels, Sophie expressed hope that the agreement would give the people and the state a moral boost.
Describing the signing of the agreement as a “new beginning”, he hoped that it would cater the needs of the people.
It was informed that the Dimapur facility would feature top-of-the-line accommodations, multiple dining venues, entertainment centres and retail shops positioning as a complete lifestyle. The Kohima project would focus on providing an unparalleled luxury hotel experience to serve both business and leisure travellers. These landmark projects are focused to elevate the tourism and economic landscape of Nagaland.
On the scope and timeline of the project, it was informed that the detailed agreement laid out a structured, time-bound plan for both initiatives and the Tourism Department alongside Hotel Polo Towers Group were committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and sustainability throughout all phases of development.
The agreement was signed in the presence minister Temjen Imna Along, Kevipodi Sohpie, MLA, and Tourism officials along with Deval CEO and Director of Hotel Polo Towers Group.
In the information provided at the signing ceremony, the Hotel Polo Towers Group claimed that it was the largest Hospitality Group in the North East with a strong presence in the Region and with a reputation of creating and nurturing destinations. The Group currently has nine operational hotels and five Hotels in development.
