The Times of India 05.08.2010
GMADA yet to decide on hotel project
MOHALI: Over a month after Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal approved the construction of five star hotel-cum-convention centre in Sector 62, Mohali, Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) is yet to decide whether the project should be floated as a single unit or delinked. The appointed consultant has given two models to go ahead with the project.
Though the crucial decision hasn’t been taken, GMADA plans to invite expression of interest for the project in the next two to three months.
Sources said, “The consultant appointed by GMADA is currently checking the viability of floating convention centre as a separate project.” Officials said though bidders had shown interest in the past, now the need was to check whether delinking them would create trouble in future and how each component would be benefited.
“We have given two options to GMADA on how the project should be floated. The final decision will be taken by them only,” sources said. They added, “If the project is floated as a single component, then options will be provided to make the convention centre a viable project.”
Sources said expression of interest would be invited only after GMADA took the crucial decision of how the project should be approached.
In the past, GMADA had received six bids for this ambitious project, but no further progress was witnessed after that. Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB) has also approved request for proposal (RFP). The companies which had shown interest in past included Chalet Hotels, Unity Infra Projects, MRMGF, Omaxe, HDIL Leisure and Arya Hotels, official sources said.
“For the project, around 12 acre land has already been identified,” GMADA official said.
