The Rs 3500 crore Shamuka project in Puri, billed as the showpiece project of the Orissa government, will go through the re-bidding process for establishment of five star hotels at the site as the earlier bidders have not submitted their financial bids citing economic slowdown.
“The shortlisted bidders had expressed their interest about two years back. But they did not submit the financial bid due to economic recession,” said Ashok Kumar Tripathy, Principal Secretary, state tourism and culture department.
He was speaking at the 8th edition of Entrepreneurs Week organized by Team Orissa, the nodal agency for industrial promotion in Orissa.
The shortlisted bidders included Taj Group of Hotels and Resorts, ITC, Park Hotels, Ananda Spa, Emaar MGF, DLF etc.
“Following this development we are planning to go for re-bidding of the project in next 15-20 days. We will approach the government to change the terms of the bid to encourage the local four star and five star hoteliers to participate in the process,” he added.
It may be noted that the Shamuka tourism project is being developed over an area of about 1,000 acres on public-private partnership (PPP) mode.
While four five star hotels would be established on 100 acres of land, the master developer would develop the infrastructure on the remaining 900 acres, near Sipasarubali, about 10 km south of Puri. The state government is investing Rs 50-Rs 70 crore on providing external infrastructure like electricity and water supply for the five-star properties.
Apart from five star hotels, the Shamuka tourism project would have facilities like a convention centre of international standards with a seating capacity of nearly 1,500, an 18-hole golf course, boutique hotels, international spa and wellness centres, an entertainment zone and sports facilities.
