THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The tourism department has signed a supplemental lease deed with Indian Hotels’ Company Limited (IHCL) offering 3 lakh sq. mtrs of land at Aguada plateau for the development of the resort of international standards.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte, Director of Tourism Suneel Anchipaka, IAS, IHCL MD and CEO Puneet Chhatwal and other IHCL officials were present at the signing of the Taj Aguada Plateau Supplemental Lease Deed.
Sawant said the IHCL, which operates the Taj Group of Hotels, would be developing a resort of international standards at Aguada on a land of 3 lakh sq. mtrs.
“The issue of land was pending for the last 30 years. The land was offered to them in 1997. This issue has now been resolved and all legal formalities have been completed,” said Sawant.
“The IHCL has offered cooperation in resolving this issue. They have paid arrears of Rs 10 crore and further, Rs 12 crore will be paid shortly after signing of this supplemental lease deed.”
Stating that the project is expected to be completed within two-and-half years, the chief minister said IHCL will be paying Goa Tourism Rs 1 crore every year or 5% of the turnover, whichever is higher.
“The focus of the tourism department is to project Goa beyond beaches. This project of a resort by the Tata Group will be one of the best resorts having a wellness centre, yoga and recreational facilities. The first phase of the project is expected to be launched by December 2026,” said Sawant.
“Generally, around 33 licenses need to be acquired for the project of this scale, but the State government has cut short the procedure and have issued only 7 licenses and some of these licenses have been given for 5 years for the purpose of ease of business,” said Sawant.
IHCL MD and CEO Puneet Chhatwal also spoke on the occasion.
