IGI Aerocity snippets

Five reputed domestic and global hospitality companies have been awarded development rights for six asset areas in the much-delayed hospitality district of the IGI Airport, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) announced .The five developers — Accor, InterGlobe Hotels, Lemon Tree, Bird Group and Hyatt (Saraf Hotels) — were selected after technical and financial evaluation of all 60 bids received by DIAL, and then approved by the Board of Directors, based on the best commercial valuation levels offered by the bidders. A recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on ‘Development of tourism infrastructure and amenities for 2010 Commonwealth Games’ has said that only 500 rooms out of an earlier projected availability of 3,000 rooms were expected from DIAL in time for the mega-event.
A DIAL official said there is little time to build 3,000 rooms by 2010, adding that the new developers would be able to make approximately 2,000, without any specific time-frame.
“We are not certain if the rooms would be built in time for the Commonwealth Games,” the official said. “The developers will let us know shortly.” While the bidding process on 13 plots was given a go-ahead late last year, bids on only six plots have been evaluated and awarded so far. A DIAL source said the remaining bids would be opened shortly. “In all, the 45-acre hospitality district land has been divided into 13 asset areas, of which bids on six plots have been evaluated and awarded,” DIAL official said. “The rest will be announced shortly — DIAL will collect refundable security deposits from developers equivalent to three times the average annual rental of six years.” The successful bidders are now likely to develop a mix of super-luxury and budget hotels in the airport hospitality district, also known as the ‘aerocity project’.
As part of the development of hotels, the developers will offer service facilities like convention centres, restaurants and commercial plazas within the hotel premises to meet the requirements of passengers and airlines, officials said.