Easing accommodation troubles for travellers

On 26 September instant DTC and Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to create more space for tourists.

Aiming at full utilisation of available spaces in the existing bus depots, the plan entails modernisation of bus depots by introducing budget hotels, retail outlets and other passenger amenities.

In the first phase, six depots namely, Vasant Vihar, Sarojini Nagar, Sriniwaspuri, Kalkaji, Nehru Place and Raja Garden, have been identified for construction on a public-private partnership model. GG Saxena, MD and CEO of DTTDC says, “These six depots have been selected after a feasibility report to identify places which will be best suitable for the incoming tourists.

Location was critical for coming up with this decision as budget hotels must be around areas closest to tourist-oriented destinations.” In that case, why did Inter State Bus Terminals like Kashmere Gate and Sarai Kale Khan that receive heavy footfall from tourists coming in from different states did not make it to the list, GG Saxena adds, “The ISBT terminals do not fall under our ambit as they are administered by the state transport department.”

Hugo Ribadeau Dumas, a French national who frequently travels and works in India since his college days, commends this move saying, “It is always very uncomfortable to arrive late at night in a city like Delhi and to be obliged to take an auto to get to your hotel. The worst experiences I have had in Delhi were when I arrived very late by bus. It is really a nightmare when you don’t know where to go and all the autos are trying to cheat you.” Further adding, he says, “The Indian tourist industry needs to understand that young Europeans need no AC, no TV, no fancy decoration.

It is annoying to be charged for such facilities when you don’t need them. The biggest flaw of hotels in Delhi is that it is not so easy to find absolutely clean rooms. Keep aside the European hostels, even if you go to countries such as Thailand, Vietnam or Morroco, you will find that rooms, even the cheapest, are in a much better shape than those in India.”

While private Bed and Breakfast (BnB’s) and basic boutique hotels mushroom in various nooks and corners of the city, the proposed budget hotels are expected to cut down on the dead miles, as a tourist would have transport facilities available at his threshold. A spokesperson for Delhi Tourism adds, “The hotels would target both foreign and Indian nationals wanting basic accommodation in the city.

Bereft of any restaurants or swimming pools like luxury facility, these hotels would provide clean rooms. There is also a plan to convert depots into multi-storey complexes for parking and shopping amenities.” Exploring avenues to become a tourist friendly city, Delhi would soon start offering options for budget hotels, apart from areas near
Paharganj.