Himachal High Court grants relief to HPTDC, Allows operations of 18 hotels until March 2025
In a significant reprieve for the Himachal Pradesh government, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has permitted the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to continue running 18 of its hotels until March 31, 2025. This decision modifies an earlier order to cease operations due to low occupancy and financial losses.
A double bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla issued the revised order on Monday, staying the single bench’s directive from November 19 that mandated the closure of 18 HPTDC hotels by November 25.
Advance Bookings Prompt Relief for HPTDC
Initially, the court had allowed nine HPTDC hotels to remain operational, recognizing advance bookings for weddings and other events. On Monday, the bench extended this relief to all 18 hotels, allowing them to operate until March 31, 2025.
Hotels Benefiting from the Order
The hotels allowed to operate include prominent properties such as Geetanjali (Dalhousie), Palace Hotel (Chail), Apple Blossom (Fagu), and Hotel Bhagsu (McLeodganj). Others include Kunal, Dhauladhar, and Kashmir House (Dharamshala), Sarwari (Kullu), Log Huts and Kunjam (Manali), Shivalik (Parwanoo), Hotel Chanderbhaga (Keylong), and several more across the state.
A Step Towards Sustainability?
The decision provides temporary relief to HPTDC as it grapples with the financial challenges of maintaining these properties. The extension allows the government and the corporation time to strategize ways to make these properties viable, potentially avoiding permanent closures.
This development is seen as a positive move for Himachal’s tourism sector, giving the state time to address the issues of low occupancy and recurring losses without immediate disruption to its hospitality services.
