Why Uttar Pradesh doesn’t want to move out of Haridwar hotel

What actor and BJP parliamentarian Hema Malini, former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers--Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav, cricketer Amit Mishra and actor Rajpal Yadav have in common?

They all prefer to stay at the Alaknanda Hotel -- an Uttar Pradesh tourism property -- located on the picturesque banks of the Ganga River.

The hotel will soon formally be handed over to the Uttarakhand government after 17 years of legal battle between the two neighbouring states over the prime property.

Uttarakhand chief minister TS Rawat earlier this week said Uttar Pradesh has agreed to transfer the property to the hill state.

Though Uttar Pradesh has agreed give up its claim on the hotel, it has plans to construct a similar hotel with modern facilities, next to the Alaknanda as it is one of the biggest profit-making hotels due of its location. The UP tourism department raked in a profit of ₹70 crore.

A team of engineers from Uttar Pradesh surveyed the spot on Wednesday for the new hotel, said vice chairman of Haridwar Rishikesh Development Authority (HRDA), Nitin Bhadauriya.

“They have sought permission from the HRDA and we will provide it to them in due course,” he said.

Uttarakhand has offered 2,564 sqft of land to the Uttar Pradesh tourism to construct the hotel “as a gesture of gratitude”, said Bhadauriya.

Constructed in 1964, the hotel was renovated at a cost of ₹40 lakh in 2016, said the manager at the hotel Manoj Verma.

“A large number of VIPs and top officials besides regular tourists prefer to stay in the hotel in Hindu holy city,” he said.

Besides the hotel, the Uttar Pradesh irrigation department has a VIP ghat meant for special guests from the state who wish to take a dip in the Ganga River away from the crowded Har ki Pauri ghat.

The hotel, however, witnessed a fall in the number of bookings since Uttarakhand chief minister made statement about the hotel’s change of ownership.

Hotel staff said guests are inquiring about the status and are cancelling bookings.

“Both, guests and the staff are uncertain. The employees are waiting for the marching orders” said manager Verma, who has been managing the hotel since 1988.