30 tourist complexes running in losses

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, May 22

As many as 30 tourist complexes run by Haryana Tourism Corporation Ltd (HTCL) are running in loss, causing a burden of Rs 4.92 crore to the state exchequer in 2018-19.

It was revealed in an RTI query, filed by activist Rajesh Sharma, who sought information about the status of tourist complexes and the number of complexes running in loss.

The RTI reply stated that the HTCL was operating 48 complexes in all, and the number of loss-making tourist complexes was increasing by the year in the state. Many of the complexes were consistently incurring losses.

The number of loss-making complexes had more than doubled in the last 10 years. There were 14 such complexes in 2008-09, and by 2012-13 the number increased to 26, and by 2018-19 it reached 30.

However, an improvement was witnessed in 2013-14 as the number of loss-making units reduced to 25, but it again increased to 27 in 2014-15. In 2015-16, the number again reduced to 23, but in 2017-18 the number again increased to 28.

As per the last fiscal report, Hotel Raj Hans and Sun Bird Motel in Surajkund, Karan Lake tourist complex and Oasis in Karnal, Mehrauli Nursery in Delhi, Mansa Devi tourist complex, Blue Bird in Hisar, Koel in Kaithal and Surkhab in Sirsa are among the complexes operating at loss. Badkhal Lake complex in Faridabad, Pinjore Heritage, Flamingo in Hisar, Kraft Bazar in Karnal, Parakeet in Pipli, Red Bishop in Panchkula, Tilyar in Rohtak, Tikar Tal in Morni and Lake View Huts in Surajkund are among the complexes making profit.

“Despite efforts of the state government to promote the state tourist complexes, they are running in heavy losses. The government should ascertain the reasons for the losses,” said Sharma. Sources in the department said that non-occupancy of rooms and the high cost of manpower were some of the reasons for the losses.

Vikas Yadav, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, could not be contacted for his response despite several attempts.

Loss-making centres 

1. Hotel Raj Hans, Sun Bird Motel in Surajkund
2. Karan Lake tourist complex, Oasis in Karnal 
3. Mehrauli Nursery in Delhi
4. Mansa Devi tourist complex 
5. Blue Bird in Hisar 
6. Koel in Kaithal 
7. Surkhab in Sirsa