New Delhi, March 27 BJD MP Subhasish Khuntia on Friday demanded the revival of the Niranchal Ashok Hotel in Puri – a once-prominent ITDC property that has been abandoned and left to decay – and took a dig at the sitting BJP MP from Puri, who had previously served as ITDC Chairman but failed to act on the matter during his tenure.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Khuntia said the sea-facing hotel sits in a prime location in Puri, one of India's four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage destinations that draws millions of devotees annually.
He noted that Puri is also part of a major tourist circuit, located near the UNESCO Heritage Konark Sun Temple and Chilika Lake – Asia's largest brackish water lake.
"The once prestigious property now resembles a deteriorating structure, adversely affecting the image of Puri as a prime tourist destination," he said.
It was deeply unfortunate that such a valuable government asset had been allowed to decay at a time when demand for quality accommodation in the city remains very high.
Khuntia did not spare the local BJP MP. "The current Member of Parliament from Puri previously served as Chairman of Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) . There was a reasonable expectation that during his tenure, necessary steps would be taken to restore the hotel. Regrettably, the matter did not receive the required attention," he said.
The BJD MP also invoked the government's own stated vision, saying the present condition of the property stood in stark contrast to the principle of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas.
He urged the Union Minister for Tourism to take immediate action for the hotel's restoration, saying its revival would strengthen tourism infrastructure and restore pride in Puri's rich heritage and hospitality tradition.