SHIMLA, JULY 4:
The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday sought a fresh status report from the Managing Director of HPTDC, directing the Corporation to show whether its recent revenue-boosting efforts have actually borne fruit.
The direction came during the hearing of LPAs filed by HPTDC Employees Union and others, where the Corporation presented a detailed affidavit outlining a slew of initiatives taken to increase income, improve services, and manage financial liabilities.
The court was informed that HPTDC had registered a revenue boost of ₹4.80 crore in the financial year 2024-25, owing to various remedial and performance-enhancing measures.
These include tie-ups, collaborations with online travel agents, expansion into food delivery, and even EV charging station projects.
Senior counsel Shrawan Dogra, appearing for HPTDC, cited a detailed affidavit filed on April 23, 2025, highlighting the following key developments:
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Outdoor Promotions & MoUs: As of April 22, HPTDC had signed 84 MoUs with banks, industries, and educational institutions to generate business, raising ₹42.45 lakh through these tie-ups.
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Online Booking Boost: An MoU with MakeMyTrip was finalized, securing a ₹2 crore advance. Similar deals with other OTAs are in the pipeline.
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Bulk Procurement Savings: A partnership with HP State Civil Supplies Corporation was inked to centralize kitchen and housekeeping procurement, aiming to reduce input costs.
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Swiggy Tie-up: Food delivery was piloted at Goofa Ashiana, Ridge, Shimla, with plans for expansion if successful.
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EV Charging Initiative: Ten fast-charging stations for electric vehicles are being set up in HPTDC hotels across the state in collaboration with Indian Oil Corporation. A 20% revenue share per unit consumed has been agreed upon.
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Outdoor Catering Launched: Outdoor catering services have been started at Hotel Lake View and Café Auhar, Bilaspur, showing encouraging profits. The HC asked why such services weren’t rolled out in all units with functional kitchens.
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Monetizing Idle Spaces: LED and hoarding advertising is now being used at unused HPTDC spaces. Over ₹1.08 crore was generated between August 2021 and August 2024.
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Wellness Tourism Push: A collaboration with the Ayush Department will bring Panchkarma Therapy to HPTDC units in Dharamshala, Manali, Shimla, and Kangra to promote health tourism.
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ADB Support for Loss-Making Units: Loss-making properties will be managed under an O&M model with consultancy support from the Asian Development Bank. Kitchen outsourcing and chef hiring are underway to improve F&B quality.
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Skill Upgradation: Chef Nand Lal Sharma has been hired to train kitchen staff. Five-day training sessions were held at IHM Kufri in April 2025.
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Innovative Concepts: 'Flying Dining' and glass restaurants are being explored at Club House Manali and Café Aut with ADB funding.
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Platinum Card Plan: A premium card scheme has been cleared by the Board and is being developed along with HPTDC’s new website.
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Infrastructure Revamp: Renovation worth ₹7.15 crore was done in FY 2023-24, and a ₹250 crore ADB-funded overhaul is planned for 12 major properties to match private hotel chains.
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Retiral Benefits: HPTDC disclosed it had disbursed ₹37.69 crore in retiral benefits over the last two years.
The High Court, led by Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, asked for a detailed affidavit by August 12 on whether these initiatives have led to tangible improvements.
The Corporation was also directed to list all dues to government agencies and individuals and explain why outdoor catering can’t be started in every HPTDC unit with a kitchen.
The court also sought clarity on how much has been paid to retirees and how much is pending, in light of the ongoing legal tussle over pay scale and service benefits.
The matter will be next heard on August 12, 2025.