The Hindu Business Line : Hotels without parking space face closure threat in Hyderabad

Hyderabad, Sept. 20 Shanbag Hotel, an important landmark at Punjagutta in the heart of the city, was closed down by the civic authorities for 14 days as it lacked enough parking space. It was opened only on Thursday after it let out a space nearby for parking.

It is lucky to have ready space available for parking. But Spencer’s on Somajiguda, Pizza Corner, Rajdhoot Hotel, Subway and scores of hotels and shopping establishments may not be that lucky.

“Most of the hotels surrendered space in successive road widenings. How can they provide for parking now? Most of the hotels face the threat of closure,” Mr G.V. Krishnaiah, President of Andhra Pradesh Hotels Association, told Business Line.

He felt that the hotels should be given enough time to respond. “Abrupt closure would cause serious losses. They should be given time to conform to the norms. It can stop issuing licences to the new ventures that failed to show enough space for parking,” he pointed out.

Acting on a court directive, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has clamped down on hotels and other shops that do not provide for parking space. Some of them did not have trade licences. About 417 such shops were identified in the twin cities. As many as 65 hotels were closed in the last two weeks so far.

Mr Krishnaiah felt that the move would affect tourism too.

“Most of the visitors go to the small hotels and not to the big ones. If we close them down, they will suffer. The middleclass too will be affected,” he said.

FAPCCI drive

With representations pouring in from traders, the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) has decided to approach the Government to find a solution to the problem.

“We should evolve a long-term strategy to address the traffic problem. They should not cancel the permission as traders would have invested a lot in their establishments. Several thousand jobs too are at stake,” Mr Atluri Subba Rao, President of FAPCCI, felt.

Providing common parking lots near important shopping areas could be one solution, he pointed out.

Interactive session

FAPCCI is planning to hold an interactive session with the top brass of the traffic police soon. Mr C.V.S.K. Sharma, Commissioner and Special Officer of GHMC, had categorically said that there would be no let-up and that the Corporation would go ahead with the drive.

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