In a move that will allow about 5,000 rooms to open up at Delhi Aerocity, the Cabinet Committee on Investment has approved a plan that will see the setting up of 13 hotels.

The proposal for opening these hotels had been hanging fire for several months, as security agencies had raised objections that terrorists could use these hotels to target approaching aircrafts. The proposals involve investments thousands of crores. At the committee meeting it was decided that the Delhi Police will draw up an ‘area security plan’, while perimeter security will be undertaken by an agency deployed by the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL).

What clinched the argument in favour of opening of the hotels was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying “If I am safe behind a bullet proof glass, why should others not be?”

Some of the brands that are expected to come up include French hotel company Accor’s three brands — Ibis, Novotel and Pullman. Others such as JW Marriott; Lemon Tree Hotels and Red Fox are almost ready for operations.

Hyatt’s new brand Andaz will make a debut in the area, so also will brands such as MGM, Aloft and Dusit D2. The meeting also decided that at the new terminal in Mumbai airport, the passengers will first go through security and then through immigration.

The reason behind the new move is that if a passenger was carrying some security hazard item then it would

be caught at the initial stage. The new international terminal is expected to become operational by October.

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