Telangana invites private firms to operate floating restaurants and houseboats at six lakes

The Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation has invited private agencies to develop and operate floating restaurants, dine-in cruise boats and luxury houseboats at six water bodies across the State under a public-private partnership model, requiring a minimum investment of ₹5 crore per facility with no upper ceiling.

Three floating restaurants planned near Hyderabad

The proposed floating dining experiences will come up at Ibrahimpatnam Cheruvu, Kokapet Lake and Malkam Cheruvu in and around Hyderabad. Each floating restaurant or dine-in cruise is expected to accommodate 100 people, including passengers and crew.

Luxury houseboats at three distant reservoirs

TGTDC is planning luxury houseboats at Nagarjuna Sagar, Somasila and Ramappa Lake, locations farther from the city. Each houseboat will have to provide at least five bedrooms.

Private developers to build and equip vessels

Private developers will have to procure or develop the vessels themselves and install the interiors, furniture, electrical and electronic systems, equipment and other infrastructure needed to operate them. TGTDC has stipulated that the vessels should meet at least three-star hotel and hospitality standards in terms of their interiors and amenities.

Revenue model: annual licence fees with 5% escalation

Under the arrangement, the private developer will pay an annual licence fee to the tourism corporation. Bidders will quote their annual licence fee above the reserve amount specified in the tender, and the quoted amount will increase by 5% every year. The licence fee will be paid in monthly instalments.

The licence will run for 10 years from the date of commercial operation, with an option for another five years, subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with the agreement.

Government support limited to clearances

TGTDC says it will support the developer in securing the necessary permissions and clearances from various government departments and local authorities. The list includes municipal authorities, HMDA, Cyberabad Municipal Corporation, HYDRAA, Telangana State Pollution Control Board, irrigation and fire departments, among others.

Source: The Hindu