A daunting task awaits the civic authorities of Kochi who are all set to lunch its two-star women’s hotel project.
The local body plans to launch its premium hotel project exclusively for women in March to coincide with the World Women’s Day.
A few days ago, a team of architects who visited the corporation-owned building in Ernakulam North from where the local body proposes to run the venture has asked for a structural stability report of the building.
The local body had been using it for housing a few families evicted from the banks of Perandoor canal. Barring one family, all others had recently moved out to their own homes. Before that, Hotel Libra did business from the building.
An architect who visited the site said the building was in a pathetic condition, and refurbishing job had to start from scratch. The utility lines, including power and water, needed to be checked. Pools of water could be seen inside the building, she said.
The local body officials, along with a team of architects and interior designers, had inspected the site on Friday. The officials also handed over the papers related to the project to the architects, who would hold further discussions with the authorities shortly.
The repair of the structure alone would cost around 1.25 crore.
The financial outlay of the project would be known after the architects come out with their proposal, said an official of the local body.
The corporation hopes to make revenue from the project and the room rent would be in the range of Rs. 1000 and Rs. 1,500. There would not be any subsidies on room rent, said Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany.
Of late, Kochi has become a conference destination. Women executives too reach the city in large numbers and the exclusive women’s hotel run by women could be a safe place for them in the city. While performing its social responsibility, the local body also hopes to generate income from the project, he said.
However, Mr. Chammany admitted that the local body had not carried out a study on its possible customer base.
