The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), the Tata Group's hospitality arm, is set to intensify its focus on North East India, aligning with the national agenda of regional development.

IHCL's Managing Director and CEO Puneet Chhatwal announced plans for new properties in Assam, including a hotel in Jagiroad near the upcoming Tata Electronics factory and a new hotel in Kaziranga. The existing Vivanta in Guwahati will be upgraded to a Taj, with added rooms and banquet facilities.

Additionally, IHCL has signed its first ‘Taj Palace’ property in the North East — the Taj Pushpabanta Palace in Agartala, Tripura. Developed in partnership with the Tripura government, the 1917-built palace will be refurbished and expanded into a 100-room luxury hotel over the next three years. IHCL currently operates 15 hotels with 1,348 rooms in the North East and has six more hotels (634 rooms) in the pipeline.

The company recently partnered with Ambuja Neotia Group for 15 new hotels, primarily in East and North East India.