Patna: Patna is set to welcome a new landmark as ITC Hotels, one of India’s leading luxury chains, has been chosen to build and operate a five-star hotel on the land of the old Hotel Patliputra Ashok at Income Tax Square. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) signed an agreement on Monday with Kumar Infratrade Enterprises, the winning bidder, and ITC Hotels in the presence of the state’s tourism minister, Raju Kumar Singh. The minister described the occasion as “historic” for Bihar’s tourism sector, saying the project marks a turning point in the government’s plan to upgrade the city’s hospitality standards.
According to officials, the hotel will be built under the public-private partnership (PPP) model and will be completed in four years. Spread across 1.5 acres, the property will feature at least 140 luxury rooms along with world-class amenities for tourists, business travellers and delegates. Kumar Infratrade Enterprises, the selected bidder, will pay a yearly licence premium of Rs 7.57 crore plus GST, which will rise by 10% every five years. In addition, the company will deposit Rs 28.5 crore towards the land value of the Patliputra Ashok plot over the next 11 years. After securing the bid, Kumar Infratrade partnered with ITC Hotels to ensure the hotel meets international standards.
Tourism secretary Lokesh Kumar Singh explained that the Patna project is part of a wider plan to add three new five-star hotels in the capital. The government is finalising tenders for a hotel at the Bankipur Bus Stand complex near Gandhi Maidan, while a committee has been set up to review proposals for a hotel at Sultan Palace on Birchand Patel Path, given its heritage importance. Beyond Patna, plans are also underway for two five-star hotels in Rajgir, one in Vaishali and another in Valmiki Nagar. Officials said these projects will significantly improve Bihar’s ability to host both domestic and foreign tourists, especially those visiting its Buddhist and cultural heritage sites.
The minister emphasised that modern hotels are not only about comfort but also about creating jobs and boosting the local economy. He said Patna has seen a sharp rise in tourism numbers in recent years, and international-standard accommodation is crucial to sustain that growth. “This agreement is a milestone for Bihar. It will help us provide quality hospitality, attract global travellers and strengthen Patna’s position on India’s tourism map,” Singh said. ITC Group executive HD Anil Chaddha also assured that the hotel will be completed within the stipulated four-year timeframe.
The transfer of the Patliputra Ashok property from the India Tourism Development Corporation to the Bihar government paved the way for this redevelopment. A competitive bidding process was conducted, where five companies submitted tenders and four were found eligible. Kumar Infratrade emerged as the top bidder with the highest financial offer. The agreement with ITC Hotels, signed in the presence of senior state officials and industry representatives, sets the stage for construction to begin. For many in Patna, the revival of the Patliputra Ashok site into a luxury property by ITC is not only about new infrastructure but also about the city reclaiming its place as a modern destination for travellers.
