Defence Expo sends Ahmedabad hotels to moon

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By S Jha

New Delhi, October 9: Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad, the twin cities of Gujarat, are bracing up for the five days long Defence Expo, beginning October 18, with scores of defence ministers of several countries slated to take part.

India is also making full-fledged preparations to project the country’s defence strength in line with the self-reliance pitch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government at the Centre.

The hotels in the twin cities are running out of their capacities with just about 10 days left for the mega event to go on the floors. This is a mega government exercise, and India is keen to get a push for its ambition to achieve $5 billion worth of exports in the next few years, besides awarding contracts of about $25 billion to the domestic defence manufacturers.

Suggesting that the Defence Expo is a mega sell out, the hotel rates are quoting three times and upwards for room rates from the day of the beginning of the mega event, which will also take place at the coastal area of Porbandar.

The rate for Ummed Ahmedabad Airport is almost Rs 20,000 per night for October 17. The same hotel for October 12 is asking for a rate of Rs 6000.

Hyatt Regency is quoting four times higher room rate on account of the Defence Expo, for its charges for one night for October 17 is Rs 24,000 against Rs 6,000 for October 12.

Vivanta Ahmedabad is seeking a rate of Rs 29500 for October 17, while it’s rate for a room on October 12 is Rs 5,500.

Charges for the hotel rooms during the five days course of the Defence Expo remain firm, as Hyatt Regency is quoting a price of Rs 24,000 per night for October 20 also. Radisson Blue is commanding a price tag of Rs 25,000 per night during the course of the Defence Expo.

Even roadside hotels are quoting room rates at Rs 5000 and above, which normally command in the range of Rs 500-1000.

Incidentally, Ahmedabad is not known to have a big base for quality hotels. Gandhinagar, which is the seat of power in Gujarat, is not known to have hotels.

Events during the Defence Expo have been planned at Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar, Sabarmati Riverfront and others.