Méridien's license revoked, Taj may go under the hammer

The Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi, might go under the hammer if the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has its way. NDMC has called for open auction of the property and cancel Le Méridien Hotel’s licence in Delhi. Both five-star properties are built on land owned by the NDMC and are on lease by the owners of the properties. This was announced in a tweet by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also a member of the NDMC.

Taj Mahal Hotel, which was set up in 1978, had a 33- year lease to the operator. However, NDMC, has reportedly for the last five years, wanting to call for an auction, while Indian Hotels Company (IHC) has been asking for a new lease. The matter has been in court for a long while. Le Méridien, on the other hand, might lose its license over non-payment of ` 523 crore in fees.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted on March 2: “More imp decisions today's NDMC meeting - Open auction of Taj Mansingh, cancel Le Meridien Hotel license.”