Himachal’s Iconic Chail Palace Among 18 State-Run Hotels Facing Closure – Here’s Why

The Himachal Pradesh High Court made two major rulings on November 19, placing Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government under intense scrutiny. The first ruling involved the seizure of Himachal Bhawan in New Delhi due to a Rs 64 crore loan default by the state’s Hydro Project Company, which also included a 7% interest charge. The second ruling ordered the closure of 18 underperforming hotels owned by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC), all with an occupancy rate of only 40% annually. This decision follows a petition by retired HPTDC employees seeking long-overdue financial benefits, including pensions and arrears. Among the hotels set to close is the historic Chail Palace, built in 1891, located in Solan. Watch this report to know more.