(a) whether attention of the Government have been drawn to the news-item captioined `Believe it or not, rats roaches and monkeys drove A-I out of Centaur` appearing in Indian Express dated February 20, 2000;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken by the Government to improve the condition of the hotel?
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION
(PROF. CHAMAN LAL GUPTA)
(a), (b) and (c) : Yes, Sir. The news item is not factual
in its entirety. Although the B747 sets of Air India`s crew
had moved out of Centaur Hotel Delhi in 1993 due to
deteriorating conditions, the Airbus sets have been staying
there. Presently, one set of Airbus 310 crew is staying
four days a week based on the pattern of the crew layover.
With the initiation of several steps to improve the
infrastructure and facilities at Centaur Hotel, Delhi, HCI
is in dialogue with Air India to shift the crew back to
Centaur Hotel, Delhi. The following steps have been
initiated for improvement of the Centaur Hotel, Delhi:-
(i) The complete renovation of 100 guest rooms which is
expected to be completed by March, 2000.
(ii) New telephone exchange was installed in December 1998.
(iii) New TV sets in 150 rooms were installed in March/April
1999.
(iv) Service floor pipings have been replaced to improve the
quality of water supply to the rooms/AC plant.
(v) Overhauling of the 2 AC Plants is in progress to avoid
complaints in summer months.
(vi) All staff have been instructed to ensure that there is
no laxity in maintaining the service standards and to
provide all assistance to meet guests comfort levels.