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KOTA ( RAJASTHAN) | 24 FEBRUARY 2026
RTDC’s Hotel Chambal, located in Nayapura, Kota, is once again preparing to welcome tourists. On Wednesday, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) issued orders to resume operations at the hotel, and it is expected to be opened for visitors within the next one or two days following staff deployment. The hotel had been shut down nearly six months ago due to its deteriorating structural condition. Its reopening is now expected to inject new energy into the tourism industry. In a similar move, preparations are also underway to restart Hotel Saras in Bharatpur.
Hotel Was Closed Following Action on Dilapidated Buildings
About six months ago, Hotel Chambal was abruptly shut down due to poor structural conditions. The decision was opposed by local residents and some judicial authorities, leading to complaints and protests within the department.
Background of the Closure:
In August 2025, after a serious accident caused by the collapse of a school building roof, the court directed the closure of nearly 86,000 government school classrooms across Rajasthan. Subsequently, inspections of dilapidated government buildings were carried out across the state, and as a precautionary measure, several structures were shut down following bureaucratic intervention. In this process, RTDC’s Managing Director held a meeting and suspended the operations of hotels affected by lack of maintenance, including Kota’s Hotel Chambal and Bharatpur’s Hotel Saras.
Hotel Closed, But Salaries Continued:
After Hotel Chambal was shut, its employees were supposed to be shifted to other RTDC hotels in different cities. However, the number of permanent staff was limited. According to informed sources, despite the closure, the hotel manager remained stationed in Kota and continued to draw salary amounting to lakhs of rupees over the past six months. During this period, he occasionally undertook departmental duties and also supervised the upkeep of the hotel premises.
Questions have now been raised regarding whether the department continued to pay a substantial salary to the manager merely for overseeing a closed property. Observers are also questioning why Hotel Chambal in Kota and Hotel Saras in Bharatpur could not remain operational when RTDC hotels in other cities were functioning smoothly, and whether any personal interests were involved.
Discussions and Pressure Behind Reopening:
Sources suggest that an employee played a role in both the closure and reopening of the hotel. It is reported that local protests and a writ petition filed in court created pressure, leading to renewed efforts to reopen the hotel. However, no official statement has yet been issued in this regard.
Important Decision for Tourism City Kota:
Kota is rapidly emerging on the tourism map alongside its reputation as an education hub. In 2025, the city recorded 3,503,236 domestic tourists and 2,552 foreign tourists. In such a scenario, the closure of the city’s only RTDC hotel was considered a setback for tourism.
Major Tourist Attractions in Kota:
Key tourist destinations in Kota include Chambal River Front, Kota Barrage, Chambal Garden, Seven Wonders Park, Godavari Dham Balaji, City Palace Garh Kota, Jagmandir, Khade Ganesh Ji, Garadia Mahadev, Abheda Mahal, Abheda Biological Park, Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve, Dad Devi Temple, Geparnath Temple, and Kaithoon, which is famous for Kota Doria sarees.
Hotel Chambal’s Financial Overview:
Between April 2025 and December 2025, the hotel generated a total income of Rs.22 lakh, while expenditures during the same period amounted to approximately Rs.16.16 lakh, resulting in a loss of around Rs. 2.94 lakh. Out of the total income, about Rs.1.11 lakh came from accommodation services and approximately Rs. 0.91 lakh from bar operations.
The total expenditure (around Rs.14.17 lakh) included employee salaries, bonuses, electricity and water bills, routine maintenance, cleaning, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Rs. 80 Lakh Repair Plan; 7 Rooms to Be Opened Initially:
Questions are still being raised regarding the hotel’s actual condition and the decision to reopen it without extensive repairs. However, the positive aspect is that the department has proposed a repair budget of Rs.80 lakh for Hotel Chambal. In the initial phase, preparations are being made to operate seven rooms on the ground floor. The hotel will be made fully operational in phases after necessary repairs.
Hotel Chambal Infrastructure and Staff Details
- Total Rooms: 15
- Air-Conditioned Rooms: 7
- Standard Rooms: 7
- 1 NAC Family Room
- Total Staff: 5
- 2 Permanent
- 3 Temporary
Hotel Saras in Bharatpur Also Likely to Resume Operations:
Along with Kota, the reopening of Hotel Saras in Bharatpur also appears likely. According to sources, efforts to restart operations have intensified due to the district’s significance. Considering the Chief Minister’s regular visits and the growing interest of tourists in Bharatpur, the process to make the hotel operational again is moving forward. However, due to its reportedly poor condition, the department plans to undertake sufficient repairs and upgrade facilities before reopening it.
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