The newly renovated Birsa Vihar tourist complex at Main Road in Ranchi on Saturday. (Hardeep Singh)

Ranchi, Feb. 4: Birsa Vihar Tourist Complex, a prime Jharkhand Tourism Development Corporation (JTDC) property situated in the heart of the city, is expected to be up and running by March this year.

The complex, which was leased to the management of a Bokaro-based hotel, Hans Regency, for day-to-day operations and maintenance last month, has been lying shut since 2007 due to mismanagement and red tape.

Hans Regency, which was awarded a 15-year contract after a tendering process, is required to pay JTDC approximately Rs 61 lakh per annum in return, sources said.

Speaking to The Telegraph here today, JTDC general manager Alok Prasad said that Hans Regency was selected through a tendering process that began in October last year with the last date for submission of bids being November 24.

“After several rounds of discussions and thinking, we zeroed in on the Bokaro hotel early this January. We are drafting a work order which should be ready in a week’s time,” said Prasad, adding he expected the complex to be functioning within a month’s time.

Built in the 90’s, the 25-room tourist complex is built over 52 acre and was considered to be a JTDC showpiece. But, due to several controversies, mismanagement and financial irregularities, the complex suffered a premature closure sometime in 2007.

According to sources, most of the renovation work undertaken in the complex in the past was without proper sanction, as a result of which hefty amounts were spent to install luxury appliances like geysers and air-conditioners, besides room furnishing.

Around Rs 1 crore was likely to have been spent for the renovation. After reports of the misuse of funds cropped up, the state tourism department ordered an inquiry, the findings of which weren’t made public.

But JTDC officials now claim they have set things in order and were optimistic about breaking the jinx and reopening the complex, which is commercially viable option.

“The main draw is the location of the tourist complex. It rubs shoulders with Hotel Radisson Blu and retail chain Big Bazaar and is bang opposite Ranchi Club. A number of posh showrooms in its vicinity also add to the tourist complex’s USP. For anyone, it is the right spot to conduct business,” Prasad said.