In their battle against Covid-19 pandemic, state governments have started taking over private hotels, including multi-star facilities, so that they can be converted into special wards for patients in the worst affected cities across the country.
In Indore and Ujjain, the two worst affected cities which account for 70% of Madhya Pradesh’s total cases, the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government has acquired 28 hotels, resorts and marriage gardens.
Indore Development Authority chief executive officer Vivek Shotriya said that 22 hotels, resorts and marriage gardens have been acquired to set up quarantine centres. “As many as 1,200 patients can be accommodated in these establishments. If needed, we will acquire more buildings,” he said, adding that the target is to make isolation arrangements for at least 2,000 people. In state capital Bhopal, no private hotels have been acquired yet, but district collector Tarun Pitho
