Indian Hotels Company (IHCL), India’s largest hospitality company, has announced the signing of a Gateway hotel in Somajiguda, Hyderabad. With this addition, the Gateway brand has reached a significant milestone of a 50-hotel portfolio. The upcoming property will be developed as a conversion project.

Speaking about the development, Ms Leah Tata, Vice President & Brand Leader, Gateway Hotels & Resorts, IHCL, said, “The re-imagined Gateway’s ethos is centred on the idea of creating a ‘Gateway to a Destination’, with hotels that are closely connected to the cultural fabric of the location. This strength of the brand has enabled it to rapidly scale to a 50-hotel portfolio, capturing the growth in business and leisure markets across metros cities, state capitals and commercial centres. With the addition of Gateway Hyderabad, the brand debuts in the city and we are delighted to partner with Mr. D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr. DVS. Soma Raju for this project.”

Located in the heart of Hyderabad, the 225-key Gateway Somajiguda, Hyderabad will offer a range of dining and recreational facilities. The hotel will feature an all-day dining restaurant, a specialty restaurant, a bar and a lounge. Leisure amenities will include a modern gym, health club, swimming pool and treatment rooms.

The property will also cater to meetings and events with extensive conference infrastructure. It will include 11 banquet halls, with the largest spanning approximately 10,000 square feet, supported by multiple meeting rooms, making it suitable for both corporate gatherings and social events.

Commenting on the partnership, Mr D. Siva Rama Raju and Mr DVS. Soma Raju said, “We are delighted to collaborate with IHCL for this project. We look forward to bringing a refreshed hospitality experience to Somajiguda.”

Somajiguda is one of Hyderabad’s prominent commercial and residential areas, known for its corporate offices, retail establishments, and healthcare institutions. Its central location makes it a strategic destination for business travellers as well as leisure visitors.

With the addition of this project, IHCL will have eight hotels in Telangana, including three currently under development, further strengthening its footprint in the region.

Mr D. Siva Rama Raju, an entrepreneur from Andhra Pradesh, began his professional journey in agriculture and civil contracting before establishing himself as a leading real estate developer and hotelier in Hyderabad. He is also recognised for his philanthropic and religious contributions.

Mr DVS. Soma Raju, an MBA graduate from the University of Dubuque in the United States, has gained hands-on hospitality experience both in the U.S. and India. He previously led the development and operations of a hotel in Hyderabad and later co-founded a large-scale 999-bed medical tourism project.

The Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival 2026 was inaugurated at Tehri Lake from 7 to 9 March 2026, marking another important step in promoting Uttarakhand as a destination for adventure tourism. The event was officially launched by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Sri Pushkar Singh Dhami at Koti Colony in Tehri.

Addressing a large gathering that included athletes, tourists, and local residents from across India and abroad, the Chief Minister shared the government’s vision of transforming Tehri into a global hub for tourism and adventure sports. He expressed confidence that the scenic Tehri Lake, surrounded by the Himalayas, will soon gain international recognition for tourism, culture, and outdoor adventure activities.

Highlighting the purpose of the festival, Sri Pushkar Singh Dhami said the initiative brings together tourism, sports, environmental awareness, and local culture on a single platform. He noted that Tehri Lake is not only known for its natural beauty but is also emerging as an important centre for adventure sports. The festival marks the third international-level event hosted at the lake in the past two months.

The Chief Minister also spoke about several development projects currently underway in the region. Projects worth more than ₹1,300 crore are being implemented to strengthen tourism infrastructure. These include the development of Tehri Lake, construction of a ring road, and the transformation of Timad village into a tourism village.

Adventure activities such as kayaking, canoeing, jet-skiing, parasailing, and scuba diving are becoming increasingly popular at the lake. The state government is also working on developing modern training facilities to support young athletes from Uttarakhand and help them compete at national and international levels.

During the event, the Chief Minister announced that the Koti Colony–New Tehri Ropeway will be developed to further improve tourism infrastructure in the region.

He also mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares a strong emotional connection with Uttarakhand and has consistently encouraged initiatives that support tourism and development in the state. The Chief Minister highlighted other sporting events promoted in Uttarakhand, including the high-altitude marathon at Adi Kailash and the MTB Challenge in Mana Village.

Cabinet Minister Subodh Uniyal said the festival is helping connect different parts of the district while supporting regional development. Tehri MP Mala Rajya Lakshmi Shah added that collective efforts are essential for the overall progress of Tehri and for strengthening its recognition at national and international levels.

Several public representatives and officials were also present at the event, including MLAs Kishore Upadhyay, Vikram Singh Negi, Vinod Kandari, and Shakti Lal Shah, OBC Commission Chairman Sanjay Negi, District Panchayat President Ishita Sajwan, and District Magistrate Nitika Khandelwal, along with athletes, tourists, and local residents in large numbers.

Himalayan O₂ – The Tehri Lake Festival is District Tehri Garhwal’s flagship celebration that brings together adventure, culture, and creativity. The multi-day festival features sports competitions, cultural performances, and artistic showcases, attracting participants from across India. The event aims to highlight regional talent while promoting sustainable tourism and the vibrant spirit of the Himalayas.

Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Vandalur, Chennai, has taken a major step towards sustainable conservation with the launch of a new Water Recycling System at the Nilgiri Langur enclosure. Alongside this, the foundation stone has been laid for similar systems at the Otter and Chimpanzee enclosures, marking an important milestone for the Institute for Climate and Environment (ICE) in its role as Knowledge Partner.

The ceremony was attended by Thiru. Srinivas R. Reddy, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Head of Forest Force), who graced the event as the Chief Guest. Rtn. Nikhil Raj, President of the Rotary Club of Madras, was present as the Guest of Honour, while Thiru. T. Ritto Cyriac, IFS, Director of Arignar Anna Zoological Park, presided over the function.

This initiative has been supported by sponsors R B Agarwalla & Co., Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd., and DRA Homes. Co-sponsors Rtn. Shri Shakthi Girish and Rtn. Suresh Amirapu also extended their support. Circen Technologies played a key role as the CTCe Implementation Partner, offering solutions designed to promote responsible and efficient water management.

Developed in association with the Rotary Club of Madras and implemented by its Environmental Action Committee, the water recycling system has a treatment and recirculation capacity of 400,000 litres per day. The technology provided by Circen Technologies is designed to reduce the enclosure’s dependence on fresh water while maintaining high standards of habitat care and animal welfare.

The system installed at the Nilgiri Langur wet moat enclosure is expected to cut fresh water consumption by nearly 70%. At the same time, it ensures that the primates continue to live in safe and healthy surroundings. This move sets a strong example for eco-friendly infrastructure and responsible water use within zoological parks.

In addition to the Langur enclosure, a new water treatment plant is set to come up at the Otter Pond, sponsored by Aspire Systems (India) Pvt. Ltd. Plans are also in progress for a water recycling system at the Chimpanzee Enclosure with support from DRA Homes. What started with the Langur enclosure is now expanding across the zoo, building steady momentum towards better water efficiency and environmentally conscious operations.

This joint effort by Arignar Anna Zoological Park, the Rotary Club of Madras, and the Institute for Climate and Environment (ICE) shows how strong partnerships can drive meaningful change. By focusing on efficient water usage and animal well-being, the project highlights how public institutions can lead by example in sustainable conservation practices.