MUMBAI: Indian Hotels Company, which operates the Taj chain, plans to invest between Rs 6,000 crore and Rs 7,500 crore over the next five years to expand in India and select overseas markets, alongside fresh investments in digital and cybersecurity, chairman N Chandrasekaran told shareholders on Tuesday. The centrepiece is Taj Bandstand, a 50-storey, 500-plus-room property in Mumbai’s Bandra suburb, still in final design. The project will cost Rs 2,000 crore, funded entirely through internal accruals, and is expected to be ready by FY2030-31. Chandrasekaran said the company hoped it would be “an iconic property.” The group remains debt-free, with Rs 4,300 crore in cash. Capex typically runs at Rs 1,000-1,200 crore a year, split between upgrading existing properties and building new ones. Chandrasekaran said there were no plans to raise equity or borrow to fund the expansion. On Taj GVK, the Hyderabad-based venture in which IHCL recently divested its stake, the Taj name will continue for a few months before being dropped, he said. IHCL has retained all management contracts on the properties, consistent with its asset-light growth strategy. On technology, Chandrasekaran said the company will invest across digital and cybersecurity, applicable not just to IHCL but to other Tata group companies, with a focus on ensuring AI agents can pick up information on its products, services and properties. Internationally, expansion will be selective, with a new Frankfurt property opening this year. Forex revenue stands about $108 million, a small share of overall turnover, Chandrasekaran said.
