From the best of CTC to orthodox, second flush and specialty teas will soon be available under one roof. A one-of-its kind tea lounge in Assam, which will offer the best of teas and house a tea restaurant, will come up at the Guwahati Tea Auction Centre (GTAC) soon. The plan to open the lounge at the GTAC was conceived about seven years back, but the process was not started. However, lately, the GTAC has put the proposal on fast track.
In a recent meeting, the GTAC governing body decided to form a special sub-committee to implement the project. The lounge will be called ‘Chai Bar’.
Work on the project is expected to start immediately and tenders will be called to put in place the necessary infrastructure. The lounge is expected to be opened during Durga Puja. GTAC is likely to hire professionals to run the lounge and make it economically viable.
The project will be supported by the Assam Government. There are also plans to tie up with the Tourism Department so that the lounge is publicized for tourists. According to sources, a lot of tourists who come to Guwahati often look for quality teas but they do not find it. The lounge will be a one-stop destination where different varieties of tea will be available.
Assam accounts for nearly 55 percent of India’s total tea production and about 80 percent of the country’s export.
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