Tourism and real estate - two sectors that are worlds apart. Yet, the Agarwala family, in a relatively short span of time, has successfully carved a niche for themselves, and at present have a strong presence in both the segments. Today, when one mentions Tathastu, it is Anil Agarwala who immediately comes to mind. And when the conversation shifts to SDPL Pvt Ltd, the focus naturally turns to Gaurav Agarwala. The fields are definitely diverse, but the family functions as a cohesive unit. So, if Anil Agarwala is speaking about the tourism sector, he can just as easily field questions on infrastructure and real estate.

 

The same ease is evident when Gaurav discusses hospitality. During an engaging conversation on The Hitavada's The People Mic with Aasawari Shenolikar, Deputy Editor & Digital Head, Anil Agarwala, Founder of Exotic Hospitality Pvt Ltd., talked extensively about the tourism in Central India. Meanwhile, Gaurav Agarwala, Director at SDPL Pvt Ltd, spoke with Vikas Vaidya, Principal Correspondent, about the changing landscape of real estate in Nagpur. “Entering the tourism sector was not by choice - it was by chance,” says Anil, narrating an interesting anecdote about how the journey began. By sheer quirk of fate, this chance turned out to be a defining moment, giving birth to Tathastu Resort at Pench National Park. Today, the company operates resorts under the Tathastu brand in some of Central India’s most sought-after wildlife destinations -Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Satpuda National Park, Kanha National Park and Bandhavgarh National Park.

 

“And we are now scouting remote locations in Melghat Tiger Reserve and surrounding forest areas to lay a foundation there too. After that, perhaps we will look at other parts of the country,” says the self-confessed jungle lover, who has laid down strict sustainability norms for all his properties. Sustainability, in fact, forms the backbone of the Tathastu philosophy. “Comfort and convenience of the visitors is our top most priority; along with this we have also ensured that while designing the properties the natural environment is undisturbed,” states Anil Agarwala. He also apprises that local communities are involved in the operations at the resorts, creating employment opportunities, and artisans from nearby villages are encouraged to showcase their craft - ensuring that local culture finds a place within the tourism experience. India, with its extraordinary wealth of heritage, monuments, forests and history, could have been a tourists' delight. “But the country has yet to realise its full tourism potential,” feels Anil Agarwala. Safety, he says, remains a major concern. “Tourism is heavily promoted by word of mouth. Unfortunately, incidents like thefts or crimes against tourists create a negative perception.

 

The way we treat visitors sometimes leaves much to be desired,” he says candidly. Equally important, he adds, is the need for a mindset shift when it comes to preserving our heritage. India, he believes, has all the ingredients to become a global tourism hub - provided private players are encouraged to invest in improving connectivity, sanitation, accommodation and infrastructure around tourist spots. And Exotic Hospitality Pvt Ltd., is doing its bit - by putting India on the global tourism map. On the other side of the family’s business spectrum lies real estate - an area where Gaurav Agarwala has been closely involved with the city’s growth story. According to him, the past decade has been particularly transformative for Nagpur. “That’s because the State Government, the Central Government and city authorities were on the same page.

 

Their vision was aligned,” he notes. “Having worked in this sector, I can say with confidence that Nagpur is ahead of many comparable cities. Much of the credit goes to visionary leadership that pushed for development.” Infrastructure projects - including the expansion of roads and the introduction of the Nagpur Metro - have played a major role in reshaping the city. Equally significant, he says, has been the speed at which projects have been cleared and executed. The result is a city that is not only more liveable but also increasingly attractive to people from surrounding districts. With global companies now making inroads into the city, new opportunities are opening up across sectors. For SDPL, the turning point came in 2017 with the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. “That was when we entered the EWS housing segment,” Gaurav says.

 

“Today, we can say with satisfaction that we have delivered more than 3,500 homes - 1BHK and 2BHK units - to economically weaker sections. For many families, it was the realisation of a lifelong dream.” Foresight, he believes, has been the company’s biggest strength. “When the flyovers on Amravati Road were announced, we invested in land along that stretch. We then developed premium housing societies with modern amenities - but priced them at nearly half of what buyers would pay in the city’s prime localities.” With improved connectivity, the so-called city centre is just an eight minutes drive away. The projects offered upper middle-class buyers premium living options without the premium price tag. Their project in Wadi, he points out, is already a complete sell out.

 

Identifying areas that are poised for growth because of upcoming infrastructure and investing there early has been a strategy that has consistently worked for the company. Gaurav also believes strongly in approaching challenges with solutions rather than criticism. He cites his involvement in revisiting the UDCPR mandate that required housing complexes to install solar heaters. Given Vidarbha’s climate, he argued that solar energy systems would be far more effective. “The argument was logical, and eventually the policy was modified,” he says. For home buyers, he offers a word of caution. While the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) has brought in much-needed transparency, buyers must still carefully examine the credentials of the builder.

 

“Buying a home is a once-in-a-lifetime investment for many families. Due diligence is essential,” he advises. He also recommends opting for a home loan even if one has the resources to pay outright. “Banks conduct rigorous legal checks before approving loans. That itself acts as an additional layer of security for the buyer.” Transparency, he emphasises, remains a core value for SDPL. Their worlds might be different - the vision is the same - transforming Central India’s future. All this and much more can be watched on The Hitavada’s YouTube channel - @TheHitavada1911. n