In a bid to grab the larger market share in the hospitality industry and strengthen its brand, Tatas-owned Taj Group of hotels has launched a major upgradation programme of its business hotels both in India and overseas, to be completed in three phases.

"The first phase of upgradation is already complete. Banquet halls have been renovated at Taj Residency in Bangalore and Taj President in Mumbai. This will be followed by opening of 65 rooms at Taj Connemara in Chennai next month," Jyoti Narang, chief operating officer, Taj Hotels, told PTI in New Delhi.

The group has invested over Rs 30 crore (Rs 300 million) in the first phase of upgradation, Narang said, adding the next phase would be completed by September next year which includes renovation of banquets at its hotels in Chennai and Pune besides starting work in Hyderabad.

The group is likely to open its recently acquired property (from ITDC) in Chandigarh soon. The company has named it Taj Residency. Narang, however, declined to give details on investments in the next two phases.