Three days after the terrorists took over the Trident and the Oberoi, the former has finally been handed back to the management. The latter is still in the control of the NSG.

"There are still some explosives in the Oberoi," said P R S Oberoi, Chairman, the Oberoi Group.

The hotels, says Oberoi, do not seem to have suffered structural damage. Damage assessment is still on and both Oberoi and S S Mukerji, vice chairman, EIH Group say it is impossible to mention specifics.

They do, however, say it looks like the topline damage is 45 per cent; with 35 per cent damage to room inventory.

The hotels together make a 45 per cent contribution to the Group's turnover.

"But we are insured against terrorism. Loss of profit and public liability is also insured, so we may not suffer a financial loss," said Mukherji. The Group's insurers include New India Insurance and United India Insurance.

For now, existing bookings have been cancelled and future bookings are not being accepted. However, Oberoi said the incident would not affect the way they did business.

"We have contact centres were bookings can be made. Once the hotels are up and running, it will be business as usual."