Armed Forces personnel—both serving and retired—along with their families, often travel across the country for pilgrimage, personal, or welfare-related purposes. Recognising their service and sacrifices, Hotel United House, Shirdi (Maharashtra) has extended a special concessional accommodation scheme exclusively for defence personnel and their families.
This welfare-oriented initiative has been formally communicated to the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), Ministry of Defence, seeking wide publicity for the benefit of the Armed Forces community.
About Hotel United House, Shirdi
Hotel United House is a professionally run accommodation facility located at:
- Airport Road, Behind Sai Kimaya Lawns
- Near Jibhakate Classes, Nandurki Road
- Shirdi – 423109, Taluka Rahata
- District Ahmednagar, Maharashtra
Key Features
- A/C and Non-A/C rooms available
- Deluxe and family rooms
- Comfortable stay at affordable rates
- Located just 2 km from Shree Saibaba Temple
Purpose of the Concessional Offer
The offer has been extended as a gesture of gratitude and respect towards:
- Serving Armed Forces personnel
- Retired defence personnel (Ex-Servicemen)
- Their dependent family members
The initiative reflects the spirit of “Service to Soldiers is Service to the Nation.”
Eligibility for Concessional Rates
The concessional tariffs are applicable to:
✔ Serving Army, Navy, Air Force personnel
✔ Retired Armed Forces personnel (ESM)
✔ Families accompanying defence personnel
The benefit is exclusively meant for defence personnel and their families.
Room Categories and Concessional Tariff Structure
The hotel offers two types of rooms, with clearly defined regular rates and special concessional defence rates for two persons per day.
1. Four-Bedded Room
| Category | Regular Rate (₹) | Concessional Rate for Defence (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| A/C Room | 1500 | 1000 |
| Non A/C Room | 1300 | 800 |
Additional Person Charge:
- ₹200 per additional person
2. Two-Bedded Deluxe Room
| Category | Regular Rate (₹) | Concessional Rate for Defence (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| A/C Room | 1800 | 1200 |
| Non A/C Room | 1500 | 1000 |
Additional Person Charge:
- ₹300 per additional person
Special Note
✔ No extra charges for children below 10 years of age
Why Shirdi Is an Important Destination
Shirdi is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in India, known as the spiritual abode of Shri Sai Baba, where he lived until his Samadhi in 1918.
Accessibility
- Approximately 300 km from Mumbai
- Well connected by road, rail, and nearby airports
- Visited by lakhs of devotees every year from across India
For defence families, affordable accommodation near the temple significantly reduces travel-related financial stress.
Unique Aspect of This Initiative
What makes this initiative truly meaningful is that:
- The owner of Hotel United House is himself an Ex-Serviceman
- Dadasaheb V. Sapike,
- Ex POM, Indian Navy
- Service No: 170657 H
As a veteran, he has consciously taken the responsibility to support fellow service members and their families by offering affordable and comfortable lodging.
Appeal to Kendriya Sainik Board
Through this formal communication, the hotel management has requested:
- Wide publicity of the concessional offer
- Circulation through:
- Kendriya Sainik Board
- Rajya Zila Sainik Boards
- Defence welfare platforms
Such dissemination ensures that maximum benefit reaches deserving personnel.
Contact Details
📧 Email: sapikedadasaheb@gmail.com
📞 Mobile: 08007105000
📞 Office: 09130054801
Importance of Such Veteran-Led Welfare Initiatives
This initiative highlights:
- The strong bond within the Armed Forces community
- How Ex-Servicemen continue to serve society even after retirement
- The importance of promoting veteran entrepreneurship with a welfare mindset
Encouraging and publicising such efforts strengthens the ESM ecosystem.
Conclusion
The concessional accommodation scheme offered by Hotel United House, Shirdi is a commendable example of veteran-led welfare support. Affordable, transparent, and thoughtfully structured, it directly benefits serving and retired Armed Forces personnel and their families visiting one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations.
Wider awareness and official dissemination of such initiatives can significantly enhance the welfare outreach for the defence community.
