Parimal had lined up an impressive programme for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of making a splash on the world tourism map: A `Gujarat Darbar' on December 24 to kick-start the year-long series of events; a horse-show in Gondal; a vintage car show, a laser show, a shopping festival and a millennium clock countdown in Ahmedabad; a camel trek in Kutch and a nature trek to Hindolgadh, besides events around the last sunset of 1999 at the Kutch coast and the first sunrise of 2000 at Modhera in the setting of a Solanki-era surya puja.

Parimal reportedly began formulating the plans in November 1998; by mid-March he had chartered out the Royal Orient Express to a German company for the millennium week -- nomean feat, considering the train's track record. On April 1, marketing plans for worldwide media coverage were reportedly ready.

On April 2, 1999, however, he was given additional charge as joint commissioner of the grievances redressal authority on the Sardar Sarovar Project, a full-time job in itself. Predictably, the Heritage Hotels' Association, the Hotels and Restaurants' Association, the Ahmedabad Hotel Owners' Association and the Gujarat Rajya Hotel Federation are now unsure about the implementation of the plans.

Says HRA president Jehangir Cama, ``The government step is sending out wrong signals.'' Adds Paula of Jet Tours, Paris, one of the largest inbound tour operators to Gujarat, ``Rajasthan, Kerala and Goa are sold out. Even getting airline tickets to India or hotel bookings in Mumbai or Delhi is impossible now. We'd have come if the plans had been confirmed in 1997.''

The HHA and the HRA have written to Tourism Minister Suresh Mehta, while other associations have asked Chief MinisterKeshubhai Patel to allow Parimal to concentrate solely on tourism. Neither Mehta nor Patel has responded to the request.

Anil Mulchandani of North-West Safaries agrees. ``It is too late to get groups now. We can only hope for individual travellers, domestic or local tourists.''

The HHA, on its part, has initiated damage-control measures by adding Santrampur, Kotda Sangani, Devgadh Baria, Jambughoda and Sayla to its fold. Its 21 members are planning a durbar at the Laxmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. But the grand parades, ethnic entertainment, sit-down dinners depend on cooperation from the Tourism department.

And the associations concerned aren't sure that the state government is listening.