None of the eight companies shortlisted in the initial screening stage came for final bidding,forcing govt to look for alternatives: Health minister Four years after the Delhi Health department conceptualised private public partnerships to better the Capitals health services,the plan for the oldest project to be implemented through the model has been dropped. The Rajiv Gandhi Superspecialty Hospital in Tahirpur will now be developed under the University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital. According to Health minister Dr A K Walia,the government had been forced to explore its options after revised proposals for the project failed to invite bids from any of the shortlisted companies. Earlier,the Delhi Cabinet had cleared two major changes in the proposal to woo bidders. The changes were: a reduction in the annual amount that the private partner was expected to pay the government and an increase in the timeframe of the project from 17 to 20 years,to make it more viable for the private partner. Despite the changes,Dr Walia said,none of the eight companies shortlisted in the initial screening stage request for qualification (RFQ) had come forward to participate in the final bidding. Construction for the 650-bedded Rajiv Gandhi Hospital was undertaken entirely by the Delhi government and completed in 2009. Dr Walia added that it was time the government sought alternate routes,since the PPPs had failed to take off. The hospitals in Tahirpur and Janakpuri are ready,but we have not been able to start them for the last three years. Our draft proposal has not invited any bidders,despite accommodating changes. We are now aiming that by the end of this year,we should start both our superspecialty hospitals. Conceptualised in early 2008,the PPP structure for the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital was at the most advanced stage,among several such projects announced by the Health department. It was also cited to be the model for other PPPs of the department. Deloitte-India was appointed as the transaction advisor for the deal,where a private party was to run the hospital constructed by the government on its own land. This model was changed several times,causing what experts call incessant delays,under three health ministers Yoganand Shastri,Kiran Walia and now Dr A K Walia. A meeting has been called by the Health Secretary,who visited the Rajiv Gandhi Hospital last week,with GTB officials on Monday. The hospital is expected to be a part of a mega health city planned for East Delhi. The Janakpuri hospital is expected to be brought under the DDU Hospital.
