Fresh bids for Parsi Lying-in hospital revamp next month

The tussle between the managing committee and the Bombay Parsi Punchayat (BPP) over the future of the Parsi Lying-in Hospital at Fort notwithstanding, the Punchayat has again decided to invite bids for the hospital's revamp.

In September 2011, the managing committee of the hospital had decided to hand over the project to a private firm which would be responsible for refurbishing and maintaining the infrastructure of the hospital for the next 30 years. However, BPP, which owns the two-storeyed hospital building, was vehemently opposed to the idea.

Starting next month, the Punchayat will start the bidding process. "The hospital is in a prime location and we shouldn't end up cutting a cheap deal. Various major companies had offered to buy the hospital, but we have decided to restore it instead. It is an important mark of our community," said BPP chairman, Dinshaw Mehta.

The hospital, which is in a decrepit condition at present, was constructed in 1895 specifically for pregnant Parsi women for delivery. However, over the years, the number of women opting for institutional deliveries dwindled and the management had to shut the hospital down. Since then, BPP and the managing committee of the hospital have been at loggerheads regarding its renovation.

"Last year, the managing committee decided to hand over the project to a private firm in a very hushed manner. We now want transparency in the system and participation from private as well as public firms in the bidding. Ads will be put up so that the best companies come forward and public companies are in the loop as well," Mehta said.

The decision on whether the hospital will continue to remain a maternity home or turn into a super-speciality hospital will be decided after the bidding process.

Minoo Shroff, member of the current managing commitee of the hospital, refused to comment on the issue, saying it is a delicate matter and a concrete decision is yet to be taken.

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