Times News NetworkNagpur: Citizens may soon get access to advanced diagnostic facilities, including MRI, PET Scan, CT Scan and dialysis, at subsidised rates as the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) is set to approve setting up an Integrated Diagnostic and Dialysis Centre on a public-private partnership (PPP) model at the Isolation Hospital campus in Jatarodi.The proposal will come up before the general body on July 28 seeking approval to lease 2,690 sq m of vacant land within the 10,496.50 sq m Isolation Hospital campus to a private partner for 30 years at a nominal lease rent of Re 1 per sq ft per year, subject to state government approval.According to the agenda, the project aims to bridge the gap in affordable diagnostic services by providing CT Scan, MRI, PET Scan, X-ray, Mammography and a 16-bed dialysis centre under one roof. The selected developer will bear the entire cost of constructing the building, installing equipment, appointing specialists and operating the facility.The civic body has finalised the project structure with the assistance of transaction advisor Axino Capital Services, which prepared the detailed project report, financial model and bidding documents. The project has already undergone legal scrutiny and was earlier approved by the administrator and standing committee.Two bidders participated in the tender process. Bhanutai Gadkari Memorial, in partnership with Manas Agro Industries & Infra Ltd, emerged as the highest-ranked bidder after offering diagnostic services at 22% below CGHS rates, surpassing the minimum requirement of 20% discount prescribed in the tender.Administration in the agenda stated the PPP model will enable NMC to provide sophisticated diagnostic facilities at affordable rates without incurring capital expenditure. At the end of the 30-year concession period, the entire project, including the building and equipment, will be transferred to NMC unless the lease is extended with government approval.The proposal requires the general body’s approval before being forwarded to the state government, as municipal land is proposed to be leased at a nominal rate of Re 1 under Section 79(G) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act.Other important proposals before the General BodyPMAY 2.0 housing: Approval for construction of 1,651 EWS houses at Punapur (840), Hadkeshwar (240) and Jaitala (571). The 840-unit Punapur project is proposed to be tendered. Contract nurses: Policy decision on regularisation of contractual nurses working under the National Urban Health Mission following directions from the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court. Promotion rules: Amendments to service rules to allow diploma-holder engineers greater promotional opportunities to deputy engineer and executive engineer posts. Unsafe library demolition: Approval to demolish the dilapidated Kachkalwar Library building at Sirsapeth and construct a new e-library under a state scheme. Road project: Approval for a Rs2.52-crore cement concrete road from RK Flour Mill to Shahu Mohalla in East Nagpur using state road grant funds. Open space transfer: Acceptance of a layout and 3,030.84 sq m of open space at Zingabai Takli from the Nagpur Improvement Trust. Medical reimbursement: Enhancement of financial powers for approving employees’ medical reimbursement claims in line with the 2023 state government resolution. Dr Hina Qureshi case: Consideration of a High Court-directed proposal to absorb Dr Hina Qureshi as a regular medical officer. Employee cooperative bank: Proposal to lease a 95.92 sq m room in the Civil Lines headquarters to the NMC Employees’ Cooperative Bank for salary disbursement and banking operations. Sanitation cadre rules: Changes in promotion rules for malaria inspectors and sanitation inspectors to rationalise career progression within the health department.
