Kerala: PWD vigilance orders probe into Haripad Medical College tender allotment

Kerala: The first PPP medical college-Haripad medical college in the state has run into an alleged controversy. After having received the necessary approvals for the master plan, the tenders for the design of the medical college were invited in February and closed on February 19. This is the time when the plan to design a massive green campus for the medical college in the state allegedly ran into trouble.

PWD vigilance has now ordered an inquiry into the matter regarding the tender awarded to a company called Archie Matrix. This company had made the highest bid among the five companies, with a bidding amount of Rs 11 crore. However, it has been alleged that the government sealed the deal with Archie Matrix, without specifying in its notification as to why it rejected other company’s tenders. The lowest bid was made by Ansal group at Rs 7 crore.

According to a recent media report, the Public Works Department's viglance wing will conduct an investigation on the issue of the allotment of consultancy deal of the proposed Haripad medical college. Public Works Minister G Sudhakaran has issued the order in this regard to the Public Works Department's Vigilance wing. The companies which did not receive the tender submitted a complaint to the minister. Following this, minister G Sudhakaran asked the Public Works Department Vigilance wing to investigate the matter.

The first stage of the only medical college in the state under the PPP model is likely to see a constructed building for accommodating 100 students. Additional infrastructure will be set up, including an administration block, library and lecture halls in the first phase only.

The building will occupy an area of 10.65 lakh square feet to provide accommodation for 600 beds and different departments. Besides, 19 wards of 10 departments and four ICUs are also a part of the layout of the college. There will be an emergency section, blood bank, and six diagnostic units. A helipad is also likely to be a part of the main building. The construction process for the first phase is estimated to be Rs 265 crore.

Hindu reported that the medical equipment will cost Rs.80 crore, with the total expenditure being put at Rs.345 crore. The amount sanctioned by NABARD, Rs.90 crore, will be utilised for construction purposes. An amount of Rs.45 crore has already been raised.