Odisha govt: Four infrastructure giants bid to carry out SCB Medical College and Hospital upgrade

BHUBANESWAR: Four major infrastructure giants have participated in the bidding process to implement the state government’s ambitious redevelopment plan for SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Official sources in the state works department said two tenders, one for clinical block and another for residential block, were floated by the Odisha Bridge and Construction Corporation (OBCC) Ltd under the state works department. The combined cost of the tenders would be around Rs 2,900 crore.
While three companies — L&T, Shapoorji Pallonji and NCC Ltd — have participated in the bidding process for the clinical block, Tata Projects along with the above three are in the race for implementation of the residential block.
“We are evaluating the bids submitted by the companies. The bidding process will be finalized within a month. The tenders will be awarded after approval of the state cabinet,” said a senior government official.
Construction of different departments and hospital building is part of the clinical block, development of staff quarters and hostel buildings will be taken up under residential block.
Since target has been set for completion of the first phase redevelopment project of the premier healthcare centre by January 2024, the state works department has fast-tracked various work like re-routing of electrical lines, shifting of overhead tanks, demolition of vacated buildings and cutting and transplantation of trees.
The state government has also decided to shift the SCB medical public school, currently located within the campus, to a place near OMP square for which 2.5 acres of land has been identified.
According to official sources, the Rs 3,500 crore-redevelopment plan of the oldest medical college and hospital in the state, established in 1944, will be implemented in two phases. A target has been set to develop a 3,500-bed facility in the first phase while number of beds will be enhanced to 5,000 in the second phase.
Around Rs 500 crore has been earmarked for SCB’s redevelopment project during the 2021-22 financial year. State-of-the-art infrastructure, which will be taken up in the first phase, include staff quarter complex for over 1,280 people, three hostel buildings for around 2200 students, a stadium and various departments.