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Time of India
6 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
PWD begins demolition in newly built district hospital to add fire exit, ramp
Nagpur: Barely weeks after completion, the state-of-the-art Nagpur district general hospital at Mankapur is undergoing demolition — this time to build a fire exit and a ramp for stretcher movement during emergencies. The move, labelled as part of a 'Phase II expansion', has raised eyebrows as both features are basic necessities in a tertiary care hospital. The state Public Works Department (PWD), which designed and built the hospital, is now constructing not just the fire escape and ramp but also a mortuary, sewage treatment plant, laundry unit, modular labour room, modular operation theatre, and medical gas pipeline system (MGPS). An additional Rs15 crore was sanctioned for these works. Under Phase I, the hospital construction cost stood at around Rs45 crore, and the building was declared ready last month — over 13 years after the project was sanctioned. Despite the hospital being fully equipped and staffed, its inauguration has been repeatedly delayed. It was initially slated to open in early June but missed several deadlines. Final work resumed after pressure from the high court and elected representatives. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [국가인증] 키성장 인증받은 '이 제품' 2개월치 무료증정 이벤트 곧 마감! 아이클타임 더 알아보기 Undo During a TOI visit, the hospital appeared fully functional, with clinical staff present in their departments and the civil surgeon's office shifted to the new premises. Beds have been laid across wards, but the facility remains without patients. The ongoing construction on the second floor breaks the silence in the corridors. PWD officials did not clarify why the ramp and fire exit were excluded from the original plan. PWD executive engineer Varsha Ghuse did not respond to calls. Hospital authorities say the two-storey structure — with a restricted 100-bed capacity — was entirely designed by PWD. The omission of key safety features is especially glaring in the wake of recent tragedies, such as the 2021 Bhandara district hospital fire. Officials now say the fire exit and ramp will link the existing structure to a 100-bed Critical Care Hospital Block (CCHB), currently under construction at the rear of the campus. The CCHB is being developed under the PM Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) and is in an advanced stage. The absence of basic emergency infrastructure, especially after years of delay and crores spent, has raised serious questions about planning and accountability in government health infrastructure projects.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Metro's Solar Dream Set to Take Off as MERC Orders MSEDCL to Clear Hurdles
1 2 Nagpur: After being stuck in limbo for over a year, Nagpur Metro's ambitious solar energy expansion is finally gaining momentum. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) has directed Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) to update its outdated application system, which was capping net metering approvals at 1MW, despite new regulations allowing up to 5MW. The order is expected to clear the path for commissioning long-idle solar panels and restarting stalled installations across the Metro network. At the centre of the delay is 1.5MW solar capacity installed at Mihan and Hingna depots. The panels, installed over a year ago, remained idle due to Metro's inability to apply for net metering beyond 1MW. This resulted in MahaMetro being forced to rely on costlier grid electricity, incurring monthly losses of Rs12 lakh — amounting to more than Rs1.4 crore annually. During a hearing on July 9, MERC took note of MahaMetro's petition and ordered MSEDCL to operationalise a compliant web-based portal within a month. It also asked the power utility to file its reply within 15 days. With this directive, Metro officials say they are finally in a position to move forward. But the delay did more than just sideline 1.5MW worth of solar power — it effectively froze Metro's entire solar rollout. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo Sources within MahaMetro revealed that once the depot panels were left unused, the agency decided to halt all further solar installations to avoid wasting additional infrastructure. Currently, only Reach 1 (Sitabuldi to Khapri) and Reach 3 (Sitabuldi to Lokmanya Nagar) have solar panels installed across all stations. Reach 2 (Sitabuldi to Automotive Square) has no panels at any station. On Reach 4 (Sitabuldi to Prajapati Nagar), only three stations — Vaishnodevi Square, Dr Ambedkar Square, and Telephone Exchange Square — have solar installations. "We couldn't justify spending more money on solar panels that would just lie there unused like the ones at the depots," said a senior MahaMetro official. "But now, with MERC's directive, we're finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We plan to resume installations across the remaining stations immediately." The Metro set a target of meeting 50% of its power needs through solar, but due to the regulatory deadlock, it only reached around 15%. With the bottleneck removed, officials believe they can move quickly to bridge the gap. The full rollout is expected to bring monthly energy savings of up to Rs45 lakh in the beginning and more in the future, significantly easing the project's operational costs. A senior MSEDCL official said they will comply with MERC's directives and follow them to the letter. "However, we will also need to assess the implementation from our end to ensure it aligns across all operational segments. If any issues arise, we will raise them with MERC for further clarification," the official added. With clear instructions now issued and a timeline in place, Metro's long-postponed solar ambitions may finally become a reality — delivering financial relief and a boost to Nagpur's green energy credentials.
Express Tribune
08-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Cement makers in race to buy PIA
PIA's bidding is expected to take place in the last quarter (October-December) of the current calendar year, said Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation. photo: file Listen to article The Privatisation Commission board on Tuesday declared four local parties, including three associated with cement business, eligible for bidding for the acquisition of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), inching a step closer to the sale of the loss-making entity. In a related development, the Cabinet Committee on Privatisation (CCOP) approved the transaction structure for the disposal of Roosevelt Hotel, New York, which is owned by PIA. The committee picked the option of running the hotel as a joint venture, which had been suggested by the financial adviser a year ago but was ignored by the government. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar chaired the CCOP meeting. The Privatisation Commission board met under the chairmanship of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali. It approved the pre-qualification of four interested parties for the divestment of Pakistan International Airlines Corporation Limited (PIACL), according to a press statement. The board reviewed recommendations of the pre-qualification committee based on the evaluation of Statements of Qualification (SOQs) submitted by five prospective investors, in line with technical, financial and documentary requirements, defined in the Request for Statement of Qualification (RSOQ). The board declared a consortium comprising Lucky Cement, Hub Power Holdings, Kohat Cement and Metro Ventures fit for bidding for PIA. The second consortium comprised Arif Habib Corporation, Fatima Fertiliser Company, City Schools (Private) Limited and Lake City Holdings (Private) Limited. The board also declared Fauji Fertiliser Company fit for bidding for PIA, accepting the entity as a private limited company. It is owned by the Fauji Foundation. Airblue (Private) Limited was the only entity that had been declared fit for bidding and was running an airline business. The Privatisation Commission said that the pre-qualified parties would now proceed to the buy-side due diligence phase – a critical step in the transparent and competitive privatisation process. A consortium of Augment Securities & Investments, Serene Air, Bahria Foundation, Mega C&S Holding and Equitas Capital LLC could not qualify for bidding. The government wants to sell majority shares in PIA along with management control. During the last attempt, the government had set the minimum price at Rs85.03 billion with a Rs45 billion negative balance sheet. Now, the government has taken out more debt from the balance sheet, which should positively impact the minimum price. PIA's bidding is expected to take place in the last quarter (October-December) of the current calendar year, said Muhammad Ali, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation. The Privatisation Commission had invited Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for divestment of 51-100% share capital of PIACL together with management control. It is the second attempt to privatise the airline after the first bid failed last year. The commission said that the CCOP on Tuesday approved the transaction structure for Roosevelt Hotel, New York, as proposed by the Privatisation Commission board. Out of the three options evaluated by the financial adviser – outright sale, joint venture with multiple options and long-term lease – the joint venture model with multiple options has been approved by the CCOP, according to the announcement. This option is aimed at maximising long-term value for the country, while ensuring flexibility, multiple exit opportunities and minimising future fiscal exposure, it added. These decisions reflect the government's strong commitment to advancing its economic reform and privatisation agenda in a transparent, market-driven and investor-friendly manner, said the commission. Pakistan hired Jones Lang LaSalle Americas as the financial adviser with a fee of Rs2.2 billion. According to its report on the transaction structure, Pakistan will not need to pay any additional money for a joint venture, as its contribution will come in the form of the hotel's land value. "Based on pre-marketing, due diligence and analysis of the options, the joint venture structure nets the highest value for the government of Pakistan," the adviser stated in its report. In the joint venture scenario, the government will contribute the entire land value to a joint venture partner. The land value will be calculated based on its full potential, including the 32-storey building. A contribution agreement will be signed immediately, with the joint venture agreement to follow in 2027. The development partner will make two initial deposits. "This option has the highest risk with the highest net proceeds to Pakistan," the adviser remarked in the report submitted last year.
Time of India
05-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
T wo private firm employees lose 45L in online share trading fraud
1 2 Pune: Two people, including a woman working as a neuro technician in a city-based private hospital, collectively lost Rs45 lakh in online share trading frauds between March and May. Separate complaints were registered with the Shivajinagar and Kharadi police in this connection on Thursday. A 41-year-old woman stated in her complaint with the Shivajinagar police that she came into contact with the cybercrooks through a social media platform in April. She was added to a group of investors created in the name of a prominent share trading firm. The admins of the group claimed that they were the firm's employees and used to share tips on earning profit in the stock market. The crooks then opened her demat account by sending her a link. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The woman initially invested small amounts to purchase shares. She could see in her account the profit. The crooks then told the woman to invest more and earn more profit. Believing them, the woman transferred over Rs25 lakh to the different bank account numbers provided to her between April 24 and May 17. Her demat account showed that she earned a profit of Rs36 lakh on her investments. An officer said, "When the woman tried to withdraw Rs6 lakh from her profit on May 23, she was told to pay 15% tax. The woman transferred that amount to a bank account number provided to her. She became suspicious when her request for withdrawal was rejected again citing that she did not pay a 10 percent commission." The woman then sent a personal message to some of the group members and enquired if the company was fake. All of them assured her that they earned a good profit through this company. Believing them, the woman paid the commission too. In total, she transferred Rs29 lakh to the crooks. The officer said when she tried to withdraw her money again, she was asked to pay Rs2 lakh more. When the woman told them that she did not have money, the crooks removed her from the group and duped her. She initially filed an online complaint. After preliminary investigations, a case was registered with the Shivajinagar police on Thursday. In a similar fraud, a 43-year-old official working with a multinational bank lost Rs15.34 lakh to cybercrooks between March and April this year. According to the complainant, he came into contact with the crooks through a social media platform. Initially, he was given some profit on his investments and later told to download an app of a foreign-based brokerage firm. He transferred Rs16.97 lakh through the app between March and April and could see that he earned a profit of Rs36 lakh. The complainant managed to withdraw Rs1.62 lakh and lost the remaining Rs15.34 lakh to the crooks. He lodged a complaint with the Kharadi police on Thursday.
Express Tribune
29-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Chicken, vegetable, fruit prices increase
Prices of key food items surged across local markets this week, placing a heavy burden on consumers already grappling with inflation. Market surveys revealed a stark contrast between the government-fixed rates and actual retail prices, with sellers charging far above official price lists for poultry, vegetables, and fruits. The rate of live chicken jumped by Rs45 per kilogramme, reaching an official range of Rs289-303 per kg. However, vendors were seen selling live poultry for as much as Rs420 per kg. Chicken meat, officially fixed at Rs439, was retailed at Rs500-580 per kg. Boneless chicken prices surged to Rs1,000-1,100 per kg in various city markets. Vegetables also saw widespread price hikes. The official price of A-grade soft skin potatoes rose by Rs10 to Rs70-75 per kg but were sold at nearly double — Rs140-150 per kg. Similarly, A-grade onions fixed at Rs40-45 per kg were retailed at Rs80 per kg. Seasonal fruits mirrored the same trend. Apples of various grades were fixed at Rs295-440 per kg but sold at Rs350-800 per kg.
