India Travel News

New Delhi-Times of India: Delhi Metro’s enviable track record of meeting its deadlines — often beating them by a few months — has made it a case study for efficiency and good work culture.
So far, it was just a model to be emulated. But Delhi government, in an effort to get out of a sticky situation on the much-delayed construction of Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences at Vasant Kunj, has decided to simply hand over the second phase of construction of the building — touted as a unique healthcare project in Asia — to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) after a series of delays by PWD in the first phase.

Confirming the development, DMRC spokesperson Anuj Dayal said they were taking up the work as a special case. For the first time, Metro will step out of its domain and construct a building for another organisation. And for this DMRC has already procured equipment from the fire department.

Asked why the project was taken away from PWD, government officials said DMRC is quick and efficient and known for its expertise while PWD is saddled with lot of work. ‘‘It’s not a comment on PWD’s performance. The chief minister wants no compromise on the quality of the institute,’’ said an official.

The foundation stone of the institute was laid in 2003 but delays since then have taken a toll on the project. Problems of acquiring land from multiple agencies and delays by PWD have proved to be major roadblocks.

Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Saturday reviewed the project’s progress and directed senior PWD officials to speed up the work and finish it fast. ‘‘It will be dedicated to the people of Delhi very soon,’’ she said.

This first of its kind liver institute in Asia will provide better and advanced treatment for liver and biliary ailments. ‘‘The mission of this institute is to emerge as a dedicated international centre of excellence for diagnosis, management and advanced training and research in the field of liver diseases,’’ the CM said.

According to health department officials, the first phase of construction of the institute is nearing completion. In this phase, about 180 beds will be made available, out of which 74 will be set aside for the Intensive Care Unit.

Project director Dr SK Sarin said the institute will have a separate department to promote basic and translational research in the area of Hepatobiliary Sciences. The department of Hepatobiliary Medicine would be the first dedicated department in the country and will also house Transplant Hepatology and Paediatric Hepatology as independent units.