Plan to hand over Rani Bagh to private sector inches forward

ver Hyderabad's largest government owned recreational facility, to the private sector, Rani Bagh, the authorities have selected a consultant firm to prepare feasibility for the transfer. The bids will be opened at the meeting of the consultant selection committee in the local government department's office in Sindh secretariat, Karachi, on March 14.

According to a letter signed by the project director of Rani Bagh, Karachi based KPMG, Taseer Hadi and Co Chartered Accountants has been found 'eligible' and technically 'qualified' as per the set criteria and the terms and conditions. The other firm, Management and Development Center (Pvt) ltd, has been communicated that if failed to achieve the minimum technical score to qualify. The successful bidder has been asked to depute their representatives at the opening of the financial bids. The officials including chief municipal officer of municipal committee Qasimabad, director Public-Private Partnership unit and assistant chief planning and development department have also been asked to attend the meeting.

The facility remained under the administrative control of MCQ until some months ago when it handed over to deputy commissioner Hyderabad. The municipal committee failed to ensure maintenance and development of the facility which spreads to 54 acres in the center city. It consists of a zoo, fun land, multiple parks and an open air theater. All the attractions inside the facility are in deplorable condition. The selected consultant, meanwhile, will be tasked to conduct the feasibility study for the design, build, finance, operate, maintain and transfer (DFOMT) or the PPP models based handover of the facility to a private firm. They will also be required to provide advisory services for development of Rani Bagh.

The consultant will also assess the existing infrastructure, prepare the master plan of Rani Bagh, make institutional arrangements, create transaction mechanisms, assess financial, socio-economic and environmental viability. The bidding documents as per the PPP model will also be prepared by the consultant who will also assist the PD Rani Bagh's team in selection of the most suitable bidder.