Only one bid for zoo master plan

March 19th, 2008 | posted by Anjali

NAGPUR: The state government has received only one bid

for preparing the master plan for the Rs 500-crore international zoo and safari park at Gorewada on 1885-hectare forest land

in the city.

According to sources, Singapore-based Bernard Harrison and Friends Limited is the only firm that

has once again come forward to prepare the master plan in the retendering process. Retendering for the coveted project was

ordered in February this year after the state finance department raised strong objections to the tender process initiated

last year. The last date of receiving tenders was March 15, after which the scrutiny was done.

When contacted, B

Majumdar, principal chief conservator of forests (PCCF), wildlife, Maharashtra, under whom the â€˜Gorewada Project' would

function under the new system, said, "It's true that we have received only one response and the bid evaluation committee

(BEC) headed by additional chief secretary J P Dange will evaluate the bid in Mumbai on March 24."

"In fact, in

the revised process, we had invited all the parties who had bid last year for preparing the master plan. However, we received

only one bid," the chief wildlife warden said. However, he refused to comment on being asked whether the only bid is of

Bernard Harrison.

According to sources, in the new arrangement, there will be two envelopes â€” one about

technical bid and another for financial. First, technical bid will be opened and bidderr's experience and technical

credentials will be looked into. If those are found satisfactory, the second envelope will be opened. "As there is only one

bid, things will most probably be finalised on Monday itself. Later, the proposal will be sent to the government," a source

said.

It may be mentioned that in 2007, Bernard Harrison was one among nine others including the Zoological

Society of London and eight others from India, to be shortlisted by the government for preparing the masterplan. Accordingly,

on September 27 last, Bernard and his partner Lim had visited Gorewada and was delighted to see the sight. On September 28,

he had even made presentation before the top officials in Mumbai. Harrison had even renegotiated the bid and brought down the

offer by $ 20,000, finally making it to Rs one crore.

According to forest department sources, Bernard Harrison

has vast experience in conceptualisation, design and professional management of zoos and eco-tourist attractions. The

Singapore-based firm is already implementing its projects in Morroco, Myanmar and Pakistan. Of the 10 projects they

implemented, 9 were financially viable.

"Harrison has 25 years of experience in zoo planning and is already

working on two major projects in India. The company has also set up world famous Singapore Zoological Garden," a top official

said.

Source:

Vidarbha