The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) will have to wait longer to get their trauma centre running on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Last month, the MSRDC invited Expression of Interest (EOI) to operate the centre for accident victims at Ozarde village in the Mumbai corridor along the Expressway. However, the body received a poor response from bidders and has extended the deadline to October 28. MSRDC has also written a letter to the Maharashtra State Health Department asking for help to operate the centre.

The body plans to provide chopper services at the centre, too. It also called for tenders from bidders to provide Quick Response Vehicles (QRVs) and their operation and maintenance, for 10 years on the expressway. It also invited Request for Qualification (RFQ) to build the Level-IV trauma centre and a heliport for air ambulance services on a BOT (build-operate-transfer) basis. “We expected many bidders to come forward and bids for the EOI and RFQ. However, due to poor response, we have extended the deadline. We hope companies come forward this time,” said an MSRDC official, on condition of anonymity. Sources from the MSRDC added that the project could be delayed further.