Ranchi, April 18: Wooden doors from the British period, iron items and scrap metal will be auctioned off at Sadar hospital tomorrow.

The auction decision was taken to aid the construction of a new 500-bed hospital on the Sadar hospital premises. District civil surgeon S.S. Singh said the auction would start at 4pm and people participating in it have to deposit a demand draft of Rs 10,000 as earnest money on the spot.

This is the first time that old materials from a different are being auctioned off at the Sadar hospital.

Sources said the materials to be auctioned were collected from the hospital superintendent’s house, operation theatre number one and Birla Ward, which was constructed by Raja Rai Deo Das Birla in commemoration of the visit of Lord Irwin, Viceroy and governor general of India to Ranchi in July 1928.

Sources said the items, which will be auctioned, are likely to fetch more than Rs 2 lakh. “Doors from the British era are strong and might fetch Rs 2,000 each. Also, the iron grills are in such a good condition people can still use them now,” said a Sadar hospital employee, deputed to look after the construction work of the hospital campus.

Singh, however, refused to comment on the amount they might earn by auction.

Cots, chairs and tables along with the above mentioned things are to be auctioned.

With the beginning of auction process in a government establishment, police officials of Ranchi are hopeful that similar activity might be taken up in the police stations also.

“I hope our officer in charge does the same and starts auctioning the old vehicles. The process will not only ensure additional income but would also make the police station more spacious,” hoped a constable at the Kotwali police station.