Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) got an all-new hospital building on Wednesday.

The double-storey structure spread over 10,000sqft was renovated by Rajya Sabha member and group president (corporate affairs) of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) Parimal Nathwani at a cost of Rs 1.07 crore. Nathwani, who sourced the huge sum from RIL’s welfare fund and also from his own pocket, handed over the keys to the civic body’s health officer R.K. Singh at a function on the hospital premises.

Deputy mayor Ajay Nath Shahdeo was present while mayor Rama Khalkho, who was also supposed to attend the ceremony, could not turn up due to other engagements.

Nathwani said he was also interested in running the hospital on a no-profit-no-loss basis. “I spent Rs 1.07 crore for renovating the building. I also want to run the hospital after spending Rs 4 to 5 crore more on equipment and appointing medical, para-medical and other staff. I have submitted a proposal to RMC but so far, it has not been accepted. Hence, it is the civic body’s responsibility to look after the building and make it functional as soon as possible,” he said.

In reply, Shahdeo said permission for running the hospital could not be given without completing necessary formalities. “A tender has to be floated. Nathwani can also bid for the project,” he said.

But Nathwani made it clear he would not take part in the tender process. “As I do not have any business interest in running this hospital, I will not like to participate in the tender process and will be happy to find out someone who can offer better service than me,” he added.