ACB seeks details of ₹131 cr spent on tree plantation drive in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has stepped in to examine alleged financial irregularities in Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC)’s tree plantation drive, seeking an explanation on spending that reportedly rose to ₹131 crore against an approved budget of ₹69 crore.

ACB reportedly sought an explanation from the Director of Parks & Gardens Department on how the spending nearly doubled. It has also demanded tender and expenditure details related to the corporation's ‘Mission Four Million Trees’ campaign.

Parks & Gardens Director Amrish Patel said that his department had received a written communication from the ACB seeking comprehensive information on the tenders issued under the plantation drive and the circumstances that led to the escalation in costs. He said the bureau would take further action after examining the records submitted.

The Parks & Gardens department has been under scrutiny for some time over repeated tenders floated for plantation work. Patel said the civic body has also constituted an internal committee to probe the excess expenditure beyond the earlier approved estimate.

“The ACB has sought all relevant documents, including technical qualifications and tender-related details. These will be provided to the bureau,” Patel said, adding that the department would fully cooperate with the investigation.

The ACB is expected to assess the information once received before deciding on the next course of action.