AMC Garden department’s ₹140 crore work file sent for scrutiny in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani  has submitted a ₹140 crore work file of the civic body’s garden department to the Joint Director (mechanical) for scrutiny. However, the verification could not be carried out due to submission of incomplete documents, officials stated.

Despite the commissioner forwarding files involving projects worth several crores of rupees for scrutiny, concerns have been raised within municipal circles over the proposed works, sources said.

The investigation was reportedly stalled as key documents were missing from the files submitted by the garden department.

Recently, the garden department had floated two tenders for the supply of tractor trolleys and the provision of garden labour. The tenders were issued for an initial period of three years, with a provision for a further extension of two years. The estimated cost of the two tenders for the three-year period was set at ₹140.22 crore, while the total value for the five-year period was fixed at ₹235.70 crore.

Several contractors have written to the municipal commissioner alleging irregularities in the tender process, claiming that agencies were wrongly qualified and accused officials of corruption. The contractors have also demanded a vigilance inquiry into the matter. However, no such investigation has been initiated so far, sources said.

With the current term of the municipal corporation nearing its end, sources alleged that officials of the garden department were moving swiftly to clear tenders involving large sums of money.