Green mission or money tree? AMC's ₹69 crore plantation drive in hot water ahead of June 5 launch

The Amdavad Municipal Corporation’s ambitious “Mission for Million Trees” has run into a thorny controversy even before its June 5 launch, with the project cost mysteriously ballooning from ₹3.7 crore to ₹69 crore – a staggering 1,765% increase that has opposition parties crying foul.

The mega plantation drive aims to add 4 million trees across Ahmedabad, but critics allege the tender process was manipulated to favour select contractors with deep pockets.

Tender controversy unfolds

The Recreation Committee initially floated a modest tender in March for planting 1 lakh trees over 25,000 square metres, with an estimated cost of ₹3.7 crore. The tender requirements seemed straightforward: contractors needed 200% annual turnover relative to their bid amount and at least three years of tree-planting experience.

Four contractors were duly shortlisted under these parameters. But then came the plot twist – a revised proposal emerged that inflated the project value to ₹69 crore, raising eyebrows across party lines.

Opposition parties have accused the AMC of tweaking tender terms to benefit contractors with higher turnovers, effectively sidelining smaller players. They argue the process abandoned the previous practice of issuing zone-wise tenders, instead consolidating the entire project to favour firms with substantial financial muscle.

Official defense and project details

Recreation Committee Chairman Jayesh Trivedi has defended the initiative, outlining the project’s scope: 2.1 million trees will be sourced from private nurseries while 1.4 million will come from the Forest Department. Four agencies—Anand Garden Nursery, Dharati Nursery & Farm, Harikrishna Nursery, and Nilkanth Landscape—have secured the lucrative contracts.

The contractors face stringent accountability measures: they must ensure a 90% survival rate for planted trees or face penalties, and remain responsible for nurturing the saplings for two years post-plantation. The bulk of plantation–1.3 to 1.5 million trees – is planned for the Gyaspur area.

Past failures cast shadow

The controversy gains additional weight given Ahmedabad's checkered tree plantation history. A damning 2023 report revealed that 40% of the 5.5 million trees planted across the city over four years failed to survive—a mortality rate that raises serious questions about monitoring effectiveness and long-term sustainability. 

This track record has critics questioning whether the AMC is throwing good money after bad, or if the inflated budget might actually improve outcomes through better planning and execution.

With the project launch imminent, civic officials find themselves in the hot seat, facing mounting pressure to demonstrate transparency and accountability. The irony is palpable: a mission designed to green the city has instead generated more heat than shade, with questions swirling about whether taxpayers are getting value for money or funding a select few contractors’ growth.