Opposition seeks cancellation of ₹470-crore single-ticket tender at AMC board meeting

The opposition raised strong objections at the Amdavad Municipal Corporation (AMC) board meeting held on Friday, demanding the cancellation of a ₹470-crore single-ticketing system tender awarded for a 12-year period to Emnex Infotech Private Limited.

During the meeting, opposition councillors sought answers from the mayor, the standing committee chairman, and other senior office-bearers of AMC regarding the approval of the high-value tender. However, the ruling side largely avoided detailed responses, stating only that the matter would be looked into.

Criticising the expenditure, opposition leaders questioned the justification for such a large outlay on a ticketing system. One leader remarked sarcastically that with such massive spending, it appeared as if buses were expected to fly, adding that even driverless cars promoted by Elon Musk might cost less.

Congress corporator Jagdish Rathod from Amraiwadi said that while the civic body frequently speaks of developing a smart city, a large section of Ahmedabad’s population continues to survive on daily wages. He pointed out that the Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) has been running at a loss for years, while the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) continues to operate with financial support and loans from the corporation.

Rathod argued that instead of approving an expensive tender, the corporation should focus on strengthening AMTS and BRTS services to ensure regular and affordable public transport for citizens. He reiterated the opposition’s demand that the tender be scrapped in the larger public interest.

The opposition also alleged that around 800 bus shelters constructed across the city using MPs’ and MLAs’ grants were demolished under the pretext of building new shelters.

Additionally, councillors recalled that in 2017–18, the AMC had introduced an Integrated Transit Management System and ticket fare collection system under the Smart City project, along with the Janmitra Card for BRTS passengers. At the time, it was claimed that the card could be used across AMTS, BRTS, and even for paying property tax. The opposition alleged that the Janmitra Card scheme has since been abandoned, raising questions over planning and accountability in the current tender process.