Leader of Opposition Questions Contract Practices in Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation

Ahmedabad : The leader of the opposition in the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Shehjad Khan Pathan, has raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the awarding and execution of contracts for bridge and underpass construction projects.

Pathan accused the AMC of awarding contracts through a flawed tender process and then inflating payments to construction firms despite project delays. He specifically cited the Hatkeshwar Bridge project, built by Ajay Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, where costs reportedly escalated by 35%.

“The AMC conducts a tender process for an estimated price, but then every contractor is given a price increase of 10% to 15% to 25%,” Pathan stated. “This system lacks transparency and leads to unnecessary burden on the public exchequer.”

His claims come amidst reports that the AMC has spent a staggering Rs. 1500 crore on bridge and underpass projects in recent years. While these projects aim to improve traffic flow and infrastructure, delays and cost overruns have raised questions about their efficiency and accountability.

Pathan further alleged that the inflated payments are not justified, given the delays in project completion. “The contractors are not meeting deadlines, causing inconvenience to the public. Yet, they are rewarded with increased payments, which is unacceptable,” he emphasized.

The AMC has yet to respond to Pathan’s allegations. However, the opposition leader’s claims have sparked public debate and calls for an investigation into the contract awarding and payment processes. Citizens are concerned about the potential misuse of public funds and demand more transparency in infrastructure projects.