AMC suspends 4 engineers, orders FIR against four contractors

Ahmedabad: The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has suspended four engineers and ordered FIRs against four construction firms after a vigilance probe uncovered serious irregularities in stormwater drainage and sewer line projects across the city.

Municipal commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani initiated the action following a preliminary investigation that revealed alleged tampering of measurement books, duplicate measurements, identical invoices, and major discrepancies between actual work carried out on-site and the measurements recorded for payments.

The suspended officials include additional city engineer Rajesh Rathwa, deputy city engineer Utkarsh Bhabor, assistant city engineer Ramesh Baria, and assistant engineer Alpesh Makwana.

AMC has also directed that FIRs be lodged against construction firms Visat Construction, Meeral Infrastructure, Dhruvi Buildcon Pvt Ltd, and Bhagirath Construction. The firms have been barred from participating in AMC tenders until completion of the investigation.

According to the vigilance department, a Rs 6.68 crore project for laying a new stormwater drainage network in areas including New Maninagar was awarded to Visat Construction, which has already received payments worth Rs 5.81 crore. Investigators found that the company had subcontracted the work. The probe allegedly discovered that several pages of the original measurement book were replaced before submission to the vigilance department after payments had been processed.

AMC officials said Rs 2.34 crore will be recovered from Visat Construction and criminal proceedings will be initiated against those responsible for the alleged manipulation of records.

In another case, irregularities were detected in stormwater drain work carried out by Meeral Infrastructure in Vastral ward. The investigation found discrepancies between measurements recorded in official documents and the actual work executed on-site, leading AMC to order a recovery of Rs 10.52 lakh.

The vigilance department also examined a Rs 2.58 crore stormwater line project in the eastern part of the city awarded to Dhruvi Buildcon Pvt. Ltd. Of this amount, Rs 2.40 crore had already been paid to the contractor. Officials found substantial differences between recorded and actual work, prompting AMC to initiate recovery of Rs 81.7 lakh along with interest.

The probe further revealed alleged irregularities in manhole construction, resulting in an estimated loss of Rs 20.95 lakh to the civic body. The amount will also be recovered, officials said.

An AMC official said the vigilance investigation uncovered the creation of “false measurement books” in eastern area projects to facilitate improper payments. The official added that project management consultant firms linked to the projects may also face blacklisting as the investigation progresses.