Ahmedabad INR 69 Crore Tree Plantation Tender Creates Trouble Before Work Starts

In Ahmedabad, a big tree plantation drive called “Mission Four Million Trees” will start from June 5, where the government plans to plant 40 lakh trees. But just before this work starts, a controversy has started because of a INR 69 crore tender that was approved by the Recreation Committee.

The opposition parties are saying that this tender has problems. They say the rules of the tender were changed to help a few special contractors. Also, the proposal doesn’t clearly mention where in the city the trees will be planted.

In March, the Horticulture Department had first announced a smaller tender of INR 3.7 crore to plant 1 lakh trees in an area of 25,000 sq. metres. Contractors had to show they had good experience and a high yearly income (turnover) to qualify. A total of 4 contractors were selected. But now, using the same process, the government is planning to give INR 69 crore worth of work, which is a big jump.

The opposition says this is unfair and looks like a scam. If INR 69 crore is divided among 4 contractors, each one could get work worth INR 17 crore. But as per rules, each should have a turnover of at least INR 34 crore, which some don’t have. Earlier, tenders used to be given zone by zone, but this time it’s combined, which raises more doubts.

Recreation Committee Chairman Jayesh Trivedi said that out of the 40 lakh trees, 21 lakh will come from private nurseries and 14 lakh from the forest department. Around 13 to 15 lakh trees will be planted in Gyaspur. The 4 agencies selected for this are Anand Garden Nursery, Dharti Nursery and Farm, Harikrishna Nursery, and Nilkanth Landscape.

These agencies will have to take care of the trees for 2 years. If 90% of trees do not survive, then the agency will be fined.

Zone-wise Tree Plantation Plan