3 days ago
State Orders Third-Party Audit Amid Alarming Quality Concerns in AMRUT 2.0 Projects
Nagpur: Amid rising complaints of shoddy execution and deteriorating public infrastructure, the Maharashtra govt on June 30 issued a Government Resolution (GR) directing Maharashtra Jeevan Pradhikaran (MJP) to implement Third Party Technical Audits (TPTA) for all ongoing works under the Rs10,513 crore Amrut 2.0 mission.
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The decision comes in the wake of mounting criticism over substandard work in key projects—particularly those being executed by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). These include the Rs381 crore water supply augmentation project and the Rs900 crore Pora River Pollution Abatement scheme, both under Amrut 2.0. The pollution abatement project has already drawn public ire. NMC Commissioner Abhijeet Chaudhari slapped a Rs1 crore cumulative fine on three contractors for botched restoration after sewer line work across southwest and south Nagpur.
Another firm involved in the water supply augmentation project was also penalised for execution lapses. Dug-up roads in affected areas continue to torment motorists, with private agencies ignoring repeated warnings to complete proper restoration.
Despite funds pouring in and clear directives from the civic administration, on-ground execution remained sloppy—sparking outrage among residents and raising doubts about project oversight.
The Amrut 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) was rolled out in Maharashtra in July 2022 and spans from FY 2021–22 to 2025–26. Of the Rs10,513 crore outlay, Rs9,285 crore is earmarked for project implementation, with the rest reserved for reform incentives and administrative expenses. To plug the accountability gap, the state has now asked MJP, which functions as the Project Development and Management Consultant (PDMC), to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) within two weeks to empanel qualified technical auditors.
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The process will be overseen by the State Level Technical Committee (SLTC), which has also been empowered to revise the audit's scope as needed. Audit expenses will be drawn from the Amrut administrative fund, subject to the Centre's approval. If denied, the state will bear the cost separately.
A senior NMC official said MJP earlier engaged a third-party auditor, but the audit contract ended—triggering the current process to appoint a new agency. However, critics argue the govt has been slow to act, allowing poor-quality work to continue unchecked for months. As the mission enters its crucial final stretch, the govt's move to institutionalise independent technical scrutiny may be the only way to salvage public confidence and ensure taxpayer money doesn't go down the drain—literally.
