After vigilance expose, AMC makes digital tracking mandatory civic works

Ahmedabad: In the wake of a vigilance probe that exposed tampering of measurement books in stormwater and drainage line projects in eastern Ahmedabad, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has introduced a fresh set of rules aimed at tightening monitoring and documentation of civic works across the city.AMC commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani has issued a detailed circular mandating stricter procedures for maintaining measurement books and monitoring ongoing projects. The new norms significantly increase the accountability of project management consultant (PMC) agencies and implementing officers, while making digital documentation compulsory.Under the revised system, photographs of testing processes and monthly progress reports of all projects will have to be uploaded on a mobile application by the implementing officer as well as the PMC agency representative. The circular also mandates uploading details such as the nature of work, contractor’s name, and progress status of projects.As per the new guidelines, the implementing officer, contractor and PMC agency representative must jointly carry out on-site measurements of completed work. Soft copies of measurements and related documents are to be emailed to the deputy city engineer and PMC agency at the email addresses specified in the tender documents. Hard copies, bearing signatures and official seals, must also be submitted to the additional city engineer and PMC agency.The circular further directs PMC agencies to certify measurement records with signatures and seals before forwarding them to the additional city engineer. It specifically warns against any tampering with measurement books and instructs officials to maintain entries clearly and systematically. Each page of the measurement book must now carry signatures of concerned officers, contractors and PMC representatives.The civic body has also made it mandatory to preserve measurement book records even after contractors receive payment. Once entries are completed, the records must be sent for pre-audit, and any objections raised during the audit process must be addressed immediately.The move comes days after AMC’s vigilance department uncovered serious irregularities in stormwater and drainage line works in the eastern part of the city, including alleged manipulation of measurement books and discrepancies in project documentation. Following the findings, four AMC officials were suspended.