In a move that has raised eyebrows among taxpayers, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has spent a total of Rs 32.22 lakh on extensive renovations to the bathrooms, toilets, and other facilities in the bungalow of a Deputy Municipal Commissioner (DyMC) located in the upscale Law Garden area. The renovations were approved under the Gujarat Provincial Municipal Corporation (GPMC) Act, which grants the municipal commissioner the power to approve works up to Rs 30 lakh without standing committee approval. However, the AMC later presented the details to the standing committee for formal ratification. These improvements are part of a broader strategy to maintain and refurbish the bungalows designated for senior civic officials.
The renovation of Bungalow No. 5 included significant work such as Rs 24.86 lakh for the replacement of outdated cast iron pipes with modern PVC alternatives, and Rs 2.49 lakh for the reconstruction of the first-floor bathroom. Furthermore, Rs 2.4 lakh was allocated for bathroom upgrades on the ground floor. The civil work was carried out by a single contractor, chosen through a tendering process. In addition to these significant expenses, the AMC also spent Rs 1.05 lakh on roller blind curtains for the porch areas of various bungalows and Rs 1.04 lakh to replace old curtains in drawing rooms and kitchens across other official residences in the area.
The AMC’s strategy to renovate official bungalows on a regular basis has faced scrutiny due to the substantial costs involved. In comparison, a similar renovation of the municipal commissioner’s bungalow five years ago cost a whopping Rs 2 crore, with the mayor’s bungalow undergoing a significant reduction in costs from Rs 1.8 crore to Rs 1 crore. This practice of renovation has led to questions regarding transparency, especially when significant public funds are being spent on residential properties for officials.
From a sustainability standpoint, while these renovations improve the living conditions of the city’s top civic officers, the cost-effectiveness and long-term impact of such renovations on the community remain questionable. As urban spaces face increasing pressure for development, allocating funds to luxury residential renovations could be seen as a misallocation of resources. In times where citizens demand more civic amenities and better urban infrastructure, the allocation of funds for official bungalows raises concerns about prioritising sustainable and equitable growth for all city residents.
