TNI Bureau: The Odisha government has ordered a special audit into alleged irregularities surrounding the procurement and customisation of all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for the state’s Forest and Environment Department, following concerns over unusually high expenditure on vehicle modifications.

The Forest Department had procured 51 Mahindra Thar ATVs in November last year at a cost of ₹7.1 crore. However, the subsequent spending of nearly ₹5 crore on customisation of these vehicles has drawn scrutiny, prompting the state government to initiate a detailed examination of the entire process.

According to official records, the Special Audit Team of the Accountant General, Odisha, will conduct a special audit of the office of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife). The directive, approved by Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singhkhuntia, mandates a close review of procedural compliance in approving the customisation expenditure.

Senior officials said the audit will examine whether due financial procedures were followed, including whether approvals were obtained from the Finance Department, whether the added features were necessary, and whether any external agencies were engaged in the process. The audit will also assess the transparency and justification of the decision-making involved.

Sources revealed that around 21 additional items were installed in each vehicle, with the stated objective of improving patrolling efficiency, surveillance, and response time in forest areas. The vehicles were also reportedly modified to assist in firefighting operations, a critical requirement as Odisha frequently faces forest fire incidents.

Officials familiar with the procurement said the vehicles were customised to operate effectively in rugged and inaccessible forest terrain, enabling intensified patrolling and better monitoring to curb illegal activities such as poaching and timber smuggling. The modifications were intended to enhance operational capability in difficult forest conditions. If any irregularities are identified during the audit, appropriate action will be taken.

The 51 ATVs have been deployed across 22 wildlife divisions in Odisha. The Similipal Tiger Reserve, considered one of the most sensitive protected areas in the state, received the highest allocation with nine vehicles, given the persistent threat of poaching and the need for rapid mobility.

Odisha’s protected area network covers approximately 8,869 square kilometres, accounting for about 5.69 per cent of the state’s total geographical area. This network includes national parks, tiger reserves, 19 wildlife sanctuaries and several conservation reserves, all requiring extensive patrolling and monitoring.

The outcome of the special audit is expected to determine whether the expenditure was justified or if procedural lapses occurred, potentially leading to corrective or disciplinary action.