Odisha Forest Department Buys 51 Mahindra Thars For 7 Crores: Spends 5 Crores To Modify Them

The Odisha government has initiated an investigation into the Forest Department's decision to spend Rs 5 crore on modifications to 51 Mahindra Thar vehicles, raising questions about financial oversight and procurement procedures. The probe follows concerns about the scale of expenditure, which nearly matched the Rs 7 crore initial purchase cost of the SUVs.

Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia announced the inquiry on Wednesday, stating that whilst certain modifications might have been necessary for operational requirements, any spending beyond justified needs would be thoroughly examined. The investigation will focus on determining whether the modifications were essential and if the additional expenditure was proportionate to departmental needs.

The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department procured the 51 Mahindra Thar vehicles during the 2024-25 financial year. Each vehicle cost approximately Rs 14 lakh, bringing the total purchase value to around Rs 7 crore. The subsequent modification work, reportedly costing Rs 5 crore, means the department spent roughly Rs 9.8 lakh per vehicle on alterations and additions.

According to the Forest Department, the modifications were intended to support critical operations including forest fire prevention, deployment of staff and squads in remote and border areas, wildlife protection, and curbing illegal activities.

The rugged terrain in many forested regions necessitates specialised equipment, officials argued. The modifications included specialised tyres for off-road use, additional lighting systems, cameras for documentation and surveillance, and sirens for emergency response.

Minister Khuntia acknowledged that cameras and lights were installed as per operational requirements but emphasised that excessive or unnecessary installations would not be tolerated. He stated that if anything illegal or suspicious emerged during the investigation, the government would take strict action. The inquiry will also examine whether prior approval was obtained for these modifications and if the alterations exceeded actual operational requirements.

The Mahindra Thar has become increasingly popular with government departments and forest agencies across the country due to its off-road capability and relatively affordable maintenance costs. However, the scale of modifications in the Odisha case has drawn attention because the additional spending represents more than 70 per cent of the original purchase price.

Critics have questioned why such extensive modifications were necessary if the Thar was the appropriate vehicle choice in the first place. They argue that if the base vehicle required Rs 9.8 lakh worth of alterations per unit, the department might have been better served by procuring differently spec-ed vehicles or choosing alternative models better suited to their requirements from the outset.

The Forest Department has defended its decision, pointing to the specific operational challenges faced by staff working in remote forested areas. These regions often lack basic infrastructure, and vehicles must be equipped to handle extreme conditions whilst supporting various operational needs. The department maintains that the modifications were essential for ensuring staff safety and operational effectiveness.

However, questions about procedural compliance remain. Government procurement rules typically require detailed justification for modifications that significantly increase overall project costs. The investigation will determine whether proper approvals were obtained and if the modifications adhered to financial regulations governing departmental spending.

The outcome of this investigation could have implications for similar procurement decisions by other government departments. If the probe finds that proper procedures were followed and modifications were justified, it may set a precedent for future purchases. Conversely, if irregularities are discovered, it could lead to stricter oversight of vehicle procurement and modification across government agencies.