The Odisha government has ordered an investigation into the purchase and modification of Mahindra Thar vehicles by the Forest Department, following questions over the scale and necessity of the expenditure. Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said on Wednesday that while certain modifications may have been required to meet departmental needs, any expenditure beyond necessity would be thoroughly examined.

The Minister clarified that the inquiry would focus on why the modifications were carried out and whether the additional expenditure was justified. He assured that appropriate action would be taken if any irregularities or excessive costs are found.

Cost and Purpose Under Scrutiny

During the 2024–25 financial year, the Odisha government’s Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department procured 51 Mahindra Thar vehicles at a cost of around Rs 7 crore, with each vehicle priced at approximately Rs 14 lakh. An additional Rs 5 crore was reportedly spent on modifying these vehicles, raising concerns over financial prudence.

Forest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia said , “The government and concerned authorities are examining the matter. Cameras and lights were installed as per operational requirements. However, if any installations are found to be excessive or unnecessary, appropriate action will be taken. If anything illegal or suspicious is detected, the government will take strict action.”

The Forest Department said the vehicles were purchased for critical operations such as preventing forest fires, deploying forest staff and squads in remote and border areas, wildlife protection, and curbing illegal activities. Given the rugged terrain in many forested regions, modifications such as specialised tyres, additional lighting, cameras, and sirens are essential to enhance operational efficiency.

However, questions have been raised over whether prior approval was obtained for these modifications and if the alterations exceeded actual requirements. The government has maintained that the investigation will determine whether the modifications were carried out strictly as per operational needs or if unnecessary additions were made. Officials said the findings of the probe would guide further action, including accountability measures if violations are established.