Use AI to Bring Transparency in Municipal Tender Processes: Minister Ashish Shelar

Mumbai, May 2026 : Maharashtra Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence Ashish Shelar on Tuesday directed the Mumbai civic administration to increase the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to make municipal tender processes more transparent, efficient, and free from human interference.

He said AI technology should be used to ensure greater transparency in tender procedures, monitor variations in contracts, and improve the implementation of civic projects.

The minister was speaking during a joint meeting of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation and the Department of Electronics, Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence held at Sahyadri Guest House. The meeting was organised following the recent approval of the state’s Artificial Intelligence Policy by the Maharashtra Cabinet.

Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, MahaIT Director Sanjay Katkar, Information Technology Department Director Bhuvaneshwari, and other senior civic officials were present during the meeting.

During the session, the municipal administration gave a presentation on how AI technology is currently being used in the corporation’s day-to-day functioning. Officials informed the minister that AI tools are already being used to improve transparency in drain-cleaning operations and to enhance the speed and efficiency of civic services.

The civic body also stated that citizens’ complaints are currently being collected at ward offices through AI-powered chatbot systems.

However, Minister Shelar instructed officials to further improve the system by introducing advanced AI-based complaint mechanisms. He suggested a system in which a citizen’s complaint, once spoken at a municipal office, would automatically be video recorded and immediately forwarded to the concerned department for prompt action.

He said such a mechanism would improve accountability and ensure faster response to public grievances.

Referring to the successful implementation of the e-file and e-signature system at Mantralaya under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Shelar directed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to adopt a similar digital and paperless working system.

He emphasised that transparency in the tendering process is essential, particularly in cases where repeated “variations” or changes are made in municipal contracts.

The minister instructed officials to develop AI systems capable of monitoring these variations and informing citizens about changes made in civic works. He further said that AI should also help determine whether decisions related to contract variations are justified and appropriate.

Shelar also stressed the need to increase citizen participation in municipal governance and encouraged the administration to organise hackathons involving young innovators and technology experts.

He said such initiatives would help the government understand fresh ideas from youth and allow innovative technological solutions to be incorporated into public administration and civic services.