The Highways Department has demanded a detailed expenditure report from the Coimbatore Corporation regarding ₹2.64 crore allocated for 32 bus shelters on Avinashi Road, citing concerns over fund utilization and illegal advertising.

  • Highways Department seeks location-wise expenditure for ₹2.64 crore fund.
  • 32 bus shelters on Avinashi Road are under scrutiny for safety and norm compliance.
  • Strict warning issued against illegal commercial advertisements on government-funded shelters.

The Coimbatore Corporation is under intense scrutiny after the Highways Department’s Special Projects Division demanded a comprehensive accounting of ₹2.64 crore. These funds were specifically remitted in March 2025 for the construction of 32 bus shelters along the critical Avinashi Road corridor, a project intended to enhance public convenience and traffic safety.

In a formal communication dated May 27, 2026, the Highways Department requested a granular breakdown of the project. The civic body must now furnish a location-wise list of completed shelters, including exact chainages, commencement and completion dates, and photographic evidence. Furthermore, the Corporation is required to submit both the Completion Certificate and the Utilisation Certificate to prove the funds were spent as intended.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this dispute highlights a systemic lack of coordination between urban civic bodies and state infrastructure departments. When funds are transferred between agencies without stringent real-time auditing, the risk of 'leakage' or misappropriation increases. The demand for a return of unutilised balances suggests the Highways Department suspects the project may not have been executed in full or according to the agreed budget.

The context of this demand is the completion of the elevated highway project from Goldwins to Uppilipalayam. As the department closes the project accounts, any discrepancy in the funds handed over to the Corporation could lead to legal complications or audits by higher authorities.

"The intersection of public infrastructure and commercial advertising often becomes a grey area for corruption, especially when government-funded assets are leased for private profit."

A significant point of contention involves the presence of commercial displays. The Highways Department explicitly reminded the Corporation of a Supreme Court order prohibiting advertisement panels, hoardings, and flex boards within the highways’ right of way or bus bays. K. Kathirmathiyon, a member of the District Road Safety Committee, has already raised red flags regarding existing advertisements on these shelters.

In response to the growing pressure, Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja recently conducted field inspections. While the Corporation claims to be examining modifications for existing stops, the demand for a DVAC (Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption) probe by consumer bodies indicates that public trust in the project's transparency is dwindling.

Did You Know?: The 'Right of Way' (ROW) is a legal term referring to the land reserved for the construction and maintenance of a highway, where unauthorized structures are strictly prohibited by law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Why is the Highways Department asking for the money back?
The department is closing the accounts for the elevated highway project and wants to ensure that any unspent portion of the ₹2.64 crore is returned to the state treasury.

Q2: What is the legal status of ads on these bus shelters?
According to the Supreme Court, no commercial advertisements or hoardings are allowed within the highways' right of way or bus bays for safety and legal reasons.