Coimbatore Corporation asked to account for ₹2.64 crore meant for 32 bus shelters on Avinashi Road

The Coimbatore Corporation has been asked to furnish details on the utilisation of ₹2.64 crore remitted to it for constructing 32 bus shelters along Avinashi Road.The Highways Department’s Special Projects Division, in a letter dated May 27, 2026, has sought a location-wise list of completed shelters, their exact locations and chainages, dates of commencement and completion, photographs, expenditure details, the Completion Certificate, and the Utilisation Certificate for the amount remitted to the civic body.The amount was remitted to the Corporation in March 2025 for construction at locations jointly identified by the the Highways Department, the Corporation and road safety committee officials.The department said it had acquired land and formed bus bays at various locations along the corridor as part of the elevated highway project from Goldwins to Uppilipalayam to ensure traffic safety and public convenience.With the elevated highway project completed, the department is preparing the completion report and closing the project accounts. The Corporation has been asked to confirm that the shelters were constructed only at the jointly approved locations communicated by the department and that the shelters conform to the prescribed norms, safety standards and traffic requirements.The department has also pointed out that, in accordance with the Supreme Court order, no advertisement panels, hoardings, flex boards or other commercial displays should be allowed within the highways’ right of way or bus bays and has sought confirmation of compliance. It has proposed joint field verification, if required, and asked the Corporation to furnish location-wise expenditure details and return any unutilised balance from the ₹2.64 crore deposit.K. Kathirmathiyon, member of the District Road Safety Committee, questioned the presence of advertisements on the shelters, said to have been built using government funds.Meanwhile, Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja recently inspected the bus shelters along Avinashi Road with officials. The Corporation is examining locations for new shelters and modifications to some existing bus stops, Corporation officials said. Published - August 31, 2026 07:06 pm IST