The Coimbatore Corporation has been urged not to permit advertisements under the guise of sponsorships in its proposed ‘Junction Improvement Programme’, under which 30 critical traffic intersections have been identified for redevelopment and maintenance through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

Coimbatore Consumer Cause secretary and member of District Road Safety Committee K. Kathirmathiyon opposed the proposal to allow sponsors to install advertisement boards at roundabouts, medians and traffic islands.

He said commercial advertisements at junctions would distract motorists and defeat the purpose of improving road safety and urban aesthetics.

Mr. Kathirmathiyon said the Indian Roads Congress (IRC) guidelines require traffic control devices and road furniture to remain free from visual clutter and prohibit advertisements that distract road users.

He also cited the Madras High Court’s directions on regulating roadside hoardings and the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Licensing of Hoardings and Levy and Collection of Advertisement Tax Rules, which require local bodies to ensure that advertisements do not interfere with traffic movement or endanger road users.

He pointed out that commercial advertisements are not permitted along National Highways, except for authorised traffic signs and approved information boards, and said the same principle should apply to urban roads.

Mr. Kathirmathiyon alleged that several unauthorised ‘No Parking’ boards, direction boards and commercial signages erected by private establishments obscure official traffic signs and road name boards. He also claimed that traffic signal poles and other road infrastructure were being used to display commercial hoardings in the name of sponsorships.

He suggested that sponsors be recognised only through a small, standardised plaque displaying the organisation’s name, without promotional content.

Mr. Kathirmathiyon said the issue had been discussed in the last four District Road Safety Committee meetings, but no action had been taken. Allowing advertisements under the guise of sponsorships without complying with the High Court’s directions and road safety norms could amount to contempt of court, he said.

Corporation officials said the sponsor plaques would be small and not meant for advertising. They added that the size would be reviewed and clarified that the initiative was not intended to generate revenue.

Published - July 22, 2026 07:51 pm IST