Coimbatore Corporation Fines Contractor ₹1.27 Lakh for Cutting Native Karuvelam Trees

Coimbatore: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has imposed a penalty of ₹1.27 lakh on contractor Mubsira Steels for cutting native karuvelam trees instead of the invasive Seemai Karuvelam trees it was contracted to remove.

Mubsira Steels had been selected through a public tender to remove Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora) trees across the Corporation limits. This invasive species is known to consume groundwater and affect soil conditions, prompting eradication efforts in several parts of Tamil Nadu. However, the contractor allegedly violated the conditions stipulated in its work order by cutting native karuvelam trees instead of the designated invasive species.

The violation was detected during a field inspection conducted by the Assistant Executive Engineer (Projects), South, on October 22, 2026. Based on the inspection report, the Corporation imposed ₹77,000 towards the value of the felled native trees and an additional penalty of ₹50,000, taking the total amount to ₹1.27 lakh.

As further action for violating the tender conditions, the Corporation seized two lorries and two JCB vehicles used in the operation.

Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja, IAS, warned the contractor to comply with the tender conditions and work order, cautioning that its licence would be cancelled if similar violations were repeated.