Chennai, July 21 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has ordered a comprehensive review of the cost estimates for 90 projects announced in the Greater Chennai Corporation’s 2026-27 Budget after finding that the projected expenditure for several schemes may have been significantly higher than actual market costs.
The move follows a preliminary examination of a procurement proposal involving printers for Corporation-run schools.
The civic budget had earmarked Rs 60 lakh to purchase printers for 100 schools. However, after the TVK government assumed office, the same procurement was completed for just Rs 22.12 lakh, resulting in savings of Rs 37.78 lakh.
The sharp difference between the estimated and actual costs prompted the government to scrutinise other projects included in the civic budget. According to reports, officials have been instructed to reassess the cost estimates of all 90 projects before implementation.
The exercise is aimed at determining whether the proposed allocations accurately reflect prevailing market prices and whether public funds have been budgeted efficiently.
The review is expected to examine each project individually to identify possible overestimations and recommend revised costs wherever necessary.
The government is also likely to evaluate whether the original financial projections were justified before granting approval for further execution of the schemes.
The development presents a fresh challenge for Chennai Mayor R. Priya, as the projects under review were announced in the Greater Chennai Corporation’s 2026-27 Budget presented during the previous administration.
Any major revisions to the estimates could lead to changes in project execution, funding allocations and implementation timelines.
Presented in February, the Corporation’s budget projected revenue receipts of Rs 7,717 crore against an expenditure of Rs 9,319 crore, leaving an estimated fiscal deficit of Rs 1,602 crore.
The budget also noted that the civic body was paying Rs 95.20 crore annually as interest on loans amounting to nearly Rs 2,000 crore, borrowed from financial institutions including the World Bank and the Japan Development Bank.
Among the major proposals announced were Rs 200 crore for developing 50 km of safe corridors around Corporation schools, Rs 100 crore for restoring 30 water bodies, Rs 60 crore for the scientific renovation of 60 parks and Rs 55 crore for constructing flood protection walls along city waterways.
The outcome of the review is expected to determine whether these projects proceed with revised financial estimates, as the government seeks to ensure greater transparency, fiscal discipline and value for public expenditure in Chennai’s civic development programmes.
Source: IANS
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