Poor upkeep takes sheen off revamped lakes in Coimbatore

Time of India

30-05-2025

Coimbatore: Developed under the smart city mission at a cost of Rs350 crore in 2023, Ukkadam Periyakulam, Selva Chinthamani Kulam, Kurichi Kulam, Valankulam, Krishnampathy, Selvampathy and Kumarasamy tank now cut a sorry figure in the absence of proper maintenance.
These water bodies were developed into recreational spots since the city lacked enough avenues for its folk to unwind with their families, despite objections from environmentalists and NGOs.
While the work to revamp these water bodies with play areas, seating facilities, walking paths, toilets and other infrastructure began in 2018, the same was completed only in 2023. The makeover was appreciated by the city folk, who started flocking to these water bodies in large numbers to spend some light moments with their friends and family.
However, the footfall has reduced drastically with the overall cleanliness taking a back seat in the absence of proper maintenance. Most of the facilities developed under the smart city mission are also in a bad condition. This is despite the city corporation outsourcing the operation and maintenance of all the seven water bodies to a private player in 2024.
R Prabhakaran, AIADMK councillor from ward 47, said the paver blocks on the walking track at Valankulam were completely damaged.
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"One would now regret taking family to these water bodies. Such is their condition. Seating facilities and designated viewing areas with seating are also completely damaged. At Ukkadam Periyakulam, play and gym equipment are either rusted or broken.
Arif Ali, who accompanied his family to Periyakulam, said it was a pile of waste that welcomed them to the area. "Waste is dumped along the banks of the lake. The corporation should clear it, especially the hyacinths removed from both gates.
The stench is unbearable. The men's toilet is inaccessible and in a poor condition."
Activists, including K Manikandan of Kovai Kulangal Pathukappu Amaippu and Deepam Saminathan, president of Kurichi Kulam Pathukappu Iyakkam, have expressed concerns over the maintenance of Kurichi Lake.
"The lake has become a hub of anti-social elements. Empty liquor bottles, cigarette butts and packets of banned tobacco products are often found on its premises.
While there is a fence, anti-social elements manage to enter the premises at night. This issue should be addressed, while ensuring proper upkeep of the lake," they said.
When contacted, city corporation commissioner M Sivaguru Prabhakaran said they had issued a termination letter to the operation and maintenance contractor for poor upkeep of the water bodies and its failure to generate revenue. "It should have generated at least Rs1 crore from all the lakes. If so, the maintenance aspect could have been better. We issued the termination letter about 50 days ago. The contractor moved the high court, which directed us to grant some more time, which will end this June.
Thereafter, we will tie up with a consultancy to create an individual revenue model and go for separate operation and maintenance contracts for each lake."