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The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Construction of Ukkadam bus stand in Coimbatore to take off after State government sanctions funds
The Coimbatore Corporation's plan to construct a new bus stand in Ukkadam in Coimbatore city is delayed as the civic body awaits the State government's sanction of funds for the revised estimate of ₹29 crore for the project. The Ukkadam bus stand, which was partially demolished in January 2023 to facilitate the construction of the now-completed Ukkadam flyover, was to be developed by the Corporation into a new facility with two terminals. Terminal one will be located adjacent to the down ramp on Selvapuram Road, and Terminal two will be at the existing site. Together, the terminals will occupy approximately 6.5 acres. The project aims to ease traffic congestion within the city with better management of both, town and inter-city bus services. The new bus stand is estimated to handle approximately 1,100 trips daily, covering routes to Pollachi, Palani, Udumalpet, and Palakkad. Terminal one, spanning 13,250 sq. mt, is designed to include 28 bus bays, a commercial complex housing 17 retail outlets, restroom facilities, two food courts, a passenger waiting area, a ticket booking counter, and a security room. Terminal two, covering an equal area, will feature 30 bus bays and have similar amenities. A dedicated parking facility with capacity for 32 cars and 100 two-wheelers is also being planned, complemented by foot overbridges connecting the two terminals. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran told The Hindu that the Detailed Project Report (DPR), originally estimated at ₹21.55 crore, was revised to ₹29 crore following the inclusion of additional components recommended during vetting of the proposal by IIT Madras. The revised report was submitted three months ago. 'The State government is yet to sanction the funds. The project will commence once the requisite funding is approved,' the Commissioner said.
The Hindu
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
S.P. Velumani demands rollback of Coimbatore Corporation's drinking water and UGD tariff hike
AIADMK MLA S.P. Velumani, along with five other party legislators, petitioned District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar on Monday, demanding the withdrawal of a Coimbatore Corporation council resolution that increased deposit and monthly charges for underground drainage (UGD) and drinking water supply. The MLAs said the revised charges would add to the financial burden on the public, alongside increase in property tax and other tariffs. They urged the district administration to intervene and rollback the decision. The petition also raised concerns over civic infrastructure. It stated that around 700 km of roads had been damaged due to UGD and 24/7 water supply projects and that the Corporation had not carried out proper restoration. The MLAs said damaged roads had become hazardous during rains. They also pointed to the poor maintenance of Smart City lakes, claiming water hyacinth and vegetation had taken over many waterbodies and walkways. The administration was urged to expedite pending works such as the Western Bypass and the SIHS Colony bridge. Speaking to reporters, Mr. Velumani said recent gale and rains had caused crop damage in the district, but adequate relief had not been provided. He reiterated long-standing issues, including the unresolved odour problem at the Vellalore dump yard and delays in the allocation of buses to city outskirts. He also questioned the irregular supply of drinking water. 'Coimbatore has a population of over 22 lakh and requires only around 290 MLD water if supplied at 135 LPCD per person. But, despite receiving about 320 MLD water from various schemes, water is being supplied only once in four or five days. The administration must consult TWAD Board and Corporation officials to ensure regular distribution,' he said. On the Pilloor III drinking water project, he said many of the planned elevated tanks were still incomplete and called upon the district administration to ensure speedy completion.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Coimbatore Corporation proposes revised estimate for 24x7 water supply project
Coimbatore Corporation has proposed a revised administrative sanction of ₹829.27 crore for the ongoing 24x7 drinking water supply project, which is being implemented by Suez India Pvt. Ltd. in the 60 wards that were part of the city prior to its 2011 expansion. Approximately 80% of the work has been completed. The project was initially sanctioned at ₹646.71 crore under the Centre's AMRUT scheme in 2015. According to the Corporation data, the contract includes construction, operation, and maintenance for 25 years, with an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) cost of ₹646.71 crore and an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) cost of ₹2,328.45 crore. Following the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in July 2017, a 12% GST was applied to the project, adding ₹77.61 crore to the cost and increasing the EPC component to ₹724.32 crore. This revised estimate was approved by the council in July 2021 and submitted to the Directorate of Municipal Administration. In July 2022, the GST rate on construction services was increased to 18%, resulting in further cost escalation. The cumulative GST liability now stands at ₹109.94 crore. The Corporation also encountered delays in obtaining permissions from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for pipeline-laying works. As a temporary arrangement, with the consent of the NHAI divisional engineer, trenching was allowed on the condition that road restoration would be carried out to national highway standards. The estimated cost of restoring these stretches is ₹35.50 crore. Additional restoration and permission-related payments include ₹1.81 crore to the Railways and ₹35.31 crore to the State Highways Department. Together with the NHAI-related works, the total expenditure for inter-agency coordination stands at ₹72.62 crore. In the light of these additional expenses, the Corporation is seeking a further grant of ₹182.56 crore over the original sanctioned amount, bringing the total revised administrative sanction request to ₹829.27 crore.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
State government releases ₹11 crore of its share for Semmozhi Poonga project in Coimbatore
The State government has released ₹11 crore towards its share of the ₹167.25-crore Semmozhi Poonga project in Coimbatore. The project is being developed by the Coimbatore Corporation on a 45-acre site at the central prison grounds in Gandhipuram. The total cost is to be shared equally between the Corporation and the State government, with each contributing ₹83.62 crore. Owing to the non-receipt of funds from the State government, work on the site had reported to be slowed down in recent months. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said that around ₹95 crore had been spent so far on construction, but only ₹6 crore had been released earlier by the State government. 'The issue was sorted out after constant follow-up. We have submitted the bills to the government, and a Government Order for releasing ₹11 crore has now been issued. The remaining ₹50 crore will be released in phases. Work is progressing at the right pace now,' he said. He added that the Corporation has also planned to install a giant wheel and a zip line within the park. A detailed project report has been prepared and is currently being vetted by the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board. These additions are proposed under the public-private partnership mode.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Coimbatore corporation decides to desilt, strengthen bunds, widen canals of Singanallur lake
Coimbatore: To bring about an overall rejuvenation of the water body, the Coimbatore Corporation has decided to desilt Singanallur lake , strengthen its bunds and widen its canals at a cost of Rs 13 crore. Additionally, the civic body plans to collaborate with NGOs to preserve the lake's natural ecosystem. Unlike previous lake projects undertaken under the Smart City initiative, the new initiative to maintain the ecology with additional infrastructure. As the lake has not been desilted for over three decades, it is estimated that nearly 2 lakh cubic metres of sludge have accumulated. A preliminary survey and a detailed project report (DPR) are being prepared jointly by the civic body and Siruthuli, an NGO. Environmentalists have also proposed several suggestions for the development of the lake. Coimbatore Corporation and Siruthuli conducted a joint inspection to assess the current condition of the lake and its feeder channels. Siruthuli has recommended desilting the lake and strengthening its bunds. According to a Siruthuli representative, a bathymetric survey has been completed, though the results are awaited. "We are conducting a digital survey to map the streams and their entry points. The priority is to desilt the anicut in Nanjundapuram. After that, the connecting stream must be clearly marked to ensure the proper flow of fresh water into the lake. We are currently drafting methods and exploring technologies to achieve these objectives," said J Sathish, trustee of Siruthuli. There are also plans to develop an island within the lake to attract migratory birds and support bird nesting. Unlike other urban lakes in Coimbatore, Singanallur lake has remained untouched by intrusive development, largely due to sustained opposition from environmental NGOs. In line with conservation efforts, boating and commercial fishing were banned several years ago to protect the lake's biodiversity. The current development plan includes the construction of a walking track along the lake's perimeter. Manikandan from Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu suggested introducing a minimal entry fee at all water bodies to encourage public responsibility. "People value and take care of places when there's a price attached. Free and unrestricted access often leads to pollution," he said.
