Coimbatore Corporation seeks ₹170 crore for first phase of stormwater drain upgradation

The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation has sought ₹170 crore for the redevelopment of stormwater drains (SWD) as part of a citywide project.

The civic body has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) estimating the total cost at ₹1,500 crore. Due to the high cost, the Corporation has proposed implementing the project in phases, seeking ₹170 crore in the first phase from the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) to carry out priority works.

Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said, “The DPR is ready, but ₹1,500 crore is a huge amount, making fund sanctioning difficult. That is why we are seeking smaller allocations. Meanwhile, we continue to repair stormwater drains in interior streets using Corporation’s own funds, while waiting for the sanctioned amount.”

However, residents have raised concerns about functional difficulties. Some stormwater drain works are being carried out in streets that have already been provided with 24/7 drinking water pipelines.

“Unlike older pipelines that ran underground, the newly installed 24/7 drinking water pipelines are above the SWD structure. When excavation is done using excavators, there have been instances where water pipes and underground drainage connections have been damaged,” said a resident of Ramasamy Street in K.K. Pudur.

A senior Corporation official said that not all pipelines were affected and that water supply officials have been instructed to replace any damaged pipes immediately.

Currently, based on requests from the residents and councillors, SWDs are being constructed in areas without existing systems, while old and damaged drains are being reconstructed in various streets. The official added that the new drainage proposal has been designed to seamlessly integrate with the existing network, which is why the redevelopment of old lines is also being undertaken.

Published - March 25, 2025 06:29 pm IST