Maintenance of Coimbatore’s Smart City lakefronts comes under scrutiny
Waterfront facilities in Coimbatore developed under the Smart Cities Mission are facing significant maintenance issues, including damaged infrastructure and poor sanitation. Local authorities are now reviewing the performance of the private contractor responsible for the upkeep of these seven lakes.
Why it matters
It highlights the challenges of maintaining public infrastructure projects funded by government initiatives and the accountability of private contractors in urban development.
The upkeep of seven waterbodies developed under the Smart Cities Mission in Coimbatore has come under scrutiny, with several facilities falling into disrepair despite the civic body outsourcing their operation and maintenance to a private contractor in 2024.
The waterbodies — Ukkadam Periyakulam, Selva Chinthamani lake, Kurichi Lake, Valankulam, Krishnampathy, Selvampathy and Kumarasamy Tank — were developed at a cost of about ₹350 crore, with the works completed in 2023. The facilities included walking tracks, seating areas, play equipment, gym equipment and toilets.
However, damaged walking paths and seating, broken or rusted play and gym equipment, and poor sanitation have raised concerns over their upkeep. At Ukkadam Periyakulam, waste dumped along the banks, including water hyacinths removed from the lake, has caused a foul smell. The toilets at both Valankulam and Ukkadam Periyakulam are also reportedly inaccessible and poorly maintained.
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