Thu Jan 16 12:49:08 UTC 2025: **Coimbatore Canal Revamp Delayed by Encroachments**
COIMBATORE, INDIA (January 16, 2025) – The much-anticipated revamp of Coimbatore’s Sanganoor canal is facing significant delays due to slow progress in removing approximately 3,000 encroachments along its 11.5 km length. The ₹79.3 crore project, aimed at improving connectivity and easing traffic congestion in the city, involves constructing roads, recreational spaces, and cycling tracks along the canal banks.
The project, divided into two phases, has seen the first phase, costing ₹49 crore, hampered by the encroachment issue. Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran stated that the removal of these encroachments, and the subsequent relocation of affected families, is the primary obstacle preventing the completion of road paving in the first phase. The issue has been escalated to the District Collector for resolution.
The Commissioner also clarified that the total project cost is actually around ₹250 crore, and upon completion, it will significantly alleviate traffic congestion by connecting four major arterial roads: Mettupalayam Road, Sathyamangalam Road, Avinashi Road, and Trichy Road. The Sanganoor stream, originating near Chinnathadagam, flows through these key roads before merging with the Noyyal near Singanallur tank.
First Piper 