Why is the Sanganoor Canal Restoration in Coimbatore Taking So Long?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Sanganoor Canal restoration project, launched nearly four years ago, is still struggling to make headway due to delays and encroachments. This initiative, aimed at revitalizing the urban waterway, holds promises for improved drainage and urban mobility in Coimbatore.
Key Takeaways
- Sanganoor Canal has been dry and polluted for decades.
- Completion of the first phase includes a 2.3-km stretch.
- Significant delays due to housing issues for families along the canal.
- Plans for further development aim to enhance urban mobility.
- Ongoing challenges highlight the need for effective governance.
Coimbatore, Dec 10 (NationPress) The much-anticipated restoration of the Sanganoor Canal is progressing at a snail's pace nearly four years after its ceremonial launch. Major sections of the 11-km waterway remain unfinished due to execution delays and ongoing challenges in removing encroachments.
The project was inaugurated in November 2021 by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during his visit to Coimbatore, right after the DMK government took office. The canal, which flows through the city's core, has been dry and heavily polluted for decades. The revitalization initiative sparked hopes of converting it into a functioning urban waterway, complete with enhanced drainage, pedestrian pathways, and adjoining service roads.
The initial phase of the restoration tackled a 2.3-km segment from Mettupalayam Road to Sathyamangalam Road and was allocated Rs 49 crore. A subsequent plan for a 1-km expansion, estimated at Rs 30.3 crore, was later put on hold.
The scope of the project included the construction of gabion and retaining walls, reinforcing embankments with concrete, laying chip stones along the canal bed, and developing pedestrian walkways and service roads on both sides. However, progress has been sluggish. Work halted for nearly 10 months starting August 2022 because families residing along the canal banks had not received alternative housing. Due to the lack of timely relocation assistance from the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board, municipal officials were unable to remove encroachments necessary for road construction.
Work restarted in June 2023, but the pace of progress remains slow. Officials from the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation reported that gabion and retaining walls have now been completed along the entire 2.5-km stretch, including an extra 200 meters up to the Rathinapuri bridge, following directives from the Directorate of Municipal Administration. Yet, road construction continues to face delays due to outstanding evictions.
Approximately 200 homes were identified along this stretch. Of these, around 100 families have already been provided with alternative housing, while 20 applications are under review. Nearly 80 families are still awaiting relocation. To date, only 300 meters of BT road and about 1.5 km of water-bound macadam road have been finished.
Meanwhile, in March 2025, the civic body submitted a new proposal requesting Rs 235 crore for the next 6.5-km phase of the project. The expanded plan aims to create seamless road connectivity from Mettupalayam Road to Trichy Road via Sathyamangalam and Avinashi Roads, potentially transforming the canal corridor into a significant new urban mobility route for Coimbatore.
Point of View
It's crucial to highlight the ongoing challenges in urban development projects like the Sanganoor Canal restoration. While the initiative holds promise for enhancing urban infrastructure, the persistent delays and hurdles in execution raise concerns about effective governance and support for displaced families.
NationPress
25/01/2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current status of the Sanganoor Canal restoration?
As of December 2023, the Sanganoor Canal restoration is still in progress, with major sections of the 11-km waterway unfinished due to execution delays and ongoing encroachments.
What challenges are hindering the restoration project?
The project faces significant delays primarily due to the lack of alternative housing for families living along the canal banks and the subsequent inability to clear encroachments.
How much funding has been allocated for the project?
The first phase of the restoration was sanctioned for Rs 49 crore, with a subsequent proposal for Rs 235 crore for the next 6.5-km phase.
What improvements are planned for the canal?
The restoration aims to create a functional urban waterway with enhanced drainage, pedestrian facilities, and service roads along the canal.
When was the Sanganoor Canal restoration launched?
The project was ceremonially launched in November 2021 by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin.
