COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) has planned a major riverfront development project along a 4.3-km stretch of the Noyyal River, from the Aathupalam junction to the Nanjundapuram junction, at an estimated cost of `73.05 crore.
The project is aimed at improving the riverbanks while creating recreational and public spaces for residents. The proposed works include landscaping, pedestrian and cycling paths, seating areas, viewing decks and improved access to the riverfront.
The Noyyal River originates at Kovai Courtallam in the Western Ghats and flows for 158.35km through Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Karur and Tiruchy districts before joining the Cauvery at Noyyal village. Within the Coimbatore district, the river covers around 67.71km, including 18.56km within the corporation limits.
A senior official said, "As part of the proposed riverfront project, the corporation is planning to install tensile structures at the river entrance, geo-cell systems along the banks, gabion walls and stone-clad retaining structures. A 1,270-metre protective wall and a 660-metre stone wall are also proposed in the project."
The project will also feature cycling and walking tracks, bicycle stations, gardens and additional green spaces. Around 50 stone seating areas, solar-powered lighting, solar trees and safety bollards are planned along the riverfront. To improve the river's cleanliness, trash booms measuring a total of 420m will be installed at four locations. A 550-square-metre viewing deck and a 3,717-square-metre leisure space have also been proposed.
The civic body plans to fence around 11.75km of the riverbank and construct two iron bridges and two small bridges. Revolving gates will also be installed at suitable locations. The entire 18.56-km stretch of the Noyyal within the corporation limits has already been surveyed using drones and its boundaries identified, added the sources.
The CCMC has submitted a Detailed Project Report covering additional facilities, including parks at Azad Nagar, Podanur Road (Itteri), Vellalore Road and Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, along with interpretative signage boards, to the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) in Chennai for funding and approval.
If implemented as planned, the project could transform several neglected stretches of the Noyyal into greener, more accessible public spaces while improving the riverfront environment for Coimbatore residents.
