Retaining wall at Sanganur Canal
Coimbatore Corporation is constructing a retaining wall along the Sanganur Canal to prevent water from entering nearby colonies during heavy rain.Mayor R. Venkatchalam said recently that the wall was being built at a cost of Rs.10 lakh in Ward 11. Another wall would be built at a same cost on the other side of the canal to prevent the flooding of a number of layouts.The Mayor said such walls would be built in Ward 16 also. All these areas were identified as vulnerable spots when heavy rain during monsoon last year led to breach in the canal and the flooding of a number of residential layouts. Blocks in culverts had also led to water entering the layouts."The Corporation will meet the entire cost of constructing the walls and also the removal of silt that is necessary to ensure smooth flow of water," the Mayor said. The entire stretch of about 10 km of the canal in the city would be taken up for improvements later under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission's scheme for the rejuvenation of water bodies.The Mayor said the entire canal would be rid of silt and encroachments so that the problems that occurred during rain every year could be avoided.Mr. Venkatachalam was referring to the flooding of Kongu Nagar in Ramanathapuram and the layouts near Udayampalayam Road. A number of residential areas north and south of Tiruchi Road remained flooded for a number of days because the water that overflowed from the canal stagnated because of poor storm water drains. Apart from the retaining wall being built now near the Perk's School, a drainage that joined the canal at this spot would also be improved at Rs.14 lakh.The main road near the school would also be improved at Rs.10 lakh. The condition of the road was very bad and there was a steady stream of complaints from the public, he said.
