Coimbatore Corporation Greenlights Rs 1.10 Crore Streetlight Upgrade in South Zone
In a significant move to enhance urban infrastructure, the Coimbatore corporation council has approved a proposal for the installation of high tower streetlights across nine wards in the city's south zone. The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 1.10 crore, was passed during an emergency council meeting held on Thursday.
Targeted Wards and Implementation Details
The initiative will specifically cover wards 76, 77, 79, 86, 87, 89, 97, 98, and 99 within the south zone. According to official sources, the plan involves replacing select existing streetlights at crucial road junctions with more powerful 60 W and 120 W lights. This upgrade is primarily driven by road safety considerations, aiming to improve visibility and reduce accidents in these areas.
Broader Budget Allocation and Phased Approach
This development follows a broader allocation made earlier this month, where the corporation earmarked Rs 5 crore in the 2026-27 budget for setting up high tower streetlights across all five zones of Coimbatore. The south zone project represents the first phase of this comprehensive plan. Estimates have been prepared for this zone, and 12 important junctions have been identified for the initial implementation.
Key junctions include:
- Pollachi-Housing Unit Junction
- Madukkarai-VNS Garden Junction
- Puttuvikki-Kallamedu Junction
Councillor Insights and Community Impact
Councillor Uday Kumar of ward 98 provided detailed insights into the project's specifications and approval process. He explained that the proposed 60 W lights will be installed at locations where two roads meet, while the more powerful 120 W lights will be placed at four-road junctions. "At present, many streetlights are either 40 W or 20 W, which give very little light. So, the existing lights can be replaced," he noted, highlighting the need for this upgrade.
However, Kumar also pointed out discrepancies between requests and approvals. "Though we have sought 40 numbers of 60 W lights in the ward, only 12 such lights have been approved by the corporation. Similarly, we sought 10 numbers of 120 W lights, and five have been approved. The scenario is similar in all wards where the requests are usually high. Based on urgent demand, it will get approved," he added, indicating a phased approval system based on priority needs.
This project underscores the corporation's commitment to improving public safety and urban livability through targeted infrastructure investments, with potential for expansion based on community feedback and demand.
