The Hindu 07.10.2010
Corporation working on Coimbatore city expansion: Mayor
Special Correspondent
| From 105 sq. km., the city area will increase to 265 sq. km. |
Fresh formation of wards will have to be decided by December 31, says Govt.
The expanded city may have 130 to 150 wards
COIMBATORE: The Coimbatore Corporation is into some preliminary works relating to the expansion of the city area. The State Government issued an order recently that cleared the way for the expansion of Coimbatore into a mega city.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam says the Corporation is studying the revenue pattern, population and infrastructure requirements of three municipalities and seven town panchayats and two village panchayats on the periphery that are to be added to the city. From 105 sq. km., the city area would increase to 265 sq. km. after the expansion.
Kavundampalayam, Kurichi and Kuniamuthur are the municipalities that will be merged with the city. The town panchayats include Vadavalli, Thudialur, Perur, Chinniampalayam, Kalapatti and Vellalore.
“There are demands to include Irugur and Chinnavedampatti. At present, the Government has cleared 12 local bodies in the suburbs. When the project was drawn up initially, more than 30 local bodies were suggested for the merger. But, we will still accept suggestions and pass these on to the Government for its decision,” says the Mayor.
But, the Corporation is already focussed on the task on hand. The Government has said that fresh formation of wards would have to be decided by December 31. Three to four small wards may be merged into one or a large existing ward may be bifurcated.
The expanded city may have 130 to 150 wards depending on the requirement and voter strength. “We may then look at whether more than the existing four zones are needed,” he says.
“What will be of great significance to the suburbs is they will develop by way of a number of infrastructure schemes. Central Government funds will be provided for development in mega cities,” he points out.
“There will be scope for even modern transit systems such as metro rail or circular rail,” he says.
