Rains have worsened the condition of roads dug up for underground drainage (UGD) and the 24/7 drinking water supply projects in several parts of Coimbatore, leaving motorists struggling to negotiate mud and damaged stretches.
N. Aravinth, a social activist and resident of Veerakeralam, said two roads connecting the locality to Marudhamalai Road were in a poor condition. The roads had been dug up to lay pipes and construct chambers for the underground drainage project, but the excavated stretches had not been properly restored after the work.
“Motorists struggle to cross these stretches without getting stuck in the mud. Even on Marudhamalai Road, a private bus and a government bus got stuck in a damaged portion following excavation recently. Once the work is completed, the roads should be restored immediately,” he said.
Questioning the delay in repairs, Mr. Aravinth said officials had cited the need to follow the tender process for road restoration. However, roads in Gandhipuram were hastily repaired ahead of the recent visit by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to the city, he said, asking why the tender requirement had not delayed those works.
Corporation officials said laying bitumen during the rainy season would not be effective. As a temporary measure, wet-mix material was being used to level damaged stretches. Excavated portions were being barricaded, and the trenches were being backfilled wherever pipes had been laid, they said. Permanent restoration of roads along completed underground drainage (UGD) and 24/7 drinking water supply project stretches would be taken up after the rain subsided.
Residents said the problem extended to Avinashi road, Chinnavedampatti, Vellakinar, Vedapatti, Thudiyalur, Saravanampatti and parts of Vadavalli, affecting the movement of school vans, buses and ambulances.
Meanwhile, Corporation Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja chaired a review meeting on monsoon preparedness at the Integrated Command and Control Centre in R.S. Puram on Wednesday (October 21).
With heavy rain likely over the next three to four days, he instructed officials to intensify monitoring of low-lying areas, prioritise stormwater drain cleaning and respond promptly to rain-related complaints.
The Corporation has allocated ₹10 lakh to each of its five zones for rain-relief measures, including hiring pumps, motors and generators and deploying additional workers wherever necessary.
Published - October 21, 2026 06:34 pm IST