There is always that moment in the life of a city when it is forced to choose between decay and rebirth. For Coimbatore, that moment is in the late 2010s. At the center of that moment is S. P. Velumani, whose tenure in office did not only see the transformation of the city’s infrastructure but also its ecological landscape in the state’s western capital in India. This is not merely about making the city look prettier. It is about how the city in the state of Tamil Nadu in India got its water back and set itself up for the future.
From an Industrial City to an Ecological City
Coimbatore is a city that has been driven historically by textiles, engineering, and commerce. However, its water system, which is centered around a chain of lakes that supply water to the Noyyal River, had been neglected. These lakes, which were established many centuries ago, were meant to:
- Take in big floods
- Recharge groundwater
- Support farms and agriculture
- Cool the city
However, in the 2000s, many of these lakes were in a sorry state – some were even fenced off and had no water in them. It is not just about making these changes, but also about having the will to do so.
The Turning Point – The Smart City Initiative as a Tool for Change
It is in this context that the city of Coimbatore was chosen to benefit from the Smart Cities Initiative. The big question in everybody’s mind is whether this initiative will merely be cosmetic in nature and not transformative. For S. P. Velumani and his work in the Municipal Administration, the issue of the lakes is not merely about complaints, but also about policy. These water bodies are not merely:
- Climate tools for the city
- public space centers
- symbols of civic pride
And the result was a 350+ crore rupee plan to renew seven connected lakes.
The Seven Lakes – A Plan for Renewal
Periyakulam – The Civic Showpiece
- Once a neglected and muddy lake, this became the focal point of the renewal work.
- Today, it has 3+ km of walking and cycling tracks, an amphitheater, boating, and landscaped public spaces.
- Politically, this showed the importance of finishing big projects on time.
Valankulam – Where Infrastructure Meets Ecology
- Situated on Trichy Road, this added more promenade spaces, dedicated cycle tracks, and stormwater channel repairs.
- It was more than an aesthetic improvement; this was a flood buffer in the travel corridors of the city.
Selvampathy, Krishnampathy & Kumaraswamy – Structural Stabilization
- The focus here was on desilting, rebuilding, removing encroachments, and controlling water flow.
- The result was the recharge of groundwater, the foundation for the long-term strength of the city.
Selvachinthamani & Kurichikulam – Ecological Reinforcement
- The focus here was on ecological balance, as this lake was to be used for heavy commercial activities.
- The result was minimal recreation and hydrology as the main priority.
Strategic Governance
Velumani's approach to governance:
- Central political oversight – direct supervision to expedite the budget, tender, and interdepartmental processes.
- Multi-year continuity – the lakes needed a multi-year process, not a one-time announcement.
- Public accountability – ceremonies and progress reviews to maintain the momentum.
Measurable Change
Environmental
- More water in the city
- Better groundwater recharge
- Better flood protection in heavy rain
Urban
- Over 10 km of new walking and cycling tracks
- More public spaces
- Better civic engagement on public spaces
Political
- A classic example of governance-led development
- Use Coimbatore as a model for Tamil Nadu’s Smart City initiative
Beyond the Lakes: The Larger Urban Plan
Meanwhile, other urban works were in progress:
- Development of underground drainage
- Widening of city roads
- Strengthening of urban governance
The lake development was part of a larger political narrative that linked development to heritage, modernization to ecology, and growth to water wisdom.
The Story: Why ‘Architect of Modern Coimbatore’?
Urban planning is not just about buildings. Under Velumani’s tenure, Coimbatore developed:
- Restoration of historic water infrastructure
- Integration of ecology with city travel
- Revitalization of inoperative civic assets
- A shift from reactive to proactive governance
While critics of the initiative raise questions about its maintenance, no one can deny its results.
Strategic Positioning
If politics were to be believed, it is clear that SPV did not merely develop Coimbatore’s infrastructure. He changed Coimbatore itself.
From: an industrial city in decline with dying lakes.
To: a Smart City with water bodies as civic assets.
Cities remember leaders who changed their course. The development of the seven lakes is perhaps one of the more visible transformations in Coimbatore in recent times. While it was a team effort involving engineers, planners, and workers, it was made possible by the political support of the ruling party. And that support came from S.P. Velumani. To his supporters, Velumani is remembered as:
SPV – The Architect of Modern Coimbatore