Stagnant sewage in a stormwater drain at Shakthi Nagar in Ward 64, Coimbatore city, on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: S. SIVA SARAVANAN
Stagnant sewage in stormwater drains, blocked channels and damaged drainage infrastructure across several parts of Coimbatore city have become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, with people complaining of persistent water stagnation, foul smell and an increase in mosquito bites.The problem has been reported from residential neighbourhoods as well as public places, including bus stands and major roads, where sewage remains stagnant in stormwater drains because of damaged drains, silt accumulation and poor connectivity in drainage network. Residents said the situation worsens during rain, when drains overflow.In Wards 62 and 64, covering Shakthi Nagar and Bharathidasan Nagar, people said rainwater and wastewater from surrounding localities collect in the area because of blocked and damaged stormwater drains.“Water from other areas stagnates here because of blocked and damaged drains. Mosquitoes are a major problem. Toddlers are affected the most, and we see mosquito bites every day,” said T. Painthamil, a resident of Shakthi Nagar.
“In almost all parts of Ward 96, sewage stagnates either in drains or along the road. On Saradha Mill Road, sewage stagnates at the Mudaliar Street junction because of the difference in level with the connecting drain.”P. RangasamyA residentStormwater drains at the new bus stand on Mettupalayam Road also continue to hold stagnant sewage, resulting in foul odour and creating conditions for mosquito breeding.Along Edayarpalayam Main Road, which connects Kuniyamuthur and Sundarapuram, people said clogged storm water drains have reduced the carrying capacity of the drainage system.“In almost all parts of Ward 96, sewage stagnates either in drains or along the road. On Saradha Mill Road, the sewage stagnates at the Mudaliar Street junction because of the difference in level with the connecting drain,” said P. Rangasamy, a resident.To address the issue, the Corporation has prepared a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to upgrade the city’s stormwater drain network at an estimated cost of about ₹2,200 crore. The proposal includes reconstruction of damaged and blocked drains, construction of new drains based on actual ground elevation, creation of disposal points and strengthening of the overall drainage network.The proposed works cover the existing 2,885.875 km stormwater drain network across the Corporation’s 100 wards.Corporation engineering officials said the project, based on the DPR, is being implemented in phases. They added that separate works to construct new stormwater drains are also being taken up across the city wherever required.Sanitary officials said routine fogging operations and desilting of drains would continue, and monitoring would be intensified in areas reporting sewage stagnation and mosquito breeding. Published - July 01, 2026 06:33 pm IST
