The Coimbatore Corporation Council on Friday passed a resolution identifying four designated locations for handling construction and demolition (C&D) waste. The move aims to address unauthorised dumping and improve disposal through decentralised collection points.
According to the Corporation, construction debris has been particularly difficult to manage due to the absence of specific facilities. In many areas, such waste is dumped along roadsides, vacant lands, and near water bodies, causing blocked drains, traffic issues, and growing public complaints.
To address this, the civic body has identified the following sites for C&D waste: In the East Zone, the designated location is within the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB) Colony premises in Singanallur, covering 21.54 square metres. The West Zone will use two segments in Balaji IOB Colony—Phase 1 (28 cents) and Phase 2 (29.30 cents). In the North Zone, 21.26 cents have been identified in the TNHB Layout at Vellakinar. The South and Central Zones will share a 5.5-acre site in Pullukadu. These are to function as temporary collection points until a centralised debris processing plant is established.
According to the resolution, any entity generating over 20 tonnes of C&D waste a day or more than 300 tonnes a month must submit a waste handling plan before beginning work. The plan must outline segregation and disposal methods for materials like wood and metal and must be approved by the Corporation.
However, opposition arose from councillors about potential pollution, particularly at the Singanallur site, where new tenements are expected to be constructed. In response, Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran assured them that an alternative site would be identified for the East Zone and that measures would be taken to prevent pollution at all designated locations.
The meeting also saw a separate protest by AIADMK councillors over a resolution to introduce a ₹75 user fee for indoor sports complexes. AIADMK floor leader R. Prabakaran and Ward 90 councillor D. Ramesh opposed the move, stating that it would restrict access for economically weaker sections and criticised the decision to contract maintenance to a private firm.
The two councillors raised slogans and walked out. Mayor K. Ranganayaki announced their suspension from two subsequent meetings for disorderly conduct. All 93 resolutions tabled during the meeting were passed.