Semmozhi Poonga works progressing at slow pace due to non-receipt of funds

Funding delays halt Semmozhi Poonga creation at Prison Grounds in Gandhipuram, jeopardizing June inauguration plans by Chief Minister.

Owing to non-receipt of funds from the State Government, works related to creation of Semmozhi Poonga at the Prison Grounds in Gandhipuram has almost come to a grinding halt.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin during 2024 had laid the foundation stone for the Semmozhi poonga. It was during the 2010 World Classical Tamil Conference that was held in Coimbatore, the then Chief Minister announced creation of a semmozhi poonga at the prison grounds by shifting the Coimbatore Central Prison near Karamadai.

But, the DMK lost power in 2011. Again in 2021, the DMK returned to power. On December 18, 2023, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin laid the foundation stone for the Semmozhi Poonga at the prison grounds and announced that the park would have 22 types of gardens. He also said that the park would be inaugurated in June.

But, fund scarcity has hit the pace of works with the State Government releasing only ₹6 crore, so far, and the works in the first phase of the project in an area of 45 acres has almost come to a grinding halt. Though the State Government had accorded administrative sanction for ₹167.25 crore, the Coimbatore Corporation has to bear 50 per cent of the cost, that is ₹83.62 crore.

But, the civic body has done works for ₹69 core and another ₹20 crore are due to the contractors. As a result, the works have come to a grinding halt. At this pace, the inauguration of the Semmozhi Poonga in June is not likely to happen.