Coimbatore: The Smart City Project will centre around giving a face lift to the eight lakes in Coimbatore.

The Indian Chamber of commerce and Industry (ICCI) and RAAC had congregated the media to brief upon the Restoration and Rejuvenation of 8 lakes under Coimbatore Smart City project.

The bid for designing of this project has been won by Delhi based Oasis Designs. The meet saw Akash Hingorani, the Principal Architect of Oasis Designs team start off by saying how Coimbatore Smart-City concept is centered on the eight lakes.

The company is doing five smart city projects across India including Coimbatore.

“Akash believes cities need more space for people to enjoy and that is what the team is focusing on”.

Talking about Periyakulam, Valankulam, Selvachinthamani, Singanallur lake restoration, Akash said that Coimbatore is the biggest area in terms of its expanse as a Smart City with four lakes towards the West covering an area of 388 acres and then phase one which has Valankulam, Selvachinthamani and Periyakulam where there is 600 acres followed by Trichy Road and Singanallur , 300 acres.

The total cost of the project is 700 crores. The firm plans to build toilets, parks and put up kiosks for people to relax along the lakes.

When water flowed from one catchment area to another there were spaces that were encroached upon like the bus depot at Ukkadam junction which would shortly be reclaimed since it actually stands on a lake which people are not aware of.

The bus stop near Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital has a lake behind but cannot be seen for which Oasis plans to do something.

Others present were RAAC Secretary R. Raveendran and members of Coimbatore Smart City Project Limited.