A whiff of breeze tinged with the earthy smell of lake water and water hyacinth greets us at Kurichi lake. It is almost 6pm and the walkway by the lake, developed as part of the Coimbatore Smart City programme, powered by the Government of India’s National Smart Cities Mission, is bustling with evening walkers. For most of us in the city, the lake, spread across an area of 334.92 acres, was something to admire from afar while we rode past it on Pollachi Main Road. But thanks to the latest upgrades such as walkways and parks, it is now a thriving recreation zone in the mornings and evenings.
The pathway is ideal aimless strolls
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M
An elderly couple walks briskly past a younger pair that is there to shoot photos and reels. A grandmother pants as she tries to keep up with a fleeing toddler. A couple cosies up on the steps, unbothered by the people around. A picnicking family opens a steel box to pass around snacks. A senior citizen walk-runs in sleek running shoes, an eye on his smart watch. Two friends hold hands and simply stare at the water.
The lake, it seems, attracts a microcosm of the city itself.
Co-sisters Sajiba H and Thasneem H from nearby Thirumarai Nagar are here to sit still and do nothing after a long day at home. “We come here on and off to catch some evening breeze and chat till it’s time to go home for the evening prayer,” says Sajiba, adding: “Once dusk sets in, the lights around the walkway are turned on, they’re beautiful to look at.”
Families enjoy a picnic by the lake
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M
Nearby, mother and daughter V Srilakshmi and V Vijayalakshmi from Pollachi have stopped by on their way back home after a shopping trip to the city. “We were passing by and decided to sit down by the water for some time,” says Srilakshmi, adding: “The walkway has been done up very well, it’s unlike anything we’ve seen in the city before.”
Walkers and joggers at the lake
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M
Walking with the lake a stone’s thrown away is an experience, what with herons flitting into the water and egrets flying overhead in a noisy gaggle. Here, one can also stop by at Café 1947 along the walkway for a quick snack: there is coffee, tea, milkshakes, fries, sandwiches and even ice-cream, served on tables and chairs set by the water front. There is a play area beyond that is well-maintained, and mention must be made of the various installations themed on Tamil culture: jallikattu, silambattam, Thanjavur dolls, among others.
Installations themed on Tamil culture at the lake
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M
“We like the fact that this facility is within the city, and yet, makes us feel close to Nature,” says 20-year-old R Sowndarya, who is there with her friend V Sandhya. The two of them have been perched on a ledge very close to the water for a while now, far from the crowd. “It’s nice to listen to the sound of the water and take some time off from our routine once in a while,” she adds.
Once the sun sets and the sky darkens, the lights come on in the tall posts
| Photo Credit:
PERIASAMY M
As the evening wears on, more people arrive, and from the looks of it, many are there for leisurely strolls rather than exercise. A pushcart is doing brisk business selling hot vadais and bajjis and nearby, a sundal seller has parked his two-wheeler laden with many snacks containers.
Once the sun sets and the sky darkens, the lights come on in the tall posts that dot the space, lending it even more appealing. The evening breeze, the gentle gurgle of water, the tall vegetation along one side, interesting art installations, wide steps to sit on and rest one’s feet: in a city that lacks well-planned parks and public recreation spaces, Kurichi and its walkway are a breath of fresh air.
The Kurichi Lake is open to the public from 6am to 8pm. It is advisable to not carry plastic to the premises.
Published – August 29, 2025 01:54 pm IST
