Semmozhi Poonga ushers in whiff of freshness to urban Coimbatore

The city of Coimbatore has added a new urban green space in Gandhipuram with the opening of Semmozhi Poonga, spread across 45 acres, offering residents a blend of recreation and ecological conservation.

The park’s core is a botanical garden that houses 23 themed gardens. It also includes children’s play areas, a disabled-friendly gym and play area, and an experience centre where indoor games will be introduced in the future. Additional facilities include co-working spaces, a food court, and parking for 453 two-wheelers, 1,000 cars, and 10 buses, while a 1,000-seat convention centre is still under construction.

Boards displaying the names of themed gardens at Semmozhi Poonga in Coimbatore city.
| Photo Credit:
SIVA SARAVANAN S

According to Coimbatore Corporation officials, water for the park’s plants comes from treated water supplied by the Ukkadam Sewage Treatment Plant, transported through a 6-kilometre pipeline. A sprinkler system ensures regular irrigation, and an advanced rainwater harvesting system allows storage and reuse of up to 15 lakh litres. A bio-digester system treats waste from the park’s three toilets, converting it into safe, usable material to support sustainable maintenance.

The park features a collection of rare and endangered species provided by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, including Hildegardia populifolia, Bentinckia condappana, Bischofia javanica, Syzygium occidentale, Diospyros buxifolia, and Flacourtia indica. These species are preserved within the park to support conservation efforts and provide ecological and educational value.

Semmozhi Poonga in Coimbatore city features a collection of rare and endangered species provided by the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

| Photo Credit:
SIVA SARAVANAN S

The development of Semmozhi Poonga, excluding the convention centre and a few ongoing improvement works, has been carried out at a total estimate of ₹158.53 crore. This includes the botanical garden, signage, sculptures, and five battery-operated vehicles at ₹97.04 crore; the treated water pipeline from Ukkadam at ₹8.13 crore; the parking facility at ₹10.86 crore; additional works at ₹22.36 crore; and underground water tanks, rainwater drainage, electrical and IT conduits, along with other improvement works at ₹20.14 crore.

Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said the park has been developed to serve multiple purposes for the city. “Semmozhi Poonga combines areas for physical activity, recreation, entertainment, and plant-based learning, allowing visitors to engage with the park in several ways. It also promotes green tourism. Each plant is linked to information accessible via QR codes. Timings and entry rates will be decided soon,” he said.