Coimbatore witnessed a significant development in its urban landscape as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated the much-anticipated Semmozhi Poonga at Gandhipuram on Tuesday. This expansive botanical garden promises to become a major green lung for the city and a premier attraction for both residents and visitors.
A Garden That Replicates Nature
The newly inaugurated botanical garden spans 45 acres in its first phase and features a revolutionary bio-mimetic design that carefully replicates natural ecosystems. According to project architect Roopmathi Anand, every element from material selection to plant color schemes has been meticulously curated for sustainability.
The park extensively uses terracotta materials throughout its structures, creating an environmentally conscious space that harmonizes with nature. The design philosophy ensures that visitors experience an authentic natural environment while enjoying modern amenities and thoughtful landscaping.
Cultural Heritage Meets Modern Design
Semmozhi Poonga beautifully integrates Tamil cultural heritage with contemporary park design. One of the standout features includes murals depicting the seven great patrons (Kadai Ezhu Vallalgal) from the Sangam period - Pari, Kari, Ori, Nalli, Adiyaman, Pegan, and Ay.
The park brings Tamil history to life through installations like a chariot made of jasmine creepers, recreating Pari's legendary story of sacrificing his chariot for a jasmine creeper. This blend of cultural storytelling with botanical beauty creates a unique experience for visitors.
Accessible and Inclusive Features
The botanical garden has been designed with inclusivity at its core. During his 40-minute visit, Chief Minister Stalin particularly appreciated the children's play area, which is fully accessible to disabled children. This inclusive approach ensures that children of all abilities can enjoy the recreational facilities.
The park features a resilience cushion track for walking and jogging that reduces vibration impact, making it comfortable for visitors of all ages. The garden is organized into 23 themed sectors, including herbal gardens, water gardens, rock gardens, and an impressive collection of over 1,400 varieties of roses.
Practical Information and Housing Project
While the inauguration is complete, the park will open to the public only in the first week of December as some minor works remain pending. The municipal administration is yet to finalize entry ticket fees, parking charges, and visiting hours, which will be presented in the upcoming corporation council meeting.
During the same visit, Chief Minister Stalin virtually inaugurated an integrated housing project for disabled people in Orattukuppai of Chettipalayam panchayat. This project, developed on 3.98 acres of land, saw 86 houses inaugurated in its first phase under the Housing for All scheme and GD Naidu Charities' CSR initiative.
The Chief Minister personally handed over keys to beneficiaries before concluding his visit with interactions with industrialists and representatives of civic organizations, marking a significant day for Coimbatore's urban development and social welfare initiatives.
