2 days ago
UGD charges to be collected as per 2023 bylaw, says Coimbatore Corporation
Coimbatore Corporation will collect underground drainage (UGD) charges as per the bylaw passed in 2023, and the recently revised rates will not be implemented, Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said during the Council meeting on Thursday.
Councillors opposed the proposed 3% annual hike in monthly charges and deposit amounts for UGD connections, calling it a financial burden on the public. They demanded the withdrawal of resolution 101 and 102, which were passed during the previous Council meeting held on May 14, 2025. The Commissioner clarified that the resolutions were intended only to indicate a potential revenue stream for repaying a World Bank loan and assured the council they would not be enforced. He added that delays in securing the loan could affect UGD-related works in the city.
Mayor K. Ranganayaki said the decision on withdrawing the resolutions would be discussed with party leaders and brought up at the next council meeting.
As per the 2023 bylaw, UGD charges for residential buildings are based on built-up area. Houses up to 600 pay ₹7,500 as deposit and ₹110 monthly; 601–1,200 ₹10,000 deposit and ₹140 monthly; 1,201–1,800 ₹12,500 deposit and ₹180 monthly; 1,801–2,400 ₹15,000 deposit and ₹210 monthly; above 2,400 ₹17,500 and above as deposit, and ₹250 and above monthly.
For non-residential buildings up to 600 ₹15,000 deposit and ₹330 monthly; 601–1,200 ₹20,000 and ₹420; 1,201–1,800 ₹25,000 and ₹540; 1,801–2,400 ₹30,000 and ₹630; above 2,400 ₹35,000 and above as deposit, and ₹660 and above monthly.
Meanwhile, AIADMK floor leader R. Prabakaran raised concerns that UGD charges were being levied even on properties not connected to the service. He added that some demands generated since 2017 were exorbitant and baseless.
On the issue of inflated UGD charges displayed on the Corporation's website, where some residents were shown to owe lakhs of rupees, the Commissioner said these were the result of incorrect entries. 'We have requested deletion of the wrongly uploaded records, and the updated details based on 2023 rates will be uploaded shortly,' he said.
