Indian City Reclaims $140M in Public Land for Parks

A South Indian city has reclaimed nearly $140 million worth of public land that belongs to its residents, and the impact could transform neighborhoods across the region.

Over the past two years, Coimbatore Corporation systematically removed 281 illegal encroachments that had taken over land designated for parks and open spaces. The effort freed up more than 10 acres of community land that had been blocked from public use.

The North Zone saw the biggest transformation, with 231 evictions clearing almost 6 acres of land. The West Zone's reclaimed property carried the highest value at nearly $49 million, while other zones recovered between $4 million and $24 million each in public assets.

These aren't just numbers on a balance sheet. The recovered lands were specifically reserved as Open Space Reservations, meaning they're designated for parks, playgrounds, and green areas where families can gather and children can play safely.

The city isn't stopping at reclamation. Officials are racing to transfer ownership of approximately 2,245 OSR land parcels into official city records, with about 1,500 already completed as of April 2025.

The Ripple Effect

What makes this effort particularly powerful is the transparency being built into the system. The city is uploading detailed data about every recovered plot to both its website and the Namma Kovai app, creating a searchable map that shows residents exactly where public spaces exist and their current status.

This open access means citizens can hold officials accountable and ensure these community spaces stay protected. It transforms passive residents into active guardians of their neighborhoods.

For a growing city, these reclaimed lands represent breathing room. They're future parks where grandparents will watch grandchildren play, community gardens that could feed families, and green buffers that cool neighborhoods during hot summers.

The systematic approach proves that cities can take back what belongs to the public, one parcel at a time, building trust through transparency and action.