The CODISSIA Defence Innovation and Atal Incubation Centre – Defence Innovation Hub (CDIIC-DIH) will set up a dedicated research and development facility at Kallapalayam in Coimbatore to promote innovations in defence. A Defence Conclave was organised bringing together MSMEs, start-ups, Defence Innovation Organisations, representatives from Defence Public Sector Undertakings and armed forces. Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh stated there is a need to accelerate indigenisation efforts and Defence Innovation Hubs will play a crucial role in supporting these initiatives. Several MoUs were exchanged to strengthen CDIIC-DIH initiatives and position Coimbatore and Tamil Nadu as leading defence manufacturing hubs. CDIIC startups and member industries showcased innovations and import substitution components developed by them.

• A major Siruvani drinking water pipeline was damaged on Friday during a State Highways road-widening project near Kalampalayam in Coimbatore.
• The damage happened near an amusement park on Siruvani Main Road while tree roots were being removed using an earthmover.
• The line is part of the Siruvani drinking water supply scheme serving Kurichi-Kuniyamuthur areas of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC).
• The road widening project on Siruvani Road is 5.2 km long, from Kalampalayam to Madampatti.
• The project aims to convert the road into a four-lane stretch with medians.
• Estimated cost: Rs 33.8 crore.
• The incident led to a dispute between the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board and the State Highways Department over prior intimation and compensation.
• Residents in the affected areas faced disrupted water supply and wastage of drinking water.

• The State Highways Department has started preliminary works to widen Siruvani Main Road from Kalampalayam to Madampatti into a four-lane road.
• Project length: 5.2 km.
• Estimated cost: Rs 33.8 crore.
• Road layout: 7.5-metre tar road and 1.5-metre mud road on both sides, plus a 1.2-metre centre median.
• Ground-level bridges on the stretch will be widened by 14 metres.
• The route connects Coimbatore with Siruvani Dam in Kerala and Perur Patteeshwarar temple, and sees heavy daily traffic.
• Rising vehicle volume has led to frequent accidents, prompting the widening plan.
• DPR was prepared by the Coimbatore division of the State Highways Department and approved by the state government.
• Tenders have been floated and preliminary work has begun, including transplanting trees and shifting wires, cables and pipelines.
• Green committee approval covers felling of 105 trees and transplantation of 109 trees.
• For every tree cut, 10 saplings will be planted.
• The four-lane road will connect with the Western Bypass Project phase 1 ending at Madampatti.
• Road work is expected to start after Pongal and finish in about one year.