Population Note: The population as per 2011 census calculated basis pre-expansion city area of 105.60 sq.km. was 1,050,721.[3] Post expansion of city limits to 257.04 sq.km.,[4] the population including the new city limits was provided by Government of India for the smart city challenge was 1,601,438.[5] The 2011 census data for the urban agglomeration is available and has been provided.[3]
The region around Coimbatore was ruled by theCheras during theSangam period between the 1st and the 4th centuries CE and it served as the eastern entrance to thePalakkad Gap, the principal trade route between the west coast and Tamil Nadu. Coimbatore was located along the ancient trade route Rajakesari Peruvazhi that extended fromMuziris toArikamedu in South India. Themedieval Cholas conquered theKongu Nadu in the 10th century CE. The region was ruled byVijayanagara Empire in the 15th century followed by theNayaks who introduced thePalayakkarar system under which Kongu Nadu region was divided into 24Palayams. In the later part of the 18th century, the Coimbatore region came under theKingdom of Mysore and following thedefeat ofTipu Sultan in theAnglo-Mysore Wars, theBritish East India Company annexed Coimbatore to theMadras Presidency in 1799. The Coimbatore region played a prominent role in the SecondPoligar War (1801) when it was the area of operations ofDheeran Chinnamalai.
Coimbatore was ranked the best emerging city in India byIndia Today in the 2014 annual survey, fourth among Indian cities in investment climate byConfederation of Indian Industry and 17th among the top global outsourcing cities by Tholons. Coimbatore has been selected as one of the Indian cities to be developed as asmart city under theSmart Cities Mission andAMRUT by Government of India. Coimbatore regularly features among the top ten best cities to live in India and is amongst the top three safest cities in India according toNational Crime Records Bureau report in 2023.
According to one theory, "Coimbatore" is a derivation ofKōvanputtūr (lit.'new town of Kovan'), after chieftain Kovan or Koyan, evolved intoKōyamputtūr[6] and later anglicised asCoimbatore.[7] Another theory states that the name could have been derived fromKovaiamma. The word evolved from Koyamma, the goddess worshipped by Koyan which became Koniamma and later Kovaiamma.[8]
The region around Coimbatore was ruled by theCheras duringSangam period between c. 1st and the 4th centuries CE and it served as the eastern entrance to thePalakkad Gap, the principal trade route between the west coast andTamil Nadu.[9] TheKosar tribe mentioned in the 2nd century CETamil epicSilappathikaram and other poems inSangam literature is associated with the Coimbatore region.[10] The region was located along anancient Roman trade route that extended fromMuziris toArikamedu.[11][12] Themedieval Cholas conquered theKongu Nadu in the 10th century. A Chola highway calledRajakesari Peruvazhi ran through the region.[13][14] Much of Tamil Nadu came under the rule of theVijayanagara Empire by the 15th century. In the 1550s,Madurai Nayaks, who were the military governors of the Vijaynagara Empire, took control of the region. After the Vijayanagara Empire fell in the 17th century, the Madurai Nayaks established their state as an independent kingdom. They introduced thePalayakkarar system under which Kongu Nadu region was divided into 24Palayams(towns).[15]
Coimbatore gets majority of rains from monsoon winds passing through thePalghat gap (topography pictured)
Under theKöppen climate classification, the city has ahot semi-arid climate (BSh), with a wet season lasting from September to November due to thenortheast monsoon. The mean maximum temperature ranges from 35.9 °C (96.6 °F) to 29.2 °C (84.6 °F) and the mean minimum temperature ranges from 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) to 9.8 °C (49.6 °F).[36] The highest temperature ever recorded is 42.6 °C (108.7 °F) on 22 April 1976 while the lowest is 12.2 °C (54.0 °F) on 12 January 1957.[37]
Coimbatore has a tropical wet and dry climate. It experiences hot and humid summers from March to June with temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 38 °C. The monsoon season starts from July and lasts till October. The city receives moderate rainfall from the south-west monsoon and occasional heavy rainfall from the north-east monsoon. The winter season starts from November and ends in February. The temperatures during this season range from 20 °C to 30 °C.
Due to the south-west monsoon winds passing through thePalghat gap, elevated regions of the city receive rainfall in the months from June to August. After a warm and foggy September, the north-east monsoon starts from October, lasting until early November. The average annual rainfall is around 600 mm (23.6 in) with the northeast and the southwest monsoons contributing to 47% and 28% respectively to the total rainfall.[36] This periodic rainfall does not satisfy the city's water requirements throughout the year and water supply schemes drawn fromSiruvani and Pilloor help supplant the requirements during low rainfall months.[38][39]
2011: Increase in population due to expansion of the city
Coimbatore has a population of 1,601,438.[5] As per the2011 census based on pre-expansion city limits, Coimbatore had a population of 1,050,721 with a sex ratio of 997 females for every 1,000 males, much above the national average of 929.[45] It is the second largest city in the state after capital Chennai[46] and the sixteenth largest urban agglomeration in India. A total of 102,069 were under the age of six, comprising 52,275 males and 49,794 females. The average literacy of the city was 82.43%, compared to the national average of 72.99%.[45] There were a total of 425,115 workers, comprising 1,539 cultivators, 2,908 main agricultural labourer, 11,789 in house hold industries, 385,802 other workers, 23,077 marginal workers, 531 marginal cultivators, 500 marginal agricultural labourer, 1,169 marginal workers in household industries and 20,877 other marginal workers.[47]
As per the2001 census,[44] Coimbatore had a population of 930,882 within the municipal corporation limits.[48][49][50] The population of the urban agglomeration as per 2011 census is 2,136,916 with males constituting 50.08% of the population and females 49.92%.[27][46] Coimbatore has an average literacy rate of 89.23%, higher than the national average of 74.04%. Male literacy is 93.17% and female literacy is 85.3% with 8.9% of the population under six years of age. The sex ratio was 964 females per 1000 males.[51] In 2005, the crime rate in the city was 265.9 per 100,000 people, accounting for 1.2% of all crimes reported in major cities in India. It ranked 21st among 35 major cities in India in the incidence of crimes.[52] In 2011, the population density in the city was 10,052 per km2 (26,035 per mi2).[3] Around 8% of the city's population lives in slums.[53]
Coimbatore is amunicipal corporation administered by the Coimbatore Municipal Corporation and is the administrative headquarters of Coimbatore district. Coimbatore was established as the capital of Coimbatore district in 1804 and in 1866, it was accorded municipality status.[17][18] In 1981, Coimbatore was elevated as a municipal corporation.[25] The city is divided into five administrative zones – East, West, North, South and Central, each further subdivided into 20 wards.[57] Each ward is represented by a councillor who is elected by direct election and theMayor of Coimbatore is elected by Councillors. The executive wing of the corporation is headed by a Corporation Commissioner and maintains basic services like water supply, sewage and roads.[58][59] The district itself is administered by thedistrict collector and the district court in Coimbatore is the highest court of appeal in the district. TheCoimbatore City Police is headed by aCommissioner of Police and there are 18 police stations in the city.[60] Coimbatore was ranked amongst the top three safest cities in India according toNational Crime Records Bureau report in 2023.[61]
Lakshmi Mills was one of the earliest textile mills in Coimbatore[72][73]Oppanakara Street
A major hub for manufacturing, education and healthcare in Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore is among the fastest growingtier-II cities in India.[74][75] As of 2020[update], theGDP was estimated to beUS$13.06 (equivalent to $15.87 in 2024) billion.[2] It houses more than 25,000 small, medium and large industries with the primary industries being engineering and textiles. Coimbatore is called the "Manchester of South India" due to its extensive textile industry, fed by the surrounding cotton fields.[76][77] TIDEL Park Coimbatore inELCOT SEZ was the firstspecial economic zone (SEZ) set up in 2006.[78] In 2010, Coimbatore ranked 15th in the list of most competitive (by business environment)Indian cities.[79] Coimbatore also has a 160,000 square feet (15,000 m2) trade fair ground, built in 1999 and is owned byCODISSIA.[80]
Coimbatore is one of the largest exporters of software.[81] Pictured is TIDEL Park, an IT SEZ.[82]
Coimbatore region experienced a textile boom in the 1920s and 1930s.[20] Though, Robert Stanes had established Coimbatore's first textile mills as early as the late 19th century, it was during this period that Coimbatore emerged as a prominent industrial centre. In 2009 Coimbatore was home to around 15% of the cotton spinning capacity in India.[83] Coimbatore has trade associations such as CODISSIA, COINDIA and COJEWEL representing the industries in the city. Coimbatore houses a number of textile mills and is the base of textile research institutes like theSardar Vallabhbhai Patel International School of Textiles & Management,Central Institute for Cotton Research (CICR) and theSouth India Textile Research Institute (SITRA).[84]Kovai Cora Cotton saree is a recognisedGeographical Indication.[85][86] The Southern India Mills' Association (SIMA) founded in 1933 caters to the interests of the various textile mills and their employees.[87]
Coimbatore is the second largest producer of software in the state after Chennai. TIDEL Park Coimbatore and otherInformation technology parks in the city has aided in the growth ofIT andBusiness process outsourcing industries in the city. It is ranked at 17th among the top global outsourcing cities by Tholons.[88] Software exports stood at₹7.1 billion (US$84 million) for the financial year 2009–10 up 90% from the previous year.[89] Coimbatore has a large and diversified manufacturing sector and a number of engineering colleges producing about 50,000 engineers annually.[90]
Coimbatore is a major center for the manufacture of automotive components in India with car manufacturersMaruti Udyog andTata Motors sourcing up to 30%, of their automotive components from the city.G.D. Naidu developed India's first indigenous motor in 1937.[91] India's first indigenously developed diesel engine for cars was manufactured in the city in 1972. The city is also a major centre for small auto component makers catering to the automobile industry, from personal to commercial and farm vehicles.[92] The city contributes to about 75% of the 100,000 total monthly output of wet grinders in India.[93] The industry employs 70,000 people and had a yearly turnover of₹28 billion (US$330 million) in 2015.[93] The term "Coimbatore Wet Grinder" has been given aGeographical indication.[94][95]
Coimbatore is also referred to as "the Pump City" as it supplies nearly 50% of India's requirements of motors and pumps.[96] The city is one of the largest exporters of jewellery renowned for diamond cutting, cast and machine made jewellery.[97][98][99][100] There are about 3,000 jewellery manufacturers employing over 40,000 goldsmiths.[101][102][103] Coimbatore has a large number of poultry farms and is a major producer of chicken eggs. The city contributes to nearly 95% of processed chicken meat exports.[104] Coimbatore has some of the country's oldest flour mills and these mills which cater to all the southern states, have a combined grinding capacity of more than 50,000 MT per month. The hospitality industry has seen a growth in the 21st century with new upscale hotels being set up.[105][106][107]
Coimbatore and its people have a reputation for entrepreneurship.[108][109] Though it is generally considered a traditional city, Coimbatore is diverse and cosmopolitan.[108][110][111] TheWorld Classical Tamil Conference 2010 was held in Coimbatore.[112] The heavy industrialisation of the city has also resulted in the growth of trade unions.[113] The city is regularly features among the top 10 best cities to live in India.[114] 24 November, the date of establishment of Coimbatore as a district is celebrated as "Coimbatore Day".[115]
Tamil is the official language andKongu Tamil (also calledKangee orKongalam), a dialect, is predominantly spoken.[117][118] As per the 2011 census, Tamil is the most spoken language with 710,326 speakers, followed byTelugu (173,136),Malayalam (76,485) andKannada (43,629). Other languages spoken in the city includeUrdu (15,484) andHindi (13,608).[116] During the 1970s the city witnessed a population explosion as a result of migration fuelled by increased economic growth and job opportunities.[43][119]
The city's population is predominantlyHindu with minorityMuslim andChristian population.Jains,Sikhs andBuddhists are also present in small numbers.[50][127][128] According to the religious census of 2011, Coimbatore has 83.31% Hindus, 8.63% Muslims, 7.53% Christians, 0.28% Jains, 0.05% Sikhs, 0.02% Buddhists and 0.01% Others. 0.17% of the respondents did not state their religion.[126]
Coimbatore cuisine is predominantly south Indian with rice as its base. Most local restaurants still retain their rural flavor, with many restaurants serving food over a banana leaf.[148] Eating on a banana leaf is an old custom and imparts a unique flavor to the food and is considered healthy.[149]North Indian,Chinese andcontinental cuisines are also available.Idly,dosa,paniyaram andappam are popular dishes.[150][151][152][153]
Coimbatore has an active street food culture and various cuisine options for dining.Arisi paruppu sadam andsambar sadam, made from a mixture of dal and rice, is a recipe that existed from the 4th century CE that is unique to the area. Ariseemparuppu or arisi paruppu satham (literally translated as Rice and dal) originated from Coimbatore and the people of the city celebrate January 8 as national Aruseemparuppu day, after given light by a popular influencer and food consultant.[154]Kaalaan is a popular dish prepared by simmering deep-fried mushrooms (usually chopped) in a spicy broth until it reaches a porridge-like consistency; the dish is served sprinkled with chopped onions and coriander leaves.[155][156]Chaats made from potatoes and a mix of other vegetables and spices are also popular.[157]
Swamikannu Vincent, who had built the first cinema ofsouth India in Coimbatore, introduced the concept ofTent Cinema in which a tent was erected on an open land to screen the films.[158][159]Central Studios was set up in 1935 whileS. M. Sriramulu Naidu establishedPakshiraja Studios in 1945.[160] The city conducts its own music festival every year.[111] Art, dance and music concerts are held annually during the months of September and December (Tamil calendar month – Margazhi).[161] Coimbatore also houses a number of museums and art galleries likeG.D. Naidu Museum & Industrial Exhibition, H AGass Forest Museum, Government Museum, Kadhi Gandhi Gallery and Kasthuri Srinivasan Art Gallery and Textile Museum.[162][163]
The city is served by theCoimbatore International Airport atPeelamedu 10 km (6.2 mi) from the city center. The airport was established in 1940 withAir India operating scheduled services in 1948.[164][165][166] Coimbatore flying club and aviation training academy was established in 1960.[167][168][169] In 1987, the airport underwent modernization and further expansion of the existing runway to enable handling of larger jet aircraft.[164][170] On 6 June 2012,Prime Minister of India declared thegovernment's intention to upgrade the airport to international status and theUnion Cabinet granted it the status of international airport on 2 October 2012.[171][172] The airport is operated byAirports Authority of India and caters to domestic flights to major Indian cities and international flights toSharjah, andSingapore.[173] As of 2023[update]-24, the airport was thesecond largest airport in Tamil Nadu in terms of passengers handled.[174][175] It has a single runway, which is 2,990 m (9,810 ft) in length and is capable of handling medium sized aircraft.[176]
TheCentral Government proposed ametro rail system for 16 tier-2 cities inIndia including Coimbatore in 2010. In 2011, theGovernment of Tamil Nadu shelved the proposal in favour of amonorail. Coimbatore Railway Struggle Committee has also protested to implement metro rail project in Coimbatore. In 2013,E. Sreedharan made survey and announced metro rail as suitable transport for Coimbatore In 2017, the Government of Tamil Nadu proposed a metro for Coimbatore.[189] Feasibility studies were completed in 2021 and five corridors were proposed.[190]
Apart from State and National Highways, the city corporation maintains a 635.32 kilometres (394.77 miles) long road network.[29] The city is also served byauto rickshaws and taxi services.[203] Coimbatore has fourRegional Transport Offices viz. TN 37 (South), TN 38 (North), TN 66 (Central), TN 99 (West).[204]
Town buses started operating in 1921 and serve most parts of the city, as well as other towns and villages in the district. The number of inter-city routes operated by Coimbatore division is 119 with a fleet of more than 500 buses.[205] It also operates town buses on 257 intra-city routes.[206] The intra-city buses operate from major bus stations inGandhipuram Central Bus Terminus,Singanallur Bus Terminus,Ukkadam Bus Terminus andSaibaba Colony Bus Terminus to other parts across the city. Inter-city and intra-city buses that connect Coimbatore operate from different bus stands:
TheCoimbatore Integrated Bus Terminus planned atVellalore was cancelled midway in 2023 due to a lack of sufficient approach roads to the terminus and a hazardous waste dump nearby.[214]Coimbatore BRTS is a proposed bus rapid transit project under theJNNURM scheme of the Government of India. It is planned along a 27.6 kilometres (17.1 mi) stretch connecting Avinashi road and Mettupalayam road.[215]
Three types of schools operate in Coimbatore: government run schools, schools funded by the government but run by private trusts (aided schools) and schools funded completely by private trusts.[219] Schools followTamil Nadu State Board,Matriculation,CBSE,ICSE/ISC or Tamil Nadu Anglo-Indian school board syllabus.[219]Samacheer Kalvi (Equitable education system) was introduced by the state government in 2010 to integrate the various school educational systems within the state.[229] The city falls under the purview of Coimbatore education district and about 31320 students appeared forSSLC examinations in 2023.[230]
AMedium wave radio station is operated byAll India Radio, with programs in Tamil, English and Hindi.[236] FiveFM radio stations operate from Coimbatore – Rainbow FM,[237]Suryan FM,[238]Radio Mirchi,[239]Radio City[240][241] andHello FM.[242] All these private radio stations air exclusivelyTamil-based programs, including film music. Television relay started in 1985 from DelhiDoordarshan and in 1986, after inception of the repeater tower atKodaikanal, telecast from Madras commenced. In 2005, Doordarshan opened its studio in Coimbatore.[243] Television services are accessible throughDTH or digital cable.[244]
Coimbatore has a well-connected communications infrastructure. Till the 1990s the state ownedBharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was the only telecommunication service provider in the city. In the 1990s, private telecom companies too started offering their services. As of 2019[update],BSNL,Reliance Communications,Bharti Airtel,Tata Communications,Tata Teleservices,Reliance Jio andACT offer broadband service and fixed line services.[245] Cellular telephony was first introduced in 1997 and mobile telephone services available.[246] Coimbatore is the headquarters of the Tamil Nadu circle of cellular service providers.[247]
As of 2010, the size of the health care industry in Coimbatore is estimated at₹1,500 crore (US$180 million).[248] There are around 750 hospitals in the city with an in-patient capacity of 5,000 beds.[249] These hospitals include single speciality institutions like eye care clinics (e.g.Aravind Eye Hospitals) and also multi special hospitals.[250] The first health care centre in the city was started in 1909. Coimbatore Medical College Hospital and ESI Hospital are government run tertiary care hospitals and provide free health care.[251] The city corporation maintains 16 dispensaries and two maternity homes.[29] People from nearby districts and the state of Kerala visit Coimbatore for medical tourism due to the availability of hospitals and healthcare facilities.[252][253][254][255]
Coimbatore is often referred to as "India's Motorsports Hub" and the "Backyard of Indian Motorsports".[256][257]S.Karivardhan designed and built entry – level race cars and theKari Motor Speedway, a Formula 3 Category circuit, is named after him.[258] Tyre manufacturerMRF assembles Formula Ford cars in Coimbatore in association with former F3 Champion J. Anand and racing companySuper Speeds designs Formula cars.[259]Rallying is another major event with rallies conducted in closed roads around Coimbatore.Narain Karthikeyan, India's firstFormula One driver hails from the city, and other motorsport drivers from Coimbatore include J. Anand andV. R. Naren Kumar.[260][261]
Nehru Stadium, built originally for football, also hosts athletic meets. The stadium has been renovated with Korean grass for the field and a synthetic track around it for athletics.[262] Apart from the stadium, other sporting venues include theCoimbatore Golf Course, an 18 – hole golf course[263] andCoimbatore Cosmopolitan Club, which is more than 100 years old.[264] Coimbatore Flying Club is located in theCoimbatore Airport premises.[265] The city hosts its own annual marathon calledCoimbatore Marathon as an event to raise cancer awareness.[266] Retired tennis playerNirupama Vaidyanathan, who became the first Indian woman in the modern era to feature and win a round at a main drawGrand Slam in1998 Australian Open hails from Coimbatore.[267] Coimbatore District Chess Association (CDCA), established in 1940, is the oldest chess association in the country.[268]
Air pollution, lack of proper waste management infrastructure and degradation of water bodies are the major environmental issues in Coimbatore. There is asewage treatment plant at Ukkadam with the capacity to process 70 million litres of sewage water per day.[286][287] Garbage is collected by the corporation and sewage is pumped into the water tanks and theNoyyal River through streams.[288] This along with garbage dumping and encroachments has led to degradation of the water bodies and depletion in the groundwater table.[289][290][291] The tanks are renovated by the city's environmental groups with their own fund-raising and the corporation.[292][293] The corporation is responsible and involved in clearing encroachment of the tanks.[294][295]Siruthuli, an environmental organisation founded by the city's industrial houses, undertakes de-silting of tanks and cleaning of the Noyyal river.[296]Environment Conservation Group based out of the city is also involved in conservation of trees and wetlands, monitoring wildlife crime and conducting awareness sessions for students.[297][298][299][300]
Coimbatore has asister city relationship withToledo, Ohio. The relation has enabled exchange in the fields of arts and education between the cities.[301] Atwin city pact with the German city ofEsslingen was signed in July 2016, enabling the two cities to collaborate on areas of mutual interest, health, education, culture and social development.[302]
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^ab"Major Agglomerations"(PDF). The Registrar General & Census Commissioner, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2011.Archived(PDF) from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved31 May 2015.
^""City development plan"(PDF). Coimbatore Municipal Corporation. p. 82.Archived(PDF) from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved4 March 2016.There are 195 slums in 23 major identified locations inside the corporation limits with a total population of around 352,219, which include BPL population as well. Around 8 percent of the total population reside in slums
^"Labor intensity report"(PDF). National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC). Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 25 March 2012. Retrieved28 June 2015.
^Silva, Severine (1963).Toponomy of Canara.University of Michigan. p. 34.In the southern part of Mysore the Tamil language is at this day named the Kangee, from being best known to them as the language of the people of Kangiam
^Harriss, John; Kannan, Kappadath Parameswara; Rodgers, Gerry (1990).Urban labour market structure and job access in India: a study of Coimbatore. International Institute for Labour Studies, Centre for Development Studies,University of East Anglia. pp. 4–7.ISBN978-92-9014-468-7.
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