From Dumping Ground to Oasis: How Pozhichalur Thangal Found Its Flow Again

A twin-pond system near Pammal has been transformed from a neglected sewage-trap into a thriving waterbody, promising a much-needed boost to local groundwater.

For years, the residents of Pozhichalur watched their local Thangal—a twin-pond system—wither into a forgotten corner of the neighborhood. What was once a vital resource had devolved into a convenient dumping ground for trash and a receptacle for untreated sewage. Today, the landscape looks remarkably different. Following a rigorous restoration by the Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI), the Pozhichalur Thangal has been reclaimed, turning a local eyesore into a functional piece of green infrastructure.

The project, which falls under the broader 'Blue-Green Chengalpattu' initiative, was a heavy-duty operation. By the time the EFI finished the initial phases, they had hauled away more than 11 tonnes of garbage and debris. The restoration process was methodical: the team blocked sewage inlets, cleared invasive vegetation like seemai karuvelam, and performed extensive desilting. According to the EFI, these efforts have expanded the storage capacity of the seven-acre south pond and the four-acre north pond to over 8.6 crore litres.

Bringing Life Back to the Bunds

The transformation involved more than just digging; it required engineering for sustainability. The silt excavated during the desilting process wasn’t hauled away but repurposed to strengthen the pond bunds and build five nesting islands for local birdlife. To ensure this doesn’t become another forgotten project, the EFI has installed fencing to deter future dumping. While the south pond work began back in September 2025 and the north pond was completed this March, the final clean-up—including the removal of remaining invasive trees—is slated to wrap up before the monsoon rains arrive.

For the people living nearby, the change is palpable. Long-time residents like Radha remember a time three decades ago when their wells were rich with water, a reality that had slowly vanished as the ponds deteriorated. Now, there is a cautious optimism that the improved groundwater recharge will restore the area’s natural water table. Beyond the environmental data, there is the simple human benefit: a cleaner, safer walking environment in a neighbourhood that had long been overgrown with thorny bushes.

Why it matters: The bigger picture

This restoration is part of a growing trend in urban planning where NGOs and civic bodies are looking at decentralised water management to combat urban heat and water scarcity. While large-scale city projects often grab headlines, small-scale habitat restoration—like the work done at Pozhichalur—is arguably more critical for immediate climate resilience.

However, the pattern of neglect is difficult to break. Infrastructure alone isn’t the solution; the EFI has explicitly noted that public participation will be the deciding factor in whether these waterbodies remain clean. For Pammal and Pozhichalur, the restoration serves as a reminder that urban waterbodies aren't just empty land waiting for development—they are the lungs of the city, provided we stop treating them like trash cans.