Sholinganallur’s Sathyavani Muthu Pond Restored Ahead of Monsoon

The Greater Chennai Corporation and the Environmental Foundation of India have completed the restoration of Sathyavani Muthu Pond in Sholinganallur, reviving the degraded waterbody as part of citywide efforts to strengthen blue-green infrastructure ahead of the monsoon.

Located along Old Mahabalipuram Road to the west of the Buckingham Canal, the pond was historically a thriving wetland ecosystem that supported local populations of birds, reptiles, and fish. However, rapid urbanisation in and around Sholinganallur led to severe ecological decline over the years.

Prior to the intervention, the waterbody had been reduced to small, puddle-like patches. The site suffered from illegal sewage discharge, indiscriminate garbage dumping, heavy silt accumulation, and the spread of invasive weeds, all of which compromised its capacity to sustain aquatic life.

Environmental Foundation of India representative Arun Krishnamurthy noted that the project was designed to reverse years of environmental damage and safeguard the local water supply.

"The restoration focused on reversing the degradation," Krishnamurthy said. "The pond’s deterioration had raised concerns over groundwater quality in the locality. Restoring it will improve rainwater retention and groundwater recharge while creating a better habitat for local biodiversity."

The initiative is part of broader municipal measures to rehabilitate Chennai's urban water network and enhance natural flood management capabilities across developing neighbourhoods.