The Environmentalist Foundation of India (EFI) restored Pozhichalur Thangal under the Blue-Green Chengalpattu initiative, removing more than 11 tonnes of garbage and debris, desilting the ponds and blocking sewage inlets. Storage capacity has risen to more than 8.6 crore litres.

Work on the seven-acre south pond began in September 2025; the four-acre north pond was completed by March 2026. Works included removing invasive vegetation, building dual embankments and recharge structures, and creating five bird-nesting islands using excavated silt to strengthen the bunds. Fencing was installed to deter dumping. Remaining Prosopis juliflora trees will be removed and a final clean-up completed before the monsoon.

A major part of the south pond’s pedestrian pathway was developed using MPLADS funds; the remaining stretch and lighting are expected to be taken up by the State government. The MLA said lake restoration plans would follow a detailed assessment. Other lakes proposed for rejuvenation in Pallavaram constituency include Veeraraghavan, Nemilichery and Sembakkam.

Moovar Nagar playground in Pozhichalur, near Pallavaram, has become an illegal dumpyard after garbage accumulated for several months, depriving children of a play space. Pozhichalur, under St Thomas Mount panchayat union and 15 minutes from Chennai airport, is a fast-growing neighbourhood with new apartments and plots priced above ₹1.5 crore. Residents blame irregular door-to-door garbage collection by the panchayat. Areas under Tambaram Corporation generate an average of 430 tonnes of waste daily, including about 120 tonnes from Pallavaram and surrounding pockets.

Residents of Bharathiyar Street in Andal Nagar, Pozhichalur, report health problems from sewage flowing into an open storm-water drain and garbage dumped in an open public space. Several houses near the junction of Andal Nagar and Cowl Bazaar Main Road are surrounded by garbage and stagnant wastewater.

Cowl Bazaar Main Road, behind Chennai airport, connects Pozhichalur, Pallavaram and Chromepet with Kolapakkam, Thandalam and Gerugambakkam. Residents say food waste is dumped near an electricity distribution transformer and left for days. During heavy rains, flooding around the transformer has reportedly electrocuted stray cattle feeding on the waste. Residents also cite the absence of a garbage container and poor conservancy by the Pozhichalur panchayat. Panchayat president B. Vanaja said action would be taken immediately to remove garbage around the transformer.

A ₹7 crore stormwater drain network in Cowl Bazaar, Pozhichalur, has left neighbourhood areas submerged and foul-smelling stagnant water has made life difficult for residents. The State Highways Department built the initial 1.5km stretch from State Bank Colony in Pammal to the edge of Cowl Bazaar; St Thomas Mount Panchayat Union added another 315 metres (about 1,033 feet) to carry water towards the Adyar River. Areas around Cowl Bazaar Main Road, including Ramalingam Nagar and Rajaram Street, remain submerged. A break in the network lets water spill into empty plots, turning them into fetid swamps. The departments are blaming each other for the work.