Restored Muzhiyan Kulam Inaugurated
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday inaugurated the restored Muzhiyan Kulam, a historic pond over 400 years old, located at Pooranankuppam in Puducherry. The two-acre water body, believed to date back to the Pallava period, has traditionally served as a source of drinking water and irrigation for the village. It also features four natural spring-fed wells.
Restoration Process and Techniques
The restoration work, which began in April last year, was coordinated by the Dhana Sundarambal Charitable Trust with active participation from local residents. The pond was desilted, and its original bed contours and embankments were restored. Encroachments were removed, a boundary wall and walking track were constructed, and public facilities were added. A rainwater management system inspired by the ancient ‘Naangu Mozhi’ (four wells) design was implemented.
The Naangu Mozhi system is a traditional South Indian architecture for rainwater management and groundwater recharge. It involves a primary tank (kulam) fed by or interconnected to four distinct wells (mozhi) via underground chambers.
Impact on Water Security
The restored kulam now stores nearly 5 crore litres of water, recharges groundwater, and serves as a vital barrier against seawater intrusion. This revival preserves both Puducherry’s heritage and its water security. According to experts, such traditional engineering systems are being revived to combat modern water scarcity. The successful desilting, reconstruction of natural bed contours, and re-establishment of underground chamber connections have been praised.
CSR Partnership
Lumina Datamatics Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Dhana Sundarambal Charitable Society to support the restoration. As part of the MoU, Lumina Datamatics will sponsor the restoration efforts, providing significant financial support. Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO of Lumina Datamatics, stated: “The Muzhiyan Kulam Pond restoration aligns with our CSR goal of creating sustainable impact within communities. Through this partnership, we aim to contribute to environmental preservation and improve local water infrastructure in Puducherry.”
