Residents of Iyyapanthangal Disappointed Over Pond Renovation Without Clearing Encroachments

The residents of Bharaniputhur in Iyyapanthangal are unhappy because the local pond has started being renovated without first removing illegal structures built around it. Their main concern is that encroachments, which they consider a big issue, have not been addressed.

This pond, owned by the Agatheeswarar temple, was once used for celebrating temple festivals. Over time, however, people have illegally taken over parts of it. The latest problem is that an office for the TVK party is being built there.

For years, the residents have asked the Kundrathur Taluk to fix up the pond, which has been in poor condition with garbage and waste dumped into it. They also noticed that small huts were first built along the pond and later replaced by concrete houses.

A social activist named R.K. Ravichandran said the residents had sent petitions through a local organization asking officials to remove the encroachments and clean up the pond.

In August 2025, officials announced that a private car company would renovate the pond at Jothi Nagar using a ₹97 lakh fund from their Corporate Social Responsibility program.

However, during public meetings called Jamabandhi sessions, residents had again asked for the encroachments to be removed before any renovation work began. They feel the renovations are happening too quickly without solving the main issue of illegal structures.