Karur Vysya Bank partners with Tambaram City Municipal Corporation to make Mullai Nagar greener; launches Sponge Park
Nature-based urban infrastructure project aims to enhance groundwater recharge, mitigate flooding, and create sustainable community spaces.
Karur Vysya Bank (KVB), under its flagship environmental sustainability initiative KVB Bhoomi, today launched the Sponge Park at Mullai Nagar, Tambaram, in partnership with the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation. The Park has been designed as an integrated blue-green infrastructure project that captures, stores, and naturally filters rainwater, helping reduce urban flooding while replenishing groundwater resources. Developed in response to the growing challenges of rapid urbanisation, declining groundwater levels, and seasonal waterlogging in the region, the initiative seeks to transform an urban space into a sustainable and multifunctional public asset.
Mullai Nagar was identified as a location where environmental and community needs intersect. The area faces recurring urban flooding, groundwater stress, and limited green public infrastructure. The Sponge Park has been designed as a nature-based solution that simultaneously addresses water management, climate resilience, biodiversity enhancement, and community well-being, creating a model for sustainable urban development.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Shri D. Sarathkumar, Honourable Minister for Human Resource Management, Government of Tamil Nadu, in the presence of Shri S. Balachander, IAS, Commissioner, Tambaram City Municipal Corporation and Shri B. Sankar, Executive Director, Karur Vysya Bank, along with senior officials from the Bank and the Municipal Corporation.
Speaking on the project, MD & CEO Mr. Ramesh Babu, Karur Vysya Bank,said, “At Karur Vysya Bank, we believe that sustainability is a very important part of our commitment to responsible growth and community development. We are focused on creating long-term environmental impact by supporting initiatives that address pressing ecological challenges. The Sponge Park at Mullai Nagar under KVB Bhoomi is a pioneering example of how nature-based infrastructure can improve water security, mitigate urban flooding, enhance biodiversity, and create healthier public spaces. We are pleased to partner with the Tambaram City Municipal Corporation in building a greener and more resilient future for the community”
The project is expected to benefit residents across all age groups by providing a safe, accessible, and eco-friendly recreational space while strengthening the area’s resilience to climate-related challenges. In addition, the park will serve as a living demonstration of sustainable urban planning and environmental management, creating greater awareness of water-sensitive design and ecological conservation among visitors and students.
The initiative aligns with KVB’s CSR focus on environmental sustainability and contributes towards multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), Good Health and Well- being (SDG 3), and Life on Land (SDG 15).