What if I told you that this tranquil reservoir was once a river snaking through farms? Welcome to Punggol Reservoir. It is now a vital part of Singapore’s water supply.
Sungei Punggol the Malay name for Punggol River was its original name. It meandered through the North-East Region. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the river flowed through seven towns. Much of Sungei Punggol’s riverbanks were reclaimed. The river was canalised.
Fast forward to 2011. The Sungei Punggol became part of the Punggol Reservoir. Kampong Tongkang Pecah once stood proudly along Sungei Punggol. It added a unique charm to the area.
But Punggol’s story does not end there. The area continues to develop. Green connectors line the banks of Sungei Punggol. They link housing estates to parks and the Sengkang Sports Centre. You can even cycle from here to Coney Island Park or Punggol Park.
Look closely in the Sengkang section of the river. Do you see that artificial floating island?
Sengkang Riverside Park sits beside the Sungei Punggol, opening in November 2008. The estuary of Sungei Punggol was dammed in 2011. It created the reservoir you see now. Sungei Serangoon also contributed to this transformation.
The name “Punggol” has interesting origins. It is said to mean “hurling sticks at fruit trees” in Malay. This suggests Punggol was once a fruit-growing area. Another meaning is “a stump of a tree”. Some even suggest a Tamil origin. This refers to the Pongal festival. But the word Punggol is definitely Malay.
Punggol has a history stretching back 200 years before Sir Stamford Raffles. It was a rural district with farmhouses and tracks. Malays were the original settlers. Chinese immigrants arrived in the mid-19th century. They worked on plantations. Later, they engaged in poultry, pig and fish farming. The last pig farm closed in 1990.
Hydroponic vegetable and orchid farms flourished. They grew along Cheng Lim and Buangkok Farmways. Kampongs and low-rise houses dotted the landscape. Today, high-rise HDB flats stand in their place. They are part of Sengkang and Punggol New Towns.
Historically, Teochews and Catholics populated Punggol. The Teochews called the end of Upper Serangoon Road “kangkar” or riverbank. Ferries crossed the Serangoon River. Catholic missionaries arrived 140 years ago. They built churches and schools. A Malay kampong once stood at Tanjong Punggol. Indonesian and Malaysian fishermen sold their catch at a wholesale market.
This transformation reflects Singapore’s growth. The Punggol Reservoir is not just a body of water. It represents Punggol’s journey. It changed from rural roots to a modern waterfront town. Take a moment to appreciate how Punggol has reinvented itself. The reservoir stands as a testament to Singapore’s vision. It shows its commitment to sustainability and progress.