Madurai Wall to Curb Waste Dumping Backfires, Garbage Now in Channel
Madurai: A wall erected to prevent waste dumping along the banks of the Anna Nagar water channel has led to an unintended consequence, with garbage now being dumped directly into the channel, residents alleged.
Until a few months ago, large quantities of waste were being dumped along the banks of the channel near Shenbaga Thottam, opposite a Madurai Corporation park. The site had become a dumping ground that attracted herds of stray cattle.
Following repeated complaints from residents and media reports, authorities installed a sheet metal wall to prevent waste from being dumped on the channel banks. While the measure has stopped dumping on the land adjacent to the channel, residents say garbage is now being thrown directly into the watercourse and on the opposite bank, where no barrier has been erected.
“We welcomed the construction of the wall because the dumpsite had become an eyesore. But now waste is being dumped into the channel itself, making it difficult to remove and obstructing the flow of water,” said C Hari, a resident. He added that the decomposing waste mixed with the water and created a foul smell in the area.
Another resident, Lakshmi, said the barrier should have been installed on both sides of the channel to be effective. She urged the Madurai Corporation to take additional measures to prevent dumping.
A senior corporation official said the civic body was coordinating with the public works department to undertake desilting and channel-clearing works. “Once the cleaning works are completed, steps will be taken to prevent waste from being dumped into the channel,” the official said.
