Times of India: Madurai: Wednesday, 29 January 2025.
Response to an RTI petition
filed by a member of Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam has revealed that Madurai city
generates about 25,500 tonne of waste a month, 10% of it being plastic waste.
While this sheds light on the city's growing waste management challenges, key
questions on illegal dumping and penalties related to Vaigai river were not
answered by the corporation.
Although Madurai corporation levies penalties ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000 from those resorting to illegal waste dumping along the river, specific details on the volume of waste dumped into the river were not disclosed in the RTI response. The corporation said it is planning to install surveillance cameras at critical points along the river. However, members of the Iyakkam revealed that the project is still stuck at the detailed project report (DPR) stage for over six months.
To queries on the disposal of animal carcasses found within the city, the corporation confirmed that they are safely buried in deep pits minimising environmental and health risks. Though the corporation said it penalised numerous violators between Oct 2022 and 2024, specifics regarding the total fines collected were not made available.
Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam chief M Rajan expressed dissatisfaction at the corporation's lack of clarity on key questions. "We wanted detailed answers about the exact amount of waste being dumped into the Vaigai river and the measures in place to prevent it. While we did receive some information, the slow progress on CCTV installation and lack of detailed data are disappointing," he said. "We still generate 10% of plastic waste inside city limits, which is a concern to be addressed in the long run," he added.
Although Madurai corporation levies penalties ranging from ₹500 to ₹5,000 from those resorting to illegal waste dumping along the river, specific details on the volume of waste dumped into the river were not disclosed in the RTI response. The corporation said it is planning to install surveillance cameras at critical points along the river. However, members of the Iyakkam revealed that the project is still stuck at the detailed project report (DPR) stage for over six months.
To queries on the disposal of animal carcasses found within the city, the corporation confirmed that they are safely buried in deep pits minimising environmental and health risks. Though the corporation said it penalised numerous violators between Oct 2022 and 2024, specifics regarding the total fines collected were not made available.
Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam chief M Rajan expressed dissatisfaction at the corporation's lack of clarity on key questions. "We wanted detailed answers about the exact amount of waste being dumped into the Vaigai river and the measures in place to prevent it. While we did receive some information, the slow progress on CCTV installation and lack of detailed data are disappointing," he said. "We still generate 10% of plastic waste inside city limits, which is a concern to be addressed in the long run," he added.
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