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Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Madurai's neglected channels expose years of civic failure
Madurai: The hasty cover-up of garbage along Panthalkudi channel ahead of chief minister M K Stalin's roadshow may have briefly hidden the waste, but it laid bare a long-festering crisis. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Madurai has over 16 open channels, most now clogged, neglected, and reduced to garbage dumps. Ancient waterways like the Kiruthumal have become sewage drains, choked by encroachments and civic apathy. A turf war between the public works department (PWD) and the Madurai Corporation over desilting and maintenance has stalled action. Within the corporation, blame shifts between departments, with engineers faulting poor garbage collection for the rampant dumping. As urban growth surges, these neglected water corridors — once flood lifelines — resurface in public attention only during VIP visits. "Madurai naturally has a good drainage system that prevents flooding by channeling water to the Vaigai," said Tamil Dasan, convener of the Madurai Nature Cultural Forum. "But now, sewage flows through these channels year-round, showing how residential waste is being illegally diverted." Civic activists argue desilting alone won't help unless sewage inflow and solid waste dumping are curbed. "Stormwater drains are being misused as open drainage lines," said activist M Raj Kumar, pointing to the Kiruthumal and Avaniyapuram channels. This was highlighted in the final report by the consultant recruited by the corporation, who studied the stormwater drain network in the city." "The corporation is accountable for cleaning and protecting these channels," said M Rajan of the Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With the monsoon nearing, he stressed the need for urgent action. AIADMK councillors have accused both the corporation and PWD of inaction. Opposition leader M Solai Raja called the desilting efforts an eyewash. "Jurisdiction isn't the issue — intention is. The corporation undertook channel concretisation under JNNURM between 2006 and 2014. We've been demanding special funds for desilting for three years," he said. A fresh point of debate is the draft detailed project report (DPR) proposing concrete lining for channels — a move earlier criticised for blocking water percolation. "This will stop groundwater recharge," warned S S Bose of the Meenakshi Nagar Residents' Association. "We need sand beds, not concrete. And the corporation should take full control of the channels, as in Chennai." Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan told TOI that desilting would be completed before the monsoon using general funds. "At Panthalkudi, we are also repairing nearby sewerage networks using the same funds, and we will see a visible improvement in the appearance of the channel in the coming days," she said. The corporation has sought full maintenance rights from the PWD. Meanwhile, a senior PWD official said desilting of the Kiruthumal and Nilaiyur channels has begun at a cost of ₹15 crore. **List of the 16 Main Channels:** 1. Kiruthumal Channel 2. Vandiyur Channel 3. Panthalkudi Channel 4. Avaniyapuram Channel 5. Nilaiyur Channel 6. Panthalkudi Channel 7. Melamadai Channel 8. Anupanadi Channel 9. Jaihindpuram main Channel 10. Sellur Channel 11. Madakulam Channel 12. Muthupatti Channel 13. Kosakulam Channel 14. Thandalai Channel 15. Panaiyur Channel 16. Chintamani Channel **Total Estimated Length of all Channels in City limits:** Around 170 kilometres **Key Issues:** - Sewage mixing with rainwater channels - Garbage dumping in open drains - Confusion over maintenance responsibility - Lack of regular desilting - Encroachments blocking flow - Stormwater drains used as sewage lines **Suggested Solutions:** - Hand over channels to Madurai Corporation - Seal sewage inlets into channels - Improve waste collection - Avoid full concrete lining, retain sand beds - Allocate dedicated desilting funds - Raise public awareness on channel misuse **Modern Interventions in Channels** **Methodology Used in Corporations** **IoT-Based Drain Monitoring** Sensors and cameras track water levels and blockages in real-time. Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru **Drone and GIS Mapping** Drones survey channels; GIS maps help plan cleaning and detect encroachments. Coimbatore, Pune, Hyderabad **Bioremediation** Uses natural microbes to treat sewage in open drains. Delhi, Pune, Ludhiana **Smart Desilting Machines** Robotic tools remove silt from drains without manual work Chennai, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram (Even piloted in Madurai) MSID:: 121887027 413 |
The Hindu
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
HC directs Madurai Corporation to demolish temple constructed unauthorisedly on OSR land
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed Madurai Corporation to demolish a temple constructed unauthorisedly on an Open Space Reservation (OSR) land in Madurai. The court was hearing the petition filed by R. Mayilsamy of Madurai who had sought a direction to the authorities to remove the unauthorised construction under the provisions of Tamil Nadu Town and Country Planning Act. The petitioner complained that a temple was constructed illegally by some residents of an apartment complex on the OSR land in New Vilangudi. A Division Bench of Justices S.M. Subramaniam and A.D. Maria Clete observed that OSR land cannot be allowed to be encroached upon even by the residents of the apartment complex. The OSR lands are to be maintained in the manner contemplated under the Act and the Rules in force. The court observed that it is clear that the temple had been constructed without permission and was unauthorised. The OSR land had been utilised for construction of a temple in violation of the Act and the Rules. The Supreme Court and the High Courts have time and again reiterated that OSR lands cannot be encroached upon by the resident or any other person. It is to be maintained by the authorities in the manner contemplated under the Act and the Rules, the court observed. Since the temple has been constructed unauthorisedly in the OSR land of the apartment complex and in violation of the Rules, the structure has to be demolished and the OSR land is to be maintained scrupulously in accordance with the provisions of the Act and the Rules. The court directed Madurai Corporation to demolish the unauthorised construction and restore the land to its original position as per the approved building plan in four weeks. The matter was posted for reporting compliance on July 2.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Madurai marks World Environment Day with green initiatives
Madurai: From plastic bag crackdowns and cloth bag distribution to student rallies, sapling runs, and awareness campaigns, World Environment Day was observed in Madurai on Thursday with a range of activities led by the district administration, civic authorities, and civil society groups. Health officials from Madurai Corporation conducted plastic confiscation drives at five key traffic hubs—Periyar bus stand, Goripalayam, Teppakulam, Arapalayam, and Palanganatham—where they exchanged plastic carry-bags for reusable manjapais and seized banned plastic items from vendors. By evening, over 200 cloth bags had been distributed and 100 kg of banned plastic impounded for recycling. The civic body said similar surprise inspections would continue every weekend through June. Special cleaning drives were also conducted at all corporation offices to promote hygiene and discourage littering. At the Gandhi Memorial Museum, district collector M S Sangeetha flagged off a sapling distribution initiative organised in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), DHAN Foundation, Madurai Green, and the school education department. Around 5,000 saplings are being distributed to students via women's self-help groups. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Follow-up visits will be conducted to track sapling survival rates, officials said. In a separate public engagement event, Ilam Makkal Iyakkam and Paarvai Foundation organised a 10-km 'sapling run' to promote afforestation awareness. Flagged off by Assistant Sub-Inspector Padmavathi Amma at Race Course Ground, the run passed through key city areas including Reserve Line, Iyer Bungalow, Moondru Mavadi, and Pudur. Volunteers handed out saplings to residents along the route. In Ramanathapuram district, the forest department announced that under the Pasumai Tamilagam initiative, over 1 lakh palm seeds have been planted this year in three coastal reserve forest zones—Valinokkam, Mariyur, and Selvanur. These palm groves are expected to act as natural barriers against sea erosion while also offering seasonal income from palm fruit and nectar. Schools in and around Madurai also participated actively. At LKB Nagar Government Middle School, students took part in a rally chanting slogans such as "Grow Trees," "Avoid Plastics," and "Protect Nature." Those who successfully nurtured saplings given out last year were felicitated. Clean-up drives, waste segregation, and campus greening were also carried out. At Mahatma Educational Institutions, students staged street plays, took environmental pledges, and distributed seed balls to the public. Environmentalist and Green Walk organiser Muthukrishnan led a rally and addressed students on the importance of sustainable living. MSID:: 121652322 413 |
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Summer rain topples 10 hoardings in Madurai, raising safety alarm
Madurai: The recent summer showers, accompanied by strong winds, toppled around 10 hoardings across Madurai, exposing the unchecked rise of illegal advertising structures in the city. While the Madurai Corporation has granted permission for only 85 hoardings, officials say over 500 are currently installed within city limits — most of them unauthorized. The situation has sparked concerns over public safety and loss of civic revenue. Many of these hoardings flout safety norms and are placed in high-risk areas such as bridge entrances, medians, and narrow footpaths. "The number of illegal hoardings has gone up in the last two years. Some, like the one near Nataraja Theatre Bridge, are so close to the road that they look ready to fall," said R Sankar, a resident of Simmakkal. "We need stricter action before something tragic happens." Madurai Corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan told TOI that a special drive is being launched to identify and dismantle unauthorized hoardings. "We've instructed advertising agencies to stick to the permitted count. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25세 미만의 로봇 전투 애호가에게는 이 게임을 플레이하지 않는 것이 좋습니다. 기계 경기장 Undo Any violation will face strict action," she said. A senior corporation official added that while the city currently earns around `1.5 crore annually from hoardings, proper regulation could increase revenue by at least `5 crore. "We're now assigning serial numbers to all authorized hoardings. If residents see one without a number, they can report it directly to us." Industry insiders blame weak enforcement and outdated monitoring systems. "Many hoardings exceed legal size limits — some go far beyond the permitted 12x24 feet," said a hoarding agency representative. Though the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act mandates strict rules on licensing, safety, and size, lax enforcement has rendered many of its provisions ineffective. Civic activist V P Manikandan, who has consistently flagged the issue, warned of a looming disaster. "These structures are installed in hazardous locations with no regard for safety. Authorities usually act only after an accident. This isn't just about urban aesthetics — it's a life-and-death issue." Residents are also advocating safer alternatives. "Instead of giant, rusting boards, why not switch to compact digital hoardings that can be monitored centrally?" asked Selva Rani of Anna Nagar. "They're less intrusive and much safer."
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Madurai UPHC to get ₹1.47 crore expansion to meet rising demand
Madurai: The state government has approved the construction of an additional building at the Aruldaspuram Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in Madurai at a cost of ₹1.47 crore, aiming to ease congestion and meet growing demand from residents in the city's central and west zones. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A senior health official from the Madurai Corporation said the project was part of the civic body's 2024–25 proposal. "The new infrastructure will help decongest the existing facility and support our efforts to obtain National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification. Tenders have been issued, and work will begin soon," the official said. The Corporation is targeting NQAS certification for ten more primary health centres (PHCs) in the coming years. Six PHCs—Masthanpatti, Munichalai, Annathoppu, Annaiyur, Thirunagar, and Sellur—have already received the certification. A similar proposal has been submitted to build an additional block at the Pykara UPHC, which has seen a surge in footfall. "We are hopeful of approval this financial year. A proposal for Thiruppalai UPHC is also in the pipeline," the official added. Healthcare infrastructure remains a key focus in the city's development strategy. The 2025 civic budget has earmarked ₹5 crore for medical equipment across all UPHCs, including ₹50 lakh for urban wellness centres offering preventive and curative services. Currently, 45 urban wellness centres are operational in Madurai. Construction of 16 more is underway, expected to raise the total to 61 by year-end. "These centres aim to provide comprehensive primary care at the community level and reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals," the official said.
