MADURAI
Muck from parts of Panaiyur channel was removed with heavy machinery as cleaning work by Madurai Corporation began on Thursday.
About 15 conservancy workers began the unclogging process along the south bank of the Vaigai in the morning. Corporation Commissioner S. Aneesh Sekhar visited the Nelpettai site and oversaw the operations.
The sudden downpour added to the woes of workers as it contributed to the slush. The stench too was aggravated due to the rain. Conservancy workers said that they would collect the waste in trucks only after it became dry.
Dr. Aneesh Sekhar told The Hindu that the ongoing cleaning activity began 12 days ago. “The stretch has been dirtied. That is why we are cleaning it again. Both Panaiyur and Anuppanadi channels will be cleaned in a few days. Men and material are on the job,” he said. He added that some houses would receive notices for encroachments along the stretch.
K. Syed Abudahir, a resident of Ibrahim Sha compound on the road behind Panaiyur channel, said the inadequate number of dustbins led to incessant dumping of waste in the channel by the public.
A. Zakir Hussain, who also lives along the stretch, said though this was a welcome initiative, garbage was often not cleared entirely despite repeated complaints. “The Corporation begins the cleaning process but often leaves the muck on the roads. This leads to an increase in the proliferation of mosquitoes,” he said.
On October 25, the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court took cognisance of a news report published by The Hindu, initiated a suo motu public interest litigation and directed the Madurai Corporation to clean Panaiyur and Anuppanadi channels in Nelpettai. A report must be filed by October 27, the court had ordered.
