Plea to remove garbage and restore Sathaiyar water channel in Madurai
A report published in The Times of India dated August 19, stated that the Sathaiyar channel near the Mattuthavani omni bus stand had become choked with food and plastic waste. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news. Madurai : Madras high court has directed Madurai district collector and corporation commissioner to file a status report on a plea seeking a direction to the authorities to remove garbage and restore Sathaiyar channel in Mattuthavani in Madurai. A division bench of Justice G R Swaminathan and Justice B Pugalendhi sought was hearing a public interest litigation filed by Sri Sanjay of Tirunelveli district. The channel forms part of an interconnected water-resource system having significance for water storage, natural drainage, flood management, groundwater recharge and the ecological sustainability of Madurai. Despite its environmental and hydrological importance, the channel is presently facing serious degradation on account of indiscriminate dumping of municipal solid, plastic and food wastes and construction debris, resulting in obstruction of the natural flow of water and increased risk to public health. The petitioner stated that open burning of mixed municipal solid waste in the channel, particularly plastic and other combustible materials, creates smoke, particulate emissions, offensive odour and potentially hazardous pollutants. The smoke and residues generated by such burning are capable of affecting pedestrians, commuters, nearby residents, workers, animals, vegetation, soil and the water-channel environment. He stated that an appropriate mechanism may be directed to be put in place for continuous monitoring of the channel, including barriers, fencing, warning boards, surveillance wherever feasible, designated waste collection arrangements and periodic cleaning and desilting, without altering or damaging the natural course and carrying capacity of the channel. Hence, the petitioner moved court. Download the TOI App.
The petitioner stated that the Sathaiyar odai/Sathaiyar channel forms an important part of the interconnected traditional water-resource system of Madurai and has historically served as a vital feeding and conveyance channel connected with Vandiyur kanmoi.