Madurai Burns: Water Channels Choked by Waste, Smoke Chokes City

Residents in Madurai are facing severe air pollution and discomfort due to the ongoing practice of burning waste in open water channels across the city. When waste accumulates, it is often set alight, creating dense black smoke that severely impacts the health and living conditions of nearby residents. This issue is not confined to one area, with reports of waste burning occurring in channels along Kuruvikaran Salai, Sellur, and even the Vaigai riverbed. The difficulty in collecting waste from smaller channels and the riverbed contributes to the problem. Authorities from the Public Works Department (PWD) have acknowledged the issue and plan to undertake desilting of water channels soon. Additionally, measures such as installing tall fences are being implemented on select channels to prevent further waste dumping.