MADURAI: In response to increasing complaints regarding dust and debris from construction sites, the Madurai corporation has ordered builders to use green safety nets to cover active construction areas and vehicles transporting materials.
The civic body cautioned that uncovered construction sites and demolition projects pose significant environmental risks, jeopardize public safety, and disrupt traffic. Those who violate these regulations could face fines and legal repercussions. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan informed TOI that enforcement of fines would begin due to the growing number of complaints.
Despite these initiatives, the city’s efforts in managing construction and demolition (C&D) waste remain stalled. Over three years after unveiling a 6 crore project to create a C&D waste processing facility, the corporation has yet to appoint an agency for its implementation. The plant, proposed in 2022, aims to be established at Vellaikal with a capacity to process 100 tonnes of waste per day under a public-private partnership (PPP) model on a design-build-finance-operate-transfer (DBFOT) basis. Three collection centers were planned at Vellaikal, Kochadai, and Gatelock Road.
Once operational, the plant will recycle waste into materials such as paver blocks, kerbstones, tiles, and brick dust, which can be utilized in municipal projects or sold if surplus is produced. Officials indicated that this initiative aims to curb illegal dumping and create revenue for the council.
However, cases of illegal dumping continue across multiple areas in the city, especially in housing board regions like Villapuram, Anupanadi, Ismailpuram, Bethaniyapuram, and Annaiyur. Despite imposing fines up to 10,000 on offenders and assigning zonal engineers for monitoring, the issue remains unresolved, according to officials.
M Rajan, leader of the Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam, attributed the problem to the Smart City projects. “Much of the debris from Smart City construction was discarded near the riverbank in Bethaniyapuram, which has now attracted private builders,” he noted.
Rajan expressed that this rampant dumping not only disrupts commutes but also worsens air quality in various neighborhoods.
