The Madurai Corporation plans to install 38 surveillance cameras to curb illegal waste dumping on the banks of the river Vaigai . Another 100 cameras will be placed at other high-waste dumping sites across the city to monitor and reduce pollution. Madurai Corporation commissioner C Dinesh Kumar stated that complaints about waste dumping along the Vaigai were on the rise, prompting this action. "We plan to install 38 cameras in key locations along both sides of the riverbank in the first phase. In the second phase, an additional 100 cameras will be installed across the city. We have requested an estimate from the engineering section, and the proposal will soon be submitted to the department of municipal administration," he said. The corporation's Integrated Command and Control Centre will monitor the cameras, and fines will be imposed on those caught dumping waste illegally. The fine structure, similar to that in the Chennai Corporation, will increase for repeat offenders. Additionally, meat shops along the riverbank, which contribute to waste dumping, will face stricter regulations, the commissioner added. The 10-km Vaigai River Bank Road, stretching from Vandiyur to Kamarajar Bridge, was built at a cost of approximately Rs 320 crore. However, the southern stretch faces issues such as illegal encroachments, cattle nuisance, and frequent dumping of meat and cattle waste. Commuters noted that while the northern stretch is relatively well-maintained, the southern side suffers from increased traffic, drainage leaks, and waste dumping in the riverbed. "After the construction of the riverbank road in 2019, many of the historical Padithurais (traditional ghats) have become sites for polluting the river," M Rajan, chief of the Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam said. Rajan suggested deploying ‘Vaigai Nathi Kavalar' (River Watchmen) to protect the river from illegal dumping. He criticized the maintenance of the riverfront development under the Smart City project as a "waste of money" but commended the camera installation proposal as a step toward monitoring and penalizing offenders. Ward 49 councillor Syed Abuthahir also raised concerns about meat shops along the stretch, which produce considerable waste. "Many meat shop owners are dumping waste directly into the underground drainage (UGD) pipeline. We have petitioned the corporation to construct an abattoir in Kakidha Millet Nagar, similar to the one in Othapatti, for proper waste disposal," he said. Chief engineer Rooban Ponniah warned meat shop owners against discharging waste directly into UGD lines. "We have instructed them to construct diaphragm chambers to prevent direct discharge, which causes blockages. As a long-term measure, we are preparing an estimate for Vaigai Riverfront Development that will include smart systems to regulate sewage discharge into the river. We also plan to build an additional sewage treatment plant as part of the riverfront development project," he said.
