Madurai gasps as dust pollution worsens

Madurai: Rising dust levels across the city are affecting visibility for motorists and causing breathing problems for pedestrians, residents said, blaming unregulated construction activity, improper waste disposal and damaged roads.Several residents said the problem extends beyond travel, with fine dust entering homes through windows and settling on surfaces. "When I wake up in the morning, I notice a layer of dust on my phone or the table," said Kannan, a resident of KK Nagar. "If we leave our vehicles uncovered even for a day, layers of dust accumulate on them," he said, adding that the fine particles could even enter engines and fuel tanks, potentially causing damage.
Many residents said they have started wearing masks as the dust triggers coughing and breathing discomfort. "It is almost impossible to walk in certain areas because of the dust," said Lakshmi, adding that clothes and shoes require constant cleaning and washing. Residents and activists pointed to construction activity as a key contributor, alleging that several projects fail to follow dust-control norms such as erecting green netting to prevent the spread of particles. Activist and advocate R Manibharathi said improper disposal of construction and demolition (C&D) waste further worsens the situation. "C&D waste often piles up next to construction zones for months before being cleared. By then, the damage is already done," he said, citing the Kuruvikaran Salai bridge reconstruction in 2022 as an example. Other sources of dust include incomplete roadworks that leave loose soil exposed and silt accumulation in city channels. Madurai Corporation officials said stricter regulations would be enforced at construction sites. "If norms are not followed, fines will be imposed based on the size of the project," a senior official said, adding that projects must install taller green nets and ensure timely disposal of C&D waste. "Many side roads were damaged owing to recent work on UGD and drinking water pipelines, but these roads are being quickly repaired and will bring down the dust accumulation problem for residents," the official said. Regular monthly sand-clearing drives are also being conducted to curb dust levels, with collected sand dumped at the Vellakal dumpyard. Dust Surge Core issues Growing health risk for residents and daily commuters Fine dust accumulation inside homes and on vehicles; risk of property damage Reduced visibility affecting motorists and road safety Major causes Construction sites failing to implement dust-control measures Improper or delayed disposal of construction & demolition (C&D) waste Unfinished roadworks and projects leaving loose soil exposed Solutions Stricter enforcement of dust-prevention norms at construction sites Penalties: ₹40,000–₹1 lakh for violations Monthly sand-clearing drives across the city 5–10 metric tonnes of sand removed every month MSID:: 128306264 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Valentine's day wishes, messages and gift idea !