Waste burning in water channels poses health hazard in Madurai

Madurai: Waste burnt in many open water channels across the city results in pollution and discomfort to residents.When waste dumped in water channels piles up, it is being burnt, residents said. The smoke from the burning causes severe discomfort to residents near the water channels and pollutes the air as well.U Muthu, a resident near the K Pudur water channel, said whenever waste is burnt in the channel, everyone in the house faces breathing issues due to the thick black smoke. In some cases, residents themselves burn the accumulated waste, said a vendor in the area.M Rajan, founder of Vaigai Nathi Makkal Iyakkam, said the problem of waste burning is present across the city. “Waste burning happens in water channels in Kuruvikaran Salai, Sellur and even on the Vaigai riverbed sometimes,” he said. “It is difficult to collect waste from small water channels and riverbed which contribute to the waste burning problems. A proper desilting of the water channels needs to be done, and there needs to be a permanent solution to end waste being dumped into open water channels,” he added.A senior PWD official said desilting of water channels will be undertaken soon. “Measures to add tall fences and stop waste from being dumped into the channels are being taken on a few channels,” the official said.