MADURAI: The Vaigai river, which flows for a distance of 12 km inside the city, is hogging the limelight as candidates in Madurai Central, North and South constituencies have made promises to clean it up.
Candidates cutting across party lines have promised clean up measures, even as voters demand tangible solutions to keep the river free of sewage flow, restore ghats, effective flood control and a functional riverfront that can reclaim the Vaigai as the city’s lifeline.
The persistent issue of untreated sewage mixing into the river remains a major concern. DMK’s Madurai Central candidate and IT Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan has pointed to infrastructure upgrades as the way forward. He highlighted plans to revamp the underground drainage (UGD) network and expand stormwater drain systems, stating that these interventions are aimed at curbing sewage inflow into the river.
In Madurai South, BJP candidate Rama Srinivasan conducted a field inspection along the Vaigai, focusing on pollution hotspots.
During a recent visit to Alwarpuram- a key location associated with the annual Kallazhagar festival, he inspected points where sewage enters the river and assured to take up the issue with the Union government’s Jal Shakti Ministry and push for swift action to clean the river.
Despite the flurry of assurances, residents remain sceptical. “What flows now is not a river in many places, but untreated wastewater. The stench itself tells the story,” said M Mahilarasan, a resident of Arapalayam.
Experts emphasise that long-term, structural solutions are essential. P Balamurugan, president of the Madurai Infra & Developments Association, stressed the need for technology-driven interventions.
“Untreated sewage is the silent killer of the Vaigai. We need decentralised sewage treatment plants (STPs) and ‘green bridges’ to intercept pollution before it reaches the river,” he said. He also called for stronger enforcement and ecological restoration, suggesting GIS mapping and drone surveillance to prevent encroachments and establish riparian buffer zones.
Balamurugan further recommended replacing invasive species with native varieties such as Neer Kadambu trees and proposed forming a “Vaigai Vigil Committee” supported by AI-based monitoring to deter dumping.
Echoing these concerns, environmental activist M Raja of the Vaigai Makkal Iyakkam flagged gaps in maintenance.
“From invasive plant growth to unchecked sewage discharge from both banks, the issues persist. Beyond temporary interventions, there has been no sustained effort,” he alleged.
With campaign rhetoric intensifying, the Vaigai’s future has clearly become a litmus test in Madurai’s electoral battle — with voters now expecting time-bound action rather than recurring promises.