MADURAI: Amid rising complaints over poor garbage collection and alleged irregularities in waste processing, the Madurai City corporation has intensified efforts to strengthen solid waste management by imposing fines on its private contractor and seeking approval to recruit additional sanitation workers.
Corporation officials said fines ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh are being imposed on the contractor every month for lapses in waste management services. The civic body is also planning a city-wide survey to identify garbage accumulation hotspots and improve waste collection and disposal mechanisms. Officials acknowledged that a shortage of sanitation workers remains a major challenge. According to corporation sources, nearly 5,000 sanitation workers are required for effective waste management across the city, while the current workforce stands at fewer than 3,800 employees.
To bridge the gap, the corporation has approached the state government seeking permission and guidelines to recruit around 1,200 additional sanitation workers. The renewed focus on waste management comes amid growing public concern over irregular garbage clearance and reported issues in bio-mining operations at the Vellakkal dump yard. However, corporation officials maintained that sanitation operations are being monitored regularly and corrective measures are being taken whenever lapses are identified.
Activists argued that deficiencies in waste collection have become more apparent since last year, particularly after Madurai performed poorly in the Swachh Survekshan cleanliness rankings.
Social activist T Nageswaran said, “Improper solid waste management has become a major civic concern in many parts of the city. If the lapses continue, Madurai’s performance in Swachh rankings will not improve,” he said.
Cadres of the CPM submitted a petition against the private firm handling sanitation work, alleging inadequate garbage collection and irregular waste management services in several localities. They urged the corporation to terminate the contract and directly oversee sanitation operations.
Adding to the scrutiny, Deputy Mayor T Nagarajan recently inspected the Vellakkal dump yard and flagged alleged irregularities in ongoing bio-mining activities. He also called for cancellation of the contract given to the private company.
