Poor air quality keeps Madurai at bottom of NCAP ranking

Madurai: Following a poor performance in the Swachh Survekshan cleanliness survey earlier this year, that placed Madurai in the last rank, the city has again fallen short, this time in the Union environment ministry's national clean air programme.The Swachh Vayu Survekshan ranked Madurai 40th in the population-over-10-lakh category, a slight improvement from its 42nd position in 2024. Chennai, previously 41st, now trails behind Madurai at the bottom. The survey highlighted issues with street sweeping, road maintenance, construction and demolition (C&D) waste management, open burning, and non-functional water fountains. Corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan pointed to vehicular pollution as the city's biggest challenge. "We are doing sand sweeping and paving roads where possible," she said. She added that under the Ezhil Koodal initiative, the corporation removed 5,000 tonnes of construction and demolition (C&D) waste in September and plans to set up a user-end system for its collection. Officials from the Madurai district Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) said ongoing construction often disregards rules. Improper disposal of solid and C&D waste, along with open burning, worsens the situation. Being landlocked, air pollutants often get trapped in the city. Environment activist R Manibharathi noted that functional water fountains can help reduce roadside dust, and the strategic placement of them can help ease pollutants inside the city. "Only the fountain in Simmakkal is operational; others in East Veli Street, South Marret Street, and key roundabouts are defunct," he said. According to the Action Plan prepared by TNPCB in 2021 for Madurai, the city was advocated to install water fountains in key traffic intersections to trap the suspended dust in the air. While roundabouts have been laid in Sellur and Arapalayam, water fountains in East Veli Street and South Marret Street are defunct. District environment engineer R Gunaseelan added that air quality is monitored through four continuous stations, with quarterly reviews held with the commissioner. He said a proposal for a new C&D recycling unit is underway. Manibharathi and activist V P Manikandan flagged dust from construction, operation of old vehicles, and open burning of waste in commercial areas as major contributors. "The corporation must enforce regulations and levy fines on violators," Manikandan said. Manikandan also raised concerns about slow progress of the Miyawaki forest initiative in areas like Thirupurankundram. With the northeast monsoon approaching, he warned of increased dust-related and respiratory problems. "Before Diwali, coordinated action by all departments is needed to control air pollution," he said.