Madurai officials blame low rank on waste burning

Madurai: There is nothing to cheer for Madurai in terms of air quality as the city continues to be on the lower rung among 48 cities with a population of over 10 lakh, according to Swachh Vayu Survekshan 2026 survey results. With a score of 132/200, the city moved a step above from its 40th rank last year to 39th this time. A senior official of Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) blamed unchecked waste burning in open water channels and empty plots as one reason for the low ranking. Social activist V P Manikandan said pollution rises because people depend on ageing and inefficient buses and share autos if not private vehicles in the absence of metro. 'Madurai does not have any major factories that could contribute to such a low ranking. Waste burning, dust, and pollution are the biggest factors,' he said. He called for improved infrastructure that supported usage of electric vehicles and more pollution tests to weed out vehicles that pollute air beyond accepted levels. Activist and advocate R Manibharathi said, 'Increased inspections and proper enforcement of the regulations against waste burning will greatly benefit the city. AQI monitoring boards that are already in use in cities like Delhi will also improve awareness for residents and help identify hotspots where air quality is regularly affected.' A senior Madurai corporation official said, 'While waste is being cleared regularly, and C&D waste management has also been improved, waste burning in open water channels and empty properties is still rampant.' A self-assessment done by the corporation showed improving numbers. 'The survey was done independently without taking into account data provided by the corporation,' he added. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news. Download the TOI App.