Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspecting the mass clean-up drive by sanitary workers, who collected around 450 metric tonnes of garbage generated on Maha Deepam in Tiruvannamalai town.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Around 450 metric tonnes of garbage generated on Maha Deepam day have been removed from Tiruvannamalai town during a two-day mass cleaning drive by Tiruvannamalai Corporation, restoring cleanliness in the temple town.
Officials of the Corporation said that a large workforce of 2,300 sanitary staff, who are mostly women workers, were roped for the mammoth exercise, which was started on Thursday, a day before Maha Deepam as the town witnessed steady flow of pilgrims. “Sanitary workers from extended areas of the Corporation were also roped for the purpose. In the two-day drive, they collected around 450 tonnes of wastes, which is the highest volume generated on Maha Deepam so far,” S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu.
Apart from sanitary staff from Tiruvannamalai Corporation, civic workers from big municipalities like Ambur, Arcot, Arani, Arakkonam, Polur, Vandavasi, Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham were also roped for the purpose. Along with Corporation Commissioner Mr. Balaji, Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspected the work and interacted with sanitary workers.
Corporation officials said that wastes generated this year was highest as against in 2024 (350 metric tonnes) 2023 (210 metric tonnes) and 2022 (130 metric tonnes), due to increase in footfalls. Around 45 lakh devotees visited the town on 2025 Maha Deepam day.
Among wastes generated, disposable food plates form the majority of wastes, followed by sugarcane and sweet corn waste. District administration has allowed 250 individuals and organisations for anna danam (free food) that will benefit at least 30 lakh devotees on Maha Deepam day. Also, many volunteers and groups were also provided free food on the day.
Most of the collected wastes will be dumped at the 15 acre-landfill site of the civic body near the Girivalam path. Food and other organic wastes will be recycled to make manure for farming and terrace gardens in Tiruvannamalai.
Every day, on an average, 50-60 metric tons of wastes are generated in Tiruvannamalai town, which has over 1,400 streets in its 39 wards.
Published – December 07, 2025 05:00 am IST
