Causes of pollution of Kiruthumal river will be identified and communicated to local bodies for taking action, HC told

The State on Thursday told the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that the causes of pollution of Kiruthumal river would be identified and communicated to the local bodies concerned for taking necessary action. Kiruthumal river, once worshipped, is now neglected, the petitioner had complained.

A Division Bench of Justices G. R. Swaminathan and B. Pugalendhi was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by advocate R. Manibharathi of Madurai who sought a direction to the authorities to restore Kiruthumal river. The court had earlier directed the State to file a comprehensive report to the petition

He said Kiruthumal river flows for a distance of about 74 km through Madurai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts. The river in Madurai city has shrunk due to lack of proper maintenance. The river has been turned into a dump yard, leading to pollution and mosquito menace. Kiruthumal river, once worshipped, is now neglected and in a deplorable state.

He urged the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to revive the river by removing encroachments, preventing discharge of sewage, dumping of garbage and ensuring that Kiruthumal river received water through Vaigai river and its adequate channels.

The petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to carry out a digital survey of the river by using Differential Global Positioning System to map the river and remove encroachments, prevent the discharge of sewage and dumping of garbage into the river on a war footing and ensure that adequate water was released from Vaigai river to Kiruthumal river.

He also sought a direction to the authorities to study the river which flows from Madurai district to Ramanathapuram district. He said he had made a detailed representation to the authorities. However, action was yet to be taken. The court posted the matter for hearing on December 18.