The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has reiterated that dumping garbage in public places and water bodies cannot be allowed under any circumstances.
The observation came while hearing a public interest petition filed by Radhakrishnan of North Salaigramam in Sivaganga district. He alleged that waste was being dumped without permission on burial ground land within Ilayangudi panchayat limits, affecting nearby public offices and hostels due to foul smell and health concerns.
The petitioner also claimed that garbage was illegally dumped on adjacent private land and into the Samuthiranenthal kanmoi (tank) in connection with plans for a sewage treatment facility near the burial ground. He said the court had earlier, on February 26, advised authorities to choose an alternative site for dumping.
During the hearing, the government side said there was opposition to dumping waste in locations other than the burial ground area. The bench of Justices N. Sathish Kumar and M. Jothiraman noted that despite earlier directions, a dedicated site had not been finalised, and ordered the municipality to remove the dumped garbage completely and submit a report on June 25.
