Over 1,000 workers clear 350 tonnes of garbage after Maha Deepam

Tiruvannamalai Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian inspecting the removal of garbage by sanitation workers in Tiruvannamalai on Sunday after Maha Deepam day celebrations.

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Over 1,000 sanitation workers were deployed on Sunday to remove about 350 tonnes of garbage generated on Maha Deepam, the 10th day of Karthigai Deepam in Tiruvannamalai town.

Tiruvannamalai Corporation officials said that about 1,100 sanitation staff, mostly women workers, were roped in for the mammoth exercise, which began on Thursday, a day before Maha Deepam as the town witnessed a steady flow of pilgrims.

“Sanitation workers worked round-the-clock in three shifts to clean-up the town. Around 350 tonnes of garbage were generated on Maha Deepam this year,” M. Gandhiraj, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told The Hindu.

Apart from sanitary workers of Tiruvannamalai Corporation, civic workers from major municipalitiessuch as Ambur, Arcot, Arani, Arakkonam, Polur, Vandavasi, Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham were also roped in for the purpose. Over 90 garbage pick-up vehicles were deployed. Along with Mr. Gandhiraj, Tiruvannamalai Collector D. Bhaskara Pandian inspected the removal of wastes on Sunday.

Corporation officials said that sanitation workers were in the process of removing the remaining150 tonnes of garbage in the town. This year measured the highest amount of waste generated on the day as against 2023 (210 tonnes) and 2022 (130 tonnes), due to the increase in footfall — around 40-45 lakh pilgrims visited the town.

Of the wastes generated, disposable food plates formed the majority, followed by sugar cane and sweet corn waste. District administration allowed 234 individuals and organisations to provide annadanam. Many volunteers and groups also provided free food on that day.

Most of the wastes collected are dumped at the 15 acre-landfill site near Girivalam path. Food wastes are recycled to generate organic manure for farming.

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, 65-70 tonnes of wastes are generated in the town, that has over 1,200 streets in 39 wards. Of the total 14.2 km, 6.2 km of the Girivalam path comes within the limits of the civic body while the remaining path comes under village panchayat.