Tonnes of solid waste generated on Maha Deepam day removed during clean-up drive

Approximately 450 metric tons of garbage were produced Maha Deepam It was removed from Tiruvannamalai town during the two-day mass cleansing drive by the Tiruvannamalai Corporation during the day and cleanliness in the temple town was restored.

Company officials said a large workforce of 2,300 sanitary personnel, mostly women workers, participated in the massive exercise that was launched on Thursday, a day ahead of Maha Deepam, as the town witnessed a constant flow of pilgrims. “Sanitary workers in large areas of the corporation have also been roped in for this purpose. They collected around 450 tonnes of waste in the two-day journey, which is the highest volume produced on Maha Deepam so far,” said S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner of Tiruvannamalai Corporation. Hindu.

Sanitary staff of Tiruvannamalai Corporation as well as civil employees of major municipalities like Ambur, Arcot, Arani, Arakkonam, Polur, Vandavasi, Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham have also been roped in for the purpose. Collector K. Tharpagaraj along with Corporation Commissioner Mr. Balaji inspected the work and interacted with the sanitary workers.

Company officials said that the waste produced this year is the highest compared to 2024 (350 metric tons), 2023 (210 metric tons) and 2022 (130 metric tons) due to the increase in pedestrian traffic. Around 45 lakh devotees visited the town on Maha Deepam day 2025.

The majority of the waste generated is disposable dinner plates, followed by sugar cane and sweet corn waste. The district administration has permitted 250 individuals and organizations for anna danam (free food) on Maha Deepam day, which will benefit at least 30 lakh devotees. Additionally, free meals were distributed to many volunteers and groups that day.

Most of the collected waste will be dumped in the 15-acre municipal landfill near Girivalam road. Food and other organic waste will be recycled to make fertilizer for agriculture and terrace gardens in Tiruvannamalai.

Tiruvannamalai town, which has more than 1,400 streets in 39 districts, produces an average of 50-60 metric tons of waste every day.