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Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Madurai marks World Environment Day with green initiatives
Madurai: From plastic bag crackdowns and cloth bag distribution to student rallies, sapling runs, and awareness campaigns, World Environment Day was observed in Madurai on Thursday with a range of activities led by the district administration, civic authorities, and civil society groups. Health officials from Madurai Corporation conducted plastic confiscation drives at five key traffic hubs—Periyar bus stand, Goripalayam, Teppakulam, Arapalayam, and Palanganatham—where they exchanged plastic carry-bags for reusable manjapais and seized banned plastic items from vendors. By evening, over 200 cloth bags had been distributed and 100 kg of banned plastic impounded for recycling. The civic body said similar surprise inspections would continue every weekend through June. Special cleaning drives were also conducted at all corporation offices to promote hygiene and discourage littering. At the Gandhi Memorial Museum, district collector M S Sangeetha flagged off a sapling distribution initiative organised in collaboration with the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), DHAN Foundation, Madurai Green, and the school education department. Around 5,000 saplings are being distributed to students via women's self-help groups. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Follow-up visits will be conducted to track sapling survival rates, officials said. In a separate public engagement event, Ilam Makkal Iyakkam and Paarvai Foundation organised a 10-km 'sapling run' to promote afforestation awareness. Flagged off by Assistant Sub-Inspector Padmavathi Amma at Race Course Ground, the run passed through key city areas including Reserve Line, Iyer Bungalow, Moondru Mavadi, and Pudur. Volunteers handed out saplings to residents along the route. In Ramanathapuram district, the forest department announced that under the Pasumai Tamilagam initiative, over 1 lakh palm seeds have been planted this year in three coastal reserve forest zones—Valinokkam, Mariyur, and Selvanur. These palm groves are expected to act as natural barriers against sea erosion while also offering seasonal income from palm fruit and nectar. Schools in and around Madurai also participated actively. At LKB Nagar Government Middle School, students took part in a rally chanting slogans such as "Grow Trees," "Avoid Plastics," and "Protect Nature." Those who successfully nurtured saplings given out last year were felicitated. Clean-up drives, waste segregation, and campus greening were also carried out. At Mahatma Educational Institutions, students staged street plays, took environmental pledges, and distributed seed balls to the public. Environmentalist and Green Walk organiser Muthukrishnan led a rally and addressed students on the importance of sustainable living. MSID:: 121652322 413 |
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Time of India
Summer rain topples 10 hoardings in Madurai, raising safety alarm
Madurai: The recent summer showers, accompanied by strong winds, toppled around 10 hoardings across Madurai, exposing the unchecked rise of illegal advertising structures in the city. While the Madurai Corporation has granted permission for only 85 hoardings, officials say over 500 are currently installed within city limits — most of them unauthorized. The situation has sparked concerns over public safety and loss of civic revenue. Many of these hoardings flout safety norms and are placed in high-risk areas such as bridge entrances, medians, and narrow footpaths. "The number of illegal hoardings has gone up in the last two years. Some, like the one near Nataraja Theatre Bridge, are so close to the road that they look ready to fall," said R Sankar, a resident of Simmakkal. "We need stricter action before something tragic happens." Madurai Corporation commissioner Chithra Vijayan told TOI that a special drive is being launched to identify and dismantle unauthorized hoardings. "We've instructed advertising agencies to stick to the permitted count. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 25세 미만의 로봇 전투 애호가에게는 이 게임을 플레이하지 않는 것이 좋습니다. 기계 경기장 Undo Any violation will face strict action," she said. A senior corporation official added that while the city currently earns around `1.5 crore annually from hoardings, proper regulation could increase revenue by at least `5 crore. "We're now assigning serial numbers to all authorized hoardings. If residents see one without a number, they can report it directly to us." Industry insiders blame weak enforcement and outdated monitoring systems. "Many hoardings exceed legal size limits — some go far beyond the permitted 12x24 feet," said a hoarding agency representative. Though the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act mandates strict rules on licensing, safety, and size, lax enforcement has rendered many of its provisions ineffective. Civic activist V P Manikandan, who has consistently flagged the issue, warned of a looming disaster. "These structures are installed in hazardous locations with no regard for safety. Authorities usually act only after an accident. This isn't just about urban aesthetics — it's a life-and-death issue." Residents are also advocating safer alternatives. "Instead of giant, rusting boards, why not switch to compact digital hoardings that can be monitored centrally?" asked Selva Rani of Anna Nagar. "They're less intrusive and much safer."
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Madurai UPHC to get ₹1.47 crore expansion to meet rising demand
Madurai: The state government has approved the construction of an additional building at the Aruldaspuram Urban Primary Health Centre (UPHC) in Madurai at a cost of ₹1.47 crore, aiming to ease congestion and meet growing demand from residents in the city's central and west zones. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A senior health official from the Madurai Corporation said the project was part of the civic body's 2024–25 proposal. "The new infrastructure will help decongest the existing facility and support our efforts to obtain National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) certification. Tenders have been issued, and work will begin soon," the official said. The Corporation is targeting NQAS certification for ten more primary health centres (PHCs) in the coming years. Six PHCs—Masthanpatti, Munichalai, Annathoppu, Annaiyur, Thirunagar, and Sellur—have already received the certification. A similar proposal has been submitted to build an additional block at the Pykara UPHC, which has seen a surge in footfall. "We are hopeful of approval this financial year. A proposal for Thiruppalai UPHC is also in the pipeline," the official added. Healthcare infrastructure remains a key focus in the city's development strategy. The 2025 civic budget has earmarked ₹5 crore for medical equipment across all UPHCs, including ₹50 lakh for urban wellness centres offering preventive and curative services. Currently, 45 urban wellness centres are operational in Madurai. Construction of 16 more is underway, expected to raise the total to 61 by year-end. "These centres aim to provide comprehensive primary care at the community level and reduce pressure on tertiary hospitals," the official said.
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Madurai corpn warns 80 shops at Mattuthavani bus stand over licence lapses
Madurai: The Madurai Corporation has issued a stern warning to over 80 shop owners at the Mattuthavani Integrated Bus Stand for failing to renew their trade licences, resulting in revenue loss for the civic the 177 shops at the terminus, more than 80 have not complied with licence renewal norms despite repeated reminders. Corporation officials said that legal action would follow if dues are not cleared soon. Flex boards have been installed across the bus stand warning defaulters that their shops could be taken over and crackdown is part of a broader drive to boost revenue collection and ensure fair use of public commercial spaces. Shop licences are renewed every two to three years with a 15% rent hike, but several owners have allegedly ignored repeated notices."Failure to renew licences is a violation of corporation rules and results in significant financial loss," a senior official corporation also warned shopkeepers against unauthorised extensions beyond designated zones, particularly during the festival season. Officials said sealing and reallotment would be initiated if violations Mattuthavani bus stand , one of the region's busiest transit hubs, hosts several commercial establishments, making regulation crucial for order and 121080998 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
Time of India
11-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Lord Kallazhagar enters Madurai amid grand Ethir Sevai ritual
Madurai : Amid chants of "Govinda," beating drums, and devotional fervour, Lord Kallazhagar entered Madurai on Sunday morning in a golden palanquin as part of the Ethir Sevai ceremony—one of the key events of the annual Chithirai festival .The deity, adorned in regal attire, was brought from Alagarkoil to Kondappanayakar Mandapam. Devotees lined the Alagarkovil Main Road, offering deeparadhana with heated jaggery and puffed rice in bronze vessels, which were later distributed among the crowd. A special puja was held near the Karuppasamy temple before the deity proceeded into the highlight of the celebrations—the symbolic entry of Lord Kallazhagar into the Vaigai River—is scheduled for Monday between 5.45 am and 6.05 am near the AV Bridge in Alwarpuram. En route from Alagar Kovil to the riverbank, the deity will be displayed at 494 mandapams across various locations, including Poigai Karai Patti, Kallanthiri, Appan Thiruppathi, Sundararajan Patti, and manage the influx of devotees, the Madurai Corporation has stepped up civic arrangements. Temporary water tanks have been installed at 52 locations, with sanitation boosted by over 430 workers, supported by additional vehicles. Waste generation during the festival is expected to rise by 40–50 metric health measures include mosquito and fly control, with 60 power sprayers, 30 hand fogging machines, and nine vehicle-mounted fogging units in action. The corporation has also set up 34 medical camps and deployed 16 fire department has stationed 200 personnel, including 50 in Alwarpuram, and kept four boats on standby to ensure safety at the riverbed. District collector M S Sangeetha inspected the preparations on Sunday 121080587 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Mother's Day wishes , messages , and quotes !
