In a renewed effort to tackle pollution, the Madurai Corporation has submitted Rs 1,400 million proposal to the state government to upgrade the city’s drainage network and prevent untreated sewage from entering the Vaigai River.

The proposal follows growing public concern over the river’s deteriorating condition despite previous mitigation efforts.

The Vaigai flows for nearly 12 km within Madurai city limits, with sections obstructed by invasive plants, garbage, and untreated sewage. While multiple inlets contribute to contamination, the Panthalkudi canal in Goripalayam has been identified as the largest source of waste.

Meanwhile, the Public Works Department (PWD) has drafted a separate plan to plug sewage entry points into the Panthalkudi canal to further reduce pollution in the river.