Madurai: As part of efforts to rejuvenate Vaigai river, Madurai corporation has submitted a proposal worth ₹140 crore to the department of municipal administration for riverfront development. The project aims to arrest sewage inflow at 38 identified locations and includes a large-scale eco park near Kochadai, where the river enters the city.
The ambitious plan comes in response to directives from the Madurai bench of Madras high court, which urged authorities to take immediate action against river pollution. Following this, the corporation had appointed a consultant in Dec 2024 to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) for Vaigai restoration initiative.
“We submitted the DPR to the department of municipal administration, and ₹100 crore was already allocated to Madurai under the state budget for river rejuvenation. The priority is to stop sewage from entering the river, followed by riverfront beautification,” corporation commissioner Chitra Vijayan told TOI.
Mayor Indrani Ponvasanth said Madurai is one of four corporations — the others being including Erode, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli — to receive ₹100 crore from the govt for river restoration. “Among the rivers running through these cities, Vaigai is in the most critical state,” she said. “We are also addressing long-pending demands such as installing more lights along the riverbank and expanding the green cover.” As part of the beautification, the project includes shaded seating areas with pergolas, benches, viewing decks, and selfie points at scenic locations.
A major component is the new eco-park at Kochadai, which will also function as a rain garden to manage stormwater runoff. Officials say the earlier Sangam Park near the river was too small and underutilised, hence the plan for a larger and better-equipped park. The mayor added that the corporation is currently restoring Panthalkudi sewage treatment plant (STP), which was dismantled for Goripalayam flyover construction. “Apart from this, we earmarked funds for one more STP on the banks of the Vaigai river,” she said.
A senior corporation official revealed that the initial estimate was ₹300 crore, which included two STPs, cycling tracks, and other aesthetic features. However, due to financial constraints, one STP and several components were dropped, bringing the project estimate down to ₹140 crore. The consultant preparing the DPR completed a topographical survey using aerial LiDAR and drone mapping. The survey identified multiple pollution points, particularly sewage inlets, and conducted baseline water quality analyses. Solutions for effluent diversion and treatment were included in the proposal, added the official.
Vaigai Nathi Rajan, founder of Vaigai Nadhi Makkal Iyakkam, raised concerns about the project’s emphasis on beautification. “The previous riverfront work under Smart City Mission, which cost ₹80 crore, didn’t address the core problem. The river is even more polluted today,” he said. “Madurai needs at least two additional sewage treatment plants, one on each bank, to manage untreated sewage effectively,” he added.
