Tons of solid waste generated on Maha Deepam day removed during cleanup drive

About 450 tons of waste were generated Maha Deepam The day has been cleared from Tiruvannamalai town during a two-day mass cleaning drive by the Tiruvannamalai Corporation, which restored cleanliness in the temple town.

Corporation officials said a large workforce of 2,300 sanitary workers, mostly women workers, was deployed for the mammoth exercise, which began on Thursday, a day before Maha Deepam, when the city witnessed a steady flow of pilgrims. “Sanitation workers from vast areas of the Corporation were also roped in for this purpose. During the two-day drive, they collected around 450 tonnes of waste, which is the highest volume generated on Maha Deepam so far,” S. Selva Balaji, Commissioner of Tiruvannamalai Corporation, told reporters. The Hindu.

Besides the sanitation staff of Tiruvannamalai Corporation, civic workers from major municipalities like Ambur, Arcot, Arani, Arakkonam, Polur, Vandavasi, Vaniyambadi and Gudiyatham were also deployed for the purpose. Along with company commissioner Mr. Balaji, Collector K. Tharpagaraj inspected the work and interacted with sanitation workers.

Company officials said this year’s waste generation was the highest compared to 2024 (350 tons), 2023 (210 tons) and 2022 (130 tons), due to the increase in visitors. Around 45 lakh devotees visited the city on Maha Deepam day in 2025.

Of the waste generated, disposable plates constitute the largest share of waste, followed by sugarcane and sweetcorn waste. The district administration has approved anna danam (free food) to 250 individuals and organizations, which will benefit at least 30 lakh devotees on Maha Deepam day. Many volunteers and groups also received free food that day.

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

An average of 50 to 60 tonnes of waste is generated every day in Tiruvannamalai city, which has over 1,400 streets in 39 wards.