Madurai’s Ezhil Koodal Beautification Faces Decline from Poor Maintenance & Litter

Madurai’s Ezhil Koodal beautification decays under lack of upkeep and littering; officials plan replanting & awareness to restore project.

The Ezhil Koodal beautification effort, launched by Madurai Corporation on September 1 to enhance the area around Meenakshi Amman Temple and East Chithirai Street, is facing setbacks due to neglected maintenance and public littering. Saplings planted early in the project are showing damage from grazing cattle, and many have wilted without regular care. Blue bamboo bins placed near the temple during the Chithirai festival trial are being underused, and some planting sites are deemed unsuitable by residents.

Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan acknowledged the challenges and said efforts are underway to replant saplings and expand public awareness programmes. Local activist V. P. Manikandan urged that instead of only planting trees, installing heritage information boards and accessible toilets would provide sustainable improvements.

These developments show that civic ambition alone isn’t enough—ongoing maintenance, community involvement, and infrastructure support are needed to make beautification durable.