Tirunelveli Collector R. Sukumar on Saturday held consultations with wedding hall owners and priests performing ‘tharpanam’ on the banks of Thamirabarani river in Papanasam.

Mr. Sukumar inspected the dredging work being carried out along the banks of the river in front of Papanasa Swamy temple and reviewed the measures taken to prevent the dumping of clothes and other waste materials into the river on Monday.

The Collector visited the spot again on Saturday and instructed the authorities to impose heavy fines on people who bathed in the river using soap and shampoo and threw plastic waste materials in the river or along its banks.

He directed the officials to appoint volunteers to protect the tidiness of the river and instructed that they be provided with identity cards and safety equipment.

Volunteers are to be deployed continuously, especially in areas where ‘tarpanam’ and other religious events take place. Anyone found dumping waste into the river would be fined immediately.

The Collector said strict action must be taken against those who compromised the cleanliness of the river or violated the rules. He also directed the officials to initiate legal action, with police support, against individuals who refused to pay the penalties.

Mr. Sukumar noted that sustained efforts in cleaning the Thamirabarani river would help restore the vital natural resource.

He also sought the cooperation of marriage hall owners, priests performing ‘tharpanam’ and the general public in supporting the volunteers and maintaining the river’s cleanliness.