The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Tuesday directed officials to prevent dumping of solid waste in water bodies or their burning along road sides.

Disposing of a suo motu public interest litigation petition based on a photo feature published by “The Hindu,” a Bench comprising Justice R. Banumathi and Justice G. M. Akbar Ali directed the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials to monitor and ensure that municipal solid waste was not dumped in water bodies or burnt on roadsides. It also instructed the Madurai Corporation Commissioner and Collector to ensure strict enforcement of Municipal Solid Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2000.