The DMK and the Tamil Nadu government came under criticism, on Saturday, May 31, after authorities covered the heavily polluted Panthalkudi canal in Madurai ahead of Chief Minister MK Stalin’s visit. A one-kilometre stretch of the canal, from Koripalayam to Narimedu, was concealed using cloth and banners. Following public outrage and protests, the coverings were removed and the CM visited the spot and instructed the officials to take action to clear up the canal.
Residents alleged that the canal was hidden to prevent the Chief Minister from seeing its poor condition on his way to the Circuit House in KK Nagar, where he is staying. The canal has reportedly been in a state of neglect for years, with untreated sewage buildup and lack of maintenance.
In the days leading up to the visit, the Madurai Corporation and the Highways Department undertook a flurry of activity, including patching roads and regulating traffic.
Chief Minister Stalin is scheduled to spend two days in Madurai, which includes a 20-kilometre roadshow on Saturday, a major DMK general meeting at Uthangudi, the unveiling of a statue of former mayor S Muthu at New Jail Road, and the inauguration of two new bridges in the city. The visit is widely seen as the beginning of the DMK’s campaign for the 2026 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections.
Residents have long demanded proper maintenance of the Panthalkudi canal and the construction of protective barriers along its banks. Over the years, the canal has become a health hazard, with stagnant sewage causing illnesses. During the monsoon, it frequently floods, leading to sewage entering nearby homes. In October 2024, heavy overnight rains caused the canal to overflow and inundate residences in the area.
The banners were eventually removed after protests erupted over VCK party posters being obscured. Additionally, the cloth coverings created difficulties for motorists, further fueling public anger.