People demand removal of thorny bushes along embankment of Pamban bridge

Thorny bushes on Pamban bridge embankments lead to public dumping, polluting the sea, prompting periodic cleaning efforts by NH.

Thorny bushes grown on the either side of the embankments of Pamban road bridge not only spoils the beauty of the structure but also gives a chance for the public to use it as a dumping site.

As thorny bushes on the embankments completely cover the concrete structure, the stairs which were used as a pathway for the fishermen to enter the seashore is also covered.

As the Pamban bridge stretches for about 2.2 km, the commuters, mostly tourists, could not dump waste along this stretch as it was just the sea on both sides, said the local people.

So, before entering the bridge, they use the untidy location to clear the waste from the vehicles.

S. Sikkandar, a resident of Pamban, said since the thorns had overgrown in the area covering parts of the embankments, it became easy for the public to dump food waste, meat remains, household garbage, etc.

“If the same area is clean without any thorns the public would not think of dumping waste there,” he added.

As the waste remained on the embankments without being removed, it gradually moved to the shore and enters the sea, he noted.