VILLUPURAM: About 10 tonnes of plastic waste accumulated in the Thenpennai river following the recent Aattru Thiruvizha are being removed by local body authorities in Villupuram district, officials said.

The river festival was held on January 19 at multiple locations along the Thenpennai river in the district. After the event, large quantities of plastic cups, water bottles, paper plates and carry bags were found dumped along the riverbanks and in the riverbed. Cleanliness workers have been deployed by the respective panchayat administrations to carry out the clean-up.

Officials said the waste had accumulated mainly due to food stalls, temporary shops and recreational facilities set up along the riverbanks during the festival.

Meanwhile, at Manalurpet near Thirukovilur in Kallakurichi district, plastic waste dumped during the river festival remained uncleared even three days after the event.

Social activists said garbage from more than 200 temporary festival shops was scattered across the river and its banks, posing a risk of pollution.