Festival waste piles up on roads in Erode

Discarded banana stems and mango leaves piled up along roads across Erode city on Tuesday (October 20, 2026), leaving conservancy workers with the task of clearing the waste following Ayudha Pooja celebrations on Monday (October 19, 2026).

Temporary shops selling pooja items had come up in large numbers in residential areas, along arterial roads and in market areas, ahead of the festival. The shops witnessed brisk sales, with banana stems, mango leaves and other items required for the pooja being sold in large quantities. After the celebrations, vendors discarded the leftover banana stems and mango leaves along the roads, while unsold ash gourds and coconuts were taken back. The discarded items were accumulated at several places by Tuesday morning.

Conservancy workers said the collection and transportation of banana stems and mango leaves was a routine task after the festival. However, the quantity of waste generated this year was lower than in previous years, which they attributed to fewer arrivals in the market. Despite warnings, commercial establishments and residents continued to smash coconuts and ash gourds on roads as part of the rituals, workers said. They added that clearing broken coconut shells and ash gourds was given priority, particularly during the rainy season, as the scattered pieces could pose a hazard to motorists. The debris had to be removed promptly to ensure the safety of road users.