On May 23, 2026, Tirunelveli Collector R. Sukumar held discussions with wedding hall owners and priests conducting 'tharpanam' rituals along the Thamirabarani river in Papanasam. He inspected ongoing dredging efforts and assessed measures to prevent waste dumping into the river. Following this, he instructed authorities to impose heavy fines on individuals bathing with soap and shampoo or discarding plastic waste into the river or its banks. The Collector emphasized the need for continuous volunteer deployment to uphold the river's cleanliness, particularly during religious ceremonies. Volunteers will be provided with identity cards and safety equipment. Immediate fines will be levied on violators, with legal actions supported by police against those who refuse to pay. Sukumar highlighted that sustained cleaning efforts are crucial for restoring this vital water resource and called for cooperation from local marriage hall owners, priests, and the public to support the volunteers in maintaining the river's cleanliness.