Bench gave the orders on a PIL initiated by S. Viswanathan, an advocate, against the authorities. Burning of garbage in Pallikaranai should be stopped immediately, the Madras High Court ordered on Friday.

A major fire broke out in the garbage dumping yard in Pallikaranai last Saturday, and thick smoke emanating from it has affected the environment in Velachery, Perungudi, Madipakkam, Taramani and other areas over the past few days.