Stinking garbage, drains haunt GN Mills area

Piles of garbage have not been cleared for a week on the streets of Ganesh Nagar in G.N. Mills area. Households and commercial establishments in corporation ward 3 generate more than 2 tonnes of waste every day. Due to inadequate bins and sanitary workers, garbage is dumped in the open at Ganesh Nagar.

“Our area was newly added to the corporation limit. Previously it belonged to the Kavundampalayam panchayat. After inclusion of the area, the corporation hasn't increased the strength of the sanitary workers. The corporation is yet to regularise these workers who receive a nominal salary. So they work only morning shifts and clean the garbage once a week. Small roadside eateries dispose the food waste near garbage bins. The stench from garbage waste is unbearable which leads to an unhealthy situation.” says Subbaian, a resident of Ganesh Nagar.

Besides, the garbage heap, the clogged drains too pose health hazards.

“Drainage facility in G.N. Mills area is very poor. During the rainy season, the streets are flooded with water. Without proper drainage facility, rain water stagnates in the streets, which become a breeding hub for mosquitoes. In our area, many children are affected by malaria, but most of the cases go unreported,” he adds

The road which leads to Ganesh Nagar from the ITI institution has been damaged due to a leak in water pipelines. “We have been receiving water once in four days. Due to the leak in water pipelines, water flow has reduced and we get only less quantities of water. Stagnant fresh water enhances the breeding of dengue mosquitoes,” said R. Ramasamy of resident of G.N.Mill area.

Fogging too is not being done to control the breeding of mosquitoes.

When contacted, Ward 3 AIADMK councillor N.Vanithamani, said, “We have engaged many sanitary workers in garbage cleaning work. Some people in our ward throw garbage in reserve sites that creates a sanitation problem. We have used earthmovers to clean the garbage in the sites. People should extend their help to keep the ward clean.”