Chennai: G. Muthulakshmi, (46), of Selaiyur would never leave home without covering her face with a mask and a shawl. It wasn’t to protect herself from the sun, but from the stench that greeted her as soon as she reached the end of the lane.
Despite constant complaints with regard to the same, each day for her began and ended in the same manner. However, only when her wheezing got worse, did she realise it was time to move to a new, clean locality.
With an increase in population and rising demand for food and other essentials, there has been a rise in the amount of waste being generated daily by each household. However, as garbage dumping in the city is not thoroughly planned, doctors say that the health of the population is being affected as a result of the stench and germs.
“Unattended waste lying around attracts flies, rats and other creatures, that in turn, spread diseases. The wet waste tends to decompose and release a bad odour which can lead to unhygienic conditions,” said general physician P. Mohan.
“The callous attitude of the local body in maintaining cleanliness in the city can prove fatal,” he said. Each street corner tends to have piles of garbage that collect for days before the corporation clears it up. During monsoon, the garbage tends to float in the water, causing risk to those who come in direct contact with it.
