Chennai: The dumping of waste in Moovarasmpet lake has been a long pending issue, but only now has the local administration started to follow the order of the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal’s order to stop dumping. Following the order, the municipality has started the collection of waste from bins in the locality, which is now being dumped in the Keerapakkam dump yard, near Vandalur.
Though garbage is now being collected directly from garbage bins, it has only added to the menace in the locality, with uncollected waste spread across the streets near Moovarasmpet main road, leading to a spike in infectious diseases in the locality.
“After moving the court on the issue, dumping and burning of waste remains controlled, but the streets have become unfit to walk. Residents rue the bad odour and some of them might relocate due to the everyday menace”, said P. Bala, a resident of the locality.
Residents are also irked that Greater Chennai Corporation is not allowing the Panchayat workers to dump waste from the locality in the Perungudi dump yard but far off at Keerapakkam. Conservancy staff and Panchayat personnel say that it is not possible to collect waste regularly and dispose of it in Keerapakkam.
“Uncollected waste outside the bins not only blocks the drain, but mosquito menace has infected around 36 people with viral fever and dengue. Though Corporation is taking steps to promote cleanliness, the local bodies fail to function properly and do not ensure clean surroundings for residents,” said G P Babu, secretary of Federation of Moovarasmpet Welfare Association.
When contacted, Kancheepuram district collector, P. Ponniah assured action within a fortnight to allow the dumping of waste in the Perungudi dump yard to derive a permanent solution to the issue.
