The Hindu : New Avadi Road, now a makeshift garbage dumping site

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 11, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

New Avadi Road, now a makeshift garbage dumping site

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI DEC. 10. New Avadi Road, a green-covered stretch, has been converted into a virtual dumping yard.

A visit to the area showed that the 10-km stretch had heaps of unsegregated garbage and debris discharged on its either side. The road has a conduit supplying water from Red Hills to Kilpauk water treatment plant. The open ground adjacent to the road from Villivakkam to ICF furnishing division is used as a makeshift dumping site.

The road is used as a short route by motorists from Kilpauk to reach several areas in north Chennai, including Villivakkam and Ambattur. Besides stench emanating from a pile of refuse, pedestrians and motorists are greeted by swarms of flies. Inadequate lighting has added to the problem. Moreover, rag pickers, who often set garbage on fire, cause yet another hazard, as black smoke engulfs the area.

Commuters waiting at the bus stand also have to suffer inconvenience, as they have to endure the stench. Poultry waste strewn all over the bus stop located opposite the ICF furnishing division forces people to walk a few km to the next stop. V.Selvam, working in the ICF furnishing division, says the bus stop is strewn with feathers of birds forcing commuters to wait a few yards away. Buses do not halt at the stop, as drivers do not notice the commuters.

Mountains of garbage

The dumping of refuse has also affected residents in the vicinity, who have to put up with "virtual mountains" of uncleared garbage in their front or backyards. The road is surrounded by ICF West Colony, Adhi Naidu Street, Reddy Street, Raja Street and M.R.Naidu Street.

P. Ramanujam, president, Adhi Naidu Street civic exnora, says pigs stray in hordes in the area and the residents, especially children, face health hazards. The problem worsens during rainy season when floods carry floating garbage. Despite several representations to officials, the problem is yet to be solved, complain residents.

According to corporation officials, commercial organisations from Purasawalkam and Kilpauk dump garbage during night through lorries. But, "we clear the refuse and take it to the Kodungaiyur dumping yard." To stop the unauthorised dumping, the encroachment near the open ground needs to be removed and the ground has to be fenced. Metrowater officials say the conduit line will be repaired soon.

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