Tamil Nadu - Erode   

Smoke engulfs residential colonies near dump yard

PHOTO: M. GOVARTHAN

Needs attention:Burning of garbage at Kasipalayam Municipal limits in Erode poses serious health hazard. —

ERODE: A thick screen of foul-smelling smoke enveloped a number of residential colonies located near the dump yard of Kasipalayam municipality in Sasthiri Nagar here due to burning garbage.

People said that the burning of garbage in the dumping yard turned worse during the past few days.

The smog had engulfed the colonies including Sasthiri Nagar, Lakshmi Nagar and Sadayampalayam over the last few days, causing eye and throat irritation.

“The air is filled with smoke, which causes breathing problems particularly for the aged and children, besides those suffering from respiratory diseases,” said residents of nearby colonies.

People charged that the municipal workers were setting heaps of garbage afire to make space for more garbage in the yard, which was surrounded by a number of thickly-populated residential colonies.

The local administration was yet to implement a proper solid waste management programme and streamline garbage collection and disposal process.

“We have been making repeated requests to the municipal officials and the district administration to take immediate steps to dispose of the solid waste using modern technology.

But no concrete efforts have been made till date,” people complained.

“The situation was horrible a few days ago when we could not even open the windows. This has made the summer worse for us,” a senior citizen added.

The fly menace had also increased to alarming proportions, making life miserable for the residents.

Municipal sources said the fires in the dumping ground could be because of summer flare-ups.

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