Chennai: Velacheri is emerging into a large residential area, but not a very comfortable one at that, rue residents. Problems regarding garbage management persist and people are worried.
Trash cans overflowing with waste, and garbage lying heaped on roadsides are everyday scenes here in the localities. It is alleged that although the civic body has been informed about the on-going issue, the waste is removed only once in four days. It is suspected that the issue is persisting because the private agency’s tenure is set to end in a few days. It is speculated that the lethargic attitude of the agency staff is because they are sure of not getting a second term and so are not willing to invest in manpower or machinery to carry out the job.
Residents feel that there is no permanent solution to this and have been reaching out to the MLA and civic body officials regarding the problem.
“The issue is rampant at Ward 177, 178 and 179. Residents are suffering. Some streets do not have a bin and there is no manpower to do the waste-clearing work. The problem also persists at places such as Annai Indira Nagar, Baby Nagar, Dhandeeswaram Nagar and VGP Selva Nagar and Seshadripuram. When it rains, the area stinks,” says vice-president of Annai Indira Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association, S Kumararaja.
With the agency allegedly not cooperating, the civic body is using JCBs to clear the garbage. A resident says that because of this the bins, roads, underground cables and even compound walls are getting damaged.
When asked about it, an official acknowledged that a few parts of Velacheri are experiencing the problem and that as soon as a complaint is lodged the civic body immediately acts on it. The official also clarified that JCBs were used whenever the agency claimed they did not have the required machinery to carry out the work. Another senior official assured that the issue would be resolved once the agency’s tenure ends.
| Latest update |
| According to sources, the agency has been given a six-month extension period. Following this, it has purchased garbage bins (small and big ones), tri-cycles and two loader lorries. It is said that it will soon begin work at Wards 177, 178, 179 of Adyar zone-13. |