CHENNAI: Several families, gated communities and residents associations in Velacheri had stepped forward in the past to promote and follow segregation of waste.
But, one of their main complaints was that despite residents taking the efforts, all the garbage was collected by the conservancy workers as one and dumped at the land fills.
It seemed like a futile exercise. When this feedback reached the Chennai Corporation, officials jumped into action.They have got new vehicles which will exclusively collect the wet or green waste.Recently, to conduct awareness on it, the Zonal Officers met with residents and welfare associations representatives at a community hall in Gandhi Salai and had an interaction. Over 25 associations attended the event.
Speaking to News Today, Murali, Executive Engineer said, the meeting was to address problems on garbage segregation.For Division 177, 178 and 179, we have introduced three vans which are exclusive for collecting wet waste and taking it to the Micro Compost Plant.There will be four labourers for each vehicle.He said hereafter residents must follow segregation at source and keep the green waste separately which will be collected by these vehicles.
The vehicles were acquired by the civic body following grievances that despite residents practicing source segregation, the Corporation was collecting everything together.Residents associations can inform people about the vehicles and their purpose.As of now we do not have plans to give coloured bins to houses, but we are looking for sponsors, he said.
For Adyar-Velacheri zone, 13 vehicles are given for this purpose.Two Assistant Executive Engineers, officials from health department, and representatives of Ramky agency took part in the meeting.Several residents associations said they have decided to give the coloured bins to residents and educate them on waste segregation.They hope the plan goes on smoothly as the next three months are considered as a trial.