Citizen Connect: Uncleared garbage bins pose nuisance to commuters on Kamarajar Salai

Beginning from the junction in Arasa Maram and ending at the Nesapakkam MGR statue, the 800-metre stretch of Kamarajar Salai is packed with buses, two-wheelers, autorickshaws, bicycles, cars and trucks throughout the day. Drivers are displeased about going through the overflowing garbage bins besides the existing mayhem on the busy stretch.

“It takes 10 minutes to drive through the road and it does not even have traffic signals. Cows and dogs keep crowding around the garbage bins, trying to feed off any food remains dumped in it. This is not only an eyesore, but blocks the road that is already cramped,” said Viji (49), a resident from Ramapuram.

The Kamarajar Salai, although short, is a key road connecting residents from Porur and Ramapuram to Ashok Nagar, KK Nagar and T Nagar and vice versa.

“There are many shops and eateries on the tiny road, so all the garbage from there is dumped into the public bins. It should be emptied at least twice a day, so that it does not overflow,” said Kamala (32), a domestic worker who cycles to KK Nagar through this road for work.

Siva (21), who works in a tea stall on Kamarajar Salai, said, “Upon spotting the garbage bins, bike and car riders resort to honking to alert traffic that they are slowing down. The constant honking is so disturbing for people like me who work in the spot all day.”

The complaints of the commuters could not be met with a response from the concerned authorities as calls to the Deputy Commissioner of Health and Solid Waste Management went unanswered.