Citizen Connect: Garbage dumping in vacant plots proves to be a menace to residents of Pammal

Despite several complaints from the locals, authorities have failed to take any action so far, residents living in the street lament.

There are about 10 vacant plots on Kamarajar Salai. Despite the presence of three huge dustbins within a half-a-kilometre stretch of the street, people resort to dump the garbage in the vacant plots.

“Many tipplers also throw empty liquor bottles there and create nuisance to the public,” said S Kavitha, who lives in a flat adjacent to a vacant plot. She said couple of years ago, the ward counsellor used to solve several issues by talking to the official concerned in Pammal Municipality. Now, however, as local body election is yet to be held, there is no representation for people to take up the long pending problem especially with garbage being dumped in the streets, local residents pointed out.

“Last week too, I went to the Pammal Municipality and lodged a written complaint about the menace of garbage accumulation in vacant plots. Though they offered assurance to solve the issue, nothing has happened till now,” P Elangovan, a petty shop owner in Kamarajar Salai alleged. He also claimed that a few motorists throw bags filled with garbage regularly on the vacant plots. “It is difficult to catch hold of them as they flee from the place immediately after that,” he added.

A senior official from the Pammal Municipality said that most of the landowners of the vacant plots were living abroad. “It is their responsibility to construct a fence so that no one will have access to their plots,” he added. The official said the garbage was removed couple of times and yet the problem continues. “We are collecting the details of the landowners so that they will be instructed to erect a fence around the plot immediately,” he added. He also pointed out that people should get more responsible and not resort to dumping the garbage in unwanted places.

S Pavithran, a software engineer residing there, said the garbage also attracts stray dogs that often chase the motorists during the late hours.” It also chases school children who travel by cycle.” he added.