Citizen Connect: Garbage pile in Kodambakkam attracts stray dogs, scares kids

Despite having a garbage bin, the public continues to dump waste on a pavement next to a school.

The garbage not only spreads a foul smell in the area, but it also attracts stray dogs and cattle in search of food. The situation has been the same for several years despite several complaints. “I have been staying here for a decade now. I take this road every day and the stink is unbearable as I reach the spot, which I invariably have to navigate,” M Senthil, who lives on the road in Kodambakkam, said. He added that the garbage is being dumped there by residents and also eatery owners of the area. He said several complaints were lodged with the Greater Chennai Corporation, but no step was taken. 

A senior official from the civic body office at Rangarajapuram in Kodambakkam said that a big garbage bin was kept on the road but people still indiscriminately dump waste on the pavement and road. “Sanitary workers, too, face health issues due to this,” he added. The official pointed out that several advice notices were issued to the people to stop dumping of garbage as there is a school and a hostel situated there. 

K Shiva, who works with a mobile service shop on the road, said stray dogs chase people. “The dogs pose risk to the safety of school students,” he added. He pointed out that the garbage floats in the water after a spell of rain. “I attend evening tuition classes and return home around 9 pm. I scared to walk past the garbage pile because of dogs,” P Kishore, a Class 11 student.