Citizen Connect: Illegal dumping, burning of waste worry residents of Old Well Street in Tiruvottiyur

Miscreants illegally dumping the garbage and setting it ablaze at an empty plot of land on Old Well Street in Tiruvottiyur has been troubling the residents. They complain that the sanitary workers have not cleaned the place for more than two weeks. 

According to the residents, people from neighbouring streets dump the waste in the vacant land and burn it. “When the bin overflows, the garbage is dumped in the vacant plot. 

Some people also throw debris, clothes and burn it at night so that we are not aware of who is doing it. We have kept a board saying not to throw garbage here, but no one is following it. Even the landowner is not bothered to visit the place and build a compound wall to prevent the miscreants from using the place,” said Vedhavalli S, a resident of Old Well Street.

“It is difficult to stay inside the house due to the foul smell. We are forced to keep the windows closed all the time. The place is also used for open defection by some people. Even passers-by throw wastes as there is no compound wall. The dogs drag the garbage and litter on the road,” she added.

Public also dump organic waste due to which the plot has become breeding place for mosquitoes and flies. “We ask the sanitary workers to collect the waste, but they ignore us. Sometimes, we are forced to clean the place. We have also complained to Corporation officials and politicians, but no action has been taken yet,” said Vijirangam, who runs a shop in the area.

Locals said that the landowner hasn’t visited the place for more than two years. Though they have tried to reach him, there is no response. “He has hardly visits the plot. He gave us his number to contact in case of any emergency. Even though we are calling them frequently to report the issue, we are not able to reach him,” said Narayanan M, another resident.

Speaking to DT Next, Paramasivan, conservancy supervisor said, “We haven’t received any complaints from that area. If the garbage is dumped in vacant plot, we should ask the landowner to build a compound wall to avoid such issues.”