Citizen Connect: Garbage and open urination leave Whannels Road stinking, Corpn says people should act responsibly

The hundreds of people who take Whannels Road in Egmore are forced to deal with the huge volume of garbage, open urination and its stench, especially opposite Albert Theatre.

Those entering Whannels Road from near Albert Theatre are greeted by a huge, stinking pile of garbage dumped next to a hotel. Making it worse, dozens of persons urinate near this area, despite there being two biotoilets nearby. Due to this, there is an unbearable stench that covers the whole area.

“The garbage is being dumped there by the staff working in various the eateries along the road,” alleged S Murugesan, an autorickshaw driver who parks his vehicle in the nearby stand. According to him, the garbage that piles up there is cleared by workers from the GreaterChennai Corporation.

“However, by evening, the place gets covered in garbage once again. This attracts a lot of stray dogs, which poses threat to pedestrians and those riding two-wheeler who pass through the road, Murugesan added.

When asked, an official at the Corporation office in Egmore said travel companies are illegally using the area as bus stand for those travelling on long distance buses. “As most of the travel offices in this area do not have toilet facilities, passengers go there and urinate,” the official said.

Adding to the woes, those consuming alcohol at the Tasmac liquor outlet near the Albert theatre also urinate at the spot, added the official. “The only solution to the issue is that people should act responsibly to keep the environment clean,” he said.

However, the civic officials are also responsible, said S Naveen, who owns a petty shop on Whannels Road, pointing out that the two bio-toilets that were functioning earlier was closed due to water shortage. “When people see the bio-toilets from a distance, they come to the spot. However, when they realise that the toilet units are locked, they urinate nearby,” he said.

Despite several complaints, the Corporation officials have not taken any steps to solve the issue, complained the people here. However, on the other hand, officials say their efforts are hampered by lack of cooperation from the public in this regard.