Citizen Connect: Gaping hole in worn out garbage bin irks Panneer Nagar residents in Mogappair East

“Initially, we used to dump the waste at the corner of Church Road and EB Office Road. Seeing the mess created by garbage piles, Corporation officials placed a garbage bin there a few years ago. Later, a second bin which was clean was provided to the area. But when the bins were damaged, they did not take any action to replace them,” said Kumaran R, a resident of Panneer Nagar.

Residents complained that stray dogs and cattle make use of the hole in the bin to drag the waste out of it and then spread it on the road. “We dump household waste in the bins to avoid spreading all over the road. The bin, made of iron, remained good for some time. Then the paint chipped away and then it slowly rusted, leading to a gaping hole at the bottom,” said Jesanthi VK, another resident.

Residents added that they temporarily kept plywood to cover the hole, but animals dragged it out and are feeding on the waste. “This whole helps dogs and goats to pull out the food dumped inside the bins. Edibles packed in plastic bags are being dragged out easily the strays,” said Vishnu M, a college student, who lives on the same street.

The entire street is a mess and during the rainy season, the situation is even worse. “During rains, the garbage floats in the water and we have to walk in the unhygienic water. Children often fall sick and have to be hospitalised due to this,” said Kasthuri V, another resident of Panneer Nagar.

Speaking to DT Next, a senior Corporation official said, “We will try to replace these damaged bins and we thank the residents for dumping waste inside the bin instead of littering the entire street.”