Citizen Connect: Residents peeved over empty liquor bottles near temple in Mylapore

With them being apprehensive about going to the cops and civic officials maintaining that there was little they could do, the people here are yet find a solution for this problem.

“They gather near the temple late in the night to drink. Some of them even sit under windowsills of the few residential blocks. In the morning, we would find dozens of beer and liquor bottles dumped near the main entrance of the temple,” said Geetha B, a resident of PV Koil Street, Mylapore, who has been living in the locality for over 20 years.

The residents complained that sanitary workers from the city Corporation do not bother to clean the place. The workers would only clear the waste dumped in the garbage bins, and have told the people that they should lodge a police complaint to stop liquor bottles being strewn there. However, residents are scared to complain at the police station, fearing retribution from the tipplers.

“We tried warning the men who drink near the temple. But they shouted at us in abusive language for questioning them and even threatened to beat us up. They say they can’t be stopped from using the spot to drink. We have filed many complaints to the Corporation officials. But nothing has been changed,” said Subaramaniyan M, another resident.

The people here say this has also raised concerns over the safety of women in the neighbourhood, including those who visit the temple. “The place stinks, and it is disgusting to cross the place where the liquor bottles are dumped. Nowadays, girls are scared to go there because of this. But we don’t know what to do,” rued Vijayalakshmi R, another resident of PV Koil street.

Making matters worse, even the devotees litter the place throwing waste outside the temple, though there is a garbage bin just a few meters away.

When contacted, an official from the zonal office said the residents should complain to the police station nearby to address the menace caused by tippers. “They should also urge the Tasmac authorities to close the wine shop in that neighbourhood, as that alone could bring about a permanent solution to the problem,” the official added.