Even after market shift, veggie vendors continue to litter under Kodambakkam flyover

Although most of the vendors were shifted from the spot, a few of them are alleged to be selling produce there and dump garbage under the bridge, even though a bin is placed there. People living near the bridge are worried about health hazards that may be caused by heaping garbage.

“Vendors dump vegetable waste on the road instead of putting it in the dustbin. Even though we have warned them to abstain from dirtying the place, they ignore it.” lamented Selvakumari PK, a resident. She also claimed that the stench is unbearable and they have to keep their windows closed and stay indoors. Sanitary workers cannot be blamed as they collect the garbage twice daily. Even though the vendors have been warned that the waste won’t be collected if they are not dumped in the bin, they continue to litter the area.

Echoing similar views, R Sreedharan, a resident of the area, said, “The Corporation’s move to shift the market to Mambalam High Road has failed to evoke any change as most of them have been coming back, doing business as usual. A chaotic situation along with stench and garbage continues to bog the area and has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes,” he said.

Speaking to DT Next, a senior official of Chennai Corporation said, “We have not received any complaints from the residents. If vendors fail to dump waste in the garbage bin, they will be fined. We have dealt with such issues in many markets and vendors have stopped dumping on the road.”