Citizen Connect: Stench from uncleared garbage pile deters public from using Corpn toilet

Piling up of garbage, which remains uncleared for days together outside the Egmore railway station on the Vepery end, is deterring passengers from using the public toilet next to it.

The Vepery end of Egmore railway station has a huge space that belongs to the railways, which is being used as a bay for MTC buses plying on Poonamallee High Road. There is a parking lot for two-wheelers and it is also the entrance for vehicles going towards Egmore metro railway station.

The pavement on the railway station premises adjoining the St Andrew’s Church is occupied by several street vendors who sell everything from tea to tiffin all day long. However, the garbage they generate is dumped in front of the ramp used by passengers to enter and exit the railway station. But the Corporation workers do not clear the garbage despite the overflowing bin generates an unbearable stench, putting the public at an inconvenience.

While it poses a health hazard for people consuming food from the pavement eateries, the garbage blocks the way to the public toilet, resulting in people urinating in the open. “Not just the roadside eateries, even the waste from the Amma Unavagam is dumped there,” said a maintenance person of the public toilet, which has a ‘Swachh Toilet’ board hanging at the entrance.

Last week, the authorities of St Andrew’s Church raised a concern about the garbage not having been cleared for weeks together, after which officials rushed to the spot and cleared the premises with the help of two garbage collector trucks. However, in one week, the spot has turned into an eyesore again. “If the corporation trucks regularly clear the garbage, it won’t pile up,” said an eatery shop owner.

The officials were not available for their comment.