Citizen Connect: Mounting garbage on either side of Ambattur Estate road raises a stink

Ambattur Estate Road is a crucial stretch connecting Ambattur with Anna Nagar via Tirumangalam and Mogappair. However, unlike the posh 4th Avenue at Anna Nagar, which has become a commercial hub with hotels and textile shops, the equally-wide five-kilometre long stretch is dotted with housing complexes on both sides. While the first few metres of the stretch upto Tirumangalamhave a few commercialestablishmets, the remaining stretch upto Ambattur Estate is still a proper residential colony with huge pavements on either side of the road.

However, they are not for pedestrians. At least 100 eateries crop up on both sides of the road around 6 pm. As if that is not enough, the shops churn out garbage, mostly food waste, in large quantity and it remains uncleared for days together. While the Corporation hasnot regulated the eateries or taken action against them, it alsoturns a blind eye on the mounting garbage without clearing them, which raises a stink in the locality, complained residents.

Krishnakumar, a residents’ welfare association head in Mogappair, said, “Post 9 pm, the road is entirely taken over by the eateries and one can see hundreds of two-wheelers parked in front such shops. The police, too, go on patrol butthey do not question the men running the eateries. Their job starts only after midnight askingthem to shut shop. While the eateries dump the waste in the nearby bins, trucks do not come on a daily basis to clear them,” he said.

Residents said Corporation is under the impression that it is not a commercial hub and hence it is not necessary to send the garbage trucks every day. “But since the stretch has turned into a street for cheap food, officials concerned shouldrealise that leaving the garbage uncleared for days together will only pave way for spreading of diseases,” said another resident.

Corporation’s Executive Engineer for Ambattur zone was not available for his comment.