Citizen Connect: Officials’ apathy turns vacant plots of Jothi Nagar in Kelambakkam into dump yards

The residents of Kelambakkam have asked the panchayat to stop using vacant plots in their locality to dump garbage and urged the authorities to find an appropriate place instead.

Kelambakkam village panchayat, which is located on OMR, is a fast-developing area in the suburbs and many corporate companies are also located in the area. The panchayat is under the control of Tiruporur panchayat union.

According to sources, the panchayat collects around 10 tonnes of garbage from the residents every day. Earlier, the panchayat used to dump the waste in Keerapakkam village near Guduvanchery. However, two years ago, residents of Guduvanchery opposed the practise and the panchayat staff shifted their focus to a vacant plot at Jothi Nagar in the 9th ward.

Residents said that Jothi Nagar is a residential area with nearly 2,000 families living there. The panchayat staff not only dump the garbage there, but they also burn it also, forcing the residents to shut the windows at all times. The place has also turned into a mosquito breeding ground.

Adding to the woes, the situation turns worse when it rains as nobody can walk on the road without covering their nose. It also prevents the kids from play outside on the streets and many have even vacated their houses due to this issue.

J Anbu from the locality said, “Two years ago, while we requested the local body and the panchayat union, they said that they would not dump the garbage here. But they started it again after a few months. A few days ago, we had to block the vehicle which came to dump the garbage. If they do not stop the practice, we will have to resort to protests by blocking OMR or stage agitations in front of the panchayat union office.”

When contacted, village panchayat secretary Kumaraswamy said, “We don’t have a place to dump the garbage. Within two months a new place will be allocated near Kathankulathur and after that, the problem will be solved. We will soon clean the plot in Jothi Nagar.” he said.