Uncleared garbage shrinks width of South Street in Venkatesapuram Colony, residents irked

Residents of Venkatesapuram Colony in Ayanavaram are irked over the civic body’s inability to prevent dumping of garbage and other waste outside the garbage bin in their neighbourhood.

The bin has been placed in Venkatesapuram Colony near the junction of Thiruvalluvar Nagar Cross Street and South Street.

The South Street witnesses a steady flow of vehicles wanting to avoid a traffic signal at the junction of Konnur High Road and Medavakkam Tank Road. They take the narrow South Street to reach areas like Purasaiwalkam and Ayanavaram.

“Drivers entering the South Street from the Third Cross Street of VP Colony via Konnur High Road have to be extra cautious to avoid garbage thrown around the garbage bin. Sanitation workers do not clear garbage, including construction debris, which is dumped outside the garbage bin. Uncleared waste has reduced the width of the road,” said a shop owner on South Street.

“The pile-up of garbage is a major reason for the pathetic condition of the street. Open urination near the garbage bin also adds to the stench,” the shop owner added.

“At night, we are chased by stray dogs feeding on the garbage,” said S Kanagaraj, a resident of Ambedkar Nagar at Ayanavaram.

South Street in Venkatesapuram Colony is primarily a residential locality with commercial establishments like hotels and supermarkets. Most of these commercial establishments dump garbage into roadside bins, especially at night.

Kanagaraj complained that when Corporation officials ask the residents to source segregate waste and initiate ways to collect it from every house, they should not keep garbage bins on the streets at all. “Most shopkeepers, particularly eateries, are dumping food waste into garbage bins, even when they are overflowing on to the road. Also, the construction debris is being dumped here,” he pointed out.

When asked about uncleared garbage in Venkatesapuram Colony, an official said that he would instruct solid waste management department officials to clear the garbage immediately. “We will also take necessary steps to prevent the indiscriminate dumping of debris,” the official added.