Citizen Connect: Repeated complaints about garbage and stray dog menace yield no results in T Nagar

"Due to the presence of food waste, stray dogs gather in large numbers near the bin, scaring away the people who want to cross the area. When the matter was taken up with the concerned authorities, they promised to take action. But nothing has happened till date," said Bhavani B, a resident of Kamatchipuram Street.

The stench emanating from the place, too, is a huge turn-off for many. “There is an awful feeling when on the road due to the overflowing garbage bin, and people in the neighbourhood don’t seem to have a solution for it for more than five months,” said Thanarajan KL, another resident.

He added that the waste, littered all over the road, is a concern among the residents. Apart from problems regarding disposal, it also raises concerns over health risks. “I appeal to the civic body to streamline the removal of garbage from the bin and also provide an additional bin at the other end of the street,” he added.

Apart from the residents, the shopkeepers in the area also face the effect of piled up garbage. Rajkumaran R, a shopkeeper who runs an establishment nearby, said that the situation becomes worse during rainy days. “Just keeping a garbage bin to throw garbage is not enough unless it is cleared on time,” he said. He alleged that the sanitary workers do not bother to clean the waste on the road even if people make a request to them. “They ignore us and walk away,” Rajkumaran complained.

Locals said that even the main road is not being cleaned regularly. As the garbage occupies half the street, it becomes difficult for the public to use the road. People living near the spot say they have to keep their doors and windows closed to avoid the stench and the disgusting sight. Though the street otherwise provides a pleasant atmosphere with ample green cover, the garbage bin infested with flies is a big turn off, say local residents.

Speaking to DT Next, a senior Corporation official said they would take immediate steps to address the issue. “We keep monitoring the area and make sure that we clear the garbage daily,” the official said.