Citizen Connect: Gandhi St residents face constant trouble from indiscriminate garbage dumping

The indiscriminate dumping of garbage by vegetable and flower vendors in front of an empty plot near the temple has been a constant issue that the residents near Gandhi Street near Sai Baba temple at Pozhichalur have been facing.

Despite several complaints being made to the authorities, the practise continues on a regular basis. Adding to the woes, few locals, too, throw garbage in the place. “The garbage attracts cattle, which also creates nuisance to the people who pass through the road,” said S Gomathi, a resident of Gandhi Street.

She added that during the night, stray dogs come to the area in search of food. According to the resident, stray dogs also chases motorists in the night. Pointing out that even school children are affected by this, she added that during rainy season, the garbage is carried by the flood water.

S Gopalakrishnan, another resident near Gandhi Street, said that devotees who throng the temple every day also face the problem. “In addition, mosquito breeding also spikes due to this during the rainy season,” he said. With the northeast monsoon just around the corner, mosquito menace would soon start, he said.

According to him, the officials should at least set up a temporary fence so that people will not throw garbage. “In addition, officials should also impose heavy fine on the offenders,” he said.

Gopalakrishnan, who works in a private firm, added that the issue was brought to the notice of local politicians. Though they tried their best to solve the issue, the problem still persists. He said the vegetable and flower vendors should also act as responsible citizens, and keep the environment clean.

When contacted, a senior official from Pammal Municipality said that even though garbage is being cleaned regularly, a few were continuing to dump it at the spot. According to him, the local residents dump the garbage there because the land is vacant and the owner does not question the offenders. “Unless people realise the implications, nothing can solve the garbage issue,” he added.