Citizen Connect: Garbage, broken liquor bottles on road in Pallavaram pose threat to commuters

Garbage disposal has been a big cause for concern for residents in Kannapiran Koil Street at Pallavaram as garbage keeps getting dumped on the road. Currently, it occupies half of the road, thus posing threat to motorists and pedestrians.

Despite several complaints to officials of the Pallavaram municipality, no action has been taken against the offenders yet as they continue to dump their trash on the road. Exposed garbage also attracts cattle and street dogs, making it difficult for motorists and pedestrians to use the road. Another hazard is posed by the glass alcohol bottles thrown in the garbage heap which often get run over by vehicles and the shards lay exposed.

“The garbage, which is mostly food waste, is being dumped here by the nearby eateries regularly,” said S Manoj Kumar, a regular commuter who works at a private firm. “Recently, I had a miraculous escape when my bike went over an empty liquor bottle. I fell down and my bike skid. I was then helped by a few passers-by. Often, stray dogs near the dump chase bikers at night and on most days, the streetlights do not work,” he added.

G Dhanamal, a flower vendor in the street, said that in addition to the dogs, cattle eat from the garbage dumped on the road. “Sometimes, more than five cows eat from the garbage pile together and thus obstruct vehicular traffic,” she said. Dhanamal claimed that although several complaints were lodged with the officials, the issue was not resolved.

“We have been collecting garbage from the area regularly. Despite that, people still dump their trash outside the bin. Things get worse when it rains,” a senior official from the Pallavaram municipality said. He said a few offenders were also warned. “A separate garbage bin is available just few steps away. Most of the people do not know that dumbing garbage in the road is a punishable offence,” the officer said. “We have also put up a sign board highlighting the health hazards caused by dumping garbage on the street,” he added.

KS Ananth, a college student who lives in the locality said that he and his college mates, who were members of their college eco club, also resorted to cleaning the place a few times. “But people continue to dump their garbage and make a mess here,” he said.