Citizen Connect: New district, but same old garbage trouble for public in Chengalpattu

Despite being the most important municipality in the newly created district, the authorities have failed to ensure that the waste generated there is not disposed of properly.

The trouble started a few months ago when the municipality decided to remove garbage bins that were placed on every street. Instead, the residents of the 32 wards were asked to segregate their household waste into biodegradable and non-biodegradable, assuring them that workers would come to their doorsteps to collect the garbage every day.

However, this promise was not kept, allege residents. Instead of door-to-door collection of garbage as was promised, the workers would turn up only once or maximum twice a week. In some areas, they complained, workers would never come to collect.

The effect of this ineptitude was visible on the streets almost immediately. When collection vehicles failed to turn for several days, the residents were forced to take the stinking, rotting garbage out of their homes. These began to be littered on the roads, and soon became mounts of organic and recyclable waste dotting across the municipality.

This is evident at areas like Alagesan Nagar, Vadachalam Nagar, Anna Nagar, ACK Nagar, Periyanattam, Periyamanikara Street, Chinna Manikara Street, Mettu Street, Animendaputheri, and Karimedu, where the roads are filled with garbage.

Now, after it became the headquarters of the new district, more people would visit Chengalpattu, pointed out Karthick, a local resident, adding that the people, especially children, faced health risk due to the issue.

Officials sources said the problem was also because of the frequent transfer of Municipal Commissioners. Within a year, three Commissioners were replaced, even before they were able to understand the issues that the local body faced.

When contacted, the Chengalpattu Municipality Commissioner S Vasanthi said she took charge only recently. “Now I am observing the things that needs to be addressed. Currently, I am concentrating on revenue. But the garbage issue will be solved within a few months,” she assured.