Fitness enthusiasts irked as Corporation turns playgrounds into parking lots for garbage vehicles

The problem arose after the civic body handed over the garbage collection works to the newly-appointed private consortium, Urbaser SA - Sumeet Facilities Limited. Currently, the consortium has started its operations in Teynampet and Adyar zones.

Recently a video of residents demanding a few Chennai Corporation officials to remove the vehicles occupying the playground went viral on social media. Despite repeated requests from the officials, the residents reportedly told them to leave the facility for exercise and games and remove the vehicles immediately. “Youngsters from the locality use the Gopalapuram ground, one of the well-known playgrounds, for exercising and playing games. Besides, elders use the ground for morning walks and jogging. A few weeks ago, the civic body had started parking garbage collection vehicles, which disturbs our routine. The Corporation should leave the playground for public use rather than using it as a parking lot,” a local resident, on the condition of anonymity, said. Residents of T Nagar also complained of a similar issue. When asked, a Chennai Corporation senior official said that playgrounds have been handed over to the consortium for parking their vehicles only on a temporary basis. “The arrangement is only for a month. They have been storing garbage bins and vehicles on the grounds. It will be removed once they start operating in other zones, which are handed over to them,” he said.

The official added that the consortium would start their operations in other zones in January. Apart from Teynampet and Adyar, the civic body has handed over Kodambakkam, Valasaravakkam, Alandur, Perungudi and Sholinganallur zones for the private conservancy.