Road users raise a stink over uncovered garbage vehicles, want GCC to curb violations
Uncovered lorries have been an issue at places such as Koyambedu market; Corporation official says a team comprising local authorities in Zone 10 would be constituted to look into the matter
At Koyambedu market, the largest perishable commodities market in the city, open lorries collecting garbage and wastes, and driving off leaving a trail of garbage along their route, are a common sight. The stench from these vehicles is offputting for many customers.
Lacking safety nets to cover the garbage, as specified by the civic body, the lorries also cause hardship to those who drive behind them, as commuters find it tough to avoid the falling garbage and unpleasant smell on the roads.
During the Budget presentation this year, Mayor R. Priya said there were 102 tipper vehicles to remove garden waste and building debris and efforts would be made to procure fish nets for all the vehicles to avoid spillage of garden waste and construction debris on the roads.
According to civic officials, all open garbage collection lorries were replaced with compactor vehicles at a cost of ₹42 crore, to ensure sealed transportation of garbage as well as reduction in volume due to waste compaction.
The civic body has 69 big compactors of 14 cubic metre capacity and 73 small compactors of 6 cubic metre capacity.
In the Koyambedu Wholesale Market Complex, K. Rajkumar, 34, a lawyer frequenting the area, says the lorries that collect vegetable waste have always remained open, spilling waste while plying in and out of the market.
“The vehicles carrying waste are covered at least with a cloth in several other countries and even in other States. But never have these lorries been covered here. Officials must look into this,” he said.
The 60acre complex reportedly generates an estimated 90 tonnes of waste daily. The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) floated a tender in February for the collection and transportation of waste from the flower, fruit, vegetable, and food grain markets in the complex.
The designated processing facility, transfer station, or landfill area under the Corporation will receive the waste, as per the tender document.
Additional Commissioner (Health) V. Jaya Chandra Bhanu Reddy said the use of lorries without the cover to prevent spillage was a violation and assured that a team comprising local authorities in Zone 10 would be formed to look into the matter and initiate action, if necessary.