Citizen Connect: No end in sight for garbage menace on Link Road, residents call for source segregation

The stretch has become the de factor dumping ground for all – both residents and shops, including the wine shops in the vicinity – alleged the residents.

Henry David, a resident, pointed out that one could find anything from bottles to everyday trash from households at this place. “In fact, there is a board that clearly says that concerned authorities will take action against dumping or burning garbage in the locality. However, that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for anyone. This has been a long-standing issue. We don’t know what action is going to be taken,” he said. Residents from the neighbourhood feel that a strict source segregation policy can change the scene.

R Gopalan, a resident of a high-rise complex in Padur, said, “It is a pity that such a beautiful sight of migratory birds is being reduced to an eyesore due to the accumulated garbage.” He pointed out that there are apartments nearby but it was difficult to zero in on the parties dumping the garbage in the area.

Riya Venkatesh, another resident in the locality, said that dwindling number of birds and increase in garbage has been happening over the years. “The waterbody in the area began to recede and the number of birds came down. There are a number of buildings coming up in the area; these have probably added to the increase in garbage,” she said.

Venkat K, who frequents the stretch for his trips to Mamallapuram, said that the stretch was dark and lacked adequate lighting. “It is an isolated spot, which makes it convenient for anyone to dump garbage at night,” he said.

Gopal added that the apartment he lives in has planned to switch to recycling after careful source segregation to ensure that the garbage does not pollute the environment. 

A source from the Panchayat said that there were legal issues with the garbage collection and that it would be sorted shortly.