Chennai: The
infamous corporation trucks, often blamed for fatal accidents
endangering motorists’ lives, will soon have restricted time for
collection of garbage from the streets. The trucks, which usually start
rolling out by 6.30 am and continue their work till 6 pm, will now have
revised timings.

These heavy trucks will not ply during
school and peak hours. “The lorries and trucks will collect garbage from
the bins from 10.30 am and wind up operations by 4.30 pm aimed to
reduce accidents.

Then the vehicles will go to the dumpyards to
unload them,” said a senior official at the corporation. However, other
small vehicles will function from morning and the timings of conservancy
staff who run tricycles and sweep the streets will remain unchanged.

“This
applies only for the garbage trucks and compactors and the revised work
timings will come into force by next month,” the official said.

“Trial
runs have been begun in Alandur zone and the workers have to sweat a
bit more to finish the work within the stipulated time, but the new
schedule will help prevent accidents,” he added. In addition to the new
timings, the civic body will also introduce a speed governance technique
in which the lorries will be fitted with GPS facilities.

The
time of setting out for work and finishing the duty will be monitored.
The facility will also help track drivers who overspeed. “The
compactors, when crossing the roads leave a heavy stench of garbage
which remains even after the vehicle passes. The civic body must take
some measures to reduce this,” said Mahesh Kumar, a resident of Ashok
pillar.