The Hindu                      11.04.2013

Places identified to dump debris

Defunct wells also selected for the purpose.

Days after announcing that it would identify and designate places for dumping debris, the Corporation has come up with a list of places, a good number of which are wells. A release from the Corporation identified the places where people could dump debris.

It reasoned that with rapid urbanisation, the city saw demolition of old buildings and construction of new buildings. This generated a lot of debris, dumping of which had remained a problem in the city. Left with little choice, members of the public had resorted to dumping debris on tank bunds and alongside roads.

To overcome the problem, the Corporation had identified places, the release said and added that those found dumping debris outside the designated places would be fined and the vehicle they used would be seized.

The Corporation’s recent move is only the second after the administration under former Commissioner Anshul Mishra identified quarries to dump debris. Though welcomed, the initiative did not succeed as people returned to old ways.

Another former Commissioner, T.K. Ponnusamy, announced that those found dumping debris on tank bunds would be fined heavily. The latest attempt, however, has raised concerns. C.R. Jayaprakash, an environmentalist, said that it was not a well thought out move because the wells would not accommodate enough debris and the debris would affect groundwater recharge.

The Corporation Commissioner G. Latha explained that the civic body had taken adequate precaution in announcing the wells in that only defunct wells were chosen for the purpose.

K. Mylswamy of Siruthuli, an NGO, said that dumping debris would not affect recharge as water would still percolate. By way of caution the Corporation could place perforated casing pipes to ensure such percolation.