The Hindu 25.03.2010
Security to be increased at Kodungaiyur garbage yard
Staff Reporter
CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation will soon put in place various measures to increase security at the Kodungaiyur garbage dump yard in north Chennai. The number of security guards would be increased from 18 to 45 and two watch towers and boom barriers to restrict entry would be installed, a senior official said.
These steps are being taken by the Corporation after rag-pickers were found to have collected medicines that had crossed their expiry date that had been dumped in Kodungaiyur garbage yard. These medicines had found their way back to chemist stores.
“We would be cutting off entry to rag pickers from the Panakaaran Nagar side, which lies behind Kodungaiyur,” he said. The 250 acre dump yard has three entrances that were created to prevent queuing up of garbage trucks outside the yard.
Already the work order has been issued to the contractor for the construction of a compound wall for the facility. Efforts would be taken to improve lighting in the yard. A police beat has been opened near the dump yard.
The official said that by the first week of April additional guards would be appointed, which would help regulate entry of rag pickers into the area. The civic body would be incurring an expenditure of Rs. 8,000 on every additional guard.
