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Public Health / Sanitation

Dumping of garbage inconveniences bus passengers at Bhavani

Monday, 29 November 2010 04:22 administrator
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The Hindu      29.11.2010

Dumping of garbage inconveniences bus passengers at Bhavani

Staff Reporter
Solid waste management programme is yet to be implemented in the region
PHOTO: M.GOVARTHAN

Pollution: The indiscriminate dumping of garbage in and around the bus stand in Bhavani near Erode poses health hazards to commuters and residents in the town. -

ERODE: The bus stand at Bhavani greets commuters with a nauseating smell as indiscriminate dumping of garbage in and around it remains unchecked.

The local administration and commercial establishments continue to dump huge amount of garbage in the vacant lands in and around the bus stand for long, despite strong opposition from the commuters and residents in the town.

Waste

The municipal administration is yet to implement the solid waste management programme (SWMP) in the town and treat the garbage scientifically.

Though residents have made repeated appeals for the execution of the SWMP, no significant efforts have been made so far.

The municipal workers continue to dispose of the garbage collected in various parts of the town near the bus stand.

“The foul smell emanating from the rotten garbage has become unbearable these days. The indiscriminate dumping poses serious threat to the health of commuters and residents in the town,” a senior citizen complains.

Shopkeepers in the bus stand said they were tired of lodging complaints with the municipality and the district administration.

“No fruitful efforts have been taken up so far. We don't think that the elected representatives in the town will ever do anything good to sort out this issue.

“Officials are not ready to listen to our pleas,” they allege.

Even the District Collector T. Soundiah, while inspecting the development works in the town recently, had instructed the municipal administration to carry out the garbage collection and disposal properly.

Improvement

“But we are yet to see any improvements at the field level. Almost all the vacant places in around the bus stand have now turned into garbage dumps,” residents charge.

When contacted, officials said they were facing problems in garbage disposal.

“We have purchased 10.4 acres of land near Punnam village to establish a modern compost yard. But villagers are strongly opposing the dumping of garbage on the land,” officials said.

 

Koyambedu stinks as garbages dumped in the open

Friday, 26 November 2010 10:25 administrator
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The New Indian Express  26.11.2010

Koyambedu stinks as garbages dumped in the open

CHENNAI: If you were travelling to Koyambedu, you would be able to smell it from a few miles ahead! Such is the unbearable stench from the 160 metric tonnes of vegetable waste from the market here that has been dumped in its backyard. The garbage not only gives one an olfactory shock, it poses a health risk.

The Koyambedu market’s managing committee says it has no option but to dump the burgeoning waste in the open as the site allotted for the purpose has been encroached upon.

Rains have compounded the risk from the open garbage, fearing which the garbage is being cleared using extra lorries, for now, but authorities feel the measures are inadequate.

“The government has to take action soon,” an official told Express.

The market, in fact, has a site for a compost yard and a `550-lakh bio-methanation plant.

The plant, however, is non-functional, and the site has been encroached.

While waste is routinely sent to Kodungaiyur dumpyard, market workers are able to segregate garbage only after 2 am, whereas the dumpyard closes by 5 pm, leaving an entire day’s waste lying in the open. Ramky Group, awarded the contract for cleanup operations, says its daily work can be completed only if the market is shut for at least three hours.

There is also a need to ensure that shopkeepers use the allotted bins. More than 3,150 shop-owners have been allotted bins but less than 20 per cent use it, say officials. The rest of the containers are used for storing water.

Some are even taken home. The garbage is, therefore, littered around making the job difficult for the cleaning agency, they add.

Last Updated on Friday, 26 November 2010 10:28
 

Pedal pushers on right track

Tuesday, 23 November 2010 06:47 administrator
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The Deccan Chronicle  23.11.2010

Pedal pushers on right track

Nov. 22: Chennai is all set to witness a spurt in the number of cycle-users. With the corporation clearing the decks for renting out cycles along the Marina beach, the scheme is likely to be a Pongal gift. The consultant appointed by the civic body to construct cycle tracks in school zones in posh Anna Nagar has reached the final stage and tender works will commence soon, says corporation commissioner D. Karthickeyan.

Both projects will be a boon for youngsters and schoolchildren. The corporation is finalising the technical and bureaucratic aspects related to the cycle programmes and will execute them in a phased manner, he said.

There is heartening news from Vandalur zoo where cycle rides were introduced. They have become a hit among children and zoo visitors. “A zoo brings out the child in you and Vandalur zoo reinforces that by offering cycle rides for people to enjoy their visit to the sprawling zoo,” says Ms P. Ramani, who recently visited the zoo.

According to zoo sources, visitors, age being no bar, hire the cycles to see the various species on display. Started with just 20 cycles two years ago, the zoo now has 200 cycles. Apart from children, many young women prefer cycling than walking the 602 ha campus. The zoo offers a double treat by offering not just ordinary cycles but also tandem cycles (two cycles fixed together), which is a new experience in the city, sources add.

M. Malik,13, a class VIII student from Aminjikarai, said he likes to spend Sundays in the zoo. “My friends and I like cycling here than to sweat it out in the hot sun. We cycle for more than two hours here. I visit the zoo at least twice a month along with my friends,” he says.

Lauding the initiative of the forest department, Ms B. Anuradha, a housewife, says, “Many of us do not use cycle these days. Visiting the zoo gives us a chance to try cycling. The charges are also less. We paid just `15 an hour for a gearless cycle.” She took her sister pillion after many years. You can ride the geared cycles for `30 per hour and take the tandem cycle for `40. Mechanics are available on the zoo premises for repairs in case of trouble.

According to zoo superintendent Durai, cycles are usually in demand during Deepavali and Pongal holidays. “We have received good response from children and mothers. Parents also accompany their children on another cycle and enjoy the visit,” he adds.

Last Updated on Tuesday, 23 November 2010 06:49
 
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