Though there is a ban on plastic carry bags in Tiruchi, open
drainage, storm water and underground drainage canals continue to be
clogged due to the indiscriminate dumping of plastic.

There is not
a single canal that is free of plastics. Plastic materials particularly
carry bags and plastic bottles clog the drains.

The problem is acute in the canals located in Cantonment.

Due
to the floating population that visits the Central Bus Stand, a canal
on Williams Road has become an eyesore due to this menace. The canal
that starts from Bharathidasan Road and extends beyond Williams Road is
full of plastic bags, plastic plates, bottles, footwear and food waste.

This
due to a large number of roadside eateries, petty shops, commercial
complexes, restaurants and hotels around the bus stand that attracts
thousands of commuters daily.

Besides, a few Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) outlets are also functioning in the area.

Locals say that people of all walks of life including shoppers, customers and passengers recklessly dump waste in the canals.

They
allege that due to the indiscriminate dumping of plastics not only do
sewerage lines burst but also there is overflow of waste water on the
roads.

“The sewage is clogged at several points because of waste
particularly plastics. It has not been cleared for long,” says A.
Mahalingam of Williams Road.

Several people, who visit the neighbouring Tasmac shops also threw empty bottles, he added.

Stating
that same condition was prevailing in other areas, he said that the
Corporation must carry out a comprehensive drainage cleaning drive so as
to remove all garbage in the drainage and storm water canals.