Health hazard: Waste dumped on roads is an eyesore as well as a health concern. Residents demand a better waste management system and underground sewers.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Gerugambakkam and Kolapakkam are small panchayats in the Kundrathur block of Kancheepuram district. They are not on everyone’s radar. But if you are familiar with the area, you will know that they are quietly sitting just outside Porur.
With a short drive to an information technology park at Ramapuram, many employees working there have been residing here. These suburbs are a far cry from the chaos of the city, with a quiet, sleepy atmosphere, despite the increasing number of residential real-estate projects. On a typical Friday afternoon at Gerugambakkam and Kolapakkam, people are mostly indoors, trying to stay cool from the March sun. However, every few hundred metres, the roadsides are littered with garbage, and cattle roam freely.
Garbage dumping
One of the biggest complaints from residents is the issue of waste management. Dillibai, who lives near the Agatheeswarar Temple at Gerugambakkam, has seen this problem first-hand. “Waste collection is not regular. It is sporadic,” she says. “Sometimes, they come once every two days, sometimes not at all. And when that happens, people dump their garbage wherever they can.” She points to the piles of trash on the side of the road. The trash attracts stray dogs and turns the whole area messy.
The waste is an eyesore as well as a health concern. Dillibai says better waste management and a proper underground sewage system will help to fix the issue. On March 7, this correspondent saw the banks of the Adyar on Pallavaram Road at Gerugambakkam filled with solid waste, and cattle and pigs feeding on it.
A canal full of sewage
If you follow Ponnambalam Salai, which branches out of the State Highways Road from Porur to Kundrathur and lead to these suburbs, you will notice a major canal flowing towards the Adyar. This canal, which should be carrying clean water, has become a sewage carrier. Residents say that without proper sewage infrastructure, people let sewage into the canal. The lack of a proper underground sewage system has created a vicious cycle of waste accumulation and environmental damage.
The issue affects not only the environment but also the quality of life for everyone living near the canal. The stench from untreated waste and the sight of stagnant, polluted water is unpleasant. The polluted water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes, residents say.
Cattle everywhere
Another common sight in both areas is the large number of cattle roaming freely on the streets. They’re not just stray cows; many of them are owned by locals. Dillibai says it has become a daily hassle. “The cows often wander into my shop, eating the vegetables I’ve left outside,” she says.
The problem is more visible on the roads near the Adyar, where garbage piles. Cattle, pigs, and stray dogs feast on the garbage. Menaka, a fruit-vendor on Ponnambalam Salai, has seen her fair share of accidents caused by the cattle. “They block the road sometimes, and vehicles can’t pass. It’s dangerous for everyone.” The presence of cattle on the streets not only makes it harder to keep things clean but also causes serious safety concerns.
The issue is compounded by the fact that some of these cattle are owned by locals who let them roam freely. Many residents have raised concern about the lack of proper animal control, hoping for some regulation to curb the wandering cattle.
Roads good, but could be better
There have been improvements, though. A resident of Gerugambakkam remembers how bad the roads used to be. His children would have trouble walking to school because of the potholes and uneven surfaces. “But after we raised the issue repeatedly for years, the local authorities fixed the roads,” he says. That’s one positive step forward, but he’s quick to point out that garbage is still a major problem.
While the better roads have made life more convenient for residents, the garbage problem continues to hang over their heads. The infrequent waste collection, the open dumping, and the stray cattle are constant reminders of the work that still needs to be done. Residents of the area want the local authorities to address these issues soon.
New system is coming
Gerugambakkam Panchayat secretary Thanigachalam says that the authorities are in the process of implementing a door-to-door garbage collection system. Currently, the collection vehicle arrives on alternate days. However, when the vehicles miss their schedule, people often dump their waste on the roads. To resolve this issue, a door-to-door collection system is being introduced. He says around 45 garbage bins have been damaged over time, and a request has been submitted for new bins that are to be bought with funds under the MLA Constituency Development Scheme.
Published – March 09, 2025 10:46 pm IST