Removing garbage is one of the prime activities of the Corporation. But, the questions asked by the tax-paying citizens are aplenty. Sample this.
Is garbage removed on time? How regularly is garbage cleared? Are there adequate workers and supervisors to keep track of clearance? On what basis, dumper bins are placed on a particular location?…The queries seem to be never-ending.
The Hindu had received a number of mails from its readers, complaining that garbage was not removed on time in many locations. Some of the readers suggested that dumper bins should not be placed near places of worship and educational institutions as they spread foul smell and are an eyesore.
The mails were shared with the Corporation officials.
Commissioner Sandeep Nanduri said on Tuesday that the Corporation removed 680 tonnes of garbage from the 100 wards with the help of as many as 1,020 tri-cycles, 140 pushcarts and other types of heavy vehicles by deploying over 3,000 conservancy workers every day.
Apart from residential locations, landmark points such as Meenakshi Temple and Thirumalai Naick Palace were being given special attention for garbage removal since they drew tourists and devotees from far and near, he said.
Shortage of staffThe corporation, which originally had 72 wards, had 1,500 conservancy workers against the sanctioned strength of 2,700 workers. With the number of wards increased to 100 about three years ago, the number of conservancy workers was increased to 3,121 against the sanctioned strength of 4,918 workers.
To meet the demand, the corporation planned to outsource 500 conservancy workers shortly so that removal of garbage would be swift, Mr. Sandeep Nanduri said, and added four wards from each of the four zones in the city had been identified for 100 per cent segregation of waste.
There were plans at an advanced stage to produce methane gas from organic waste with which street lights would function.
Though there were 1,200 dumper bins, they were not energy- efficient.
“We have prepared a detailed project report for purchasing compact bins under Swachch Bharat Mission, which would replace the present dumper bins. The new bins would be hygienic and need not be transported all the way to Vellakal, the garbage collection centre, which is about 15 km from the city.
In the existing facility, the bins had to be physically transported to Vellakal, whereas in the new facility, to be implemented, the garbage would be dumped in trucks.
Further, the public can call 0452-2525252 or send mails to www.mducorp@gmail.com for registering their grievances. The calls would be recorded and tracked by officials at different levels in the event of their not being looked into within a stipulated time.
Differing viewsHowever, councillors, a majority of them from the AIADMK, blamed the officials for the stinking scenario. It was an excuse that the number of conservancy workers was insufficient. The officials had not taken any tangible step to recruit workers. In the present numbers, the enforcement was poor, they alleged.
Twenty eight more wards were added to the corporation’s jurisdiction, but there was no reason why the authorities delayed recruitment of workers. In many locations, they said, “Garbage was not removed for two days. We have to call the sanitary inspectors and the truck drivers to help remove it.” In many high-density wards, where garbage dumping was heavy – to name a few, Bethaniapuram, Anuppanadi, K. Pudur, Old Kuyavarpalayam, Mahaboobpalayam, Arapalayam, Krishnapuram Colony etc. – the officials should deploy more field staff to supervise and workers.
“We are facing public wrath for non-removal of garbage,” a woman councillor from the AIADMK said.
Disagreeing with the charge, City Health Officer Yasodha Mani said that zone-wise collection of garbage was monitored on a daily basis. In fact, around the Meenakshi Temple, the supervisory staff cleared the waste twice or sometimes even thrice a day.
“Madurai is a big city. There were many narrow lanes. Whenever we received calls from residents or councillors, they were attended to immediately,” she clarified. A resident and retired police officer, Ayyakkannu from Avaniapuram, said that a majority of the dumper bins were not covered by the crew. As a result, the garbage could be seen all over the road.
“I am not telling lies…anybody who stands near Vellakal can see the violation,” he challenged.
Kannappan, a bicycle dealer on West Chitirai Street, said that dumper bins placed near the temple spread an unpleasant odour.
To make matters worse, sewage flowed on the road, due to the high pressure flow from the temple’s sump. The HR and CE authorities should do put an end to the bad odour, which caused inconvenience to shopkeepers and public visiting the area.
But, Mr. Nanduri is optimistic about improving the public cleanliness. All that he says is: “Give me 100 days. We will show the change…”
