The government is implementing a slew of measures, including laying of a cement road at a cost of Rs. 5.59 crore in Kodungaiyur dump yard, to stop fires due to burning of garbage at dumps. Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development K.P. Munusamy announced this at the Assembly on Wednesday. The road will help ease access to areas where fires break out.
The Minister was responding to CPI (M) floor leader A. Soundararajan, who complained about the emission of 19 types of harmful chemicals from the burning of garbage and inadequate facilities to extinguish the fire.
Mr. Soundararajan said there was no proper road to reach the affected areas when the fire broke out.
“It is as if we need a helicopter to put out the fire,” he said.
Mr. Munusamy said the unwanted elements that gain entry into the garbage yard are being evacuated by the police and that a fire-fighting wagon is always on the spot.
Besides, the government had employed five earth-movers and bulldozers to remove garbage mounds that were now preventing the mobility of vehicles. Three deep bore wells were being dug to supply the necessary water to put out the fire.
The Minister said a separate road was being laid for movement of vehicles carrying garbage to the yard at a cost of Rs. 65 lakh and tenders had been called for laying a cement road to reach interior areas of the yard.
“The work in Perungudi and Kodungaiyur is being monitored from the headquarters and the government has installed equipment at a cost of Rs 10.24 lakh,” he said.
