Dumping of silt in open spaces leads to health risks

Waste collected during work on drains is being dumped in residential areas

Despite complaints, the Corporation has not stopped dumping silt in areas such as Korattur.

Huge quantities of silt collected during the massive redevelopment work on stormwater drains and canals are polluting open spaces in residential neighbourhoods, leading to public health hazards.

Work on the development of stormwater drains in the Adyar and Cooum basins started a few months ago with funding from the World Bank. Over 260 kilometres of drains are being developed along 1,980 roads as part of the ₹1,100-crore project.

Residents complain

Residents of neighbourhoods affected by the indiscriminate dumping of the polluted silt generated at the project sites have complained to the officials concerned. But the Chennai Corporation is yet to cease the dumping of such waste in the vicinity of residential areas.

“The dust is all-pervasive as the lorries dump the silt every day in our area. It causes respiratory illness for kids and senior citizens,” said P. Pramod, a resident of TNHB Second Street in Korattur.

“The Corporation is supposed to monitor public health problems. But its own officials are creating circumstances that could lead to health issues,” said another resident. Corporation officials said the dumping was due to the restriction on the movement of vehicles transporting silt by the RTO and traffic police.

Lack of space

The contractors of the civic body are also yet to find suitable space to dispose of the silt collected from stormwater drains and canals. “The work on 122 km of drains in Valasaravakkam, Alandur and Ambattur is under way. We have to complete most of the work before the monsoon,” said an official. Currently, the silt is collected from the open spaces after a few days and transported to low-lying areas.