Residents oppose move to group garbage bins

Estimated cost for 1,293 corrugated iron sheets is Rs.4.35 crore

In a bid to ensure that the city's streets are free of overflowing bins and unbearable stench, the Chennai Corporation has started installing blue corrugated iron sheets to cover garbage bins all over the city. The proposal will also involve grouping garbage bins.

The project, a brain child of Mayor Saidai S. Duraisamy, will be implemented at 1,293 locations in seven zones in the old corporation limits. Work is underway at 437 locations and 100 of these covered group bins, as they are called, have already been installed. The estimated cost for 1,293 corrugated iron sheets is around Rs.4.35 crore. “The idea is to group bins rather than have them scattered everywhere. They will be covered and locked as well, with only the tricycle men and compactor helpers having access to the area. Ragpickers, dogs and cattle cannot enter the covered bins thus keeping the area around the bins clean. This will also lead to the bins remaining at a fixed spot and not moving,” said Mr. Duraisamy.

At every location, between five and 10 bins are being placed. The Corporation will also install such sheets in the newly expanded areas and Adyar, Teynampet and Kodambakkam zones covered by Ramky Enviro Engineers Ltd. There are around 6,000 bins in the old corporation limits. However, residents in many areas have been objecting to the grouping of bins. “When many bins are placed, the stench is unbearable with garbage from nearby commercial establishments and even meat shops being dumped here. The compactors come during school hours and cause a jam on our narrow road,” said Rm. Valliammai, a resident of Sengeniamman Koil Street of Maduvinkarai in Guindy.

Residents of Thiruvanmiyur, T. Nagar, Nungambakkam, R.A. Puram and Anna Nagar have complained about the grouping of bins.

In areas such as Triplicane and Sowcarpet, where the streets are too narrow to group bins, residents have objected to the proposal.

“There is no space for vehicles or pedestrians. Where is the space for 5 garbage bins in one location,” asked Hukmichand D. Shah of Sowcarpet.