CHENNAI: Motorists and pedestrians using Tondiarpet High Road are facing significant risks due to garbage spilling from trucks, particularly outside the Kodungaiyur dump yard.
This waste creates a layer on the road that becomes dangerously slippery, even during light rain. Over the past month, several people have been injured, and one fatality has been reported.
Stefy Kevin, a resident, alleged, "Hundreds of vehicles traverse this slippery stretch on Tondiarpet High Road opposite the Kodungaiyur dump yard daily. We are facing frequent minor accidents, eye irritation from dust, and a foul stench from accumulated waste. This has raised serious concerns over public health and vehicular safety. However, despite repeated calls to the Greater Chennai Corporation ward assistant engineer, he rarely responds and has not rectified the issue."
Echoing these concerns, A Vasantha Kumar, an auto driver and resident, suggested a practical fix: "The garbage spills out directly from the trucks. To prevent this, officials must ensure lorry tops are covered with nets. This simple act would stop waste from falling onto the road."
A Subash, a pedestrian, explained that residents of Kodungaiyur, Muthamizh Nagar, Raghavan Nagar, Kodungaiyur East, and Kaviarasu Kannadasan Nagar all rely on Tondiarpet High Road to reach Vyasarpadi, Korukkupet, Tondiarpet, and other neighbourhoods. He noted that similar issues do not seem to occur to the same extent near the Perungudi dump yard.
An official from the Chennai corporation said that the spillage of the garbage will be cleared in the next couple of days.