When DT Next visited the spot, there was an open pit dug up in the vacant land, and plastic waste that was cleared from the expo’s venue had been dumped inside. Due to the wind, some of the trash has been strewn around. Nasrin, a resident living near the Villa Road, said that the garbage has merely been shifted to an interior spot, away from the main roads. “There are a few lotus ponds here, which are now polluted by Styrofoam and plastic waste from the expo site,” she said. Several research reports have confirmed that burying plastic can leach harmful chemicals, polluting the soil and water. 

Harsha Koda, a resident of OMR, who regularly uses this route on his way to Mamallapuram, was angered that the multi-crore DefExpo failed to follow the Swachh Bharat programme. 

“This incident of covering up plastic waste by burying it underground shows that there is a lack of understanding of waste management among the staff. Swachh Bharat should create awareness and compliance among its own workers and officials,” added the member of Federation of OMR Residential Associations (FOMRRA). 

An official from the local administration conceded that due process hasn’t been followed in waste disposal, but assured that efforts would be taken to fix the situation.