CHENNAI: The residents of Old Venkatesapuram in Kannigapuram, Pulianthope, have to wait for 20 minutes or take long alternative routes to reach Dr Ambedkar College Road daily.
Residents lamented that the cleanliness workers involved in segregating collected waste on 4th Street of Venkatesapuram occupy all the road space, and residents urge the officials to take swift action in this regard.
According to residents of the old Venkatesapuram, 4th Street is the only and easiest access for the public to reach Brighton Road via Dr Ambedkar College Road. They have to go into several streets to reach Brighton Road, if the street is blocked.
Karthik, a resident of Old Venkatesapuram, alleged, "The cleanliness workers segregate door-to-door collections after 9 am daily. This narrows the street width, leaving space for only a bike to go. Anybody with a car will have to wait at least half an hour until they finish segregating the waste."
He also added, "The people in the area depend on the metro water tanker lorries for drinking water. Due to the segregation of wastes, quarrels erupt between metro water workers and cleanliness workers."
Another resident complained of the odour emanating from the waste, as the cleanliness workers segregate it on the spot. He noted that because religious places are located closeby, the area sees many motorists and the smell discomforts many. "We need swift action from GCC officials," the resident said.
Ward 72 councillor M Saravanan agreed that the segregation on the street was causing disturbances. "The public is not allowed to place the bins in the street, and they lack self-discipline.
They continue to litter public places despite the placement of bins. We are deploying 37 new battery-powered vehicles for door-to-door collection. We are searching for alternative places for segregating wastes."