‘Gagging’ protest against dumping of waste in quarry

The residents protested by wearing masks indicating that the quality of air has become worse due to the presence of the garbage yard. With no designated dumpyard, the civic body has been dumping garbage generated in Zone I and Zone II at a stone quarry pit located in a private land in the Teachers Colony.

Though the pit had got filled up, the Corporation continues to dump the collected garbage. With more than 2,000 houses located in areas surrounding the dump yard, the residents complained that the stench emanating from the yard has become unbearable.

Though the residents have petitioned the Collector and Corporation officials, the dumping of garbage continues unabated. Left with no other option, the irate public finally resorted to a road roko protest by wearing masks. The protesting public also broke into a quarrel with police officials, who held talks to persuade them to withdraw the strike. “Residents of our neighbourhood are facing frequent health issues due to the presence of garbage yard. We are forced to keep our doors and windows shut to escape from the stench emanating from the yard. As the quarry pit has also got filled up, it should immediately be closed with mud,” said S Arumugam, a resident of Teachers Colony.

The residents withdrew their protest after Corporation officials assured to stop dumping of garbage in the yard. Ironically, when the protesting public had been dispersing, a garbage laden lorry arrived to dump garbage in the stone quarry pit.

Angered on seeing the garbage laden lorry, the public again resorted to road block. They however withdrew in a short while after officials held talks. An ambulance which was caught in the traffic was diverted through alternative routes. Due to the protest, traffic was disrupted for over an hour.