Chennai: Over 1,000 illegal construction debris dumping spots found

In the previous six months, the Greater Chennai Corporation has identified 1,300 areas where construction debris was unlawfully deposited. Around 700 of them are in regions where the civic body handles rubbish collection, while the rest are in areas where Urbaser-Sumeet and Ramky Enviro are contracted. N Mahesan, the GCC's head engineer for solid waste management, stated that while they had spoken with builders and construction companies, the smaller construction sites created a barrier. “They continue to dump debris along lakes, canals, streets and near the garbage bins. We have been sensitizing people and have also penalised with hefty fines,” he said. In April, approximately 12.4 Lakh was collected as a penalty for illegal construction debris dumping. So far in May, approximately 1 lakh has been collected. In fact, we have also seized vehicles in Velachery and registered FIRs against the drivers and owners, he said. Dr. J Radhakrishnan, commissioner of Greater Chennai Corporation, has directed authorities to conduct nocturnal inspections to catch individuals dumping construction and demolition rubbish in the open. Such people's vehicles and equipment would be seized. “I have aksed officials to carry out midnight inspections. The streets are swept and cleaned at night. People are dumping debris on the road afer that. People are dumping debris on the roads as they find it cheap. They should stop it,” he said. In 2018, the civic council held huge drives and even designated one space in each zone to regularize it. Vendors, primarily tiny truck drivers, collect the waste and charge $5,000 to $10,000 for removal. However, because the majority of them are not authorized or licensed dealers, they dump it along roadsides, under bridges, or near bodies of water.