Workers unpaid, waste piles up in Chitlapakkam

Workers unpaid, waste piles up in Chitlapakkam

Rotting Muck Added Threat In Covid Times, Say Residents

Oppili.P@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.07.2020

Residents of Chitlappakkam now live amid a constant stink as garbage collection in 18 wards in the suburb has come to a standstill. The conservancy workers have not been paid salaries and this was the reason for the civic chaos, an official from the panchayat said.

President of Chitlapakkam Muthulakshmi Nagar Welfare Association, L Sundararajan said members of ‘Kizahdi Women Self Help Group’ were engaged in door-to-door garbage collection in the area. “They collected waste from every street with tricycles and minivans. But the garbage collection was stopped as the panchayat had not paid salaries of the workers,” said Sundararajan.

When a petition to this effect was sent to the chief minister’s cell last month, workers collecting garbage on tricycles were paid but not those who collected waste in minivans.

An official from the panchayat, on condition of anonymity, confirmed to TOI that there were salary dues. “Due to nonpayment of charges, garbage collection from 60% of the streets in Chitlappakkam and door-to-door garbage collection have been affected,” the official added.

With fear of Covid-19 all around, residents fear the uncleared, rotting garbage will be an added threat to their health, Sundararajan said.

Chitlappakkam has 365 streets with more than 50,000 people living in nearly 10,000 houses. Garbage is currently being collected from only 11 of the 365 streets and garbage is piling up in front of every household in the remaining streets, he added.

When contacted, executive officer of Madambakkam town panchayat, Ganesan, who is also in charge of Chitlappakkam, said while issues over payment of salaries were being sorted out. “Those collecting garbage on tricycles have been paid. Soon, the issue with minivans will be put in order”.

Chitlapakkam has 365 streets and a population of more than 50,000 people. Garbage is being collected from only 11 streets now since the panchayat has not paid the conservancy workers