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HomeUrban NewsChennaiSadayankuppam Faces Growing Waste Crisis with Scrap Upholstery and Pollution in Chennai

Sadayankuppam Faces Growing Waste Crisis with Scrap Upholstery and Pollution in Chennai

Sadayankuppam Faces Growing Waste Crisis with Scrap Upholstery and Pollution in Chennai

Sadayankuppam, a locality in Chennai’s Manali Zone, is grappling with an increasing waste management crisis, characterised by the illegal dumping and burning of various materials, including scrap upholstery from Indian Railways, factory waste, and household refuse. The problem is exacerbated by the burning of waste, which contributes significantly to air pollution in the area. Residents of the locality, including many migrant workers, are calling for stronger enforcement measures to curb the environmental and health hazards posed by such practices.

Recently, large piles of scrap upholstery bearing the Indian Railways logo were found dumped in open spaces around the Sadayankuppam Irular Colony and a vacant plot near a factory close to the T.P.P.-Burma Nagar Link Road. The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) responded by cleaning and bleaching the affected areas, but this has failed to prevent further dumping. Local authorities have suggested that scrap dealers may be behind the illegal dumping, but investigations are still ongoing. An Additional Divisional Railway Manager from the Indian Railways has pledged to look into the matter, while residents continue to voice their concerns.

M. Kamal Kannan, a local resident and member of Makkal Needhi Maiam, highlighted the severe health risks posed by the open burning of waste, noting that the thick black smoke from both factories and illegal waste burning is contributing to respiratory problems in the community. Additionally, Kannan pointed out the lack of waste segregation among residents, compounded by a general absence of awareness and the absence of proper waste management systems. He also indicated that the issue is not just confined to Sadayankuppam but has spread to other areas, including Varadharaja Perumal Koil Street near the Kosasthalaiyar River and Sathya Moorthy Nagar along Manali High Road. Mixed waste, including hazardous materials, is often dumped by factory workers and even sanitary workers, according to local reports.

The illegal disposal and burning of waste are not only affecting the health of residents but are also having a profound impact on the environment. According to local sources, rag-pickers are collecting piles of scrap metal, glass, and plastic waste from vacant spots and selling them as fuel to factories in Ambattur’s Red Hills. The role of informal waste collectors in perpetuating this cycle of waste and pollution cannot be understated. Shopkeepers in the area have claimed that even GCC workers have been complicit in handing over waste materials for money, further complicating the situation. The rampant issue of waste dumping is also visible in the Buckingham Canal, where scrap metal and other refuse are regularly found floating, adding to the pollution levels in the area.

From a civic and sustainability perspective, the situation in Sadayankuppam illustrates the need for an integrated waste management strategy that goes beyond cleaning drives and focuses on long-term solutions to prevent illegal dumping. The Greater Chennai Corporation has acknowledged the issue, suggesting the installation of hidden cameras to identify and penalise offenders. However, residents are calling for a more proactive approach, including better waste segregation and public education on the dangers of such practices. Furthermore, urban planners and environmental experts advocate for the fast-tracking of waste-to-energy projects and the development of better recycling infrastructure to manage the growing piles of scrap materials, especially in areas like Sadayankuppam, which are prone to environmental neglect.

The increasing urbanisation of Chennai, paired with a lack of efficient waste management systems, calls for an urgent reassessment of how the city handles its waste. Not only is the unchecked disposal of garbage contributing to the degradation of the environment, but it is also exacerbating the health challenges faced by the most vulnerable sections of the population. The situation demands immediate intervention, both from the authorities and the public, to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for the residents of Chennai.

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