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In Chennai, more than 1,300 locations have been identified by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) where construction debris has been illicitly disposed of in recent months. Approximately 700 of these spots fall under regions where the municipal corporation oversees waste management. The remaining areas are managed by contracted companies Urbaser-Sumeet and Ramky Enviro.
N Mahesan, the Chief Engineer for Solid Waste Management at the Corporation, spoke to the media regarding this issue. He explained that even though they have initiated dialogue with large builders and construction firms, the more significant challenge lies with smaller construction sites. According to Mahesan, these entities persist in unlawfully disposing of debris near lakes, canals, streets, and garbage bins. Despite efforts to educate the public and implement substantial fines, the problem persists. The Corporation has collected around 12.4 lakh as penalties for such illegal disposal in April alone, with an additional 1 lakh in May thus far.
In an effort to curb this escalating issue, GCC Commissioner Dr J Radhakrishnan has ordered officials to execute midnight inspections. These checks aim to catch offenders in the act of discarding construction and demolition waste in public spaces. Radhakrishnan also announced that the equipment and vehicles of culprits would be confiscated. He urged for this indiscriminate dumping to cease, highlighting the fact that debris disposal after street cleaning is rendering these efforts futile.
In 2018, the GCC took a significant step towards regularizing waste disposal by allotting one approved dumping site in every zone. Vendors, predominantly small truck drivers, collect the debris and charge between 5,000 to 10,000 for disposal. However, a majority of these vendors are neither certified nor licensed, leading them to discard the waste on roadsides, under bridges, or near water bodies.
In conclusion, the ongoing challenge of illegal construction waste disposal in Chennai requires a comprehensive approach. The responsibility lies not only with the authorities to enforce laws and regulations, but also with the construction sector and general public to ensure environmentally responsible practices. The effects of this issue extend beyond mere aesthetics, impacting public health, safety, and the environment.
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