Mounds of muck, air pollution turn Perungudi toxic

Chennai: Due to the dumping of fresh waste, toxic gas, and foul odour released during the ongoing bio-mining process at Perungudi dumpyard, the residents in the vicinity have been raising vociferous calls for an immediate halt to dumping more waste in the area.

While residents acknowledge the need to reduce legacy waste, they lament that the civic body's continued disposal of new waste is worsening the air quality. These conditions have led to a rise in respiratory issues, allergies, and other health complications among residents.

"Many families have been forced to relocate to other areas to escape the deteriorating environment caused by the waste processing and biomining activities. We have tried to be patient, as we understand the importance of waste management," said V Parthiban of Sri Sai Nagar in Perungudi.

"To prevent further deterioration of the situation, the department concerned should find solutions to the waste crisis and explore alternative waste management methods that do not further compromise the health or quality of life of residents. We are tired of filing complaints with civic authorities. Neither has any inspection been conducted, nor any concrete step taken," said George Philip, a resident of Thuraipakkam.

When contacted, K Vijayakumar, chief engineer (general), said the biomining process at the Perungudi dump yard will be completed within three months. Additionally, an integrated dump yard will be set up near Tambaram, where waste generated in South Chennai and the Tambaram corporation will be processed. "The project aims to achieve zero waste. Within the next three years, there will no longer be any dumping grounds in the city," added Vijayakumar.