Trash still burning two years on: No respite for Thiruvenchery residents

Chennai: Residents of Thiruvenchery in Tambaram accused the local panchayat of burning garbage in the area. They say the smoke and foul odour from the spot fill the locality and distress more than 140 families, especially the elderly and children. Repeated complaints to the authorities have gone in vain.

Panchayat workers have been dumping waste here and setting it on fire daily for the past two years, say locals. “We moved away from the city to escape pollution, but the situation here is worse. The workers told us that there is no designated space for waste disposal, and so they are forced to use the vacant land here. Two years have passed. Still, they haven’t been able to locate an alternative spot,” said K Jayaprakash, president of the Serenity Paradise Plot Owners Association in Thiruvenchery.

Several housing projects in the locality have stalled due to persistent garbage burning, with prospective buyers unwilling to move in. Residents say they are now facing health issues and are unable to step outdoors due to the thick smoke.

“Children and elderly residents are the worst affected. Many of us have developed constant throat irritation and breathing discomfort,” said S Jayaraman, another resident.

Despite multiple attempts by TOI, officials from Thiruvenchery panchayat were unavailable for comment.