Clogged drains, open dumping of waste pose problems for residents of Ward 42 of Coimbatore Corporation

Residents of Ward 42 in Coimbatore face several issues, incl. clogged stormwater drains due to dumping of food waste, plastic, and garden debris. Contract workers take out the waste, but locals lack knowledge of composting & choose to discard food waste into drains. Officials raise awareness & plan to install UGD system. #Coimbatore #Ward42 #StormwaterDrains #Dumping #Composting #UGD #Awareness

The residents of Ward 42 in the West Zone of the Corporation face several issues, including clogged stormwater drains due to the constant dumping of food waste, plastic, and garden debris into the drains. According to the local people of this middle-income resident-heavy ward, this practice is causing significant environmental and health concerns among residents.

A shopkeeper on Marutha Konar Street said the contract workers do take out the waste from the drains every week, dry them and collect them in the vehicles.

“Everyone throws plastic and food waste into the drains. Some houses lacking underground drainage [UGD] connections were diverting the sewage into the stormwater drains, exacerbating the blockage. As a result, stagnant water has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. It was much worse around two years ago as there were no slabs,” he said.

According to him: “Many people seem to have no use for stale food, and they lack knowledge about composting. They can get money in exchange for metal, plastic and paper waste from scrap dealers. Consequently, they choose to discard food waste into the stormwater drains.”

V. Vijaykumar, a ward resident and member of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, said that officials do raise awareness on waste segregation and the people also follow it.

Pandiarajan, a resident of Velandipalayam, said no official has so far told the local people about waste segregation. “The workers collect even mixed waste and segregate them close to the dustbins along the Marutha Konar Street.,” he added.

Sathish Kumar, a former ward councillor of the All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, said that open dumping was rampant in Ambedkar Street and Periakani Konar Street. Wastewater overflows into the houses on Periakani Konar Street, he said.