The local body decided to build a Solid Waste Management facility under the Swachh Bharat Mission.  According to the plan, the Municipality aims to collect garbage from the neighbouring wards and segregate it before compositing at the premises. 

A resident, Balasundaram, said, “The local body has equated solid waste in par with health and hygiene. They astonished us with the choice of their place to construct a pit. The PHC has visitors from all age groups, including infants and young mothers. This is a private land which was donated to construct a hospital a few decades ago. But the civic body is treating like its own place and implementing schemes at their whims and fancies.”

The residents registered their concern with the Pallavaram Municipality several times. Another reason cited is that such a facility will contaminate the groundwater in the neighbourhood.

 “This part of the locality is already reeling under severe water crunch. The proposed facility has the potential to pollute the available groundwater. Also, it is going to raise a stink and create inconvenience for the patients here. This would have severe ramifications,” said Vaishnavi, another resident. 

“The facility would pose risk to the patients. The local body is playing with the lives of the vulnerable sections. The infants have no immunity and will be easily infected. Even the young mothers are prone to be affected, in turn, affecting their children. The local body has to consider various factors before identifying a spot for the construction of a pit,” she added.

Despite several complaints receiving from the public, the Municipality continued with the work. In a collective effort, the residents have filed a PIL with the Madras High Court, seeking an injunction to halt the project.

An official said, “The matter will be looked into in the coming days. An amicable solution will be struck after holding a discussion.”