Residents of Maragabandu Road protested near Four Roads Junction here on Wednesday demanding that the Salem Corporation shut down a micro composting centre in their neighbourhood.
Hundreds of residents staged a road roko the junction and later laid a siege to the unit in the neighbourhood. The protesters alleged that foul smell arising out of the centre is causing huge discomfort and health issues to over 5,000 families residing in the area.
The protesters complained that they weren’t aware about the construction of the centre and the corporation should shift the centre to a non-residential area.
R. Kannan, one of the residents said, “the micro composting centre is causing foul smell in the area making it difficult for residents to even have a peaceful sleep in the night.
Residents here have been experiencing severe difficulties for the past few days and even some have started complaining about health issues.”
Hospitals
Another resident, Kumar said that there are hospitals and old-age homes in the premises and the corporation should have chosen some other place to set up the plant. Residents here also alleged that meat shop owners are dumping chicken waste at a drainage nearby causing additional discomfort to residents here.
Salem Corporation Assistant Commissioner Bhaskar later met the protesters and pacified them.
Mr. Bhaskar promised them that necessary steps would be taken to address the issues. “A demo was conducted in the presence of the public and further steps would be taken to avoid such discomfort to the public,” he said.