Dead rats, medical waste, liquor bottles, construction and debris waste, broken pavements, abandoned vehicles, and household garbage surround three Anganwadi centres of Muthamil Nagar in Kodungaiyur under Tondiarpet Zone (IV). The buildings of these Anganwadi or Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres in Blocks 5, 7 and 8 of Muthamil Nagar are in dilapidated condition with broken walls, pipes and worn-out paint, allege residents of the area.
G.Naresh, a resident in Kodungaiyur, claimed that unknown persons engaged in anti-social activities around the centre after dark. “Syringes and vials were found near the centre a few days ago. Further, the lack of proper bathrooms for the children as in the centre in Block 7 forces children to defecate in the open. A dead rat is found near the centre’s doorstep in Block 8 and behind the centre in Block 5. Rodents were allegedly found scurrying near the place where food, like eggs, was stocked,” he said.
Right next to the centre in Block 8 is the Chennai Corporation’s Streetlights Department office, a private school and along the lane is GCC Zone IV office, yet the centre’s site is left in this condition, he added.
L.M. Jaiganesh, a social activist, said that such waste surrounding the centre and open defecation is unhealthy for the kids. “Several representations were made to the GCC and Social Welfare Department to clean the spots regularly and assign helpers for the centres. But no action has been taken so far,” he claimed.
Chennai Corporation Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran stated that the GCC will complete the assessment of condition of over 50 centers across Chennai and commence renovation soon. Further, the sites will be cleaned, he added.
Published - January 15, 2025 10:00 pm IST
