The Pollution free City is ensured

The Pollution free City is ensured

Municipal solid wastes build a mountainous trash ranging from kodungayur to manali, Chennai. A 70 year old plant feeds 500 families who are below poverty line and one engaged in separating usable plastic and solid metals. Their Shelters are made of sacks and woods which cannot withstand a heavy rain.


 The waste consists of our daily items we eat, use. The garbage includes food wastes, plastics, metal scrubs, product packaging and other miscellaneous inorganic wastes from residential, commercial, and industrial sources. Many programs have been conducted by Nongovernmental organization and trusts to educate them and to find a permanent home within the town. Earlier Chennai’s Arunodhaya trust celebrated Pongal by cleaning nearly half a kilometer of the waste disposal area where the huts were located .Here, “I m not the one who is new to this work, earlier my grandmother use to do it”, Says 34 year old Malar an avid worker. 


Malar and her husband venkatesh have three daughters and two sons where one daughter got married this year. In a day, Nearly 150 trucks and Lorries bring the wastes gathered in and around Chennai and dispose it here. About 600 to 700 rupees can be earned by a person if he works from 8am to 6pm, Says Venkatesh. Large number of metal tins, slippers and plastic bottles would remain after the primary search of the government allotted tender holders.

“First preference given to the tender holders and then to the rest” says Suresh a local carpenter near the municipal waste locality. The tender holders can earn from Rs.5000 to 10000 per day, since they get electronic items like hard disks and heavy metal products.

There is large number of kids below poverty line engaged in this work after school. These kids enjoy singing song while doing work. “There was no pressure from the watchman of this plant until and unless we burn the disposals “says 16 year old kamala.10 officials and 20 watchmen are working in this plant.

After their frequent proposals, The Government of Tamilnadu accepted to issue ration card and badges for the locals working in this plant. There is also a rumor spread stating that, the land is approved for housing board and 1500 flats are about to be constructed the upcoming year, with an electricity plant . 

Lingaraja Sivanaiah