Residents seek closure of Coimbatore’s Vellalore dump yard

By U Archana

COIMBATORE: The Kurichi Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee has filed a petition with the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC) on Tuesday, seeking closure of the Vellalore dump yard and implementation of decentralised solid waste management in all five zones of the corporation.

The petition stated that approximately 1,200 tonne of solid waste collected daily by the CCMC had been dumped in the yard for several years. “As a result, the surrounding environment has been affected, eventually affecting the public around the area,” it said.

The petition stated the dump yard caused several hazards to the public. Odour from the dump yard spreads up to 10 km. “The dump yard has contaminated the groundwater. The groundwater has turned yellow in colour. It is unfit to use,” it said.

The petition demanded speeding up of the biomining process in the yard, along with ceasing the implementation of the Waste-to-Energy project, as it could cause various side effects.

K S Mohan, secretary, Kurichi-Vellalore Pollution Prevention Action Committee, said, “Wastes collected from nearly 100 wards have been dumped in this yard for the past 20 years. Despite constant complaints, no action has been taken, and the waste is still being dumped at the yard.”

He said around one lakh people were affected due to the dump yard, including children and senior citizens. Several health issues, including respiratory problems, are also being constantly reported.

“According to the Solid Waste Management Framework introduced this year, waste segregation and other management activities must be decentralised and carried out at the zonal level rather than all wastes being dumped in one place,” he said.

He added, “The National Green Tribunal had already directed the restoration of the dump yard for public use. However, waste continues to be dumped in the yard, despite repeated petitions and complaints.”