Around 11.30 p.m. on Mar. 27, a vacant plot filled with garbage at the corner of T.M. Maistry Street, Vannanthurai, caught fire, shocking nearby residents. Flames soared 10–15 feet high, prompting an immediate response from the Thiruvanmiyur Fire Station, which took nearly an hour to douse the blaze. The cause remains unknown.
Meanwhile, the residents of the surrounding apartments have expressed their frustration over their unsuccessful attempts to get the garbage bins removed and get the plot cleared of the dumping, despite several pleas.
Bhuvaneshwaran, a resident of Yashoda Apartments, T.M.Maistry Street, gives an insight into the problem:
The fire has drawn attention to ongoing waste management problems in the area. The vacant plot has been used for illegal dumping of waste. Just beside it are six garbage bins. The combination of the illegal dumping and the bins has become a health and safety concern for residents.
The prompt action from the fire department prevented injuries and further property damage. However, the fire’s closeness to a nearby transformer and residential buildings highlighted the potential of a more severe incident.
Traffic and Safety Concerns
The placement of garbage bins at this busy intersection contributes to traffic congestion, especially during peak hours. This area is a key route connecting Adyar and Besant Nagar with East Coast Road (ECR) and Thiruvanmiyur. Recent traffic diversion at Adyar Depot has increased vehicle flow, exceeding the area’s capacity. Narrow roads, along with encroachments near the plot, large vehicles like school buses, leading to frequent traffic jams.
Residents’ appeals for action
Following the incident, residents are urging authorities to:
Clear the vacant plot: Remove all accumulated waste to prevent further illegal dumping. Large items such as old beds, broken furniture, and tree debris, often overlooked by collection services, have been dumped in the plot, possibly fueling the recent fire.
Relocate Garbage bins: Move the six garbage bins to a more suitable location to ease traffic congestion and reduce health risks. Currently, residents from TM Maistry Road, Gangai Amman Kovil Street, Kamaraj Salai, and Chella Perumal Kovil Street rely on these bins for waste disposal.
Implement effective Waste Management practices: Enforce proper waste management protocols to prevent stray animals, such as cows and dogs, from scattering waste throughout the neighborhood.
We emphasise the need for immediate action to prevent future incidents and ensure a clean, safe, and healthy environment. We urge authorities to act promptly, noting that delays could lead to more severe consequences.
