1 day Ago
Chennai: The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) cleared debris and garbage in Foreshore Estate , Santhome, on Wednesday, following a report by TOI on Tuesday that highlighted the area's decade-long status as an unofficial dump yard. "Since the land is vast, we will complete clearing the debris in a week. We have already started the work," a GCC official said.
This 20-acre plot, owned by the Tamil Nadu Housing Board (TNHB), is located near Pattinapakkam beach and Adyar estuary, making it an inter-tidal zone. The land was littered with debris, garbage, broken furniture and toilet parts, with waste being dumped regularly. Encroachments have worsened the situation, turning the site into an area for open defecation and anti-social activities such as gambling, alcohol consumption and drug abuse.
For years, GCC and TNHB have shifted responsibility for addressing the issue, despite complaints from residents. "We have cleared the land before, but miscreants keep dumping garbage there. TNHB must secure and fence the area soon," the GCC official added.
TNHB managing director GS Sameeran said, "We faced some resistance from fisherfolk with repsect to fencing the land. On Wednesday, we held peace talks with them, along with police officials, and confirmed that we would secure the area. Work orders have been issued to the contractor, and the fencing will be completed in a month.
" GCC Commissioner J Kumaragurubaran said, "We will deep-clean the area before TNHB fences it." The housing board is expected to make a policy decision on the land's development, with earlier discussions considering building a commercial centre..
