Aadi, Purattasi waste leaves conservancy workers stretched, appeal to public to avoid open dumping

Conservancy workers with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) say the Tamil months of Aadi and Purattasi place additional pressure on them, as temple festivities, processions, and public gatherings generate large quantities of mixed waste and no additional workforce was deployed exclusively for the season.Valli, who has been employed as a conservancy worker under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in Tondiarpet Zone for over 16 years, alleged that they had to collect garbage beyond the regular eight-hour shift, without additional compensation under this programme. “Only some residents use the waste bins.

On interior streets, mixed waste is left by the roadside. After temple festivals or other demonstrations, we are expected to clear the waste, besides undertaking daily door-to-door collection and addressing public complaints,” she said.She added that mild rainfall often resulted in stagnant water mixed with garbage, making cleaning more difficult.

While some residents voluntarily pay workers to clear waste after private events, most do not. “In some places, we are not even offered drinking water. Toilet facilities are inadequate, though first-aid kits and soap are available,” she said.

A conservancy worker employed by Urbaser Sumeet said they were compensated if they worked beyond their scheduled hours for certain events, such as cleaning stadiums or during temple festivals. Otherwise, clearing food and garden waste generated during festivals formed part of their routine duties, she added.She said sweepers and battery-operated vehicle drivers also removed structures dismantled and left on roadsides.

She appealed to residents and event organisers to inform local authorities in advance, wherever possible, to facilitate waste clearance.An official of Urbaser Sumeet said conservancy workers would begin work at 6.30 a.

m. in areas around theatres and other public locations. If waste generation exceeded normal levels, four or five additional workers from the same ward would be deployed for mass cleaning.

Firecracker waste was collected separately and transported to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board’s facility at Gummidipoondi.A GCC official said they would not be deploying any additional conservancy workforce exclusively for the festivities and workload would be managed through existing ward-level staff.D.

Bharathidasan of the Puratchi Bharatham and Bahujan Samaj Thuyimai Paniyalar Sangam alleged that battery-vehicle (BV) drivers often had to spend from their own pockets for minor vehicle repairs and then make repeated visits to offices to obtain reimbursement. He also said BV drivers were assigned multiple responsibilities beyond driving, including assisting with waste collection and handling, while continuing to meet daily collection targets.Era.

Tamilnadu Selvam said the workload on conservancy workers could be eased by making temporary workers permanent and deploying staff based on population. He alleged that while a worker was originally expected to collect waste from about 450 households, many were now assigned around 900 households. “The workload has increased, but there is no concern for the workers’ safety,” he said.

Both said they have appealed to the State to ensure workers’ safety and permanency, and increase public awareness against open dumping. Published - July 26, 2026 12:41 am IST Read Comments Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit READ LATER SEE ALL Remove Related Topics Chennai / Chennai Corporation / waste / waste management / urban solid waste / waste management and pollution control