In a bid to resolve civic issues caused by the accumulation of solid waste, the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) is set to expedite work on biomining in dump yards, facilitate pollution control, improve public health in the congested urban neighbourhoods near dumpsites, and restore greenery at the polluted sites.

Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi inspectedthe dumpsites on Saturday, and directed GCC officials to expedite work on biomining and plant trees after clearing thelegacy waste.

Following a delay in the completion of biomining under package 5, Mr. Bedi advised the contractor to resolve the issues in maintenance of equipment and heavy machinery. The GCC will issue a show cause notice to the contractors responsible for delaying biomining work, which is crucial for restoring the city’s polluted parts, including Kodungaiyur and Perungudi.

Two fire tenders have been stationed at the dumpsite after residents recently complained about fire accidents in dump yards.

On Saturday, civic officials led by Mr. Bedi inspected the green zone comprising 881 trees on three acres of land in the Kodungaiyur dump yard. The area was reclaimed after the completion of biomining.

He directed officials to improve the maintenance of trees planted after the biomining of Perungudi and Kodungaiyur dump yards.

Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said: “GCC has successfully completed 60% of the biomining work. However, progress of work under package 5 has been slow. The MAWS secretary instructed that a show cause notice be issued to the concessionaire, and told them to improve the quality and quantity of biomining within the stipulated time.”

Instructions were given to plant saplings on the lands reclaimed. The waste-to-energy plant site was also inspected. Preliminary works such as test piling have begun. Instructions were also given for a weekly review of this work, he said.

Pointing to the improvement in animal birth control across the city, Dr. Sameeran said: “Instructions have been given to complete the ongoing works in four centres and operationalise them at the earliest.