Following a fire in the Kodungaiyur dumpyard on Sunday, the residents of five wards in the Perambur and Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituencies in north Chennai have complained of pollution and other public health issues.

Ward 41 councillor B. Vimala said she had received complaints from many residents in her ward.

Ash particles in food

“Residents of Ezhil Nagar, Chandrasekar Nagar, and MGR Nagar in ward 41 were among those who had complained of pollution. Children and the elderly have been the hardest-hit. Residents have also complained of eye irritation. Ash particles have been found in food. The public health risk is high for over 10,000 families in the ward,” she said.

Federation of North Chennai Residents’ Welfare Association president T.K. Shanmugham said the residents of wards 34, 35, and 37 in the Perambur Assembly constituency, and wards 38 and 41 in the Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar Assembly constituency had complained of pollution caused by the fire. “Residents have demanded that the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) increase surveillance to prevent fires in the dumpyard. The GCC should take action against the officials responsible for the fire,” he added.

“The fire started around 9.30 a.m. It occurred most likely due to methane gas and atmospheric heat. The fire was reported below the HT lines of TANTRANSCO. It took three hours to put out the fire. Smoke management took another two hours. Five fire tenders, 10 water lorries, and a few earthmovers were pressed into service. The HT line was switched off, and alternative supply was provided to those substations during the operations. The GCC Joint Commissioner Health, the Regional Deputy Commissioner North, the District Fire Officer, and the Managing Director of TANTRANSCO were on spot to coordinate the work. We are planning to conduct a meeting with the Fire and Rescue Services to install sprinklers to prevent fires in dumpyards,” GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said.