Coimbatore Corporation faces hurdles in eliminating roadside dumping

Coimbatore struggles with roadside dumping despite Corporation's efforts, implementing initiatives like bin-free city and source segregation campaigns.

Roadside dumping remains a challenge in Coimbatore, despite the Corporation’s measures to address waste management. Waste continues to accumulate in several roadsides and open spaces across the city.

To curb the dumping of waste in bylanes and other public spaces, the civic body has undertaken multiple initiatives, including the removal of garbage bins to promote a “bin-free” city. Efforts also include enhanced door-to-door waste collection, source segregation campaigns, and the introduction of initiatives such as route charting and GPS monitoring of waste collection vehicles.

Awareness campaigns under Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities have been launched, featuring street plays, school programmes, and murals at key junctions. The Corporation has also introduced “Green Warriors” groups to promote community participation. In collaboration with private entities, NGOs, and Residents’ Welfare Associations (RWAs), the focus has been on improving source segregation and managing non-recyclable waste. Additionally, an Eco Smart Decomposing Kit is being piloted to encourage at-source composting.

However, these efforts have yet to fully address the problem. “Despite beautifying hotspot areas and painting compounds to deter dumping, people continue to throw waste in these locations,” said Nitu Rahul Parasher, a resident of Saibaba Colony.

Another resident, K. An of G.N. Mills, highlighted that waste dumping is prevalent along areas such as the Sanganoor Canal, Raja Vaikkal and other channels. “With the removal of garbage bins, people now discard waste in open spaces. Earlier, at least they used the bins,” he said.

Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabhakaran acknowledged the challenges, citing issues such as an ageing fleet of waste collection vehicles and frequent breakdowns. “Of the 450 mini trucks, only 100 are new, and we face significant operational difficulties. Additionally, worker protests have disrupted door-to-door collection services. As a result, waste has been piling up on streets,” he said.

To address these challenges, the Corporation has floated a new tender for waste management services, with operations expected to commence within a month. “We hope the new contractor will ensure better performance. Meanwhile, we have managed to increase source segregation from 30% to 65% this year alone,” he added.