CHENNAI, TAMIL NADU, 22/05/2025: A view of waste dumping in vacant plots in Velachery on Thursday. Photo: Velankanni Raj B/ The Hindu
| Photo Credit: VELANKANNI RAJ B

Residents’ associations have raised complaints on social media about the rising civic issues caused by the accumulation of garbage on private lands, even as the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) begins consultations to take action against illegal dumping in vacant plots. It is also planning to charge landowners by way of adding the cost of maintenance to vacant land tax.

Geetha Ganesh, secretary of AGS Colony Residents Welfare Association, Velachery West, said around 25 to 30 vacant plots in their area have become breeding ground for snakes.

“We lost five to six stray dogs due to snake bites on the vacant sites. If it had been human deaths, they would have been forced to take immediate action. Vacant plots can be cleaned by the GCC and utilised as vehicle parking lots. Residents who don’t have parking space could be asked to park their vehicles on these plots, on payment of user fee. GCC is not able to identify the owners. It can maintain the plots with the help of a conservancy team and earn revenue through parking lots,” she said.

Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents’ Welfare Associations president A. Francis said many vacant plots, with overgrown vegetation, have turned into breeding places for poisonous snakes, such as cobras and vipers. “We have already submitted complaints with the GCC. It must take necessary action,” he said.

Overgrown trees

A. Pandian, of Ninth Cross Street, Anand Nagar, said: “Dumping of garbage has increased at vacant plots near our house. Morning walkers dump garbage and all unwanted items at the plot. Overgrown trees and bushes are a problem. Recently, snakes were caught by the Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Personnel at our house. This problem should be resolved.”

Similarly, on Thursday, A. Arnald Teen, a resident of Anand Nagar Eighth Street, shared details on social media alleging that venomous snakes, such as cobras, were spotted in their apartments as the nearby vacant plots were not maintained properly.

S. Prabakaran, a resident of Vinayaga Nagar First Street, said the vacant plot opposite his apartment had a family of mongoose and giant rats roaming around at night.

“I raised complaints on the Swachhata app multiple times. Only once did they call back and no action was taken after that,” he said.

Resident Sridevi Madusoodanan said: “I have noticed that an open plot on Anand Nagar Main Road has been full of garbage such as thermocol, mattress, pillows and clothes. Snakes and rats are also present. The Corporation has placed bins but I don’t know how these plots are full of garbage. The civic body has to take strict action to prevent this,” she said.