A garbage hotspot that has been converted into a green space in Venice Street in Tiruchi.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

In an attempt to prevent littering in public places, Tiruchi City Corporation has converted about 55 garbage-vulnerable points into beautified green spaces in the city.

The initiative was launched in September 2023, and since then 55 spots, both in residential and commercial areas, have been reclaimed and transformed into green spaces through the outsourcing agency managing the city’s waste collection.

After clearing the garbage pile-ups, the dump sites were converted into mini gardens, as per the available space, and some of the areas have been fenced to secure the greenery. Wall art and graffiti are also done to beautify the spots. Some of the major places have also been created as selfie points.

To promote the recycle and reuse concept, elements from littered waste have been used to beautify these spots. Ceramic toilet closets and discarded pots have been used to grow flowering and ornamental plants. Similarly, tyres recovered from the waste have been used as reusable flower pots.

Around 92 public spots have been identified in all five zones as garbage-vulnerable points, and the civic body has initiated measures for transformation. The sanitation workers would clear the waste dumped in such spaces, which are usually under flyovers, walkways, vacant spaces near street corners and enclosures of transformers.

The beautified spots are monitored round the clock to make the transformation effective. The frequency of solid waste collection has been increased from once a day to three times, especially in commercial areas. Regular sweeping of roads has been ensured, and faulty public toilets are being repaired to prevent open defecation. The civic body has decided to penalise violators to safeguard the reclaimed space.

“To ensure sustainability, door-to-door waste collection would be strengthened, and waste segregation at source will be streamlined. Efforts would be taken to convert the GVPs in peripheral areas and extended wards,” said M. Vijay Chandran, City Health Officer.