The Hindu, May 28, 2007 http://www.hindu.com/2007/05/28/stories/2007052813610500.htm

Swahilya

IN A SHAMBLES: Garbage accumulated near Pattinathar Koil Kuppam in North Chennai. — Photo: S.S. Kumar

Chennai : The samadhi of Pattinathar is an historic landmark on the Ennore Expressway in Tiruvottiyur. While the interiors of the temple present a picture of immaculate cleanliness, the area around the temple is filthy for want of attention by the Tiruvottiyur Municipality.

A vacant land near the temple serves as a dumping ground for garbage collected from several streets abutting the Ennore Expressway. A sanitary worker of the Municipality said as there were less staff working during summer, the place was used a temporary dumping ground. The garbage is also set on fire leaving a smouldering mass.

The Municipality has kept a garbage dump truck stationed in front of a godown, near the temple. However, once it loaded to capacity, the garbage brought on tricycles is dumped on the main road around the truck.

The temple attracts hundreds of devotees on days of important celebrations, says its priest Somasundara Gurukkal. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department manages it.

A. Mahendran, who works in the godown, said despite repeated complaints to the Municipality, the dumping continues. According to the residents of Pattinathar Koil Kuppam, they throw their garbage near an open ground adjacent the Pattinathar Samadhi and the Municipality clears it once a week.

Residents said the garbage heap often gets washed into the waters when there is a high tide.

With the dumping yard situated at Manali, most of the vehicles dump their garbage on the roadside areas such as the one near the godown adjacent to the temple.

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