Aadi, Purattasi waste leaves conservancy workers stretched, appeal to public to avoid open dumping
Conservancy workers in Chennai are struggling to manage increased waste loads during the Tamil months of Aadi and Purattasi due to temple festivities. Workers have reported long hours, lack of additional support, and poor working conditions while managing the surge in garbage.
Why it matters
The report sheds light on the labor challenges faced by municipal workers in urban environments during peak festival seasons.
Conservancy workers with the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) say the Tamil months of Aadi and Purattasi place additional pressure on them, as temple festivities, processions, and public gatherings generate large quantities of mixed waste and no additional workforce was deployed exclusively for the season.
Valli, who has been employed as a conservancy worker under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM) in Tondiarpet Zone for over 16 years, alleged that they had to collect garbage beyond the regular eight-hour shift, without additional compensation under this programme. “Only some residents use the waste bins. On interior streets, mixed waste is left by the roadside. After temple festivals or other demonstrations, we are expected to clear the waste, besides undertaking daily door-to-door collection and addressing public complaints,” she said.
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