Foundry waste dumped on vacant plots near Coimbatore airport

Heaps of foundry sand and other waste have been dumped on vacant plots along Chinniyampalayam–Irugur Road, close to the runway of the Coimbatore International Airport.

During a visit by The Hindu to the area, foundry waste was found dumped at multiple spots on the vacant land. The plots are understood to have been acquired for the proposed expansion of the airport. Domestic plastic waste and other mixed waste were also found dumped in the area.

The dumping of foundry waste on open land has raised concerns over the handling of industrial waste. Foundry sand, depending on its composition and after meeting prescribed standards, can be put to beneficial use in applications such as construction filling, road works and certain building materials. The site falls within Chinniyampalayam panchayat.