COIMBATORE: The suspension of meat waste dumping at the Vellalore dump yard, following directions from the city corporation commissioner, has triggered a fresh crisis in Coimbatore, with meat vendors alleging that waste collection has been completely disrupted for the past three days.Owners of meat stalls in the city claimed that the contractor engaged in collecting meat waste has stopped the service, leaving them with no option to safely dispose of the waste generated daily. According to vendors, meat waste collection has remained suspended since Sunday in all corporation zones.Janab Jinna, who runs A1 Chicken Stall in Peelamedu, said the last collection was carried out on Saturday. “For the past three days, no one has come to collect the waste. When we approached the ward inspector, we were informed that the waste would not be collected. At the same time, we were warned that the corporation would impose fines if we disposed of it elsewhere. There was no prior notice regarding the suspension,” he said.Jinna said meat stall owners were able to manage the situation only for a day or two by storing the waste. “If the waste continues to accumulate, it will lead to odour, toxic gas formation and serious sanitation issues,” he added.Jinna, who is a member of the All Meat Stall Owners Association, criticised the civic body, stating that vendors regularly pay garbage collection charges, property tax and commercial taxes, but are now being denied a basic civic service.“The problem is widespread across the city. Several vendors have been forced to transport and dispose of the waste outside corporation limits. The corporation must take responsibility for the situation,” he said.Ward 26 councillor Chithra Vellingiri warned that prolonged disruption could have severe consequences. “If collection is not resumed immediately, vendors may start dumping waste in streets, canals and water bodies. This will attract stray dogs, create unbearable stench and pose a major public health threat. It would also undermine the corporation’s efforts to clean and restore water bodies,” she said.Despite making attempts for comments from the corporation, there was no response.
