Pallikaranai fire dims visibility, hurts motorist

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A massive fire broke out at Pallikaranai dumpyard early Saturday morning, affecting vehicular traffic for several hours.

The billowing smoke engulfed the entire locality and the thick haze reduced visibility to such a level that one motorist reportedly rammed into a stationary lorry and suffered head injuries.

According to the locals, the fire that broke out around 1 am continued to rage throughout the night. Huge flames were witnessed across the 15-acre dumpyard.

Police officers rushed to the spot and erected barricades. Several office-goers were put to hardship, as they had to take a detour to Madipakkam main road and Pallavaram-Thoraipakkam radial road to reach Tambaram/ Velachery. Residents of Madipakkam, Velachery and Mayillai Balaji nagar in Pallikaranai were the worst hit.

“Garbage-burning has intensified over the past two months. The dense smoke enters even our office on the eighth floor and plays havoc with our health,” charged software engineer, Mr Sakthivel.
“The dumpyard has to be shifted to a non-residential area. Several residents have already moved out,” he pointed out.

A senior corporation official said, “Five fire tenders from Tambaram, Kancheepuram and Chennai and nearly 40 water tankers of Chennai metro water helped the fire fighters. They fought the blaze since 2 am and put out the flames around 5.30 am.”

“About 2 acres of garbage was burnt to ashes. We suspect the handiwork of anti-social elements and an investigation is on,” he said, and added that the dumpyard will soon be converted into a ‘modern transfer station’.