Garbage dumping, burning persist despite source segregation mandate in Erode district

Open dumping and burning of household waste continues at several locations on the outskirts of Erode district despite door-to-door collection and the administration’s emphasis on source segregation under the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026. Garbage is being dumped along roads, canals, vacant plots and agricultural land, with accumulated waste often burnt later.

The problem is particularly visible in 46 Pudur, Lakkapuram, and Muthugoundanpalayam panchayats, where rapid urbanisation has increased waste generation. Residents say gaps in collection and monitoring, along with the practice of dumping waste in vacant spaces and along roadsides, have allowed several dumping spots to persist.

Open dumping rampant

Though conservancy workers collect household waste, including plastic, twice or thrice a week in several areas, residents continue to dispose of waste in open spaces. Panchayats also face shortages of manpower and vehicles and delays in collection, making regular monitoring difficult. Burning of the accumulated waste has added to concerns over smoke and air pollution.

Open dumping has been reported at Karukkampalayam, the road to Pudur, Pudur Road, the Erode Outer Ring Road near the Armed Reserve Ground, the Vellakovil–Sankari National Highway (NH 381A), Kumar Garden Road in Sanarmedu, outside the government school at Lakkapuram and Poondurai Road. At Vellalapalayam, a farmer alleged that garbage was being dumped on his agricultural land near a residential area.

“At Karukkampalayam, people from distant villages dump waste here while passing through on two-wheelers,” a resident said. P. Manickasundaram of Vellode, who has been urging the authorities to act against illegal dumping, said vulnerable locations needed regular monitoring.

Frequent collection

Residents said fixed and publicised collection timings and more frequent collection in vulnerable areas could discourage open dumping. They suggested that chronic dumping spots be mapped and assigned to specific sanitary workers or officials for regular inspection. Warning boards and CCTV cameras could be installed at major hotspots, along with enforcement against those who dump or burn waste.

Cleared dumping spots could be fenced or converted into green spaces to prevent repeat dumping. A dedicated phone or WhatsApp number for reporting dumping and burning, coupled with periodic reviews of identified hotspots, could improve monitoring and community participation.

“The continued presence of household waste in open spaces despite collection services highlights the need for regular collection, better monitoring, public awareness, and enforcement at the panchayat level,” said a resident of Chettipalayam.