The Greater Chennai Corporation has launched a citywide drive to clear firecracker debris from roads and stormwater drains during Deepavali.
The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has deployed 600 personnel and 350 vehicles to collect and safely dispose of firecracker waste across Chennai during Deepavali, according to reports by The Economic Times and The New Indian Express.
Under the direction of GCC Commissioner G S Sameeran, the Solid Waste Management Department has started a citywide drive to clear debris from public spaces, roads, and stormwater drains.
The civic body has distributed 30,000 designated collection bags, each with a 50 kg capacity, to conservancy workers. Residential complexes classified as bulk waste generators have been asked to set up separate collection points within their premises.
Residents are urged to segregate firecracker waste from regular biodegradable and non-biodegradable household garbage and hand it over separately to workers. The corporation has advised against dumping waste on streets or in stormwater drains.
The GCC has also intensified cleaning operations by deploying mechanical sweepers and overnight road-cleaning teams. Awareness campaigns are being conducted through battery-operated vehicles, schools, colleges, and public spaces.
Safety guidelines issued by the civic body urge the use of approved green crackers to minimise pollution. Residents are advised to follow state government permitted time slots of 6 am to 7 am and 7 pm to 8 pm.
