Residents block highway seeking shifting of dumping yard

Coimbatore, Sep 20 (PTI): Vehicular traffic was disruptedfor nearly one hour on Pollachi-Pallakkad highway, following aroad blockade by about 100 people,demanding immediate shiftingof a garbage dumping yard near Pollachi, which they claimedcaused health hazards, particularly to children. The residents of Nallur squatted in the middle of theroad and complained that frequent fires and resultant smoke inthe yard caused breathing problems and heart-related diseases,particularly among children, police said. Despite various representations, authorities had failedto take action and the residents were forced to come to thestreets to draw the attention of higher officials, they said. Senior district and police officials rushed to the areaand assured the agitators that action would be taken in thisregard. The agitators dispersed after saying they would intensifytheir stir if the authorities concerned failed to fulfilltheir assurances, police said. PTI NVM APRAPR