Chennai: Overflowing garbage bins and unsanitary street conditions are posing health risks in Bharathi Nagar and Krishna Nagar neighbourhoods of Tambaram. However, a bigger problem for residents is the consistent lack of support from local authorities in addressing the mounting waste problem.Uncollected refuse has increased concerns about public health in densely populated areas. “Our school is barely 20 feet away from a dumping spot. There is a noticeable rise in allergies and respiratory problems among children,” said P Sundari, a teacher and resident of Bharathi Nagar. “The local body does not have a solid waste management system in place. They haven’t provided bins and don’t remove waste piled up in public areas. Despite multiple complaints to Tambaram corporation, no action was taken,” she said.As official complaints go unanswered, residents have turned to digital platforms for redressal. WhatsApp groups like ‘Clean Tambaram Mission’ now function as unofficial grievance forums, where users share photos and videos highlighting civic neglect. “Since the authorities are not responding to complaints submitted through petitions or in person, we have started posting civic issues on social media. That’s the only way we get a response. Once posted, the issues are usually resolved within 48 hours,” said Shankar Narayan, a resident of Krishna Nagar.M Ananya, another resident of Bharathi Nagar, added, “Environmental degradation is escalating too, with restored lakes turning back into dumping grounds, and even minor rains causing stormwater drains to overflow and flood the streets.”A senior official from the Tambaram corporation said ever since Tambaram became a corporation in 2021, expansion has outpaced infrastructure. “The shortage of manpower has caused delays in developmental works. Steps will be taken to address these civic issues at the earliest,” the official said.