Chennai, Apr 28 (PTI) The raging blaze at the Perungudi landfill here has been brought under control and the civic authorities have been told to conduct medical camps for the benefit of the people residing in the vicinity, Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply K N Nehru said on Thursday.

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The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, was doused following a hectic round-the-clock battle and over 300 people were involved in the fire fighting operation, the Minister who inspected the strenuous chore to put out the flames on the second day today, said.

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A portion of the Perungudi landfill, located on the metro's outskirts, caught fire at about 3 pm on Wednesday and smoke billowed from a huge mound of garbage at the yard, causing hardship to the vehicle users on the Pallavaram - Thoraipakkam 200 feet radial road and breathing difficulty to the people in the neighbourhood.

On an average about 2,400 MT garbage is disposed daily. The cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, an official said.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister said the Perungudi landfill, spread around 225 acres, is in use for about 25 years.

"Over 300 persons were involved in dousing the flames. About 12 fire tenders and 2 sky lifts have been pressed into service and about 120 tankers of water were ferried by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB)."

"The fire has fully been brought under control. At present only a cloud of smoke is seen here," the Minister, accompanied by Chennai Mayor R Priya and GCC Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi, said.

He directed the civic officials to ensure such incidents do not recur.

Steps would be taken to conduct medical camps in Perugundi, Velachery, Madipakkam and Tharamani to address the health issues of the people.

"The biomining of the Perungudi dumpyard (by GCC) will be completed in 2 years' time," the Minister said.

Biomining of the landfill will help the civic body to reclaim 250 acres of the lost waterbody in Pallikaranai.

Earlier in the day Chennai Deputy Mayor Mahesh Kumar said the civic authorities took steps to make sure the fire did not spread to the nearby Pallikaranai marshland, an ecologically hotspot.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)