Fire at Madipakkam Dumpyard Disrupts Traffic in Velachery

A fire erupted in a stockpile of plastic waste at an old dump yard in Pallikaranai, part of the Perungudi zone under the Greater Chennai Corporation, on Thursday morning. The incident caused thick smoke to spread, creating panic among motorists and commuters during peak traffic hours. The site also contained abandoned and auctioned scrap vehicles. Emergency response teams from the Greater Chennai Corporation, Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services, and the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board were quickly mobilized. They deployed nine water bowsers, three recyclers, three earth movers, and 30 tanker loads of water to extinguish the blaze, which was brought under control by 11 a.m. Traffic on Velachery-Tambaram High Road was disrupted due to the smoke and emergency operations. The exact cause of the fire remains unknown, and the area is under surveillance. Key officials, including Corporation Commissioner G.S. Sameeran and Sholinganallur MLA P. Saravanamoorthy, were present at the scene. The Pallikaranai dump yard has experienced several fires in recent years, including significant incidents in August 2025 and April 2022.