Residents of Velapadi village in Tamil Nadu blocked a major road to protest the dumping of garbage on an irrigation tank that is crucial for their farming and livelihood. The tank, spanning 150 acres, serves as a lifeline for farmers in eight nearby villages, providing water for irrigation and supporting groundwater recharge. However, the local municipality has allegedly turned the tank into an open dumpsite, posing environmental and health concerns for the community. Municipal officials acknowledged the issue, citing a lack of permanent composting facilities and financial constraints in transporting garbage to a designated landfill. Despite assurances by the municipality to remove the dumped waste and prevent further dumping, residents remain skeptical and demand a long-term solution to the garbage disposal problem.