Nalini Ravichandran | Chennai NEEL Metal Fanalca Environment Management Pvt. Ltd( NMF), the private contractor engaged for clearing garbage in Chennai Corporation, conducted an awareness programme for around 21 NGOs and self help groups (SHGs) on source segregation of waste under the 'Operation Clean Chennai' venture, here on Saturday. On completing the training the NGOs and SHGs will function as nodal points and impart training at household levels on the need of segregating organic and inorganic waste. Under the operation, recyclable waste such as glass, plastic, paper and metal will be sorted out and handed over to waste collectors. Certain materials with resale value will be collected at the garbage transit stations and sold to scrap dealers and recycling companies. NMF staff in green uniforms will go to the residents' doorstep and collect waste. Commercial establishments will be provided with specifications on waste bins and transportation will be arranged at a specified time. NO DUMPING IN OPEN GROUNDS: Neel Metal Fanalca has denied charges that the firm had used open grounds as transit stations. T Palanichammy, associate vice president of the firm, said that the transit stations were pits and not open grounds. "There are three transit stations under the four Corporation zones, where the company operates, and 10 workers are employed to clear the stations,' he said. Responding to questions on the traffic congestion caused during peak hours due to the removal of garbage, he said, "At night, garbage is dumped in commercial areas, which are also used for parking vehicles. Hence garbage gets accumulated under vehicles.' He said that the firm had received complaints of garbage collection during peak hours.