Coronavirus outbreak: BMC sanitising slums across Mumbai

In order to arrest the spread of Covid 19 the BMC has started a massive sanitation campaign in slums across the city A mist blowing machine which can spray a disinfectant in an area of 15 feet radius has been deployed for the job along with a Quick Response Vehicle of the Fire Brigade which can cover an area up to 7 metresWhile the mist spraying can wipe off any virus present on the spot it cannot keep any place free of the virus in the future and citizens must follow all precautionary measures suggested by the governmentHowever the chemical stock is limited and the civic body is struggling to get more of it amid high demand and low production due to lockdownSodium Hypochlorite is used as a disinfectant The same chemical is used in hospitals for sanitation ldquo Presently we have stock of 11080 litres of sodium hypochlorite We are trying to cover most of the areasrdquo said Prabhat Rahangdale chief of MFB As per the campaign the BMC will cover the maximum possible area by March 31The mist blowing machine is brought under CSR activity We are trying to get three more machines which will be deployed at various fire stations said a civic officerOur duty is to disinfect the house of Corona positive patients and passage lift railings where there are chances of viruses on the surface The workers use battery operated mist spray The chemical neutralises the virus on the surface said Rajan Naringrekar insecticide officer of the BMC The workers use goggles mask and gloves for protectionDisinfectant mist being sprayed in areas in Mankhurd PICATUL KAMBLEThe BMC has started the sanitation from March 24 On the first day 21 hospitals including Kasturba SevenHills KEM Nair Sion Bhabha were sanitised Also 12 ward offices 10 civic markets and Pant Nagar police station has been sanitised The BMC used 440 litres of chemical to make 22000 litres solutionThe BMC has also sanitised Ghatkopar Mankhurd Link Road the stretch from Milan subway to Jogeshwari Juhu Versova link road Mumbai Central bus depot Majas Agar bus depot and the Malavani bus depot on FridayHow disinfectant is madeAccording to an expert the dilution of the chemical is different for internal and external spraying 20 ml chemical in 1 litre water is impactful for houses markets or hospitals Outside around 50 ml of the chemical has to be used in 1 litre of waterManpower shortageWhile the BMC prefers to sanitise areas where COVID 19 positive patients are found demand from societies and slums has increasedThe stock of disinfecting solution is limited and even if we manage to get it there is a shortage of manpower It is difficult to arrange a group of five after calling 15 20 people said a corporator from eastern suburbsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates