Begins drive to get people to identify, clear mosquito breeding spots; citizens, meanwhile, have demanded that the civic body focus on mosquito breeding spots at public and private construction sites in the city.
The BMC carried out fogging in 52,593 buildings. FILE PIC
After a spike in the vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and chikungunya, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) D ward — comprising Malabar Hill, Pedder Road, Grant Road, Mahalaxmi, and Tardeo — with a large number of non-slum residential buildings, has turned to citizens organisations and ALMs (Advanced Locality Management) to create awareness and tackle mosquito breeding spots in their vicinity. Citizens, meanwhile, have demanded that the civic body focus on mosquito breeding spots at public and private construction sites in the city.
The BMC initiated the awareness drive in high-rise buildings to ensure compliance to civic rules regarding mosquito breeding spots in residential spaces, under the provisions of section 381(B) of the Municipal Corporation Act 1888 (regarding prohibition of mosquito breeding and collection of water on any land). BMC’s D ward has a population of 364,866 people, with a density of 418 people per kilometre, and a large number of non-slum residential buildings.
A senior civic official said, “It is challenging to control monsoon-related vector-borne diseases in residential buildings and upmarket housing societies. The BMC does not easily get entry to the premises. It cannot inspect homes of private individuals. However, so many homes ignore simple measures to curb mosquito breeding spots, such as accumulation of water in potted plants, on rooftop balconies, and on overhead tanks.” BMC’s public health department has decided to launch a special drive in residential buildings to create awareness about such spots.
Dr Prajakta Ambedkar, health officer, D ward said, “Residential buildings deny BMC access for inspection. Our plans to involve citizens organisations and ALMs are due to the need to increase awareness among residents of such buildings. All ALMs in the D ward will be contacted over the next few days to spread the word among residents of their area.”
Dr Daksha Shah, BMC's executive health officer, said, “Last week, the health officers of wards with a large number of such housing societies were instructed to activate their network of citizens to ensure last mile impact of our awareness programs. Areas of Bandra, Andheri, Goaregaon, Malad, Kandivli, Chembur, and Vikhroli will be participating in the drive.”
Indrani Malkani, trustee, V Citizens Action Network (VCAN), partnering with BMC for the awareness drive, said, “Residents need to comply with basic rules to ensure their own safety, such as not allowing accumulation of water in the plants and pots in their homes. BMC cannot enter their homes and inspect these areas. At the same time, BMC needs to crack down on large scale mosquito breeding spots at constructions sites or garbage mounds dumped on the roadside. This also needs to be highlighted.”
According to the BMC, over 4500 cases of dengue, malaria, and chikungunya have been reported in the last four weeks. Malaria cases have gone up from 2852 in the same period last year to 4151 this year.
Monsoon stats...
5000+ Locations inspected across the city
29,841 Aedes mosquito breeding sites identified
86,915 Potential breeding objects (discarded containers, old tyres, etc) cleared
52,593 No. of buildings where fogging was carried out
816,000 No. of shanties where fogging was carried out
BMC’s six point awareness drive
>> Eliminate stagnant water around homes
>> Remove odd articles, scrap from galleries, balconies, and society compounds
>> Check planters, pots, saucers, and nets for water
>> Use mosquito repellent nets
>> Wear protective clothing
>> Keep your surroundings clean
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