The Times of India       12.10.2010

Mosquito menace continues

ALLAHABAD: People are exasperated with mosquito menace but Allahabad Municipal Corporation is least bothered to ensure comprehensive fogging in different residential areas of the city. People are forced to rely on mosquito repellents and other household methods to prevent mosquitoes. Cases of malaria and other diseases are daily being reported from various hospitals of the city.

Fogging has been done in some selected pockets of the city and that too was done half-heartedly.

Speaking about the negligent attitude of AMC authorities, one Naushad Ahmad of Badshahi Mandi says, "mosquitoes have become a perennial problem thanks to the insensitivity of AMC authorities towards maintaining sanitation and cleanliness in the city.

He regretted that the unexpected rise in the cases of malaria has necessitated the need to strengthen measures for maintaining sanitation in different localities.

His statement is further substantiated by the pitiable condition of city drains which are rarely cleaned by AMC authorities. Heaps of garbage can be seen overflowing leading to emission of foul odour and breeding of mosquitoes and other infectious bacteria. The negligence of AMC can be seen from the pathetic condition of the different drains flowing in the city. Though tall claims are made by the municipal authorities regarding cleaning of the drains but the fact remains that there are different number of drains which has not been cleaned for the past six or seven years. Further, no one from the department has come to sprinkle chemicals in the drain to control the growth of mosquitoes.

It is pertinent to mention that though there are provisions of hand sprinkling machine in AMC but the health department staff seldom come out to sprinkle chemical in the drains. There are also about 4 large vehicle and 6 small vehicles on which the fogging machines are mounted. These vehicles are utilised for fogging purpose in the city but they are not being used.

On the contrary the AMC officials feel that fogging is not the permanent solution for ensuring freedom from mosquito menace but it somehow controls the proliferation in the number of mosquitoes. But the question is whether the AMC has undertaken adequate fogging to check the mosquito menace, said Ras Bihari a retired bank official.

However, Dr Arun Kumar, health official in Allahabad Municipal Corporation says that fogging in the city cannot be undertaken on a large scale. However, we have started fogging in some portions of the city.

Hindustan Times  12.10.2010

About 5,000 families living in Pydhonie have been receiving contaminated water for the last one week, causing considerable unrest in the area. The 20,000-odd residents have even launched a signature drive and the local mosque has appealed to locals to join the drive. Sayed Mehboob, a local activist, who is heading the agitation, said the residents are fed up with the problem. “Everyday, we get blackish water, which has a pungent odour. Forget drinking the water, it is not even fit for bathing or washing clothes,” added Mehboob.

Already, more than 4,000 people have signed the petition asking for corrective action and they plan to protest in a big way if things don’t improve. Areas like Ali Umer Street, Baniyan Street and Kazi Street have been facing the problem for the last six months, but now the problem has aggravated.

However Salim Chouhan, husband of local corporator Gulshan Chouhan, blames the residents for their plight. “It is the responsibility of the residents to replace their water pipelines. It is not the civic body’s job,” said Chouhan. “The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) should issue notices to the residents to replace pipelines or just disconnect their water connections.”

But, the residents are not ready to take blame for the problem. Ibrahim Tai, president of the Muslim Council of India, who resides at Salim Mansion, said, “How can we residents change pipelines that are below the ground? It is our right as citizens to get clean drinking water.”

Local legislator Amin Patel came out in support of the residents, calling it unfair to burden them with the cost of changing pipelines. At present, the locals are using mineral water, which is financially not viable for a long time.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner (C-ward) Chanda Jadhav said she has sent engineers to survey the area and work on replacing old distribution pipelines has already started. “The water lines are close to the sewage lines and they pass through house gullies. There is a high possibility of contamination due to leakages here,” said Jadhav.

The residents, however, claim that the water is contaminated at the entry level itself.