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Public Health / Sanitation

Mosquitoes breed in vacant housing plots

Monday, 25 November 2013 11:50 administrator
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The Times of India            25.11.2013

Mosquitoes breed in vacant housing plots

TRICHY: Vacant plots lying in the city have become cesspools after the recent downpour. What makes worse is that these plots have turned into breeding sites of mosquitoes. Strangely, the municipal corporation, which focussed on clogged canal and drains to control mosquito menace, couldn't see the link between barren plots and mosquito breeding.

A large number of agricultural lands are being turned into housing plots in Trichy city which is growing rapidly. Investment on housing plots is found safe by all sections of people including government employees and businessmen. They prefer to buy housing plots and construct houses at a later stage. Many wait for the land prices to appreciate so that they can sell it at a good margin. Water easily seeps into these plots and plot owners don't bother to empty the water, thus aiding the breeding of mosquitoes.

The newly-developed avenues in Kattur, E Pudhur, Kumaran Nagar, Vasan Nagar, Ranga Nagar and localities along Karumandapam road have several vacant housing plots. As there is no way for draining the water due to unavailability of proper drainage facility, water stagnation is unavoidable.

Such housing are breeding sites of mosquitoes. Stench from stagnant water also leaves residents in distress, local residents said.

The corporation claims that they put oil balls (mixture of wooden debris and crude oil) into stagnant water to kill larva. "We have started dropping oil balls into stagnant pools and in the housing plots. The mosquito breeding can be controlled by this measure," said Dr Mariappan, city health officer (CHO), Trichy, adding that the corporation will hold a survey on vacant housing plots.

The owners will be directed to pay the corporation for draining water out of the plots, Dr Mariappan said.

Corporation commissioner VP Thandapani said it is difficult to trace plot owners. "It is a cumbersome work to find out the owners of the housing plots. Even though many of them are aware that the vacant land leads to water stagnation, they do not come forward to keep their housing plots clean to avoid health risks."

 

'Namma Toilet' soon in fort city

Monday, 25 November 2013 09:06 administrator
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The New Indian Express             25.11.2013 

'Namma Toilet' soon in fort city

The Vellore Corporation disposed the tender for the construction of ‘Namma Toilet,’ an advanced model of toilet in the city in 14 places, during the council meeting held at the Corporation main office on Thursday.

The tenders were disposed for a total cost of Rs 2.42 crore. Of the planned 14 locations in the city, 13 locations come under zone 1- Tharapadavedu area, as it was newly added and has to be developed. The remaining one toilet would come up at the Vellore Old Bus Stand. The project would be carried out under the Open Defecation Eradication Programme of the Vellore Corporation for 2013-14.

As many as 117 resolutions were passed at the council meeting. Mayor P Karthiyayini chaired the meeting.

The meeting witnessed an argument when the councillor of ward 31, R K Ayuf Khan demanded the traders be given shops at the new fish market at Makhan Junction, when it becomes functional.However, Commissioner Janaki ruled out the possibility of privileges andsked them to participate in the public auction.

 

Chennai Corporation to conduct mega medical camp

Friday, 22 November 2013 10:35 administrator
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The Times of India      22.11.2013

Chennai Corporation to conduct mega medical camp

CHENNAI: At a time when Chennai is grappling with several kinds of fever, the corporation is planning to conduct a mega medical camp across the city.

Corporation officials say they are planning to screen nearly 3 lakh people in 1,000 locations across the city from November 26, which is the centenary day of Ripon Buildings, the headquarters of the Chennai Corporation.

In 2012, the civic body screened 1.13 lakh people at 200 camps with the help of 275 doctors and 1,230 paramedical staff. The civic body had also referred over 23,000 people to government-run hospitals for further treatment.

Corporation officials said they would conduct a meeting with medical experts from government and corporation hospitals on Friday. "We are conducting such a mega medical camp for the first time. There are also plans to conduct medical camp for a week with the help of medical experts from various government run hospitals. We will also set up mobile medical units at various streets and slums areas to provide free medical check-ups. This is also expected to help senior citizens who were unable to visit hospitals for treatment," said an official.

Officials said people would be tested for hypertension, diabetes, respiratory problems, diabetes, skin infections and stomach disorders in the mega medical camp. The city has reported several 'mystery fever' cases in the past weeks, where fever shows symptoms of chikungunya and at times of dengue, but the tests are negative for both.

Health experts say the mega medical camp will also help the civic body create a health map of the city. They say the camp will help the civic body prevent the spread of diseases like chikungunya, dengue, malaria and swine flue.

In 2006, the civic body screened 61,000 people in one day. The event was recommended to be included in the Limca Book of Records.

 
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