The Times of India 05.04.2013
Patna Municipal Corporation to buy 75 fogging machines to check mosquito menace
PATNA: Millions of
mosquitoes have made life miserable in the city and the residents allege
that the civic body has neither cleared the drains of silt nor has done
fogging in many areas. The mosquito menace is such that even the
lawmakers had to raise the issue in the assembly and council with a
member suggesting their sterilization. Even the Patna high court
recently observed that they have robbed the denizens of their sleep.
Though civic authorities say they are spraying insecticides and fogging
the city to control their breeding, the situation remains the same.
Now, even government officials admit mosquitoes are here to stay and the
sooner people become used to them, the better.
Speaking about the negligent attitude of the Patna Municipal Corporation
(PMC), Asir Ahmed of Naya Tola area said, “The pitiable condition of
city drains has added to their woes. Heaps of garbage across Bari Path,
Naya Tola, Khazanchi Road, Kurji, Dujra and Digha areas give the
mosquitoes a happy breeding ground.”
In many areas like Patel Nagar and Indrapuri, sewage water seeps into households, which further aggravates the problem.
Even the staff of some posh hotels in the city said people were really
scared of booking open spaces or poolside areas for parties and
functions just because of mosquitoes. “The fun of having an open air
evening party has almost gone,” said the owner of a prominent hotel in
Kurji locality.
“Though we make our own arrangements to keep
the surroundings clean and free from mosquitoes, it is indeed a
herculean task because the mosquitoes breed very quickly in nearby
areas,” said a staff in a posh hotel on Beerchand Patel Path.
“Fogging is done only in some selected pockets of the city and that,
too, is not comprehensive,” complained Surendra Nath, a resident of
Boring Canal Road area. The PMC completes its formalities by spraying
chemicals in the drain, but it is not effective in stagnant water. A
resident of Patliputra Colony, Animesh Mishra, said, “We have a
well-kept garden. But unlike winter afternoons, when we spend many hours
there, we have virtually stopped sitting out. Even in the morning,
mosquitoes bite.” Mishra said.
However, New Capital Circle
executive officer Shashank Shekhar Sinha said, “PMC has geared up to
tackle the growing mosquito menace. Within a month the corporation will
purchase 75 fogging machines from a Pune-based firm. At present we have
three fogging machines and several rounds of spraying have been done in
many areas. We have also undertaken cleaning work of main drains in the
state capital. Work is going on in Mandiri and a few more open drains.”
PMC commissioner Adesh Titarmare told TOI, “I have constituted a
committee of medical officers who will suggest scientific ways to tackle
mosquitoes. Moreover, I have also asked them to report whether the
chemical malathion used in fogging is effective or not.”
City residents are now completely dependent on mosquito repellents, sprays and coils to ward off the menace.
mosquitoes have made life miserable in the city and the residents allege
that the civic body has neither cleared the drains of silt nor has done
fogging in many areas. The mosquito menace is such that even the
lawmakers had to raise the issue in the assembly and council with a
member suggesting their sterilization. Even the Patna high court
recently observed that they have robbed the denizens of their sleep.
Though civic authorities say they are spraying insecticides and fogging
the city to control their breeding, the situation remains the same.
Now, even government officials admit mosquitoes are here to stay and the
sooner people become used to them, the better.
Speaking about the negligent attitude of the Patna Municipal Corporation
(PMC), Asir Ahmed of Naya Tola area said, “The pitiable condition of
city drains has added to their woes. Heaps of garbage across Bari Path,
Naya Tola, Khazanchi Road, Kurji, Dujra and Digha areas give the
mosquitoes a happy breeding ground.”
In many areas like Patel Nagar and Indrapuri, sewage water seeps into households, which further aggravates the problem.
Even the staff of some posh hotels in the city said people were really
scared of booking open spaces or poolside areas for parties and
functions just because of mosquitoes. “The fun of having an open air
evening party has almost gone,” said the owner of a prominent hotel in
Kurji locality.
“Though we make our own arrangements to keep
the surroundings clean and free from mosquitoes, it is indeed a
herculean task because the mosquitoes breed very quickly in nearby
areas,” said a staff in a posh hotel on Beerchand Patel Path.
“Fogging is done only in some selected pockets of the city and that,
too, is not comprehensive,” complained Surendra Nath, a resident of
Boring Canal Road area. The PMC completes its formalities by spraying
chemicals in the drain, but it is not effective in stagnant water. A
resident of Patliputra Colony, Animesh Mishra, said, “We have a
well-kept garden. But unlike winter afternoons, when we spend many hours
there, we have virtually stopped sitting out. Even in the morning,
mosquitoes bite.” Mishra said.
However, New Capital Circle
executive officer Shashank Shekhar Sinha said, “PMC has geared up to
tackle the growing mosquito menace. Within a month the corporation will
purchase 75 fogging machines from a Pune-based firm. At present we have
three fogging machines and several rounds of spraying have been done in
many areas. We have also undertaken cleaning work of main drains in the
state capital. Work is going on in Mandiri and a few more open drains.”
PMC commissioner Adesh Titarmare told TOI, “I have constituted a
committee of medical officers who will suggest scientific ways to tackle
mosquitoes. Moreover, I have also asked them to report whether the
chemical malathion used in fogging is effective or not.”
City residents are now completely dependent on mosquito repellents, sprays and coils to ward off the menace.
