Residents of many localities in the city have been braving swarms of mosquitoes over the past few days.

A
number of the affected residents blamed construction sites, waterways
and illegal sewer connections in stormwater drains, inadequate mosquito
control operations and use of air conditioners as some of the reasons
for the rise in number of mosquitoes.

Many residents alleged that many sanitary inspectors are not at work in the afternoon.

The
civic body has planned various measures to cope with mosquito menace.
Announcements on mosquito control are likely to be made as part of the
budget announcement this month.

V. Saraswathi, a
resident of Vyasar Nagar in Vyasarpadi, said “Mosquito menace has become
intolerable even though there is no open drain or water-logged space in
our locality. Nets too do not provide any respite. The local body
authorities should take adequate action to solve this problem.”

“The
Chennai Corporation has stopped mosquito control operations in big open
spaces such as parks. Water bodies in Anna Nagar Tower Park have become
breeding grounds of mosquitoes. I have not seen Corporation workers
carrying out mosquito control operations in the past few weeks. Earlier,
they used to clean the pond in the park regularly,” said I.G. Immanuel,
of a commercial establishment in Anna Nagar.

A
resident of a locality near Secretariat Colony in Ayanavaram said a very
large piece of land belonging to Pachaiyappa Trust has become a
breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Water stagnation in
the plot is a serious challenge to mosquito control. “We do not know
what to do. Corporation officials say they cannot take action to prevent
water stagnation and mosquito breeding as the land is over 200 acre,”
he said.

“There are many such plots of lands owned by
various trusts in the city. Waste water from illegal buildings gets
accumulated in such lands,” he added.

“My son was
affected by dengue three months ago. We spent Rs.11, 000 for treatment,”
said P.Bavani, a resident of Shanmugam Street near Citicentre in
Mylapore.

“They used to spray a pesticide to control
mosquitoes. It was quite effective. Now, the practice has been
discontinued. Even vehicles carrying out fogging operations rush past
our locality. We are barely able to sleep at night,” said Mr. Bavani.

Many residents of such localities near Buckingham Canal voiced similar views.

“Construction
sites are a major breeding source. Water is stagnant for curing to take
place in construction sites. Around seven days is required for curing.
Mosquito larvae need just five days to reach adulthood. Just 20 gram of
bleaching powder in a litre of water is enough to prevent mosquito
breeding in such areas,” said an entomologist.

Work in more than 15,000 construction sites is underway in the city.

Many residents do not know their air-conditioner too can be a breeding source of mosquitoes, he added.