8,437 establishments issued notice for mosquito breeding spots

In the wake of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued notices to 8,437 resident and commercial establishments for not controlling mosquito breeding spots

Mumbai In the wake of the monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has issued notices to 8,437 resident and commercial establishments for not controlling mosquito breeding spots inside their premises.

Every monsoon, the insecticide department of the BMC carries out a ward-wise inspection of all the private, commercial, and public spaces within their jurisdiction to ensure there are no active breeding spots on their premises (Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

Every monsoon, the insecticide department of the BMC carries out a ward-wise inspection of all the private, commercial, and public spaces within their jurisdiction to ensure there are no active breeding spots on their premises. The BMC officials said that this drive is to keep a check on mosquito breeding which eventually leads to increase in dengue and malaria during the rains.

The BMC data states that between January 1 to August 22, a total of 2,315 malaria cases were in Mumbai, while 289 cases of dengue were also recorded.

“All the properties that we have fined are from all the 24 wards of Mumbai. These can be residential buildings, slums, and commercial establishments. During our inspection, we carry out a test of the stagnant water that remains accumulated in a spot for more than seven days. Often there are pits and open manholes which are not filled by the owners and these pits become breeding spots. Any pool of water that is not treated for seven days automatically becomes a mosquito breeding spot. Then we issue notice to the establishments for not taking any action and fine them,” Rajan Naringrekar, incharge of the insecticide department in BMC told HT on Thursday.

Naringrekar said that water gets accumulated in various spots like open manholes, tarpaulin sheets, small pools of water and swimming pools as well.

The civic data also states so far, 7,484 breeding spots of anopheles mosquito that are responsible for malaria have been detected and neutralised this year. The data also states that 47,931 breeding spots of the Aedes mosquito, which is responsible for dengue have been detected and neutralised.

Naringrekar informed that the civic body has recovered ₹9,22,800 in a fine amount from those who didn’t act against mosquito breeding spots inside their premises and has moved the Bombay High Court (HC) against 594 individuals, who have ignored the notices.

Naringrekar also informed that the BMC is carrying out a drive against mosquito breeding by using drones.

“We have acquired one drone through which we are spraying chemicals for neutralising the spots. We are using this drone to spray chemicals in areas like mills and other under construction areas where there is difficulty in accessing these spots,” Naringrekar said