‘2,763 buildings are malaria breeding spots’

Alarmed by the rising cases of malaria in the city over the last few months, the civic body issued 5,163 notices to buildings in different wards where mosquito breeding was found by the pest control officers.

Alarmed by the rising cases of malaria in the city over the last few months, the civic body issued 5,163 notices to buildings in different wards where mosquito breeding was found by the pest control officers.

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This data compiled by the civic body from January to May revealed that of the 5,163 notices issued under section 381 of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 500 notices were sent to premises in the E-ward that consists of areas such as Byculla and Mazgaon.

According to the report, 2,400 premises complied with the norms and also took adequate measure to stop breeding of mosquitoes in their premises.

The data revealed that 2,763 cases have failed to comply with the civic body’s notice and instead sought more time to take preventive measures. The G-south ward that consists of areas such as Mahalaxmi and Worli reported maximum non-compliance to the civic body’s notice.

However, errant societies that didn’t comply with the norms even after they were served notices, the civic body filed cases against 247 in the civic court.

The maximum prosecutions were from the K-West ward, which consists of areas such as Juhu and Andheri.

After conviction of these cases, the civic body collected Rs21.39 lakh as penalty from the errant societies.

The pest control officers in every ward inspect buildings and societies to check if there are any mosquito breeding sites in the premises. During their inspection, the civic officials check whether the overhead tanks of the building are leaking, are not closed properly, or if compound and terrace spaces or materials in which water can get accumulate, which can further lead to breeding of larvae and mosquitoes.

“The building is asked to take corrective measures, but if they fail to do it within a stipulated time frame then a notice is issued. And even after that societies couldn’t comply then a court case is filed,” said Chief Insecticide Officer, Arun Bamne.

He also added that the idea is not to collect penalties from the errant societies, but to make them adhere with the norms to reduce the risk of malaria.

Officials say that depending on the nature of work to be undertaken, the society is given a time frame, ranging between a week and a month. And if proven guilty, then the fine amount ranges from Rs1,000 to Rs5,000.

In June alone, 3,637 people were diagnosed with malaria and seven people died of the disease.