Take steps to keep diseases at bay: BMC chief to govt agencies

After its annual pre-monsoon survey showed housing colonies and offices of government agencies at high risk of monsoon-related ailments, BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has asked them to ensure their premises are clean and free of water-logging.

After its annual pre-monsoon survey showed housing colonies and offices of government agencies at high risk of monsoon-related ailments, BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has asked them to ensure their premises are clean and free of water-logging.

The agencies have been asked to take the help of health officers and carry out corrective measures to keep diseases such as dengue and malaria at bay.

The survey by the health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) found that the residential colonies and offices of government agencies, such as the public works department (PWD), the Central Railway, the Western railway and the Navy, are prone to water-logging.

The BMC officials claimed to have written to these societies to carry out corrective measures, which were not done. This forced the civic chief to intervene, officials said. “Health is our priority and we want all the agencies to cooperate with us to stop the spreading of diseases,” Mehta said.

Last week, the civic commissioner had also ordered ward officials to inspect slum areas and issue notices to developers if they were allowing water to stagnate at construction sites. He has also ordered regular fumigation drives in the city, to prevent breeding of mosquitoes.