Upset with BMC's efforts, Khar goes on malaria control overdrive

After the municipal corporation’s efforts to control malaria in the city, have received criticism by the citizens and the government for their inadequacy, residents of Khar decided to take their safety into their own hands.

After the municipal corporation’s efforts to control malaria in the city, have received criticism by the citizens and the government for their inadequacy, residents of Khar decided to take their safety into their own hands.

HT Image

Khar Residents Association (KRA) with the Pest Control of India (PCI) will conduct special anti-malaria operations, which include spraying and fogging operations.

"The civic body conducts fogging only when we ask them to. So we decided to take control and conduct these operations ourselves," said Anandini Thakoor, Trustee, KRA. Two teams from PCI will conduct the drive in Khar (West), during the next six weeks, said Thakoor. "Since most residents are busy on weekdays, the drive will be conducted on weekends. We’ll also visit a few houses, where malaria cases have been detected."

The drive gains significance because Khar (West), a prime real estate location, has a lot of buildings under construction. Malaria mosquitoes are known to breed in stagnant water common on construction sites.

"The drive will focus as much on these operations as it will on spreading awareness about diseases such as malaria and dengue, which can be easily prevented," said Sameer Surkund, Senior Manager, PCI.

Sameer shared an incident to stress his point: "After a Bandra family saw a dengue case in this house, we were called for inspection. There, we realised that larvae breeding was happening in a seemingly innocuous little Feng Shui plant they had."

This drive will start Friday morning, and will involve public meetings in every housing society and putting up of posters to spread awareness about malaria prevention.