WR to use special oil to curb spread of malaria

A special type of oil will be used to ward off mosquitoes from breeding near railway tracks during monsoon.

A special type of oil will be used to ward off mosquitoes from breeding near railway tracks during monsoon.

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The usage of Malaria Larvicidal Oil was suggested at a joint meeting between the Western Railway (WR) and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to discuss steps to tackle the spread of malaria on Monday. The oil will be applied on the sides of gutters along the railway lines.

Apart from this, all railway buildings, which are close to the railway lines will also be fumigated.

Sharat Chandrayan, chief PRO, Western Railway, confirmed the meeting. Malaria spreads when the drains are not wide enough to carry rainwater thus resulting in water logging and stagnation.

However, officials claim that over a period of time, these drains have been widened and deepened and that proper access has been given for water to flow.

Last year, the BMC blamed the railways for the spread of malaria stating that the drains are not properly cleaned.

"During the monsoons, the gutters tend to overflow. So we will be taking precautions a month before monsoon begins,” said a WR official on the condition of anonymity.

The WR has begun identifying areas in the suburbs that need to be cleaned. Some of these areas are Mahim, Mumbai Central, Lower Parel and Jogeshwari.

Meanwhile, the BMC said they have asked all stakeholders to take measures to control malaria. “We have issued guidelines. Also water tanks at buildings and platforms should be kept clean,” said an official.