BMC to intensify drive to identify mosquito breeding spots

The local civic body has intensified its exercise to identify mosquito breeding spots and collected Rs 9.20 lakh in fine from housing societies and flat owners whose premises were found to house the carriers of dengue and malaria, a senior official said today.
As part of its pre-monsoon exercise to control the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) conducted a survey across the city from January 1 to May 31 to find out breading spots of dengue and malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
The BMC fined the housing societies and flat owners for not complying with its norms of not allowing such spots in their premises, the official said.

"We have realised a fine of Rs 9.20 lakh from errant housing societies and flat owners across the city."
He said the civic administration will take strict action against buildings that are found to be breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
"During the five-month drive, we deployed over 2,000 workforce from the Insecticide Department who made numerous visits to possible breeding sites," said the officer.

The BMC will launch more intensive drive to check such spots and send notices to erring housing societies and flat owners. It will take the help of NGOs and resident associations during the drive, he said.
Another senior officer from the Pest Control Department said, "Our teams working across all the 24 wards found 690 breeding spots for malaria mosquito and 196 for dengue carrier. E-ward topped in housing such spots - our team found 79 breeding spots for malaria and 315 for dengue."

E-ward consists of areas like Byculla West, Sewri, Kamathipura, Dockyard Road and Ray Road.
"With monsoon rains set to arrive, more areas can become possible breeding spots for mosquitoes and hence the residents are supposed to take a close look at their surroundings," said the civic official.