AMC jittery about crowded garba venues

Despite the state government’s light-hearted attitude towards the spread of swine flu during Navratri, the AMC is panicky and is insisting that revellers avoid going to crowded places. However, the civic body has not made such an appeal in an outright manner because of the state government’s decision to organise grand garba festival this year.

The chances of swine flu spreading during the festival are a high because of the large crowd that gathers at the venues. People should therefore avoid going to such places, said an AMC official requesting anonymity. “We do not want to contradict the government’s decision by asking people to stay away from large gatherings,” he added.

The civic body is planning to distribute pamphlets to spread awareness about swine flu
and malaria during the Navratri, said Praful Rawal, chairman of AMC’s health and solid waste management committee. The pamphlets will also carry the address of the urban health centres in the area and services provided there. “I hope people will enjoy sheri garba more than the organised one,” he said.

The civic body will also instruct garba organisers to be extra careful and take into consideration the possibility of spreading swine flu.

“We have asked organisers to sprinkle enough water at the garba venue to check dust clouds,” said Suhas Kulkarni, AMC has also instructed big organisers to deploy medical team to check any suspected cases. For those who are suffering from cough, fever or any such illness, it is advisable that they stay away from crowded places, he said.