BMC takes up fresh fight against malaria

Intending at reducing malaria cases by 50% this year, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has said it is preparing to tackle mosquito menace in advance ahead of the monsoon.

In 2012, around 16,000 malaria cases were reported in city. Now, the civic body aims to bring the number down, i.e., below 10,000 cases.

Speaking to media persons after meeting of the mosquito abatement committee, attended by 33 land owning agencies, additional municipal commissioner Manisha Patankar-Mhaiskar said the corporation also wants to concentrate on countering dengue. “BMC along with city NGO Observer Research Foundation (ORF) will reach out to each household and office to spread word about measures to be taken to tackle dengue,” Mhaiskar said.

Besides, the official informed that the municipality will demolish abandoned buildings owned by other government agencies. “Abandoned buildings are breeding ground for mosquitoes. Hence, we will ask agencies like Bombay Port Trust (BPT) and the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) to bring down their abandoned structures. If they don’t do it in next two months, we will do the needful,” she informed.

The BPT and CPWD have 21 and 14 abandoned structures respectively in the city.

Until now, the civic body would demolish private abandoned buildings only. Last year eight such structures owned by private players were razed, the official added.