Even as legislators from opposition parties have cried foul over the quality of oil used by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) during fogging carried out to kill mosquitoes, the civic body is falling short of diesel for operating fogging machines, particularly in the S ward.
The ward covers Bhandup and Vikhroli and 13 electoral wards (constituencies of corporators). The BMC has made available 13 fogging machines, one for each of the electoral wards.
BMC's insecticide department said it had sought 23,600 litres of diesel for the period beginning October 10 to December 18 this year for operating fogging machines. However, the municipal garage department made available only half the supply required, affecting the operation to kill mosquitoes and, thereby, keep diseases in check.
"By its own admission, BMC is supposed to use 24 litres diesel every day in each of the electoral wards. However, it is receiving only around 12 litres, hampering its operations," alleged Rupesh Waingankar, MNS corporator from ward number 108 (Kokan Nagar, Bhatti Pada).
He also claimed BMC has been giving priority to operate its fleet of vehicles than to kill mosquitoes.
"During the health committee meeting held on Friday, the department admitted that of the total quota of diesel BMC has the corporation first provides fuel for vehicles of senior civic officials and ones used in transporting garbage. After that, leftover diesel is made available for fogging," Waingankar said, demanding that the problem be fixed on priority.
Despite repeated attempts, additional municipal commissioner Sanjay Deshmukh was not available for comment.
According to the BMC, 19 people have died due to dengue, while civic hospitals reported over 800 cases of the disease so far this year.
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