Residents are irked that while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is quick to send notices to societies to find mosquito-breeding spots on their premises
The residents of Campa Cola, Worli are forced to keep their windows shut throughout the day, fearing mosquitoes, which have made the life of around 237 families living here difficult.
Residents are irked that while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is quick to send notices to societies to find mosquito-breeding spots on their premises, the civic body has ignored a huge pit dug by a builder adjoining the compound wall of Campa Cola. This wall has, over a period of time, become a swamp and is a mass-breeding ground for mosquitoes.
On December 21, the Campa Cola Residents Association wrote to Assistant Municipal Commissioner Prashant Sapkale seeking redressal. The letter states that a builder who has constructed an SRA building near Campa Cola Compound dug a pit for laying the foundation of another building, but has abandoned the site for over a year. Over a period of time not only has the rainwater accumulated in it, but also sewage from nearby slums has been diverted into this pit.
The compound has also become a dumping ground for garbage. "The site needs to be immediately drained and cleaned so as to protect the local residents from dengue and malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases," the association has demanded stating that action needs to be taken as per Section 381 (b) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act that prohibits mosquito breeding in collection of water on any land.
"While the health of 237 families living in Campa Cola is directly affected due to the mosquito menace they are a potential health risk for the entire locality as they can travel far and wide. Our situation is so bad that we cannot forget to keep our windows open during daytime or night," said Ajay Mehta, a resident of Midtown building.
According to Ravindra Shah, a resident of Patel apartments which is closest to the pit and worst affected along with Esha-Ekta building said that the residents were being forced to carry out fogging every alternate day. "Using chemicals for fogging also impacts people's health but we have no option due to the mosquito menace. The association is planning to meet with the ward office and request him to resolve this issue," he said.
Meanwhile, some residents stated that it was surprising that despite such a violation, BMC has never taken the builder to task.
A senior BMC official from G/South ward said that they had received complaints from the residents and necessary action will be taken to resolve the issue.
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