The residents of Kurar village in Malad East are living in fear of dengue. And their fear is not unfounded. The water in Shanataram talav (lake) in their area has turned completely black and it's started to stinking too. The lake in other words has turned into a mosquito breeding ground. Villagers fear they might soon fall prey to any of the numerous types of fever, including dengue, around.
Shanataram talav is quite famous, but it has long been neglected and has been lying idle with filthy water for almost five decades now. The lake was renovated and rechristened Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar Talav. Local MLA Rajhans Singh spent his development fund (Rs 3 crore) for developing the area around it as a park, and it was inaugurated on August 1, 2014.
The park has facilities like children's park, jogging track, walking track, bed of green grass, benches, designated area for senior citizens, various types of trees planted, etc. However, it's surrounded by slums.
Residents have been approaching the BMC and local leaders to get the lake cleaned in order to prevent mosquitoes breeding in it.
Arjun Patil, one of the local residents, says: "Ambedkar Park is a boon for local residents. However, the black colour of the water is really worrying. We hope authorities would pay attention."
Rajhans Singh, former local MLA, said: "The water has neither turned black nor is it stinking. If you fetch water in clean transparent bottle you can see that it's absolutely clean. The fact is, the lake bed has turned black due to which the water too looks black. There is no need to worry. Some people are unnecessarily spreading rumours."
"The maintenance of the park requires a lot of money—electricity bill, security guard, filtration plant, etc. I have suggested to MHADA to give the park to NGOs for maintenance. I am in touch with MHADA Mumbai chief officer Niranjankumar Sudhanshu. He is very cooperative and would soon sort out the issue," Singh added.
Gyanmurti Sharma, local BMC corporator, said: "People are scared because there are various types of fever, including dengue, in the city. I have instructed BMC to enhance fumigation to check mosquitoes breeding."
Devendra Kumar Jain, local BMC assistant municipal commissioner (AMC), said: "MHADA oversees the maintenance of the park. There's no need for panic. We have been regularly fumigating the area."
Numerous attempts to contact Niranjankumar Sudhanshu, vice chairman and chief officer, MHADA Mumbai, proved futile.
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