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Mumbai: Post office that delivers diseases

For over four years, the residents of Red Cross lane and Oomerbhoy Farook road in Agripada have had to contend with a reeking, rat-infested dumping ground in their midst.

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For over four years, the residents of Red Cross lane and Oomerbhoy Farook road in Agripada have had to contend with a reeking, rat-infested dumping ground in their midst.

The rear portion of a partly-defunct post office has turned into a garbage dump, overrun by mosquitoes and other vermin. A foul smell permeates the place, making it uninhabitable for nearby residents, pedestrians and even hawkers.

“It’s like living in a dumping ground,” said a resident. “Heaps of garbage lie unattended behind the post office, but none of the officials are bothered to clean the mess. These unhygienic conditions have led to many cases of malaria, dengue and leptospirosis in our colony.”

The post office is surrounded by several residential apartments. Locals say that ever since the post office shifted part of its office to another location, the rear part of the building has become obsolete. Passers-by thus treat this space as a trash receptacle, and fling their waste here with impunity. Although the front portion of the office is still operational, postal officials turn a blind eye to the mess.

“We have filed a series of complaints with both civic and postal officials.

Subsequently, the issue, under the RTI Act, was bought to the notice of Mr DB Kadam, senior superintendent of the Post Office, Mumbai City West Division. But he too did not respond. Finally we wrote to the chief post to help us combat these unhygienic living conditions. Again, no reply,” said another resident, on condition of anonymity.

Earlier the residents in the area had pooled in money from every flat-owner, and appointed a watchman to prevent people from dumping waste there. But when there was no corresponding effort from the post office, the locals discontinued the move.

Speaking to DNA, the assistant municipal commissioner AL Waghralkar said, “Garbage collection and street cleaning is done every day. The same people in the locality dump waste in the area, and later complain. They should be more aware and act responsibly.”

He also added that a special garbage-collection team would be sent to clean the premises immediately. Meanwhile, authorities at the post office did not respond to repeated calls on our part.

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