PSU sites turning mosquito breeding ground: KMC

The civic body claimed that they have served notices to the Coal India authorities twice — in July and this month — to clean the site but did not receive any response.

The Municipal Corporation officials said that the Coal India site at Ultadanga Muchi Bazar in the city is not in a good
condition and is causing the spread of dengue in the neighbourhoods. Tyres of vehicles are scattered on
the premises, leading to mosquito breeding.

Firhad Hakim, who is also a state cabinet minister holding the portfolio of Urban Development and Municipal Affairs , pointed the finger at the Central government, saying they will be forced to move the court if the notices are not acted upon in seven days.

“Is the Municipal Corporation alone responsible for controlling the dengue outbreak in Kolkata city?
If something happens, the civic body and the state government are blamed. Why are they not keeping their areas clean and mosquito-free?” Hakim asked.

“The two places we visited are enough to spread dengue in the entire area. Vehicle tyres are a perfect ground for mosquito breeding. We can’t remove these tyres from the area since it is their land and property. We will go to the court on August 11,” said Deputy Mayor Atin Ghosh.

Kolkata has witnessed a surge in the number of people suffering from the disease. At least 10 people have died of dengue in the last month. Nearly 1,000 people have been infected with the vector-borne disease in the state in July alone, unconfirmed sources said.