Netaji Nagar locals say lack of civic services led to outbreak

KOLKATA: A day after retired

DVC

official Sabita Rani Dey died of dengue, residents of

Netaji Nagar

in ward 99 blamed lack of civic services for the rapid outbreak of the vector-borne disease in the neighbourhood. Every third household in the area has reported a case of dengue.

Dey, 62, had high fever around seven days ago and tested positive for dengue. After her fever continued for the next three days, coupled with headache, body ache and nausea, she was admitted to a nursing home near Bypass. However, her platelet count continued to drop and she died in the wee hours of Saturday.

Next to Dey's residence is the house of businessman Pallav Ghosh. His wife Jayashree is down with dengue fever. The next house belongs to Rupsa Das, 26, who had also been diagnosed with dengue a few days back.

Barely 15m away from their houses is a waterbody covering over 4.5 bighas. While there was a cleaning drive on Sunday morning, the efforts proved futile as garbage was heaped on the bank.Plastic packets and thermocol plates were scattered all around and the water hyacinth had grown thicker over the years.

“The waterbody has become a breeding ground for dengue-carrying larvae. It has not been cleaned properly for years,“ Das said.

“It has been a breeding ground for mosquitoes for a long time and our complaints have fallen on deaf ears,“ said Subrata Roy , a local.His 19-year-old daughter is suffering from the fever.

Local councillor

Debashis Mukherjee

did not deny the allegations, but pointed fingers at the corporation for lack of infrastructure.

“I am not denying the allegations, but a councillor merely delivers the services. The arrangements for the same are provided for by the corporation,“ he said.