30 unused govt buildings to be razed to fight malaria

MUMBAI: In an unprecedented move, The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has sought the demolition of 30 dilapidated government buildings in central Mumbai said to be breeding grounds of malaria-ca rrying mosquitoes. The buildin gs had been se a led a decade ago.
The ow n ers of the buildings -Mumbai Port Trust, Central Public Works Department and Public Works Department-have been have been given three weeks to pull them down.
BMC also offered the organizations the option of fumigating the buildings, said to be breeding grounds of malaria-carrying mosquitoes, but a senior civic official said it was unlikely to be exercised. "We have giving given them enough warnings over the years, but to no avail. It seems they are not interested in maintaining the bui l dings at all. We have given them three weeks to pull the buildings down, failing which we will initiate criminal proceedings against them."
The official said the buildings provide ideal conditions for the female anopheles mosquito to breed. "The structures have become dumping yards. Also, rain water seeps through the roofs and walls, making the interiors damp and dirty."
The BMC issued the directive on Monday at a meeting of the state mosquito abatement co mmittee, which comprises ma jor government landowning bodies and big builders. The builders were told to take measures to check the breeding of mosquitoes at 2,611 construction sites across the city. Last year, only 37 of 2,438 construction sites took anti-malaria measures such as fogging and appointing pest control officers.