OUT IN THE OPEN: The nala at Srinagar Colony in Kapra municipality attracts mosquitoes and pigs. Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

HYDERABAD: One June 17 Minister for Information and Public Relations Mohammed Shabbir Ali, while visiting Fever Hospital, said the Government was on alert and there was no need to panic following the outbreak of suspected chikungunya cases in the twin cities.

Kapra municipal authorities are yet to wake up to take precautionary measures to prevent the spread of virus among the residents, particularly children. An open nala at Kapra Municipal office adjacent to Little Angles Paradise High School has turned out to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes and pigs.

`It is hell'

"Can our children be safe in these conditions? The evenings come with swarms of mosquitoes. It is hell for us everyday," laments a shopkeeper. The Zilla Parishad High School is also located nearby.

Steeped in apathy and crying for basic amenities and sanitation are the localities of Ashok Colony, Manoj Enclave, Daba Gardens and Srinagar Colony under Kapra municipality limits.

The residents, quoting doctors, said the virus would spread only through mosquitoes that breed on stagnant water, but the municipal authorities had hardly carried out anti-larval and fogging operations. With pigs moving around freely in the areas, chances of outbreak of other viruses, including brain fever are more. Besides, `parlinium' grass (Congress grass) that developed on either side of nala may cause allergy to people.

Potholes on main stretch

There are many more woes. Some complain that there are 17 potholes on the main stretch from Canara Bank at Srinagar Colony to Little Angles Paradise High School, a distance of a few hundred metres, posing danger to road users.

"It is high time the authorities initiated precautionary steps to prevent spread of viral fevers," Dinakar, a neurosurgeon and resident of Daba Gardens in Kapra said, adding that numerous complaints evoked no response till date.

Prevention is better than cure is what the residents say.

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