The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Claims prove farcical

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 01, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Claims prove farcical

Staff Reporter

Dengue threat has not prodded civic staff to action

BREEDING GROUND: A boy watches mosquito larvae on a stagnant sheet of water in Bhavaninagar. — PHOTO: P. V. Sivakumar.

HYDERABAD: The claims of authorities on measures to curb dengue are indeed tall. But, a visit to localities like Bhavani Nagar, Aman Nagar and Talabkatta in old city will prove how farcical they are. Stagnant water, uncleared garbage... you just can't miss them.

Near Star Public School at Bhavani Nagar, one finds pools of water, given a finishing touch by a thick layer of mosquito larvae. Garbage mountains stand guard nearby.

Children suffer

The area has many educational institutions and the plight poses grave threat to children's health. In the vicinity of Moinbagh railway track stray dogs and pigs merrily feast on garbage. Locals allege that municipal workers clean the garbage "once in a blue moon."

"Earlier, only garbage worried us. Now, you can't discount the mosquito threat. Foul smell and mosquitoes make our lives miserable," says Shaik Ali, proprietor of Bilal Hotel.

Garbage bins

Ditto is the scenario at Aman Nagar and Talabkatta Masjid Street where the roadsides are used as garbage bins. Craters on the road are filled with water, making mosquitoes' lives easier.

"The authorities have not taken up fogging activities in the locality for long. Residents are always prone to all kinds of diseases," says Mansoor Ahmed, a resident of Aman Nagar.

"Commuting on these pothole ridden roads was itself a challenge.

The water in them just compounds the problem," complains Saeed Mushtaq, another resident.

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