GCC starts registering a rise in complaints about mosquito density

The Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) has started registering a rise in complaints about mosquito density. Councillors have demanded that the GCC hire additional workers for mosquito control to prevent an increase in cases of vector borne diseases. 

Ward 42 councillor M. Renuka said the mosquito control operations have been disrupted in the past few weeks in Tondiarpet zone because of SIR work by nine of the 13 malaria control workers in the ward.

“We have requested additional workers for mosquito control operations at the Health Committee meeting held on Thursday. Chennai Corporation Deputy Commissioner (Health) participated in the meeting and assured that additional workers will be hired. We have demanded one worker for 250 houses instead of 500 houses. Our area is congested. Unless the Chennai Corporation deploys more workers, we will not be able to control mosquito breeding,” said Ms. Renuka. “The work on Form 6 will resume on December 14. So, we have requested more workers for mosquito control immediately,” she said. 

Ward 4 councillor R. Jayaraman said that the mosquito density has increased in Tiruvottiyur even after fogging operations were done in several areas. “I have 13 workers for mosquito control in my ward. The fogging work has no impact on mosquito density,” he said.

Nammazhwar of the Federation of North Chennai Residents Welfare Associations said the engineering solutions provided by GCC for reducing mosquito density in his neighbourhood in Madhavaram zone by restoration of Thanikachalam Canal has been successful in some parts of the ward 29 and ward 30, while encroachments from Nagathamman Temple to Retteri Junction along 750 metres of the canal have increased mosquito density.

“Mosquito density has reduced in houses along a stretch of 2 km after successful restoration of the canal. But the delay in removal of 75 encroachments in the canal has led to an increase in mosquito density in the area. Before the restoration project, residents used to close doors and windows at 5 p.m. because of mosquitoes,” he said.

A. Francis, president of the Federation of Thoraipakkam Residents’ Welfare Associations, said residents have complained about an increase in mosquito breeding sources in vacant plots in areas such as Anand Nagar in Thoraipakkam in GCC ward 193 after the rain. An official of the Chennai Corporation said mosquito control work will be strengthened in all the 15 zones of the city.