The arrival of monsoon also brings with it a host of water and vector-borne diseases. Jharkhand in general and the State capital in particular are particularly prone to outbreaks of malaria, necessitating extermination of mosquitoes through fogging every season. However, the fogging machines of the Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) are barely adequate in number to cover the entire city.
There are only 14 fogging machines for the 55 municipal wards of the RMC. According to Omkar Pandey, the store in-charge of RMC, “The RMC has four big fogging machines and 10 small ones. Out of these, one is not working. However, 30 hand-held machines are also there. Also, everyday two wards are targeted for fogging.”
However, residents in the capital refute these claims and say that the fogging machines are visible in action only in the VIP areas such as CM house, Raj Bhavan, and the streets and lanes that house the residences of senior bureaucrats. Meanwhile, the waterlogging-prone rural and low-lying areas remain ignored.
“Many low-lying areas like Morhabadi, Kantatoli, Burdwan Compound, Nagratoli, etc, have never been sprayed by the fogging machine and we have to suffer the terror of mosquitoes,” said a resident. “limited areas like VIP colonies and Gandhi Nagar get the facility of fogging. It is not provided in every area. It should be used as soon as possible in all areas, especially slum areas without any discrimination,” said Humanyun Rashid, a civil court lawyer.
RMC officials meanwhile cite shortage and state that plans are afoot to purchase more machines. “The tender was in process, but due to the Mayor’s absence, it was halted and purchases stopped. As soon as the Mayor assumes office, the tenders will be passed,” said SK lal, deputy CEO of RMC.
According to the official website of the state department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, the Government is planning to purchase a total of 48 fogging machines for all districts at an approximate cost of Rs 50 lakh. In addition, 300 Knapsack machines for anti-larval spray will also be acquired at a cost of Rs 25 lakh.