Fund crunch grounds fogging machines: RMC

Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC), which religiously uses fogging machines on VIP residential premises, has come out with an explanation as why it has left commoners to mosquitoes’ mayhem in the capital. According to official data, the corporation spends around `6,000 for one time usage of a fogging machine. It includes spraying a mixture of 5 litre diesel or petrol with 600 milliliter of chemical lasting for a period of two hours. Besides, the market rate of petrol or diesel, RMC has to bear `1,000 for purchasing one litre chemical.  

“If all the 13 fogging machines are used, an amount of Rs 65,000 is required. Managing such a high amount is not possible as our revenue generation from the public is low. The chemical spread by the fogging machines keep the mosquitoes away for at least 24 hours. Even if it is not used, residents are not much affected,” said RMC Public Relations Officer (PRO) Naresh Kumar on Monday.

Meanwhile, concerned official in-charge of fogging machines said that fogging machines have not been used for the last one month due to change in the climate season. “As there is a crunch of money, we prefer using the fogging machines when it is highly essential. like in the breeding season of mosquitoes which is yet to arrive, we cannot compromise spraying the anti-mosquito chemicals in each locality. There is no need in winter or rainy seasons,” said a senior RMC officer requesting anonymity.

The officer, however, confirmed that it is the responsibility of the ward councillors to ensure all the lanes under their wards are covered. “Our ward councillors are adhering to our instructions. Based on the prepared roster, chemicals are sprayed in one area atleast once in a month. In such circumstances, it is obvious to skip some localities as there are several colonies under one ward,” pointed out the senior officer.

When the denizens of different wards were asked, they complained on the increasing mosquito population. “It is almost impossible to walk on the street nowadays. The road sides and drains are filthy making it easier to increase the population of mosquitoes. It has been weeks, we have not seen fogging machines spreading the anti-mosquito chemicals in our ward,” said a school-goer Ritu Kujur, residing in Tharpakhna.

likewise, Kokar resident Jaspreet Kaur pursuing doctorate from Ranchi University (RU) and homemaker Sonali from Hinoo said it becomes difficult for them to sleep and cook due to the mosquito bites in the morning as well as in the night. “We hardly see the fogging machines in our area. It has been over two weeks, we have last seen the machine. In order to tackle the problem, more mosquito repellents are used in our home,” Jaspreet said.

Sources maintained the fogging machines are frequently seen spreading chemicals in and around residential complexes of VIPs, including ministers and bureaucrats. When the corporation’s Deputy Town Commissioner OP Sah was approached for ignoring public in terms of the same service, he said, “I will have to inquire about the matter.”