Mumbai: Actor Salman Khan down with dengue, BMC finds mosquito breeding spots at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra

Mumbai: The BMC has swung into anti-mosquito action at the Galaxy Apartments, after one of its well-known residents Salman Khan has contracted dengue. A civic team did fumigation and hunted for mosquito breeding spots at the plush society located in Bandra West.

Elaborating about the drive, BMC Pesticides Department Officer Rajendra Naringrekar said, “Dengue larvae were spotted at two spots in the Galaxy premises. But no larvae were found at Khan's home.” When The Free Press Journal asked if the BMC has sent a notice to the Galaxy society over mosquito menace, the officer specified, “We don't send notice to societies instead we forward it to homeowners if larvae is found in their house.”

He further said the civic body issues three types of notices based on the action required. “In the first category, we inform residents that there are mosquito breeding spots (in their homes), which they need to destroy within a week. We initiate legal action against those who don't comply.” In the second category, notices are sent if breeding spots are spotted in the society's water tank.

In the third situation, official word is forwarded to those who excavate illegal borewells or construct a water fountain. “We tell them to remove such illegal constructions.

If a person doesn't remove it within stipulated time then we move to the metropolitan court and issue summons. We also submit documents and photos to court. Thereafter, court imposes penalties ranging between Rs2,000 and Rs10,000 under the BMC Act,” Mr Naringrekar added.

The civic body has appealed to citizens to use mosquito nets at night while asking them to approach the nearest health care centre in case of infection.

Given the increased prevalence of diseases like malaria, leptospirosis, dengue, swine flu during monsoon, the BMC annually conducts ward-wise inspection of all private, commercial, and public spaces within its jurisdiction.

Dengue deaths

2019 - 3

2020 - 8

2021 - 6

2022 - 2 (so far)

Cases this month

Oct 1 to 9 - 78

Oct 9 to 16 - 178