Breeding ground for mosquitoes

Breeding ground for mosquitoes
Deccan Herald

While the extent of the spread of dengue and chikungunya diseases in Delhi, Kerala and other places is being splashed across the media, residents of Bilekahalli are convinced that they could very well be the next victims to these diseases, as it could well become a breeding ground for mosquitoes, in the overflowing drain water that is stagnant on the roads.

When Deccan Herald paid a visit to the area, it was witness to drain water flowing backwards, and as there are no exit points, this water is flowing out of toilets and entering homes. Unable to reside in such dire conditions many owners have had to vacate their properties and rent houses elsewhere.

Mr Kumar, a building contractor, fed up of pumping drain water from his house decided to move out of the area last week. "The house would get flooded from the overflowing toilets, and the stench emanating from there was unbearable. I could not put my wife and children through more trouble. Hence we decided to shift, and stay away until the authorities concerned resolve this problem," he said.


The problem

In January 2006, the residents wrote to the CMC Commissioner to provide linking arrangements for drainage and storm water in their area. The problem emerged when two private land owners started filling up the lands on which they were planning construction of apartment complexes. The land filling was done on the underground drains (UGDs), that carried the sewage water from the homes of hundreds of residents into a storm water drain, which is connected to the Madivala lake.

Due to improper planning, which is a usual feature of most the CMC areas, and also with each individual linking or delinking his sanitary line to the main channel, the drains are blocked. As there are no exit points, the drain water is surging upwards entering homes and roads.

Mr Chandrashekar Karkala, President of Manish Rathna Apartment Owners Association, said that they had represented their problems to the area counsellor and the Commissioner several times, but to no avail. "Now that the rains are threatening, this area is sure to get submerged. We have not let any of our children play outside for over a week now, because of the deplorable conditions," he said adding that their generator room was also filling up with the same water, a problem which could cause serious consequences.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, CMC Commissioner Venkateshappa promised to visit the area again and take adequate measures to solve the problem. He had visited the area a month ago and had assured the residents that he would get some work done, which has not materialised to date.