Minister favours task force to prevent dumping of debris

Minister favours task force to prevent dumping of debris

The indu

BMP asked to take preventive steps against dengue, chikungunya

# Irregular clearing of garbage reported at several places
# BWSSB, BMP told to work together to check water leaks

Bangalore: "We have to take steps to ensure that dengue does not rear its head in the city," said R. Ashok, Minister for Health and Family Welfare.

He was speaking to presspersons after paying surprise visits to several areas in the city on Wednesday night.

He asked the officials of the Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BMP) to take steps to check the spread of cholera, chikungunya and dengue.

The Minister visited J.C. Nagar, Jayamahal, Madivala Market, Indira Gandhi Slum in Jayanagar IX Block, Yediyur Lake and Balekai Mandi near Binny Mills on Wednesday night.

Mr. Ashok said that several residents had been complaining that garbage was not being cleared regularly by the BMP. A few complained that builders were illegally dumping debris by the roadside.

Reward

"This has become common in Bangalore. I have decided to form a task force to identify persons indulging in such activities," he said.

He said this would be done with the help of private agencies, who would be rewarded for identifying people dumping either garbage or debris.

About the Madivala Market, the Minister said it was evident that garbage was not cleared regularly there.

He asked the officials of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) to demolish the water tank in Indira Gandhi Slum that was in disuse.

Leaking main

During the rounds, he found that the main water line leaking on Kanakapura Main Road, near the Banashankari Temple.

He asked BWSSB Chairman N.C. Muniyappa to find a permanent solution to the problem.

Mr. Ashok said that 100 fogging machines would be deployed to one constituency so that intensive fogging could be taken up.

A cluster of five wards would be made and fogging operations would be taken up.

BMP Commissioner K. Jairaj said intensive fogging would be taken up, with special emphasis on water bodies. The operations would be taken up in October and November.

With regard to Balekai Mandi near Binny Mills, he said the BMP would clear the stagnant water and use the land to dump debris.

He said the BMP would work with BWSSB and identify points of water leak and take action to plug them.

Night cleaning

Mr. Jairaj said that night cleaning would be taken up at several places.

With regard to health workers and pourakarmikas taking leave on Sundays, he said the Deputy Commissioner had been directed to check this trend.

Mr. Muniyappa said that BWSSB engineers had been directed to take action to plug the leaks in the water supply system.

He urged the public to make sure that their water collection pots, tanks and sumps were covered properly. People should make sure that water did not stagnate anywhere in their area.