People of Agartala City have been witnessing massive mosquito infestation since the last couple of weeks as the main sewerage outline of Akhaura was blocked by the PWD department for road expansion works between Fire Brigade Chowmuhani to Integrated Check Post, sources in Agartala Municipal Corporation said.
Admitting the fact that mosquito menace has become a serious problem for the city dwellers, the source said, “We can’t deny the fact that mosquito menace exists in the city areas and all possible efforts are being made to tackle the situation. Regular fogging is being done in each of the wards. The schedule has been drawn such a way that each of the wards undergoes fogging twice a week”.
However, residents of Agartala have sharp disagreement with the comments of officials. “In the last few months the AMC sponsored fogging activities have fallen drastically. Earlier, mosquito repellent sprays and DDT sprays were done in regular intervals”, said a resident of Banamalipur area.
“See mosquitos are a perennial problem of the city. As long as the sewerage water remains static under the cover drains the mosquito problem shall continue to haunt the city dwellers. Spraying of mosquito repellent substances only kills the living mosquitoes while the breeding areas remain unaffected”, the AMC official said.
On being asked about respite, he said, “the only solution is to open the blocked sewerage lines. On arrival of monsoon, the blockades will be opened and the static water shall be percolated out of the city. Accordingly, the breeding centers will also get washed away”.
“Even a few days back when the city witnessed drizzles, the blockades were opened”, the source added.