01 August,2017 08:36 AM IST | Mumbai | Rupsa Chakraborty
Nearly 30 scrapped cars stationed outside Siddharth Hospital in Goregaon West are giving daily health jitters to locals; police claim lack of space, BMC unperturbed
The cars outside Goregaon police station. Pic/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi
Two weeks ago, the BMC had issued a notice to RJ Malishka Mendonca for mosquito-breeding spots inside her house in Bandra. Yet, it has turned a blind eye to the nearly 30 scrapped cars stationed on a road in Goregaon West, which have turned into a buzzing ground for mosquitoes, rats and other pests. Significantly, the spot is outside a hospital.
According to locals, who have lodged several complaints with the civic body, these cars have been abandoned by the Goregaon police station. Even as residents fear a malaria or dengue outbreak, cops have cited "lack of space" as the reason behind their reluctance to shift the scrapped cars.
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In a complaint filed with the Pest Control Department against the Goregaon police, locals have stated, "Dumping of scrapped vehicles by the Mumbai police in front of Siddharth Hospital has added to the menace of mosquitoes, rats and other pests."
The scrapped cars outside Goregaon police station
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Manish Sherughar, who filed the complaint with the BMC, said, "Water entering from broken windows make these vehicles prone to mosquito breeding. We have lodged several complaints with the BMC because, besides local residents, even patients inside Siddharth Hospital are susceptible to mosquito-borne infectious diseases." Sherughar said several residents in area have fallen victim to malaria. Another resident, Nidhi Varsha, said, "The BMC is refusing to act. We aren't quite sure how to resolve this issue."
Siddharth Hospital is right opposite the new mosquito breeding ground. Pic/ Sayyed Sameer Abedi
When mid-day approached the police station yesterday, an officer said, "Most of the cars were seized after accidents. These vehicles have been lying with us for over a decade. We don't know of an alternate location to house them."
Despite several attempts, BMC officials remained unavailable for comment.
