Rats infest city’s Sankey Park

Morning walkers are fuming at having to negotiate the pathways while trying to avoid stepping on the numerous rodents

Rats infest city's Sankey Park

Morning walkers are fuming at having to negotiate the pathways while trying to avoid stepping on the numerous rodents

A walk at the up-market Sankey Park is sure to give the faint hearted a scare, as the number of rats scuttling around in the area is startling.

This has left morning walkers and joggers furious, as they have to negotiate the pathways while trying to avoid stepping on the swarming rodents.

People feeding pigeons at the park have made matters worse, as the food items they bring along attract rats by the hundreds to a free meal

Former President of Malleshwaram Swabhimana Initiative Sumathi Rao said that the rodent population has been burgeoning since the past eight months.

"Despite complaining to the park supervisor about six months ago, no measures have been taken to contain the growing menace," she said.

She added that there are hundreds of rodent burrows all over the park and the situation is quite worrisome. "As no steps were taken to keep a check on the population, we are facing a horrible situation," she said.

Pigeon problem
Visitors feeding pigeons at the park have made matters worse because the food items they bring along attract rats by the hundreds to a free meal.

Stop feeding
"Some people feed pigeons in the park, which encourages the rodents to live here," she said, adding that the health department of the BBMP should take immediate action to resolve this menace.

Sankey Park Walkers Association president A R Anand said, "The rodent menace cannot be defused in the park until feeding of pigeons is stopped."

On an average, around 2,000 people visit the park daily. With a water body situated nearby, the number of rodents is increasing as they have access to both, food and water. People also fear that snakes may follow the rodents into the park.

Speaking to MiD DAY, BBMP (West zone) Health Officer T Devaki Umesh said that they haven't received official complaint by any association. "If someone complains, we'll take immediate action," she assured.