Notice to 34 under construction buildings with mosquito breeding sites

Of the 350 buildings under construction in Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) limits, mosquito-breeding sites have been unearthed in 34 buildings and were served with notices, Mayor Kavitha Sanil said.

Further, 20 builders have been served with second notices, for failing to initiate measures to destroy mosquito breeding sites.

Speaking to reporters here, she said all the builders were directed to ensure that mosquitoes do not breed in their sites before the onset of monsoon. However, during the recent inspection, the officials noticed mosquito breeding on a large scale in 34 under construction buildings.

“Mosquito breeding was noticed on a large scale even in government buildings, including Zilla Panchayat, Judges’ Quarters, Sahakari Sadana, 96 PC Quarters and Railway Quarters. The owners of 14 sites have failed to initiate measures even after the officials issued a warning. Further, 20 building owners have not replied to the notices served by the MCC. Accordingly, second notices have been served.”

Stating that the MCC will carry out spot inspection after a week, the mayor said if mosquito breeding sites are found in any building, then hefty penalty will be levied and licenses of such buildings will be cancelled.

She called upon the Mangaluru residents to maintain their surroundings clean and ensure that water does not remain stagnant in the surroundings.

Due to the efforts taken by the civic body, about 42% of malaria cases have come down this year compared to previous year. Last year, Mangaluru had 4,196 cases from January to June while this year, it has come down to 2,448 cases. This year, total of 403 were reported in January, 305 in February, 305 in March, 405 in April, 374 in May and 656 in June.

Very high-risk sites
The MCC has identified 19 wards as very high-risk wards where malaria cases are above 50 since January. The wards are Surathkal (West 57 cases), Idya (East, 68 cases), Derebail (North, 50 cases), Kadri (Padavu, 97 cases), Derebail-2 (East, 106 cases), Derebail-3 (South, 114 cases), Bejai (81 cases), Kadri -3 (South, 52 cases), Padavu-2 (Central, 59 cases), Padavu-3 (East, 72 cases), Central Market (88 cases), Bunder (148 cases), Port (104 cases), Milagres (94 cases), Attavara (53 cases), Mangaladevi (55 cases), Hoigebazar (215 cases), Bolar (67 cases) and Bengre (94).

The MCC has identified 16 high-risk wards where 20 to 50 cases have been reported. They are: Kavoor (36 cases), Pachanady (20 cases), Derebail -4 (West, 35 cases), Derebail-5 (Northeast, 23 cases), Mannagudda (46 cases), Kodialbail (47 cases), Kadri-2 (North, 26), Maroli (28), Bendoor (31), Falnir (29), Court (39), Cantonment (38), Valencia (41), Kankanady (20), Alape-2 (North, 31 cases) and Jeppu (21 cases).

Dengue, H1N1
Along with malaria, even dengue and H1N1 cases have been reported in the region. A total of six dengue cases have been reported in Derebail and Kadri wards while 77 H1N1 cases have been reported in Mangaluru taluk, she said.

The MCC has procured 15,000 guppy fishes for distribution among the public. Those who wish to have guppy fish can contact the city corporation, she said. The guppy fishes are available in all the 10 health centres in MCC jurisdiction.

Second notice to builders
The builders who have been served with second notices are: Sai Matha Diamond (Santhosh Kumar Shetty, Kana Main Road, Surathkal), Icon Tower and Icon City (HNGC Builder and Developers, Surathkal), Greek Galaxy (Ali Kutty, Pumpwell), Little Sister of the Poor (Valenkani construction, Maroli), Green Park (Balaji Housing, Gandhinagara, Kavoor), NITK boys hostel (Shri Krishna Shelter Pvt Ltd, NITK Campus, Surathkal), Ramanshi Complex (Lathish Kotian, Attavar), Fr Muller’s Car Parking (Diwakar Builder, Maria Bakery Lane, Pumpwell), Veenu Smart Home (Diwakar, Corde, Shakthinagar), Green County (Lanmark, Bolar), Poonam Garden (Damodar Shenoy, Kapikad Fourth Cross), Long Field (Ronald Mascarenhas, Dandakeri Yeyyadi), Essel Heights (Somayaji Estates Pvt Ltd, Derebail Church), Ocean View (Coastal Construction, Nellikai Road), Commercial Centre (Coral Construction, Nellikai Road), Sahakari Sadan (Bawa Builder, Rao and Rao Circle), N Force (Paulin Construction, Valencia), Northern Sky Court Yard (Sturrock Road), Nanda Gokula (Coastal Jarnataka, Bejai Kapikad), D3 Construction (Dharmaraj, behind bus stand, Urva Store).