Mumbai: Roofs over railway stations turning into mosquito breeding sites

Since June, the BMC has found larvae on these roofs nine times

The BMC has found larvae of the anopheles mosquito which spreads Malaria, on the roofs of the Dadar West, Sion, Matunga Road and Mahim railway stations. Since June, the BMC has found larvae on these roofs nine times.   

The G North ward officer said on Friday, “Last year there was an increase in cases of malaria among citizens living near the railway line between Matunga Road and Mahim. As the source of the disease was not known, we checked the railway stations and found mosquito larvae there. This year hence we have been doing regular inspections. Nine times since June we have found anopheles mosquito larvae in the water accumulated on the roofs of Dadar West, Sion, Matunga Road and Mahim railway stations. Two weeks ago we had found two breeding spots at Matunga Road railway station.”

“We found breeding spots in the roof gutters. There is a need for clean waterways so rainwater can't accumulate on the roof. We issued a notice to the person concerned when we found the larvae. We asked the authority to clean and maintain proper drainage in the roof gutters,” he added. He also pointed out that inspecting roofs is very risky work. The roof is very high and there is fear of the high tension wires. “The presence of mosquito larvae on the premises of the railway station doesn't mean only staff and commuters will suffer. It is more risk for residents living around the railway station,” said another official.  The Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railways, Sumit Thakur, did not respond to calls and messages.

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