BMC’s Innovative Solution To Curb The Incidence Of Mosquito Related Diseases

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is making use of drones to curb diseases associated with mosquitos. According to the report by the Times of India, there has been a 54% decrease in the prevalence of malaria this monsoon in the G-South Ward.

The G-South ward includes Lower Parel, Prabhadevi, Worli and Mahalaxmi. This area is said to have mills that tend to become unapproachable either due to their ramshackle condition or height. Due to this, in recent years, it has become a breeding ground for malaria and dengue, claimed the report.

Taking into account the prevalent situation, Sharad Ughade the ward officer, utilized the CSR funds to purchase a drone that would spray anti-larval oil on spots that were earlier ignored. Based on the account, BMC officials stated that they undertook expenditure worth Rs 7 lakh on the drone.

Ughade, according to the report stated that whilst last year the focus was on covid-19, the equipment wasn’t used as much. But since the monsoon this year, they have been focusing on the equipment. The equipment has a 10-litre tank which helps save time since the authorities can cover a significant area in 15 minutes. The drone is said to be equipped with a camera that they hope to use in disaster management if the need arises, mentioned Ughade in the account.

According to him, the drone has been of help, since in June-August 2020 the ward registered 900 malaria cases, but the number has fallen to 407 this time around, highlighted the narrative.

Rajan Naringrekar, the civic authority’s insecticide officer elaborated that the drone has also been utilized to drop insecticides in waters accumulated on rooftops of unreachable buildings of the said ward. He highlighted that clean water becomes a breeding ground for mosquitos causing diseases. Although the equipment was purchased through CSR funds, the BMC is seeing the initiative through, with the civic authorities obtaining a NoC from the police to use the drones. 

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