SCCI sounds vector alarm

After barricades on road intersections and fencing on pavements, mosquitoes are the new target of Singhbhum Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

SCCI general secretary Shravan Kabra said they wrote to Jusco managing director Ashish Mathur and state urban development minister Suresh Paswan on Wednesday, apprising them of the winged menace at Jamshedpur markets.

“We received complaints from traders in Bistupur and Sakchi and old markets like Golmuri, Sonari, Telco, Baradwari, Mango and Jugsalai about the nuisance being created by mosquitoes. They alleged that spraying of insecticides had virtually stopped over the past few months, resulting in rise in number of mosquitoes and increasing the threat of vector-borne diseases,” he added.

The trade outfit has requested the authorities to clean dumped garbage and drains and spray insecticides at congested marketplaces. “Earlier, drains in markets were regularly cleaned and garbage lifted. This apart, Jusco carried out fogging at regular intervals. However, this exercise has been stopped and one can see waste piled up at marketplaces across the city,” said SCCI president Suresh Sonthalia.

In the letter to Jusco managing director, SCCI said traders were willing to cooperate with the utility service provider to keep markets clean.

Jusco spokesperson Rajesh Rajan, however, claimed that fogging and cleaning exercises had not stopped.

“We are carrying out our job. The mosquitoes are coming from nearby areas that fall under the local urban body,” he added.