Pune: PMC Health and Environment Departments Clash Over Mosquito Menace in Hadapsar Canal

Hadapsar, 1st January 2025: Hyacinth growth in the Baby Canal in Pune’s Hadapsar area has led to a significant increase in mosquito breeding, raising concerns about the potential spread of epidemic diseases. In response, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) Health Department has written to the Environment Department seeking the removal of the hyacinth.

However, as the Baby Canal falls under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department of the Government of Maharashtra, the Environment Department has declined to act, suggesting that the Health Department should directly approach the Irrigation Department instead.

The Mutha Baby Canal is located within the limits of the Hadapsar-Mundhwa Ward Office. It runs through areas such as Sade Satra Nali, Ansari Phata, Mahadev Nagar, Ghule Wasti, Kalpataru Serenity Housing Society, Amar Srushti, Laxmi Colony, Vitthal Nagar, Manjari, Phursungi, Shewalwadi, and Saykarwadi.

Currently, the canal is heavily infested with water hyacinth, which has exacerbated mosquito breeding and led to frequent complaints from residents. This situation has heightened the risk of epidemic diseases in the area, further alarming citizens and authorities alike.

The Health Department began spraying pesticides in the Baby Canal following complaints from residents about increased mosquito breeding. However, the spraying proved ineffective due to persistent waterlogging. In response, the Health Department sent a letter to the Environment Department, demanding the removal of waterlogging in the canal. The letter also highlighted that the department is facing citizen backlash due to the rise in mosquito-borne concerns linked to the stagnant water.

In reply, the Environment Department clarified that the Baby Canal falls under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department, not theirs. They recommended that the Health Department address the matter directly with the Irrigation Department of the Maharashtra Government.

Dr Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer of the PMC Health Department, stated, “There is significant waterlogging in the Baby Canal in Hadapsar, leading to an increase in mosquito breeding and a heightened risk of epidemic diseases. We are also receiving frequent complaints from residents regarding the mosquito menace.”

Echoing this, Mangesh Dighe, Environment Officer at the PMC Environment Department, said, “The Baby Canal in Hadapsar is under the jurisdiction of the Irrigation Department. The Health Department should write directly to the Irrigation Department to request the removal of waterlogging.”