HC trashes Corporation report on mosquito eradication

When a plea by advocate A P Suriaprakasam came up for hearing, a division bench comprising Justices Vineet Kothari and Anita Sumanth took exception that the report that was sought for last November was being filed now.

In the report, the Deputy Commissioner (Works) submitted that the Corporation had recently purchased an amphibian vehicle from Finland at Rs 4.43 crore, and three robotic excavators from Switzerland at a total cost of Rs 19.64 crores for cleaning the canals it maintains.

The machines were used for desilting, removing hyacinth and other floating materials from the canals maintained by the Corporation and PWD to ensure free flow of water, the official said. The affidavit also claimed that the Corporation has drastically reduced mosquito density, particularly in North Chennai, by removing hyacinth.

Another report, this time filed by Deputy Commissioner (Health), said fogging operations were being undertaken and added that hospitals were well-equipped to handle dengue cases.

However, after perusing the report which claimed Rs 177 crore was spent to clear 10,000 tonnes of silt and hyacinth from 50 channels, the bench wondered how such a huge quantum of silt was disposed of.

When the Additional Advocate General listed out the works and programmes undertaken to eradicate mosquitoes, the bench intervened asking details about the extent of work that has been done effectively. 

Directing the Corporation to file a report on the visible and concrete action taken, the bench posted the matter to December 18 for further hearing. The court warned of imposing a cost of Rs 50,000 if it failed to file a report on that day.