Palladium Mall fined Rs 75,000 after checks find mosquito-breeding

The AMC health team has fined Palladium Mall operators in Thaltej Rs 75,000 after mosquito larvae were found in stagnant water around air-conditioning units on the mall’s rooftop.

The discovery has raised concerns over mosquito-control measures at large commercial establishments that attract thousands of visitors.

Municipal health officer Dr Bhavin Solanki said stagnant rainwater was a common breeding ground during the monsoon, but malls, multiplexes, factories, schools, colleges and construction sites could also harbour breeding sites, particularly around leaking or poorly maintained air-conditioning systems and other installations.

“With mosquito activity increasing during the monsoon, deputy health officers across all seven zones and the malaria department have been asked to conduct intensive inspections and take strict action wherever breeding is found,” Solanki said.

Recent inspections have highlighted a sharper problem in eastern Ahmedabad.  

Health department sources said 148 mosquito breeding sites were detected across four eastern zones over the past two days, compared with 73 cases in the three western zones.

Officials said the higher number of breeding sites in the east was being reflected in rising malaria and dengue cases. Urban health centres and private clinics have also reported an increase in patients with fever, they said.

Officials said in some cases political leaders are also alleged to have intervened to prevent sealing or reduce penalties.

With the monsoon continuing, health officials have warned that eliminating stagnant water at commercial premises and construction sites will be critical to containing the spread of dengue and malaria.