Vasant Kunj grapples with dengue, malaria

Waterlogging at DDA's Games housing site allegedly the source

The situation is far from healthy in one of Delhi's swankiest localities. The resident's of D-block in Vasant Kunj are living in constant dread these days as dengue and malaria rule the roost.


An MCD health worker sprays medicine on stagnant water at the DDA
housing site which is under construction in Vasant Kunj for Commonwealth
Games, on Tuesday. Pic/Rajeev Tyagi

Though it's the Monsoon season, the conditions are a lot worse this time around. The reason being cited is the waterlogging problem at the location of the DDA's housing project with 5000 under-construction flats coming up for the Commonwealth Games. The stark reality is that beneath the lanky buildings, there is a massive accumulation of water in the basement in one of the parking areas causing mosquito breeding for both dengue and malaria.

The workers at the site are bearing the brunt of it but it has also taken its toll on the locals. The tally of suspected and confirmed cases is at 36 with the majority of them being reported from D-6, D-7 and D-8 of Vasant Kunj. The nuisance has persisted for almost a month now but the MCD says that despite repeated challans and reprimand, the DDA has not initiated any action so far.

The construction workers toiling for 12 hours a day to meet the Games deadline have been hit hard. The MCD has already challaned Chief Engineer R K Aggarwal, Executive Engineer A K Jha and several junior engineers in this regard but that hasn't changed anything. According to a source in the MCD's health department, the problem started about 20 days ago with the onset of monsoon and despite numerous warnings no action was taken to draw water out of the basement. "MCD inspectors have visited this site time and again but the private contractors seem to ignore the repeated warnings. The rate of mosquito multiplication is high and so would be the mortality rate if the problem is not dealt with seriously," he said.

"There are a lot of mosquitoes here and we can't even sleep at night. I have fever for the past few days", said Ram Prasad, a construction worker. The labourers also complained that they have to buy medicines from their own money if they ever fall ill. "It is no big deal for the DDA as they replace ill workers with a fresh set of hands who can work in sub-human conditions for money", said an official who wished to stay anonymous.

Three people in Dr Swarna Devi's familyin D block have been affected by dengue in the recent past. Her 16-year-old granddaughter Prarthnachandra was discharged from AIIMS only a few days ago. It was her maid who was first affected by dengue and is still admitted in AIIMS. The next victim was her son. Dr Swarna also mentioned that a family of 4 in the neighbourhood is suspected to be suffering from dengue.

"We are very scared. This is due to the waterlogging which has happened because of the housing project. The site has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This is still early for this kind of dengue onslaught but the stagnant water has led to the spread of this fatal disease," Dr Swarna said. Many residents have resorted to burning mosquito repellent coils to protect themselves.

Naresh Yadav, General Secretary of the RWA, confirms that he has received numerous complaint calls from residents about the mosquito menace and the surge in cases of dengue and malaria. "There are about 10 confirmed cases in D-7 and D-8 whereas D-6 is the worst affected with 26 cases (suspected and confirmed).

I had a meeting with DDA representatives in this regard; hope they respond soon. The MCD is doing a good job in keeping the vicinity mosquito-free and spraying at regular intervals" says Yadav.u00a0 In response to our query DDA Spokesperson Neemo Dhar said: "Temporary waterlogging can be there because of construction but there is no permanent stagnation of water.