The civic body is taking all chances to check spread of malaria. On Wednesday, it sent samples of mosquito larvicidal (ML) oil it had stopped using since almost two years for testing to Haffkine Institute in Parel. If the report suggests that the oil is effective in destroying mosquito larvae, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will shell out Rs1.62 crore to procure it.
One liter of the oil costs about Rs65. It is said to be effective in destroying mosquito larvae by reducing the oxygen supply required for their growth. The oil is not toxic and does not harm animals or plants.
Dr Arun Bamne, BMC’s chief insecticide officer, said, “We have given the oil samples to Haffkine. We will receive the test reports on Thursday, after which the decision on purchase will be made.”
Bamne added that if the oil proves effective, each ward will require about 10,000 liters per month. The city is divided into 24 wards and thus the requirement will be huge. The oil will be sprayed in breeding spots like construction sites, potholes, footpaths with water retentions etc.
Dr Guirish Ambe, BMC’s chief executive officer, said the oil was used earlier too. “We had stopped using it since the past year and a half. We plan to use it again as it had proved effective earlier,” said Ambe, adding that a budget of Rs1.62 crore has been approved. “The oil will be purchased through a tendering process.”
“Besides testing the oil, we are planning to study various detergent powders and liquid soaps which can used for larvae control,” said Dr Ramaiya Mira, head of the Zoonosis department at Haffkine.
