Residents spend nights swatting mosquitoes, seek urgent action
In Short
Despite the allocation of crores of rupees towards mosquito-control measures, the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) appears to be struggling to contain the menace
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Residents spend nights swatting mosquitoes, seek urgent action
Hyderabad: Despite allocating crores of rupees towards mosquito-control measures, the Malkajgiri Municipal Corporation (MMC) appears to be struggling to contain the mosquito menace, with residents across several localities continuing to complain about inadequate fogging operations.
The corporation has reportedly earmarked around Rs 3.57 crore towards mosquito-control for the financial year 2026-27.
It has deployed 50 vehicle-mounted fogging (VMF) machines and 84 portable fogging machines to tackle mosquito breeding and control their spread. However, residents allege that the availability of machinery and allocation of substantial funds have not translated into effective mosquito-control operations on the ground. According to the circle-wise budget proposal for 2026-27, the corporation estimated a requirement of 37,500 kg of malathion across 14 circles under three zones. An amount of Rs 2,12,40,000, including GST was proposed for the purchase of malathion at the rate of Rs 566.40 per kg. The proposal also includes an additional requirement of 28 new vehicle-mounted fogging machines, with 10 machines for Malkajgiri Zone, eight for Uppal Zone and 10 for LB Nagar Zone. Despite these proposed arrangements, complaints about mosquitoes continue to emerge from several localities, including Safilguda, Mirzalguda, Yapral, Alwal, Kapra, Moula Ali, Nacharam, Nagaram, Cherlapally and Neredmet.
Residents say mosquitoes remain a major nuisance during evening and night hours, affecting children, senior citizens and working people. The corporation has identified 487 mosquito-breeding points within its limits and claims to be conducting fogging operations once in every ten days on a circle-wise basis. However, residents question whether the prescribed schedule is being followed consistently, particularly in interior colonies and residential streets.
Anitha, a resident of alwal, said that the mosquito problem has become unbearable in our locality, especially during the evening and night hours. We are unable to sit outside or even sleep peacefully because of the large number of mosquitoes. Though the municipal corporation is conducting fogging operations, the problem continues. We request officials to identify mosquito-breeding spots, clear stagnant water and increase the frequency of fogging.
Karthik, a resident of nacharam, stated that mosquitoes are troubling residents throughout the day, particularly in areas with open drains and stagnant water. Children and elderly people are facing considerable inconvenience, and residents are worried about mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria.
Fogging alone will not solve the problem unless proper sanitation and drainage maintenance are ensured. The municipal corporation should take permanent measures to control mosquito breeding, he said.
Sravani, Joint Commissioner of Health and Sanitation, MMC, said the civic body has been taking measures to control mosquito menace so that people can sleep peacefully. Fogging operations are conducted circle-wise once in every ten days. The corporation has 50 vehicle-mounted and 84 portable fogging machines. A budget of Rs3.75 crore has been allocated to the Entomology department this financial year, he informed.
