The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has increased the cleaning fees for vacant plots by 75% to curb mosquito breeding and dengue spread. This decision, targeting all 144 city wards, aims to motivate property owners to maintain their plots. The move follows challenges faced by KMC in managing plot cleanliness, especially in dengue-prone areas. The increased fees are expected to reduce the reliance on KMC’s services, encouraging owners to take direct responsibility for their properties' upkeep, thus aiding in the city's public health efforts against dengue.
In a significant move to curb mosquito breeding and the associated spread of dengue, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced a 75% increase in the fee charged for cleaning vacant plots. This decision, made in the mayor-in-council meeting on Wednesday, targets better compliance from property owners in maintaining cleanliness.
The revised fee structure, applicable across all 144 wards of the city, is part of KMC's intensified efforts to tackle the public health challenge posed by dengue, a disease spread by mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water. The vector control department officials are optimistic that the higher fees will incentivize owners to personally ensure their properties remain garbage-free, reducing breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
As per current civic norms, the responsibility of cleaning neglected plots falls on KMC's solid waste management department. Initially, the department issues a notice to the plot owner, demanding the removal of accumulated waste within a week. If the owner fails to comply, KMC intervenes to clean the plot, subsequently billing the owner for the service. This procedure is particularly stringent in areas prone to dengue outbreaks.
The task of cleaning hundreds of plots, especially in newly added areas of KMC jurisdiction like Behala, Tollygunge, Garia, Jadavpur, Baghajatin, Kasba, Garfa, and localities near EM Bypass, is daunting. While some owners heed to the civic body’s warnings and clean their plots, many others depend on their team. The new fee structure aims to discourage this dependency and promote individual responsibility.
The initiative underscores KMC's commitment to public health and environmental cleanliness. By enforcing stricter financial penalties, the corporation aims to shift the burden of maintaining plot cleanliness back to the owners, thereby reducing mosquito breeding sites and potentially lowering the incidence of dengue in the city.
In conclusion, this fee hike is a strategic step by KMC towards enhancing civic responsibility among property owners and strengthening the city's fight against dengue. By prioritizing cleanliness and public health, the corporation aims to create a healthier and safer environment for Kolkata's residents.
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