Mahim residents team up with BMC to tackle rat infestation

Residents now want civic authorities to do more to reduce the rodent population, as they fear Leptospirosis spreading this monsoon. Walking in puddles of water in which rodents' urine and excreta are mixed creates high chances of contracting the disease, if one's feet have nicks or wounds on them.

Setting an example for other citizens, a handful of Mahim residents have joined hands with the local civic ward office to address the overwhelming rodent problem in their area. Through joint efforts they have succeeded in killing 600 rats between January and May this year, although the issue is far from resolved.

Residents now want civic authorities to do more to reduce the rodent population, as they fear Leptospirosis spreading this monsoon. Walking in puddles of water in which rodents' urine and excreta are mixed creates high chances of contracting the disease, if one's feet have nicks or wounds on them.

Mahim residents have written to Dr Padmaja Keskar, Executive Health Officer, BMC, who has been appointed as In-Charge of recruitment of Night Rat Killers. The recruitment of 64 Night Rat Killers for 24 civic wards is still pending with the higher officials. Residents claim that Dr Padmaja Keskar had assured them two months ago that the file had been sent to her superiors, but no concrete results have ensued.

The rat menace is rampant in Mumbai city. Besides posing health hazards to people, the rodents cause damage to household properties, utility cables, telephone lines and foundations of buildings.

The rodent population is extremely high in many areas of Mumbai, and in particular the island city. Rat killers are paid Rs5,000 a month for killing 30 rats every night. If they fail to do so, a particular amount from their monthly salary is deducted.

There are only two Night Rat Killers posted in the G North ward, which includes Mahim; but one NRK has been permanently absent for the past three years. The G North ward comprises Mahim, Dharavi, Shivaji Park, Matunga and half of Dadar.

Mahim resident Irfan Machiwala said that for the past six months, teams of residents from the area have been helping the Night Rat Killer. "We do supervision in the area between 1 am to 3 am. Without our intervention, housing societies don't allow the Night Rat Killer to enter the building. If we are present, they don't fear him. Our initiative provides an element of safety, since we keep one of the society members informed. We spot the burrows that helps the NRK to kill the rats," said Machiwala.

Farooque Dhala, a 44-year-old local resident involved with the initiative, said that rodents give birth to about 20 offspring in one litter. "When a torch is suddenly projected on them, the rodents are partially blinded for a few seconds and freeze in their tracks. When they are immobilised, the NRK gets time to hit them. We have kept a record of each visit made by the NRK. There is a good response to the joint effort," said Dhala.

A team of civic activists is also encouraging the people in the area to keep their surroundings clean. "They don't keep dustbins in their houses, and throw garbage everywhere. Even hawkers lack civic sense. Hawkers are up till late night, and throw leftovers on the roadside, which attracts rodents. Residents and hawkers fight with us when we try to persuade them," he said. "We are requesting them to maintain cleanliness and use safety nets so that the rat population doesn't increase."

Civic sources from the insecticide department of the BMC said that they have hired Night Rat Killers on a temporary basis. Although this force can be made permanent, the administration has not taken the issue seriously. The NRKs are not equipped with proper personal protection gear like gloves and shoes. They are often bitten by rodents.