Date:28/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/28/stories/2008012854440600.htm

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Disease outbreak looms over railway stations in Tamil Nadu

Shastry V. Mallady and S. Vijay Kumar

Chennai Central, Egmore stations in the list
500 man hour density detected at stations

MADURAI: Major railway stations in Tamil Nadu pose a threat of disease outbreak. Entomologists of the Directorate of Public Health who conducted a random survey last week have categorised Chennai Central, Chennai Egmore, Madurai, Coimbatore and a few other stations as “high risk” stations taking into account the “alarming” mosquito density there.

Pointing to inadequate mosquito control measures in these stations, a senior health official told The Hindu here on Sunday that the survey report would be released in a couple of days.

A request would be made to Southern Railway to reduce mosquito density at stations. The other “high risk” stations included Tirunelveli, Tiruchi, Vellore and Katpadi.

Analysis of field samples collected from railway stations and residential areas showed that the threat was more from the railway premises as the mosquito density crossed critical indicator levels.

Last week’s mosquito density was around 10 man hour density (mhd) in residential areas while it was over 500 mhd at railway stations during the same period, the official said.

The report suggested that some sanitation/mosquito control steps should be initiated at stations where passengers/public waited on platforms exposing themselves to mosquito bites.

When contacted the Chief Medical Superintendent, Madurai Division, K. Lokanatham, said a schedule of insecticide spraying was being followed at all major stations in the zone.

Health Inspectors were told to focus on anti-mosquito and anti-fly operations. Top priority was being rendered to keeping station premises free from garbage and stagnant water. A sanitary committee reviewed the health and safety aspects at railway stations periodically.

Poor drainage system

Another railway official said the drainage system at many stations was poor.

The Madurai station was located in a low-lying area and rainwater often flowed from the city streets into the station as it happened recently.

Meeting in Chennai

The Additional General Manager, Southern Railway, had called for a meeting of senior officials in Chennai this week to review the health and sanitation aspects, he said.