Overflowing sewage in market raises alarm amid dengue threat

Dilkusha Market, the city’s bustling medical hub, is facing a severe sanitation crisis, with overflowing sewage creating unhygienic conditions for both visitors and shop owners. This comes at a time when the city is grappling with a dengue outbreak, with over 100 cases already reported so far.

Despite health risks, the municipal corporation (MC) has failed to address the issue, leaving residents frustrated and vulnerable to vector-borne diseases.

Stagnant sewer water has been accumulating in the market for the last many days, posing both safety and health hazards. Shop owners and visitors struggle to navigate through filth, which has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

“Stagnant water is a major health risk for everyone here. Customers are hesitant to visit our shops. This is affecting our business,” said Rajesh Mehta, a medical store owner. He said, “If this is the situation without rain, imagine how bad it will get when the sky opens up.”

While sharing similar concerns, visitors criticised the corporation’s failure to take steps to stop the flow of sewer water in the marked. “Health teams claim to be raising awareness about dengue, but they ignore breeding grounds right in front of them. What’s the point of campaigns if nothing is done on the ground?” asked Neha Sharma, a shopper.

Another visitor, Vinod Kumar, said, “This market is vital for medical needs, yet it’s neglected. The MLAs make promises to upgrade the city, but nothing has improved.”

Shopkeepers and residents worry that the predicted rainfall in the coming days would worsen the situation. “The MC must act immediately to prevent the problem from escalating. If the drainage system can’t handle sewage in dry weather, we can’t imagine how unbearable the situation will become if it rains,” said a concerned store owner.

Meanwhile, Dilkusha Market’s plight is part of a broader issue affecting the city, where heaps of garbage and poor drainage system has persisted for years’ altogether. Despite repeated promises by elected leaders, the situation remains unchanged. Residents accuse the MC of failing to deliver on its commitments, leaving basic infrastructure to deteriorate.

The civic body authorities, meanwhile, assured that they would instruct officials concerned to visit the site and take necessary steps at the earliest.