PORVORIM
With seven of its staff members testing positive for dengue, the Porvorim Fire Station has sought improved cleanliness around its premises.
Fire Station Officer Vinayak Phadte has written to the Penha de Franca panchayat requesting it to shift the food carts located near the Goa Cricket Academy (GCA) and remove an old hearse van abandoned on the premises of the Disaster Management building near the fire station.
The Porvorim Primary Health Centre (PHC) has identified the construction site of Porvorim Town Square, food carts near GCA, and the construction site of the Penha de Franca Panchayat Library as mosquito breeding sites. The abandoned hearse van has also emerged as a potential breeding ground.
According to sources, the panchayat’s hearse van has been lying abandoned at the Disaster Management building premises for several months, but no action has been taken to relocate it.
Speaking to The Goan, Phadte said around 100 labourers were staying in temporary quarters beside the fire station, which had been set up by the contractor of Porvorim Town Square.
“Several labourers may have been infected with dengue, but it was not disclosed by the contractor. These labourers may have been sent back to their native places,” he said.
Phadte said the fire station regularly maintains cleanliness within and around its premises, but the surrounding areas remain unclean, contributing to the rise in dengue cases.
“No drains have been provided along the side of GCA and the adjoining government buildings, resulting in rainwater accumulating on the road,” he said.
He said the panchayat should construct drains near these buildings to prevent water stagnation. “The fire station has also requested the Penha de Franca panchayat to shift the food carts near GCA and remove the old hearse van from the Disaster Management building premises,” he added.
Asked whether replacement staff had been provided after seven firefighters tested positive for dengue, Phadte said no additional staff had been sent from the head office.
“We are managing with the existing staff and operations are continuing without any disruption,” he said.
He added that two staff members who had contracted dengue have recovered but have not yet resumed duty due to weakness.
