PORVORIM
Amid growing concerns after eight dengue cases were detected in the Housing Board area of Porvorim, the Penha-de-Franca panchayat will discuss the matter in detail and initiate necessary action at its fortnightly meeting on Saturday.
A spurt in dengue cases around the new Porvorim market complex has caused alarm in the area, especially given the large number of residents living nearby.
When contacted, Penha de Franca Sarpanch Swapnil Chodankar told The Goan that ensuring cleanliness at construction sites is a shared responsibility between the panchayat and the health department.
“The fortnightly meeting of the panchayat body will be held on Saturday, where this issue of dengue cases will be discussed in detail, and necessary action will be taken,” said Chodankar.
“The Panchayat has a duty to maintain general sanitation, prevent public nuisances, and regulate building activities. It ensures construction sites do not dump debris or waste on public streets or drains,” he added.
“However, it is the duty of the Primary Health Centre (PHC) to visit construction sites regularly, ensure cleanliness is maintained, and penalise those found violating sanitation rules. At present, the PHC has initiated fumigation and anti-larval measures.”
Meanwhile, Porvorim PHC Health Officer Dr Shikandar Talwar stated that he has apprised Tourism Minister and Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte of the dengue situation in the area.
“The minister has expressed concern over the spurt in dengue cases in Porvorim and asked me to take appropriate action as per PHC rules. He also advised us to take urgent steps to contain the spread of the disease,” Dr Talwar told The Goan.
Seven staff members from the Porvorim Fire Station are among the eight individuals who tested positive for dengue in the Housing Board area.
The Porvorim PHC has identified three mosquito breeding sites in the vicinity: the food carts opposite the Goa Cricket Academy, the Panchayat library construction site, and the Porvorim Town Square (PTS) project site.
The PHC has already issued three notices and levied two fines totalling Rs 1.5 lakh against the company constructing the PTS project for failing to maintain cleanliness at the site.
Dr Talwar warned that dengue cases in Porvorim could continue to rise if strict cleanliness is not maintained across the area.
