Dead rats left to rot in Indiranagar

Bengaluru: Residents of Indiranagar are anxious that they will fall victim to infections, allergies and other health hazards if dead rodents and bandicoots lying dead in their area for some time now are not cleared immediately.

Ms Jayanti Bhattacharya, a resident of Indiranagar, said that residents of 12th Main 4th Cross in Indiranagar have been suffering for the last few days now. But whenever they complain, pourakarmikas “vanish into thin air, without clearing the rodents”.

“It is a mystery as to where these dead rodents are coming from. We suspect a few restaurants and hotels located in the vicinity. Possibly, they poison and trap rats, and dump the dead ones along with garbage. Pourakarmikas clear leaves and other waste ever day, but leave the dead rats on the road, for crows to feed on them. The dead rats also attract flies, creating an unhygienic atmosphere.

The residents are now wary of letting their children play on the street and evensenior citizens are scared of stepping out for the fear of catching infections,” she said.

“The area has a prominent bus stop and a large number of students wait there for buses. These children are exposed to health hazards and allergies. It is necessary that the BBMP deputes someone to clear these dead rats. The authorities should also find out who is behind the menace,” she said.

BBMP Joint Commissioner (Health) Sarfaraz Khan said that pourakarmikas cannot refuse to remove waste from roads. “However, the animal husbandry department will be alerted on frequent deaths of bandicoots and will be asked to take necessary action. The issue has come to my notice only now. I will take action and get the waste and dead rodents cleared,” he said.