Pune: Former BJP corporator Amol Balwadkar staged a protest on Monday (September 9) by bringing a fogging machine to the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) premises. He carried out fogging within the corporation area, accusing the PMC of failing to address the growing health crisis.

“The administration seems to be sleeping while the citizens of Kothrud are suffering. I hope this action wakes them up and prompts them to take care of the people’s health,” said an outraged Balwadkar.

For the past month, Kothrud has witnessed a sharp increase in cases of dengue, malaria, chikungunya, and Zika. Despite this alarming trend, residents feel that the PMC has only conducted inspection drives without implementing any lasting solutions to curb the spread of these diseases.

After the protests, Balwadkar met with the PMC’s Health Chief, Dr. Neena Borhade, to discuss the shortcomings in healthcare services and the inadequate response to the growing number of cases.

Although the PMC’s health department conducts inspection drives and issues notices to residents, no effective action has been taken to ensure that patients receive timely treatment.

In areas such as Kothrud, Baner, and Pashan, almost every household has at least one patient suffering from these diseases. Senior citizens and children, who are most vulnerable, are facing significant hardships as families struggle to find proper treatment.

Residents of Kothrud are particularly disadvantaged due to the lack of a government hospital in the area, forcing them to rely on expensive private healthcare. Despite repeated appeals to the administration, the PMC’s fully constructed hospital in Kothrud remains non-operational.

To bring attention to the severity of the situation, Balwadkar organized fogging activities in various housing societies, independent homes, and commercial establishments in Kothrud for the past 15 days, personally funding these efforts.

“I receive calls from residents every day, pleading for fogging in their neighborhoods. The administration needs to understand the seriousness of this crisis,” said Balwadkar.