Pig menace on rise in Kakinada

Kakinada: Residents of Kakinada have been facing several problems despite the tag of Smart City. Despite the existing problems like lack of dumping yard, no elected body since 2011, pig and stray dog menace are giving the city and its denizens no reprieve.

Locals fear it may cause health hazards during rainy season

It is said that frequent change of municipal health officers (MHOs) and lack of elected representatives to represent peoples’ grievances are said to be some of the reasons for the existing situation.

According to sources, a three-acre site has been allotted at Chollangi village of Tallarevu mandal in Kakinada suburbs more than a year ago for pig rearers. But, no noticeable effort was put to shift the pig rearers to the allotted site because of frequent change of head of health department.

Now, pigs are moving in groups creating a lot of inconvenience to public and to the households in both commercial and posh areas. As the rainy season has started, people fear the movement of pigs in large numbers creates health hazards.

President of Kakinada Resident Colonies Confederation YD Rama Rao said that once a decision to shift the pigs out of the city was taken, it should be implemented sincerely. The municipal authorities should not simply make lame accuses for not implementing the decisions taken over shifting of pig areas out of city limits, he added.

People’s Front convener and social activist D Ramana Raja observed that in the last three years, three municipal health officers (MHOs) have been transferred on the interference of political representatives without providing them an opportunity to act.Kakinada MHO, Dr Prabhakar could not be contacted despite several attempts.