The laboratory started by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation for testing the water samples, is not able to serve its main purpose. The laboratory carries an extra burden of checking food samples given by the Railway and various investigation samples given by Police department. Therefore the laboratory cannot do its actual work of testing the water samples. The laboratory has been upgraded with various advanced technology and gives many accurate reports of many critical samples too. The laboratory’s credibility has increased. Therefore, various governmental authorities have also started sending various samples for inspection. The samples given by police department needs to be given priority as they are more important.
The Municipal Corporation provides water supply to citizens therefore the corporation needs to check water samples of various places. Contaminated water spreads disease at many places; such water’s samples are being tested in the laboratory. Earlier, 5 years ago the lab had no advance technology and it was poor in having many facilities; therefore laboratory used to take 72 hours to submit its report of water samples. But ever since the condition of this laboratory has been upgraded with all advance technology and facilities, the lab submits its report within 24 hours. Now the new MFT technic is used for testing water samples.
About 500 to 600 samples of Khichadi come in the laboratory which is provided to the students in the Municipal Schools. Food poisoning cases are also reported in many Municipal schools and other places, these samples are tested in this laboratory. These reports are submitted within 14 days. These reports are considered to be approved after producing it the court. So, the lab is receiving large number of samples from various government agencies too, said Lab’s food analyst Santosh Jathar.
About 500 samples of food adulteration, cigarette, tobacco and aromatic betel nut are given by the police. One thousand samples of water from the railway and the large number of cigarettes samples come from Custom department.
Santosh Jathar, Food Analyst, Municipality Laboratory
5 years ago, there were no facilities in the laboratory but ever since the laboratory has been upgraded, it has become easier to check other food samples along with the water. We only provide reports of the samples; we do not have rights to take action.
Sample Examination Statistics
Municipality School: 500 – 600
Police: 500
Railway: 1000
