After Aedes mosquito breeding was found in the premises of several government buildings, private institutions and premier educational institutes in the Capital, including the Indian Institute of Technology-Delhi and the Jawaharlal Nehru University, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has decided to launch a special breeding checking and prosecution drive from next week.
Municipal Commissioner K. S. Mehra said: “Under the drive, persons or institutions would be prosecuted under the Delhi Municipal Corporation (Malaria & other Vector Borne Diseases) By-Laws, 1975, for creating mosquitogenic conditions and failure to take specified preventive measures, if breeding is detected.”
According to the MCD, despite various measures taken to seek community participation by the local body, breeding has been detected in 23,593 premises for which the civic body's health department has issued 30,693 legal notices and launched a total of 1,466 cases of prosecution.
Mosquito breeding has been found in premises including National Institute of Health and Family Welfare, police stations, Delhi Transport Corporation bus depots, Tis Hazari Courts, Metcafe House, offices and schools and certain localities such as Netahi Nagar, Prithviraj Road, Nithari village, JJ Colony Uttam Nagar, Sadar Bazar Delhi Cantonment, Railway Colony Punjabi Bagh, Raj Nagar and Palam areas of Nazafgarh zone among others.
Mr. Mehra said: “Since Delhi is experiencing intermittent rains, it is resulting in a manifold increase in the number of breeding sites of Aedes mosquito. The Aedes mosquito transmitting dengue and chikungunya breeds in any type of man-made containers or storage containers with even a small quantity of water.”
Besides seeking proactive support from Delhiites, the Municipal Commissioner appealed to the administrative heads of all government and autonomous bodies offices, educational institutions, commercial establishments, market associations as well as citizens to initiate suitable steps to prevent mosquito breeding.
He further emphasised that due attention be paid to the office and commercial complexes along with residential areas to prevent mosquito breeding and control outbreak of dengue in the city.
“It is the responsibility of the owner or occupier of the premises to ensure that water collection does not take place in and around their residence, offices, shops or any other establishment for prevention of mosquito breeding,” he added.
