In an attempt to check mosquito breeding in sewage drains, the Tiruchi Corporation has planned to use ‘oil balls’ (a mixture of waste engine oil and saw dust packed in small gunny bags), which it claims would act as effective larvicide.
Speaking at a meet to review the mosquito control measures in the city on Thursday, Corporation Commissioner V.P.Thandapani said the use of the ‘oil balls’ apart from abate solution as larvicide would be intensified in the city.
All sanitary workers should ensure that the application of larvicides entirely in the areas allocated to them. Sixty-five additional hand sprayers would also be provided soon to the sanitary workers, he said.
The Commissioner also instructed sanitary workers and civic officials to work in tandem with residential welfare associations and elected representatives to intensify mosquito control measures. Steps have been taken to prevent contamination of drinking water.
The drinking water supplied to residents was also being adequately chlorinated. Corporation health officials have been instructed to mount surveillance on persons suffering from fever or diarrhoea and in their neighbourhood areas.
Mr.Thandapani told The Hindu that ‘oil balls’ would be used in places where waste water was stagnant or in sewage drains.
It has been used as an effective larvicide in other parts of the State.
The abate solution could be used in fresh water sources. The Corporation, he said, has almost exhausted the annual budgeted allocation of Rs.75 lakhs for mosquito control operation in the city. Additional funds would also be allotted.
Complaints
The Commissioner appealed to city residents to report complaints, if any, of mosquito menace or shortcomings in the control measures and of incidence of fever or diarrhoea to the civic officials over the following telephone numbers: Srirangam zone – 7639511000; Ariyamangalam – 7639522000; Golden Rock – 7639533000; and K.Abishekapuram – 7639544000.
If no action was initiated on the complaints within two days, the matter could be reported to the Corporation Main office by dialling 7639566000 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., he said in a press release.