Over 78,000 persons living below the poverty line will soon be the first to get mosquito nets free of cost in the city.
The Chennai Corporation has identified the largest number of the beneficiaries in Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, where 10,801 persons live below the poverty line. A total of 7,369 beneficiaries in Tiruvottiyur, 10,462 in Tondiarpet, 10,193 in Royapuram, 5,039 in Ambattur, 1,621 in Anna Nagar, 8,441 in Teynampet, 3,113 in Kodambakkam, 1,173 in Valasaravakkam, 1,215 in Alandur, 9,243 in Adyar, 6,319 in Perungudi and 3,195 in Sholinganallur have been shortlisted by the Corporation in the first phase of distribution of mosquito nets. No beneficiaries have been identified in Manali and Madhavaram so far.
The Corporation recently called for expression of interest from manufacturers to facilitate the distribution of the nets to poor residents living along the city’s waterways. Each of the polyethylene mosquito nets are expected to be procured at Rs. 150.
The holes in the netting will have a diameter of about 2 mm and provide an effective barrier to Anopheles mosquitoes. The nets will prevent vector entry and will not lose their dimensional stability after washing. Made with strong seams, they will retain their strength for many years and ensure safety for users, officials said.
The Corporation council, a few months ago, passed a resolution to distribute mosquito nets to residents along 16 minor and major waterways, including the Cooum and Adyar rivers and the Buckingham Canal. The move followed reports that fogging operations were not effective in tackling mosquitoes in areas near the waterways.
The first phase of distribution is likely to be approved at the next council meeting. Health department officials said the initiative is likely to be the most cost-effective way of battling the mosquito menace without affecting the environment.
