Delhi government to start month-long fogging

In an effort to free the national capital from mosquito menace and to keep a check on the spread of vector borne diseases such as chikungunya and dengue, the Delhi government will carry out a fogging drive here for a month beginning from Thursday.

Announcing a comprehensive drive, Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday said the government will supplement the efforts of the civic bodies in carrying out the steps for prevention of vector borne diseases.

"First phase of the fogging will begin from Thursday with 100 machines and from September 26 the drive will be in full swing with 600 machines taken up. It will be done in every street of the city on alternate days," Sisodia told the media here.

"Though this is the work of the municipal authorities but seeing the seriousness of the situation we have decided to supplement the MCDs' work for this month-long drive. It is expected to substantially reduce the possibility of vector borne diseases," he said.

Sisodia appealed to the three Municipal Corporations of Delhi to support the Aam Aadmi Party government's effort to eliminate mosquitoes.

"We appeal to the MCDs to perform their work and we shall do our duty. We do not wish to get into why the primary duty of prevention of vector borne diseases and cleaning of garbage did not take place despite all funds having been released before time and repeated meetings," Sisodia said.

He also appealed to the civic corporations to ensure cleanliness of the "Dhalaaos (garbage dump)" which were often overflowing, with garbage not being cleared regularly.

The minister urged the MCDs to ensure that silt from the sewers was removed immediately after cleaning.

"The cleanliness drive should be conducted in tandem with the fogging drive and all efforts must be made to curb the rising number of mosquito borne diseases," Sisodia added.

Delhi has so far witnessed over 30 deaths from vector borne diseases like dengue and chikungunya.

--IANS

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