Coimbatore Corpn to blame for spread of dengue: DMK MLA

A DMK MLA, representing Singanallur in the city, today alleged that Coimbatore Corporation's failure to maintain sewers and clear garbage had led to spread of dengue and other fevers.
The MLA, N Kartik, also charged that the local MLA and Municipal Administration Minister S P Velumani, despite his frequent visits to the area, failed to initiate measures to check the spread of the disease.
Talking to reporters after visiting the government hospital here, where about 30 dengue patients have been admitted, Kartik said facilities at the hospital remained the same adding that when he last visited the place on July 16, he found two patients lying on a single bed.

Blaming the health department for not taking up even 20 per cent of required work to prevent the spread of dengue and mysterious fevers, as feared by the people, particularly in rural areas like Pollachi, the MLA said garbage was piling up in almost all streets, as workers were not clearing it.
Besides, more than 50,000 tonnes of garbage had piled up in the 600-acre dumping yard without proper treatment in Vellalore, a major breeding source for mosquitoes, he said.
Despite frequent visits to the area by Velumani,no action was taken to mitigate the problems, due to which people were suffering from various diseases, including breathlessness and cough among the children, he alleged.

The government and the corporation should involve students, NGOs and private hospitals on a large-scale to create awareness about dengue and other diseases, Karthik, the lone opposition MLA from the district, said.