MCD incurring lakhs on Dengue control measures but of no avail

New Delhi, Oct 6 (UNI) The menace of Dengue continues to grow in Delhi with each passing day despite the Municipal Corporation of Delhi incurring lakhs of rupees every day on the various measures to control the disease.

Lakhs of rupees are being spent daily by the MCD in its task to indulge in fogging in various areas of the capital through its fogging machines as well as autos.

''At present over 300 fogging machines are in operation in various parts of Delhi and lakhs of rupees are being spent by the MCD in incurring expenditure of petrol and diesel for vehicles indulging in such operations,''Leader of the MCD House Jitender Kochar said in a meeting of the Standing Committee today.

Endorsing the fact, the Medical Health officer of the MCD N K Yadav said,''Rs 10 lakh is being provided to each zone for operation of autos indulging in fogging operations in various zones in the Capital. In case, there is an additional requirement for the purpose, more money is provided.'' However, despite this enormous expenditure the threat of Dengue remains unabated.

Infact, the number of dengue cases today rose to 743, which includes 469 patients from Delhi alone.

The maximum number of 69 cases were reported from Najafgarh zone while 60 cases were reported from Shahdara (North), 52 from Central zone and 46 from Karol Bagh zone.

However, MCD Health officer N K Yadav said criticism in various quarters of efforts being made by the MCD to control the menace was unjustified as more than the efforts by the administration, it was the active participation of the public which was needed to control spread of the disease.

''For example, despite our regular reminders, large sections of the public have failed to heed our advice to shut down coolers, which could help control the spread of the dengue virus as a major per cent of the mosquito breeding occurs in the standing water in coolers,''Mr Yadav said.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of the Standing committee Jai Kishen Sharma expressed the hope that the impending onset of winter soon would take care of the mosquito breeding, thus abating the threat from Dengue in the Capital.

UNI AR YA VC1820