Games sites turn happy homes for mosquitoes
Officials from the health department have expressed fear that the frenzy to complete various Commonwealth Games projects could lead to an increase in the number of dengue cases in the Capital. HT reports
Officials from the health department have expressed fear that the frenzy to complete various Commonwealth Games projects could lead to an increase in the number of dengue cases in the Capital.
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) health department has claimed that care is not being taken to check mosquito breeding at Games sites. Already 61 dengue cases have been reported from across the city compared to only two last year during the same time, MCD officials said.
The civic agency also said their attempts to discuss the matter with the Delhi government have been futile, as the government hasn't replied to its letters on the issue.
“I wrote to the health minister 20 days back informing her that dengue cases have gone up substantially and both the MCD and Delhi government should take steps to keep a check on it. But I have not got any reply,” said V K Monga, chairman of the medical relief and public health, MCD.
“I have written to her again. If nothing is done now, the coming few months are gong to be quite difficult. We have been issuing guidelines to agencies carrying out work at Games site but all of them are being violated.”
The civic agency said the situation was more alarming at the Games construction sites such as Yamuna Sports Complex, CWG Village, Indira Gandhi Stadium, RK Khanna Stadium, sport complex at Saket among others where the MCD staff has detected mosquito breeding and slapped fines.
“Unnecessary digging at Games construction sites is making those pits dens of mosquito breeding. We need to put a stop to that otherwise in October the situation could become alarming,” added Monga.
The MCD said adequate precautions need to be taken against dengue as the cyclical trend of increase in cases after every 3-4 years coincides with Commonwealth Games this year. The senior DDA official said due to digging work and debris near the venues, water does get accumulated.
“We have requested the MCD to carry out fogging near the venues to stop breeding of mosquitoes. The MCD is taking care of the problem,” said the official, who didn’t wish to be named.