Court notices sent to schools, hospitals and govt properties identified as mosquito breeding spots

The three Municipal Corporations of Delhi have sent court notices to 83 premium properties across the national Capital that have been identified as the active mosquito breeding spots. Nearly 27 schools have been sent notices after detecting them to be the active mosquito breeding locations.

Apart from schools, hospitals, government properties like Delhi Jal Board offices, Delhi Development Authority parks, DTC bus depots, BSES offices, CISF camp, Jawaharlal Nehru University hostels, Municipal Corporation of Delhi workshops, GB Pant Hospital, LNJP Hospital, Social Welfare Old Age home DSIIDC in Rohini, Metro construction sites in Dwarka and Janakpuri, Centre for Cultural Resource and Training Centre in Dwarka and NCERT building have been sent notices.

The maximum number of mosquito breeding sites has been detected in the jurisdiction of North Delhi Municipal Corporation (34), followed by East (25) and South (24). Till date, three cases of malaria and 40 cases of dengue have been reported in all the three Municipal Corporations.

"After the court notices are served the caretaker of these properties will have to appear before the magistrate and can be penalised up to Rs 5,000. Weekly inspections will be carried out to ensure that they are maintaining cleanliness and thus preventing the scope for the mosquitoes to breed," said an MCD official.

The corporation is also carrying out a sensitisation programme called 'Dengue/malaria prevention month'. The corporation will educate residents about water-borne diseases. "The municipal councillors will make a visit to their respective wards and keep an eye on the condition of drains and probable mosquito breeding sites. We will also rope in the representatives of other civic bodies like Delhi Development Authority, Public Works Department to take precaution and sensitise the residents in their jurisdiction," said Mohan Bhardwaj, chairman, Standing Committee, North Delhi Municipal Corporation.

MCD officials said that they have also been issuing notices to citizens to take extra precautions. Dr NK Yadav, Municipal Health Officer of South Delhi Municipal Corporation, said, "We are issuing regular advisories to citizens to take extra precautions. They are advised to clean the overhead and other water tanks properly. All air-coolers should be cleaned once a week and mopped dry before refilling. Collection of stagnant water should not be allowed inside or around office premises."