The Hindu 11.03.2011
Civic body to intensify anti-mosquito drive
To seek poll panel permission for its implementation
The Kochi Corporation will seek the permission of the State Election
Commission to purchase fogging machines and implementing anti-mosquito
drive in the city.
Tender process
The corporation will complete the tender process to
purchase fogging machines and flush the city drains with saline water on
March 23. However, it will require the permission of the commission as
the model code of conduct is in force, said T.K. Ashraf, chairman of the
Health Standing Committee of the Kochi Corporation.
Criticism
The councillors had severely criticised the corporation
in its council meeting held last week on this issue. The opposition
councillors demanded stern action to curb the menace.
Some of the councillors also stated that the corporation
cannot run away from its responsibilities by blaming the previous
regime.
“We hope that the commission would consider the request as they are part of an ongoing process,” Mr. Ashraf said.
Paper works completed
Anticipating that the election would be declared during
the first week of March, the paper works for the purchase of machines
and other facilities were completed in January.
The drains were not flushed out with saline water last
year due to some technical problems. The civic authorities plan to
deploy one fogging machine each in all the 22 Health circles of the
corporation.
The remaining three would be kept as standby machines.
Presently, the fogging operations are carried out using just three
machines.
Of the three, two are operating in the eastern area of
the city and one in the west Kochi area. The health officials of the
corporation have completed the groundwork for covering the air pipes of
septic tanks with nets.
Tender for the purchase of nets will be floated this week itself, Mr. Ashraf said.
Leaky tanks
The leaky tanks are breeding ground for mosquitoes,
and residents’ associations in the locality had demanded action against
this.
Officials deputed
The corporation has deputed two officials of the Health Department to coordinate and monitor the drive in the city.
They will track the movement of vehicles mounted with fogging machines.
With the deployment of the fogging machines, use of
pesticides and regular flushing of drains using saline water, the menace
can be curbed, he hoped.
