The Times of India 20.11.2010
Corporation takes up fogging to smoke out mosquitoes
CHENNAI: As part of its anti-malaria operations, the Chennai Corporation on Friday undertook a massive five-hour fogging operation across the city. About 1,100 field workers and 400 supervisory staff were involved in the programme that was kicked off in Chindadripet, falling in Chepauk constituency, represented by chief minister M Karunanidhi.
Mayor M Subramanian launched the drive at Sathyavani Muthu Nagar near Island Grounds, along with senior corporation officials led by commissioner D Karthikeyan. "As many as 180 hand-held fogging machines and another 27 vehicle-mounted machines are expected to be put to use to cover 3,300 km of roads till 9.30pm. All 8.5 lakh households will be covered in the operation," Subramanian said. He also advised parents to not let their children run behind the vehicles mounted with fogging machines.
The public health department removed 42 tonnes of old tyres last week. Another 27 tonnes of unused items, including coconut shells and damaged pots, were removed from residential colonies of all ten zones, Subramanian said. All these were part of the anti-mosquito operations.
Residents of Sathyavani Muthu Nagar meanwhile complained that the fogging exercise did not cover all parts of the locality and was restricted to the main roads. "It has been almost six months now since the corporation last undertook a fogging operation here. We have been put to untold hardships as the workers never turn up to spray even larvicides. We are glad that the high-profile visit of mayor helped launch a fogging operation," said Aandal, a resident. Conservancy workers did not even sweep the streets, others alleged.
