The Hindu 01.01.2011
20 hand-held fogging machines to drive away mosquitoes
The Coimbatore Corporation on Monday armed its conservancy workers with 20 hand-held fogging machines to battle mosquitoes.
Mayor R. Venkatachalam and Commissioner Anshul Mishra handed over the machines to the workers, who will be using five machines each in the four zones. Assistant City Health Officer P. Aruna was present at the handing over ceremony, which took place at the Corporation's head office.
The 20 machines, which cost Rs. 7.38 lakh, will be in addition to the 20 hand-held devices the Corporation is using at present.
It also uses four vehicle-mounted and 12 auto rickshaw-mounted machines to drive away mosquitoes.
The advantage the hand-held machines have is that the workers will find it easy to take it to lanes and by-lanes, where the vehicles find it difficult to enter.
People in congested areas and inaccessible areas will stand to benefit.
The effort is aimed at protecting people against chikungunya, dengue and other diseases the mosquitoes are known to cause.
Deputy Mayor N. Karthik, Deputy Commissioner S. Prabhakaran, South Zone Chairman Pynthamil Pari, ruling party leader R.S. Thirumugam and other councillors were present on the occasion.
