Dengue strikes in Ludhiana, MC yet to start fogging

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 27

Vector-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya, are being reported from the city but Municipal Corporation, Ludhiana, is yet to start fogging to control the breeding of mosquitoes.

Residents said they had earlier sought that the civic body must display fogging schedule on its web portal but nothing had been done in this regard. They wanted that fogging must be carried out properly in all parts of the city timely.

Gurmail Singh Jajji, councillor from Ward Number 2, said, “We have a small fogging machine for the ward but fuel and required chemical to run the machine has not been provided to us till date. Dengue cases have already started coming in but the civic body has delayed the fogging drive. I have no information when fogging is to be started.”

“Sufficient amount of required items should be provided so that fogging can be carried out in all parts of the ward for prevention of vector-borne diseases,” he added.

AAP leader Daljeet Singh Grewal said “The MC must ensure timely fogging in all areas of the city. It has been observed in the past too that fogging is not done properly in all areas. All necessary steps should be taken for the prevention of such diseases in the city. Besides, awareness drives should also be conducted”.

The MC has only 14 big fogging machines for 95 wards. Besides, a small machine has been provided to each councillor, MC officials said.

Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu said civic body officials had already been directed to start fogging with small as well as big machines by August 1.