KOCHI: After earning the wrath of the residents for giving them sleepless nights, Kochi corporation seems to have woken up from its slumber. The corporation authorities have come up with an action for mosquito control.
Mayor M Anilkumar informed the council which met on Monday that the corporation will start implementation of the action plan prepared by the health standing committee chairman. Six vehicles and staff will be deployed for conducting fogging and power spraying of larvicide in eastern parts of the city, while four vehicles and staff will be pressed into action for the purpose in western side of Kochi. “Fogging will be conducted from 5am to 7am and power spraying will be conducted from 7.30am to 12 noon in a division a day. Workers deployed by the corporation will conduct hand spraying in the areas where power spraying vehicles don’t have access,” the mayor said.
According to the mayor, adequate vehicles and equipment required for conducting fogging and power spraying in each division of the corporation once a week have been arranged. Larvicides will be sprayed in the areas which are found to be breeding grounds of mosquitoes. “The quantity of larvicide being used will be increased to almost double of what we use now. We will be starting a special drive from Tuesday. The results can be evident by March 1,” health standing committee chairman T K Ashraf said.
To protest the apathy on the part of the authorities, the UDF councillors used the image of mosquitoes as their profile pictures during the council meeting held online. They alleged that the ruling front failed to discharge their duties. Opposition leader Antony Kureethra, works standing committee chairperson Sunitha Dixon, UDF councillors Deepthi Mary Varghese, V K Minimol, etc. raised the issue at the council meeting.
Anilkumar said that the mosquito menace has been there in the city for the past several decades. “One of the reasons for increasing mosquito density is lack of proper netting of vent pipes of toilets in the city,” the mayor said. “Mosquito menace can’t be avoided completely unless and until there are proper sewage treatment projects. Councillors should monitor mosquito control activities, he said. The corporation will distribute nets for covering the vent pipes of the toilets in the city every Saturday.
Programmes to create awareness among the public regarding mosquito reduction will be conducted. Besides uniforms, special coats also will be given to the workers deployed for mosquito reduction activities. Health standing committee chairman will conduct review meetings every day. Mayor also will hold review meetings at fixed intervals.
