Patna: Fogging still eludes many localities

PATNA: Residents of several localities here alleged that no fogging had been done in their areas for the last one fortnight and the civic body was not doing anything to mitigate their sufferings and control the mosquito breeding despite a sharp rise in the number of dengue and chikungunya cases.


Anju Devi, a resident of Rajendra Nagar (Road No 13A), alleged that no fogging or bleaching has been done in her area.

“Some people took the initiative and sprinkled some bleaching powder. We are using mosquito net, and mosquito repellent cream to protect ourselves,” she said.

Sadhnapuri resident Rajiv Sinha said that fogging was done in his area before the waterlogging. But once the water level receded not seen a single person from the PMC came here. “I had even requested my ward councillor several times for fogging and bleaching but nothing has been done so far,” he said.

While Ram Nagari Colony Sector- II resident Shailesh Kumar said he has never seen any fogging being done in the colony.

Sandalpur resident Madhav Singh rued that the PMC was yet to take any initiative in the area. “Locals are purchasing bleaching powder with their own money and sprinkling it near their homes,” he said.

Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials, however, refuted the claims of the residents and said fogging and sprinkling of bleaching powder are being done by the sanitation workers everyday in all the 72 wards spread over six circles— Azimabad, Bankipore , Kankerbagh, New Capital, Patliputra and Patna City.

Even Patna City circle executive officer and PMC public relation officer SK Mishra said that all the ward councillors have one portable fogging machine and a vehicle to ensure fogging in their respective areas. “We have divided every ward into several sections, especially where vehicles cannot go. In such areas, sanitation workers are using hand-held fogging machines,” he said.

Mishra added: “The civic body is also involved in fighting the vector and the number of anti-larvae control units have been increased for Kankerbagh, Bankipore and Patliputra circles.”

Bihar State Health Society sources on Thursday said that the number of teams have been increased from 75 to 85, which are busy in spraying chemicals to control larvae in localities which were affected by waterlogging.