Bhubaneswar, Dec 14: The Capital city is facing an increasing mosquito menace, raising concerns about potential malaria and dengue outbreaks. With the Central Government selecting Bhubaneswar as the venue for the upcoming Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, the rise in mosquito density poses a challenge for the event. If the situation is not controlled, it could create difficulties for the foreign delegates attending, thus affecting the reputation of the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC).
A recent survey conducted by the BMC and the Health Department has highlighted alarming mosquito densities in several areas. The highest density of mosquitoes, 80, was recorded in Unit-1, followed by 68 in Old Bhubaneswar, 60 in Satyanagar, and 40 in Unit-3.
The survey indicates that mosquitoes are especially concentrated in residential colonies, apartments, and government offices.
BMC's mosquito control efforts are hindered by a shortage of fogging vehicles. Currently, there are only 20 mosquito fogging vehicles available to cover 67 wards across the city. Moreover, only 2 to 3 of these vehicles are allocated to VIP areas, leaving other areas under-served.
This has led to delays in mosquito control operations, with some wards taking up to four days to complete fogging. Consequently, areas with high mosquito density remain inadequately treated.
With the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas around the corner, foreign delegates are expected to stay in various high-end hotels in the city. However, the rising mosquito population poses a risk to their well-being, and if delegates are affected by mosquito bites, it could tarnish the image of Bhubaneswar and the BMC. Given the potential impact on the event, the BMC has been urged to find effective solutions.
In response to these concerns, a recent meeting was held where the BMC was instructed to develop a targeted strategy to curb the mosquito population.
This will include a stronger focus on cleanliness drives and ensuring the effective treatment of areas with high mosquito density. The BMC has been focusing on cleaning drains and water channels, but some areas still require more attention.
Health experts have emphasized the need for increased vigilance, as mosquitoes, although less likely to spread diseases during winter, are expected to proliferate in stagnant water.
BMC and the Health Department are being urged to take additional precautions, including thorough cleaning and more comprehensive fogging efforts across the city to prevent a larger outbreak.
With the increasing threat of mosquito-borne diseases and the approaching Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Bhubaneswar's authorities must urgently address the mosquito menace.
The limited number of fogging vehicles and inadequate coverage in many areas has highlighted the need for better planning and action.
To ensure the success of the upcoming event and the health and safety of the city's residents and visitors, prompt and coordinated efforts are required to tackle the rising mosquito population.
