Bhubaneswar, Aug 11: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has further decided to spray chemicals using drones to deal with mosquito menace after experimental failure last year.
An agreement has been signed with a Kolkata-based private farm to deploy drones to kill mosquitoes after a meeting of the civic body held by Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange, said a senior official.
Some employees of the company conducted mapping in the city on Thursday. The drones will be used from next week, said the BMC source.
The drones will be deployed in inaccessible locations like abandoned plots, narrow lanes, slums and household surroundings.
Last year the BMC sprayed pesticides in water bodies but it failed to kill mosquitoes following which the programme was cancelled amid controversy.
A day earlier, the BMC warned to impose penalties on households, offices and commercial establishments if potential sources of dengue mosquito breeding or larvae are found on their premises.
The civic body has announced to a fine of Rs 1000 for individual households and Rs 5000 for commercial establishments and offices.
The BMC has directed the denizens to clear garbages and unused articles like tyre, sola, plate, and damaged vehicles lying in and around the houses by August 15. Later, members of Swachha Sathi, ASHA (Accreditated Social Health Activists)workers, Anganwadi workers and BMC employees will conduct random checking and impose a penalty of Rs 1000 if potential sources of dengue mosquito breeding or larvae are found on their premises.
The civic body has appealed to all citizens, offices, and institutions for the removal of defunct vehicles, food carts, tyres, and plastic containers from their surroundings.
