Patna: In a proactive move to curb the spread of dengue and chikungunya, the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC) on Thursday launched a large-scale anti-larval spraying and fogging campaign across the city. A total of 503 teams will be deployed from November to December, covering all urban wards in a door-to-door initiative.
The campaign was flagged off by Urban Development Minister Jibesh Kumar, Mayor Sita Sahu, and Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar, who jointly inaugurated the operation. As part of the launch event, the officials also led a symbolic tree plantation drive under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, planting saplings in all 75 wards of the city.
Two-Shift Anti-Larva Drive During Monsoon
Given the heightened risk of mosquito-borne diseases during the monsoon, anti-larval spraying will be conducted in two shifts daily, with teams visiting households directly.
To ensure effective implementation, PMC has constituted a special monitoring team comprising five doctors and key officials from the public sanitation and waste management departments. Their responsibilities include overseeing chemical mixing, loading, spraying, and fogging operations.
Chemical Protocol and Stock Availability
According to the corporation’s technical team:
- For fogging, a diesel-chemical mixture in a 19:1 ratio will be used.
- For anti-larval spraying, 5 ml of Temephos will be mixed with 25 liters of water.
Currently, the PMC has adequate supplies, including:
- 21,250 kg of technical Malathion
- 2,570 kg of Temiphos
Community Participation Encouraged
During the flag-off event, Minister Jibesh Kumar also distributed kits to ‘Amrit Mitras’, community volunteers supporting the city’s Swachh Bharat and public health initiatives. The PMC appealed to citizens to cooperate with the teams and keep their surroundings clean and water-free to eliminate mosquito breeding grounds.
Background: Why This Matters
Dengue and chikungunya cases tend to spike in Patna during the rainy season due to stagnant water, poor drainage, and high humidity. The early launch of this campaign aims to break the mosquito life cycle before infections rise.
Municipal Commissioner Animesh Kumar Parashar stated, “The health and safety of citizens is our top priority. With the combined efforts of our field teams, medical monitors, and public participation, we aim to keep dengue and chikungunya cases under control this year.”
