TIRUCHY: Poor maintenance of drains, stagnant water in vacant plots, uncleared waste and inadequate manpower for mosquito-control activities are contributing to persistent mosquito menace in several parts of Tiruchy, with residents and councillors questioning the effectiveness of the corporation’s dengue prevention drive despite the deployment of 500 workers.
Residents have reported persistent mosquito menace in Woraiyur, Thillai Nagar, Chathiram Bus Stand, Srirangam, Thennur, Chinthamani, Sankaranpillai Road, EB Road, Sanjeev Nagar, Odatheru and Butterworth Road. They said fogging and other vector-control measures were irregular, particularly around vacant plots, abandoned buildings, parks and drains, and urged the corporation to intensify inspections.
The Tiruchy Corporation, which has 65 wards, launched its dengue prevention drive in October ahead of the Northeast monsoon. Around 450 mosquito-control workers have been deployed for door-to-door fever surveys and inspections to identify breeding spots, while another 50 workers are engaged in fogging, spraying and placing oil balls to control mosquitoes. Review and training meetings were also conducted for domestic breeding checkers, sanitary officers and sanitary inspectors.
Over the past three years, officials have identified 32 dengue hotspots based on house indices and areas reporting more than three cases. The corporation is monitoring 147 hospitals and laboratories and conducting medical camps to track infections. In the past three months, 24 dengue cases have been reported within the corporation limits, including 11 in November. It has also collected fines totalling Rs 1.94 lakh from residents, building owners and scrap dealers for allowing mosquito breeding conditions.
S Rengan, a resident of Amma Mandapam, said stagnant rainwater and poorly maintained drains were contributing to mosquito breeding. “Whenever it rains, water stagnates in many places and is not cleared in time. Even in residential areas, drains are not cleaned properly, and waste remains uncleared for several days,” he said.
Ward 23 councillor K Suresh Kumar said a shortage of workers was affecting mosquito-control activities. “There are not enough workers to cover all areas. The number of people available for spraying medicines is also inadequate. Many places are being left out. The corporation should speed up inspections and ensure that all areas are covered,” he said.
A corporation official told TNIE that teams were conducting regular inspections, clearing stagnant water and undertaking fogging across all wards. Steps would be taken to cover areas yet to be reached and intensify the drive wherever necessary, the official added.