Kolkata, Sept. 8 -- The KMC will soon launch a vector-control and awareness drive in the city's slums as it steps up its dengue-prevention measures, with South Kolkata emerging as the biggest mosquito-breeding hotspot.
The civic body will also hold three-day Jan Sanjog Shivir camps from Wednesday to address citizens' tax-assessment queries.
Municipal Commissioner and Administrator Smita Pandey said on Tuesday that the KMC was better prepared this year to tackle dengue. Of the city's 144 wards, Ward 6 is currently a concern, with 55 people reported to have been affected by dengue, she said.
Pandey said the civic body has micro-level data on where awareness drives are being conducted by its Vector Control Department, ensuring 100 per cent accountability. The KMC will also soon begin distributing mosquito nets, she added.
The KMC and state Health department's three-day joint dengue surveillance drive found the highest number of mosquito-larvae breeding sites in Borough X, covering New Alipore, Tollygunge, Kasba, Dhakuria, Lake Gardens and Garfa.
Larvae were detected at 326 locations in the borough. Borough XI followed with 217 breeding sites, while Borough XIV recorded 146.
Fever cases, however, were more concentrated in North Kolkata. Borough II recorded the highest number at 35, followed by Borough IX, covering Alipore, Ekbalpore, Chetla and Mominpur, with 31 cases. Borough VIII, covering Bhawanipore, Gariahat and Rashbehari, ranked third.
Meanwhile, Pandey said Assessment Department officers would be present at tax unit offices during the Jan Sanjog Shivir camps. A similar help drive by the Building Department will be held after the tax-assessment exercise.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.