A losing battle against dengue in Kapra circle

Kapra: The Kapra circle has only two fogging machines for more than 90 colonies, as a result fogging is not taking place to the desired extent. "20 dengue cases have been registered from the east zone, out of which nine have been registered from Kapra circle," said T Venkatesh, Chief Entomologist, GHMC.

However, residents say that the number is far too high. Many patients go to private hospitals which are not reported. Murali Krishna, a retired ECIL employee and resident of Sainathpuram, says, "In my colony alone there are 20 dengue cases."

Speaking to the Hans India, T Dasharath, Deputy Commissioner, Kapra said, "Fogging in the area is done once a month. The fogging would not be possible on a scheduled basis with two fogging machines. We make sure the fogging is done in the area from where the complaints have been received as soon as possible."

"Heaps of garbage gets collected in the open plots opposite to our lanes. There is a graveyard at the end of our colony. Every evening it becomes a headache for us to kill or repel mosquitoes out of our houses. Neither the officials come nor the field workers," said Gulshan S, a resident of Vivekanadapuram in Sainikpuri.

Further, he said, "A worker from GHMC charged Rs 200 for fogging. What's worse, it didn't help at all, the next day mosquitoes were back." Satya G, a GHMC sanitation staff, said, "Due to lack of machines, fogging is done in those places from where a large number of complaints are received."

C Shekhar, a resident of Shiva Shakti Theatre road near Annupuram Colony, said, "The pits have become mosquito breeding ground and is causing mosquito menace in the area. Cases of dengue have become common occurrence in several areas. Fogging happens but not regularly in our area."