Delhi MC's health alert to civic bodies on CWG

In view of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, Delhi Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra today alerted all civic agencies as well as different departments of MCD to eliminate mosquito-genic conditions to control and prevent vector and water-borne diseases, particularly along the banks of Yamuna River and in unauthorised colonies.

Addressing the Intersectoral Coordination Meeting of MCD, Delhi Government, Delhi Police, Delhi Jal Board, DDA, DMRC, Northern Railway, DTC, Flood and Irrigation Department and DSIIDC here which was preponed due to the Commonwealth Games, Mr Mehra said, ''The next few months are all the more important because they involve the prestige of the country before international community. There is potential of the spread of such diseases in view of the large-scale construction activities and presence of migrant labour. We have to be extra alert.'' He asked the Flood and Irrigation Department, Delhi Jal Board, Sanitation Department of MCD, DDA, DMRC and Northern Railway to provide support to MCDs Health Department by taking anti-larval measures along the bank of Yamuna River. He stressed the need for keeping Yamuna free of water hyacinth which becomes primary breeding ground of mosquitoes. Mr Mehra stressed the need to focus attention on unauthorised colonies from where maximum number of cases were reported. He asked Irrigation and Flood Control Department and DSIIDC to ensure free flow of water in these colonies.

''It is important that the drains are kept clean and there is regular desilting of drains.'' The Municipal Commissioner stressed that Delhi Jal Board should ensure increase in frequency of water supply by tankers in unauthorised areas and proper chlorination of drinking water as these small measures would go a long way in preventing water-borne diseases. He also directed the Deputy Commissioners of MCD to ensure that kabariwalas were not allowed to accumulate material in open.

''There is need to keep on eye on migrant labour and their health-related activities.'' Municipal Health Officer N K Yadav said lot of construction activities were going around Delhi for the Commonwealth Games and there was need to be alert well in time to prevent diseases like dengue, malaria, chikengunia, gastroenteritis, cholera, jaundice and typhoid. He urged all the civic agencies to nominate a nodal officer from their organisation to coordinate with the MCD.