Mosquitoes breeding at 7 CWG sites, notices issued

In what could probably be a cause of worry for the Delhi government, the local civic body has found mosquitoes breeding at seven Commonwealth Games sites. It has issued notices to the officials concerned.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) collected samples from various Games sites and found larvae breeding at Commonwealth Games village near Akshardham, Yamuna sports complex, Yamuna Sports Training Centre, DDA sports complex Saket, Hans Raj College, R.K. Khanna Stadium and Indira Gandhi Stadium.

"Despite repeated warnings from the MCD, the Games Organising Committee has been careless. There is gross negligence on the part of the organisers and the whole city will suffer due to it," V.K. Monga, MCD health committee chairman, told IANS.

Notices have been issued to the officials concerned, he added.

There has been an increase in the number of dengue cases this year. At least 121 people have tested positive for the vector-borne disease in the city till Aug 9, as against 10 cases reported till the same date last year.

According to the civic body, the worst situation is at the Games village site where stagnant water
in the basements is leading to mosquitoes breeding.

According to the MCD, the number of dengue cases was 1,312 in 2008 and two deaths were reported.

In 2009, the number was 1,153, with three deaths. In 2010, the number of cases so far is 121 and a person has died due to the disease.

"The number of dengue cases will double, compared to the last two years. The conditions are favourable for breeding of mosquitoes as the city is filled with pot holes and pits due to the ongoing construction activity," Monga said.

Some of the participating countries have already raised concern over increasing dengue cases in the capital.