Bengaluru: Days after Mayor Gangambike directed health officials to identify mosquito-breeding spots and carry out flogging operations, zone level officials are getting ready to make a list of vacant lands and empty residential plots that are covered with weeds and plants.
The vacant spaces will have to be cleaned by owners of the land and ensure that there are no weeds, grass or plants growing that help mosquitoes breed
A senior BBMP officer said, "We are taking these steps as there is a rise in dengue cases. Owners will be issued notices and within three days of receiving them, the owners have to clear their residential plots or vacant lands of garbage and plants. If they fail to comply with the notice, we will direct pourakarmikas to take up the work. We will slap a hefty fine on the owner and we are thinking of paying a certain amount of the collected sum to pourakarmikas."
The officer said that owners neglect empty plots, which turn into garbage dumps and weed growing spots, that become ideal ground for mosquitoes. "If the owners are growing anything specific, they will have to inform us and we will guide them to spray the plants with pesticides to prevent mosquito breeding. If it is a neglected space, we will ensure that it is cleaned up," the officer said.
The officer also mentioned that this is not the first time that the owners are being asked to clean up their spaces. "But now due to the rise in dengue cases, we have been directed to ensure that the neighbourhood doesn't get affected," he said.
A health official said that they have started identifying mosquito breeding spots across the city and the fogging process has begun. "We request people to inform the BBMP if there is a clogged drain, water stagnation spots or empty spaces filled with weeds so that immediate action is taken," he added.
