MCD to launch cleanliness drive, backs NGO initiative

NEW DELHI - With the number of dengue cases in the capital crossing the 1,200 mark, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will launch a week-long sanitation and cleanliness drive Monday to control mosquito breeding and the spread of the disease, an official said.

The agency will also support a campaign to be launched by NGO Art of Living on the same day to spruce up the city for the Commonwealth Games.

“The drive is aimed to control the breeding of mosquitos responsible for the spread of dengue. Various departments like sanitation, horticulture have been directed to participate in the removal of garbage, debris and water receptacles,” MCD Commissioner K.S. Mehra said.

The civic agency will lend all possible support to “Clean Delhi Drive”, a week-long cleanliness drive by NGO Art of Living in the city for the Commonwealth Games from Monday, Delhi Mayor Prithvi Raj Sawhney said.

Mehra blamed the intermittent rains for causing favourable breeding conditions for mosquitos.

He also appealed to the Residents Welfare Associations (RWAs), market associations, parents-teachers associations and other social welfare groups to participate in the drive.

“Strict directions are given to the public health officials to intensify anti-larval and fogging activities in the areas cleaned during the drive,” Mehra informed.

The MCD also announced an award for officials who succeed in bringing the breeding of mosquitoes in their respective areas to zero level.

The mayor said the “Clean Delhi Drive” by Art of Living is likely to be implemented in 41 strategic sites.

Appreciating the campaign, Sawhney assured the NGO of all possible help.

“Children from at least 340 schools have taken up projects around their schools to keep their adopted sites clean. The MCD is empowering 10 children per participating school as ‘Clean Delhi Captains’ (CDC) to monitor the adopted sites,” said Rashmi Paliwal, a member of Art of Living.