Unclean surroundings trigger dengue fear in Steel City

Rourkela: Dengue has reared its ugly head in the Steel City after detection of several cases. This has triggered fear of its spread among the denizens even as the civic body authority allegedly is not alarmed over the problem.

To add to the problem, choked drains, garbage littered streets and pools of stagnant water in the city have become the breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Meanwhile, seven cases of dengue have been confirmed out of 30 suspected cases, blood samples of which were sent to VSS Medical College and Hospital at Burla.

Appearance of vector-borne disease is blamed on lack of sanitation work and cleanliness drive. Residents allege that all this is happening due to maladministration and unionism among workers engaged in sanitation work. Though as many as 419 regular and casual scavengers have been engaged in 24 out of 33 wards, cleaning drive has not been up to mark. There are 119 malaria staff (IFW- Inferior Field Workers) under the Sundargarh CDMO. However, the IFWs said that they are supposed to cut weeds and bushes, clear water stagnation and spray larvicide. In the rest nine wards, garbage lifting and clearing are being outsourced with engagement of 170 sweepers. In many cases in the past, the civic body has warned of action against erring workers for failing to perform their duties.

Vice-Chairman R N Mishra explains that the municipality is outsourcing sanitation work. Rourkela Municipality chairperson Rashmibala Mishra said efforts are underway to curb mosquito breeding with sanitation drive and spraying of larvicide oil. The district Collector, Sundargarh has deputed Rourkela ADM, Panposh Sub-Collector and Tehsildar for monitoring the situation.