BMC releases Gambusia fish in four major drains to combat mosquito menace in Odisha Capital

Bhubaneswar: With mosquito the breeding season on, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has released western Gambusia fish in at least four drains under this civic limit to combat Dengue and Malaria menace and bring them under control in the days ahead, a BMC source said today.

The civic body got into action mode after news on the apathetic attitude of BMC was recently covered in Odia daily ‘Sambad’. The preventive measure was taken after a gap of several years.

According to the source, Filaria inspectors have identified as many as 175 spots that are conducive to mosquito reproduction and could likely be larvae breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Gambusia fishes will be released into more drains and canals in subsequent days to bring reproduction under control.

In the first phase, Gambusia fish were released in a drain of Ward No-55 located behind the old BMC office, including Drain No-10 behind Maharshi College in Sahid Nagar, a drain in front of Mancheswar police station, and one more at Nandan Vihar of Patia locality in the State Capital.