Keep premises clean or face penal action, warns BMC as dengue cases surge in Odisha capital

Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided to impose penalties on households, commercial establishments and institutions if potential sources of dengue mosquito breeding or larvae are found on their premises.

The BMC made this announcement amid rising cases of dengue in Odisha capital in recent days.

The civic authorities have appealed to the citizens, commercial establishments and institutions to inspect their premises regularly and identify potential dengue mosquito breeding sources like flower pot, coconut shell, pet bowl, paper cup, unused tyre, unused utensil and can. The citizens and establishments have also been urged to take the necessary steps to check dengue mosquito breeding in the stagnant water stored in the above mentioned items.

The BMC has decided to impose a penalty of Rs 1,000 on individual households if potential dengue mosquito breeding sources are found on their premises while the amount would be Rs 5,000 for commercial establishments and institutions, said a notification issued by the civic body.

“The BMC team will commence random visit/inspection on domestic, commercial and institutional establishments from August 15,” added the notification.

The civic authorities are taking all possible measures to check dengue menace by destroying potential dengue mosquito breeding sources through fogging and spraying of larvae oil. However, the civic body cannot check the menace without proper cooperation from the public, said BMC Commissioner Vijay Amruta Kulange.