Kolkata, August 30: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) and Metro Railway have initiated a special campaign aimed at eradicating dengue from the city. This joint effort commenced on Saturday in the Esplanade Metro Station area and will continue until September 3.
KMC Administrator Smita Pandey and the Principal Chief Medical Officer (PCMO) of Metro Railway Kolkata, Reena Mukherjee, are leading the campaign together.
West Bengal‘s Minister for Urban Affairs and Development, Agnimitra Paul, was present at the launch of the initiative. Minister Paul emphasized that dengue eradication cannot be achieved without public awareness. He stressed that footpaths should not be encroached upon and that traders must keep at least two-thirds of the space clear for public movement.
The campaign will extend to all metro stations and surrounding areas, as well as various stations and train car shed areas of the South Eastern Railway. Notices are being issued to owners of abandoned lands or complexes in railway housing areas where stagnant water is either present or likely to accumulate due to overgrown bushes. These notices will be issued under Section 496 of the Municipal Corporation Act, 1994.
Additionally, fines ranging from ₹200 to ₹400 will be imposed for littering or disposing of restricted plastics anywhere. Offenders caught spitting or littering will not only face fines but will also receive strict warnings to clean the area and document the incident on camera for social media.
This campaign is not just a temporary measure for the monsoon season; it is set to continue in the future. Reports indicate that the initiative will be conducted statewide in collaboration with other government departments, including the Irrigation and Public Works Departments.
Minister Agnimitra Paul remarked that this is not solely the government’s battle; it must evolve into a public movement. Without the awareness of the general populace, dengue eradication will remain elusive. He urged that water should not be allowed to accumulate in homes or tanks and that regular cleaning of water tanks is essential. The campaign is scheduled to run until September 3.
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