It is aimed at reducing mosquito breeding sites; to be on till September 8 Various MCD departments asked to undertake special initiatives to achieve healthier environment Names, beat areas of safai karamcharies and gardeners put on MCD website to bring discipline among staff NEW DELHI: Following the rise in the number of dengue cases being reported in the Capital, Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner K.S. Mehra has announced that the civic body would be launching a special sanitation-cum-cleanliness drive from Monday aimed at reducing the mosquito breeding sites in its area. The drive would continue up to September 8. Mr. Mehra said: "It was observed that dengue cases are increasing by the day and we found that 59 cases have been reported so far. Heavy rain has resulted in collection of water in the city, making it conducive for mosquito breeding.' The Commissioner directed the various departments of the MCD including that of environment management services, health, engineering and horticulture to intensify sanitation activities and undertake special initiatives to achieve better sanitation and a healthier environment. According to the civic body, since the dengue and vector mosquito also breeds in places such as coolers, uncovered overhead tanks, old tyres or any other article holding water, a special appeal has also been made by the MCD Commissioner to administrative heads of all government and autonomous offices, educational institutions, commercial concerns and market associations for taking necessary preventive measures regularly in their offices and residential complexes. A civic body official said: "Unfortunately our appeals have not been perceived by the community members in the right spirit as has been evident by the high mosquito breeding indices reported from different organisations and residential complexes. Any breeding indices above 10 per cent are critical and can lead to outbreak of large number of cases. Cross-checking teams of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme and MCD have recently reported high breeding indices from various areas.' Mr. Mehra informed that as part of its efforts to improve sanitation and greenery in the city as well as to bring in greater sense of discipline among the employees, the civic body has put the names and beat areas of safai karamcharies and gardeners on the MCD website. "In case of dereliction of duty on the part of these employees, citizens are requested to file their complaints at the central control room on phone no.1266 or at zonal control room. "They can also lodge their complaints with zonal Deputy Commissioners or departmental heads. In case of poor sanitation condition, citizens are requested to inform MCD at control rooms and for water stagnation and accumulation they are requested to inform the health official concerned,' he added.