Sangam Vihar West, Tuglakabad Extn still dengue-free

Amid reports of <g data-gr-id="40">deluge</g> in dengue cases in the Capital, there is something to learn from two wards of South Delhi. Sangam Vihar West and Tuglakabad Extension areas have by far not reported a single case of dengue even as the total number of cases has soared to as high as 5,982 with over 35 deaths.

While most of the residential colonies have been identified as breeding grounds of the Aedes mosquito, it is quite noticeable that these two areas, having a sizeable population, haven’t reported any dengue case till now.

Data released by the MCDs revealed 511 fresh dengue cases in South Delhi with the total number of cases going above 1,650. Both the wards-Sangam Vihar West and Tughlakabad Extension fall under the South Corporation’s Central Zone, which has recorded a total number of 171 dengue cases from all wards till September 19 which is the latest data available with the SDMC. It is surprising to learn that the adjoining areas of these wards have registered at least some cases. Sangam Vihar has recorded six cases and Sangam Vihar East has registered three dengue cases.

Sangam Vihar West area has a population of about of 1.5 to 2 lakh. The area is divided into eight blocks. Kali Charan Sharma, the Councillor of Sangam Vihar West gives credit to the MCD employees for carrying out anti-dengue programmes round the clock. “It is one of the most congested areas of the Capital. There must be a notion that a huge number of dengue cases would have been reported from here. But we succeeded since we didn’t leave a single block untouched. We carried out fumigation programme in every nook and corner of the area. The employees of malaria department were 24 hours at work. Moreover, the preparation for dengue started a month earlier,” said Sharma.

Likewise, Tughlakabad Extension Councilor <g data-gr-id="36">Babli,</g> attributed the zero figure to the intensive anti-dengue programmes. 

“We carried out the fumigation and other programmes with due diligence. I myself monitored the anti-dengue measures on a regular basis and the rest is history. This has helped us work better and ensure that people of this area don’t face any problem,” the Councilor said.