Mayor happy with KMC's success in curbing spread of dengue across city

Kolkata: Mayor Firhad Hakim on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) being able to control the spread of dengue successfully.

The Mayor of Gazipur in Bangladesh met Hakim at the KMC headquarters on SN Banerjee Road and praised the steps taken by the civic authorities to stop spreading of the disease. It may be mentioned that more than 100 people have died of dengue in Bangladesh.

Hakim, who is also the state Urban Development and Municipal Affairs minister, had instructed all the civic bodies to take up the anti-dengue drive seriously. Additional funds in this regard had been released for the municipalities situated in the Indo-Bangladesh border area.

Coming down heavily on the media, the Mayor said some media houses are criticising the drives taken up by the civic bodies without any rhyme or reason.

"They should understand what steps have been taken to prevent dengue. What they are writing or showing is being used by the Opposition to criticise the ruling party. This is unfortunate. We seek everyone's cooperation to control spreading of the disease," he added.

Hakim said the Mayor of Gazipur had called on him on Wednesday and they talked on the garment hub which has come up in Bangladesh.

Talking to newsmen in this connection, he said: "Such exchanges enrich us. Gazipur is the economic capital of Bangladesh and the garment hub is coming up very fast. We can use their expertise and improve our garment hub in Metiabruz."

During the day, the Mayor inaugurated a sophisticated machine aimed at helping repair work of roads. Ratan Dey, Member, Mayor in-Council (Roads) was present at the function. KMC has taken special measures to repair the roads across the city that have been damaged. "The city roads should be smooth and we are working on it. The condition of the roads is much better now than what it used to be earlier," he said.