Pune: The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has intensified its anti-mosquito breeding drive, issuing violation notices to 1,292 individuals and collecting a total fine of Rs 3.36 lakh from 122 since Jan this year.A senior PCMC official said a high-level health department meeting was held on Monday to strategise mosquito-containment measures, including inspections, container checks and enforcement through penalties. Since Jan, PCMC teams have inspected 1.84 lakh households, detecting breeding sites in 3,079, besides checking 442 junkyards and 697 construction sites.Sachin Pawar, deputy municipal commissioner and head of the PCMC’s health department, said the civic body was implementing multiple preventive measures. “Residents must take equal responsibility by ensuring their homes and surroundings do not become breeding grounds. Continued non-compliance will attract penalties,” Pawar said, adding that regular measures like insecticide spraying, awareness programmes and cleanliness drives were being implemented.The civic body’s medical department has launched the ‘Break the Chain’ campaign, focusing on prevention and enforcement. An eight-member taskforce coordinates with ward offices for inspections, and nodal medical officers have been appointed for each ward to work with local civic hospitals and health inspectors. “We are implementing the 5S strategy (search and destroy, self-protection, support fogging and insecticide activity, seek early consultation and sustain hydration) to make the campaign effective,” said another PCMC official. Awareness activities were being held to educate citizens about preventive steps and the importance of early medical intervention, the official added.Municipal commissioner Shekhar Singh said, “Citizens should ensure that stagnant water does not collect in tanks, drums, flower pots, tyres or unused utensils. Observe ‘dry day’ once a week and maintain hygiene. PCMC is conducting regular insecticide spraying, and public cooperation is essential.”Officials at Pune Municipal Corporation said they have also increased fogging and insecticide activities. A senior PMC health department official said they issued notices to 859 violators after mosquito-breeding sites were found during their inspection since Jan. “A fine of Rs 98,300 was also collected,” the official said.
