Second Phase of Cleaning Operations starts at Kochi

Second Phase of Cleaning Operations starts at Kochi

Express News Service First Published : 27 Dec 2008 KOCHI: The second phase of cleaning operations of the mosquito eradication project, organised jointly by the Kochi Corporation and the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), started in Kochi on Friday.


The first round of cleaning of small drains and other breeding grounds at the 71 divisions of the Corporation has been completed. Each division has been allotted Rs 10,000 for the first and second phase of the project.

The main objective of the project is to permanently destroy the mosquito breeding sources using fogging machines.

“After the first phase, the mosquito index is comparatively low in the recent survey done by NHRM. The project is highly effective, the number of dengue outbreaks were low after the commencement of the project,” said District Medical Officer, K T Ramani.

Around 750 specialised officers have been trained and appointed for the second phase operations. These officials will visit households with the message to dry up the breeding sites of mosquitoes.

An awareness programme, will be organised as part of the second phase, in the last week of December in association with the schools, offices, resident associations and hotel owners’ association in the city.

As a special initiative, the authorities have also decided to organise special awareness programme, ‘Edu-Campaign’ for school children in January.

“The decisions for the further actions will be taken as per the report of NHRM after the completion of the second phase, in the meeting to be held in January,” said N A Mani, Chairman, Health Standing Committee. “The government is also planning to allot Rs 10,000 for further cleaning actions after the review meeting”, he said.